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Message: <blockquote data-quote="steeldragons" data-source="post: 5258225" data-attributes="member: 92511">More on Natural/Primal Magic...was cut short. Oops. and the Shamans of Orea.--SD(Natural Magic cont'd)  It is the magic of the first creatures of the realms, who even came  into being by and with its power, the Children of Zho (dragons) and the  Children of Ahl (titans) from which all modern day Arcane magic and much  ritual (arcane and divine) has descended. Called "Draconic" and "Titanic"  magic respectively, these are the first and most powerful types of  magic in all of Orea. They are all but completely lost to the current  races of the realms save a few legendary artifacts and, of course, the  Champion of Wyr known as <a href="http://file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Gene/Desktop/OREA/Steel%20Dragons%20website/realms/sd_org.html#dragonmage" target="_blank">the Dragonmage</a>. Also descended from these primeval types of magic are Elf magic (the power held in the sacred items and innate abilities of the Shi'Staliiri), Fairy magic, and the Elemental Mancies.     The casting of natural magic requires no study or books, but an  innate understanding of how to raise and direct the power. This is done  through a natural force of will, encouraged through rituals (in the case  of shamans or mystics) from the simple to ornate and/or passed down  through ancient teachings (as the druids or Shi'staliiri healers).  Whether there is chanting, dancing, singing, meditation, fasting,  sweating, breathing or drinking of herbal concoctions, a ritualistic  weapon or sacred item (called a totem by some cultures), the methods for  accessing the cosmic energy are diverse and variably effective. For the  true caster of natural magic, very little (if anything) is required in  the way of spoken or somantic components.    Druids, as with clerics, do not need to memorize specific spells  at the beginning of each day, having such command of the energies of  Orea that any 1st or 2nd level spell effect (as many as their level of  experience allows) is accessible to them without prior meditation. For  spells 3rd level and higher, the druid does have to decide each day what  she will be prepared to use. Predetermined or not, the druid must still  spend the requisite time of rest and replenish his energies to be  prepared for casting through his Rite of Dawn (generally accepted as 8  hours rest or sleep, 1 hour rite/meditation)     Still others are able to generate arcane or divine spell effects  without any arcane magic study or training at all. Among most of races  of the realms, these spell users are collectively known as Mystics.  They instinctively weave the magic as they please (and are capable of)  as is the case among the Shi'Staliiri elves (specifically of Eres'kae  Arabredaeras and Darathas -House Spellweaver and House Healer,  respectively), and the shamans of Kantiiri elf and is rumored to be  prevalent among the Zepharim and the Haindaun.     (Shamans)Shamans in Orea Those societies that do not have or adopt "organized religion" and the  worship of the current Orean pantheon but still maintain a spirituality,  most commonly have shamans. The shaman is the society's connection  between the physical world and their "spirit world." Depending on the   society, the "spirit world" may be nature spirits, totem animals, often  includes the souls of mortals/ancestors and/or actual extra-dimensional  entity of some power that is not actually a recognized "god". Whatever  the inhabitants of their spirit world, the shaman is the bridge for that  society...making them the symbol of all things "otherworldly." They are  the workers of magic, who deal in the unknown, in otherwise  superstitious or magic-less societies.   The shaman may be an esteemed figure of the society (oftentimes seen  as second to a chief or king) acting as counselor, healer, conducting  rites of passage, etc...or may be a peripheral outsider or outcast to  the group...approached only in times of desperate need. However they are  treated, the shaman is a figure that evokes a cautious respect (fearful  or honored) among their society for their dealings in unknown. Given  their position in their society it is very rare for a shaman to leave  their tribe/clan/group, unless the society is such that they have more  than one shaman (which is rare). Shamans found on the adventuring trail  would have some very good, or perhaps evil, reason to leave their people  ("spirit quest", "exile", etc...).    For the purposes of spellcasting, shamans utilize  natural/universal magic source. They have access to spells through any  number of means including actual incantation, ritual, rite, trance,  sacred/ancestral item or maybe a place of spiritual significance to the  tribe. Spell effects may duplicate divine (such as healing and blessing)  or arcane (conjuring and protection) magics.   But the power source is  still universal. Because the method of spellcasting is (for lack of a  better word) "primitive," shamans gain spells more slowly than other  spellcasters. Shamans also are not capable of casting spells above the  3rd level. Their magic is often seen as less powerful than arcane or  divine spells but their "spirit magic" abilities are sometimes more than  a match for a wizard or cleric of higher level.    Since shaman normally hold their role in heavily  "warrior-oriented" societies, that are able to wear lighter armors  (furs/padded, leather, studded leather, splint or bone) and wield any  bludgeoning weapon (often a "sacred" ceremonial club or cudgel) plus  slings, daggers/knives, hand axes and/or spears. Shamans may use shields  but may not cast while using them, so usually opt not to. Shaman also  possess the thief abilities of Move Silently and Hide in Shadows and  advance as per a thief of their same level and ability.   The following societies are known to have/use shamans(This is by no means an exhaustive list):  <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The Gorunduun</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Centaur hyrds</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Kantiiri elves</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Minotaurs</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Orc tribes (though larger/more structured communities may have actual clerics)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Goblins and just about any other goblinoid race</li> </ul></blockquote>

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