Preview: The Shaman

[Rechan]

Well their not even specifically animal spirits, by the official fluff their just "primal spirits of nature". So they could really look like anything you want, and if your fine with not going with the official fluff I think a spirits of the dead could work just as fine.

Back when I played a druid for a session, his Wildshape form was an earth-elemental lookin' guy. Same deal.

I am viewing it more that the will of the Shaman helps to reinforce the spirit into being connected to the world/material realm.

True, I just see Spirits as more... well, important, so why is one fighting for a shaman, by the shaman's direction? It's almost a subserviant role.

But, the more that I think about it, I can see the spirit basically being something that either:
1) a low level spirit assigned to the Shaman by a powerful spirit as sort've a protector ("Ensure this speaker's safety").
2) A low level spirit seeking to grow, so it works with a Shaman in order to grow in power/influence. This means a lot of grunt work, but it's getting rewards too.
3) The Shaman's soul. The spirit companion is actually their own self on the Spirit Realm, and they can bring it forth.
4) Other spirits. Rather than one that sticks with the shaman leveles 1-30, it's more like a temp position for any local entity that the shaman can lobby for whatever. Or it could just summon 'anyone that answers my call' with that minor action.

 

[RefinedBean]

Warlock: I traded my soul to eldritch beings in return for phenomenal power!

Shaman: Really? I just asked some nicely.

Wizard: Yeah, I just studied hard, and earned all my power.

Sorcerer: Dragon's blood, baby.

Warlock: (blinks)

Oh, Warlock! Will you ever learn?!

Seriously, I'd like to see a party where the Shaman is unknowingly drawing on the power of a Warlock's benefactor...for good or for ill.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

Seriously, I'd like to see a party where the Shaman is unknowingly drawing on the power of a Warlock's benefactor...for good or for ill.

Well if we do end up getting the Vestige Pact for the Warlock that could work extremely neatly.

 

[Rechan]

Seriously, I'd like to see a party where the Shaman is unknowingly drawing on the power of a Warlock's benefactor...for good or for ill.

Well really, the way I see the warlock pact, it's more like signing a deal to work for a corporation. You don't give them your soul, you just do what you're told and be a busy little cog in the machine of the entity you got the power from. (Caveat: Star Pact I see more like just lowering their defenses and the Entities Beyond just beam power to the warlock... along with the Entity's influence).

Of course, I would also require Pact holder to issue orders to the Warlock now and then.

But, at least IMC, spirits live in the Feywild. Or, they carve pockets in the Feywild sort've like how you have Astral Dominions in the Astral Sea. So, a spirit could be in league with a Feypact Warlock's patron.

 

[RefinedBean]

So, the Warlock is a contract employee, the Wizard is a mid-level manager who's angry at the Sorcerer, who got a sweet corner office as part of his trust-fund, and they're all scornful of the Bard, who somehow coasted to prominence with a frickin' marketing degree.

I smell sitcom! Let's have Whedon write it, put it on Fox, and cancel it after a few episodes.

 

[Rechan]

I smell sitcom! Let's have Whedon write it, put it on Fox, and cancel it after a few episodes.

I laughed so hard.

 

[IanArgent]

So, the Warlock is a contract employee, the Wizard is a mid-level manager who's angry at the Sorcerer, who got a sweet corner office as part of his trust-fund, and they're all scornful of the Bard, who somehow coasted to prominence with a frickin' marketing degree.

I smell sitcom! Let's have Whedon write it, put it on Fox, and cancel it after a few episodes.

You, sir, owe me a new keyboard. (And your coat is a bit ... brown, innit?)