Shaman

[tx7321]

Are shaman something that relates to monsters only, or are there human shaman (if so how do they differ from clerics)? For instance, would a beserker clan more likely have a cleric or shaman (or perhaps a druid)?

Also, do you think all the giant class races would/could have shaman members?

 

[Nikosandros]

Are shaman something that relates to monsters only, or are there human shaman (if so how do they differ from clerics)? For instance, would a beserker clan more likely have a cleric or shaman (or perhaps a druid)?

I say that shamans would be perfect for barbaric humans, much better than clerics or druids.

Also, do you think all the giant class races would/could have shaman members?

I guess it depends on the culture of the giants.

 

[Tyler Do'Urden]

In pre-3e terms, a "shaman" (in core AD&D) was a humanoid Cleric, and a "witch doctor" was a humanoid Cleric/Mage. In addition, 2e AD&D Skills & Powers featured an actual Shaman class, a Priest sub-class with different spheres from the cleric, different weapons and armor restrictions, and the ability to summon spirits (which granted information, spell-like abilities and special powers).

So, a "shaman" from a barbaric human tribe could use this latter class- or would otherwise just be an ordinary cleric, perhaps with different weapon and armor restrictions and spell spheres.

 

[WayneLigon]

Normally in the early stuff Shaman were a monster/npc-only class that combined magic-user and cleric spells, much like the 3E Adept does. I think there's some reference in later books to giants having shaman but for the most part it looks like the evil giant races just don't bother with magic at all. They certainly could have them, though. Almost all the other monstrous humanoid races do in some form or another.

 

[Nyaricus]

Are shaman something that relates to monsters only, or are there human shaman (if so how do they differ from clerics)? For instance, would a beserker clan more likely have a cleric or shaman (or perhaps a druid)?

Also, do you think all the giant class races would/could have shaman members?

Well, considering that the concept of shamanism is inherantly human, I'd say it wouldn't be too far-fetched for D&D humans to have shamans

Just saying.

As for Berserker clans having shamans, I'd likely say yes, that would be a good choice, if there were a worthwhile WotC shaman class. Green Ronin has their Shamans Hnadbook, which people tend to rafve about on EN World here

Giants, I would say it depends. Generally, there were some powerful magics being worked by giants in mythology; there was that Sea Giant which was a shapechanger in Nordic mythology, and some on and so fourth, so, yes, I could see it as an option.



cheers,
--N

 

[Starglim]

Generally, there were some powerful magics being worked by giants in mythology; there was that Sea Giant which was a shapechanger in Nordic mythology, and some on and so fourth, so, yes, I could see it as an option.

Actual Norse giants should probably be magic-users, if they're not deity ranked (I know, mixing editions).

Cut-down D&D frost giants should have clerics - I don't see them as particularly shamanistic. Stone giants could have shamans. edit for clarity: Hill giants could have either shamans or witchdoctors.

However, by the rules (DMG , p. 40, Tribal Spell Casters): Shamans, 3rd level maximum: Ettins, Ogres, Trolls, 7th level maximum: Giants (hill, stone, fire and frost).

 

[howandwhy99]

Yep, like WayneLigon says, the Adept NPC class is the Shaman / Witch Doctor class in 3rd edition. It says so right there in the DMG.

I've gone ahead and made a simple cleric variant, like those in UA, for my players.

I actually like that there are no spellcasting NPC classes except in uncivilized cultures.

 

[Nifft]

Pimp! Pimp!

There are Adepts, and then there are Shamen....

Cheers, -- N

 

[The Shaman]

Ah, a topic near and dear to my heart...

Are shaman something that relates to monsters only, or are there human shaman (if so how do they differ from clerics)?

Shamans are humanoid clerics of up to 7th level, per the 1e AD&D DMG, p. 40. In our 1e games, human "shamans" were clerics, not druids, because of their power over "spirits" (i.e., undead).

For instance, would a beserker clan more likely have a cleric or shaman (or perhaps a druid)?

In our 1e games, human barbarians and berserkers could be attended by either clerics ("shamans") or druids, or both for that matter, but not the tribal spell caster shaman.

Also, do you think all the giant class races would/could have shaman members?

BTB hill, stone, fire, and frost giants could have up to 7th level shamans.

 

[I'm A Banana]

What do you mean by "shamans"?

I mean, it could mean about a thousand different things, about four different classes, several different concepts....