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totem is a potent spirit that lends its power to a group of mystically inclined individuals (usually Garou or other fera) in exchange for some token service or tribute.

GlyphTotem

Garou glyph for totem.

Overview[]

Among the Garou and most other Changing Breeds, the totem is one of the fundamental binding aspects of the pack. Additionally, each of the tribes of the Garou has its own distinct tribal totem, as do many of the individual Changing Breeds.

Not all of those who have totems are shapechangers. A group of kuei-jin (a wu) is often bound by a totem called a nushi. As well, a number of supernaturals bind totems to individuals instead of groups, among them the Bastet, the Nunnehi changelings, and many Dreamspeakers and shamanistic sorcerers.

In general, only Incarnae can acts as totems. Jagglings are too weak and Celestines need to create Incarnae as avatars for the simple act of communication with any petitioner.

Personal Totems[]

Some werewolves seek out a personal totem, pledging themselves to service of their totem above all others. This is certainly possible, though not common among the Garou — to take a personal totem indicates that a werewolf values his relationship with the spirit as greater than the relationship he could get with a pack. Taking a personal totem has downsides. If the character joins another pack, he doesn’t get any benefits of that pack’s totem unless he relinquishes his connection to his personal totem. Until then, he’s never really part of the pack in a way that the other members are: any Gifts or rites that affect the pack do not include the character, and he cannot be a part of any pack tactics.

Known Totems[]

Totems are divided into aspects. It is not known how Nushi, the Totems of the Nunnehi and other entities that can act as patrons are classified. Some Incarnae, like Raven, Coyote and Sphinx, have multiple aspects that act as separate Totems.

Aspect Unknown[]

Corruption[]

Totems of Corruption are always Wyrm-aligned.

Cunning[]

Totems of Cunning can be Gaian or Wyrm-aligned.

Menehune[]

Nunnehi[]

Others[]

Respect[]

Totems of Respect are always Gaian aligned.

Strength[]

Totems of Strength are Wyrm-aligned (with one questionable exception). Most consist of fallen Gaian spirits that were turned or sold themselves to the Wyrm.

War[]

Totems of War are Gaian aligned.

Wisdom[]

Totems of Wisdom are Gaian aligned.

Gallery[]

References[]


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  71. WTA: Mokolé, p. 64
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