Druids/Shamans: so what's a proper Power Animal? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Druids/Shamans: so what's a proper Power Animal?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
devp
Nov 17, 2010 10:40:02 Shamans and (Sentinel) Druids summon a companion to their side, but they summon more traditional fare: panthers, bears, wolves, etc. We could certainly reskin the summoned animal to fit Dark Sun. What would be some good fits? (Bonus points if you find something to fit a role, e.g. an animal appropriate to a Protector Spirit Shaman)
#2
Alphastream
Nov 17, 2010 11:53:24 I had a lot of fun in a desert Pathfinder 4E game (I know, crazy) with a gnoll shaman that used elemental spirits. Each time I summoned a spirit I chose an element and RPd the interaction. The four elements each had different personalities (fire=angry/demanding, water=healing/calm, air=trickster, earth=protective/motherly) and were basically in charge of me, leading my PC to do certain things.

In Dark Sun, I would probably play (and encourage as a DM) the use of spirits that were from one element. I would try to recreate the elemental cleric of AD&D through the spirits. Some dipping into the other elements could be cool, like a fire shaman that dips into a power that lets them call air to their aid. Calling the diametrically opposed element could be a cause for good RP, such as a water daily that gets them in "hot water" (pun intended) with their main element of fire/sun.

A slight variation might be to use one of the drakes as a spirit. Choose something like a long dead Air Drake that provides the PC with guidance and flavor the powers along that element. It could be really fun. DM-player interaction and planning could make this a really cool aspect of the campaign.

If you want to remain animal-based, then I would first choose between ancient animals and new animals. For a Draji or Urikite shaman, the jaguar and lion would be cool historical animals to use. Their spirits would be of animals long dead, but still powerful due to their history and the city-states keeping the memory alive. For other backgrounds, a historical spirit might not make sense... I don't need to see a bear spirit in Dark Sun... it would probably hurt flavor unless done really carefully.

For true Athasian animals, I would look at AD&D (the Monstrous Compendium Dark Sun Appendix I especially) and the DSCC. Kestrekel and Kirre would work. Beetles such as the Hurrum would be cool, perhaps advanced to be intelligent. The Critic is easier, as it is a psionic lizard and there could be a powerful version. Wasps or spiders, Antloids... these could be a cool hive-mind concept. Something like a Silk Wyrm, Tembo, could work even while being monstrous. A Zhackal could be a dark choice similar to the predator spirit idea.

For actual spirits, Dark Sun has its share. A dwarf shaman could have a relative's ancient banshee, now capable of appearing in spirit form and providing powers and guidance.

A Spirit of the Land, manifesting for a player, could be a cool angle. A Pyreen spirit as well. How about a manipulatice T'Chowb?
#3
therion666
Nov 23, 2010 18:10:22 Lizards, snakes, large beetles, flying saurial types, crocodile variants.

These sort of things will fit well with the setting.
#4
DontEatRawHagis
Nov 23, 2010 22:21:05 A cactus

But seriously, probably an ostrich like beast.

Drake or Inix sound good from the creature catalog if your going for normal stuff.

If I had to choose, the spirit of a fallen dragon.

Another suggestion put the words sand or desert in front of an animal name. There you go.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 devp Nov 17, 2010 10:40:02	Shamans and (Sentinel) Druids summon a companion to their side, but they summon more traditional fare: panthers, bears, wolves, etc. We could certainly reskin the summoned animal to fit Dark Sun. What would be some good fits? (Bonus points if you find something to fit a role, e.g. an animal appropriate to a Protector Spirit Shaman)
#2 Alphastream Nov 17, 2010 11:53:24	I had a lot of fun in a desert Pathfinder 4E game (I know, crazy) with a gnoll shaman that used elemental spirits. Each time I summoned a spirit I chose an element and RPd the interaction. The four elements each had different personalities (fire=angry/demanding, water=healing/calm, air=trickster, earth=protective/motherly) and were basically in charge of me, leading my PC to do certain things. In Dark Sun, I would probably play (and encourage as a DM) the use of spirits that were from one element. I would try to recreate the elemental cleric of AD&D through the spirits. Some dipping into the other elements could be cool, like a fire shaman that dips into a power that lets them call air to their aid. Calling the diametrically opposed element could be a cause for good RP, such as a water daily that gets them in "hot water" (pun intended) with their main element of fire/sun. A slight variation might be to use one of the drakes as a spirit. Choose something like a long dead Air Drake that provides the PC with guidance and flavor the powers along that element. It could be really fun. DM-player interaction and planning could make this a really cool aspect of the campaign. If you want to remain animal-based, then I would first choose between ancient animals and new animals. For a Draji or Urikite shaman, the jaguar and lion would be cool historical animals to use. Their spirits would be of animals long dead, but still powerful due to their history and the city-states keeping the memory alive. For other backgrounds, a historical spirit might not make sense... I don't need to see a bear spirit in Dark Sun... it would probably hurt flavor unless done really carefully. For true Athasian animals, I would look at AD&D (the Monstrous Compendium Dark Sun Appendix I especially) and the DSCC. Kestrekel and Kirre would work. Beetles such as the Hurrum would be cool, perhaps advanced to be intelligent. The Critic is easier, as it is a psionic lizard and there could be a powerful version. Wasps or spiders, Antloids... these could be a cool hive-mind concept. Something like a Silk Wyrm, Tembo, could work even while being monstrous. A Zhackal could be a dark choice similar to the predator spirit idea. For actual spirits, Dark Sun has its share. A dwarf shaman could have a relative's ancient banshee, now capable of appearing in spirit form and providing powers and guidance. A Spirit of the Land, manifesting for a player, could be a cool angle. A Pyreen spirit as well. How about a manipulatice T'Chowb?
#3 therion666 Nov 23, 2010 18:10:22	Lizards, snakes, large beetles, flying saurial types, crocodile variants. These sort of things will fit well with the setting.
#4 DontEatRawHagis Nov 23, 2010 22:21:05	A cactus But seriously, probably an ostrich like beast. Drake or Inix sound good from the creature catalog if your going for normal stuff. If I had to choose, the spirit of a fallen dragon. Another suggestion put the words sand or desert in front of an animal name. There you go.