Totem (WOD)



A 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.

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.

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

 * Angler
 * Beaver
 * Birch (Nunnehi)
 * Bonyscrap
 * Caribou
 * Chung Kuel
 * Citlacoatl
 * Crab
 * Cottonwood (Nunnehi)

Cunning
Totems of Cunning can be Gaian or Wyrm-aligned.


 * Butterfly
 * Coatimundi
 * Crow
 * Genbu
 * Kirijama
 * Tick
 * Whippoorwhill

Corruption
Totems of Corruption are always Wyrm-aligned.


 * The Dark Fungus
 * G'louogh
 * Relshab

Respect
Totems of Respect are always Gaian aligned.


 * The American Dream
 * Bison
 * Chhi-Lin
 * Falcon
 * Grandfather Thunder
 * Harpy Eagle
 * Pegasus
 * Phoenix
 * Sable
 * Stag
 * Suzaku

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.


 * The Bat (corrupted, formerly Wisdom)
 * Green Dragon (corrupted, formerly War)
 * Hakaken
 * Minotaur

War
Totems of War are Gaian aligned.


 * Adder
 * Anaconda
 * Aray
 * Badger
 * Bear
 * Black Unicorn
 * Boar
 * Bull
 * Buzzard
 * Bya-akko
 * Clashing Boom Boom
 * Cobra
 * Coyote
 * Crocodile
 * Fenris
 * Griffin
 * Jaguar
 * Panthesilea
 * Rat
 * Thunderbird
 * Wendigo

Wisdom
Totems of Wisdom are Gaian aligned.


 * The American Dream
 * Ayahuasea
 * Bacchus
 * Boobook the Owl
 * Bougoodoogahdah the Lyrebird
 * Brigid
 * Buffalo
 * Chameleon
 * Chimera
 * City Parent
 * Cockerel
 * Cockroach
 * Corn Maiden
 * Mouse
 * Owl
 * Seiryuu
 * Toad
 * Uktena
 * Unicorn