Overview
Throughout history, numerous beings and cultures have utilized magic in ways similar to Shamanism. Orcs are certainly not the first to invoke the spirit world to aide them in manipulating the physical. However, Orc Shamans uniquely weave their history and cultural identity into each invocation. In essence, to utilize the Orc's understanding of Shamanism is to understand Orckind on a fundamental level.
When invoking the spirits, the practitioner does not weave traditional incantations. Rather, verbally or nonverbally, they recount the history of their people. Specific events, told traditionally as songs or sagas, can beckon specific spirits to their side. The Orcs regard the entities that are drawn by their efforts as ancestors. Thus, it is common practice for a Shaman to refer to the spirits as Mother, Father, and so on.
It is to be noted that ancestral spirits do not arrive in the material world whenever an Orc simply recounts a story. Rather, the individual must first be attuned to the spiritual world by means of a formal initiation. This process introduces an individual's soul to the spiritual world, thereby allowing them to see, hear, and communicate with spirits. Once initiated, Shamans are able to direct the spirits to interact with nature, and thereby produce a number of effects. The most common effects are classified as Aspects and revolve around the manipulation of animals, nature, and the soul itself.
When invoking the spirits, the practitioner does not weave traditional incantations. Rather, verbally or nonverbally, they recount the history of their people. Specific events, told traditionally as songs or sagas, can beckon specific spirits to their side. The Orcs regard the entities that are drawn by their efforts as ancestors. Thus, it is common practice for a Shaman to refer to the spirits as Mother, Father, and so on.
It is to be noted that ancestral spirits do not arrive in the material world whenever an Orc simply recounts a story. Rather, the individual must first be attuned to the spiritual world by means of a formal initiation. This process introduces an individual's soul to the spiritual world, thereby allowing them to see, hear, and communicate with spirits. Once initiated, Shamans are able to direct the spirits to interact with nature, and thereby produce a number of effects. The most common effects are classified as Aspects and revolve around the manipulation of animals, nature, and the soul itself.
Aspect of the Beast
By far the most common Aspect is the Aspect of the Beast. Effects under this category involve the direct control of animals or mimicking their characteristics. Novice Shamans can typically communicate with animals, slightly influence animal behavior, or mimic their own senses to that of a specific animal. Expert Shamans can dominate the behavior of animals or even transform their physical bodies into a beast of their choosing.
Aspect of the Green
The Aspect of the Green revolves around the manipulation of nature. Novice Shamans can typically encourage movement in vegetation or navigate dense forests through perceiving the network of roots underground. Expert Shamans can draw upon the vital energies of plants in order to heal wounds or create remedies against illness.
Aspect of the Spirit
Lastly, the Aspect of the Spirit revolves around the direct manipulation of the spirits themselves. Advanced usage of this Aspect is particularly dangerous as one can jeopardize their own soul in the process. Skilled practitioners can not only communicate with their own ancestral spirits, but with other entities from beyond the grave. If they are daring, they can even attempt to influence the behavior of these entities. Due to this Aspect, an Expert Shaman can be a considerable thorn in the side of any Necromancer.
The Five Laws of Magic
From the outside looking in, Shamanism can appear to be an art that circumvents the Five Laws of Magic. After all, ancestral spirits are doing the heavy lifting by producing the effects in the physical world. However, the Five Laws are very much in effect at all times.
What Shamans understand is that their very soul is the bargaining chip behind every invocation.
What Shamans understand is that their very soul is the bargaining chip behind every invocation.
1. With each action performed by the ancestral spirits, energy of their own soul is taken to compensate. While rest and moderation can restore these energies over time, Shamans must keep this in mind lest they destroy themselves in this life and the next.
2. Shamans also understand that the work of the spirits is finite. Nothing produced via Shamanism, or any magical discipline, lasts forever.
3. Moreover, the ancestral spirits cannot interact with time itself. Though they are beyond death, they are not capable of interfering with the domain of gods.
4. Additionally, while Shamans can create healing effects or aide the sick, they cannot undo death itself. Those who have tried have lost themselves and their souls in the process.
5. Lastly, the ancestral spirits are very good at what they do - but they are not good enough to create instantaneous transit. That remains the specialty of portal stones to this day.
References
- Script Source: World Anvil
- Orcs Lore Page
