Totemic Image

Totemic magic is invoked by the practitioner painting or inscribing an image that conveys magical powers upon anyone bearing that image. Most totemic images take several hours to properly create, making such magic impractical for the average adventuring spellcaster. On the other hand, totemic inscriptions are powerful and can be prepared in advance based upon anticipated situations. Totemic image bonuses of the same type are generally not cumulative, nor can the same totemic image usually be applied multiple times to increase the effect. At 1st level (or whenever the spell is learned), the shaman learns one image that corresponds to his or her personal totemic animal; one additional totemic image can be learned at each additional experience level. A shaman can learn the totem magic only of those creatures with which he or she is familiar.

Each image must be inscribed or drawn upon an appropriate surface. This can be done with a knife, paint, or other pigments. Once the image has been inscribed, the object functions as described below. Some images have a time limit after which the image is still visible, but has lost all its power. Such images can be renewed, a process that does not actually involve redrawing the image, but requires the same amount of time, during which the shaman chants over the image.

Totemic images can be inscribed into items that will function for other individuals, but these require that some token from the individual be worked into its creation – a few hairs, a drop of blood, some object the individual has personally gathered on a special quest.