Totem spirits

The most powerful spirits known to the priests and witches of Arginet are the five totem spirits. They are tremendously powerful but also distant; they have never been directly contacted by mortals and what is known of them comes from the so-called greater spirits.

The totem spirits are worshipped as gods by some, and unsurprisingly there is a great degree of curiosity among mortals about their natures and desires. Even the Seekers of the Utmost, who reject the totems’ divinity, view them with respect and fascination.

Dragon

The totem spirit of Wood, usually appearing as masculine.

The spirits of Wood have sometimes been likened to friendly but rowdy youths. In this analogy, Dragon is the slightly older, wiser figure who serves as a mentor and inspiration to the rest. He relishes novelty and is said to both collect new finds and encourage his entourage to create new marvels of their own.

Dragon is fond of living things, and seems to particularly love seeing things and people grow. Despite the youthful associations of Wood he is also invoked to bless comings of age, weddings, and graduation ceremonies. By the same token, stagnation and dullness are likely to draw his anger.

Phoenix

The totem spirit of Fire, who is sometimes masculine, sometimes feminine.

Among the passionate spirits of Fire, Phoenix burns the brightest. They are depicted as constantly changing, flying from one obsession to the next. A few greater spirits have claimed to be Phoenix’s lovers, or former loves now ignored - or turned enemies.

It has been said that Phoenix does not care how others act, as long as they do act, and listen to their hearts. They are most associated with acts of creation and destruction: both the sculptor who carves a masterpiece and the iconoclast who smashes it are likely to appeal to Phoenix for their blessing.

Bear

The totem spirit of Earth, usually appearing as feminine.

The spirits of Earth seem to regard each other as family of sorts, and though they are nor without their differences, they all listen to their matriarch, Bear. She is revered for her steadfastness and strength and is said to look kindly on others who uphold these virtues.

More than any other totem spirit, Bear is invoked as the patron of organisations and groups. She is particularly revered by people who work together for a cause, and most of all by those who must fight in defence of their ideal.

Tiger

The totem spirit of Metal, usually appearing as genderless.

Tiger is at the pinnacle of the hierarchy of Metal, ruling over their subjects with an iron claw. They are the ultimate authority figure: strong, calculating, and utterly implacable.