* Restricted Information: Swamp Shamen only
The Swamp Shamen ("Shk'ri-Ok in L'rb-Ok) are the Druids of the Swamp People (Ky'rb-Ok) of The Great Swamp. The Cult is restricted to Ky'rb-Ok Druids, but occasional exceptions have been made for Elves or Humans who have demonstrated exceptional understanding of the Swamp and commitment to its protection.
They are a Shamanic Cult whose members are each chosen by a Totem Animal of the Swamp as their Spirit Guide. They also include Tree Cultists, who instead have an affinity with a particular Totem Tree of the Swamp.
The Cult is dispersed across The Great Swamp, with individual Shamen protecting particular villages and tribes or wandering or dwelling as hermits out in the Swamp. But it does have a hierarchy based around the Seven Sacred Circles of the Swamp. The Archdruiid and Guardians of the Willows live in the capital, B'rdba, near the Willow Grove and the main Animal Sub-Cults have small settlements near the respective Circles of their Totem Animals (for example the Snake Shamen, headed by The Great Snake Shaman, are based around Snake Circle).
The Cult has its Dark, Anti-Druidic side, which is believed to be followed by individual Shamen who have turned to Dark Totems and ways, although there are periodic whispers of groups who meet at the Dark Circles when the Stars are right.
The Totem Animals and Totem Trees of the Swamp Shamen are as follows.
The Totem Trees and their Associations are:
| Totem Tree | Month | Colour | Stone | Attribute |
| Alder | Varech | Purple | Garnet | Fire, Divine Will |
| Hazel | Numist | Orange | Topaz | Wisdom, the Mind |
| Holly | Lastra | Red | Ruby | Healing, the Body |
| Magnolia | Garrack | Dark Green | Olivine | Fate, Prophecy |
| Mangrove | Kemel | Turquoise | Aquamarine | Water |
| Willow | Sarm | Silver | Moonstone | Enchantment, the Moon |
A Cycle of Swamp-specific Vegetable Spells and Spells associated with the Shaman's Totem Tree. Its Medium is Privet or the Shaman's Totem Tree. Maximum pluses are given on the Mid-Spring Caeriad.
A Cycle of Swamp-specific Animal Spells and Spells associated with the Shaman's Totem Animal. Its Medium is Holly or a Plant associated with the Shaman's Totem Animal (as for the Druidic Cycle of its specific Cult). Maximum pluses are given on the Midwinter Caeriad.
A Cycle of Swamp-specific Elemental Spells. Its Medium is Ivy. Maximum pluses are given on the Mid-Autumn Caeriad.
A Cycle of Swamp-specific Spells concerned with the interaction of Nature with itself, the World, and Higher Beings. Its Medium is Mistletoe. Maximum pluses are given on the Midsummer Caeriad.
A Cycle of Swamp-specific Spells concerned with the Dream Kingdoms and connecting with Totems as the Druid's Spirit Guide. Its Medium is Mandrake or that of the Shaman's Totem. Maximum pluses are given on the Mid-Autumn Caeriad.
3.1 The Great Swamp is a Sub-Forest of the Major Forest of Taur-Galen, having a Sacred Heart and six subsidiary Circles.
3.2 The Sacred Heart is the Willow Grove (T'far G'orr) in the centre of B'rdba, a circle of six old willow trees planted on the highest point of the town, each carved with the face of the Animal to whose Circle it is Linked. The Guardian Druids live in tree houses in these willows. The subsidiary Circles are as follows:
Snake Circle: a circle of larches by the lake where the Snake River forks. The larches are carved with Animal faces.
Eel Circle: a secret pool encircled by Mangroves where the stream of the Eel River enters Pa'mo Lake. The mangroves are carved with Animal faces.
Crocodile Circle: a circle of alders above a favourite basking beach for crocodiles by the lake where the Crocodile River forks. The alders are carved with Animal faces.
Bittern Circle: hard to find, as it is a Circle of totem poles planted in the water amidst the Southern Reed Beds. It is best located by the bitterns or herons that perch or nest atop the poles.
Beaver Circle: the only Circle to be made of stones (as the Giant Beavers that frequent the area would chew through trees or totem poles).
Frog Circle: a Circle of totem poles built on a crannog in Frog Lake.
3.3 There are also Lesser Circles dedicated to each of the other Totem Animals and Trees, but these are hidden away in the Swamp and have limited Links to the main Sacred Circles listed above.
3.4 Each Circle also has its corresponding Dark Circle in The Dark Swamp.
The Swamp Shamen are protectors of The Great Swamp, its Nature and People. They are explorers of its Mystical side and will enlist the aid of their Spirit Guides to enter the Dream Kingdoms for enlightenment or the rescue of those lost to the Trance of the Trees.
The standard Medium for the Cycle of the Spell being Cast may always be used, as listed at 2.2 above.
Where a Spell is associated with the Druid's Totem Animal or Tree, the specific Medium for the Totem may be used instead of the standard Medium and gives an extra +1 on the Spell. Note that this only applies to the Druid's chosen Totem, and not to any Spells that may be asosciated with other possible Totems.
Totem-specific Media (only) may be stored in a Totem object (for Animals) or the associated Stone of the Tree (for Animals), as for Beastmaster or Tree People Cults.
Go to Swamp Shamen Spell List
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© P.R. Wild, 14 May 2025