Character/campaign idea: Silverwolf and the Totems

[DtMK]

Hi all! Long time no post!

I'm having fun in my friend's superhero game using the Heroes Unlimited system, and since I'm actually able to play in a game under a friend who has GM'ed for decades, I thought I'd dust off a character I made for another game, Totem. A lot of people tend to underestimate the Mystically Bestowed category, as well as those beings with animal based powers. I thought writing up some background for the character, the other Totem powers out in the world and the responsibility he feels, it would give an idea about my character's background. I also thought it might try getting my creative juices flowing for writing. Hope you enjoy!

At the turn of the twentieth century, the native people and tribes saw how the world was shifting to dark times. Taken from their lands, seeing how others abuse nature and each other, a group of shamen gathered to petition the great spirits the power to harness the powers of the animal kingdom, and their empowering totem animal spirits. Not for retribution, but to be used to find balance. These chosen warriors would be protectors, guardians of the tribes of man and Mother Earth. Four medicine bags were forged with the help of the Nunnehi spirit Wematanye. Three of the totem bundles were equal in power, the fourth was the most powerful, and would act as the leader of the other three. Granting greater strength, durability a longer lifespan and even greater power of the totem spirits, the leader would be known as Silverwolf. The bundles were dispatched by shamen, tribal council members and Wematanye himself to find worthy warriors.

There have been sightings on native lands, away from the prying eyes of outsiders. Many were called, several did justice to the power. During World War Two, two of the Totems protected the homelands while Silverwolf and another Totem were whispered of overseas, guardians of the Navajo Windtalkers against the evil of the Axis. Once granted the powers, only Silverwolf or any of the Totems, if any of the four were pure of heart, could challenge the others to trial by combat if their powers were abused. Only in honorable defeat and the mystic words spoken would cause the powers to be retracted, the medicine bags brought forth from their hiding places, and the magic powder contained within ready to be transferred to another. The only other way was if Silverwolf or any of the Totems died. Once dead, only then could their powers be claimed by anyone who knew of them, and could claim the medicine bags for themselves.

In time, the Totems were either found unworthy or had passed, making it harder to find worthy successors. When two of the Totems were thought lost or killed, no one knew what became of their powers. And when Silverwolf had finally passed, the last Totem was away, trying to locate the fate of the other two. Had he been there, perhaps he would have once been worthy of being the new Silverwolf. But this was not meant to be.

Elizabeth Chase, once known as Elizabeth Coyote, was the daughter of Silverwolf. He had hoped she would mature enough to be worthy of the power, but she wasn't. When her father passed, she found the medicine bundle, used the magic within and became Silverwolf. Only instead of becoming a great hero and protector, she used the power to become a powerful thief, stealing riches and wealth every few years to fund a lavish lifestyle of pampered materialism. When the last Totem returned to find out what had happened, he was in shock. He could not beat her in honorable combat, when originally created, knowing that Silverwolf's power was worth two Totems, two of them could challenge Silverwolf if they found the holder of the title unworthy, while the third could act as witness, or even judge. Now with two of the Totems being confirmed as dead, and Silverwolf bringing dishonor to the powers and position of their leader and protector of Earth and the tribes of man, the last Totem tried to find the other bundles with no avail. Being defeated too many timed to count, the last Totem was not seen since twenty-five years ago.

Jacob Proud Eagle's parents were archaeologists and treasure hunters of native artifacts, knowing some of the legends were true of their power, and that they should not fall into the wrong hands. One night while at work on a site, grave robbers came, and killed them. Jacob was eight years old at the time. Jacob was later adopted and raised by John Thunder, a retired special operative with a classified past, and who came out of retirement to find and apprehend Jacob's parents' killers. John knew how badly a loss like this could poison a child's soul, and he retired with much blood and bad medicine on his hands. He would be damned if he wouldn't do his best to raise this child in balance and with respect for life, seeing good despite the bad. He helped to guide Jacob, preparing him to one day be a guard or law enforcement agent for the reservation.

One night while hanging out with friends in town, a fire broke out in the apartment building where his friends lived. They were trapped, but the last Totem emerged and rescued them. As he cleared a path for them and escorted them out, Totem looked into Jacob's eyes, and saw something. He was in awe, as if the spirits were telling him something. More people were trapped in the bar next door, and the old and graying Totem told Jacob "Do not be sad, what is about to happen is meant to be. For the gift of hope you give me, I thank you."

Totem went into the flaming bar, but despite his power, the flaming building collapsed on him. He saved the people inside, but had a beam pierce his chest. As a graying buffalo, he ran off into the night, never to be seen again. Later that week, it was announced that the town drunk had died, it looks like he may have been in one of the buildings that were damaged. He must have tried walking home, but died on his lawn. There was an estate sale to cover his bills. Jacob went to the sale and bought a small chest, one that reminded him of his mother's favorite. There were some odds and ends in it, and he took the lot for $3.

When he returned home, he examined the chest and found an old medicine bag. When he opened the bag, he saw something in the bottom of it, but couldn't make it out. He held it up to shake it, but was covered with a strange powder. He then felt a strange tingling from it, filling him with power. He then found himself in the presence of Wematanye, the spirit that told the last Totem that he Jacob was destined to be a new Totem for a new age, one who may one day bring honor back to the Totems. Silverwolf is still globetrotting and stealing, another Totem power was used by an old criminal calling himself Skinwalker who died in prison. The last Totem power is still missing and out there somewhere.

Jacob was further trained by John and Wematanye in the use of his powers and skills. The Totems were to be partners, even sidekicks if you will, to a superior person of experience and moral character personified in Silverwolf. They were supposed to be assembled and a team, but they have not been fully assembled for decades. The apprentice now must carry the responsibility of the powers. Balance must be restored, justice for all must be done. But Jacob has been raised as best as possible without hate or darkness ruling his heart. The honor of his people, the responsibility of a greater hero and legacy of heroes is on his shoulders. Keeping things in a simple focus of truth, clarity of intention and craving to one day be a part of something greater, Jacob carries on the burden. He knows as long as he does all he can, hope is never pointless. If prepared to give everything he can, the world will become better, seeing the light in the darkness.

It's time to Totem Up!

The Totem powers are Mystically Bestowed according to Heroes Unlimited. Although they can pick different names, the title of Totem refers to the three standard powers and positions. These powers are Animal Metamorphosis: All and Copy Animal Attributes. In addition to the standard abilities of that power. Once transformed into an animal, the Totems can also copy the attributes and gain the super abilities tied to that animal, usually accompanied by a temporary flash of light with the animal's silhouette. Jacob calls it 'Toteming up'.

The Silverwolf power is the same as the others, but with the following changes. The holder of the Silverwolf power is considered a Mega Mystically Bestowed, with all standard abilities of the Totems and Mega-powers with the following additions. The wielder also has Longevity and Power Amplification: Copy Animal Attributes. This means that when Silverwolf totems up on an animal power, they are temporarily surrounded by a silvery light silhouette of the animal. This power can be used in two ways. One, it can enhance a single animal's super abilities and bonuses at double the standard power, or can be used to gather two separate animal attribute powers and be used at regular strength, but both can be maintained and used at the same time!

That's my brainchild and current superhero character's background. What do you think?

[Stone Gargoyle]

If Totem is another game system, isn't writing this technically a conversion and against board policy? Just saying.

[DtMK]

Okay, let me clear that up. Totem was and is made exclusively for the Palladium game system rules, and the Heroes Unlimited setting. I posted this on my Facebook and copy/pasted it here. I said Heroes Unlimited because I was promoting Heroes Unlimited for an rpg. No conversions going on here, promise. 'Kay?

With that being said, what did you think of the concept?

[Stone Gargoyle]

A bit overpowered since unless I read it incorrectly you are basically giving them the ability to transform into any animal at will.

[DtMK]

Yes, Silverwolf and the Totems have Animal Metamorphosis: All as well as Copy Animal Attributes. Let's face it, next to guys who can fly, move mountains, shoot lasers out of their eyes and be living nuclear reactors, animal based heroes don't always get the respect they should. And when there's an invasion from the Atorian Empire, Tarlok slavers, the Slaughterhouse Seven break out of Grammercy Island or the Minion War spills out into the world, having the knowledge of a biologist, the imagination of a brilliant child and the powers of a nature god might come in handy.

I'm trying to create a fun legacy character and history so that others might also enjoy them in their games as well. Who knows? Maybe someone looking for a good Native American themed hero or heroine might like it, and have one of their characters find one of the lost medicine pouches. There are characters in the games that are physically stronger than gods already, the Totems have versatility, but their own weaknesses as well. It balances out, the same as if a spellcaster needed time to prepare or cast can leave a character vulnerable if they become one animal, copy its attributes, then transform into another form. It's less straightforward than people that can shoot energy blasts with unlimited ammunition out of their bodies all day, and those are mostly minor powers.

I'm playing characters as if they're in a comic book world. The incredible happens.

[DtMK]

Anyone else have any thoughts?

[DtMK]

I changed the name of this thread a little bit to hopefully entice interest, and to bump it up a little. Also, I had a fun idea some time ago. Considering the potential power I have for my RPG character Totem when tapping into animal powers, I realized this could be fun for him to use when combining insect and arachnid powers with larger animals. Here's the sound effect here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnZchcengMA

Since more and more stuff is added to my page and I didn't want to lose the crossovers and names for those forms I've come up with so far, I thought I'd post them here.

Two beetle types are the world's strongest animals. A rhinoceros beetle can lift 850 times its own weight, while the dung beetle can pull 1,141 times its own weight.
Rhino beetle Totevolve to....Beetle Rhino!

Sun spider Totevolve to.... Nova Cheetah!

Possibly one of my favorites! Dung beetle Totevolve to.... Bull@#$% Elephant!

For sense of smell and tracking? Emperor moth Totevolve to.... Emperor Wolf!

For invulnerability and strength in a fight! Ironclad beetle Totevolve to.... Iron Bear!

Tiger moths can create sonic illusions to fool a bat's radar. Tiger moth Totevolve to.... Shockwave Tiger!

Tarantulas can hurl hairs off their abdomens to irritate or blind predators, and are among the strongest spiders. Tarantula Totevolve to... Tarantula Hawk!

For striking power and greater vision! Mantis shrimp Totevolve to...Rainbow Ape! Sure, underestimate it by name, I dare you!

Bombardier beetle for being a living gunnery position with a Galopagos turtle's defense! Bombardier beetle Totevolve to.... Shell Shocker!

And when dung beetle and elephant can't get it done, the largest land mammal ever was the Chinese river mammoth. 17 feet tall, 30 feet long, weighing 15 tons! Dung beetle Totevolve to.... Bull@#%& Mammoth!!

One species of bombardier beetle, known as the backblast beetle, can actually fire a jet out of its backside to propel itself. so combine that with a falcon or eagle for rocket flight! Backblast beetle Totevolve to... Thunderbird!!

Wolf Spider Totevolve to.... Spider-Wolf!

Scorpion crossed with lion! Scorpion Totevolve to.... Manticore!

The horse fly is the proportionately fastest flyer in the insect world. I can't resist the classics, even if the wings are different. Horse fly Totevolve to.... Pegasus, the Flying Horse!

Mosquitos can smell blood so acutely, they can tell your blood type from down the street. Combine that with a vampire bat for night hunting! Mosquito Totevolve to.... Blood Wing!

Cross a dragonfly with a bird of prey with speed and 6 wings for control! Dragonfly Totevolve to.... Seraph Hawk!

Japanese giant hornets are the largest and have the most painful sting that can actually dissolve flesh. Now combine it with the goliath bird eating spider for true fear! Giant hornet Totevolve to.... Tarantula Wasp!!

Mantis shrimp for punching power again, only this time, cross it with a rabbit so no one thinks it's a threat! Mantis shrimp Totevolve to.... Rabbit Punch!

Spiny orb weaver spiders with spikes and spines crossed with a huge, wild boar! Spiny Orb spider Totevolve to.... Razorback!

Bombardier beetle for fire powers, coupled with air support! Bombardier Beetle Totevolve to.... Firebird!

Emperor scorpion & lion for an upgrade! Emperor scorpion Totevolve to....Emperor Manticore, Lord of Beasts!

Praying mantis for leaping and blade claws with a wolverine! Praying mantis Totevolve to.... Predator's Wrath!

Bullet ants have the most painful of ant bites, now cross with a Tasmanian devil! Bullet ant Totevolve to.... Hell Mouth!

Backblast beetle's fiery chemical shot with the largest mixed cat on Earth! Backblast beetle Totevolve to.... Fire Liger!

Pistol shrimps can slam their claws together, stunning prey with sonic blasts. Just to screw with people, combine with a rabbit! Pistol shrimp Totevolve to..... Gun Bunny!

A flea can leap 130 times its body length. Also for fear value, combine with a hippo! Flea Totevolve to.... Cannonball!!!

The ironclad beetle, and uglier cousin diabolical ironclad beetles have the hardest shells of all bugs. You can stomp on them, and do little to no damage. Collectors have to use power drills just to put pins in them on boards! Now what would happen if that armor were crossed with a porcupine? Ironclad beetle Totevolve to.... Diablo Dervish!

Wind scorpions, aka sun spiders, are the fastest proportionate creatures on land, and have some of the strongest jaws for their size too. Combine this with an extinct animal with weak teeth and jaws! Wind scorpion Totevolve to.... Kilij Beast!

Sea sponges are not only able to be cut up and have each piece regenerate into a separate sponge, but some have even lived for over 570 million years old! Imagine having that power, and each severed cell could become its own animal? Temporarily of course due to the power, but in that moment? Sea sponge Totevolve to.... Immortal Stampede!

Pistol shrimp and a bird of prey! Pistol shrimp Totevolve to.... Thunder Hawk!

Darwin's bark spider can make webs 25 times stronger than steel! What if it were combined with a skunk? Darwin's bark spider Totevolve to.... Purgatory!

Praying mantis crossed with a polar or kodiak bear! Praying Mantis Totevolve to.... Reaper of the North!

Combine a tiger bat's powers of sonic illusion with a bat's senses. Tiger moth Totevolve to.... Flying Tiger, the Sound Master!

Ironclad or diabolical ironclad beetle crossed with a silverback gorilla! Diabolical ironclad beetle Totevolve to.... Titani- Ape!

Centipedes have multiple legs and a poisonous bite. Cross it with a large cat, wolf or bear! Centipede Totevolve to.... The Hundred Clawed Beast!

Ooooo, this is too good! Centipede or pistol shrimp crossed with giant squid! Centipede Totevolve to.... Kraken! Pistol shrimp Totevolve to.... Thunder Kraken!!

Mantis shrimp crossed with giant squid! Mantis shrimp Totevolve to.... Torpedo Storm!

Wind scorpion, super speed crossed with a porcupine! Wind scorpion Totevolve to.... Dagger Storm!

Backblast beetle combined with a skunk! Backblast beetle Totevolve to.... Hell Cannon!!

Giant hornet for venom tail and flight crossed with a lion! Giant Hornet Totevolve to.... Mantic Hornet!

I may add more as I come up with them. What? I'm having fun with it!

[DtMK]

Bumpity bump bump.

Seriously, nothing?

[Sir_Spirit]

Not sure what you want?
Bend the rules too much and things get weird.
I was thinking of an animal shifter who raised animals that normally couldn't be returned to the wild, but because he could teach them to hunt(and live!)in the proper shape they could be.
Loosely based on Animal Planets "Growing Up X" series about trained persons responsibly raising animals. Specifically, there was one based on big cats.
Also, dog shifters(and similar) could just use there sense of smell like K-9 units, but without the danger of false positives.

[DtMK]

Interesting. I guess I just wanted some thoughts and input, a reaction, thoughts as to whether or not you'd consider using this as a back story or items for your own games, the usual discussion. Hell, this is one of the more creative things I've made in recent months, considering my writer's block, that's saying something.

[Sir_Spirit]

If you search for shaman or totems in this forum you find a few posts with vaguely similar ideas. that is, you have a shaman/totem thingy that get's inherited by somebody.
So, maybe.

IF yo have Monstrous Form you coudl also make an animal type thingy....

[DtMK]

Hmm, sounds interesting. Thanks!