Dear forums,
I have an odd question. Due to my current roleplay toon. I have hit a snare in first glances. Now I understand there are elder shamans. But to be an elder shaman I would assume you would have to be in a certain age, correct? So my question to you is. What age would be the minimum to be considered an elder shaman?
Sincerely, Your Orc Shaman RPer.
Iād assume itās less a specific age, and more just being the most āseniorā shaman in the village/group. Be that the oldest shaman or the shaman with the most experience.
I think itās an age+experience thing. It would be odd to have a village with two shamans and the oldest being 15 and being called elder just because they are the oldest. Of course there could be circumstances like reincarnation making the 15 y/o probable.
I would say in general if the person has grandkids (or old enough to have them) they would be able to be a elder shaman.
But thatās just me.
Do you mean in terms of experience where rather than age, the term Elder is more of a rank of power? Or do you mean when they become advanced in age where they are an actual Elder?
Because we can look at it two ways. Orcs are a race of people whoās culture circle around the wisdom of their Ancestors. The Ancestors, while in their afterlife, have gained insight on things that are valuable to the orcs still living. Future sight, predictions, wisdom of the past. Orcs who are advanced in age may gain respect for what they know, the amount of experience they have gained. Drekāthar, even in his advanced age, was very powerful. He went through a lot and also learned a lot. So he was a both a person of power and respect in age.
Now the only āElder shamanā I actually see named/remember (so far) is Drekāthar, Mother Kashur, Nerāzhul and Magatha and a Wolvar named Elder Moky from WotLK. Each of these characters, even Moky, all are in a position of the highest rank they could be. Three of these are leaders/Chieftains with Moky and Mother Kashur being the highest ranking shaman in their group. An elder shaman existing next to a chieftain in an orcish clan have almost the same level of respect and power as a chieftain. They are extremely respected and their huts are about as important looking as the chieftainās would be.
Mother Kashur, who was the teacher for Drekāthar, was also something I feel we donāt know much about which was she was the āClan Motherā. Greatmother Geyah became the Clan Mother after Mother Kashur passed away, and she is the Mother figure for all of Garadar, where as Kashur was the Mother for all of the Frostwolf Clan. She is also considered an Elder.
The term Elder and Mother seem to be titles of leadership and rank for shaman who have reached a position of respect akin to a Chieftain or are a Chieftain. Especially seeing there is an NPC named Mother Omāra , who appears (?) to have been a past Shadowmoon Chieftain. She is a part of the quest to tame Gaara.
So Elder Shaman as a rank is someone who is about as powerful as a Chieftain. The age does not seem to be too much of a factor. Only because the Elder Shaman of clans tend to be the that rank for many many years until they pass away, and then are replaced by their student.
However maybe a shaman who is just up there in age maybe a shaman elder.
Regardless, the term āelderā is a term of respect among the orcish people. They lean in the direction of being a native culture, so respect for those who have gained wisdom and experience will be important to them. Respecting ones elders among the orcs is probably a bit more meaningful than just holding open the door for them.
I hoped this help, it was fun to do a bit of research to make sure I had the answers right!
It does actually, thank you so much.
Absolutely! Orcish RP , lore and culture is something Iām very passionate about and enjoy helping others with!
The lore is a little spotty, but I do my best to look at as many sources as possible before I start trying to fill in gaps with any āheadcanonā or fanon.
Even Far seer is a hard rank to really know what goes into, but might be a position more easily obtainable. Not every shaman is a far seer, but every far seer is a powerful shaman who earned that title for what they could do. It was a title that were among Thrallās trusted inner circle of shaman who aided him as Warchief.
I hope your journey in orcish shamanism is a great one and I look forward to running into you once Gotosh (this guy!) is out and about again!
Me too. Also i just stared with orc shaman. Iāve played other shamans also druids. So I know some but orc shamans are like night elf druids. Really complex
Iām not deep into the nelf lore when it comes to druids. I know for orcs, the reason why Iām so passionate about them is because they are a nomadic culture of native people who have been vastly misunderstood, not just in their own universe, but in ours as well.
The biggest thing that should be a focus for any character is portraying them as a person first. With hopes, dreams and good and bad personality traits. Their culture then fills in the gaps on what influences their choices.
Shaman RP can be a little tricky, I agree. Some things are a bit vague while others are unknown all together. Not to mention, some of the lore that exists that is only for us to know but should remain unknown or perhaps vague for the character themselves. It can get difficult in balancing that information.
Just take it slow. Pay attention to quests, flavor text and lore that pops up that might help you get a better understanding of the orcish understanding of shamanism. Even tauren might help, seeing as the orcs felt at home with the tauren way of living.
This just reminds me that one of these days I want to make an alt and slow level through Outlandsā¦
True, very true.