RP Help with Troll Shaman/Lock Lore

[Sadryn-area-52]

I’m a RP noob, so I’m requesting help on a character concept.

I have this idea for a troll shaman or lock that is not evil for the sake of evil, but definitely feels like it belongs in Nazmir more than the Barrens. The idea is something that would make your skin crawl, probably would pick up a frog or snake and eat it raw, etc.

I’m struggling to determine if I can get away with such a thing with a Shaman rather than a warlock. I feel like demons is crossing a line for trolls that isn’t what I’m after. This is a troll interested in blood magic, darkness, and a severe countenance and reaction to things, not one looking to destroy the universe.

So, some questions I have:

1. I want to have the character lore include gender flipping. Whether from some sort of hex that it self-casts or some other magic, the character is intentionally gender flipping. It’s part of the character’s consistent pattern of not being identifiable, reliable, etc. It’s unsettling, and that’s what is intended. Can I fit this into existing lore?

2. I don’t want to break with the Loa. I am hoping I can put my loyalty toward Bwonsamdi and get to do some fairly grim things around spirits, death, etc. without losing my shamanistic powers. I understand that shaman are considered to be cooperating with the elements, so I’m not sure how grim I can get before it becomes implausible that I have powers still.

3. I don’t want to be a dark shaman. I’m not looking to be in full fledged violation of Troll customs or norms. I’m looking to be on the fringe of them. The insane, fanatical, creepy relative that you tolerate so long as they continue living on the edge of that swamp and don’t show up in your city. I don’t want to deal with Decay, though I also don’t want to be a virtuous shaman in the vein of Thrall.

My guess is I can justify the gender flipping as either hex or shapeshifting, which are pretty in line with Shamanism. True? Can I get away with the dark and foreboding stuff, as well? Can I make the character a follower of Bwonsamdi and justify being a bit scary while still using elemental powers? Would a lock better suit this story, and can I still have any relationship with the Loa as a warlock?

[Yonara-wyrmrest-accord (Yonara)]

@Sadryn-area-52

I want to have the character lore include gender flipping. Whether from some sort of hex that it self-casts or some other magic, the character is intentionally gender flipping. It’s part of the character’s consistent pattern of not being identifiable, reliable, etc. It’s unsettling, and that’s what is intended. Can I fit this into existing lore?

I imagine it wouldn’t be too hard to work in some sort of concoction, like a poison, toxin or something else alchemical, that alters one’s perception. It’s not actually physical gender changing, but I personally think it would work well with what you’re trying to do and, at least to me, seems rather fitting for the kind of mysticism Trolls specifically have been depicted performing. Tying this to alchemically induced illusions also open up options for more effects in addition to what you’re looking for that may further serve what you seem to be aiming for overall.

@Sadryn-area-52

I understand that shaman are considered to be cooperating with the elements, so I’m not sure how grim I can get before it becomes implausible that I have powers still.

Elemental spirits don’t seem to care much about what people do to other people, from what I’ve observed, as long as one isn’t doing anything bad to them or things related to them.

@Sadryn-area-52

I don’t want to be a dark shaman. I’m not looking to be in full fledged violation of Troll customs or norms. I’m looking to be on the fringe of them. The insane, fanatical, creepy relative that you tolerate so long as they continue living on the edge of that swamp and don’t show up in your city. I don’t want to deal with Decay, though I also don’t want to be a virtuous shaman in the vein of Thrall.

Taunka shaman, at least some of them, have been depicted as binding elements through domination of will. At least one Goblin bound elements through contracts. I’d imagine both are universally viable methods.

@Sadryn-area-52

an I make the character a follower of Bwonsamdi and justify being a bit scary while still using elemental powers? Would a lock better suit this story, and can I still have any relationship with the Loa as a warlock?

I’d advise focusing more on the ideals and themes of your character versus the Loa you’re choosing. While certain classes may serve as ideal aesthetic fits for certain Loa, they are still, and in most cases always will be, merely a set of skills. What matters more is the individual and how they use those skills.