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A few days ago a new orc shaman joined our little guild. I have not spent much time with him yet, but he seems like an interesting individual. We share certain things in common and it is my hope I can prevent him from repeating my mistakes.
I am worried about our leader though. He left his clan when the warlocks rose to power and always assumed that his clan was destroyed. With the arrival of this new orc, he learned that his tribe still existed and had suffered for the lack of their shaman, our leader Donkar.
I was there when the new orc, called Maorkin, told Donkar the truth. He left soon after and I fear that hearing the news was too much for him. I am anxious to speak with him. I cannot imagine what it is like to learn that your tribe still lives, after you thought they had perished.
All that remains of my tribe is a young woman who works as a baker in Bloodhoof Village. I know beyond all doubt that my entire tribe, save Jhawna, has joined the ancestors. I was there to see their charred bodies strewn among the remains of the camp. The Earthmother smiled upon Jhawna that day. She should not have survived the massacre.
It seems that both Donkar and Maorkin fled their responsibilities to their clan, leaving their people to survive without a shaman to guide them. In Donkar’s case, he feared what his people were becoming and left. In Maorkin’s case, he did not want the responsibility. Neither action is worthy of praise, but I understand why they both acted in such a fashion, particularly Maorkin. It is a daunting responsibility, being a shaman. It is not always easy to shoulder the burdens that come with the calling.
When someone is called to path of the shaman, they must walk into the wilderness and learn to trust the elements. My tribe, the Oatwinds, called it the Earthwalk. It is a sacred journey – one with the elements, spirits, and ancestors as guides. The future shaman must leave their tribe and family behind, both physically and mentally. It is a test of will power, as well as strength and stamina. You can take nothing with you, for the elements will provide for you if you listen to them.
Each Shu’halo tribe has a different version of this initiation. They also have different conceptions of the link between the shaman and the elements, spirits, and ancestors. My tribe believes that shamans have an animal guide that acts as their instructor. We are not so different from druids in that respect. This animal guide is the embodiment of the Spirit of the Wilds and is different for each shaman.
It was the Zhevra that came to me the first night of my Earthwalk. I will admit to being disappointed at first. The Zhevra is not known for being fierce like the prowler, brave like the raptor, or strong like the kodo. They are not honored in our stories, beyond being prey for stronger animals.
I learned to respect and honor my animal spirit though. Now I understand that Zhevra are both fierce and strong. More importantly, they are free. They have the speed of the wind, the strength of the earth, the ferocity of fire, and the freedom of water.
After the argument I had with the young Brave, I spent many hours thinking about his words. Eventually I realized that I had to step away from my responsibilities and go on another Earthwalk. I needed to speak with the spirits and receive guidance from the ancestors and the Zhevra.
I will not share all that happened since it is an intensely personal experience. Suffice to say that I have made my peace with that part of my past.
