RE: [DL] Indian Questions

[Jeff Yates <jyates@primaryfunction.com>]

I'll stick my responses below...

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-deadlands@gamerz.net 
> [mailto:owner-deadlands@gamerz.net] On Behalf Of carl smith
> Sent: Wednesday, November 17, 2004 11:21 AM
> To: deadlands@gamerz.net
> Subject: [DL] Indian Questions
> 
> 
> For any of you that have run with, run one, or have had one 
> in your group I need some insight.  I have never had an 
> indian in my Deadlands group before (old style not D20).  My 
> good friend has now decided to run one for whatever reason 
> and did so 10 minutes before game time so I have had no time 
> to be prepaired for it.  He was "pretty sure" that he had a 
> the rules down but I would rather have more to go on and be 
> prepaired so here are some questions.
> 1)  We have a huckster in the group and a mad scientist.  My 
> friend who is a Warrior chief with a wolf guardian spirit 
> seems to think that he can see all the spirits around them 
> and knows exactly what they are up to.  This is starting to 
> cause some friction in the group as he voices his displeasure 
> with the "Palefaces".  Can he in any way see the spirits or 
> know of them around the characters?

Not automatically, no.  No way.  He may be able to invoke a favor by
performing a ritual to get such sight.  On the other hand, if the indian
_knows_ that the huckster is a huckster, then the indian knows that
character consorts with evil spirits.  Let them role play that out.  Don't
get yourself as GM involved.  Unless it's going to break up the gaming group
-- then tell the indian's player that to make the _game_ more fun, he has to
ditch the character and pick something with more party-unity-potential.
Whole nuther thread there tho.

(I don't remember if it would be common knowledge to indian shamans where
mad scientists get their info.  But I do know that an Old Wayer (shaman or
brave) would just detest the devices and do what they could to convince the
mad scientist to stop building the infernal things.)

> 2)  He constantly consults with his guardian spirit as if its 
> omnipotent and knows all.  Not only that but he expect 
> answers on the spot.  I have done my best to give him "signs" 
> but that just seems to rub me wrong.  I have not had a chance 
> to pick up the book this week so can someone please tell me 
> if this is possible?  Can he just "commune" with his guardian 
> whenever he pleases, get answers consitantly, and does he 
> need to do a ritual of some kind?

I'd let him chat with his spirit, meditate and all.  But the spirit is NOT a
know-all critter.  And it will NOT do the indian's bidding.  I'm of the mind
that just as we have issues "seeing" into the spirit world, a guardian
spirit would have some issues "seeing" into the mundane world, if only due
to a warped perception of it.  So, the spirit doesn't know the answers to
most questions, won't necessarily answer the question if it knows anything
or not, and like you I'd give "signs" if there were a response.

> 3)  A Heavy Stone tomohawk is the weapon he uses.  Does this 
> count as a "bladed" weapon or is it just more of a wedge with 
> weight behind it?  This is a question I need answered ASAP
> 4)  Ay idea's and sudjestions are welcome as I have never had 
> an indian in the group before and I want to keep things 
> smooth and enjoyable.  So adventure hooks, dealing with or 
> how others actions towards the indian is all new ground to 
> me.  Please help.
> 

If ya wanna get all New Science on the question, any and all blades are
wedges with weight/mass/inertia behind them.  Some are just long, thin
wedges of worked iron or steel, some are carefully sharpened hunks a' stone.
I'd call it a bladed weapon where it matters.  Some braves also carried war
clubs... Very heavy and effective on zombie skulls, but not blades.

And like someone else mentioned, manitou and nature spirits don't mix.
There's extra appeasment needed to get a favor for the huckster, and the
spirits will be grumpy if the indian accepts hexes (even if beneficial) from
the huckster.

And don't forget to torment your player with the Old Ways vow he took.  No
favors if he rides a train, penalties if he tries to use mass-produced
weaponry (no firearms!), etc.  If he wants to be a proud Native American, he
better play it and live with it!!

Jeff Y.
Marshal for the Dynamite Gang