I am gnawing my way through the 5e PHB and came across Pg. 50 describing first how at 3rd level you gain "Totem Spirit", where it is neatly and precisely specified that the player must make or otherwise acquire a "physical totem object" that incorporates a component (fur, bone, feather etc.) of the totem animal.
So far so good.
However, what happens at level 6 when that character gains the "Aspect of the beast" feature and (as allowed in the rules) chooses a different totem animal? Strictly speaking, nothing is mentioned about a "physical totem object" under this feature, so my guess is that the player doesn't need to make or acquire another one to gain this additional (new) feature. Is that correct?
If so, fine, but I can't help being left with the feeling that it seems a bit fishy that "Totem Spirit" needs one, where as "Aspect of the beast" doesn't.
Don’t chew through the PHB. It’s a waste of time. Trying to read it cover to cover is usually, from my experiences with many folks who have, one of the worst ways to try to learn the game because it’s too much and it all gets smooshed up into “wha’?!?
Everyone should know the rules contained in chapters 7, 9, & 10; and the general rules governing character creation. Then pick the rest up along the way. For Wizards alone there are 8 subclasses, and that’s just 1 of 12 classes. That doesn’t include all of the races (and subraces, and variant), backgrounds, equipment, then an entire chapter of optional rules (6), before actually getting to the “how to play” sections in 7, 9, & 10….
Then there’s chapter 11 which is like reading an encyclopedia. (No bueno.) Heck, I don’t even know every class feature etc., and I have a knack for memorizing technical information (almost) verbatim. Is too much to remember all of it. (How many pages can you get through before your eyes start to close?)
Now, some useful information:
The beginning of most features is flavor text (aka RP stuff), sometimes intermixed with some rules (aka Game stuff), then t’s all rules after that. For example:
Totem Spirit
At 3rd level, when you adopt this path, you choose a totem spirit and gain its feature. You must make or acquire a physical totem object — an amulet or similar adornment — that incorporates fur or feathers, claws, teeth, or bones of the totem animal. At your option, you also gain minor physical attributes that are reminiscent of your totem spirit. For example, if you have a bear totem spirit, you might be unusually hairy and thick-skinned, or if your totem is the eagle, your eyes turn bright yellow.
Your totem animal might be an animal related to those listed here but more appropriate to your homeland. For example, you could choose a hawk or vulture in place of an eagle.
Bear
[REDACTED]
Eagle
[REDACTED]
Elk
[REDACTED]
Tiger
[REDACTED]
Wolf
[REDACTED]
Everything I have not redacted is essentially RP stuff, and not strictly speaking mechanically relevant.
Basically, the PC hits 3rd level as a Barbarian, chooses this subclass, and now they suddenly have this thing they have supposedly been making since 1st level because they theoretically have been making their connections with their spirit totem the whole time.
Or, conversely they were visited in a dream, woke up a little bit early, went for a relaxing walk (to not interfere with their long rest), and when they got back to camp they had their totem either finished, or just about so and over the next day or two they might get shaggier or whatever.
Or they might spend the next 10 sessions looking to acquire it as they RP the search.
Or they may have to go hunt their totem spirit animal.
Or….
When they hit 6th and 14th levels, if they pick additional totem spirits instead of the same one again, they add new physical totems the same way they got the first one.
If the physical Totems were in anyway a hard-and-fast “Rules Requirement,” then those features would say more than they must acquire one. According to that text, they could acquire one, and then while their butt with it and throw it in a river and it wouldn’t impact anything at all unless their DM decided it did and how things would get resolved. Basically, it’s up to the player and their DM to decide how
When they hit 6th and 14th levels, if they pick additional totem spirits instead of the same one again, they add new physical totems the same way they got the first one.
Thank you for all the advice. I entirely agree in fact.
However, where exactly did you read the part I quoted above?
As a DM I think I would require a new totem for a shift of animal, but that's just me. I wouldn't make it hard to get one per se, but not caring about it wouldn't make sense either :-D
Well, I suppose that technically speaking the higher level features don’t require any totemic objects, only the 3rd level feature does. But since the totem is, in and of itself only a superficial requirement and not required past it’s creation; and since their acquisition of it is only as significant as the player and DM decide to make it; it’s really not such a big deal.
To your point, the way I “don’t make it hard but don’t not care about it” is to just make it happen. Like, for example, if they picked Bear at 3rd level and Eagle at 6th, when they awoke the next morning and found an eagle feather on their pack…. Or the next town they went to, a street merchant may thrust an eagle claw necklace at them and haggle their own price down trying to make a sale that will entice more customers. I mean, adding that feather to the bear fur on their totem, or adding the Eagle claw necklace to their Bear claw necklace (or simply wearing both) would just make sense. Unless that player wanted the acquisitions of their totems to be more personal or whatever, then they’re caring enough for both of us so I just need to facilitate their agency.
One thing I noticed you stated was “a shift of animal,” and I wanted to make sure it was clear that there wouldn’t necessarily be “a shift of,” but more an addition of a new animal. It i’s not required for all three features to reflect the same totem animal. If they pick Bear at 3rd level, and then Eagle at 6th, their 3rd level feature stays Bear. RAW, there is no proviso for their choices of totems, once made, to ever change by any means. For their spirit animal to ever “shift” would require the DM to special rule it.
Hello fellow adventurers,
I am gnawing my way through the 5e PHB and came across Pg. 50 describing first how at 3rd level you gain "Totem Spirit", where it is neatly and precisely specified that the player must make or otherwise acquire a "physical totem object" that incorporates a component (fur, bone, feather etc.) of the totem animal.
So far so good.
However, what happens at level 6 when that character gains the "Aspect of the beast" feature and (as allowed in the rules) chooses a different totem animal? Strictly speaking, nothing is mentioned about a "physical totem object" under this feature, so my guess is that the player doesn't need to make or acquire another one to gain this additional (new) feature. Is that correct?
If so, fine, but I can't help being left with the feeling that it seems a bit fishy that "Totem Spirit" needs one, where as "Aspect of the beast" doesn't.
Any comments on this one, please?
First, some advice:
Don’t chew through the PHB. It’s a waste of time. Trying to read it cover to cover is usually, from my experiences with many folks who have, one of the worst ways to try to learn the game because it’s too much and it all gets smooshed up into “wha’?!?
Everyone should know the rules contained in chapters 7, 9, & 10; and the general rules governing character creation. Then pick the rest up along the way. For Wizards alone there are 8 subclasses, and that’s just 1 of 12 classes. That doesn’t include all of the races (and subraces, and variant), backgrounds, equipment, then an entire chapter of optional rules (6), before actually getting to the “how to play” sections in 7, 9, & 10….
Then there’s chapter 11 which is like reading an encyclopedia. (No bueno.) Heck, I don’t even know every class feature etc., and I have a knack for memorizing technical information (almost) verbatim. Is too much to remember all of it. (How many pages can you get through before your eyes start to close?)
Now, some useful information:
The beginning of most features is flavor text (aka RP stuff), sometimes intermixed with some rules (aka Game stuff), then t’s all rules after that. For example:
Everything I have not redacted is essentially RP stuff, and not strictly speaking mechanically relevant.
When they hit 6th and 14th levels, if they pick additional totem spirits instead of the same one again, they add new physical totems the same way they got the first one.
If the physical Totems were in anyway a hard-and-fast “Rules Requirement,” then those features would say more than they must acquire one. According to that text, they could acquire one, and then while their butt with it and throw it in a river and it wouldn’t impact anything at all unless their DM decided it did and how things would get resolved. Basically, it’s up to the player and their DM to decide how
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Thank you for all the advice. I entirely agree in fact.
However, where exactly did you read the part I quoted above?
As a DM I think I would require a new totem for a shift of animal, but that's just me. I wouldn't make it hard to get one per se, but not caring about it wouldn't make sense either :-D
You can just make yourself a new totem representing the different animal totem.
Well, I suppose that technically speaking the higher level features don’t require any totemic objects, only the 3rd level feature does. But since the totem is, in and of itself only a superficial requirement and not required past it’s creation; and since their acquisition of it is only as significant as the player and DM decide to make it; it’s really not such a big deal.
To your point, the way I “don’t make it hard but don’t not care about it” is to just make it happen. Like, for example, if they picked Bear at 3rd level and Eagle at 6th, when they awoke the next morning and found an eagle feather on their pack…. Or the next town they went to, a street merchant may thrust an eagle claw necklace at them and haggle their own price down trying to make a sale that will entice more customers. I mean, adding that feather to the bear fur on their totem, or adding the Eagle claw necklace to their Bear claw necklace (or simply wearing both) would just make sense. Unless that player wanted the acquisitions of their totems to be more personal or whatever, then they’re caring enough for both of us so I just need to facilitate their agency.
One thing I noticed you stated was “a shift of animal,” and I wanted to make sure it was clear that there wouldn’t necessarily be “a shift of,” but more an addition of a new animal. It i’s not required for all three features to reflect the same totem animal. If they pick Bear at 3rd level, and then Eagle at 6th, their 3rd level feature stays Bear. RAW, there is no proviso for their choices of totems, once made, to ever change by any means. For their spirit animal to ever “shift” would require the DM to special rule it.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting