AD&D - Shaman and Witch Doctor Spells

Have you ever wondered about the mysterious world of tribal spell casters? These intriguing magical beings are found among various races such as bugbears, cavemen, giants, and trolls. Today, let’s explore the two main types of tribal spell casters: shamans and witch doctors. We’ll learn about their powers, their spells, and how they function within their tribes.

First, let’s talk about shamans. Shamans are special clerics who typically don’t go above level seven in their magical powers. What’s fascinating about shamans is that they have access to quite a few important spells that help their tribes in various ways. For example, they can heal light wounds, detect evil, and even light up dark places. These spells are crucial for maintaining the well-being of their tribe and keeping them safe from harm.

Shamans have spells that fall into four levels. The first level includes powerful spells like “cure light wounds” and “detect evil.” These spells are great for helping anyone who’s feeling unwell or sensing if someone is up to no good. The second level introduces spells like “augury,” which helps predict outcomes, and “speak with animals,” allowing shaman to communicate with creatures around them.

As shamans level up to the third and fourth tiers, they unlock even more potent spells. For example, at the third level, they can cure blindness, which can be life-changing for anyone affected. They also have the ability to remove curses and neutralize poisons, keeping their people safe from magical threats. At the fourth level, they can perform rituals like “divination,” which helps them gain divine insights.

Something interesting is that the number of spells a shaman can use is not affected by their wisdom level. Instead, it depends strictly on their race and experience level. Different races have different maximum levels for their shamans. For example, ettins and troglodytes can only reach level three, while giants and trolls can go up to level seven. This means that each race’s magical abilities are unique, adding diversity to the way shamans interact with their tribes.

Now, let’s shift our focus to witch doctors. These spell casters are a bit different because they combine the abilities of both clerics and magic-users. Witch doctors have unique spells that allow them to perform various tricks and illusions, making them valuable to their tribes. They still have a limit on their magical powers based on their race.

Witch doctors can cast all sorts of spells. At the first level, they can create illusions like “dancing lights” or even make themselves invisible. They can also manipulate normal fires, which is really helpful when cooking for the tribe. Some of their spells may seem playful, like “fool’s gold” that tricks people into thinking something is valuable when it’s not.

Like shamans, witch doctors also have a cap on how powerful they can be based on their race. For instance, cavemen and kobolds can only reach the second level of magic, while bugbears and hobgoblins can go up to level four. This means that the power a witch doctor wields is tailored to their specific nature.

One key aspect that stands out is that a tribe will usually have shamans or witch doctors, but not both, except for cavemen. This specialization helps maintain a unique identity for each tribe. It also encourages tribal members to learn about and rely on their specific spell casters. Each tribe defines its culture based on the type of magic they embrace.

Overall, tribal spell casters add an exciting layer to the fantasy world. They serve essential roles in their communities, providing healing and protection through their unique abilities. Whether you gravitate towards the nurturing powers of shamans or the clever tricks of witch doctors, both play vital parts in their tribes. So, the next time you step into a fantasy realm, think about all the magical possibilities that tribal spell casters bring to the table! They add depth and charm to the stories and battles that unfold, and their presence is surely felt in every spell they cast. How cool would it be to encounter one of these spell casters on an adventure?