[Background | Description ]
Well first of all I have been doing a very nebulous panther totem for many years now. I never have actually used the totem in combat, just in my imagination. Well I finally decided to do it right, so I went and looked up Panther in the library. I did actually find information in about five books.
The term Panther can either be used for the leopard (in certain parts of Asia) or Concolour (in certain parts of north America). I decided that I was going to use Concolour because it was the more impressive animal (to me) and was native to North America. Now Concolour goes by many names, just a few are - Mountain Lion, Cougar, Puma and Panther (in fact the Panther has more names in the dictionary then any other predator). They all are used for Concolour, and greatly add to the confusion over it. In fact I have found two different scientific names for Concolour - Puma Concolour, Felis Concolour - from books printed 11 years apart. In all even scientists give it many names.
One thing that did startle me was the lack of information on the Black Panther. It is my favorite animal and is what I based my original Panther on, the black Panthers that I thought existed in Florida. What I did find out was that there are a whole heck of a LOT of misinformation on Panthers. First of all, Black Panthers as they are called are really Black Phase Leopards - which can be found in India. The has been much confusion over Black Panthers or Pumas. There is much confusion as to whether they were even black, or whether they were Pumas, Jaguars or even bobcats. Black Pumas do exist in Central America, at least that is the information I found stated a few times in one source and mentioned briefly in another.
"The puma is prominent in American Indian mythology, with its cunning, agility, and strength respected and admired by many tribes.The animal figures in the magic and shamanism of nearly all ancients as their progenitor, protector, or as a source of power to ward of disease or to excel as a hunter. Others are awed by the animal and consider it an omen of disaster."
The PUMA, legendary lion of the Americas - Jim Bob Tinsley
As to Indian myth, which most of the totems are taken from, Panther is feared and respected, and in some is regarded as the Protector of the universe. The Zuni believed that he ancient ones wanted the world to be guarded by those keen of sight and scent. The puma (the greatest of them) was the sentinel of the north (the most important position). The Miwoks believed him to be the ideal hunter, while the Apaches and Hualapais thought her wailing was the omen of death. In Navajo myth a hero was wounded by witch objects shot into his body. Puma extracts them and save his life. They also thought that the Puma benefited them by leaving the better part of the portion of its kill for the people to eat. Conversely the Papago and the later white settlers considered the cougar a flesh eating beast. The Inca hunted many animals in great round-ups where they would hunt the hunter. They found it much easier to catch bear and deer in the rounds-ups then panthers. To many Indian societies it was both a Totem and a source of help for hunting and warfare. In fact the Hopi and Zuni took carved mountain lions when hunting deer in hopes that they would be as good at it as the mountain lion was. In many cultures the puma was often deified for its ability to hunt.
The panther is the largest Lone carnivore in North America. It is known for its strength and speed. In fact - a Panther will often beat the larger Jaguar in battle. Of all the great cats the panther is the one to hunt the most out of proportion to its size. The tiger and jaguar my hunt large animals, but they only hunt prey to about 2-3 times their size. The panther on the other hand is known to hunt animals up to 3-4 times its, giving precedence to the fact that it is one of the most dangerous of hunters. Panthers are also very quite hunters and make little noise when hunting - ie. what you see in the movies is drek.
Panthers are noted to Purr and scream (best description) much like a tabby but 10 times as big and loud. Panthers also have round not slitted eyes. They tend to rely on eyesight for hunting, but have acute hearing and smell.
Panther, Mountain Lion, Cougar, Puma, Catamount and assorted other English and Indian names (the America's)
Panther goes by many names and faces; to some He is Panther, to others She is Puma and some know It as Mountain Lion. Panther likes it this way, for Panther believes in stealth. His prey never hears him before he strikes. Puma is a great warrior, but prefers the stealthy approach, for it does not do to go off half cocked. Cougar is very patient and quite, he will wait for the right moment to strike. Panther tends to try and protect mankind and innocents from harm. Puma mostly solitary but will sometimes have close companions who she will defend to the death. Cougar kills quickly and will use the most efficient means to do so. He also tries to leave little evidence of his acts. Mountain Lion hates Evil and will try to hunt it down and slay it.
Forest and Mountain
+2 dice for combat and illusion. +2 dice for summoning Either forest Or mountain spirits (choose).
Minimum quickness and intelligence of 4, Puma believes in attacking prey intelligently and quickly. Panther also believes that her shamans should be able to hunt and kill without magic (the need to take stealth and either unarmed or armed combat as skills). When in the midst of a large combat the shaman must make a willpower test tn# 5 to stop fighting as his instincts tell him to keep on lashing out.
Puma is not a coward, he will attack powerful enemies if need be, but will try to shift the odds in his favor and will wait for the right moment and not charge right in. Panther shamans are know to be quiet individuals, and will not get into needless arguments or conversations. Cougar shamans are also known for using the bare minimum of words or gestures when doing magic, they do not like to be noticed. The shaman will use the name he or she feels most comfortable with in talking about his totem, for the shaman realizes that they all describe the totem equally well.
The use of all the different names and he/she throughout the text was intentional. After all its like Orou said -