Traditional shamanic magic in Shadowrun stems from the power of Nature and the emotions. Shamans are in tune with the natural world -- be it the Awakened wilds or the complex urban ecosystem -- via the medium of their Totems. Shamans classically tend to shun technology in favor or more "natural" magic. However, not all shamans take this attitude. In the high-tech world of the 21st century, some shamans have found that the path of technology has Power in and of itself. They are the techno-shamans. 
A Character Type for Shadowrun
by Stephen Kenson
Art by Fredd GorhamTechno-shamans hold a unique view of technology as something of a natural ecosystem in and of itself. They see magical significance in the intricate growth and change of modern technology, as it shapes and changes the world and the people within it and is in turn changed by them. The glittering paths of the Matrix are not unlike the complex paths of the Awakened wilds, a living, pulsing world of data and energy.
Many shamans consider those of their brethren who follow this path to be strange or delusional at least, demented or mad at worse. Techno-shamans do not have a traditional totem relationship as they do. Their technological archetypes do not lend themselves to forms like the animal totems. The techno-shamans follow a more conceptual path than that of Bear or Eagle.
A character must assign Priority A to Magic and Priority B to Resources during character creation to be a techno-shaman. They then . . .
This article originally appeared in the second volume of Pyramid. See the current Pyramid website for more information.
Article publication date: June 5, 1998
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