Dersu Uzala is a beautiful book written by a 19th century russian whose name
I forgot, turned into a movie by Kurosawa. Nice movie, but as half as good as
the book.
I wouldn't qualify old Dersu as a shaman, but rather as a Hunter God
Initiate, also following his Ancestors. When met by the young russian
captain, he is already very old and has something over 115% in plant and
animal lore. He uses a rifle, and I would equate it with 120% bow. He also
uses traps and snares (devise over 100%). His taboo is the Tiger - he fears
them and avoids them unless he's cornered).
He becomes goes slowly blind and chooses suicide by losing himself in the
tundra.
A beautiful character described in a very moving way, in a splendid and very
dangerous Nature. He would be an interesting NPC.
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