This discussion of shaman personalities made me to put aside lurking and finally participate in conversation.
Anyway, i have always played shamen a bit weird folk. They tend to forget normal day-to-day things, such as washing their clothes or taking care of their appearance. After all, part of their conscious is always active on the Other Side.
Different cultures have different kinds of shamanic traditions. Primitive Hschunchen shaman who worships say, Telmor, is likely to have a different "feel" about him than a Lunar witch or Kolating storm shaman. Being part of the tradition makes shaman different from other shamen if different tradition. Even in same traditions the shamen(?) are individuals, with their colorful personalities. Example:
Ghhraahr, old telmori shaman, is wise and respected in the eyes of his clansmen. There is powerful feel surrounding him, and though he is physically old and fragile, all the strong warriors of the clan choose carefully their words when in his presence.
Shaarrakh, yound and strong beginning shaman, is almost feared by his clan. He is honoured because his succes in raids and hunt, but there is somethig so threathening about him that even the strongest warriors are at unease near him.
In HW terms they would both be of the same backgrounds, but still very different to play.
I think that shamen are always a bit eccentric in the eyes of the normal people. Their connection to their totem/tradition knowledge/visions of the other side/etc makes them different from normal people. Shamen in different tradiotions are differentiated by their tradition. And in the same tradition, personality is what makes them individuals and fun to play.
Cheers,
Mikko
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