Totemism
is common across the northern parts of the empire, mainly , although similar beliefs can be found in regions of the northern and . Totemism is also present in some parts of northern Elthos beyond the empire, especially in the .
Totems are spirits which represent specific concepts or places. In and , the totems which represent concepts are all animals, while places may be represented by any manner of totem. The core animal totems are shared across the Commonwealth.
There is no totemic church, nor even truly clergy. The concepts represented by the totems are important to their worshippers' day-to-day lives. Faced with uncertainty, a follower of the totems might take time to meditate, or seek a community meeting, where pragmatic advice and spiritual insight can be one and the same.
Worshippers of the totems often worship other gods too, imported from elsewhere. They view the totems as being present in the world, whereas other gods reside in the Empyrean, but are no less real for it, just farther away.
Bear represents endurance in the face of hardship and individual strength.
Fox represents cunning and the ability to survive hostile conditions.
Raven represents the finding of opportunity even in the most desolate environment.
Seal represents the overcoming of the challenges posed by dangerous waters.
Wolf represents loyalty to a group.
Wolverine represents the daring to face even overwhelming odds.
Yak represents the capacity to make something of even the worst of land. Yak is often associated with the Whitewater Plains too.