Totem Workshop

Simple question: What's your totem?

a totem, for those of you who don't know, is a collection of animals and symbols arranged in an order to represent yourself or what you would like to represent yourself as.

The base is the most important part. That bottom animal supports all the rest. Generally, the one at the top watches over all the rest. Other than that, it's pretty much fair game for interpretation.

other than that, i guess it can technically be anything, although you probably shouldn't need more than 10, and if you need 20 you might need to see somebody for your multiple personality disorder.

Never really thought about it I suppose. I guess it may be something to think about. I'll get back with you on that one.

A mountain bear holding strong a komodo dragon, beneath that of a tiger, coiled around him a cobra, as an owl sits atop the small yet diverse totem.

Since you're asking me to make a totem representing me, I'll be biased, but let's look at what I can do.

A thick-maned lion on steady feet holds the base. Atop its shoulders there is a greyhound dog. On the greyhound's back is perched a fancy-looking heron. On first sight it would appear those are the three animals, however closer inspection would reveal the hiding rat on the crook of its graceful neck. On top of the rat's head is a butterfly.

In this rendition would be sculpted as if they'd be literally standing on top of each other in their actual forms. But fuck it, it makes sense in context.

Kind of the point, my dear

A totem carved from obsidian:

A monstrous ouroboros forms the base
atop its back is carved a facade, an illusion appearing as though it bears a city atop its back

Watching over this city atop the Eater are a trio of gargoyles, back to back, perhaps watching over their sections of the metropolis, perhaps watching time itself go by

Riding atop the shoulders of these guardians is a snarling Western dragon, wings spread wide, as if to eclipse the sun from those beneath its gaze

From the platform created by the dragon's wings rises a towering dire bear, raised to its full height on its hind feet, roaring a challenge to any who dare approach.
Impossibly clutched the the claws of the bear's right paw is a long pole, rising above the head of the bear itself. capping this bizarre battle standard is an overly large, leering demon skull, keeping a close eye an all beneath its gaze.

The gaping maws of these beasts are strangely studded, and strange dots of light flicker from within. Closer inspection reveals these to be multitudes of tiny, jet-black spiders that appear to be skillfully carved into the obsidian in much the way as the cityscape below
That is, until the spiders begin to move, unveiling the unsettling fact that they are, all of them, very much alive