[Elric] The Whitelands ?

[havercake lad]

Some beasts in the YK seem to have the power to speak with humans at times. A hawk speaks to Dyvim Tvar in 'Stormbringer' and a beaver encountered in Elric/White Crow's dreamquest speaks to him. Possibly these are being used as avatars of their patron beast lords or have some 'favoured son' status.

 

[rust]

I don't see why totem animal couldn't also be a natural beast.

Yes, of course. What I did mean is that the normal snowy owl
is the totem animal of the Anganoka, and the giant version of
it already has the role as the manifestation of the totem spirit,
just like the giant wolf is the spirit manifestation of the totem
animal wolf, which is why I am not sure whether I would want
the giant snowy owl to exist in two versions, natural animal and
spirit manifestation. I hope that is clearer now.

 

[rust]

Some beasts in the YK seem to have the power to speak with humans at times. A hawk speaks to Dyvim Tvar in 'Stormbringer' and a beaver encountered in Elric/White Crow's dreamquest speaks to him. Possibly these are being used as avatars of their patron beast lords or have some 'favoured son' status.

Yes, a good idea, speaking animals would fit in well as the
messengers of the totem spirits - thank you.

 

[havercake lad]

A talking raven features in Elric's Dream quests.

Elric/White Crow reflects
"Perhaps he is my totem ?"

 

[Olaus Petrus]

I don't see why totem animal couldn't also be a natural beast.

Yes, of course. What I did mean is that the normal snowy owl
is the totem animal of the Anganoka, and the giant version of
it already has the role as the manifestation of the totem spirit,
just like the giant wolf is the spirit manifestation of the totem
animal wolf, which is why I am not sure whether I would want
the giant snowy owl to exist in two versions, natural animal and
spirit manifestation. I hope that is clearer now.

Sorry, I misunderstood. Still giant snow owl could be used as a rare beast whose appearance is interpreted as a holy sign, unless you want to keep such beast completely mythological. There are many rare and special animals in Moorcock's works. One of my personal favourites is Whiskers, Jhary-a-Conel's winged cat. But such animals should be even more rare than talking animals. In similar manner it could be possible that there is some unique and holy giant snow owl somewhere in the north and search for it could be great quest for a shaman.

 

[rust]

Still giant snow owl could be used as a rare beast whose appearance is interpreted as a holy sign, unless you want to keep such beast completely mythological. There are many rare and special animals in Moorcock's works.

Yes, indeed, a special creature with more links to the spirit
world than to the normal world is always possible, and can
become the focus of an adventure.