Totem

Totems (also known as Familiars) are monsters that have been bound to a monster-hunter and connected to them in soul and spirit. After the bonding, they provide guidance and assistance in slaying other creatures, though their feelings on this matter may vary. While many show disdain for their hunters, it is also noted that many of them refuse to live on after their human has died.

The binding of totems is an ancient practice in the Order of St. George, considered to be their first sacred tradition.

History

In the early days of monster-hunting, a child would be bound to the monster that had orphaned it, following the belief that only by overcoming this personal monster would a child become a reliable hunter. Due to this process leaving many dead, this practice became more and more rare, and usually a child would be bound to a lesser monster bred and starved by the Order specifically for the purpose of binding; the more powerful the monster, the more difficult the process. Whatever the reason, the sacred bond is meant to help the hunter in their work. If the bond is severed, many hunters do not survive.

Monsters that are bound to totems can come in all types, but once captured and bonded, it changes to a Phantasmatype.

Binding

“	Octo protected you as a child. Now it carries a monster in its chest, and it will determine whether you are worthy of protection.	”
	— Gary Slaughter

Main article: The Sacrament of Initiation

The Recitation for initial binding.

The item the monster is bound to is different depending on the hunter, but the object must have been of powerful significance to the child before being orphaned. It is noted that the object must have been loved for the ritual to take effect, or else the monster might break free from the totem. Monsters can be bound to items through a specific recitation, which prevents the monster from fighting back.

After a child initiate in the Order of St. George has forsworn their family name and identity, they are put into a trance along with the selected monster. Inside the child's mind, the monster will desperately attempt to escape. If the monster succeeds, the bond between human and monster is severed, and they are free to eat the child. If the child succeeds, the monster is trapped into their selected totem and forever linked to them. This also means that the monster can only feed on the fears of their hunter, and no one else.

While the First Sacrament is sacred, it is to be reset and repeated if a Hunter changes House.

Link to hunters

Totems are chosen and cultivated by the Order in order to redirect and cull emotions that may be distracting to a future hunter. The monsters inside each totem will devour the sentimental and nostalgic feelings each hunter holds for their item, while reminding them of the dangers that lurk in their deepest memories. This process sparks anger in the hunters, which makes them primed to fight.

Hunters are expected to work in symbiosis with the monster to which they are bound. The monster will share secrets with them, giving them knowledge that is used to fight others. The human and monster will also shape each other into aspects of themselves, changing the shape of the monster and the personality of the human. The hunter will be able to communicate with this monster until they come of age and after they complete the Final Sacrament; those who cannot see monsters cannot hear them either.

Notable totems

Totems are usually toys, which are meant to be loved by children. This isn't exclusive, however, as some simply have objects of great significance to them, such as Edwin Slaughter, who kept his mother's Hermes makeup brush.

Erica Slaughter's totem, Octo, is one of the few in modern times that was still bound to the child it orphaned. As such, it is both very powerful and very violent.

House of Boucher

• Scarlett - Totem of Jace Boucher, plush fox. Still active.
• Unnamed dagger - Totem of Sunny Boucher. Escaped the house with him, on the run.

House of Cutter

• Dolly - Totem of Charlotte Cutter, porcelain doll. Most likely destroyed following her death.

House of Slaughter

• Hootie - Totem of Aaron Slaughter, plush owl. Still active.
• Octo - Totem of Erica Slaughter, Oscuratype inside of a plush octopus.
• Teddy - Totem of the Unnamed House Dragon, stuffed teddy bear.
• Unnamed doll - Totem of Maxine Slaughter.
• Unnamed giraffe toy - Totem of the Head of the Silver Masks.
• Unnamed golden bull plush - Totem of Buck Slaughter. While he is deceased, the totem was kept for a period of time.
• Unnamed monkey figure - Totem of the Head of the Scarlet Masks.
• Unnamed rabbit plush - Totem of Cecilia Slaughter.

Inactive

• Ashley - Totem of Bait Slaughter, paper doll cutouts. "Retired" after the Lake Erie incident, collected by Hermes, and broken by Edwin Slaughter.
• Hermes - Totem of Edwin Slaughter, Duplicitype inside of a makeup brush. Freed and destroyed.
• Thumper - Totem of Jessica Slaughter, plush rabbit. Most likely destroyed following her death.
• Wuppy Puppy - Totem of Adda Slaughter, plush dog. Most likely destroyed following her death.

Gallery

Recitation.