Shaman

In many ways, shamans are the druids of Kara-Tur. They channel the spirits of nature, respecting and reflecting the will of their ancestors. Whereas shugenja tend to serve as spiritual advisors among nobility, shamans tend to be local leaders, acting as healers, elders, and midwives. Shugenja are common among the nobility of Shou Lung, T'u Lung, Wa, Kozakura, and Koryo. Shamans are fairly common among the local populace of these nations but are more prevalent in Tabot, Ra-Khati, Bawa, and Malatra. Shamans are also found in the Northern Wastes, where they act as natural guardians and as the crafters of minor amulets and fetishes of protection and healing.
Shamans are rarely hired as healers on noble expeditions traveling the Golden Way. The noble classes tend to find them unrefined and desire the more cultured and elegant ways of the shugenja or wu jen. Occasionally, shamans travel into the Realms at the behest of a dying man from their land, offering comfort in the last days of his life. Sometimes the family calls for a shaman to comfort them following a death or to perform an exorcism. When the spirit world is out of balance, shamans may be the only hope for restoration. They are commonly found in the poorer areas of Shou Towns and refugee camps, especially among those displaced by the Tuigan hordes.
Shamans also sometimes travel individually or on pilgrimages to learn about the spirit world in the West. They may sense great spiritual disturbances but more often are driven to adventure because of clues from the spirit world. Ancestor spirits often have goals and desires -- rights to wrong and things left undone in life. As a cleric takes on quests for her god, so too does a shaman take on quests and follow paths dictated by spirits. This can take a shaman anywhere in the world -- spirits traverse both space and time.
Shamans might also be found outside of Kara-Tur among the Uthgardt barbarians who worship totems of animals and magical beasts. Other naturalistic and animistic cultures may also possess a form of shamanism. Whether this is shamanic tradition or a spirit shamanic tradition varies depending on dogma and philosophy (see below).
Shamans should not be confused with spirit shamans. The former are limited to less civilized populations of Kara-Tur (and occasionally tribal populations of the Realms). The latter are more common among spirit folk of both Kara-Tur and the Realms, the continent of Osse, and the Witches of Rashemen. Both groups hold many similarities, but Eastern shamans tend to be more focused on community and ancestors than those of the West. Western spirit shamans are more focused on the individual's spirit quest than any sort of relationship between ancestors and community.