Shaman Character Classes (SB)

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At this writing, there are already a half-dozen shaman priest kits in the AD&D game, like those in The Complete Barbarian's Handbook and The Complete Book of Humanoids. It is likely that shaman PCs are already being run in many campaigns out there. How does the information in those accessories relate to the information in this one?
In two words: It doesn't. Shaman presents an entirely optional take on the shaman as a standalone priest class, and many DMs may chose to reject it due to the additionally complications added to the cosmology of the AD&D game. However, should DMs chose to incorporate this material into an ongoing campaign in which shamans already exist, there are two different basic approaches that can be taken, one which is fairly heavy-handed, and one which bends the dual-class system to allow for the mixing of the two shaman types.
First, one can simply convert the existing shamans into a type that is presented in this book, perhaps allowing the PC to retain one or two special abilities from the original kit.
More subtle, perhaps, the DM might incorporate the change into the campaign, by having the character be contacted by the spirits or a tribal or solitary shaman who needs his help. An adventure might be devised where a shaman becomes a dual-classed or multi-classed shaman, one class the "priest shaman, the other a "spirit" shaman type as presented in here. Of course, a character may not normally dual- or multiclass within the same the class group, so this involves a bit of rules-bending. However, since most of the shaman kits are similar to the tribal shaman in this accessory, with the exception of their spellcasting capability, it doesn't hurt game balance too much to allow a mixing of the two types of classes in this fashion. It is advisable, however, that DMs only limit this approach to characters using shaman priest kits.
One note of caution, however: Before making changes to a player's character, make sure the player doesn't mind. While the DM, having defined the game world, and now wishing to modify a part of it because of new and exciting ideas, the player, the player, having defined the character, may have firm ideas about his faith, and may resent the DM dictating an alternate creed. Ideally, any incorporation of the material in this accessory into campaigns where existing shaman characters might be affected should be a compromise where both and player are happy.