Totem (aka Cooper Ravenwing)

Before the coming of Europeans to the New World, the Haida people of the island chain that would come to be called the Queen Charlotte Islands were an aggressive and expanding people. Their war canoes were known and feared from the Aleutian Islands to the mouth of the Columbia River. It was said that they were often led in war by powerful Spirit Warriors, possessed of the mystical power of Bear, Eagle, Orca, Wolf or most dangerous of all, Raven.

With the coming of the Europeans, first the Russians, then the British, and finally their inheritors the Americans, the Haida faced a crisis unlike any other in their past, even the mythic past. This foe could not be defeated by the spirits of the Great Beasts, not in the long run, though they enjoyed some early victories. These invaders wielded weapons against which the First Peoples had no defense: epidemic disease and alcohol.

Like their cousins whom once they had raided and conquered, the Haida eventually fell into death, addiction, and despair. Fewer and fewer were left each year who knew the secrets of Sgang Gwaay Llanagaay, the mystical Island from which the Haida people drew their strength, and by the turn of the 20th Century there were none who remembered the truth… only distorted myths and tales remained, considered even by the Haida themselves to be mere allegory.

But the truth remained, even if forgotten by the People…

In the past, the Haida tribes of the Outer World would send promising young men to the hidden island of Sgang Gwaay Llanagaay for training as shamen. In that place time moved differently, and the Elders ruled all. No native of the island ever left it, and it was said that only those considered worthy and pure were allowed to find their way to it from the Outer world.

As the shaman of a tribe of the Outer World reached a certain age, he would find a promising youth and send him to seek the Island. If the youth succeeded he would spend a year under the demanding tutelage of the Elders. Some men would turn out to be less promising than others as wielders of the mystic forces, despite their “purity.” When this happened the Elders would further test such a man to see if he would make a Hero. If so, they would grant that man a tattoo of his totem animal (not necessarily that of his tribe, for one’s Spirit Animal is a very individual thing). This mark would, when invoked, cause the man to be possessed of the form, powers, and personality of that particular Warrior Great Beast.

There were other Great Beasts, of course, from Elk to Beaver to Squirrel to Hummingbird and many others, but if a man got one of these, he wasn’t a  warrior – useful to the tribes, perhaps, but such men seldom came into the Great Stories of war, conquest and tribute. And if a young man was found unsuitable for even this lowly honor, he was expelled from both the Island and his tribe, to either live in shameful exile amongst the Lesser Peoples, or make of himself a sacrifice to the Gods – the Haida were a harsh and unsentimental folk!

After a year of intense training on the Island the young man would return home, as either shaman (mostly) or Hero (rarely), to find that ten years had passed in the Outer World. Their relatively unaged appearance would add to the awe and dread that the people should feel for their holy men and mystic warriors. The newly trained shaman would then serve as apprentice/helper to the elder shaman of the tribe, deepening his knowledge of the shamanistic arts, until it was the older man’s time to “pass on and become an Elder of the Isle,” should their lives be deemed worthy.*

The Heroes were more of a problem – while chiefs loved having supernatural might at their disposal, it was sometimes a challenge to keep it at their disposal and not be disposed of themselves, and replaced. It was an inherent problem of the martial, might-makes-right philosophy of their culture, but they managed. Sometimes the Hero was brought to heel and served the chief and the tribe, other times they overthrew the old chief and ruled directly. Either way, the Haida felt they got the best leadership… and their continuing victories seemed to proved it.

There was never more than one Hero for each Great Beast living in the Outer World at any given time. The Warrior Great Beasts were:
Yáahl  [y’all]  aka Xhuuya [shoo-ya] or Nankil’slas [nahn-kill-stloss]** – Raven, the trickster and chief of the Great Beasts
Taán [tahn] – Bear, strongest of all, crusher of foes
Ts’áak [tis-awk] – Eagle, arrogant sky lord, keen of eye, sharp of talon
Kún [khoon] – Orca, fierce killer of the seas
Xúnts [zoontz] – Wolf, cunning tracker, stealthy hunter

In the year 1783 CE in the Outer World, a boy was born on Sgang Gwaay Llanagaay. His mother named him Kúng [koong], meaning “moon”, for he was born under a Blue Moon. It was not long after this that the number of potential shaman-candidates coming to the Island for training began to decline. By the time the boy turned 12 (around 1903 in the Outer World), the Elders were beginning to  to become concerned – there had been gaps in the past, but never more than two years of island time. They debated what to do, even as they felt their own powers slowly diminishing… and of even greater concern, was the fact that no child had been born on the Island since Kúng. The people of the Island were relatively infertile, which kept the population sustainable, but now they seemed completely barren.

It was around this time that the Outer World intruded on the idyllic peace of  this island outside of time. Dr. Benjamin Quinn, his son Danny, his ward Achak Dyami, and their  bodyguard / pilot / tutor Brad Canyon somehow found their way to Sgang Gwaay Llanagaay. How is unclear… was it the new dimensional probe Dr. Quinnn was testing, which utilized the strange, powerful kundalini crystals? Did the Elders allow it, perhaps to gain better knowledge of the Outer World? Or maybe it was simply Fate… and the weakening of the mystical wards around the Island.

In any case, the arrival of these strange, pale outworlders caused a great stir, as the then 19 year-old Küng would remember it. After some tense moments, however, the Quinns were able to convince the Elders of their peaceful intent and they were accepted as worthy and pure, at least ritualistically speaking. The Elders listened then to what the outsiders had to say, learning more of the fate of the First Peoples under European colonization than they had fully grasped before, particularly in regard to the spread of Christianity… and alcohol. They had heard something of these things, but had not realized how steep the toll had become on their children of the Outer World.

While the Elders conferred with Dr. Quinn and Canyon, Kúng approached the younger members of the party, curious to see people near to his own age for the first time. Danny, 16 at the time (it was 1974 CE), particularly fascinated him, with his blond hair and pale skin. Achak, darker and more like his own people, was 18, nearly his his own age. The three struck up a friendship during the two days of the Quinn’s stay, forging a strong bond for such a brief acquaintance. The young Haida was sorry to see his strange new friends depart, after Dr. Quinn had agreed to leave his device behind, both to ensure that no other outsiders could use it to pierce the mystical veil protecting the island, and as a means to perhaps strengthen the barrier with its unique energies.

Another four years passed on the Island, and for a time it seemed the device was indeed able to strengthen the mystic energies. But only for a time. Eventually their powers began to fade again, and still no Outer World Haida had come for training. The Elders decided that they had to act, while they still could. It was decreed that Kúng would be the first native Islander in their long memories to leave Sgang Gwaay Llanagaay, to investigate for them this strange new world and seek out ways to counter its effects on their people, particularly those of the terrible “alcohol.” And most importantly, to bring back worthy candidates to train, to keep their ways alive.

Kúng was already a trained shaman, of course, and skilled in the use of his powers. But to aid him in his great task, and to ward him from the great dangers he would certainly face, the Elders granted him the tattoos of all five of the Warrior Great Beasts, something done only once before – and that, long ago even by Island standards. They gave him a new name, Sgwáansang [squaw-ahn-sang], meaning The One, and ordered him to first seek the aid and advice of the Quest family of trusted memory, assuming they still lived.

Feeling a little nervous, slightly afraid, and very excited, the Island’s Hero slowly paddled away from the only home he had ever known, piercing the eternal mists surrounding the Island. When he again saw the sun he was in the waters of Alaska, as he knew the land’s current rulers named it. He made for the mainland, and fairly quickly found the nearest town. It was strange place to him, and more than a little frightening with all the people – white, brown, copper skinned – all crowded together. There must have been 300 people in that strange town of “Rose Harbor!”

He sought out some of his own people, or at least what looked like they might be his people… and instantly got off on the wrong foot by speaking Russian. He had forgotten which of the two Outer World languages he knew was current here, and at first was confused by the reaction he got. But he quickly figured it out, and things went more smoothly after that, although it was clear that these odd people thought he, himself, was quite… odd.

He was eventually able to make contact with the Quinn Foundation, once people got it into their heads for whom he was looking. Daniel Quest and his husband Achak showed up themselves once he got through on the fascinating “telephone.” He was shocked  to find that little Danny was now a grown man of 56 years, and Achak 58! He had known time moved differently in the Outer World, but the reality still shook him. The two older men also seemed taken aback to find their old acquaintance looking little older than when they’d last seen him 40 years earlier.

Once they had convinced themselves of his legitimacy, and learned why he had been sent out into the world, Quinn immediately offered whatever resources the Quinn Foundation could provide. He flew them all down to Astoria, OR, where his operation had its West Coast headquarters, and set up Kúng with proper American ID – ID card and passport, in the name of Cooper Ravenwing, but no driver’s license. Several hair-raising attempts at teaching the young shaman to drive had convinced his patrons to quickly shelve that project. They also provided references,  a condo, and a small (by Quinn standards) trust fund. After nearly a month of helping their friend acclimate to this new world Daniel and Achak returned to Boston and the main Quinn Foundation HQ, with promises on both sides to stay in touch.

It was June of 2013, and “Cooper,” as he tried very hard to think of himself now, spent that spring and summer seeking out Haida people in Alaska, British Columbia and other parts of the Pacific Northwest. But time after time he was disappointed. Each person seemed terribly flawed in his eyes… many suffered from the scourge of alcoholism, and all seemed broken and dispirited. Nowhere could he find the noble, aggressive warriors he had expected to find. There was more than a bit of arrogance, and a definite lack of empathy, in his harsh judgement, but he was blind to his own failings.

He did encounter a few Haida who, he grudgingly admited to himself, might be made worthy, with proper guidance. But before undertaking the cure of his people, he needed to better understand the problem; and so that September he took up Daniel Quinn’s suggestion and enrolled at Astoria City University. He designed his class load to most effectively learn what he sought to know, heavy on biochemistry, medicine and psychology.

But in the course of immersing himself in this new culture, and being with people his own age, however strange to him, he stumbled. He knew, intellectually, the dangers of alcohol to his people, and by extension to himself… but youth, arrogance, and a barely subliminal contempt for “the weak,” combined with peer pressure he’d never known before… and led him to take that first drink.

By Christmas break he was partying with the hardiest, sleeping with all the blond, red-headed or African American women he could (which was rather a lot, being himself a pretty attractive guy), and seeing his grades slip as he spiraled, all too quickly, into addiction. As the end of the school year approached, he was on the verge of washing out, and was totally out of control with the booze. It was then he met Mary Emily Gerturde Halcyon, an aspiring journalist a year ahead of him, and the beautiful blond daughter of a wealthy San Francisco family… Meg to her friends.

Meg was instantly attracted to the broad-shouldered, muscled and very charismatic Native man, despite his obviously unhealthy relationship with alcohol. She attempted to pull him out of his spiral, and over the course of the summer, as she began to succeed, they fell in love. He still hadn’t quite built up enough courage to share his secret with her, or quite given up the drinking, but he was entranced by her beauty, intelligence and strength and wanted to do both of those things for her.

Then an incident on a hot August night changed everything. Drinking way too much, after a three-week dry spell and despite Meg’s disapproval, on a night out with friends, they were walking back to her car (he still hadn’t mastered driving) when they were accosted by several rowdy youths. They were rude and lewdly suggestive, but as Meg would later confirm, not really any threat – just an annoyance. But a drunken Cooper overreacted, and after a particularly nasty sexual comment by one of the equally inebriated youths, he transformed into Orca – and almost killed them all before a shocked (but not paralyzed – this is, after all, the World of Heroes) Meg could stop him.

Dead sober after reverting to his human form, Cooper fled the scene in horror at what he’d almost done, while Meg lingered to see to the youths’ injuries, and call for an ambulance. Before it, and the police, could arrive Meg decided she couldn’t explain all this without betraying Cooper’s secret, and departed as well. She was less shocked at her boyfriend’s secret than she might have been, having interviewed The Guardian for her high school paper several years earlier, and coming to be friendly with San Francisco’s main superheroic, mystical protector.

The events of that night shocked Cooper into getting serious about kicking the booze, and in the end actually brought the couple even closer together. He finally told her all about himself, Sgang Gwaay Llanagaay, and the tragedy he’d been tasked with setting right; about his disdain for his own people here in the Outer World; and how ashamed he now was for that arrogance. Meg was super supportive, and over the course of the school year she helped him stay on an even keel, come to grips with his own frailties, and gain a compassion for others he had previously lacked.

It was a good year, but when summer came again, Totem (the superhero name Meg had playfully given him in bed one morning… “geese, you’re like a living totem pole!”) realized he must again attempt to fulfill his duty. He would find and bring back the best of the Haida to the Island for training, forgoing his own judgments of worthiness. But this also brought him to the realization that he could never take Meg home with him, that their relationship would never be accepted by the Elders. His people were expected to marry outside their totem sept, certainly… but not that far outside!

In July 2015 he broke up with a tearful, angry Meg, and headed once again for Alaska, via British Columbia, gathering up the twenty full-blooded Haida he’d found who seemed most worthy, including two women. He had no interest in either female romantically, but knew women would be needed to get the population growing again on the Island. By August he had convinced his selected candidates of the truth of his claims (being able to turn into five different beings, each with magical powers, helped – plus, they knew their own people’s legends and myths, if not, until now, the truth behind them), and they prepared to go to Sgang Gwaay Llanagaay.

And soon the day came, paddling across the open waters in traditional canoes, that they saw a fog bank ahead… the moment was near now… they pierced the mists (which seemed rather thin and wispy to Totem, but he ignored it in his mix of excitement and anxiety for the future and sadness for what he was leaving behind)… and there before them was the Island!

But… it was not as he remembered it. Physically, down to the trees and rocks, it was exactly as it should have been, but there was no sign of the Elders, not a trace. Indeed, it looked like there had never been a settlement of any sort on the island. His companions were confused, at first, but still trusting – until they came across four kayakers camped out on the far shore. They claimed the island had always been empty, as it was part of a Federal Wildlife Refuge. It was a popular stop for kayakers and other boaters enjoying the Alaskan waters, who were the only ones to ever set foot on it. The candidates got angry then, suddenly sure that they’d been duped. Despite Totem’s protestations, they soon prepared to depart, to return to dull, sad lives made all the more dull and sad for having been briefly illuminated by hope. Indeed, violence might have ensued, but no one was ready to take on a clearly mentally unbalanced but very powerful meta, especially one who was clearly delusional.

Kúng stood and watched them paddle back into the mist, slowly fading from his sight, and spent the next week prowling the island, seeking some way back home. He summoned all of his Spirit Animal forms, but none, not even wise Raven, could find the way. He even began to doubt his own memories and sanity, and if there’d been any alcohol on the island, he’d have gotten shit-faced drunk. As it was, the lone bottle of wine he was able to bum off another group of kayakers barely dented his depression.

Eventually he returned to Astoria, having nowhere else to go. Daniel Quinn was able to reassure him of his sanity, at least, and that his memories were not false… but he could offer little in the way of help. His father never recreated precisely the same inter-dimensional device they’d used to reach the Island, as he’d promised the Elders, and his notes were badly damaged during the attack seven years ago by The Doctor on the Rockport, Maine compound that had also killed the senior Dr. Quinn. While Daniel was a competent engineer and materials scientist, he was not the polymath genius his father had been. Nonetheless, he promised to do all that he could to find some way to cross the dimensional barriers and return Kúng to his homeland and people.

In the meantime, Cooper Ravenwing returned to school, determined to at least carry out such parts of this mandate as he might – seeking a solution to addiction, particularly alcohol addiction. Even if he never found his way home again, perhaps he could help his people here in the Outer World to regain their strength and dignity and forge a new future for themselves from the wreckage of the past.

He also did his best to avoid Meg Halcyon, ashamed of his treatment of her in his zeal to “do the right thing,” and too proud (and afraid, if he were completely honest with himself) to try to reconcile. He continued to attend AA meetings, having been sober since that bottle of wine on that false Sgang Gwaay Llanagaay… but the temptation is always there, as is depression if he is not careful.

He has begun to wonder if he should be doing more with his powers… his addiction research is a years-long, maybe a lifetime-long, pursuit, and sometimes it doesn’t feel like enough. Certainly there are many examples of ways he could help others – the “superheroes” that this culture is so enamored of is one possible path. Not many metahumans here in Astoria, of course, but that might be good – if he could raise the public profile of his people by being a symbol, it might help them all in the long run. Of course the local Chinook and Clatsop tribes have little use for him, he’d found over the past couple of years, having long and not very happy memories of his own tribe’s history with theirs.

Still, these are the thoughts that occupy him on a beautiful spring morning as he strolls up the Silver Mile after his early AA meeting, cup of decent coffee in hand (the local AA always makes sure they have good coffee… nothing has driven more people back to booze like a bad Starbucks coffee), when he was stunned by a flash of golden light and a roar like thunder…

———————————— ♦ ♦ ♦ ––————————————

*That’s not how it really worked, of course – they just died. But it was a myth encouraged by the Elders as another means of control.

**It is typical of Haida culture for men to acquire several different names in their lifetimes– especially powerful and distinguished men– so no Haida people would be confused by Raven’s many names.