So we know that the Marat used to have a civilization.

What kinds of animals would they have bonded with?

I can't really see them bonding with any kind of sea animals. Perhaps seals/otters?
Flying creatures as well are sort of off the table outside of the Herdbanes; which I believe are Pterodactyls? Giant Eagles perhaps, but there aren't any flying creatures that big anymore.
I also can't really see any kind of herd animal being a totem. What would a sheep give a Marat?

So, any thoughts on what kinds of totems Marat tribes would have taken?

 

Herdbanes are 8 foot-tall ostrich/emu/secretarybird-type creatures, not pterodactyls.

Technically, gargants are herd animals. Furies of Calderon opens with Fidelias using a gargant to transport his goods while pretending to be an ore trader, and steadholts keep them as herd animals as well, iirc.

There's no reason why they wouldn't just bond with smaller creatures. We know of the wolf/gargant/horse/herdbane clans, but Doroga's wife was also a part of the fox clan, but wanted to bond with a lion. Foxes are pretty small, so it seems the connection can occur with pretty much anything. It favors mammals, but since birds are possible I'd assume they could bond with reptiles or amphibians as well.

As for what a sheep would give, it's pretty obvious. Unlimited pussy.

My question is why do you ask?

 

Sea-creatures are a possibility. Remember that the Marat gains a couple of traits from their totem animal (wolf clan have fangs, gargant have muscle like Arnold Schwarzenegger), so it's not unbelievable to think that a Marat that is bonded to some sort of fish would gain gills.

Ironically, this would mean sea mammals would be harder for Marat to bond with, since they don't have gills.

 

Eh, they could get similar lung capacity to seals or dolphins. Not as good as gills, but it also means they can live outside the water.

 

I dunno, elongated fangs or bugling thews are a step below growing an entirely new organ.

 

Magic is as magic does. Human sized creatures should not be able to lift boulders either.

 

Butcher wasn't one for "because it's magic" as an explanation. Marat's "magic" gives us several examples of changes that do occur as result of the bond. I don't see how anything could lead you to believe that the bond could cause gills to appear. Doroga/Skagara/Hashat don't grow tails. Atsurak doesn't grow wings, a beak, or talons. Heck, Skagara doesn't even grow claws to match his fangs.

To grow a new set of organs, and an entirely different respiratory system as well is a bit absurd, considering how small the changes are in other marat.

What I originally came here to add today was that I remembered another Aleran native creature: Thanadent. I have no idea what it is though.

 

Kitai.

Kitai got Aleran magic. It isn't a new organ, but it is new for her entire race.



I'd say fish would be right out though, because from what I gathered, you have to be around the animal at the right time - again, Kitai.

 

I was just curious and wanted to start some discussion.

I too feel that fish and other sea animals are too extreme of a change to have a bond with. Like Churchey said, an entire new set of respiratory system would be a very drastic change.