Manitou are beings created by animal spirits, called Totems, possessing human hosts. Manitou are dual-spirited beings produced by the joining of hosts and totems. Together the two are one- they are Manitou. They become animalistic and gain spiritual powers while retaining their human appearance. Rather than simply taking over their host's bodies, totems blend themselves with their hosts;becoming more than either the totems or hosts could ever be separately. Manitou exist as Servants of Nature, primarily protecting animals, but they also ensure the overall environment, keeping the natural cycles functioning properly.

Animal spirits are called by many names-Avatars, Igigi, and Fylgja- but they are best known simply as Totems. There are many totems- at least one for every subgenus of animal-though there are also totems for many individual species. Totems are spirit-beings that normally exist solely within the Astra, which they call the Spirit World. Totems can view the earth from the Spirit World, and use their Embodiments (preternaturae) in hunting down humans whom have been pre-selected for possession. Totems possess the same instincts, dispositions, and behavior patterns as the animals they represent, except totems are sentient and wise. They can think for themselves, but lack earthly bodies, thus they need host bodies in order to work within the earthly domain.

Once in possession of hosts, the totems slowly weave themselves into their hosts' minds and souls. This transformation includes the hosts' bodies, which become far superior to human bodies, gaining great speed, strength, agility, and other physical traits matching those of their totem animals. Totems also grant their instincts and animal wisdom to their hosts as well, reshaping their human beliefs, values, and behaviors.

Most totemic spirits prefer hosts that are in the prime of their lives, but they are sometimes forced to take what they can get, including the young, old, weak, obese, skinny, dumb, and the difficult to control. Over time, the totems will help their hosts overcome any "deficiencies" they might have.

In this modern age, most totems prefer possessing humans, but they can also possess animals of their own race (ie rat totems possess rats and bear totems possess bears). The disadvantage in possessing animal hosts is that the only thin the totems really grant their hosts are sentience, wisdom, and a new purpose for being. With animal hosts, they cannot accomplish as much as they could with human hosts, since they cannot take action directly within human society , and humans are the biggest threat to Nature, save for the Abominations.

Manitou seem like normal humans, at least in form, (if not behavior). Once humans become inhabited by totems, they gradually take on animalistic mannerisms and interests. Animals of the same species react to the manitou as if the manitou are animals just like themselves. Manitou show a strong attraction of the great outdoors, but eventually feel alienated and alone, since they are neither completely animal nor human, spirit nor flesh. Manitou weave their Nature-worship into their everyday lives through their own unique spiritual beliefs and their unique perspective on the world as dual-souled beings.

Manitou can sense Beastsigns in humans, allowing them to find potential hosts. Beastsigns are spiritual patterns appearing symbolical within auras, which specify the totems to which a human shares the closest connection. Primitive cultures called the beastsigns "totems," but in actuality the Beastsigns are merely symbols representing an openness to totems of a particular type, usually an animal that a person is most like, or can most identify with in some way. Manitou can only sense the beastsigns of people by concentrating on doing so; those who bear their own beastsign become obvious to them, (though they can also identify other beastsigns as well).

Manitou can mark humans for future possession, if the humans have the beastsign of the manitou's totem. The totems send spirit-servants called Filgurs to stay with their future hosts. The humans are called Anunaku, after they are marked. The marking actually involves making a physical claw, gore, or bite mark on the person.

Manitou can only mark one future host at a time. Upon the death of the current host, the totem is instinctively drawn to her anunaku, allowing the totem to continue its work on earth by taking possession of the anunaku, transforming the totem and host into a new manitou. If a manitou dies before marking a future host, the totem is cast back into the Sacred Lands, and is possibly banned by the higher spirits from ever becoming manitou again.

Many manitou have insinuated themselves into nature cults and environmentalist organizations. Many are responsible for the creation of animal reservations and zoos. The later of which the Totemic Lords, who rule the totems, are not pleased with, believing that zoos- as places of captivity- are unnatural and deadly. Some even believe zoos are the work of traitorous manitou or weaklings who cannot find better ways to set things right.