So you want to be a Druid
Druid Heritage Profile
Druid often use their body as their spell book in the form of intricate tattoos. Traditional magic from the books of the Magi are often symbolized in unique ways by the Druid. While they may achieve the same results in many cases, the weaving of Druidic magic comes from channeling the power of life itself through their bodies from their tattoos. Druids are fiercely protective of the ancient ways of their magic. They draw from the life force all around us and convert it to mana for their use. Druid are well known for their performance of elaborate dance like rituals. Chanting, stomping, poses, and facial expressions are all common in these rituals.
While it is not uncommon for them to strike out on their own or in small bands, Druids are commonly organized into one of three Groups.
The Emerald Grove is known for their barkskin warriors and love of the tree tops. Many have been known to provide scouting assistance in service for trade. Members of this Grove are more outgoing than any other and can often be seen working with outsiders. Beware of harvesting any trees in their presence as you never know how they may feel about it or what they may do.
The Grove of Life is extremely secretive and territorial. You will know them by their connection to the flow of life in all things alive and formerly so. They believe in the sanctity and preservation of life and often carry mementoes of things… past.
The Ancestral Grove is a disparate group following the ancestral way of the primordial elements. Very little is known of them as they are only ever heard of in folklore and legend.
Heritage Abilities
These are the abilities that make Druids unique. You get them at the start of the game. It is up to you to role-play them successfully.
Sanctuary of the Grove allows you to move through the spirit world to your Grove while not in active combat once per day.
Regenerate Once per day you may perform a Ritual that regenerates you to full skills, health, and mana. Drawing on the life that exists all around you to restore and revitalize yourself. This leaves the land around you in a desiccated and putrid state where nothing can grow for the foreseeable future. This is only done as a matter of last resort as the Druid consider themselves protectors of nature. Performing this act without due consideration and approval from your Grove can result in your character being shunned by their Grove. To be a Druid without a Grove means you will be treated as an outsider on hostile terms with the Grove and all those within it!
A Druid is born into a Grove Community. This connection to others in your Grove allows you to gather various resources and information. Your close-knit community can be called upon between events to gather information or some types of resources.
Druid Example Archetypes
The Emerald Grove
As the friendliest sect of the Druid you may find Emerald Grove descendants as hunter/gatherers supplementing a city’s food supply. A Druid born into this Grove can be found working as caravan guards or scouts.
The Grove of Life
A Druid born into this Grove can be found on the edges of society or outskirts of town. The Grove of Life is very comfortable with the continuum between Life and Death. They may sell you a curative or heal you. They will never sell you the recipe. Their boons must be earned. Their locations and secrets are jealously guarded.
The Ancestral Grove
So many rumors! They all involve fire and loneliness. Some call them by other names such as Djinn, Daeva, or Ifrit. None are known to exist in or around Helike at this time. except, perhaps, the performers at the Dancing Muse.
This grove has yet to be unlocked for player use.