The Druids

[Song Druid 1486]

~The Druids~

Arik stands, observing the congregation of people who have gathered in the lower level of the grove, littered with hopefuls, dedicants and Druids alike. His gnarled staff encrusted with dull blue and green stones is planted into the dirt, and his right hand firmly grips the shaft as he gazes out at the people extending their ear. After a moment, he speaks:

Welcome to the Druid's grove. It is a pleasure to stand here with all of you. I see that many have come from distant lands in hopes of gaining our sacred knowledge, and to you I wish the best of luck, for the journey is hard.

Our Order is one of trials, one of principal and one of harmony; we strive to give the greatest commitment to nature that we can, so if you cannot possibly give your all, begone from this place!

He observes the people with a serious expression.

As Druids we serve nature, above all things. We are charged with protecting it, and healing it, defending it when it is threatened. We answer only to it. If you seek to bring other commitments with you, you will find no welcome here. The sanctity of nature must be beheld above all things!

A lone voice carries from the crowd:

"How do we become Druids? What must we go through?"

Arik smiles, spreading his arms out wide as he speaks.

We bring those who wish to join us into our schools as Dedicants. During their training, which could take years, they learn our culture, our charge, history, and our basic techniques such as herbalism and beast mastery.

Arik brings his left hand to his torso, continuing:

Druids are always in tune with nature, and its carnal deities, the Blessed Aspects. During their training, the Dedicant is taught to open their minds to the true feeling of nature, so that when their time comes, they can be fully introduced to its Aspects.

When a Dedicant completes their training, we initiate the ceremony known as Attunement. In this time, the Head Teacher unlocks the potential within the Dedicant, and they become fully attuned to nature, able to interact on it on an entirely new level.

"What about magic?

When do they learn that?" Another voice cries out, and Arik adopts an angry expression, sweeping throughout the crowd to find the culprit, but to no avail. He straightens his robe, before continuing.

We do not practice magic. Magic perverts, manipulates and forces change. Druidic arts coaxes a response from nature, only proceeding if it allows us. All of our powers are conditional, the condition being that the Aspects allow it. At times, the Aspects will allow mighty forests to grow on blighted earth in mere moments; other times they will not respond. But, that is discussion for a few moments from now-for you see even as the Dedicant reaches the rank of Druid, his training is not yet complete!

As a Dedicant you are taught to communicate with nature on a physical level, but with your Attunement we begin the metaphysical level which is even more intense. While the Druid has now completed his training as a student, and can pass on knowledge and wisdom to others, if he wishes he can become even more involved. The Druid begins his step of training under a mentor once more, and learning to control our attunement and interact with nature. The Druid can then pick what they want to study, such as healing, reseeding, or growing, and over time become a specialist in certain abilities. After they have trained sufficiently, they are raised to the level of Guide, which grants them the power to teach Dedicants and entry-level Druids.

He surveys the crowd now, with a smile. He could tell they were intrigued, and he heard another voice calling out in question-

"But what all do Druids do? What powers, duties, or anything else do they have?

Arik nods slowy, gesturing as he speaks:

Druids do a variety of things. As for our duties, we have

• Historians,
  
• Librarians,
  
• Healers,
  
• Apothecaries,
  
• Scholars,
  
• Tacticians,
  
• Land-Healers,
  
• And many more

Now...As far as our abilities go. We have many.

• Growing- A classic trait of the Druids. The Druid interacts with nature, and brings forth something beautiful from the soil.
  
• Reseeding- The Druid takes dead wood, leaves, anything thought to be useless, and breathes life back to it, and lets it return to its state in the earth.
  
• Healing- The Druid uses powerful salves and interacts with them with their attunement, coaxing them to speed up the healing process exponentially.
  
• Pointing- The Druid, with the approval of the Aspects, guides the shape or movement of certain natural things.
  
• Land-Healing- Bringing life back to blighted land, slightly different than reseeding.
  
• And far more.

Now. Any more questions? Hrm...I think not. Once more, welcome to our Grove, and make yourselves at home.

Arik turns and walks off to his study, humming softly to himself.

((Now. Just an OOC note. For all those who currently are or are currently seeking to become a Druid, YOU MAY NOT USE ANY OUTLANDISH ABILITY, AND NO SUCH ABILITY THAT YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TAUGHT BY A GUIDE OR HIGHER.

The Druids cannot:

1. Strike people with lightning.
   
2. Cause gaping holes in the earth, dropping people to their doom.
   
3. Control fire and burn people.
   
4. Control water and drown people.
   
5. Freeze people.
   
6. Any variation of offensive powergamey magic that you could possibly think of.

Any magic that we use is defensive by nature, and never EVER directly harms another. If you are creative you can get around that, but if you are ever seen abusing any of the types of things that the Druids have been known to have, you'll be removed and a ban report posted.

Keep it simple and just don't powergame. Enjoy the RP as Druids.))

[domainoft 191]

*A lady dressed in fine golden robes, carrying a staff of Lapris with a clear-golden gem afix'd speaks up with soft words of urgency.

I am in need of a land healer, I have tested my own skills but they are not sufficient to heal what ails the lands. The blight is a burning hunger, insatiable and corrupt. I know not of the source or the reason. Is there anyone in your order that will take up a pilgrimage with me to see what can be done?

[Respiren 524]

[[Don't forget the awesome wiki : )

http://www.lordofthe...akka=The_Druids

And our alignment, True Neutral]]

Here's a very useful book from Aegis. that describes all one needs to know.

*begins to flick through the pages of ancient weathered tomes.

Druidology - What is a Druid?

Druid are the drui, the dryw, the druwid.:: Nature's sorcerer, the seer, the oak-knower. :: For those that know the oak, the troew is both the tree and the truth. Mysterious guardian of a sacred grove, wise counselor to monarchs, cunning master of many shapes, friend of animals, and terrible defender of unspoiled Nature. :: The Druid revere Nature, wielding power over plants, animals, the weather, and the elements. All druids are of neutral alignment and share an ethos devoted to protecting the wilderness and maintaining natural cycles and a balance between good and evil.

*muttering 'Hmm, no not that one.'

Ah! Here it is.

The Druid's Silverspoon IV

::- Mushroom Soup- :: A most delicious and nourishing broth, both for the hungry and convalescent. Rumours abound of Archdruid's who have lived unusually long lives by it's propitiate satiation, often becoming confused for oak trees when in old age, they acquire what druid's call 'Bark Skin.' :: Archdruid Hippocrates is often famously quoted, '*slurrp... Delicious, it tastes better every century.' ::

- Preparation- :: Crush equal measures of Brown and Red mushrooms in a mortar and pestle, place in bowl, season to taste, no spoon required.

[Maximas1211 34]

(( Simultaneously I'm wondering must you be clarified as a elf? Because I'd love to be apart of this, since this is intense and interesting for both IC and OOC and as for the abilities and duties shall one be chosen?. Where exactly are you? (Are you near Salvus?) I do apologies for my ignorant's, there's been a couple RL events that have effected me. Altasriel/Raven~ ))

[Eledyr 85]

*posts a note on the druidic notice board*

It appears that I am guidless, let me explain.

When I was accepted as a dedicant into the duidic order I was apointed Jameson as my guide.

He has send me a letter telling me that he has retired and that he cannot be my guide.

Now I am wondering, what should I do?

If anyone would be able to help me with this matter I would appreciate it.

Signed

Dedicant grundill

[Alan 1815]

(( Simultaneously I'm wondering must you be clarified as a elf? Because I'd love to be apart of this, since this is intense and interesting for both IC and OOC and as for the abilities and duties shall one be chosen?. Where exactly are you? (Are you near Salvus?) I do apologies for my ignorant's, there's been a couple RL events that have effected me. Altasriel/Raven~ ))

[[ No you do not need to be an elf, there have been halflings and dwarves, as well as an orc at one point or another that have joined. It says that on the first few lines of the wiki.

If you want to find them, try finding out through RP methods :) ]]

[Salamandra 1136]

*posts a note on the Druid notice board, after reading over Dedicant grundill's;*

Dear Druids,

I have been seeking to join your order for many a year now, but it seems I was never able to get in contact with you. Seeing as I am usually not in this area...I would very much appreciate if you could send me a bird with the exact whereabouts of this location again, and what it would take for me to be accepted amongst yourselves. I look forward to your reply.

Signed,

Raiga

*There is a strip of black cloth tied to the note*

[[in a nutshell;

Regaki is attempting to join the Druids under a false name and disguise.

If I could get a reply PM'd on the forums that would be best, as I won't actually be on the server until Friday evening]]

[CraftPrime 35]

-nods at the Arch-Druid's Message- It seems now that everything is at an understanding.

[Sister Sequoia 438]

-nods-

[HappyShackles 886]

A small dark elf child holds up his Druidic stave triumphantly. The child holds a razor in his left hand, the stave in his right. He looks to the two items. The glimmering metal piece that shone in the glorious light, and then wood staves' head he'd carved beautifully and effortlessly into the shape of a young lady with long flowing hair that seemed to scatter down and form the stave in beautiful, careful strands.

"What next for Quincy!"

The boy cries out. He's eager. Excited to be a part of a family. Jameson and Sevitacus and Jen and Lilith and all the others. His old desire to solve his own metal disability has been overshadowed with the joy of the praise he's recieved, and the love he feels. So deeply connected with the world around him, as though the entire land was flowing into him and he flowing back.

And all he can do to think of it is happiness. His disability keeps him from comprehending the true majesty of what he's begun to experience. And he knows this. So somewhere deep in this worldly realm made just for Quincy, he's still crying out for his mother and father. And he doesn't even know it.

[Fredfort (jens6851) 283]

-Jena sighs deeply in pain and moves a bit on the cold stone floor.... Not able to hear Arik...-

((Yea... I would respond proberly if it wasn't because Jena is like... :I Gone?))

[lop36060 0]

-Rhidon finds the grove, however, no one appears to be home. This worries him and makes him feel a bit peckish. He checks his bag to find that he has no food left. He will however will stand firm with his goal, but wish someone will get home soon.

[Druid Jameson Tarus~ 119]

*Listens as Arik speaks gibberish.* "Bah! Arik, Arik, Arik. So young. *he laughs* This is not anything close to what I have been tough in my 600 years friend. Not close. Back in me and John's day, ye had to simply grow a tree and understand it, then yer a Druid! Also, I am sure you know of Neo-Druidism yes? *he smiles and gets everyone's attention.* People! Some Druids do not believe in the "Aspects". I know I do not. *he looks at John directly* Brother John, you have left this land at your death more than once. You have told me, "There are no aspects". I am well convinced there are none because whenever we called to them in a time of need, they did nothing! Those "aspects" are just bits of nonsense put in yer mind. I am sure that John would love to speak next. *James then exits the Grove smiling*

[CraftPrime 35]

What is there to believe in anymore?

[Wolf Druid Ouity 1461]

*Listens as Arik speaks gibberish.* "Bah! Arik, Arik, Arik. So young. *he laughs* This is not anything close to what I have been tough in my 600 years friend. Not close. Back in me and John's day, ye had to simply grow a tree and understand it, then yer a Druid! Also, I am sure you know of Neo-Druidism yes? *he smiles and gets everyone's attention.* People! Some Druids do not believe in the "Aspects". I know I do not. *he looks at John directly* Brother John, you have left this land at your death more than once. You have told me, "There are no aspects". I am well convinced there are none because whenever we called to them in a time of need, they did nothing! Those "aspects" are just bits of nonsense put in yer mind. I am sure that John would love to speak next. *James then exits the Grove smiling*

Back in your day, Jameson, many of the old ways had not yet been revealed to the order, and the first generation of Druids floundered without direction. As for this Neo-Druidism... you will trust your faith to an old coot who should be dead? He is so old, what makes you think anything he says is viable?

Ouity looks at Morek sharply

Do not believe that pair, they will only drag you down with their lies.