Druid
Contents
Druids in Arthos
Spontaneous Gift
Nobody ever chooses to become a druid. They are simply born with it. Unlike sorcerers, druids cannot pass their powers on to their children. Druidism reproduces itself through the ever-present magics of The Source interacting with Arthos' vital heartbeat. About 1 in 6000 living creatures born in Arthos receive the gift of druidism. Even wild animals may receive the gift, although their use of it is limited to the point of irrelevance as they lack cognizance of magic. Only death can relieve someone of druidism and not even resurrection can restore it.
Druidic Circles
Once a person has discovered their nascent powers usually in early adolescence, they must seek out a druidic circle in order to hone their attunement to Arthos. There they discover their new family and training as a druid can begin in earnest. Druidic circles are usually established deep into untamed wilderness and far from the developed world. However they may also be found in places of decentralized power such as Uskayan communes and the free cities of Nakiro. Circles are composed of disparate yet likeminded individuals who collectively focus on a particular aspect of Arthos' life essence. A circle will always be built on a "grove": a kind of place of power to the druids. Access to the grove is highly restricted for a number of historical reasons.
Domestic Druids
Since the recipients of druidism are completely random it stands to reason that some druids may, to varying degrees, reject their druidism. Domestic druids (AKA city druids, or sages) are the druids who choose to stay in their place of birth instead of seeking out a circle. Even without honing their gift, these druids quickly find their magic helps in day-to-day life, especially in agrarian societies. Fertilizing crops, curing illness, and removing rot from food are some of the ways domestic druids rise to local celebrity status.
Adventurers
Wanderlust is a powerful emotion among druid circles. They are people of Arthos after all, and there comes a time when one must expand their horizons. Druids usually don't join adventuring parties for material gain but for highly personal reasons. Perhaps they feel a rift in the tapestry of their life-experiences, or they want to build bonds with people outside of the circle.
