Druid

The druid is a guardian of the natural world and often acts as a mediator in case of conflict. Over the centuries the role has grown and developed in many ways. There are several thousand druids active around the world. Each druid handles their own territory and the animals, plants and communities living on it. They organise themselves in circles to tackle problems that go far beyond their own little corner of the world.

Origin

Training

A druid in training has a mentor who themselves is a druid. There is no other way to actually become a druid so getting this mentor is crucial. A druid has a lot to learn to manage a territory and is dependent on the territory itself. A druid of the Amazon rain forest doesn't need to know about ice bears.
There are many lessons for a druid to learn and many different subjects to cover. The key competences and areas of expertise are

• Intimate knowledge and understanding of the territories terrain and climate.
• High familiarity with the species inhabiting the territory.
• Expertise in handling current and past problems within the territory.
• Form close connections to the humans and supernaturals living within the territory.
• Deep understanding of the social hierarchies of the various communities.
• Ability to see conflicts and be able to resolve them.

The work of each druid is unique. Facing new problems and challenges each day. They can share their experiences with druids from neighbouring territories. In some cases they may even ask their archdruid for advice.
Many circles organise combined classes and lectures that all of the trainee druids can take while only one of the druids has to teach. This can be a good way to transfer knowledge and to lessen the burden on active druids. Some circles have setup cooperation and exchanges with other circles to further increase this effect at a larger scale.

Qualifications

The most important qualification to become a druid is to be acknowledged by a druid as their successor. This acknowledgment often comes with an official ceremony but this is optional. In the past this was all that was ever needed. Most druids just picked a trainee and taught them everything they new. Today many druids send their trainees off to college in order to graduate in a more general sense and gain a deeper understanding of their calling.
Useful degrees include political sciences, psychology, biology, medicine, zoology, veterinary medicine, law, environmental sciences and engineering and many more. Less specialized degrees are usually accepted as well, it all comes down to the preferences of the mentor and the kind of territory that the druid will be expected to chaperone.

Territory

A druid always has a territory. This territory is where they have their responsibilities and that they draw their power from. Territories can overlap and can be as small as a forest or a neighbourhood or as large as an entire state.
Druidic territories exist in the Arctic, Americas, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea. Other regions may have similar traditions but have a different name for it. Furthermore not every place is part of a territory. In South Korea there is currently only a single druid with a small territory which was established in 2014 by a Canadian.

Establishment

Most territories were established hundreds or even thousands of years ago. It heavily depends on how old and widespread the practice of druidism is in any given region. The process of establishing a new territory is known to all druids and passed on with their training.
The requirements to create a new territory is an individual who can become a druid and at least three active druids that support the claim. The would be druid has to be familiar with the territory and live there for at least a few years. There are various bonding rituals that aid in building this familiarity. Once the individual has sufficiently bonded they get together with the three druids and perform the final bonding ritual that binds the new druid to their territory until their death.
The size of the territory is limited by the number fo druids that support the claim and the will of the individual who makes the claim. Territories claimed can overlap any other druids territory, but that claim must be supported by all the druids that the territory will be shared with.

Inheritance

A territory is always handed off to the acknowledged successor of the current holder. The acknowledgement cannot be coerced and has to come of their free will. Once the current holder dies the new druid is immediately bonded with the territory. If no successor is acknowledged at the time of death the territory becomes unclaimed and has to be newly established by a the same process as all territories are established.

Role

The primary role of any druid is to act as an advocate for the flora and fauna of their respective territories. They champion ecological balance and biodiversity. Druids can take on many other roles within their territories. They can be healers, mediators, advisers, spiritual leaders, match makers and much more. They can take on these roles within one or more communities. Most druids wear many different hats within their service.

Hierarchy

Druids are generally not very fond of hierarchies but still depend on them in specific situations. They are often used to doing things by themselves. Especially if their territory is very remote. There are three common types of hierarchic relationship that druids cultivate.

Students

Every druid is expected to have at least one student. Some druids accepts several students but that can be problematic when it comes to succession. In many cases the students are the children (biological or adopted) or the nieces and nephews of the druid. The student-teacher relationship is very important to druids and there are a number of rituals and expectations associated with it.

Circles

In a circle most druids are equal and only act as a way to exchange ideas and offer advice to each other. When a druid cannot solve a problem within their territory they can request the support of their circle. Each circle has their own traditions and rituals. In some circle democratic votes can take place that are sometimes even binding to all members when it comes to addressing a common problem in a specific way. This is however rare and more circles only act together if there is unanimous support for a course of action.

Archdruids

Archdruid is a title given to a druid by circles or otherwise affiliated druids. Every archdruid has a large territory that often matches up with other territorial areas or regions. Although archdruids are usually highly respected they are not considered to be direct superiors. They do often lead the circles meeting and may take command in emergency situations to organise rescue operations or lead negotiations. Not every region or area has a archdruid. For example the state of New York has the Archdruid of New York while the state of Connecticut does not have a archdruid at all.

Supernatural Abilities

A druids supernatural abilities are dependent on their territory and their aptitude and training for them. Two druids will rarely have the exact same power set and it might even change over time. There are some common, uncommon and rare abilities. What all these powers do have in common is that they will only work while the druid is present on the territory. The moment they leave their territory they can no longer use their abilities until they return.

Common

• Communicate with Plants
• Communicate with Animals
• Sense Danger
• Basic Restoration
• Discern the Nature of the Supernatural
• Sense Life / Nature
• Sense Diseases

Uncommon

Tame Animals

Control Plants / Animals

Manipulate Emotions

Major Restoration

Heal Wounds

Elemental Control

Accelerate Growth

Sense Danger in the entire Territory

Identify Diseases

Rare

• Affect Weather
• Summon Animals
• Summon Plants
• Elemental Magic
• Restore Life

Personal Abilities

Druids can have their own abilities already before they become a druid. These powers will continue to work and can still be used outside of the territory as well. These can really be anything as long as they are not connected to a lineage that prevents them from becoming a druid.

Type

Supernatural Guardian

Used By

• Adirondack Druid Circle
• Office of the Archdruid of New York

Ranks & Titles

• Archdruid of New York