"Druids are like the moon—half the time, you don’t know what side you’re looking at. They talk about balance, but it’s the kind of balance that tips depending on what’s needed: healers one day, storm-bringers the next. They’ll plant a tree to save the world, then burn a forest to keep the cycle turning. You don’t trust a druid to do the right thing—you trust them to do what the world needs, even if it doesn’t look right to you."
- Sorek Redmarch
Orders of The Druids
The Druids are divided into several orders, each dedicated to an aspect of nature. Originally hailing from the Elvish Twin Kingdoms, these orders suffered great losses in an ancient calamity. Their survivors scattered across the frontier lands and have taken root in Gorundia, adapting to their new environment while preserving their traditions.
The Order of the Tree
Nature undivided, ever-reaching, and eternal.
The Order of the Tree represents the unity of nature, symbolized by the mighty tree, whose roots delve into the earth while its branches stretch toward the heavens. Members of this order emphasize balance and interconnectedness, acting as mediators among the other orders. They are guardians of sacred groves and stewards of the natural order.
- Primary Symbol: A tree with intertwining roots and branches forming a circle.
- Major Tenets: Harmony, preservation, and balance.
- Practices: Tending sacred groves, ensuring balance between growth and decay, and fostering unity among creatures and environments.
The Order of the Moon and Stars
The heavens guide, the night reveals.
This order reveres the celestial bodies, drawing power and wisdom from the moon and stars. They are mystics and visionaries who navigate by starlight and interpret celestial patterns. These druids often serve as keepers of ancient lore and guides through darkness, literal and metaphorical.
- Primary Symbol: A crescent moon encircled by stars.
- Major Tenets: Guidance, wisdom, and illumination.
- Practices: Starlight rituals, dream interpretation, and celestial charting.
The Order of the Beast
To walk as the beast, to live as the wild.
Fierce and primal, the Order of the Beast celebrates the strength and instincts of animals. Members of this order are skilled shapeshifters, taking on animal forms to defend the wilds. They maintain close bonds with animal companions and work to protect creatures from exploitation and harm.
- Primary Symbol: A beast’s claw encircled by vines.
- Major Tenets: Freedom, strength, and coexistence.
- Practices: Shapeshifting, animal companionship, and protecting wildlife.
The Order of the Unending Cycle
Life and death are but two parts of the same journey.
This order focuses on the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Far from being morbid, these druids understand that death is a necessary part of existence. Many members of this order have an affinity for insects, which play crucial roles in decomposition and renewal, earning them the nickname "Insect Druids."
- Primary Symbol: A spiraling circle with a moth at its center.
- Major Tenets: Transformation, acceptance, and renewal.
- Practices: Guiding spirits to rest, aiding decomposition for renewal, and cultivating insects for ecological balance.
Origins and Migration
The Druids originally flourished in the Elvish Twin Kingdoms, where they served as advisors and protectors of natural sanctuaries. However, a great calamity scattered them across the known world. The survivors sought refuge in the frontier lands and found fertile ground in Gorundia, where they continue their sacred work amidst the untamed wilderness.
Relationships with the Frontier Lands
In Gorundia, the orders have adapted to the rugged frontier, blending their old traditions with the challenges of their new environment. Each order contributes to the survival and prosperity of the land:
- The Order of the Tree nurtures groves and serves as mediators among factions.
- The Order of the Moon and Stars provides guidance and celestial wisdom.
- The Order of the Beast defends settlements from predators and aids in hunting.
- The Order of the Unending Cycle ensures the land remains fertile and balanced.
Together, the druids of Gorundia embody the enduring spirit of nature, thriving even in adversity.
Known Druids
Comments