The Skóvjord Magi
Upon the isles of Aardwulf, in the first era, the Skóvjord Magi unravelled the secrets of primeval magic, wildshape, and communion with the leylines. They were guided in the mastery of these arts by the 'Lords of the Wood,' a mysterious order of beings whom imparted their wisdom and knowledge so that the woodland mages might bring balance to mortals and nature.
Primeval magic differs from the practice of arcane sorcery in the method in which the energy is drawn to spellcast. Arcane sorcery pulls directly from the winds of magic that course over the world of Orr, making it quite potent, but unpredictable. Primeval sorcery draws its power from the ambient radiance of magic that infuses the world, and the heavens. Magic permeates, and soaks the world of Orr. It seeps into the very structure of all living and non-living things. Primeval sorcery channels and directs this infused energy in order to perform feats of extraordinary magic. There are more limitations to what this type of direction can accomplish, but in many instances a Druid is able to pull from a much greater, and accessible wellspring of power than the wizard who must grasp at the very ethereal air and contain as much as they are able.
The Skóvjord Magi, or the Wildspeakers as they are often referred to throughout the realms, have acted as the principle caretakers of Aardwulf since their order was founded. Kings, Queens, and jarls of the isles may rule over their realms, but it is only with the guidance of these circles of druids. The work and ministry of the Skóvjord Magi reaches far beyond just the isles of Aardwulf, however. Their circles have expanded to the greater continents of Oerth, Infidia, and perhaps even lands undiscovered by the great nations. The Wildspeakers are a secretive, occult order whose members practice the same ancient traditions and rites that were bestowed to them in the first era. Members of the Skóvjord Magi often take the roles of herbalists, alchemists, gardeners, and caretakers of the land when they travel beyond the realms of Aardwulf. While some in the world detest the idea of such a selective, secret society operating throughout the realms of Orr, the average citizen of the realms is likely to attest to the vital work which these druids provide to their communities.
Whisperers of the Wild
The traditions, rites, and magical sorceries of the Wildspeakers are secrets bestowed only to druids who have passed a trial of initiation. It is believed that these arts and magical traditions are not written or recorded by the Skóvjord Magi in any form to prevent the secrets of their order from being revealed. If there do exist records of these teachings, and mystical arts, they are well guarded and hidden from the outside world. A druid who wishes to join the order of the Wildspeakers must first be selected as an apprentice by a member of one of the five circles. They often train as trappers, huntsmen, herbalists, and even farmers for several years, and are closely watched over by their mentor. When such a mentor has decided the iniatiate is ready to undergo the trials, they are delivered to the nearest wayshrine of the circle and presented with a Task of the Anima. This task varies from circle to circle, and often present a challenge uniquely suited to test the abilities of the aspiring druid. Should they complete this task they are returned to the wayshrine, a ceremony is held to induct them into the circle, and they are taught the secret language of the Skóvjord Magi. The members of the Wildspeakers can never discuss the nature of the circle, its meetings, rites, or magical arts, and so the wider world is only left to speculate the business, goals, and practices of these magical orders. Some believe a spell is woven during the Task of the Anima which magical prevents these secrets from being told, while most simply agree that the work of the circles caters to individuals of such a strong conviction that such magical binding is unecessary. Even those druids who eventually leave the circle tend to continue the practice of their magic, and work, in secret.
Druidic Conclaves
The Skóvjord Magi divide their ministry of the earth, stars, and the elements into five separate druidic conclaves. The members of these conclaves are referred to as the Speakers of the Elements, and the conclaves themselves are simply called 'circles' by the wider world. Each conclave possess unique goals, ideals, and forms in which their magic, and mystical arts are utelized. The leaders of these conclaves, often the eldest Druid of the circle, are referred to as Archdruids and it is their responsibility to oversee the direction of the conclave, and to communicate with other conclaves on the circle's behalf. Should an event arise that the Skóvjord Magi must address as a unified group, Archdruids from all of the circles are summoned to a central wayshrine, and a Council of the Wild is held. Very little is known about such events, as they have only occurred a handful of times in all of recorded history. The first Council of the Wild was held to determine the nature of the order itself, a second was held when it was decided by the conclaves that the Skóvjord Magi should begin forming circles across the continents of Orr, and a third was rumored to have been held sometime in the second era to erect the Tempest Gate that surrounds Aardwulf.
Speakers of the Air & Storms
The Wildspeakers of this circle practice sorceries that command the wind, the air, storms, and mastery of the weather. Druids of this circle often build their wayshrines near coastlines, and upon windswept plains where hurricanes, tornados, and other squalls rage throughout the seasons. Members of this circle tend to form strong connections with the avian beastfolk of the world, such as the Tengu, and the Aarocokra. They serve their communities as diplomats, and farmers, while providing warnings when devastating storms begin to manifest. The Skóvjord Magi of this circle are generally aloof, kind-hearted, and jovial in nature. They primarily act as guardians for small communities, helping resolve disputes and seeking fair compensation for hard work.
Speakers of the Earth & Wilds
The Speakers of the Earth, and the Wilds are the most hermitic, and secretive of the circles. Their wayshrines are found in the deep woods far beyond the well trodden roads, and paths. They serve as mediators between mortals, and the beasts of the forests, often acting as hunters, trappers, and herbalists to nearby communities. When the image of the druidic orders in conjured in the mind of the average person, it is the members of this circle which often are brought to the surface of their thoughts; Clothed in green, living among the woodland, friend of the animals, and seclusive. The Speakers of the Earth and Wilds often find themselves in conflict with the encroachment of mortals upon the wild places of the world, and unfortunately, they often lose these battles, and engagements.
Speakers of the Rains & Waters
The wayshrines of this circle are often found upon islands, within swamps, or near the fords of rivers. The druids of this conclave serve their communities as fishermen, sailors, and ferrymen, but more often than not they are simply travelers upon the road which collect and tell stories. The Speakers of the Rains, and Waters often go unnoticed by the wider world for they travel extensively throughout the realms, following the river's path or the swells of the ocean brine. Water is always moving, always changing, always assuming new shapes, and thus its Speakers are eager to learn new skills, see new terrains, and experience new cultures. Water is also the foundation of civilization. No city or village can survive without water, and so the Skóvjord Magi of this circle often find themselves in the heartlands of nations, learning the news of the world, and bringing it back to the wild places for the other orders to know of the great goings-on of the era.
Speakers of the Flames & Mountains
This conclave is perhaps the most removed from society. They are a hermitage that spend the vast number of their years in the highest of the mountains, among the towering, ice-capped peaks of the world. Here, in these remote areas, they study philosophy and practice arts of meditation. They are said to be softspoken, and monk-like, but when the fury of their circle is evoked, few mystical arts in all the world are as destructive as the magic of this conclave. They can summon earthquakes to topple kingdoms, provoke mountains to rain fire and blacken the sky for entire seasons, and see forests reduced into ashes in mere hours. While such power has rarely been brought to bare, it is this conclave which the lords of the world's kingdoms fear and respect most of all. The wayshrines of this circle are often built upon the winding, rocky paths scaling the mountain summits, and stand as places of safety from the blistering elements, or simply as markers to lead anyone who has become lost in those high terrains back to safety. The druids of this circle rely heavily upon their goats, which provide milk, and meat, and thus the goat is considered quite a sacred animal to this circle.
Speakers of the Moons & Stars
A mysterious circle whose members often live among the cities of the world. The Speakers of the Moons and Stars practice mystical arts of prophecy, foretelling, augery, and other methods of divination. Their wayshrines are often built upon the nexus points of grand leylines, or upon observatory points of the world where the stars and other heavenly bodies can be consulted. The druids of this conclave serve a unique role, not just to the Skóvjord Magi, but to all of mortal kind. The portents of the future divined through other magical means, such as the arts of divination magic practiced by the Magisterium, reach forward into time and secure one of infinite possibilities. The very act of doing so, changes that future. In many instances this is so small a ripple that what has been foretold still comes to pass, but in matters of grand stakes the lords of the realms know that such arts are not just unreliable, but foolish to attempt. The stars however... the stars never lie. What they foretell of the days to come was written at the very dawn of time, and their purpose, it would seem, is to speak these truths through their shining lights. The Speakers of the Moons, and Stars are the only order which have successfully interpretted such heavenly signs.
Wayshrines
Scattered throughout the world of Orr are many druidic wayshrines. They take the form of cairns, small temples, stone circles, and other unobtrusive markers. They are often hidden in the deep places of the world, far from settlements, roads, and other gathering points. The druids of the Skóvjord Magi are taught the subtle signs that might indicate such a gathering point lies nearby. The members of each of the Skóvjord Magi conclaves are welcome to visit the shrines of their brethren, but to lead others from outside the order towards one is an act punishible by excommunication. By some unknown method of magic, perhaps related to the Trials of the Anima, once a druid has been excommunicated, they will never be able to find their way to such a shrine again. In the rare event that someone not of the order should stumble upon such a shrine, it is taken as a sign from the Endless that a threat to world, or the elements is growing, and that the order is being called upon to act. These gathering points are used for ceremonies, rituals, sacred rites, and as hermitages for some druids. They are guarded by beings of the forest, such as animals, and perhaps even sapient monsters, or outsiders that have been summoned from the outer spheres. Such shrines rarely possess treasures valued enough to inspire thieves, or burglars, but there are secrets here which apostate mages may deem as worthy enough to brave the guardians or druids who watch over such places.
"Legends, and sagas of Aardwulf speak of a time where the druids of the isles were taught the mysteries of wild magic by the 'Lords of the Wood'. It is believed that these green lords may have been ancient Ents, or Dryads, which are native to the isles, while some historians speculate that it may have been outsiders from the Season Courts of the Feywilds. Only the woodland magi themselves could confirm these beliefs, but it is a secret bestowed only to the most faithful of their order.
Founding Date
432AR
Type
Druidic Circle
Alternative Names
The Wildspeakers
Location
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