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John Fern
Acolyte
15 Posts |
 Posted - 02 Oct 2012 : 07:07:01
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Hello everyone!
I've been reading up on druids lately and I've come up with a couple questions that I haven't been able to find the answers too; so I thought I'd open this up for discussion here to any interested.
1. How does one start down the path of a druid exactly? Do the skills have to be learned from a mentor or teacher or can they be innate, learned through a communion with the land?
2. In 3ed (The only one I'm interested in at the moment) druid spellcasting is divine but I've read multiple sources saying that druids can get their power from nature deities ~or~ through a close bond with nature. I was curious as to how the latter would work exactly if it was possible for the druid to call upon their magic without the aid of a deity.
Thanks!
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6689 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2012 : 07:32:41
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quote:
Originally posted by John Fern
In 3ed (The only one I'm interested in at the moment) druid spellcasting is divine but I've read multiple sources saying that druids can get their power from nature deities ~or~ through a close bond with nature. I was curious as to how the latter would work exactly if it was possible for the druid to call upon their magic without the aid of a deity.
Here we go again.
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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Sightless
Senior Scribe
USA
608 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2012 : 14:58:02
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*jumps up and dow*
I can answer this one, using realms lore, goody-goody.
When talking about the Rashemi in both 3e and 3.5, they mentione that there are nature spirits, they don't go into much detail exactly what these spirits are, if there are some relation to the Fay, one of the nature gods, or what, but they exist. The sources go on to talk about how the witches can utilize these spirits to caste unprepared spells in their lands.
Now.
How does any of this apply to our Druid? Simple, very simple. our druid friend can call upon these same spirits to aid in casting spells, druid spells of course, coming straight from the land and not being necesarily tied to a nature God directly. In fact, one of these spirits could have taken a certain interest in the individual and is the reason for his/her becoming a druid in the first place. This spirit could serve as the Druid's menter/spirit guid/ toetum, if you will
*hears previous post* .
George?
Did I just stumble into a trap? |
We choose to live a lie, when we see with, & not through the eye.
Every decision, no matter the evidence, is a leap of faith; if it were not, then it wouldn't be a choice at all. |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4260 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2012 : 15:09:19
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Depending on how you look at things, several FR Gods have druidic followers (since you said 3e, there are MANY that have druids).
However, I don't think it is out of the realm of the possible that a Druid could simply draw his power from secrets passed down from one druid to another that enabled them to draw power directly from the world itself without the need of divine intervention.
In my own Forgotten Realms (I play a modified Advanced Dungeons and Dragons usually), the Druids do not pray for their spells at all. Silvanus is the "God of Druids" but druids simply give him respect and honor...not true worship. No more than a farmer might get his ability to farm from Chauntea...Druids don't need to ask Silvanus for their power to use druidic powers. |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2012 : 19:54:10
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First and foremost, you have to look for a "doo-dad!"
After that, it just sort of happens by accident.
Thats canon.  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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John Fern
Acolyte
15 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2012 : 01:33:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Sightless
*jumps up and dow*
I can answer this one, using realms lore, goody-goody.
When talking about the Rashemi in both 3e and 3.5, they mentione that there are nature spirits, they don't go into much detail exactly what these spirits are, if there are some relation to the Fay, one of the nature gods, or what, but they exist. The sources go on to talk about how the witches can utilize these spirits to caste unprepared spells in their lands.
Now.
How does any of this apply to our Druid? Simple, very simple. our druid friend can call upon these same spirits to aid in casting spells, druid spells of course, coming straight from the land and not being necesarily tied to a nature God directly. In fact, one of these spirits could have taken a certain interest in the individual and is the reason for his/her becoming a druid in the first place. This spirit could serve as the Druid's menter/spirit guid/ toetum, if you will
Thanks Sightless! The part you mentioned about a spirit or spirit(s) becoming interested in the individual and thus starting them down their druidic path is sort of what I had in mind for the character. I wanted him to begin his path as a druid reluctantly through circumstances he doesn't understand rather then someone who is ~actively~ seeking to become a druid. Just wanted to make sure I was adhering to the lore. |
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Sightless
Senior Scribe
USA
608 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2012 : 02:14:51
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| Glad I could help, and I liked the idea, as for a druid it gives an heir of mystery for the development... what are these spirits? why are they interested in me? and if Druids aren't particularly common, or the character hasn't met one before, then the question of what is a druid? There's a lot of native american lore that you can use and that I'd be happy to share about the significance of spirit guides you can use, but you can probably find plenty on the internet. |
We choose to live a lie, when we see with, & not through the eye.
Every decision, no matter the evidence, is a leap of faith; if it were not, then it wouldn't be a choice at all. |
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The Hidden Lord
Learned Scribe
148 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2012 : 02:38:02
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I think the answer to your question is... yes.
First of all, I think most if not all druids begin their careers with a close bond with nature; the ran the fields in their youth, learned wood-lore from family, friends, village mentors, and what have you.
Then, and only after being vetted by Harpers, druids and others, will the youth be approached for initiation within a druid circle. This will of course vary from region to region and culture to culture.
Next, everyone in the Realms has a patron deity. Everyone. In addition, everyone offers some 'worship' to other deities as well; even if only in sworn oathes, or festival practices.
Druids, in my campaign, gain the spellcasting abilities and powers through all the sources you mention.
A druid who is casting a wind-type spell would appeal to Akadi or Auril, and earthquake would include supplications to Grummbar of Chauntea, a flamestrike would entail prayers to Kossuth or Talos, etc.
Abilities like wildshape and trackless step comes from the druids connection with "nature".
Also, I think it should be mentioned that the Elemental Lords/Primordials *are* the "forces of Nature" that the druid controls with spellcasting. |
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Starting down the path of a Druid
