Class Details
A Druid is a spellcaster who draws upon nature for their magic. Their abilities include healing, weather and plant related spells, summoning and befriending animals, and with higher levels, animalshape. They take an almost spiritual oath with nature, allowing them to be as adaptable as the natural world. This oath lends to them using wooden items and cloth or leather armours over metal objects and armours. The closer the item to its natural state, the better the Druid can connect with it.
Due to their connection to nature, Druids are against the wholesale destruction of lands or slaughter of creatures. If one must kill a creature or cull land, the Druids insist on everything that could be used from the creature or land be saved for use later. For example, if one were to kill a wolf, the Druids would insist that the meat, bones, claws, fur, and any usable organs be carefully preserved for use.
At Silver level, a Druid may join a Circle of his/her choosing. These Circles will further refine the connection the Druid has to the natural world. The Circle of Direwood, for example, seeks to connect with wood magics, allowing the Druids of the Circle to call upon the woods for protection in the form of barkskin. Druids of this circle can also take the form of a bird with ease. The Circle of the Barren allows the Druids to tap into stone magics and take the form of a wolf. Though, one does not have to belong to a Circle in order to take on the animalshape associated with the Circle, being a member does allow for the Druid to take on this form with less stress and concentration than their contemporary outside of the Circle.
Creating a Druid
When creating a Druid, remember that they generally have an inherent connection to nature. However, this does not mean that they can tap into natural magics at a young age. It simply means that the character can have a pull toward nature at a young age, that they feel connected in a way to their natural surroundings. They care for the land, plants, and animals, more than their peers. Though, not all Druids will feel this pull all of their life, some feel the connection later in life when they start learning to tap into the magical energies of the world.
Additional information
While a Druid can change shape at Silver Level and above, this ability does not allow them to speak with animals of this type while in animalshape better than they normally would. Magic and energy are limited and while it is an inherent ability, it draws upon both magic and energy in order to perform, therefore the stronger a magic user is, the higher their level, the easier they can perform their abilities. These abilities are inherent in all Druids, but do not exist within the Druid from birth. They are gifted upon the Druid when they join the Order of Druids.
Bronze Level
At this level, Druids are learning to tap into natural magics. They cannot specialize in any one form or join a Circle yet, as they must learn to harness the basic level of nature in order to build upon their connection. They may choose up to five (5) of the Bronze level spells for Druids.
All Druids gain the inherent abilities of Druid Craft and Speak With Animals, though their abilities will be limited based upon their level.
Silver Level
A Druid of this level can now choose one (1) spell of Silver level or below. They can also join one of the many Circles of Exonia. On top of this, they gain another inherent ability, Animalshape.
Animalshape is the ability to turn into an animal. At this level, a Druid can turn into a small creature such as a cat, fox, or wolf. However, this does require a lot of energy, so one cannot stay in this form for an indefinite amount of time. It also comes at the cost of being able to cast spells. So, while in animal form, a Druid cannot perform spells at all. They can attack using the animal’s features, such as biting with sharp teeth or clawing their opponent, but they cannot use any of their magical abilities.
Gold Level
Upon reaching this level, a Druid may choose one (1) spell of Gold level or below. They may now take on an animal familiar. This is essentially a pet they have a bond with. It is almost effortless for the Gold Level Druid to speak with their familiar, though it will still take effort to speak with any other creature.