The Druidic Order is one of the four orders within the Eileryan Faith and is focused on the worship of the gods and goddesses in an open and harmonious way. Members of the Druidic Order are responsible for maintaining the groves and clearings that are the sacred spaces where they perform religious rituals and ceremonies.
The Druidic Order has a hierarchical structure, with an Arch Druid at the top, who is considered the head of the religion and responsible for overseeing the various temples and priestly orders. Under the Arch Druid are the regional druid leaders, who are responsible for the daily operations of their respective areas, as well as training and overseeing the lower-ranking apprentices.
The current Arch Druid is Ailef Mordonum.
The druids of the Druidic Order are the ones who conduct the religious ceremonies, such as sacrifices and offerings, and are also responsible for interpreting religious texts and providing guidance and wisdom to the faithful. They may also provide healing and perform other religious services.
Wood elves are more likely to be members of the Druidic Order, as their approach to religion is more open and revolves around the harmony of nature. However, members of other orders may also participate in the ceremonies and worship at the temples.
Practices
- Meditation and mindfulness: Meditation and mindfulness practices play a central role in the druidic order, helping members connect with nature and the spiritual realm.
- Nature worship: Druidic practitioners pay reverence to the natural world, seeing it as a source of inspiration, guidance, and power.
- Seasonal rituals: Druids celebrate the cycles of nature, such as the changing of the seasons, with rituals and ceremonies.
- Ancestor veneration: The druidic order places a strong emphasis on honouring one's ancestors, both as a way to connect with the past and to seek guidance from those who have come before.
- Storytelling: The druidic order uses storytelling to transmit spiritual knowledge and pass down cultural traditions from generation to generation.
- Magic and divination: Many druids practice magic and divination, using these techniques to connect with the spiritual realm, gain insights, and influence the world around them.
- Plant use: Druidic practitioners use herbs and plants for medicinal, spiritual, or divinatory purposes.
Festivals
The most important festival for the Druidic Order is the Festival of the Beltane.
Beltane is a festival celebrated to mark the beginning of the summer season and to honour the earth and the life force that it provides. It is celebrated on the first of Valtor and is a time of renewal, growth, and fertility.
During Beltane, the druidic order performs various rituals and ceremonies to celebrate the return of life and growth after the long, dark winter. One such ritual is the lighting of a massive bonfire, which is meant to symbolize the sun's return and the renewal of life. The druids also decorate trees and plants with flowers and ribbons, and sing and dance around the fire.
Another important aspect of Beltane is the honouring of the gods and goddesses associated with nature, fertility, and agriculture. The druids offer prayers and offerings to these deities, asking for their blessings and protection over the coming months. The festival particularly focuses on Lugh, Mabon and Danu.
In addition to these rituals, the druids order also perform handfasting ceremonies, which are symbolic marriages between couples. The couples declare their love and commitment to each other in front of the druidic community and the gods, and their union are seen as a symbol of the earth's fertility and growth.
Beltane is an important festival for the druidic order, as it represents a time of renewal, growth, and fertility, and it is a time for the community to come together and celebrate the earth and all that it provides.
Structure
The Druidic Order: This order is focused on the spiritual connection to nature and the natural world. They are led by druids, who would be responsible for performing rituals and ceremonies in natural settings, such as groves, forests, and sacred sites. They also focus on divination, prophecy, and ancestor worship, and would provide guidance on how to live in harmony with nature.
- Arch-druid: The leader of the order and the main representative of the gods and goddesses. They are responsible for interpreting the will of the gods, leading the rituals and ceremonies, and providing guidance on how to live in harmony with nature.
- Druid: Senior members of the order who have completed their training and are responsible for conducting rituals and ceremonies and providing guidance on how to live in harmony with nature.
- Apprentice: Junior members of the order who are in training to become druids. They would assist the druids in conducting rituals and ceremonies, and would learn the teachings and practices of the order.
While any class can be a member of the church, they are generally restricted to:
- Sages - have a close affinity with the gods, their concern for knowledge and the lore of the faith means many serve as gatherers and preachers of knowledge. Many act as librarians and keepers of stories. They are most often found out in the field gathering information to bring back to the temples.
- Likely class is Mage/envoy
- Suggested Talents - Unknown
- Suggested Specialisations - Arcane Scholar, Miracle Worker
- Approved Arcana - Healing, Any
- Forbidden Arcana - None
- Additional info - Sages get the research focus
- Druids - Have a strong belief in the strength of spirit that is inherent in everything the Eileryan Faith has dominion over, they are healers and defenders of the faith and work side by side with their peers.
- Likely class is Mage
- Suggested Talents - Unknown, Herbalism
- Suggested Specialisations - Beastmaster
- Approved Arcana - Beast, Healing, Wood
- Forbidden Arcana - None
- Additional info -Druids get access to the weapon group sickles
- Rangers -are the defenders of the faith, upholding services and defending the groves on Elven lands. They answer directly to the Arch Druid.
- Likely class is Rogue/Warrior
- Suggested Talents - Unknown
- Suggested Specialisations - Beastmaster, Hunter, Arcane Dabbler
- Approved Arcana - Wood
- Forbidden Arcana - none
- Additional info - gets an archery Focus
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