Powers of Nature
Druids, like clerics, are present wherever people and creatures have settled across Oerth. They act as stewards of the natural world, bridging the divide between civilization and wilderness. Many follow the teachings of the Old Faith, venerating nature gods such as Beory and Obad-Hai, who are foundational to its traditions. Others serve a variety of deities tied to specific aspects of nature, such as Atroa, Ehlonna, Phyton, or Vinar "the Green Man". Among different cultures and races, deities like Tlazoteotl, Merrika, Rillifane Rallathil (wood elves), Sheela Peryroyl (halflings), Luthic (orcs), and Baervan Wildwanderer (gnomes) also inspire their followers.
Druids are not often adventurers in the traditional sense, seeking treasure or glory for its own sake. Instead, they may set out to fund their orders, deliver messages between druidic circles, mediate disputes, or oppose rivals who threaten their beliefs or the natural order. Some undertake journeys to observe the spread of civilization and its impact on the environment. While druids primarily thrive in rural and wilderness settings, their reach extends even to farming communities and remote settlements, where they act as guides and protectors of natural harmony.
Druidism is predominantly practiced by the Flan and Olman peoples in the Flanaess, where it is deeply rooted in their cultural identities. Small Oeridian druidic circles exist, typically focused on agricultural deities, but beyond the Flanaess, druids are rare. In those distant lands, druidism is often an individual pursuit or practiced by small bands, without the organized structures found in the Flanaess.
Most druids come from woodland regions like the Grandwood, Gamboge, or Adri Forests, where they have a strong connection to the natural world. Others hail from varied and more challenging terrains, such as the Crystalmist Mountains, the Vast Swamp, or the Bright Desert. Druids from these harsh environments are less common but often more inclined to adventure and interact with the broader world. Urban dwellers rarely join their ranks unless introduced to druidism through necessity or chance.
When druids retire from adventuring, they rarely claim territories or form independent factions. Instead, they often join established druidic orders, such as those aligned with the Old Faith. These orders focus on preserving the balance of nature and overseeing druidic activities across the Flanaess and beyond. The most accomplished druids may rise to positions of leadership, becoming Great Druids of specific regions or Grand Druids overseeing entire orders. However, harmony within these orders is not guaranteed—philosophical rivalries and territorial disputes, such as those between mountain and marsh druids, are common. Despite this, druids remain unified in their commitment to protecting the natural world and maintaining the balance of life.