Do any of the books detail existing Druidic orders/circles/enclaves?
One of my players is rolling up a new character for our existing RotRL campaign, and the hook to get him involved is that he was sent to investigate the disturbances going on around Sandpoint, and ensure that the balance of nature is preserved.
If there aren't any existing Druidic groups, are there any areas that are known to be very Druid heavy?
We're all very new to Golarion's geography, so we haven't fleshed out where he is from.
Thanks!
As far as I’m aware, none of Pathfinder’s official books detail existing Druidic Orders. Because of that, I imagine it’s sort of up to you to determine which areas have the highest concentration of Druids- you may want to look into the area that the Iconic Druid Lini, is from.
That said, if you just want fluff, I found the 2nd Edition Complete Druid’s Handbook very helpful.
Pdf found here: http://wiki.janhoo.net/_media/lostboys/material/tcbo_druids.pdf
The site seems safe as far as I can tell.
My current campaign contains a Druid and Ranger (along with a wizard and sorcerer) and I’m planning on tapping into the Druid’s familiarity with fey and some more rare magical beasts for adventure ideas. One adventure hook I’m thinking of was inspired by the Blighted Fey Template (Campaign Setting: Inner Sea Beastiary).
In my campaign, we’re using an entirely different world map than Golarion so I can’t help much there, but according to the Druid’s handbook, Druids tend to gather mostly in temperate forested areas, with small individuals located basically anywhere else (it even has rules for arctic and desert druids!).
Other random tidbits found in the handbook:
Initiates: Consists of village druids, typically 1-11th lvl and are typical every day, first level druids. Not part of the Inner Circle and are usually watched over by a more experienced druid mentor.
Druids: This is the first level of the Inner Circle and contains 9 12th lvl or higher druids. The Great Druid occasionally asks these nine for advice or sends them on missions for the good of the circle.
Archdruid: Contains 3 13th lvl or higher druids. These druids are more concerned with the balance of nature and training themselves than with the training of young initiates. They often spend years at a time preparing to become the next Great Druid. They are responsible for initiating new members and calling for a moot (typically done 4 times a year, at the solstices and equinoxes).
Great Druid: All druids within a circle know their Great Druid’s name, even if they’ve never met in person because of the power they hold. This one druid holds the greatest possible power over a particular circle.
Grand Druid: This is the highest ranking (though not always the highest level) druid in the world. They are typically 15th lvl or higher and attain their position through a selection process rather than by the challenge.
The Moot is a gathering of the entire circle. A moot not on the solstice or equinox generally means that the summoner seems something so deeply amiss in their domain that the entire circle must discuss it as soon as possible. During the moot, members celebrate the changing of the seasons, gossip and socialize, exchange information, perform ceremonies celebrating nature, honor their dead, marry couples within the Order and initiate new 1st lvl druid initiates. The climax of this gathering is the High Council of the Moot, where the circle’s 9 Druids, 3 Archdruids, and Great Druid meet in secret to discuss the state of their domain and make plans to stand against threats to the circle, nature and the balance if necessary. It’s not uncommon for ambassadors of neighboring circles (typically of at least Druid rank) or personal emissaries of the Grand Druid to attend this council. Bards, elves, rangers, and sylvan folk are often invited to a moot but its true location remains a secret to others.
The Challenge is the only way that initiates may move up to higher ranks within their circle. The only rank that cannot be reached with a Challenge is initiate (either you are invited to join the circle or you are not) and the Grand Druid who attains his position through a druidic political selection process. Much like challenges to the Alpha in a pack of wolves, the Challenge purges the weak and complacent ensuring that the highest ranks remain filled with strong and cunning individuals. The knowledge that a challenge could come at any time, all inner circle druids constantly do their best to appear strong and avoid looking like easy targets. This puts constant strain of the Order’s upper ranks, insuring that most friendships and alliances form among druids of equal level or several levels apart. The challenge is overseen by a witness, a druid whose level equals or exceeds the challengers and the terms of the battle are set out by mutual agreement.
Apparently, I should have read my newest books a bit more before answering. According to The Inner Sea World Guide, many divine scholars believe druidism/ The Green Faith could even be older than the concept of faith itself. This is supported by ancient druidic markings found in cave paintings or carved in ancient stone. True followers of the faith are less common now than they once were but peasants and farmers often show their respect to the faith by hanging fresh herbs over their doorways and upholding their tenants. And although not all druids are members of the Green Faith, only the most druids deride the faith.
It also mentions that woodland druids are the most common but they can also be found in other regions such as Irrisen, Belkzen, or the swamps of the Sodden Lands. They are rarest in places nature has become twisted: the Worldwound, the Manna Wastes, and demon-haunted Tanglebriar.
The Green Faith Acolyte Prestige Class in Pathfinder Setting: Paths of Prestige also talks a bit about the druidic hierarchy but doesn’t go as in depth as the 2e handbook.
OH and I forgot one thing: the only druids more potentially powerful than the Grand Druid are the Hierophants , druids that were often Grand Druid before stepping down, they are free agents, more concerned with their own global perspective and agenda. They concern themselves with the rise and fall of empires, migrations of peoples, the growth and extinction of species and the roles of each race on the world. It’s not uncommon for their plans to span several decades- or even centuries for the more long-lived races.
Hope it helped!