Druids and Equipment

Druidism

The faith as practiced bu Humans and Halflings, is derived from Elvish beliefs.

The key elements of the faith are:

The Sun or ‘Solsa’
The Earth or ‘Distra’
The Waters or ‘Ullia’
The Plant Life or ‘Thera’ sometimes called ‘The Green’
The Animal Life or ‘Cennos’ sometimes called ‘The Beast’

To simplify a complex philosophy, balance and harmony of ALL the elements must be preserved for the world, collectively known as ‘Tiastron’ to live.


Language
All Druids, regardless of race, speak and read/write Elvish.  (This does count against languages known.)  However Druids have their own written language and script that is used to record the Secrets.  This is the same script used to write Druid scrolls.  Learning this script and related language is part of the training to be a Druid.  (This does NOT count against languages known.)  No non Druid is able to read or comprehend it.  Most Elves cannot read it!

The Scrolls of Tiastron
These documents are the collected wisdom of thousands of years of Druidism.  There are thousands of scrolls, and many are copies and partial copies of other scrolls and commentaries and reflections on yet other scrolls…  Every Druid Grove has a collection of the scrolls.  None are complete.  A small grove may have a dozen or so, a large grove, hundreds.  Sometimes they are found in places other then groves.  Having been stolen, looted or otherwise lost.  All the scrolls are incomprehensible to a non Druid (Even if a Comprehend Language spell is used the caster will be able to read the text but is unlikely to grasp the philosophy and symbolism inherent in it.) Every Druid reads and studies the scrolls.  Every Druid has one or two in his or her belongings for contemplation and study when opportunity permits.  (It is from these scrolls that Druids gain the knowledge and wisdom to cast their spells.) Every two levels of advancement a Druid must seek out fresh scrolls to study, exchanging the finished ones for new.  It is an obligation on all Druids to recover any found  Scrolls of Tiastron and deposit them safely in a Grove.  Carrying more then needed for current studies, any longer then needed, is considered an unnecessary risk to the scrolls and the knowledge therein.
A 1st level Druid has enough scrolls to get him or her to 3rd level, at which point the Druid will need to find suitable scrolls to study till reaching 5th and so on.  Note: Not every Grove will have every scroll!

 

Sacred Things
Mistletoe, Holly, Oak, Oak leaves and acorns, Ash, Willow and Ivy are all considered Sacred plants and are key components to many spells. 
Springs are also considered sacred, as founts of Ullia, and should always be clear to flow freely.  Spring Water is an important material component.
Quartz crystals and all natural crystals are expressions Distra and and are treasured.  (Many Groves have displays of crystals brought there by wandering Druids and worshipers.)
Sacred animals include Rabbits, Fox, Hawks, Serpents, Deer, Bear, Wolf and Mastadon/Mammoth. Also Salmon, Whales, Dolphin, Seals and Sea Lions.
Sacred Days: The Solstices.  The Equinoxes.  Moon phases.  Eclipses. Samhain, Imbolc, Lughnasadh, Beltane.

Druidic Holy Symbols

Wand
Druids will have on them a ‘wand’ made from (Druid’s choice based on availability) Oak, Holly, Ash or Willow.  It will usually be entwined with mistletoe or ivy (if available.) This wand is NOT magical, it is a symbol and casting aid.  If materials are available a Druid will craft a new wand every week or so.  There is a ritual involved in harvesting the materials needed and it is permissible to harvest extra (a bit) against a future need if entering an area where materials will be hard to find.

Sickle and Cloth
A small silver sickle (size of a small folding knife) that is used EXCLUSIVELY to cut and harvest plant materials for wands and other components.  The Cloth is a plain, white (clean) cotton cloth that is used to catch the cut materials so they do not touch the ground and transmit their energy to Distra.

Cup
Made of wood or earthenware (never metal) It is used ONLY for gathering water from springs.

NOTE: Using the sickle as  a weapon, or to do anything other then its purpose makes it unclean and it must be replaced!  The same is true for the Cloth and the Cup! Replacing the Sickle costs 50gp.  The Cloth 5sp the Cup 1gp.

 

Diet
Druids are MOSTLY vegetarians.  They do eat eggs, milk, cheese and fish.  Though a Druid will not hunt or slaughter an animal as long as vegetarian and other acceptable foods are available, neither will they starve if no alternative exists.

 

Weapons and Armor
The following weapon and armor types are available to Druids. 
Club, Dagger, Dart, Hammer, Sling, Spear, Staff, Falcon (sword)
Armor.   Leather,  Padded, Arming Doublet, Gambeson, Wooden Shield