Druid-esque [Archive] - Wizards Community

Druid-esque [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
TheFlyingAsian
01-25-08, 09:41 PM MMookay.

I've switched from the insane cleric idea, for some very good reasons. Instead, I'd like to make a druid, as that's the one class I haven't ever played yet.

But it can't be any old druid. And there lies the problem. How can I roleplay a druid so that he's still a druid, and yet not your stereotypical druid?

I have absolutely no ideas...or even an inkling if this is at all possible.
I_roll_ones
01-25-08, 09:56 PM Heck with trees. Defend some unusual bit of nature, such as the desert, mountains, ocean, beach, or plains.

How much interaction with civilization is wanted/needed?
CrimsonDeath
01-25-08, 10:58 PM I like predatory druids.

It might be easier to suggest nonstereotypical druids if you told us what you thought was stereotypical...

Also, if you're in a specific campaign setting, knowing that could help. (Child of Winter in Eberron? Umberlant in Faerun?)
TheFlyingAsian
01-26-08, 12:10 AM I like the predatory druid idea...

And for stereotypical, I guess it's kinda hard to explain. You know, the "defend the forest from the civilization-minded people, and have no contact with civilization if I can help it".

And I stumbled across the Abberation Wild Shape feat, so I might do some weird twist with Abberations or something.

Oh, and I'm not worried about the "contct with civilization" thing.

I'm basically open to anything.
I_roll_ones
01-26-08, 01:01 AM You like predatory and aberrations? Then your druid thinks that aberrations are not unnatural abominations, but improvements upon nature. Rather then admire the majesty of the hawk, this character would marvel at stories of Beholders and Ilithids. He seeks to enact this change in the world around him, seeking to create new creatures, which then he pits against each other to see who is truly strong.

This character doesn't care for compassion, thinking only of intelligence, strength and ability to overcome other creatures.

They are not too concerned with civilization, thinking that the aberrations will quickly overcome the weak, making the world a landscape of wonderful, awe inspiring alien creatures fighting amongst each other in savage warfare, foregoing civilization completely.

Because they do not respect civilization, the mindflayers, while interesting, are too unnatural and attached to cities to become one of the species the druid admires most. He wouldn't mind using their abilities, however.

Your character is willing to associate with civilization...For now. They are willingly to act on behalf of one aspect of civilization or the weak to kill another. For instance, they might join up with a mercenary band to destory a noble. The druid doesn't care for money the same way others do, wealth has no meaning to them but it is a good tool when dealing with weak, foolish humans and other races who hide from nature.

Aberrations also tend to be very strong, and the character needs more resources in order to learn about these creatures from libraries and to hunt these creatures down to study them.
JulesCARV
01-26-08, 01:35 AM What about a druid who is traditional in many ways, but one whose order is integrated into more typical institutions and society? They still want to protect the wilderness from encroachment, but they do so as a part of society, rather than as opponents of it.

For example, the druidic order is one that's officially recognized the Royal Sylvan Order of Druids. The master druid swears an oath of service to the king, and they fight in any wars the kingdom gets into. A druidic representative sits on the privy council. If the king plans on opening a new roadway connecting two coastal cities, the representative of the merchant's guild might endorse the idea, seeing lower costs, while druidic representative might protest that it would disrupt the wilds, while the sailor's guild delegate might side with the druid for fear that their business would drop in competition with the roadways, and so on.

In short, they represent typical druidic values, but as a corporate feudal interest group, like the various guilds, estates, orders, and such, not as an isolated order in the woods. The children of nobles other than the firstborn child often try to get into the druidic order, along with other traditional avenues for later-born noble children, such as the diplomatic service, knighthood, wizardry, etc.

They try to defend the wilderness, but they're more likely to do so by scheming with other discontented barons and guildmasters to replace an anti-wilderness royal chancellor than they are to hassle lumberjacks.
TheFlyingAsian
01-26-08, 01:00 PM Awesome. I've made my decision. Thanks.
JulesCARV
01-26-08, 01:32 PM Glad to hear it, but don't leave us hanging us like that! What was your decision? :)
TheFlyingAsian
01-26-08, 02:38 PM Oh...sorry.

I'm doing I_roll_ones' idea, basically I'm currently messing with the Druid's spell list to make it more Abberation-minded, and am developing a weird prestige class focusing on pseudonatural animals and such.

Thanks again.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
TheFlyingAsian 01-25-08, 09:41 PM	MMookay. I've switched from the insane cleric idea, for some very good reasons. Instead, I'd like to make a druid, as that's the one class I haven't ever played yet. But it can't be any old druid. And there lies the problem. How can I roleplay a druid so that he's still a druid, and yet not your stereotypical druid? I have absolutely no ideas...or even an inkling if this is at all possible.
I_roll_ones 01-25-08, 09:56 PM	Heck with trees. Defend some unusual bit of nature, such as the desert, mountains, ocean, beach, or plains. How much interaction with civilization is wanted/needed?
CrimsonDeath 01-25-08, 10:58 PM	I like predatory druids. It might be easier to suggest nonstereotypical druids if you told us what you thought was stereotypical... Also, if you're in a specific campaign setting, knowing that could help. (Child of Winter in Eberron? Umberlant in Faerun?)
TheFlyingAsian 01-26-08, 12:10 AM	I like the predatory druid idea... And for stereotypical, I guess it's kinda hard to explain. You know, the "defend the forest from the civilization-minded people, and have no contact with civilization if I can help it". And I stumbled across the Abberation Wild Shape feat, so I might do some weird twist with Abberations or something. Oh, and I'm not worried about the "contct with civilization" thing. I'm basically open to anything.
I_roll_ones 01-26-08, 01:01 AM	You like predatory and aberrations? Then your druid thinks that aberrations are not unnatural abominations, but improvements upon nature. Rather then admire the majesty of the hawk, this character would marvel at stories of Beholders and Ilithids. He seeks to enact this change in the world around him, seeking to create new creatures, which then he pits against each other to see who is truly strong. This character doesn't care for compassion, thinking only of intelligence, strength and ability to overcome other creatures. They are not too concerned with civilization, thinking that the aberrations will quickly overcome the weak, making the world a landscape of wonderful, awe inspiring alien creatures fighting amongst each other in savage warfare, foregoing civilization completely. Because they do not respect civilization, the mindflayers, while interesting, are too unnatural and attached to cities to become one of the species the druid admires most. He wouldn't mind using their abilities, however. Your character is willing to associate with civilization...For now. They are willingly to act on behalf of one aspect of civilization or the weak to kill another. For instance, they might join up with a mercenary band to destory a noble. The druid doesn't care for money the same way others do, wealth has no meaning to them but it is a good tool when dealing with weak, foolish humans and other races who hide from nature. Aberrations also tend to be very strong, and the character needs more resources in order to learn about these creatures from libraries and to hunt these creatures down to study them.
JulesCARV 01-26-08, 01:35 AM	What about a druid who is traditional in many ways, but one whose order is integrated into more typical institutions and society? They still want to protect the wilderness from encroachment, but they do so as a part of society, rather than as opponents of it. For example, the druidic order is one that's officially recognized the Royal Sylvan Order of Druids. The master druid swears an oath of service to the king, and they fight in any wars the kingdom gets into. A druidic representative sits on the privy council. If the king plans on opening a new roadway connecting two coastal cities, the representative of the merchant's guild might endorse the idea, seeing lower costs, while druidic representative might protest that it would disrupt the wilds, while the sailor's guild delegate might side with the druid for fear that their business would drop in competition with the roadways, and so on. In short, they represent typical druidic values, but as a corporate feudal interest group, like the various guilds, estates, orders, and such, not as an isolated order in the woods. The children of nobles other than the firstborn child often try to get into the druidic order, along with other traditional avenues for later-born noble children, such as the diplomatic service, knighthood, wizardry, etc. They try to defend the wilderness, but they're more likely to do so by scheming with other discontented barons and guildmasters to replace an anti-wilderness royal chancellor than they are to hassle lumberjacks.
TheFlyingAsian 01-26-08, 01:00 PM	Awesome. I've made my decision. Thanks.
JulesCARV 01-26-08, 01:32 PM	Glad to hear it, but don't leave us hanging us like that! What was your decision? :)
TheFlyingAsian 01-26-08, 02:38 PM	Oh...sorry. I'm doing I_roll_ones' idea, basically I'm currently messing with the Druid's spell list to make it more Abberation-minded, and am developing a weird prestige class focusing on pseudonatural animals and such. Thanks again.