Post/Author/DateTime	Post
JulesCARV 10-31-06, 03:20 AM	We all know that in Eberron, the typical pastor isn't a member of the cleric class mechanically. He's probably a commoner, expert, or adept. What about the druidic sects? Do they all actually consist of bona fide members of the druid PC class, or are they mostly NPC classed, like other religions?
Sereno 11-01-06, 10:08 AM	While you're right about the churches of Eberron, I think the sects actually ARE mostly druids ... real PHB druids. To be officially part of any of the sects, you've got to take one of the "initiate" feats and they all have the prerequisite: "Ability to spontaneously cast summon nature’s ally." Which basically means you've got to be a druid or jump through some extensive hoops.... There are probably a lot of followers, too ... people who identify with the sect or it's "mission statement" but actual members are going to be druids.
AvonRekaes 11-01-06, 11:47 AM	Actually, aren't "aspirants" the lowest actual members of sects? I think aspirants can be experts or adepts and the like... The only problem is the druidic language, but then again that secret beign reserved for the "inner circles" does make sense.
DarkWarriorKarg 11-01-06, 12:02 PM	Y'know, they could be [NPC Class] X/Druid 1
goblin_pride 11-01-06, 03:09 PM	I know the Eldeen Rangers are usually allies of one of the druid sects. But I would imagine that since it's called a "druid sect" the few rangers that are allowed in should count themselves as lucky. The problem with druid sects are that they don't work like churches, usually you are one or you aren't and that's the way it is. I suppose if you want adepts and such in your rustic nature worshipping, go ahead. I'd just make druids of a given sect rarer myself.
DarkWarriorKarg 11-01-06, 03:15 PM	I know the Eldeen Rangers are usually allies of one of the druid sects. But I would imagine that since it's called a "druid sect" the few rangers that are allowed in should count themselves as lucky. The problem with druid sects are that they don't work like churches, usually you are one or you aren't and that's the way it is. I suppose if you want adepts and such in your rustic nature worshipping, go ahead. I'd just make druids of a given sect rarer myself. Most gatekeepers aren't druids either. They are mostly rangers.
Thindelock 11-01-06, 03:33 PM	Per the Player's Guide to Eberron, regarding Gatekeepers in specific: "The majority of the sect's members carry the title of hunter. These are barbarians... rangers... and members of other martial classes [snip]. For every three or four hunters, an aspirant (low-level druid) acts as leader." (Omissions in the above are to minimize copying of copyright material so as to not anger the Wizard that dwells upon the Coast) So it seems that you don't have to have the feat or be a certain class to be a member of the organization, though the leaders are druids. I would imagine only druids have access to the druidic language, as a part of the whole inner circle of leadership thing.
Hellcow 11-01-06, 05:30 PM	I would imagine only druids have access to the druidic language, as a part of the whole inner circle of leadership thing. If you take my suggestion in this Dragonshard (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebds/20051017a), only druids can speak Druidic because the language itself is inherently magical - it's not something that CAN be taught to a nondruid. In regards to the general question, you can be a Warden of the Wood without having the Wardens of the Wood feat. There are certainly a significant number of druids and rangers among the core of each sect, but some of these may be alloyed with NPC classes (such as the ranger 2/expert 2). I've actually created an NPC class which is specifically intended to address this - essentially, the natural magic version of the adept and the magewright - but I don't know when you'll see this.
Just another user 11-01-06, 06:45 PM	I think that most of the members of the sects are Druids, but I think that can exist druids that are not members of any sect, and some of those "druids" could just be Experts with Knowledge(nature), Handle animal and Survival (with some levels of Warrior if they are "rangers")
XenoZephyr 11-01-06, 09:32 PM	You should check out Faiths of Eberron as well, it addresses it a little bit. You can think of each druidic sect as a religion in itself. So, the farmers of one area that has a Warden of the Wood Druid overseeing their community may practice Warden of the Wood druidic rituals etc but would not be any pc class.
Sereno 11-02-06, 09:00 AM	2). I've actually created an NPC class which is specifically intended to address this - essentially, the natural magic version of the adept and the magewright - but I don't know when you'll see this. This sounds like a great idea! If you can't post any details, can you post some "hints" so that those of us who like the idea can develop our own version that won't be too far from the "real thing" if and/or when it ever sees daylight?
Wolfen Fenrison 11-02-06, 01:06 PM	Don't forget that druid sects are made of two parts, "Druids" (Druids, Spirit Shamans, Totemist, Adepts) and "Hunters" (Rangers, Barbarians, Scouts, Warriors), class variants from unearthed arcana like the Druidic Avenger, Savage Bard, and Wilderness Rogue would also be appropriate additions to Druids sects.
Fabius Maximus 11-03-06, 08:15 AM	I could imagine that there are even some arcane spellcasters belonging to some of the sects (not to the Ashbound, for sure ;) ). Bards and sorcerers would be my first guess. Even Wu Jen could have a place, if the oriental flavour is changed.
Wolfen Fenrison 11-12-06, 02:16 PM	Wu Jen would be perfect arcane casters for Druid sects (in fact Players Guide to Eberron clearly states the class is primarily found in the Eldeen Reaches) and the oriental flavor will help distance it from more traditional arcane casters. As for bards take a look at the savage bard and divine bard (religion would be nature, or at least god of nature) because they are less "urban" than normal bards.