Where we are in the world is semi industrialized, world is split between the main church (LG), the mage/plant elves, and the nightmares (well everyone hates the Nightmares)
I am the most experienced player in my group by far so I choose a Druid (since all the n00bs took the tank/expert/mage role which i am ok with as a Druid is Tank/Mage/Expert/Healer basically
Anyways my DM failed to mention that when every anyone casts a spell EVERYONE in a 10ft x spell level area feels a "ripple of power" so that they know where the spell came from and who cast it.
So where my druid would come in where the Rogue would fail in a urban enviroment, with animal communication and wildshaping, is now usless as when I do in a city to get information, Church guards come to arrest the spellcaster. and the limitation of wildlife in the world makes alot of my druid powers useless since we mostly just fight nightmares and Church enforcers along with the occasional pirate.
Aside from leaving the group/changing my class/ or arguing with the DM (cause I am too nice and dont wana stifle his creativity) does anyone have any ideas to help overcome or even possibly abuse his wacky lil world.
Best abuse I can come up with is a ranger since the lack of diversity makes it easy to choose favored enemies.
Spells have components. Be it material, verbal or somatic. If a spell has both verbal and somatic components, people can see and hear you cast the spell, and people within visual or vocal range will know its you. Some spells have only somatic or verbal components, which is an advantage. The beguiler in my campaign (sorry for being DM and in the player forums, forgive me) uses his "Power Word: Pain" creatively because of this advantage; no verbal components.
Ask your DM why he thinks feats like "Still Spell" and "Silent Spell" are made; to ensure people don't see you cast the spell.
Now, you make the campaign sound like the world of Charlie the Unicorn; is it really that bad? If you dislike the campaign or the setting, either mention it, or quit. There's no use of playing D&D without enjoying it. If more players share your opinion, tell him you don't want to insult him, but you don't find his world D&D worthy because of the limits in races.
Hope I helped. Let me know how it works out.
Peter aka Ekkoe
And you won't be stifling his creativity. There is a way of nicely saying that you don't find his game appealing. There's nothing mean about saying you don't like something.
Also. If all else fails, maybe you should form a new group with a few of the guys that don't like this DM, and say to hell with the current DM.
holy scabs off a dead camel batman! that has got to be the worst game world ever.... i feel bad for you 
I know of another player/DM who thought she had a great novel inside her. As it turned out, it was more like bad gas in that when she unleashed it at the table it was obvious to everyone (including her) that it stunk and the only thing to do was light a match. Following that, she learned there are actual books on writing, writing classes, writing workshops, and writers' support groups. This was way before the web took off, or she would have had even more resources. These had a major advantage over using her gaming group in that they had actual expertise on the subject and could help her sharpen her craft.
Important questions: Do you want to keep playing in this game? Are you looking for suggestions on how to stay in this setting and thrive? Or are you hoping he will just drop this whole thing?
What's A Player To Do? Folding Chair Squadron Alpha, please report to debriefing room. This is not a drill. Prep folding chairs ASAP and get ready to move out.
He should have told you about the magic thing in advance but 10'/spell level isn't exactly a great distance so most effects should go unnotices anyway -especially if you aren't being observed at the time ("He went that way!")
How about you roll with it? It MIGHT be fun if you give it a chance.
That, and giving honestly your opinion to the DM. If it's just a playtest, it can be just a couple of games.
Also, about the guards catching your druid whenever he casts a spell, you might ask the DM if it's possible to have a liscence. That's how it worked in Baldur's Gate II.
Anyone else find this freaking funny?? Oh Dick Grayson you are a funny man in tights.does anyone have any ideas to help overcome or even possibly abuse his wacky lil world.
Nope, you're boned. Sounds like the DM is totally in love with his "kewl" setting and there is likely nothing you can do about it. Since it is also the basis for fiction prose I imagine you will likely end up getting seriously railroaded as he plays his novel at you and you get the "privilege" of coming along for the ride.
My advice is to talk to the other players and see if they are as
as you are by all this madness.You should also be aware that if he is actually a great author he will be able to turn a dross setting into a great novel. Maybe his ideas are better than you describe, or he will find a niche market, or he has pictures of a publishing house CEO buying drugs. You could be messing at your own 15 minutes in the form of a dedication in the forward of the next NY Times bestseller.
The thing that I'm getting from the initial post is that you were expecting to be really powerful (experienced player playing druid, which you've yourself admitted is every class rolled into one) and you've hit a snag with your spellcasting. IF the world is so very anti-spellcaster, you should inquire as to why the DM let you have two different caster PCs to begin with. Is the mage having the same issues? If it's an issue of waltzing around as a wild-shaped animal or having a massive carnivore in tow, there are ways to deal with it. In addition, while druids are very good at dealing with animals, they're not exactly slouching in the "killing other creatures" department, so I wouldn't think you'd have a problem with your opponents, even if they are mostly nightmares and church authorities. Just avoid preparing animal-based spells. There's still plenty available for the druid to use.
Honestly, it seems to me that the setting has the potential to be very good, though it may not jive with what you want in a game setting. And the spellcasting limitation may require a discussion with the DM. But beyond figuring out how to avoid incarceration by merit of your class choice, I wouldn't think the setting as a whole would be that bad to play in unless the DM was just really bad.
IIf you really want to be a douche about it, copyright the name of your own character and some of his exploits;
Names cannot be copyrighted. They can be trademarked.
That said... there is no reason to be a douche. Presumably, the DM is a friend of yours. I know if I developed something that sucked bantha balls and I asked my friends to playtest, I'd want them to be completely honest with me so I could fix it.
If it turns out to be the former, then enjoy it. You get to be part of a world-building exercise.
If the later, then just wait for the crash and burn. The more convinced he is of his own transcendent artistry, the more spectacular it will be when reality sets in. Get it on tape and it just might be the next viral video on YouTube.
A very key note, it seemed you were upset you couldn't use your abilities for stealth-type hooks. Firstly, Timlagor is correct. Any types of "sneaky" type spells are usually lvls 1-3 (or use a divination spell, and you won't even have to be physically close to the challenge normally). Thats easily obtainable. Secondly, wildshape is a supernatural ability and isn't prone to any kind of magical detection. So really, eavesdropping as a bird or mouse wouldn't trigger any kind of alarm at all.
In any situation where you are going to cast a storm of vengeance or lightning bolt against another druid/wizard/etc, it doesn't seem like it would matter anyways as far as the "magic police" go. And if that IS an issue, any enemies have to consider it as well. What's good for the goose is good for the gander, as they say.
Referring to your party as "noobs" does imply that you think of them as inferior gamers, and that (as a few others have stated) you are trying to be the cream of the crop instead of having fun as a group. I hope this is not the case...
As is known on the char-op boards, it requires more skill to optimize within set rules rather than just say "My DM sucks-- new game!!". Try to be objective and not get hot headed, and make a character that will shine within his setting!
PS. If he is using homebrew rules, why can't you? Ask if you can create a feat that might help mask the "rippling" of casting spells...
and these semi psionic god horses that move faster than a train are the only sentient species
I'm guessing there's a typo or a misused word in there, but I'm not sure what it's supposed to be.
We understand.
What's A Player To Do? Folding Chair Squadron Alpha, please report to debriefing room. This is not a drill. Prep folding chairs ASAP and get ready to move out.
I thought this was closer to a hammergun scenario. Or are you reacting solely to the OP's name?