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Druid Roleplaying Notes

Druids are a particularly peculiar class when it comes to roleplaying. As a
force of nature, they are not as connected to the political and moral affairs of
the world of men. Instead, they quest to protect nature and her animals and keep
the world in balance. To them, an "evil" person who kills babies in their sleep
yet treats the world with respect is more likable than the holy paladin who cuts
down trees for his magnificent hunting lodge. It is not that they don't care
about men and women, but rather much more about the animals of the world. Of
course, the evil man who kills babies will most likely have many other bad
traits that go with him, which could involve killing baby animals - then the
druid would hate him more than the paladin.

Some druids even go as far as to meddle in the politics of the world to ensure
a balance between good an evil. For example, with the war between Caladon and
Sigil, either side winning would be seen as a loss, as the balance in the world
would be greatly upset should one kingdom defeat the other and gain control of
2/3s of the known world. Druids also have a liking towards Highport with its
policy of remaining in the aforementioned war. Those druids who believe in the
balance of the universe above everything else would even go as far as assisting
the death knights in their cause should they be losing the battle. In short,
druids do not want any side to get too much power and upset the nature balance
of the world.

Besides their views on the universe, druids are very in-tune with nature.
Battling some powerful druids can be frighting as the forest itself seems to
come alive and attack. Animals are the friends of druids, and it is rumored that
some of the more talented druids can speak to animals. The druid system is very
strict, where elders are treated with respect and initiates do whatever they are
told. Advancing in the hierarchy involves defeating the druid who holds the
position above you in a very complicated duel. The rules can vary but are always
decided beforehand - for example, some regulations can be no magic, only magic,
only fists, to the death, to a certain number of hitpoints, to a certain percent
of hitpoints, pet-duels, etc. The list is literally endless. Although this
hierarchy is not implemented in Abaddon, druids still follow a strict "respect
your elders" code.

Druids are generally a confusing bunch to roleplay. Some might accuse them of
having shifty morals, though they are generally quite devout and loyal. They
shun society and do not like spending much time in cities - in fact, druids
seperated from their forests are often known to go insane. They much prefer
solitude, sometimes even from the members of their own order, many living in
hermitage most of their lives.

