Druids
Overview
The Ouralan Druids are a constellation of loosely allied guilds and circles that span the verdant realm of Sylvaraeth, bound by a single, unshakable truth: Nature is sacred, and balance must be maintained. Though independently governed, these guilds share seasonal rites, oaths of stewardship, and an ancestral link to Ouraleth, the Verdant Maw, the Primordial believed to embody the spirit of growth, life, and decay.
Their name comes from Ouraleth and her mythical gift of the Rootsong, a secret rhythm of the earth known only to those who walk with the trees and speak in leaves. Some Druids are mystics, others are wardens, herbalists, shamans, or even militant defenders of sacred groves. What unites them is not doctrine, but communion with the wild.
Timeline of the Ouralan Druids
| Year AR | Event |
|---|---|
| 463 AR | First Great Conclave of Roots: Druidic circles across Sylvaraeth meet under Caethoril to form the first Rootbond Oath, formalizing shared goals and ecological protections. |
| 474 AR | Formation of the Rootborn Conclave: A druidic guild with direct ties to the Sylvari Council is established to mediate the intersection between natural preservation and economic necessity. |
| 512 AR | Verdant Accord signed: Limits are placed on timber harvesting, crystal mining, and alchemical harvesting, monitored by Druid-appointed wardens. |
| 533 AR | Crimson Bloom Uprising: A rogue sect of druids (later known as the Thornspire Kin) rebels against the Rootborn’s compromises, sabotaging a trade route. This event prompts more formal integration with the Sylvari Council. |
| 551 AR | The Blooming Plague: A fungal blight affects half of Glimmerfen. A coalition of druids across orders and disciplines creates the Mycorial Circle, blending science and druidcraft. |
| 592 AR | Ouraleth’s Call: A sudden surge of overgrowth in Thalor’Nai occurs, with wild spirits appearing unbidden. Druidic augurs declare it a warning, and the Worldroot Codex is rewritten to prevent overchanneling life force magic. |
| 603 AR | Treaty of Veilshade: Grants non-druid Espers limited access to forest paths and ley-spring sites, provided they are accompanied by sanctioned wardens. |
| 670 AR | Whispering Seedling Pact: A magical pact is brokered between the Ouralan Druids and the Rootborn Conclave to allow shared relic-guardianship and crystal monitoring. |
| 815 AR | Present Day: Whispers from memory trees suggest that the “roots are sick with fire”—Druidic groves are plagued by Vulkari activity in the south. |
Organization and Politics
Though not centralized, the Druids operate in groves, circles, or lodges, each with its own rites and spiritual focus. The Rootborn Conclave, however, acts as a bridge between the wilds and the seat of power in the Sylvari Council. It ensures that trade (like sylvan herbs, wildcrystals, and bioluminescent flora) remains sustainable and ethical.
Relationship with the Sylvari Council
- The Sylvari Council views the Druids with both reverence and frustration. They are respected advisors but not always obedient agents.
- Council members often appoint Rootborn liaisons to druidic circles, but the Ouralans insist on counsel, not command.
- In moments of crisis, Druids may invoke the Caethoril Covenant, compelling the Council to defer to nature-based wisdom above political interests.
Beliefs and Practices
- The Threefold Balance: Growth, Decay, and Renewal—these are the pillars of the world’s cycle.
- Memory Trees: Ancient flora imbued with ancestral recollection, often serving as archives.
- Seasonal Rites: Each circle marks equinoxes and solstices with rituals that reinforce their pact with the land.
- Soulbinding: The rare practice of merging with a spirit-beast or tree-entity to gain insight or power—seen as sacred and dangerous.
Notable Relics
- The Thorn-Circlet of Virelath — Grown from the first blooded grove, this living crown binds to the head of a chosen Druid and whispers truths of the forest. Grants communion with lesser plant spirits.
- The Barkscript Tablet —An ever-growing slab of living bark inscribed with historical decisions, prophecies, and leyline shifts. Scribes must prune and regrow its pages carefully.
- Caethoril’s Breath — A sealed vial of air collected from the topmost bough of the Worldtree. Used to calm storms or spread a healing mist over a corrupted glade.
- Greenbone Shards — Remnants of a sacred beast slain during the War of Sundering Flame. Said to stir in the presence of unnatural fire.
Factions of Interest
- Thornspire Kin: A radical druidic sect that views civilization itself as an infestation. Believed destroyed, but rumors suggest they are returning, angry and emboldened by forest sickness.
- The Mycorial Circle: Scientific-minded herbalists and fungus-weavers. They operate near Glimmerfen, often experimenting with hybrid flora and spore-based medicines.
- Veilbark Sentinels: A militant circle that patrols the borders of Brambleford and Oural’s Reach, trained to repel intruders and preserve leyline sanctity.
