d20 Bastion Press Druids & Druidism.pdf

Druids & Druidism

Table of Contents

Introduction ......................................... 2

Prestige Druids ................................... 3

Glacier Walker ........................................................ 3

Guardian of the Oasis ........................................... 5

Highlander ............................................................. 7

Lord of the Flies ...................................................... 8

Packleader ............................................................ 10

Pridemaster .......................................................... 11

Scourge of the Dead ............................................ 13

Waverider ............................................................ 15

Druid Feats ......................................... 17

Nature s Handiworks ......................... 21

Wood ..................................................................... 21

Leather .................................................................. 22

Armor .................................................................... 23

Nature’s Bounties ............................................... 24

Homeopaths ........................................................ 24

Herbs ..................................................................... 27

Poisons ................................................................. 30

Alkaloids .............................................................. 33

Nature’s Magic ................................ 36

Druid Spells ......................................................... 36

Ranger Spells ....................................................... 37

Druid Magic Items .............................................. 43

The Circle of Life .............................. 49

Creating the Circle .............................................. 50

The Druid Bond ............................... 64

Selecting a Companion ....................................... 64

Druids and Deities .............................................. 68

The Abandoned ................................................... 68

Reconciling with Nature .................................... 69

Artwork

Kevin Yancey

Designer

Thomas Knauss

Cover

Kevin Yancey

Editor

Jamie McGraw

Typesetter

John Gay

Creative Director

Jim Butler

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Introduction

Since the dawn of creation, sentient beings have

waged an endless struggle for survival against

nature’s awesome fury. Whether seeking shelter from

a violent storm or fleeing the virulent eruption of a

furious volcano, civilization remains at the apathetic

mercy of its surroundings. Although many live in fear

of nature’s terrible wrath, a small circle of individuals

embraces its mysterious and wondrous powers.

Rejecting the tenets of urban society, these intrepid

individuals commune with the natural world forming

a sacred pact between themselves and the land itself.

In an unusual symbiotic relationship, druids swear

their indomitable allegiance to nature in exchange

for unison with its inhabitants and divine magic.

Contrary to many popular fallacies, druids are not

passive, anti-social vegetarians accompanied by

scores of adoring animals and indulging in the

inhalation of hallucinogenic herbs and leaves. While

some of these perceptions undoubtedly possess at least

a moniker of truth, the notion is entirely skewed.

Druids are fervent in their defense of their sacred

wilderness, more than willing to physically combat

any unwelcome interloper. Most druids lead a more

solitary lifestyle than sedentary populations, yet

druids enjoy the company of their animal companions

and fellow druids. Despite the absence of throngs of

nearby humanoids, druids experience far less

alienation and loneliness than urban residents

immersed in a sea of humanity. Although druids

genuinely befriend their animal companions, they

continue to hunt other animals for food and

byproducts such as leather and bone. Finally, while

druids harvest numerous plants for a myriad of

medicinal and calmative purposes, they respect and

fear their potentially dangerous addictive properties.

Druids refrain from indulging in their usage solely

for personal pleasure or escape from reality. Instead,

druids are a close-knit brotherhood devoted to the

sanctimonious preservation of the wilderness and the

perpetuation of the natural order.

Despite their close interaction with the natural

world, druids maintain a semblance of neutrality in

accordance with nature’s grand design. Nature herself

is a passive observer, abstaining from interfering in

the affairs of sentient beings regardless of the

consequences. To druids, nature is a tangible living

entity, the mother and the wellspring of all life and

creation. Present before the inception of deities and

the discovery of arcane magic, nature remains timeless

and omnipotent, impervious to the machinations of

foolish beings attempting to supersede or dominate

its limitless power. Nature is more than a pristine

forest or an imposing mountaintop; it is the physical

manifestation of a celestial master plan invoked to

Introduction

govern the orderly function of the universe and all

living things. Time, space, life and death acquiesce to

its laws and rules, however notable exceptions exist.

The blight of the living dead, the power to bend space

by traveling great distances and the ability to stop

time all defy nature’s intentions. While such

transgressions are usually transitory and localized,

druids undertake the reparation of the natural world

as their sacred duty.

Fortunately, most challenges to the natural order

remain more mundane, but no less real. Civilization

continues to expand at an alarming rate, threatening

the sanctity and ecological viability of vast tracts of

primordial wilderness. Savage tribes of voracious

monsters and humanoids pillage the earth, ransacking

its bountiful resources and disrupting its delicately

balanced ecosystem. Nefarious wizards and clerics

seek refuge in its remote solitude to practice their

insidious and destructive magic. The proliferation of

undead creatures defiantly mocks the cycle of life,

providing an existence beyond the limitations

imposed by nature herself. Despite the perils and

obstacles, druids persevere and battle against these

unnatural forces in an effort to restore nature’s

harmonious balance. With the assistance of their

animal and plant allies, druids wage a tireless

campaign against these and other malevolent forces

bent on the shameless exploitation of the natural world

and its inhabitants.

As a result of these pervasive forces, Druids and

Druidism provides numerous powers and abilities to

combat these formidable adversaries. An eclectic

collection of divine spells and magic items

supplements the druid’s extensive magical arsenal.

Through their unique affinity with the natural world,

druids harness raw magical energy as a means of

mimicking, controlling and summoning nature’s

awesome power. Magic enables them to adopt the

physiological features of their animal companions

including the compound vision of an insect or the

bat’s use of sonar. They manipulate the powerful

current of a raging river or the torrential downpour of

a violent thunderstorm. When confronted by hordes

of their enemies, druids instantaneously mobilize

legions of animals and plants to their defense.

Druids utilize numerous natural materials to forge

an unprecedented quantity of weapons, armors, rings

and miscellaneous items. Their array of wooden and

bone weapons are more than a match for any steel or

iron counterpart, while expertly crafted and tailored

suits of leather and hide armor provide ample

protection against their enemies’ blows. Staffs

frequently complement their impressive spellcasting

abilities, while rings often increase their mastery over

the natural world. Additionally, druids also

manufacture a diverse variety of other magic items

including saddles, crowns, masks and belts.

Prestige Druids

Molded by years of experience and spurred by force

of will, some druids pursue a way of life vastly

different from their counterparts. Although they

maintain their core abilities and affinity for nature,

these characters embody specific traits and powers

attainable only through specialization in a particular

field. Some develop an affinity with a specific species

of animal, while others devote themselves to a

particular climate or terrain. Druids that follow these

paths achieve a synergy with nature that remains

completely alien to their traditional counterparts.

Regardless of their occasionally divergent ideologies,

these individuals remain integral parts of the druid

community.

Prestige Druids

However, magic is not the only tool at the druid’s

disposal. Their extensive knowledge of the natural

world allows them to concoct wondrous elixirs from

native plants as well as coax poison from venomous

animals. Countless hours of trial and error as well as

painstaking research enable druids to augment their

inherent abilities by mastering incredible feats of

physical and intellectual prowess. Some druids follow

this path of self-discovery to previously unattainable

heights, specializing in the manipulation and control

of their unique environment or climate.

Druids also depend on the capable assistance of

other sentient beings. Dedicated contingents of loyal

animal companions, ready to act at a moment’s notice,

accompany them throughout their travels. More

importantly, they rely on their fellow druids for

spiritual, moral, military and economic support by

forming a unique druidic society known as a circle.

This supplement describes the establishment,

leadership and daily activities of this important facet

in the druids’ life.

Part inquisitive student, part stalwart defender and

part diplomatic liaison, druids occupy a vital niche

in the ecosystem. While staunchly protecting the

unalienable rights of the natural world and its

inhabitants, druids frequently find themselves at the

center of an endless conflict between preservation and

progress. By tenaciously adhering to their principles

and ideals, druids maintain nature’s integrity and

strengthen their communion with the natural world

utilizing whatever means necessary.

Glacier Walker

Fierce, icy winds and bitter, numbing cold constantly

accompany the resilient druids of the arctic regions.

Swathed in bundles of thick fur and animal hide, the

enigmatic glacier walker roams his wintry landscape,

revering its wondrous marvels and incomparable

beauty. Nearly all glacier walkers spend countless

hours enhancing the aesthetic wonder of their

territory by creating magnificent ice sculptures and

totems of native animals. However, these mysterious

artistic creations also serve several more practical

purposes. They remind hunters and trappers to

respect the sanctity of the frozen wilderness as well

as warning poachers against plying their unsavory

business in the druid’s sacred land. Ice sculptures

also function as a means of communication between

fellow druids in the area. They alert other druids to

the presence of a specific animal in the immediate

vicinity and mark the boundaries of the druid’s

territory. Although seemingly territorial in nature,

glacier walkers are actually very cooperative and

primarily sedentary. A typical circle of glacier walkers

consists of anywhere between ten and twenty

individuals with an elder druid serving as the group’s

undisputed leader. The circle always gathers in a

secluded cavern within a ring of ice totems and

sculptures.

Because of their harsh and brutal environment,

glacier walkers engage in very little contact with the

civilized world. Glacier walkers consciously avoid

towns and cities, preferring to remain ignorant about

the virtues and vices of urban life. However, they

frequently interact with barbaric tribes in the region,

trading a variety of commodities with the nomadic

inhabitants of their territories. The two groups

generally coexist peacefully, not a surprising fact

considering that most glacier walkers began their

lives as members of a barbaric tribe.

Class Features

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Glacier walkers

gain no weapon or armor proficiencies.

Spells: Glacier walkers continue to receive new

spells as if they acquired another level in the

spellcasting class that they belonged to prior to

becoming a glacier walker. However, they do not

attain any other abilities gained from a level increase

from the spellcasting class. If the character had more

than one spellcasting class, the player decides which

spellcasting class receives the additional level for

purposes of determining his spells per day and spells

known. Furthermore, whenever a glacier walker casts

a spell inflicting cold damage, the spell deals an

additional point of damage equal to the character’s

glacier walker level.

Arctic Movement (Ex): Whenever the glacier

walker travels through arctic terrain, his movement

rate increases by ten feet per round. In addition,

magical cold effects that impede movement such as

the spell sleet storm do not affect glacier walkers. To

receive the benefits of this ability, the glacier walker

must be moving by means of his own locomotion (i.e.

a glacier walker riding a horse does not receive this

benefit). Furthermore, whenever a glacier walker

engages in melee with an opponent in arctic terrain,

he receives the Improved Trip feat regardless of

whether the character possesses the feat’s

prerequisites.

Cold Resistance (Ex): A glacier walker does not

suffer any ill effects from cold weather and must make

Fortitude checks every hour rather than every ten

minutes when subjected to extreme cold. The results

of failed checks remain unchanged. Glacier walkers

also receive a +2 competence bonus to all saving

throws against cold related effects such as a white

dragon’s breath weapon or cone of cold .

Humans are the most prevalent race among glacier

walkers with half-orcs a distant second. Because of

the inherent discipline essential for survival in this

extreme climate, most glacier walkers are lawful

neutral. Glacier walkers revere and cherish the animal

inhabitants of their frozen territory, however wolves,

lynxes, and polar bears are their most popular animal

companions. On the other hand, frost giants and white

dragons remain their most bitter enemies. Regardless

of the circumstances, glacier walkers attack these evil

beings on sight.

Hit die: d8

Requirements

To qualify as a glacier walker, a character must fulfill

the following criteria.

Base Fortitude Bonus: +4

Alignment: Any non-chaotic

Skills: Animal Empathy 5 ranks, Craft (sculpture)

4 ranks, Handle Animal 5 ranks, Knowledge (nature)

4 ranks, Wilderness Lore 4 ranks.

Feats: Great Fortitude

Class Skills

The glacier walker’s class skills (and the key ability

for each skill) are Animal Empathy (Cha), Balance

(Dex), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (any)

(Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Hide (Dex),

Intuit Direction (Wis), Jump (Str), Knowledge (nature)

(Int), Move Silently (Dex), Profession (any) (Int), Ride

(Dex), Spot (Wis), Tumble (Dex), and Wilderness Lore

(Wis).

Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.

Table 1.0: Glacier Walker

Base

Class

Attack

Fort

Reflex

Will

Level

Bonus

Save

Special

1 st

Spells, Cold Resistance, Arctic Movement

2 nd

Winter’s Enemies

3 rd

4 th

Chill Metal

5 th

6 th

Sleet Storm

7 th

8 th

Ice Storm

9 th

10th

Frozen Prison

instance, if the glacier walker has a modified Craft

(sculpture) skill check of +9 and rolls a “12”, the

difficulty class of the saving throw is 21. Once

finished, the sculpture retains its magical

properties for twenty-four hours regardless of the

temperature; however a glacier walker may not

possess more than one frozen prison at any time.

The glacier walker may hurl the icy prison at any

target within 50 feet, treating the attack as a ranged

touch attack. A successful hit deals 5d6 points of

cold damage with no saving throw allowed.

Furthermore, the sculpture’s frigid bars encapsulate

the victim unless he rolls a successful Fortitude

save. Failure completely immobilizes the victim for

a number of rounds equal to the difficulty class of

the saving throw. Success magically slows the victim

for an equal number of rounds. Note that victims

immune to cold damage are not immune to the

spell-like ability’s second effect.

Guardian of the Oasis

Punishing heat and whirling sand pummel the

weathered countenance of the nomadic guardians

of the oasis. To a beleaguered desert caravan, the

elusive glimpse of these reclusive figures is greeted

with unabated jubilation and delight, because a

refreshing spring of crystal clear water must be close

at hand. On the other hand, wary and suspicious

travelers view the mysterious nomads of the sand

in a completely different light. Their well-known

affiliation with the native serpents and scorpions

reinforces the unfounded belief that these bastions of

the dunes conspire with the forces of treachery and

evil. Regardless of their personal prejudices and

convictions, even their staunchest enemies grudgingly

admire the hardy defenders of the desert.

Guardians of the oasis dwell within an

environment largely alien to most other humanoid

races. While most desert civilizations flourish near

life giving rivers and lakes, the guardians wander the

remote recesses of its sandy dunes; stalwartly

protecting its nourishing springs from harm. Primarily

devoid of any societal structure or political hierarchy,

guardians often demonstrate an obstinate and fiercely

independent personality. Despite their lack of a formal

druidic society, guardians pledge nominal fealty to a

loosely affiliated council of elder druids charged with

the defense of a particular oasis. Most lead solitary

lives, although immediate threats to a sacred site

attract the attention of their fellow guardians.

Guardians carefully monitor the activities of passing

travelers and caravans, conducting active

surveillance to ensure that they do not exploit the

precious resources of the desert’s scarce oases. Some

desert travelers perceive the guardians’ wary attitude

toward strangers as covetous and selfish, but

Winter’s Enemies (Ex): Glacier walkers receive a

+4 dodge bonus against frost giants and white

dragons as well as a +1 competence bonus to attack

rolls against frost giants and white dragons. These

bonuses represent special techniques and battle

tactics shared among members of the druidic circle.

As always, if a glacier walker loses his positive

Dexterity bonus to armor class, he also loses his dodge

bonus.

Chill Metal (Sp): Once per day, a glacier walker

may produce an effect identical to that of the chill

metal spell cast by a druid of his glacier walker level.

Sleet Storm (Sp): Once per day, a glacier walker

may produce an effect identical to that of the sleet storm

spell cast by a druid of his glacier walker level.

Ice Storm (Sp): Once per day, a glacier walker

may produce an effect identical to that of the ice storm

spell cast by a druid of his glacier walker level.

Frozen Prison (Sp): Once per day, a glacier walker

may sculpt a magical frozen prison capable of

capturing an opponent up to one size category larger

than himself. Using his Craft (sculpture) skill, he

carves an ice sculpture of a spherical cage. Completing

the cage takes ten minutes, at which time the glacier

walker rolls a Craft (sculpture) check. (He cannot take

“10” or “20” on this check.) The modified skill check

determines the saving throw’s difficulty class. For

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