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Auzoros
Seeker
Australia
97 Posts |
 Posted - 22 Jul 2009 : 16:27:36
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I am currently converting a past character of mine from 2e to 3.5e who was a wizard/druid who worshiped Mystra. Not much thought was put into the character as to how or why this character went from druidhood to wizardry so I thought I would throw the idea out to people for ideas. Maybe someone has had experience with a character of a similar class path.
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Edited by - Auzoros on 22 Jul 2009 17:01:32
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36906 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2009 : 16:33:43
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| Maybe he got irked at a wizard, and decided to beat said wizard at his own game? Maybe he fell in love with and wanted to impress a lady wizard? Maybe a chance encounter with Elsura Dauniir (a lady mage who turns into a cat and hangs out in the woods) inspired him to learn magic? Maybe he saw a wizard do something very impressive to someone despoiling the woods, and decided he'd like to be able to do the same? |
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Auzoros
Seeker
Australia
97 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2009 : 17:04:58
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Maybe he got irked at a wizard, and decided to beat said wizard at his own game? Maybe he fell in love with and wanted to impress a lady wizard? Maybe a chance encounter with Elsura Dauniir (a lady mage who turns into a cat and hangs out in the woods) inspired him to learn magic? Maybe he saw a wizard do something very impressive to someone despoiling the woods, and decided he'd like to be able to do the same?
I don't mind that last suggestion Wooly |
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Knight of the Gate
Senior Scribe
USA
624 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2009 : 22:34:48
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I have always thought of droods as more in line with their historical forebears: Druids are, IMO, most concerned with (and gain their power from having) a deep understanding of the underpinnings of reality- thus their orientation towards the elements, and the facility they have with Nature.
However, if we take the concept of a world like Toril seriously, we have to accept that magic is one of those elemental forces.
To me, at least, there's nothing more natural than for a druid to dabble in wizardry. |
How can life be so bountiful, providing such sublime rewards for mediocrity? -Umberto Ecco |
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Teneck
Learned Scribe
USA
133 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2009 : 22:42:48
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quote:
Originally posted by Mark o Bello
I am currently converting a past character of mine from 2e to 3.5e who was a wizard/druid who worshiped Mystra. Not much thought was put into the character as to how or why this character went from druidhood to wizardry so I thought I would throw the idea out to people for ideas. Maybe someone has had experience with a character of a similar class path.
So did he actually give up druid or is he still practicing?
If he gave it up there could be any number of reasons why (loss of faith in former druid deiety for one...thus Mystra is his god now)
Or if he is still a druid it can still work as well...not much give and take with the character sheet or stats for armor or weapons. And as always a backstory is just imagination and your DM's approval.
I have seen a lot of strange combos...expecially lately...Ask Eric Scott De Bie about his Rogue/ Paladin/ Shadowbane inquisitor build. It sounds improbable but it works...and works well. |
"Go ahead...Sleep in the church...the vampires can't get ya in the church" Any DM...any time.
"He's like a trained ape...without the training"
Simon after Jane trashed the Med lab |
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Jakk
Great Reader
Canada
2165 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2009 : 00:49:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Knight of the Gate
I have always thought of droods as more in line with their historical forebears: Druids are, IMO, most concerned with (and gain their power from having) a deep understanding of the underpinnings of reality- thus their orientation towards the elements, and the facility they have with Nature.
However, if we take the concept of a world like Toril seriously, we have to accept that magic is one of those elemental forces.
To me, at least, there's nothing more natural than for a druid to dabble in wizardry.
I would have to agree with KotG on this one. If you were to do an "accurate" (whatever that means in this case) 3.5 statting of Merlin, I would recommend druid / sorcerer / mystic theurge, or (if using gestalt characters from UA) gestalt druid / sorcerer. I say "sorcerer" rather than "wizard" simply because nowhere in any version of the Arthurian legends do we see him referencing a spellbook, and sorcerer just seems like a more compatible class for druids, whose culture (at least IRL) was based on a non-literate oral tradition for much of its existence. Just my thoughts on the matter. |
Playing in the Realms since the Old Grey Box (1987)... and *still* having fun with material published before 2008, despite the NDA'd lore.
If it's comparable in power with non-magical abilities, it's not magic. |
Edited by - Jakk on 23 Jul 2009 00:51:54 |
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Arion Elenim
Senior Scribe
933 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2009 : 01:58:10
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One could argue that because the Weave is (or was, I guess  ) as much a part of nature on Faerun as fire or storms or oceans or anything else really, a wizard/druid played properly would make as much sense as a druid serving an elemental power. |
My latest Realms-based short story, about a bard, a paladin of Lathander and the letter of the law, Debts Repaid. It takes place before the "shattering" and gives the bard Arion a last gasp before he plunges into the present.http://candlekeep.com/campaign/logs/log-debts.htm |
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Auzoros
Seeker
Australia
97 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2009 : 09:35:10
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These replies have been most insightful. Knight of the Gate and Arion make a very good point of magic/the Weave as being a fundamental element in the FR. I can image that Mystra would answer the prayers/devotions of a nature loving mage and grant such a character his druid spells without any problem. So to answer Teneck's question, yes this character is still practicing, at least in the sense that he maintains his druidic devotions, if not advancing in the class.
Jakk I must thank you because I think it may have been UA's Merlin that inspired this character in the first place, and I do recall now that entry. Gee its been almost 15 years! If I remember correctly I think Merlin was a Druid 15/Wizard 17 or somewhere close.
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Edited by - Auzoros on 23 Jul 2009 16:20:01 |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2009 : 16:01:26
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I like KotG's take as well - Wizards make the best Elementalists (aside, perhaps, from Sha'ir), and the the Elements are the 'under-pinnings' of Reality - the very stuff all life stems from (according to medieval beliefs, life itself stems from a combination of the basic four in harmonious balance, hence the 'Fifth Element').
Also, if you are heading for Hierophant (which I assume you are), then that could be the goal itself... although you need to 'fluffify' it. You could say their is an ancient, secret area of Druidic knowledge that requires some Arcane schooling; ergo, the Wizard levels were just a means to an end.
The other thing - which may afford more fun RP opportunities - is that your Druid is just a little 'nuts'. Maybe he loves nature, but has decided that certain creatures could use some 'tweaks' to make them 'better'. He has gone an studied Arcane Magic with the hopes of being able to alter creatures, making them more powerful (and therefore better-able to protect themselves and their environment).
That last one is border-line heresy right there - Druids are not supposed to really manipulate nature, so much as gaurd it... but thats what makes that particular path so much fun. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 23 Jul 2009 16:02:39 |
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Teneck
Learned Scribe
USA
133 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2009 : 16:09:35
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
SNIP
The other thing - which may afford more fun RP opportunities - is that your Druid is just a little 'nuts'. Maybe he loves nature, but has decided that certain creatures could use some 'tweaks' to make them 'better'. He has gone an studied Arcane Magic with the hopes of being able to alter creatures, making them more powerful (and therefore better-able to protect themselves and their environment).
That last one is border-line heresy right there - Druids are not supposed to really manipulate nature, so much as gaurd it... but thats what makes that particular path so much fun.
Oh yeah...I like that one...just may have to steal that concept for an NPC. Too many insanity and madness rules out there to not use 'em. |
"Go ahead...Sleep in the church...the vampires can't get ya in the church" Any DM...any time.
"He's like a trained ape...without the training"
Simon after Jane trashed the Med lab |
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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2009 : 16:30:15
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I thought up a story (yet to be written) about a boy raised among druids in order to hide him from his necromancer parents (who he was always told were good, close-to-the-forest people who were *killed* by necromancers, not the other way around). He grows up to revere nature and goodness and tranquility, but as he grows older, he begins to manifest arcane powers in response to stress, particularly when he is frustrated or angry (as most teenage boys get for a variety of reasons). And even as arcane magic repulses him, he feels a strange fascination for it (particularly the dark arts) and he's obviously very good at it. So against the best advice of his guardians, he studies it in secret, trying to gain power to find out about his parents' murder, that he might avenge them. Eventually, the truth comes out, and everything goes to hell . . . You get the idea.
Think Harry Potter, but with Voldemort as his real father and raised by Haggred.
Cheers
P.S. Mechanically, I would definitely recommend druid/sorcerer over druid/wizard, if only because Charisma does more things for a druid than Intelligence does . . . but you might like the increased versatility of a wizard's spell selection. Consider taking mostly offensive sorcerer spells, and using druid magic for healing and defense.
Mystic theurge is a good option, though there is a PrC in Races of the Wild (?) that is built to be a druid/wizard or druid/sorcerer mix. Forgot the name at the moment. As I recall, their big schtick was channeling spells through plants. Check it out.
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Erik Scott de Bie
'Tis easier to destroy than to create.
Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars" |
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Teneck
Learned Scribe
USA
133 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2009 : 16:53:44
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quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
Snip
As I recall, their big schtick was channeling spells through plants. Check it out.
OOOO...Shambling Mound as a familiar delivering touch spells |
"Go ahead...Sleep in the church...the vampires can't get ya in the church" Any DM...any time.
"He's like a trained ape...without the training"
Simon after Jane trashed the Med lab |
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Teneck
Learned Scribe
USA
133 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2009 : 16:57:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
I thought up a story (yet to be written) about a boy raised among druids in order to hide him from his necromancer parents (who he was always told were good, close-to-the-forest people who were *killed* by necromancers, not the other way around).
HEY !!!...No distractions for you until you crank out another Shadowbane story there Mister |
"Go ahead...Sleep in the church...the vampires can't get ya in the church" Any DM...any time.
"He's like a trained ape...without the training"
Simon after Jane trashed the Med lab |
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Auzoros
Seeker
Australia
97 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2009 : 17:04:52
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quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
I thought up a story (yet to be written) about a boy raised among druids in order to hide him from his necromancer parents (who he was always told were good, close-to-the-forest people who were *killed* by necromancers, not the other way around). He grows up to revere nature and goodness and tranquility, but as he grows older, he begins to manifest arcane powers in response to stress, particularly when he is frustrated or angry (as most teenage boys get for a variety of reasons). And even as arcane magic repulses him, he feels a strange fascination for it (particularly the dark arts) and he's obviously very good at it. So against the best advice of his guardians, he studies it in secret, trying to gain power to find out about his parents' murder, that he might avenge them. Eventually, the truth comes out, and everything goes to hell . . . You get the idea.
Think Harry Potter, but with Voldemort as his real father and raised by Haggred.
Cheers
Awesome! I love that background story! As the character I'm converting is NG alignment I would have to tweak the story to minus the 'dark side' but my mind is in overdrive with ideas now.
Cheers to you sir! |
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Auzoros
Seeker
Australia
97 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2009 : 17:09:04
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quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
Mystic theurge is a good option, though there is a PrC in Races of the Wild (?) that is built to be a druid/wizard or druid/sorcerer mix. Forgot the name at the moment. As I recall, their big schtick was channeling spells through plants. Check it out.
I don't have the book, but would that be the Arcane Hierophant? |
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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jul 2009 : 03:18:23
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quote:
Originally posted by Mark o Bello
I don't have the book, but would that be the Arcane Hierophant?
That sounds right . . . and maybe you don't have to nix the dark background--just have the character constantly struggle against doing taking the "quick and easy path," as it were.
But let it go with your taste!
Cheers |
Erik Scott de Bie
'Tis easier to destroy than to create.
Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars" |
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bladeinAmn
Learned Scribe
199 Posts |
Posted - 25 Sep 2009 : 20:52:49
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Alot of great roleplaying ideas here, but no one has yet discussed the idea that was at the forefront of my mind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSEaHyzbqTA&feature=related
Judging by this earthly example and numerous examples in the Baldur's Gate for PC series, druids can be very emotionally manipulative, self-serving, and antagonistic.
Perhaps a young druid PC grew up in such a druidic enclave, where he/she was the continual victim of such manipulations and mechanations, and thus eventually came to the realization that the powers-that-be are using their "authority" as druids for abuses of power, and selfish, petty, and spiteful score-settling.
Thus PC, still loving nature, leaves the enclave, and as others here have detailed, found how the Weave is an element much like the traditional natural elements, and wants to discover more of it, unto developing wizard levels in his/her multi-class. |
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Wenin
Senior Scribe
585 Posts |
Posted - 25 Sep 2009 : 22:55:19
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That video is awesome, as it does present a very vivid image of an extremist druid enclave.
I love it and distain it at the same time.
Twisted |
Session Reports posted at RPG Geek.
Stem the Tide Takes place in Mistledale.
Dark Curtains - Takes place in the Savage North, starting in Nesmé. I wrapped my campaign into the Hoard of the Dragon Queen, but it takes place in 1372 DR. |
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bladeinAmn
Learned Scribe
199 Posts |
Posted - 26 Sep 2009 : 05:41:48
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I know it's hilarious and disturbing at the same time, eh?
My take on the video is that they do an "act" to pull at the heartstrings of those that are fed up w/mainstream society, but have nowhere else to go, and have nothing else they know to do to get their aggression out. They then mold them in their "act" image, and can thus manipulate money from them whenever they please. (And I feel like I'm also talking about the evangelistic church I frequented when I was younger!)
It seems that the creators of the Baldur's Gate for PC series drew from some real-world inspirations, for the development of some of their druid NPC's found throughout the series.
And as it relates to us on this board, its for us to be wise in our real lives, and have inspiration for our AD&D stories that'd not only entertain us and those at our respective tables, but also enrich us for the better. |
Edited by - bladeinAmn on 26 Sep 2009 05:46:55 |
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Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2009 : 10:16:36
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| I don't really picture druid extremists like that, the crying of these hippies appears fake and not from the heart. |
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bladeinAmn
Learned Scribe
199 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2009 : 20:02:38
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Absolutely Quale.
I picture druid extremists as the 2e Shadow Druids.
But I picture manipulative druids---those seeking to prey on others for their own selfish indulgences---as those in the video.
And I think both storylines of druid extremists and manipulative druids are great storyline backdrops for a druid who then began to dabble into the arcane arts, eh? |
Edited by - bladeinAmn on 28 Sep 2009 20:02:59 |
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Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2009 : 20:24:42
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| Indeed, manipulative druids, ''new age'' gurus and all that. Just doubt they'd gain nature-related powers, probably something akin to the defilers of Athas. |
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bladeinAmn
Learned Scribe
199 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2009 : 07:12:29
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Oh I failed to think of that Quale!
I feel you're right that if a druid had a manipulative disposition, and was a servant of Chauntea or another good-aligned nature deity, then I don't believe that druid would gain nature-related spells. At least not impactful ones (or if they did, these spells that'd be normally available to a good druid, would also be available to the manipulator, for a specific purpose in the same vein as a 'quest' spell, and the power would be gone once the said quest is over).
Hmmm....Well the Shadow Druids are mostly an evil aligned group, and they gain nature spells the same as neutral and good druids. Perhaps spells would still be easily granted by a neutral nature deity such as Silvanus.
I think a manipulative druid would be easily granted spells if the said druid was in the service of an evil nature deity like Talos or Malar.
It's very valid point you brought up, and one worth exploring. |
Edited by - bladeinAmn on 29 Sep 2009 07:14:05 |
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Neil Bishop
Learned Scribe
Singapore
100 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2009 : 15:54:12
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What about a druid who sees his forest despoiled by demons or other outsiders? I can imagine him turning to wizardry if that's the only way of shielding his charges from the depredations of extraplanar evil.
In my take on the Great Dale, I had the Nentyarch as a druid/wizard/some prestige class from Races of the Wild akin to mystic theurge for this reason. I also drew inspiration from the Gatekeeper druids of Eberron.
A 1st-level wizard can cast protection from evil and that alone is a huge aid in combat with evil outsiders and something a druid cannot duplicate. |
Regards
NXB |
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Why would a druid become a wizard?
