Ceremony - Druid

(See also: Ceremony)

The druidic ceremony is similar to the priest version, having a number of applications within the hierarchy of druids. The ceremony spell does not leave behind an aura of magic (although a know alignment spell or similar magic might reveal the force of true neutrality involved), and the effect cannot be dispelled. Druidic ceremonies include the following, which can be performed by a druid of the indicated or higher level:

1st level druid: | coming of age, rest eternal, marriage ------------------+-------------------------------------- 3rd level druid: | dedication, investiture 7th level druid: | initiation, special vows 9th level druid: | hallowed ground 12th level druid: | cast out

The characteristics of the various types of druidic ceremony spells are as follows:

Coming of age is performed upon young people in druidic societies, usually when they reach the age of 14, and is symbolic of the young man's or young woman's entrance into adulthood. A young person receives a +1 bonus to any single saving throw, which can be taken at any time after the coming of age ceremony is completed. The coming of age ceremony has a symbolic significance in that the adolescent can thereafter enjoy the rights and privileges of adulthood.

Rest eternal is performed upon the body of a deceased creature, and hastens the journey of the soul/spirit to its final resting place. The spirit of the deceased will not return to haunt the living

Marriage is essentially identical to the clerical ceremony of the same name.

Dedication allows the recipient of the spell to be taken into the ranks of the druid's followers/worshipers, provided the individual has a neutral alignment. A recipient of this spell is charged, as are druids, with the responsibility to preserve and protect nature and the balance of forces in the world.

Investiture must be performed upon an individual of true neutral alignment before he or she can become a 1st level druid).

Initiation imbues the druid with the shape-changing and immunity to woodland charm powers that become available upon attaining 7th level. This ceremony must be performed upon a druid immediately after he or she begins to advance upward through the 7th level of experience; if cast earlier than this, it does not work, and the druid does not have the benefit of the above-mentioned special powers until receiving initiation. Usually, a druid must seek out another druid of 7th or higher level to perform the ceremony, but in unusual cases a druid can cast it upon himself or herself.

Special vows is a ceremony that operates in the same fashion as the clerical rite of the same name. It does not work upon paladins, but will function upon cavaliers of any alignment.

Hallowed ground is cast by the druid on his or her permanent grove. This ceremony ensorcelled the trees of the grove so that they will never be affected by disease or other natural disasters. The ground remains hallowed for as long as the druid maintains this grove as his or her permanent base.

Cast out is a form of excommunication or punishment that can be performed by a druid upon someone who has committed sacrilege upon the natural environment or in some other way violated the principles and standards of druids. Its effects can be lessened at a later date by the casting of a reversed version of this ceremony, either by the same druid another one of at least as high a level as the original caster, but the casting out can never be completely neutralized except by a Hierophant Druid of any level. An individual who has been cast out exudes a powerful negative aura, causing any natural creature encountered to react negatively to the individual. This includes all normal (nonmagical) animals, monsters native to the woodlands, domesticated beasts such as horses and dogs, and all druids and their followers.

Casting out is a very powerful form of punishment, and can only be performed by a druid who has received permission from his or her Arch druid to do so. Similarly, an Arch druid must get permission from the Great Druid, and the Great Druid from the Grand Druid. The Grand Druid does not need to obtain permission, but his or her actions can be reversed by a Hierophant Druid at any time. This ceremony is usually only used on occasions where the severity of an offense warrants such extreme punishment; a druid who asks for and is denied permission to perform it, or one who later has his or her actions offset by another druid, may be subject to punishment by higher-ranking members of the hierarchy. An intended recipient of this ceremony who is unwilling receives a saving throw vs. spell, at -4, to negate its effects.

The components of a ceremony spell always include mistletoe, and the rite (of any sort) must be performed in a druid grove or some other natural, healthy patch of forest. Such ceremonies are normally conducted at either dawn or dusk, the times when night and day are in balance.