My alternative Druid (cloistered cleric variant)

[Greg K]

This is an alternative druid class for my campaign. It is inspired by the AD&D 2e Celts, GURPS Celtic Myth, and Avalon (AEG). (Note: This was originally posted in another thread asking for an alternative to the Druid's Shapechange. It was also posted on Andy Collins' discussion board).

The druid is a variant of the cloistered cleric (Unearthed Arcana). Among, various northern "barbarian tribes or clans", the druids are priests tending to the religious needs of their people and interpreting the will of the gods. In addition, to their roles as religoius leaders, druids often serve as judge, scholar, teacher and diplomat. Their initial training is similar to bards in that they learn the history and lore of their people through song, poetry, and music. However, unlike the bard, the druid chooses to undergo an ordeal and complete his training as a priest.

The druid is a cloistered cleric (Unearthed Arcana) with the following changes:

1) The Cloistered Cleric's Knowledge Domain is replaced with the Divination Domain (3.0)/Oracle Domain (3.5)

2) The other two domains are Charm and Illusion

3) The Druid Spell list is used in place of the cleric spell list

4) replace the Cloistered Cleric's additional spells with the following:1) Bless, Command, Divine Favor, 2) Aid; 3) Bestow Curse, Prayer, major illusion, remove curse, tongues; 4) Discern Lies; 5)Greater Command; Mark of Justice; 6) permanent illusion, programmed illusion

5) The following are additional druid class skills: Decipher Script, Knowledge (arcana, history, religion); Perform (oratory, sing, string instrument); sense motive

 

[Khaalis]

I dont have UA in front of me to look at the specifics of the cloistered cleric, but from what you list, it seems like a well thought out Druid and does carry the ideal of the Celtic concept, although I dont understand the Illusion aspect. Where does this come from?

 

[Greg K]

In Gurps Celtic Myth, the druid spells include illusions. I also seem to recall that the 2e Celts book also mentioned about druids casting illusions, but I do not currently have access to the book. In addition, several web sites mentioned that Celtic legends are full of druids casting illusions.

One possibility that I had considered was calling the class ovate or ollave and removing the illusion domain and replacing it with healing. The True Druid, representing the highest ranking of the Druid order would then have been a prestige class whose prerequisites would include the ability the ability to cast both divine spells from this class and arcane spells ( illusion). Additionally, one could not seek membership to become a True Druid, but would have to be invited after providing them with a great insight or piece of knowledge.
However, for simplicity, I decided to have one class and it give it the the illusion domain. I could have just as easily given the class the healing domain and added the illusion domain spells to the spell list, but using the illusion domain seemed closer to the spirt of the DND rules.

 

[Wizzy]

2) The other two domains are Charm and Illusion

What do you mean with other two domains?

The cloystered cleric only receives the knowledge domain at level 1, right?
Or am I wrong?

 

[Greg K]

What do you mean with other two domains?

The cloystered cleric only receives the knowledge domain at level 1, right?
Or am I wrong?

The cloistered cleric receives the knowledge domain as a bonus domain in addition to the two regular domains for being a cleric. So the druids three domains are set as Divination (3.0)/Oracle (3.5) as the bonus + charm and illusion as the other two domains.

 

[Greg K]

oops double post.

 

[Greg K]

oops. triple post

 

[Wizzy]

The cloistered cleric receives the knowledge domain as a bonus domain in addition to the two regular domains for being a cleric. So the druids three domains are set as Divination (3.0)/Oracle (3.5) as the bonus + charm and illusion as the other two domains.

Okay!
Thank you

 

[handforged]

I like it. I don't see any balance issues. Divination and Illusion spells can be the most powerful in the game when used wisely (the only way a druid would use them). I don't think that it is a problem with the class, just a comment.

~hf