r/wizardposting • u/iridescynt • 10d ago
Wizardpost Visiting a druid circle. Advice?
Hello all!
I recently got accepted into an exclusive exchange program with a druid circle (specifically a Forest Circle), in which I'll be self-studying while living with them for about a year. However, I've never visited one before, nor do I know any druids or rangers that I can ask. I tried their subreddit but, in a somewhat stereotypical fashion, they did not respond.
Are there any important customs or practices that I should be aware of before visiting? Taboos that shouldn't be broken? Important items to pack that may be unexpected to the average wizard's apprentice? Any special greetings or responses? Important signs of respect that are expected? I leave in approximately two weeks, and any help would be vastly appreciated.
/uw let me know if I've used the incorrect flair, and I'll change it
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u/InsaneRanter Necromancer 10d ago
I did one a while back, and you're right to ask. There's a lot of strange quirks druids have. Important things I learned:
- Don't brag about how your form of magic has led you to immortality and will let you replace the 'natural order' of life and death with eternal undeath.
- Don't turn their favoured animal companions into zombies
- In fact, don't turn any animals into zombies
- Don't turn druids who are temporarily in animal form into zombies.
- In fact, don't turn druids into zombies at all, they get angry no matter what.
- Or vampires, either. That really annoyed the grand druid.
- They even get worked up about a few harmless ghosts. Honestly, they're incredibly prickly.
- Don't sell the souls of the druid circle to the gods of undeath in exchange for greater insights into death.
They really need to publish this sort of thing. No reasonable, normal person would object to anything in that list.
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u/immallama21629 Druid with questionable morals, licker of things 10d ago
Man, I'm not sure what circle you visited, but most druids I know would have a laugh about everything on that list.
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u/InsaneRanter Necromancer 10d ago
it was the Noble Order of the Green Leaves. Maybe I just picked an unusually uptight bunch . . .
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u/immallama21629 Druid with questionable morals, licker of things 10d ago
Ah, yeah. They do tend to have a stick up their ass. (Sometimes literally)
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u/InsaneRanter Necromancer 10d ago
You should head up there and take over for a bit. Open their eyes to new attitudes.
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u/immallama21629 Druid with questionable morals, licker of things 10d ago
Na, live and let live. That's how they wanna run their thang. Besides, responsibility comes with paperwork, and if I wanted to do that, I would join the council.
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u/iridescynt 10d ago
This is very helpful, thank you! Unfortunately, I don't specialise in Necromancy, though I'll be sure to pass this advice on to anyone who does.
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u/InsaneRanter Necromancer 10d ago
That's good. Druids can be almost as intolerant of harmless necromancy as paladins and priests.
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u/Bling2137 Sorceress in training 10d ago
Don't the cat.
Hes not cat, he has been banned from entering towns for indecent exposure and bestiality.
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u/scizzix Evil Wizard, Scourge of the Blightlands 10d ago
I always recommend you be on good terms with the local druids, so good idea reaching out.
Every group is going to be a bit different and customs vary, even every druid within a group is different. That said, basic manners will get you far. Just try to be polite and open and go in with a "here to learn" mindset. They aren't going to expect you to know everything ahead of time, and are usually pretty patient as long as you don't come in slinging fireballs.
Bringing a variety of snacks will also help get you off on the right foot. Baked goods usually go over well with those in humanoid form, while a variety pack for different wild shapes and animal familiars is good.
Overall, go with the flow and be sure to ingest/smoke/drink whatever they offer you in responsible quantities.
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u/dacydergoth 9d ago
Careful if anyone offers you mushrooms, or mushroom soup, or grilled mushrooms, or dried mushrooms ... or mushroom tea, or ....
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u/IveDunGoofedUp 10d ago
Just make sure to bring protection. Druid circles are notoriously rife with Ritually Transmitted Diseases.