Deepwoods Druidism

**Deepwoods Druidism** (also known as **Wood Elf Druidism**) is a form of magical education commonly found within the Deepwoods and Escann. While many cultures across Halann have some form of Druidism, Deepwoods Druidism is unique in its tradition originating from the same material as Magist Schools. Mages who were educated in this style and practice it are known as druids.

## Organization

Deepwoods Druidism is amongst the more decentralized magical education systems in Halann. Institutions of learning take the form of self organizing “druidic circles” with a complete absence of any central ruling body. Instead, circles typically find sister circles to intermittently intermingle and exchange ideas with.

Due to this uniquely grassroots organization, each circle varies in how and what it teaches. One circle in the Deepwoods may focus on leveraging raw fey magic while others in Escann may follow more traditional arcane magical practices. That said, all circles focus nearly exclusively on magic that are typically classified to Magists as a part of the Schools of Illusion and Transmutation.

## History

Deepwoods Druidism first stemmed from the handful of mages accompanying Moon Elven troops when they crossed the Verdant Veil in 1017. Trapped for a thousand years, these mages and their descendants attempted to keep magical traditions alive by persevering what limited knowledge they had by ways of records and compendiums. However, these few mages lacked the means and resources to create a formal system of education. And, as the Moon Elves and their descendants, the Wood Elves, began to spread and fragment across the Deepwoods, what few standards these tomes held found themselves replaced by localized and individualized teachings.

This, combined with the long term elven exposure to the Feyrealm, would solidify Deepwoods Druidism’s deviation from Magist schools of thought. As Moon Elves became Wood Elves, mages began to see a decline in forms of magic that did not leverage the Feyrealm’s natural energy. In response, Wood Elven mages became more reclusive, leaving behind clan villages to seek out ideal nexuses within the Deepwoods to practice and hone their magic, often only returning to provide intermittent care to the sick and needy or some other service to the locals.

At some similar point, the practice of bringing children with magical aptitude these mages, now known as druids, came to be. Under the guidance of these hermetic druids, these youth would be trained to control their magic ability and continue the limited magical traditions within Wood Elven society.

With these practices set, Deepwoods Druidism would see little change for centuries. It was only after the fall of Verdant Veil in 1443 that these old ways would slowly get chipped away. Indeed, it would take nearly a hundred and fifty years before modern Deepwoods Druidism would truly take shape.

During this time, two forces would reform Deepwoods Druidism. The first was the increasing exposure and exchange with Escanni mages. The first Wood Elven diaspora and Corintari aid during the Emeraldtide would result in many druids fighting with, bonding with and learning from Escanni mages. These new understandings in learning and teaching magic would cause a shift in druidic upbringing and deeply influence up and coming druids. The second factor was the founding of Cyranvar. With the Wood Elven clans united, disparate settlements would come together to form true towns and cities. With this growing population came more magically gifted children and demand for druidic services. Something that individual druids were simply unable to keep up with.

In response, in 1582, the first modern druid circle would form in the Thorn Grove. From there other druids in the Deepwoods and in Escann would emulate these practices.