Druids and protecting the woodland creatures

archimedes 13 · Post by **archimedes 13** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:24 pm

I understand that druids are concerned with maintaining a balance in nature, protecting the woods from encroachers...basically being stewards of the land. That being said, they also realize that people have to eat so moderate hunting for game that is going to be consumed is allowable. However, I don't quite understand how one should strike the balance between self-defense (after all, some creatures will attack) and leaving the animals unmolested in their habitat. 
 
The most extreme example - People walking along the south road. A rat races across the marsh and attacks a member of the party. Rat is struck down. 
 
If a druid is along, this often elicits anything from a sigh of exasperation to a stern lecture. But is this really in character? (And I am asking a true question, not being rhetorical here...I'm undecided). I understand the issue if a PC starts roaming the swamps looking for rats to slay. And once you enter the woods, things begin to take on grayer shades, as you might meet badgers, bears, spiders, etc. Obviously it is respectful (and healthy) to avoid these creatures, but certainly even druids must understand that sometimes conflict simply can't be avoided, right? Creatures will feel threatened, either justly or unjustly, and then be goaded into attacking. Now, if the PCs know they are traveling with a druid, I can understand them stepping aside, letting him deal peacefully with the creatures, but oftentimes it's not something the PC would know. 
 
Anyway, I'm not asking this as a covert attempt to slam druids or anything. I ask this because I've been interested in playing a druid myself, yet this is one facet of the characters that I've been struggling to come to terms with.

----- 
 
in game - Matyas DeLac

elion · Post by **elion** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 4:48 pm

*grins* good one. as far as i know it, the people that react most strongly against the killing of animals are druids and rangers. the reason is quite simple....when a druid or ranger with animal empathy walks besides you many animals will feel *safe* and not attack (this depends on the AE of said druid or ranger, of course). example, pansy will try to walk in front of a party to greet and talk to any animal she meets (even those that don't like her) and many *hostile* animals tend to sniffle her hands to see if she has anything to eat. and she hates it when people will go and kill for meat. 
roden on the other hand, a full-blooded druid tends to *ignore* animals, mainly because he sees them simply as part of the woods with lives of their own. he isn't hostile towards them, so they aren't towards him. he doesn't think about it. but if need calls for it, he would not stop from killing a boar or badger for meat (he never has, but he would if circumstances would call for it). 
 
i think i play both IC when i play them, but i'm sure they would disagree on many druidical issues. *shrugs* so be it. 
 
my point is.......probadly that i don't have a clue what's seen as proper behaviour for a druid. the descriptions i read so far are quite general, focussed on nature and balance....two words that hold worlds of RP-possibilities in them. 
 
two cents again 
 

sarah petite.(EST+6) 
plays pansy felloscobbert,hilly hillyfields, ragus, roden rift, glognar fenk and some others.

Krotha · Post by **Krotha** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 7:57 pm

As far as im concerned druids come in all colours, elion's druids are just an example. Evil druids exploit nature's power for their own benefit, stirring up animals to attack travellers on sight for example.

IG: Viggo Schrew, Rigo, Jart Northackt...and over a dozen pilot characters

Dracharla · Post by **Dracharla** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:26 pm

It all comes in shades of gray I would say. Some druids would as you said arch understand the realities of most people a.) not being able to avoid all animals at all times and b.) needing to eat. On the other hand some more militant/hostile druids would likely not understand this, and those of a more evil persuasion would perhaps be inclined to halt the encroachment of civilization on the wilds by coaxing such dangerous creatures into heavily traveled area's to dissuade travelers from going there. 
 
For me personally I try to play Isendyl as sometimes forgetting/not really understanding that not everyone has such a strong connection to nature, which is pretty easy to do in a place like the vast where so many characters are devoted to the wilds in one way or another. 
 
It honestly I think comes down to the druids race alignment disposition and also their dieties dogma on such things. 
 
As far as the rats go strictly speaking in game mechanics they qualify as vermin (mindless) and so a druid theoretically wouldn't get their feathers too ruffled about it. I typically just do my best to downplay it as much as possible as often times with something like a rat it may just be a hiccup in the AE system if it attacks a party member when a druid is around. 
 
hope that helps.

~Dracharla, Bushwhacked Wild Elf 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
Hello my name is Isendyl and I will be your Meat Shield for the day. In case of emergency please cower! The exits are located directly behind me. Thank you for Flying Pwnge Airways and please come fly with us again!

Kenneth Proudmane · Post by **Kenneth Proudmane** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:08 am

I suppose the druid's diety comes into play here as well. For instance, I believe those who follow Silvanus are to protect all woodland beings from harm.

________________ 
Login ID: JeKylL351 
Characters: Kenneth Proudmane, Rory Krow, Tomo, Henric Berdane and Glebur Bloodbeard.

Post by **Algernon's Ghost** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 2:13 am

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>Evil druids exploit nature's power for their own benefit<hr></blockquote>This isn't really an accurate statement. Evil druids would use the powers given to them by nature to protect nature. And evil druid's approach would be quite different from that of a good druid. While a good druid might talk to the members of an expanding human village at the edge of his forest, and explain the importance of the ecological responsibility, an evil druid might send a pack of wolves to cull the population, or summon up a mighty storm to wreak havoc and drive them off. 

<hr />The ends don't justify the means. The means shape the ends; you become what you do.<hr />"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty nor security." 
-Benjamin Franklin<hr />

RaynenArrows · Post by **RaynenArrows** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 5:42 am

How would a druid treat an animal that kills other animals? 
 
 
LIke Arch said killing an animal in often self defense can sometimes get one "in trouble". I cant say how many times Ive heard the warrnings "dont let the druids know you did that." I have yet to play a character who even goes out to hunt for food. So I base my question on the fact that Mace has wittnessed some animals killing other animals (and I know they are rp'd as hunting). IG as well as out I wondered what a druid would say about it.

Raynen

goatte · Post by **goatte** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 5:44 pm

Some thoughts: One of the Dragon Dale NPCs tells a player in conversation about hunting West of the town, IIRC. That sounds like a recommendation to hunt. I think that the Druids would have a word with that NPC if there was a problem with that. 
 
Also, the folks who settled Dragon Dale displaced a good portion of the predators. The wolves aren't right outside the gates, because they have moved off away from the folk in town with which they compete for food. The townsfolk moved in to fill the role of the wolves in culling the weak and old deer from their population, so that there is enough food for the deer population. The cycle of life is about predator - prey - scavenger. One consumes the other. 
 
Hunting one deer, at need, is not a crime. It culls the weak and improves the species. If you kill a dozen, though, that White Stag will show up and kick your ###. Rightfully so. 
 
Lastly, I recommend that we not mix our own modern sensitivities with what exists in the Forgotten Realms. We don't need to hunt to survive. Starvation is not a cause for concern in the countries that we live. 
 
goatte

Post by **Algernon's Ghost** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 4:13 am

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>How would a druid treat an animal that kills other animals?<hr></blockquote>If it's a natural case, like a wolf pack hunting a deer, then it is just part of the natural order. Some animals eat other animals, and that's normal. If it were something intelligent, like a Worg or Malar Panther, just hunting for the joy of killing, then that would be a different matter. 

<hr />The ends don't justify the means. The means shape the ends; you become what you do.<hr />"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty nor security." 
-Benjamin Franklin<hr />

RaynenArrows · Post by **RaynenArrows** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 8:05 am

Ok, I think I better understand my last question, but that brought a new one... 
 
Would then a druid then understand that a normal....say human....would have to defend himself against the more aggresisve animals in the wilds? Im not thinking they should like it by any means, but would they look down, on a human fighter, who recalls a tale of having to kill a charging bear? 
 
 
I suppose one could say that depends on the individual druid and the mind set of such a person, but any with intelegence in my opinion would know that not all share the empathy with nature that they do. Or am I way off base here? 

Raynen

Post by **Algernon's Ghost** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 3:43 am

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>Would then a druid then understand that a normal....say human....would have to defend himself against the more aggresisve animals in the wilds? Im not thinking they should like it by any means, but would they look down, on a human fighter, who recalls a tale of having to kill a charging bear? 
 
 
I suppose one could say that depends on the individual druid and the mind set of such a person, but any with intelegence in my opinion would know that not all share the empathy with nature that they do. Or am I way off base here?<hr></blockquote>There area a lot of factors to consider from the druid's perspective: Did the PC enter a protected wild area (one in which the animals are under the care of a druid - NPC or PC - and the killing of animals, for any reason, may be strictly forbidden.)? What steps did the person take to find a ranger (we have a lot of them on the server) or a druid to lead through an animal-heavy area? Did the PC try to avoid or skirt the territory of the animal when he saw it, or did he just barge on through, heedless of that animal's current sway over that patch of land? 
 
You'll notice certain patterns on the server when travelling outlying areas. When you enter a region, and it is mostly animals, and there are no signs of hostile humanoids, then it is likely protected in some way from said humanoids. Land west of the Mhyrrwood Ranger Camp would be a good example, and any established ranger PC should be able to tell you to watch your step there. In places like this, it is imperative that an experienced and skillful (equipped with AE) guide accompany any group, since hasty or heedless actions (tromping through a protected area whacking animals as you go, for instance) can and do have in-game consequences. It is always a good idea to gather information about aany wild area before travelling there. 
 
If you are alert, some animals may be entirely avoided as well. Many wild animals have perception ranges shorter than a player's, and that includes bears. What this means is that when you can first see the animal, it cannot see you, and will not see you until more distance is closed. Sighting a bear at the edge of your perception range affords the opportunity to entirely avoid the situation. This simulates the animal being territorial and hostile only if approached, like a brown bear would typically behave. 
 
While a druid will understand that not all people share his empathy and love of nature, it does not mean he will tolerate abuses of the nature that he loves. Different druids will react in different ways depending on the druid and the situation. some may react violently, some may attempt communication with the objective of education, and a whole range of responses in between can be expected. 

<hr />The ends don't justify the means. The means shape the ends; you become what you do.<hr />"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty nor security." 
-Benjamin Franklin<hr />

The Vast

Druids and protecting the woodland creatures

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