Change how Druids can relate to Lower/Canals

[Vlaid]

Druids are extremely isolated from the factions and plots of the server, so much that often they can live for a long time, get quasi prominence in the wilds and even then few people outside their small group will know they exist.

In EFU1 the Canals was a big haven of nature with lots of druids, barbarians and fey. I realize that currently the setting is pushing Dunwarren and the Machine as being this huge spewing construction that kills nature...but I think it should be changed to be focused on Sanctuary/Machine specifically and not the entire Dunwarren.

With the cult war there are some themes and reasons druids and nature concepts could and should get involved in the cults. They are all cults with primordial themes that could easily be adapted to a nature concept in one way or another and bring more diversity and involvement into the cult war.

Dwellers: Druids and rangers who act as scouts and guides, reminding people that they live in the underdark and so the darkness and Ibrandul is the only logical choice for worship
Ooze: Primordial druids who view the ooze as the source and end of all life, where all life comes from and must return to in order to maintain the balance and cycle of life.
Ascension: Desperate druids might align themselves with the Ascension seeking a return of the sun and light to the world to return balance to nature.

But all of that is somewhat difficult as long as the cults are located in Lower and is designated "no druid zone" for various mechanical and RP risks of losing spells.

Even if not all of these cults accept druids into their ranks they could at least be INVOLVED with them in Lower as allies to their cause if the restrictions on druids and being in Lower were loosed a bit (like not getting spell failure just for being there).
 

[EventHorizon]

I highly concur. I see Lower as a place where any and everything chaotically mashes together, and although there are "buildings" in Lower, suggesting that it is a civilized place, a druid might see it as little more than ruins that have been overrun by people. If I were a druid, I would see plenty of opportunity there to enter the chaos and push an agenda that combats the unnatural forces of the Machine/Upper/the Dread. It's not like Upper Sanctuary, where one basically accepts being cloistered away from outside influences.

[rockman]

AGREE!  I would LOVE to see druids able to be involved other than "HAR HAR WE KILL YOU MACHINE SCUM, MACHINE BAD!!".  Or a the very least have the DM team look at the problem.

[AllMYBudgies]

Although I am certainly not active presently, I am somewhat confused by the posts in here. As a DM that has primarily been involved with the Druidic side of the server, where is it that Druids should not be actively trying to involve themselves in these things and where is it that they should not be able to visit lower?

This is not to say they should be implanted in, or dwelling there full time. And the factions you mention are certainly not places Druids would really want to involve themselves for reason not to be mentioned in a public post - however, the key to successful Druiding is to be present everywhere. To have your eyes and ears and feet planted in everyone's business.

[Howlando]

I am likewise completely bewildered by the idea that the Canals and Lower has ever been a "no druid zone."

What is important is for Druids to recognize that the Machine is "unnatural" and have an agenda/purpose for being there and not just be hanging out.

Although I imagine Druids would usually keep themselves somewhat remote from alley-way scramblings over turf, I also don't have any issue with Druids getting involved with the Ibrandulites or the Ooze Cult (or developing an alliance with the Ascensionists).

As some players know, we even have a special class kit with all kinds of neat mechanical features for Primordial Druids who wish to restore the balance by washing away the horrors in a wave of primordial slime.

So I've certainly personally encouraged players interested in a slightly different take with Druids to get involved with the Ibrandulites or the Ooze.

[EventHorizon]

And if it's just Druid players' unwillingness/shyness to getting their noses into Lower, I say, by all means, get your noses in there!

[NothingGoldCanStay]

On what H said, I played this special class Kit and it was a breath of fresh air. I encourage any who want to get involved with the Cults to do so... Caves are natural, slime is the before-stuff, and Light is needed to make things grow.. There's a place for druids everywhere but in upper sanctuary. (So far) .. Hell, there's even a part of Upper Sanctuary that might work as a druid.

Don't be afraid of doing something different. As BOM pointed out to me in the past; EfU:R's best paladin was fallen. Maybe EfU's best druid will be an abomination!

[Random_White_Guy]

One thing I'd recommend is fleshing out the documentation for Druids. The common IC parlance of "DUNWARREN = EVIL" is widely circulated by many in the nature community both ICly and OOCly which tends to discourage people thinking outside of the box, or as AMB mentioned - Playing interloper and having eyes everywhere.

Also Majority of the playerbase is unfamiliar with both the potential for Rot Druids as well as this "Special Class Kit" for Primordials which a forum search has netted only this thread showing anything about it even existing.

[Saturnalia]

As an active druid and Steward i've done my best to be involved in the happenings of Lower and the Canals in an advisory and sticking my nose in other people's business manner, and have had a really great reception. There are legitimate reasons for all three cults to be associated with druids in some way. Ibrandulites have their one-with-the-underdark, Ooze want to hit the primordial reset button, and Ascentionists want to break the Machine and live free (not to mention Frederick's ties to balance/freedom themes and his place in Wyrm Watcher/Ark history)

On a faction note, there has really been only one agenda supported in DM interaction on the Steward forum and that is a break the robots-kill the machine.

The Machine is unnatural, and it is often viewed as a cancer that needs to be cut out. But that doesn't mean that it has to be the only focus of your character. Plenty of ways to rationalize "yeah the machine has to go, but problems A (Illithid) B (Moander) and C (etc.) are far more pressing matters for the balance and maybe these Lower Sanctuary folk and exiles can help"

Also I had no idea there was a special class kit for primordial druids, and I've been playing a druid for going on 3 months.

[putrid_plum]

RwG hit it nice, maybe more accurate info on the forums for druids.  It might go a long way.

[NothingGoldCanStay]

The machine IS evil. It is the bad guy to druids, 100% of the time. But there can be focuses elsewhere, I'm sure!

[Vlaid]

Well, the impression to me has always been (for EFUR) that being in Dunwarren is generally very bad for Druids and you will get spell failure for extended time in Lower/Canals (as it is part of Dunwarren). I think druids used to get temporary spell failure just for being there via script, maybe still do? I'm not certain, I don't tend to play druids a lot because they seem so disconnected from the setting.

Maybe if there was some representation of the idea that druids can and should be there to some degree, similar to how the old Canals used to have a significant druidic/fey presence, it would encourage PCs to not see it as such a "no druid zone". I would say judging by the responses in this thread that the outlook of players and DMs regarding the issue may not be on the same page for various IC and OOC reasons, as RWG said. That could be a presentation problem or just one of these OOC beliefs that gets spread and repeated until it becomes player law from an offhanded comment of one or two DMs.

[Random_White_Guy]

Don't want to derail, deleted.

[Talir]

Regarding this "secret" primordial druid class kit the others are teasing you about:

-- It was made April 7th.
-- Had a tweak April 11th.
-- To my knowledge only one player has used it and halfway for the sake of testing.

The reason why there is no documentation yet is because we are not certain how readily available it should be (IE do we want 20 primordial druids on day 1?). Feel free to ask to get it now though while we are still debating and you want to play a druid aligned with the primordial ooze. Documentation will come.

Rot has always been available, often tied with its lair, but has few additional benefits other than that. Mentioning it as a possibility somewhere is a nice thought. Additionally, not knowing all the cool little additions makes playing something different feel refreshing and fun.

When it comes to the other conspiracy silliness I don't know what to say.

The only two druids I can remember giving spellfailure to in this matter were a regular with spawn at the Pissing Crone and another who extensively played cat and mouse with the Machine as her hunting ground. The latter got the spellfailure removed later on when she embraced the wilds again. Dunwarren is fine to visit but not a place you should make your home as a druid.