Quintessential Druid II, The - Advanced Tactics

Step into the shadow of the trees. Breathe in the free air, smell the rain on the heather. Listen to the whisper of the woods and the quiet talk of the animals.

This is the domain of the druids. Spells older than the work of wizards are all around you, these trees hide gods older than the petty demagogues of the clerics. A feral host greater than any army sleeps in the wood, waiting for the call to hunt. If you cannot see and hear these things, it is because you are blind to the green.

The green surrounds you. The threads of your life are woven into the threads of the green world. The druids can see it, draw upon it, speak to it and worship it.

They have learned this from the trees. Stop, stop and listen, for the bough top is whistling…

The Advanced Tactics series takes an advanced look at the whole range of class and racial sourcebooks from Mongoose Publishing, all designed to greatly widen a player’s options for his character within the d20 game. More than simple continuations, the second series of Quintessential books slot seamlessly into any fantasy-based campaign, giving advanced alternatives for characters of one class or race within the game, allowing both players and Games Masters the chance to give mid- and high-level characters new options without overpowering or unbalancing the game as a whole. The Advanced Tactics series will not necessarily allow players to make their characters even better, but they will be able to do a lot more than they ever thought possible.

This book delves into the mysteries and magic of the druid. Variant types of druid are introduced in Career Paths and Multiclassing, describing different aspects of their religion and sacred duties. The Legendary Druid speaks of the highest echelons of the druidic order, from the Sickle of the Green to the Shepherds of Worlds. A character can rise from humble beginnings as an apprentice druid to become master of a circle or even the Grand Druid.

Superior Tools gives new types of weapon and armor for the druid, as well as techniques of wild craft, herbalism and healing. The Magical Druid discusses all the spells available to druids, as well as introducing two new methods of spellcasting (seasonal and totemic) and new spells. Tricks of the Trade discusses all the animal companions and wild shapes available to druids – learn what animals to summon in a given situation, or what form to adopt when danger threatens. Special techniques delves into the secrets of the druidic order and the Otherworld, as well as describing the sacred groves and earthworks of the woodlands. Finally, Survival gives insight into the ways to roleplay and develop a druid character.

Unlike all the other classes, the druids have strong tie to the land and a unique perspective on the world. All too often, this can degenerate into a stereotype of a tree-hugging xenophobe, a deranged market gardener more interested in driving trespassers out of the woods than in adventuring. This book aims to shatter this style of play and bring back the mystery, mysticism and sacred power of the druid. Their roots are old and deep and dark.