My daughter wants to begin playing D&D; her first character will be a Druid. I saw some ideas on another forum about an initiation ceremony and wrote it up more like an adventure. Seriously what better place to begin an adventuring career than the day you become a Druid. Anyhow take a read through and let me know what you think.
Becoming a Druid
Hawk leads a small group of druids and an initiate to a small cave, that is adorned with a ring of rocks for a small fire. The druids form a semi-circle around the ring of rocks with the initiate remaining outside the circle. The oldest looking druid speaks “I am Hawk Ellesidown, son of Raven and Sparrow Ellesidown child of druids. I am the protector of the Shady Vale. “ He pauses for a moment to start the fire with the flick of his wrist, “The Druids have cared for this forest since the time of creation, the plants and creatures have taken care of us and we have taken care of them. Watered by the rain, shaken by the thunder, and warmed by the sun the trees offer shade and shelter. As we are protectors of this land it is our solemn duty to care for the land and its occupants. As the forest grows and dies so must our order. Initiate step forward and state your name.”
The druids wait for the initiate to step forward and state their name.
“You wish to become a member of our order, ours is not a job or duty it is a way life. You will face three trials tonight that will test your courage, strength, and willpower. If you fail this test you may never join our ranks as a druid. Is this understood?”
If the initiate replaces yes and still wishes to proceed they are handed a goblet with a drink.
“Drink this and may the evening moon light your path, the stars guide you, and the earth cool you,” all of the druid repeated in unison.
Roll D20 Knowledge Check
1-10 The PC does not understand what is happening
11-15 The PC feels funny as if things are shifting
15-20 The PC knows this is the first steps in seeing their spirit animal
Everything appears black before the PC awakes at the edge of a stream, as they look at the water they see not their reflection but the reflection of a deer and a young fawn beside them. The fawn appears to be out of breath and limping as she steps into the water to drink
Roll Listen check
1-10 hears nothing
11-15 hears something
16-20 hears a twig snap
Moments later a vicious looking mountain lion appears in the forest clearing. Does the PC try to protect the wounded doe in the water or do they run? Either way, after making their decision everything fades to black.
The PC then wakes laying in a small cave, listening to the sounds of soft purring, instinctually the PC knows that the young ones are hungry.
Roll a perception check
The player spots the wounded doe and another deer near the water. They are now faced with a dilemma, feed the young cats or let both deer go. Once the choice has been made the world fades to black again.
The player awakens a third time, this time in a small elven village. There is chaos everywhere, women and children are screaming and running, the sounds of cries in elven & goblin ring through the small village. As you look around there are homes on fire, then you see the one creature you hate running towards. You can just sense they are up to no good. As you watch this thing run straight at you realize it is unarmed, your arm begins to grow tired from holding the longbow aimed at this creature. Do you take the shot or do you let it live?
The character then awakes sitting cross-legged in a circle around the fire with the other druids. Hawk begins to speak, “Initiate you have passed the first test, you have shown true courage. You stood up to your foe knowing it would cost you your life. You passed the second test by showing your inner strength, and lastly you showed your willpower by refusing to harm a creature that deserved it. You will no longer be an initiate, but I name you “(character’s full name Druid of the Shady Vale.”
The druids shout, howl bark etc. making animal noises. When things quiet down Hawk speaks once more, “Brothers and Sisters our world is a treacherous place, there are dangers both from the wilds and the living, rest here in peace this night before departing on the morrow. Thus concludes the meeting of the Shady Vale Druid Order.”
Immediately afterwards the other druids offered their congratulations before walking off. There are ten Druids at the meeting, 5 elves 2 human, 1 gnome, 1 halfling, and 1 orc.
Hawk offers his congratulations to the PC, and asks to speak with them before their departure in the morning. As the crowd dissipates several of the druids shift into their animal forms, the orc becomes a bear, and the halfling becomes a racoon and scurries up a tree.
In the morning Hawk speaks to the PC, “You are now a Druid and with it comes responsibilities, as an elf you grew up in the woods you need to spend some time among the other races.”
I agree with Gaius, don't plan out their moves for them. Instead plan for the moves they might make, e.g.
1a. defends the deer > You value life and seek to protect it in all it's forms
1b. leaves the situation alone > You value the natural order, life will take its course
2a. feeds dear to the young ones > The young of this world need nurturing to fulfil their potential
2b. leaves the young ones > It is not your duty to do everything, this duty belongs to the mother and that should not be taken away from them
3a. let it live > mercy is sign of a truly good soul and even those that seem evil are not beyond redemption or compassion
3b. kill it > Sometimes a hard choice must be made to protect the greater good, be that the forest or a village, but your hesitation shows you know the sanctity of life
Some ideas about the outcomes. Because if nothing else, players will surprise you, no matter how well you plan...
My daughter wants to begin playing D&D; her first character will be a Druid. I saw some ideas on another forum about an initiation ceremony and wrote it up more like an adventure. Seriously what better place to begin an adventuring career than the day you become a Druid. Anyhow take a read through and let me know what you think.
Becoming a Druid
Hawk leads a small group of druids and an initiate to a small cave, that is adorned with a ring of rocks for a small fire. The druids form a semi-circle around the ring of rocks with the initiate remaining outside the circle. The oldest looking druid speaks “I am Hawk Ellesidown, son of Raven and Sparrow Ellesidown child of druids. I am the protector of the Shady Vale. “ He pauses for a moment to start the fire with the flick of his wrist, “The Druids have cared for this forest since the time of creation, the plants and creatures have taken care of us and we have taken care of them. Watered by the rain, shaken by the thunder, and warmed by the sun the trees offer shade and shelter. As we are protectors of this land it is our solemn duty to care for the land and its occupants. As the forest grows and dies so must our order. Initiate step forward and state your name.”
The druids wait for the initiate to step forward and state their name.
“You wish to become a member of our order, ours is not a job or duty it is a way life. You will face three trials tonight that will test your courage, strength, and willpower. If you fail this test you may never join our ranks as a druid. Is this understood?”
If the initiate replaces yes and still wishes to proceed they are handed a goblet with a drink.
“Drink this and may the evening moon light your path, the stars guide you, and the earth cool you,” all of the druid repeated in unison.
Roll D20 Knowledge Check
1-10 The PC does not understand what is happening
11-15 The PC feels funny as if things are shifting
15-20 The PC knows this is the first steps in seeing their spirit animal
Everything appears black before the PC awakes at the edge of a stream, as they look at the water they see not their reflection but the reflection of a deer and a young fawn beside them. The fawn appears to be out of breath and limping as she steps into the water to drink
Roll Listen check
1-10 hears nothing
11-15 hears something
16-20 hears a twig snap
Moments later a vicious looking mountain lion appears in the forest clearing. Does the PC try to protect the wounded doe in the water or do they run? Either way, after making their decision everything fades to black.
The PC then wakes laying in a small cave, listening to the sounds of soft purring, instinctually the PC knows that the young ones are hungry.
Roll a perception check
The player spots the wounded doe and another deer near the water. They are now faced with a dilemma, feed the young cats or let both deer go. Once the choice has been made the world fades to black again.
The player awakens a third time, this time in a small elven village. There is chaos everywhere, women and children are screaming and running, the sounds of cries in elven & goblin ring through the small village. As you look around there are homes on fire, then you see the one creature you hate running towards. You can just sense they are up to no good. As you watch this thing run straight at you realize it is unarmed, your arm begins to grow tired from holding the longbow aimed at this creature. Do you take the shot or do you let it live?
The character then awakes sitting cross-legged in a circle around the fire with the other druids. Hawk begins to speak, “Initiate you have passed the first test, you have shown true courage. You stood up to your foe knowing it would cost you your life. You passed the second test by showing your inner strength, and lastly you showed your willpower by refusing to harm a creature that deserved it. You will no longer be an initiate, but I name you “(character’s full name Druid of the Shady Vale.”
The druids shout, howl bark etc. making animal noises. When things quiet down Hawk speaks once more, “Brothers and Sisters our world is a treacherous place, there are dangers both from the wilds and the living, rest here in peace this night before departing on the morrow. Thus concludes the meeting of the Shady Vale Druid Order.”
Immediately afterwards the other druids offered their congratulations before walking off. There are ten Druids at the meeting, 5 elves 2 human, 1 gnome, 1 halfling, and 1 orc.
Hawk offers his congratulations to the PC, and asks to speak with them before their departure in the morning. As the crowd dissipates several of the druids shift into their animal forms, the orc becomes a bear, and the halfling becomes a racoon and scurries up a tree.
In the morning Hawk speaks to the PC, “You are now a Druid and with it comes responsibilities, as an elf you grew up in the woods you need to spend some time among the other races.”
INTRODUCE HOOK FOR NEXT SESSION
So my first thought on seeing the mountain lion attack the deer is that such is the course of nature and that I would not interfere.
I agree with Gaius, don't plan out their moves for them. Instead plan for the moves they might make, e.g.
1a. defends the deer > You value life and seek to protect it in all it's forms
1b. leaves the situation alone > You value the natural order, life will take its course
2a. feeds dear to the young ones > The young of this world need nurturing to fulfil their potential
2b. leaves the young ones > It is not your duty to do everything, this duty belongs to the mother and that should not be taken away from them
3a. let it live > mercy is sign of a truly good soul and even those that seem evil are not beyond redemption or compassion
3b. kill it > Sometimes a hard choice must be made to protect the greater good, be that the forest or a village, but your hesitation shows you know the sanctity of life
Some ideas about the outcomes. Because if nothing else, players will surprise you, no matter how well you plan...
Great Suggestions, Thank you so much