Part 1: Cantrips
for Druids
-- N a t u r a l l
y
N e w z e r o
- l e v e l s p e l l s
for the woods folk
by Rick Reid
In DRAGON® issue #108, an article
entitled "Cantrips for Clerics" dealt with the
possibility of zero-level spells called
"orisons" for fledgling clerics and druids.
These were described as more powerful
prayers and responses, mostly with a
religious base. However, since the fledgling
druid (or Tenderfoot) will spend most of
his initial training in the forest or wilderness,
it seems likely that he would be
taught prayers and chants that would be
of more benefit to him in this environment,
before he learned the higher-level
?orisons.?
With this in mind, the following list of
12
druidic cantrips or zero-level prayers
are
presented. These may be used in the same
manner as magic-user cantrips; when the
druid reaches 1st level, he may substitute
four cantrips for one first-level spell.
While the most common use of each spell
is given in the description, crafty players
will surely find other ways to employ
them. As always, the final say in using
these spells lies with the DM.
Part 2: Higher
Aspirations
How druids get their start
in life
by Mark L. Palmer
| - | - | Part I | - | - |
| 1st Edition AD&D | - | Dragon #120 | - | Dragon magazine |
0-level characters who desire to
enter the druidic priesthood in the
AD&D game go through 2 prepatory
levels: the inquirer and the petitioner.
An
inquirer is simply one who is interested
in
entry to the druidic priesthood.
The inquirer
attends several ceremonies and
lectures held by an Initiate
of the 1st Circle or higher
druid. The inquirer gains no special
powers or abilities, has no responsibilities,
and usually brings an offering to the meetings
even though no donations are required.
The lectures are given in the forrm
of parables or stories with hidden meanings
and symbols; this keeps the sacred
knowledge safe from the unworthy and
the initiated.
Inquirers may be of any alignment.
An
inquireer must make a SAVE vs.
death magick after atending a lecture or
be
convinced to move 1 step closer to
neutral with respect to Law and Chaos.
Thus, an inquirer becomes ether NG,
N, or NE. If an inquirer makes his
SAVE, he finds
the teachings confusing and eventually
leaves the lectures. He may return
at a
later date if he so desires and repeat
the
lectures. This SAVE is not required
by PCs who desire to become druids,
though it is useful for PCs.
Table 1
Experience Levels for Aspirants
| XP | Experience level | Accumulated HP | Level title | Orisons |
| -1,500 to -501 | 0 | 2* | Inquirer | none |
| -500 to -1 | 0 | 4 | Petitioner | 1 |
| 0 to 2,000 | 1 | 1d4+4 | Aspirant | 2** |
* At this time, the druid gains his constitution bonus if he is zero level. If the inquirer is seeking to leave a previous class for this one, he receives the constitution bonus at 1st-level aspirant.
* * At 1st level, a druid gains two first-level
spells. He may choose to take two orisons in place of one first-level spell.
During the course of his training, a
petitioner becomes true neutral in alignment.
He also gains the following powers:
1. The ability to cast one zero-level spell,
or orison (as per DRAGON® issue
#l08
"Cantrips for Clerics").
2. Save vs. fire-based attacks at +1.
3. Use any druidic magick items (except
for scrolls) at half power.
A petitioner is responsible for the cleanliness
of the grove and is expected to help
keep order at all meetings. When the
petitioner is ready to advance to the aspirant
level, he is given another interview as
described earlier. If found worthy, the
petitioner is advanced through a special
ceremony to the 1st or aspirant level.
The
druid is now able to receive two first-level
spells, or more, depending on his wisdom.
Table 1 shows the progression
we have
just discussed.
The following is a list of orisons that
a
druid may acquire through prayer. As
with most druid spells, the material component
is the druids mistletoe (unless
otherwise stated).
The following abbreviations are used:
AE is Area of Effect, CT is Casting Time,
and Perm. is Permanent.