Circle of the Seas

the Okeanos

Circle of the Seas druids, commonly called sea druids, or Cota druids, are the most modernized of the druidic circles. Once isolated in Southern Jerain with their druidic cousins the Circle of the Lands Druid, this druidic circle has spread across the Cota Ocean. These druids thrive on sailing vessels, finding a spiritual connection to the seas in the deep oceans that their ancestors never could find on land. Today there are very few ships that travel the Cota that do not employ one or two sea druids to aid with travel, protect from harsh weather, or guide the ship along its journey. These druids have become the most commonly encountered subclass of druid. These druids are often criticized by other circles for turning their spiritual journey into a profitable business.

It is believed that the earliest sea druids branched away from the Circle of the Lands sometimes in the prehistoric periods. Their communities residing along the turbulent coastlands of southwestern Jerain, and later the many islands of the Cota Ocean, close to Ethae. In the Viakagi Era they spread further across the ocean, some as far as the major continent of Dergonhad. Many of the ancient sea druid's villages and sites were destroyed during the wars with the Viakagi, but these druids are credited by the Los culture as the force that kept the Loslands from falling to the invaders. As the Viakagi Era ended, most sea druids, no longer with homes to return to, took up a nomadic life of sea travel. Some established new communities on the islands of the ocean. Others remained on ships feeling the call of the deep sea.

The Rite of Blood for the sea druids is different than that of the other druidic circles. Inspiring Circle of the Seas druids are taken to hidden sacred coves along the west coast of the Loslands during hurricanes. There, a ritual is preformed where would-be druids are submerged in the seawater as elder druids call down lightning into the water, infusing the druid with the Magic of the storm. It is a dangerous ritual. Though rare, deaths from lightning strikes and drowning are common enough that elder druids are on site for the sole purpose of rescue should the ritual fail.