Located in the Kingdom of Valorden the Assemblage is a epicentre for druidic knowledge and the only known place in the world to provide an institutionalised learning and training environment for druids. Whereas the usual path of becoming a druid consists of finding a master to learn from or joining a circle, the Assemblage formalises many of the skills of a druid into separate disciplines.
Structure
The Assemblage was founded by a Rhodani druid thousand of years ago, who just wanted to make wine with some of his peers and be left alone. Since then it has greatly changed into a recognized institution and a highly valued hub for druidcraft.
The highest role in the institution is the one of the Archkeeper, who resides in the central grove and is responsible for the continued existence of the Assemblage. The Archkeeper is supported by a panel consiting of the Keepers of the various circles, called the Body of Keepers.
The current Archkeeper Ban Calmion has held this position for about 500 years and is rumoured to be interested in vacating it in favor of becoming a traveller again. He is a major political figure in the kingdom and beyond, as it is him who can influence where his best and most capable peers go and which courts they might find employment in.
Admission
To become a student of the Assemblage is still just as simple as to walk up, annouce oneself, and prove some minimal talent and aptitude in some disciplines of druidcraft. There are also druid masters who will visit the Assemblage together with their students and have them diversify their skills there for a while before wandering on.
After being a guest for a few days the aspirant is required to make a case for themselves before the Body of Keepers, which consists of the heads of the various disciplines. If voted into the program, there is a period where one is allowed to participate in as many trainings as wished, but it is expected to decide on a set of at least three specializations and find an elder druid to guide one's journey as soon as possible. Indecisiveness could lead to expulsion.
The Location
The Assemblage is located partially on the plains of the Lower Ronneval and stretches into one of its offshoot valleys. They value it for its diverse terrain and steep rise in attitude, which provides biomes for various plantlife and animals alike, and thus makes the valley a great source of research and learning opportunities.
The Plains
The Ronneval's climate provides good grounds for the cultivation of many species of plants that cannot be replicated with nearly the same as good results anywhere else in Valorden or Alesia. The Druids of the Assemblage use the plains of the Ronneval to cultivate many ingredients not only used in druidcraft but many other magic schools. They are an important source for many mages and other learning institutions for these ingredients. Of course it would also be nonsensical for the druids to not have some of their own vineyards in these ideal conditions.
The Valley
Many of the disciplines require the sprawling valley beyond the plains to be accurately taught and studied. The valley provides the room to commune with nature in its untouched form. The many species of plants and animals found in the valley make it into a place where druids naturally feel comfortable and can find purpose in almost and research they want to pursue. The higher altitudes are also ideal for druids that tend to work more with celestail bodies.
The Circles
The various disciplines of druidcraft designated by the Assemblage are split into circles, that are each lead by a keeper, who then appoints the masters teaching their discpline and is allowed to split their circle into sub-disciplines if deemed necessary.
The Wardens of the Grove
This circle focuses on martial training. Its members usually stay in the Assembly after their education to be protectors of the Grove or become rangers in the valley.
The Circle of the Earth
This circle's aim is to teach and learn anything there is about nature. They tend not to interfere or do a lot of spellcasting and more so monitor and collect knowledge for the other circles. Theire primary discliplines are to gather, structure and safekeep knowledge and data and their members often become advisors and librarians to foreign courts.
The Circle of Growth and Abundance
This is the place for druids who want to learn anything there is about agriculture, plants and produce, and how to make it most beneficial for society. They also cultivate the vineyards of the Assemblage and have an annual not-so-friendly competition between different teams on which will make the best wine of the year. These druids also will often find employment outside the Assemblage.
The Herbalists
Not unlike the Circle of Growth and Abundance, the Herbalists main discipline is to grow things, only they focuse more on herbs and magical ingredients. They work closely together with the researchers of the Circle of the Earth to develop new knowledge. They tend to do a lot of experimenting and reasearch work and are under very close supervision of the Body of Keepers. They often welcome guests from other insitutions such as magic academies.
The Spire-Dwellers
The members of this circle have an affinity for divination, the world of dreams and the unknown. They provide valuable work on celestial bodies and also often will become teachers and find employment everywhere in the world.
The Root-Tenders
These druids occupy themselves with everything woth studying below ground. Members of this discipline after highly sought after by the Dwarven Kingdoms.
The Lifecallers
These druids are interested in animals and how to work together with them.
The Circle of the Wild
The members of this circle are most interested in wildhaping and spending their tiem in untouched nature. They are the smallest circle as most Wildshapers prefer solitude and mostly leave the Assemblage after their training. The ones that stay on will usually join the Wardens of the Grove.
The Circle of Elemental Force
These are the most profocient spellcasters that can be found among druids as they learn to shape nature be the elements around them.
Politics
The nation of Valorden is very protective over the Ronneval because of the ideal climate to cultivate vineyars, which is an important source of trade. Yet, the Assemblage is a very beneficial institution to have in one's country and has a very good relationship with the King of Valorden and especially the current King Marcael Thrennas, who is very focused on furthering education of magic. The Archkeeper of the Assemblage gains the honorary title of a "Ban" in the Kingdom of Valorden and is involved in politics.
Comments