Character Classes: Animists (Family, Divine Order)

Animists consist of Druids and Shamans.   The Druids are highly organised and literate and maintain worldwide communication networks. There are fewer than five different Druidic Orders, and all of them are very secretive. The Druid of 1st Ed. has been specialised by environmental niche, the Treeward corresponding to the classic Druid. Additionally, there is the Seaward, who protects both coastlines and ocean floors, the Salt Druid, monitoring the delicate ecosystems of arid, high-altitude, or cavernous regions, and the Ullerbroden, stationed in the frigid Vastlands. There are also the Druids of Light and Dark: the Sunshine Druids who work on restoring vitality to threatened habitats, and the Dark Druids, who commit murder and sabotage as necessary to stop the encroachment of civilization. Each type of niche Druid has their own alignment restrictions (one alignment is allowed each other than strict Neutral). Niche Druids other than the Treeward replace some Druid spells with spells of another type (Seaward: Magic-User; Salt: Wu Jen; Ullerbroden: Illusionist; Dark: Cleric; Sunshine: Shukenja). At 3rd level, a Druid who does not wish to choose a niche may instead specialise as a Demi-Druid, fulfilling the functions of non-Divine classes in service of a Druidic enclave. Demi-Druidic classes include Maor-Coille (Ranger), Seanchaide (Bard), Murtair (Assassin), and Sgoilear (Scholastic Sage). The Hierophant remains as described in Unearthed Arcana. In Hubworld, Druids guard their magic very jealously and anyone wishing to use Druidic magic must follow the Druidic Directive (“Spoil not”) or be stripped of their casting ability. Because Rogue Scholastics and Alchemists learn Druidic magic through experimentation rather than from the Druids, they cannot be stripped of their casting ability, but are also considered enemies of nature by all Druidic orders. Although many Shaman classes also learn Druidic spells independently of the Druids, they are considered to have as intimate a relationship with nature as the Druids themselves and are left alone.   Shamans serve priestly duties outside civilized religion but not always outside civilization. Witch-Doctors, Medicine Men and Women, and Angatkuq all work exclusively with non-agrarian communities, while others can be found both within small villages and providing an alternative to organised religion in the cities. Each class of Shaman uses different spell types and receives bonuses with a different school of magic. All Shamans are non-Lawful, but alignments otherwise vary by class. The numerous types of Shaman are as follows:   Witch (N,NG,NE,CN): The most general and common type of Shaman, witches are found everywhere. They tend to be reclusive, providing services as needed when approached, usually for a fee or favour. The witch class is restricted to female and non-binary characters. Witches cast Druid, Magic-User, and Illusionist spells and cast Alteration magic as one level higher.   Warlock (NE,CE): The male counterpart of the Witch, Warlocks are exclusively evil and of all Shamans commune the least with nature spirits and the most with lower planes denizens. Warlocks use Cleric, Magic-User, and Wu Jen magic and cast all Magic-User spells as one level higher.   Oracle (N,CN): Almost as common as Witches, Oracles may be the oldest type of Shaman and the only Shaman class available to Goldadams. Oracles appear in any kind of community. They may be the village seer, they may be affiliated with a temple, or they may be independent fortune-tellers (a trade also often practiced by Sage-Mentalists and Sage-Magicians). Oracles use Shukenja, Cleric, and Illusionist magic and receive a bonus on Divination spells.   Medicine Wo/Man (N,NG,CN): The Medicine Man or Medicine Woman is the Divine equivalent of a Medic, serving as healers for their communities. As such, they are always good in alignment. They cast Druid, Shukenja, and Cleric spells and use Necromantic magic as one level higher.   Witch-Doctor (N,NG,NE,CN): The Witchdoctor plays the same social role as a Medicine Wo/Man but differs in expertise. Witch-Doctors are less focused on the physical treatment of ailments and more on warding and controlling of the spirits that cause sickness. Witch-Doctors use Cleric, Wu Jen, and Magic-User spells and cast Enchantment magic as one level higher.   Mambo/Houngan (N,NE,CN,CE): “Mambo” and “Houngan” are the feminine and masculine names for the same class. They are most common among Islander and Ohia tribes, although many sell items and services in the cities. Although their intent may be benevolent, Houngans and Mambos are often willing to commune with dark forces to achieve their ends. They cast Cleric, Illusionist, and Magic-User spells and receive a bonus with Invocation magic.   Mudang/Baksu (N,NG,CN,CG): “Mudang” and “Baksu” are the feminine and masculine names for the same class. They are similar to Shukenja in their outlook but tend to be tied to a particular village. They can be found throughout the eastern part of the Empire of the Horse, the whole of the Empire of the Dragon, in the Elephant and Snake Kingdoms, and to a lesser extent in the Ratlands. They cast Shukenja, Magic-User, and Wu Jen magic and use Abjuration spells as one level higher.   Jhakri (N,NG): The Jhakri is a southern equivalent to the Mudang, serving Zoron-speaking regions and casting Shukenja, Wu Jen, and Druid spells. They receive a bonus with Evocation magic.   Dakini (N,NG,CG,CN,CE,NE): The Dakini is the female counterpart to the Jhakri but is a class that can only be entered from a Sadhu class after 6th level. They use Cleric, Wu Jen, and Druid magic and cast all Wu Jen spells at one level higher.   Nagual (NG,NE,CN): The Nagual is the most reclusive of Shamans, and only offers services for a steep exchange. Naguals seek to commune with nature by becoming other creatures and instead of receiving a spell-casting bonus, learn the shape-changing ability of Druids. They cast Druid, Wu Jen, and Magic-User spells. Nagual are found throughout the south-west and north-west continents.   Angatkuq (N,NG,CN,CG): The Angatkuq serves as priest, healer, and bard for the small bands of humans living in the Vastlands. They use Cleric, Wu Jen, and Shukenja spells and cast Conjuration magic at a bonus of one level.   In addition to the above Shaman classes, a Chaotic Neutral Shaman or Shamanic Bard may achieve transcendency as a Holy Berserker. As such, they no longer learn new spells, but gain an additional attack per turn and +2 on all to-hit rolls.