I think even calling himself "First Druid" would indicate that he is at least in the inner circle. The thing is, Larian has set the opening of their game in a druid grove, complete with factional infighting and a shadowdruid sub-plot, so it's sort of like, if we're already here, they should lean into the lore a bit more right?
The best way to introduce druidic lore in my view would be to have a companion who can do running commentary. Especially if the PC is a druid, that way they could have the whole mentor angle too. Really delve into the hierarchy stuff.
BG2 gave Druids short shrift, their class stronghold was for sure the weakest of those questlines. BG1 and BG2 each had two druid NPC companions. In BG we had Jaheira in both, Faldorn as the Shadowdruid in the first game and Cernd in the second. But Cernd's kit was particularly weak, they made him a shapeshifter which in that game just meant a werewolf archetype, which was already kinda played out from ToSC. Jaheria was also a Harper, which sort of overshadowed her Druidness. I think BG3 could do better, they already have a lot of the pieces in place.
Druids are a hallmark cause they were basically in that first set of kits that became core classes in AD&D and so they had a lot of standard lore supporting and propping up the idea. They were also kind of unique as a class concept restricted to humans or half elves/half humans and had a unique XP table and level progression that had a standard hierarchy too, until lvl 16 when they basically become like globe trotting free agents. One of the cool things about Heirophant Druids was that they ceased to physically age, so they could basically become like ancient Elves in terms of lifespan. Though Halsin is already an Elf, so that perk isn't quite as novel hehe, but still. They could do a lot with a Druid-centric plotline that extends out from the Emerald grove to the wider world. Especially if they did the Moot idea. People on the forums thinking he's a higher level druid makes sense, just from how all the other druids we meet indicate that he is the most powerful Druid around, at least in the immediate vicinity.
ps. I think being "First Druid of the Emerald Grove" could at least mean he is a legit Druid. 12th level in 2E terms. One of 9 with the rank of "Druid" in whatever Circle the Emerald Grove belongs to. Perhaps Nettie and Kagha are still initiates (lvl 11 in 2E terms) and so there are other Archdruids in the Circle of higher rank, but they are further afield and characters we haven't met yet. Which also makes sense, because nobody who isn't a Druid should just be casually running into Archdruids anyway.
Druids are supposed to be like a secret society, and Shadowdruids are even more secretive still. But all Druids should be on guard from outsiders. Whatever his exact level or rank, as a Druid, Halsin would pretty much have an obligation to follow the party and inform the rest of the circle about what's going down with the Illithids, even if he didn't have another more personal reason to do so (like restoring himself, if using a level drain idea.) Either way though, I think it makes sense to provide a druid companion. Closing out the Druid sub-plot after we leave the Grove would be kinda weak. Druids and Rangers need a plotline that makes sense, at least tangentially for their class archetype to make sense and feel like they have a reason for being included in the game. Barbarians and Bards can usually dovetail on a larger Druid plotline as well. BG always had something like that going, so the wilderness oriented classes had a rationale for getting involved in the broader adventure that made sense for them.
Last edited by Black_Elk; 23/08/21 07:42 PM.
