Drovier (Druid Archetype)
The mental image that many have of druids these days is of reclusive mystics living far from civilization, concerned more with protecting and revering the natural world directly.
However, let’s take a moment to remind ourselves that real-world druids, as well as any similar beings like shamans, witch doctors, and the like, were first and foremost servants of their people. They would use their knowledge to heal others, as well as interpret the natural world around them and give explanations and solace against the often strange and unpredictable world around them.
Which brings us to today’s subject. Viewing the communities they watch over almost as a herd or flock the same way that a herder watches over the beasts in their care, the druids known as droviers specialize in not just protecting a community, but finding ways to bolster them as well.
The exact nature of the dynamic varies by culture, with some droviers viewing themselves as pack leaders that others pay homage to, while others are more nurturing or even impersonal, aiding any who travel their way as if they were one of their own.
No matter their methodology, a people under the protection of a drovier know that nature is, more often than not, on their side.
Not focused on animals the way another druid might be, these druids always choose the Animal domain, or the Eagle or Wolf druid domains, reflecting their focus on animal aspects, community, or distant watchfulness.
They also learn not to transform themselves, but to grant minor animal transformations and blessings to those nearby, as the animal aspect spell. Later on, they improve this to the greater version, and then begin adding individual aspect spells. Regardless of which they use, these druids prove their ability to bolster those nearby with protection and useful abilities, be they wards under their care, or companions in arms.
Focused as they are on bolstering their alles, this archetype is perfect for a support druid build, making use of the deep pool of useful buffs that druids have access to in addition to the unique abilities of the archetype. That being said, be sure to diversify with control and damaging spells too to diversify.
Druids are already assumed to be wise and understanding people, but it behooves a drovier to be especially well-versed in empathy and insightful thinking. They might act as advisors and guides to entire communities, to say nothing of an adventuring party, after all.
Though remote, Nahajin village is quite prosperous, watched over by a circle of druids that guide them to live in harmony with the natural world. However, visitors will note strange shifts in personality in the residents from day to day. The truth being the village is an experiment by Yithians in mind-shifting techniques, and the droviers watching the town are Yithian Elders.
Duskwalkers sometimes walk the road of the drovier, particularly in nations where disaster has struck. In such a role, they can guide the people to better days, as well as turn them away from desperate and unnatural acts to get back what or who they lost.
Seeking the knowledge of the nomadic Poshan, the party follows their trail into the desert. However, they find the tribe already waiting for them, their leader having watched the party via his hawk familiar. What happens next depends upon how the party conveys themselves.