Welcome, Prospective Druid!
The decision to join the
Druids' Guild is one that merits long consideration and firm resolve.
The life of a Druid is unique among all the possible paths one can take
in Terris. It is a life of greater limitation and greater
responsibility than any other, and also one with great, and singular,
rewards. Because of the unique nature of our Guild, we also require a
more rigorous process to earn membership. Below are the steps we expect
each prospective member to undertake in order to demonstrate their
suitability for the title of "Druid".1. Know Thyself
Before
applying to the Druids' Guild, you should have a good understanding of
how you will present your history, and your unique reasons for wishing
to become a Druid. After all, it isn't a life suited to everyone. We
will want to know, and will likely ask during your interview, about
your history, your family, the people and events that led you to wish
to become a Druid, and what your life was like before you came to our
guild.
One way to negotiate this requirement is to include a
personal history in your letter of intention, the more detailed the
better.
You may also wish to use this "Application Form", which
will ask you to think about and respond to several questions about your
life:
Character WorksheetWhile
we do not require prospectives to use this form, it can be helpful you
prepare for the part of your interview that will focus on YOU, and what
you can bring to the guild. (Not to mention it can be handy in your
personal development for years to come.)
2. Know the Guild
There is a lot to learn about the Guild, and what it means to walk this path. The best place to start would be in our
Web Scrolls,
where you should pay specific attention to our Charter, which is also
available in the lands at "Help Druid Charter". Other important
writings are the Cornerstones and the 10 Pillars of Wisdom, journal
entries written by Druids (most notable Hearthome, who initiated the
practice) to highlight their personal pillars of Druidism.
This
would also be a good time to peruse a copy of Valdez's Druid Primer,
which will give you a headstart on the practical knowledge necessary to
be a successful Druid.
After our web scrolls, the best possible
source of information on Druidism is the guild's current population.
Speak to as many Druids as you feel you need to in order to feel
certain of your decision - you will notice that while we are all
committed to the same path, we express our beliefs in different ways.
3. State Your Intentions
Once
you have studied enough that you feel ready to approach the guild for
an interview, and have reached at least your 6th milestone, you may
send a letter of intentions. This may be as detailed as a history and
introduction post on these boards, or as simple as a message or tell
sent in the lands to a current guild officer stating your intention to
seek an interview. Once we know you are interested, we will look for
you in the lands to interview you - feel free to send a tell to any of
the guild officers or current interviewers to notify them that you are
around if you see them on "whofull" and fear that you may not have been
noticed. A current list of Officers, Interviewers, and Rose Granters
will be maintained following this post.
4. The Interview
Be
prepared! Your studying should have been sufficient to give you all you
need to pass, but keep in mind that we are looking for creative
thinking and individuality just as much as we are looking for knowledge
of the information on the scrolls. We are not expecting perfection, but
we are expecting to see real consideration in your answers, and real
personality in your history and character.
Be certain especially
to be able to intelligently discuss our Charter, our Healing Policy,
and the Balance, as well as your own reasons for becoming a Druid -
these are among the most common, and most important, topics discussed
in an interview.
The interview step can go one of two ways:
if you pass,
you will be asked to wait a season (one OOC week) and then return to
your interviewer, who will arrange a rose granting ceremony. Rose
Granters are traditionally the divine patron and heroes of the guild,
though they may also include Elder Mentors and Guild Officers. Keep in
mind that you may be asked further questions by the Rose Granter before
they allow you into the guild, though these are mostly to gauge how you
have grown during and in the time since your interview.
If you fail,
you will be asked to wait for an amount of time between a season (1 OOC
week) and a year (20 OOC days) before requesting another interview. It
is suggested that you use this time to study the web scrolls, and talk
to more Druids. Any of the guild's members should be willing to help
you improve your chances of passing the next time around.
Remember
that even once admitted to the guild, a Druid is constantly learning -
don't be discouraged if you fail initially, we all do from time to
time. If Druidism is your intended path, then you will find your way to
it even if it takes some time. Remember - patience is a virtue,
especially for us.
Best of luck,
The Druids' Guild
Character Worksheet