The Druids are the worshippers of Vitula. She was created by Feretrius and went on to create all life, although Quillion and the other gods made some alterations.
While the gods were all banished from Albeit-Felspa at the end of the War of the Gods, some claim that after creating the stars, Vitula merged with Albeit-Felspa to heal the wounded planet. Others claim that she became the Sun so that she could watch her gardeners. Whatever the truth, Vitula disappears from all legends of the Pantheon from this point on. Since then, Vulcan is seen as acting in her place as head of the Pantheon. (She is, after all, the creator of all the gods, except perhaps Jonah.)
The Druids claim that she had provided the creatures of the world with all they needed to survive and, fearful of the catastrophic effects the gods caused to the cycle of life, she withdrew even further than the other gods.
Before she left, she instructed the first Grand Druid to maintain the balance she had created. The first Grand Druid's original name is unknown. She is believed to have been the chief follower of Vitula when man and gods lived side by side. After she passed on the position to her successor to become a Hierophant, she took the name Gray Dove, due to her habit of transforming into one.
The Gray Dove was active in Caesar's armies after being unheard of for over 800 years, and has appeared from time to time throughout the ages. She was last seen in 1231I at the outskirts of the Faldern forest in Juridicus, where she cause the earth to open like a gigantic mouth and swallow Titus Curtius Getha whole. Getha was a merchant who planned a gigantic logging venture to build a massive fleet. While within the Druid's ethos, this action was excessive and premature, but damned effective.
Getha's death had several effects. It made many shun Druids for a few decades out of fear. Secondly, it convinced many that The Gray Dove was hibernating in the Faldern forest and that she was guarding something there; however, treasure hunters were turned away by a strong Druid presence at the outskirts of the forest. The potentially most devastating effect was not noticed for a long time. It was the formation of the Shadow Circle.
The official Druid view is that there was a prequal to the encounter at Faldern, or that there was more to Getha than is known. However, some Druids came to the conclusion that Vitula originally planned for her priests to be much more ruthless in their defense of nature. Being a minority, they formed a secret circle, while remaining part of the mainstream religion to watch for new recruits. Little is known about the Shadow Circle, save that they are much more ruthless than most Druids and they have members living among the tribes north of Erascova and among the Mas'Hatar.
This covers the land south of a line from the southernmost point of Ophelia's Land to the Moradin Mountains and west of Squall Bay. Their influence stops at the jungles beyond Amazonia. With the discovery of Zakhara, they have sent Druids to investigate. They disagree with the other Circle's suggestion that a new Circle should be formed and think they should widen their own Circle of influence.
This Circle is north of the Peninsular Circle (including officially Ophelia's Land) and east of the Hellenic Mountains to the west of Zeeda. The area includes Caesar's Garden, believed by many to be the headquarters of the Druid faith. The Temple of Whispering is considered too "civilized" by the Great Druid, so it is a dead end job in the quest for Druidic power, although well respected in Imperial circles. The Oak Circle is so named because it is the original Druid Circle and they believe all of the other Circles are just branches of the original tree. This is not a common belief in other Circles. The Oak Circle has lost much of its prestige in recent centuries, due to the number of members of the Shadow Circle revealed in prominant positions.
Zorchan's Circle is a square east of the Hellenic Mountains, west of the channel between the Red and Border seas and south of the Red Sea. Natually, this Circle was founded by the Druid Zorchan. The large tracts of wilderness in this Circle has made it very popular with young Druids. While many of its Druids are hermits, some powerful and charasmatic leaders have come from this Circle.
The Red Circle is north of the Red Sea's southern border, east of the channel and east of the Oak Circle's border. This Circle's greatest problem is the Priests of Gruumush, who see them as invaders of Orcish territory.
The Grand Druid is Gaea, a Zeedan woman who was Great Druid of Zorchan's Circle. She has held the post for three years. She is well respected and her lack of interference in the Circles has led to a peaceful three years.
The Great Druid of the Peninsular Circle is the Amazon, Aretha. Aretha has been in the position for four years, and has faced several challenges. The reason is her involvement in her own civilization. She has strong views on slavery - she's against it - and anti-Imperium. She does not go out attacking people, however this does colour her decisions. The Druids of this Circle are united behind her in the belief that the Circle should spread into Zakhara.
The Great Druid of the Oak Circle is the half-elf, Domitius Fabius Caestoninius. Caestoninius has been in the position for six years and shows no sign of wanting to proceed. A skilled manipulator, Caestoninius has yet to be challenged, although there have bee a few who planned to over the years. He has stated that he wants to bring his Circle to its rightful dominance.
The head of the temple of Whispering is run by Decima Magna. Magna is the daughter of a senator from Rome and is more interested in gardens than the wilderness. She is not believed to be that powerful. (No one wanted the job.)
The Great Druid of Zorchan's Circle is Vasilis, a Zeedan man. Vasilis's position is not secure. He defeated Gaea's successor, Titus Cornelius Brutus, two years ago and Brutus is considering a challenge to regain his position. Newcomer, Running Bull, a barbarian from the wilderness east of Korshan, is also ready to challenge. Naturally, Vasilis is concentrating more on political survival than his position of Great Druid. When the situation is resolved, it will make little difference who wins, unless it is Running Bull. He has little experience with civilization and less respect for it. Under his lead, the Druids of Zorchan's Circle will be less forgiving of civilized man.
The Great Druid of the Red Circle is Mocabeth, "The Snake". She is from Kweedan and is heavily tattooed with images of snakes. She apparently rules with an iron hand and poisoned her predecessor with a bite.
The religion of Vitula had Druids, Clerics and Shamans in its service. The Druids view the Shamans with respect and the Clerics with reserve to pity. The Shamans tend to keep in their own tribes and not meddle in the church's activities. The Clerics are more interested in human civilizations and tend to be more involved in their own local hierarchy, although there are exceptions. Due to the Pantheon nature of Clerics, they gain little power in the Druid hierarchy.
 
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