Quote from: James Gillen;703050The ability to call lightning is also questionable.

JG

Well as long as they aren't running up my phone bill with these calls...

Quote from: Omega;703058Well as long as they aren't running up my phone bill with these calls...

Ba-dump-bump

To me the reason why shapeshifting doesn't really fit with the historical druids is because they were too advanced.  They were far too developed as a religious institution.

The viking Seidhr, on the other hand, were I think a lot closer to what the D&D druids look like.

Yes. But most fantasy Druids tend to be far removed from historical ones. Or were based on older interpretations of druids. Or were based on literary versions which sometimes idealize Druids as champions of nature.

In one of my own RPGs druids are very organized and employ blood sacrifice in their rituals. The trick is. The sacrifice cannot die during the ritual (and usually should not die soon after either.) They risk burnout less and have the greatest reserves of magic. They can also combine spells with other casters easier.
Downside being that if they do hit burnout they are effected the hardest from the disconnect. And the rituals can be interrupted by killing the sacrifice. (technically a donor.)

I was combining what was popular theory, speculation and fantasy at the time to build up something with some real world roots, but with some definite twists.

The original RS setting had druids noticing one of the worlds big secrets and becoming obsessed with finding out if it was true. And going a little nuts when they confirmed one of the basic world assumptions was totally wrong.