'animal kinship' kinship

Druids are charged with protecting wilderness -in particular trees, wild plants, wild animals and crops. As nature's protector a druid's entire life is dedicated to the study of these things, and knowledge combined with power and necessity gives a druid the ability to shapechange into various animals. A druid may dedicate him or herself to studying a specific type of animal, or divide his or her attention equally amongst all animals. If all animals are studied a druid gains enough insight into their forms and behavior to shapeshift into an owl, a bear, and either a wolf or boar. Druids who choose this path of study will be able to assume the shape of these creatures but will be unable to cast spells while shapeshifted. In addition, the stresses of being in animal form drains mana from the druid. Druids may also choose to dedicate themselves to a specific animal. The current teachings amongst the druidic circle cover the greater wolf, greater boar and orangoutang. This learning allows a druid to assume the shape of their chosen animal with almost natural ease. While in animal form the druid may continue to cast spells, although only on him or herself. With dedicated study the druid's affinity to their chosen animal allows the shapeshifting to be maintained without draining mana. See also: help 'GREATER BOAR', 'GREATER WOLF', 'ORANGOUTANG' 'WOLFFORM', 'BOARFORM', 'OWLFORM' and 'BEARFORM'