Alignment: Lawful Neutral, Neutral
Region of Influence: Mostly Sonsia and Verundhi, scattered on the remaining continents
Primary Activities: Protecting and healing the forests and jungles of Samoth; spreading the growth of old-world forests
Description
This small organization of pureblood jade elf wizards seeks to protect the forests and jungles from deforestation and settlement. Each circle is responsible for protecting one specific forest area, using powerful druidic nature magick to promote growth and healing of ancient forested areas throughout Samoth, but particularly in the Far East. Jade Circle Druids can also be quite aggressive in their stance, actively combating efforts to create settlements or pasturelands where forests currently stand. The druids consider themselves as the voice of Samoth, speaking on behalf of the wounded land that cries out against overpopulation, modernization, and industrialization.
Due to their small numbers, and the rarity of pureblood elves in general, the Jade Circle Druids are not a well-known organization. They prefer to act as a highly secretive cabal, keeping to themselves and their trees when possible, and striking back from a position of secrecy when needed to help defend and protect their forest charges. As the Jade Circle sees it, when they are doing their job properly, people are unaware of their existence. When they feel forced to go on the offensive, they prefer spells such as sleet storm, call lightning, and the various summon nature�s ally spells in order to stay out of direct contact with their victims. They prefer to scare people away from their forestlands rather than attack them directly.
As noted, few outsiders have direct knowledge of the Jade Circle. There are those, however, who have come into contact with these druids, and their opinions vary. While most appreciate the efforts of the Jade Circle to promote the healthy growth of forests, many feel that the elves are little more than eco-terrorists, using their magical powers to bully others around. Others note that the Jade Circle, as is often the case with pureblood elves in general, are more concerned with their own agenda and care little for the affairs of the other races. Indeed, given the Jade Circle�s leanings toward neutrality, they would consider the sacrifice of members of any sentient race as a small price to pay if those deaths helped to preserve the old-growth forests. This apparently casual attitude toward the other races can cause friction when interacting with the leaders of the Jade Circle.
Most of the pureblood elf races tend to accept the mission of the Jade Circle, even if they think that the Circle�s methods are a little extreme at times. The other races as a whole do not have direct interaction with the Jade Circle and are most likely unaware of the organization�s existence. Individuals will encounter the Jade Circle only if they enter a protected forest or jungle. The Jade Circle will watch these individuals closely, seeking to learn their intent toward the forest. Those who are just �passing through� will usually be left alone. Those who appear lost may receive help from one of the junior members, but this is not always guaranteed; in any case, the member will not identify himself or mention the Jade Circle to the trespassers. Those who appear to be investigating the forest to determine its future potential for a possible settlement will be quickly driven off, preferably through scare tactics and non-lethal magicks, but with force if necessary.
In general, the druids of the Jade Circle prefer simply to be left alone. Their focus is on the restoration and protection of the forestlands of Samoth, and all other concerns are secondary to this goal.
Organization
The Jade Circle is a secretive cabal and do not share many details of their organization with outsiders. They work mainly alone or in small groups, keeping protective watch over the forests and jungles of Samoth. Training in the Jade Circle is surprisingly quite rigorous; the lawful bent of the organization requires an in-depth indoctrination into the philosophy, ceremonies, and goals of the order. Because of this very thorough training, the Jade Circle has a ruling body that oversees the entire order.
This governing council consists of the older members of the Circle known as the Mystic Elders. While exact numbers are not known, it is believed that there are nine Mystic Elders of the Jade Circle. Separate, and yet seemingly outranking the Mystic Elders, are three jirzai, or Masters. The fa�jirzai is the master of the Jade Circle�s knowledge of the natural world, including plants, animals, and especially trees. The ie�jirzai is the master of druidic lore and secrets who also keeps close contact with other outside druid circles. Lastly, the essa�jirzai is responsible for the more spiritual and magical elements of the Jade Circle�s ceremonies.
New members are known as initiates, or faa�lessi. Over time, as an initiate rises in rank and experience, she may be promoted in the organization to the position of Elder. As an Elder, she is directly responsible for the protection or restoration of a particular forest area. This promotion may result in the Elder being asked to move in order to take over another group of the Jade Circle that does not currently have an Elder. These moves are very traumatic experiences, as they involve the Elder leaving the forest that she has cared for and
