Playing a Celtic-Inspired Druid in Dungeons and Dragons 5e

DND Celtic Druid featured image is credited to Wizards of the Coast’s D&D 5e Mythic Odysseys of Theros.
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One of my absolute favorite classes is the Druid. Between unmatched utility spells, nature-based sentiments, and a wellspring of real-world lore to build from, Druids enrich Dungeons and Dragons games as likeably gentle yet fearsome characters.

While there are many ancient cultures that fit within the umbrella of “Druid,” the Celtic traditions stand strong as a well-documented ancient and modern practicing craft. In roleplaying games, we can find some common elements between history and fantasy, but we will discover greater depth and inspiration by studying Celtic history in particular.

In this article, I hope to provide inspiration and actionable advice for playing a Druid while leveraging lore and tradition from Celtic Druidism.

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Druid Inspiration: The Three Druid Elements

Druids have a different sense of nature than other cultures. In Druidic practice, we find three elements to describe the experienceable world alongside the traditional four elements of nature. This inspiration comes from Dana O’Driscoll, Druid Adept and Archdruid of Water, at the Ancient Order of Druids in America.

In the Celtic Druidic tradition, there are three sacred elements that demonstrate things we experience in the world, as explained by ancient Druid Morganwg in Barddas. It is believed that the Celtic Gods divided the earth into these three respective realms: sky, sea, and land. These elements can be thought of individually, but they clearly manifest themselves in the world connectively.

This element represents the spirit of all that is living. It is the lifeforce flowing through the earth. It is associated with the heavens and the sky, but it also relates to the mind and consciousness. It is the future, it is the summer, it is a full moon, it is a wand, it is fire, it is white.

“This is the spark of life that encourages a seed to grow, the magic within the plant; in some forms of herbalism, it would be the spiritual energy of the plant and the plant spirit itself” (O’Driscoll).

This element is the constant change of the world: the flow, the movement, the fluctuation of all things, the current of life. It is represented by water, like an ever-moving and fluid tide. It is the present, it is the spring or fall, it is a half moon, it is a cauldron, it is a well, it is blue.

“Gwyar is responsible for the change we see in plants across the season; it’s the growth of the seed from spout to adult plant and finally decay; it’s the flow of the seasons moving ever forward” (O’Driscoll).

This final element is structure, solidity, and stability. It is the physical substance of all matter. It is represented by stone or earth, but also by bodies and objects and plants. It is the past, it is the winter, it is a new moon, it is a crane bag, it is a tree, it is green.

“Calas is the physical being of the plants in the garden, the soil, the microbial life. It is calas you feel when you pick up the rich soil and run it through your fingers. It is calas that is the feeling of your tools in your hand (although it’s gwyar that makes those tools work!)” (O’Driscoll).

Using the Three Druid Elements for Inspiration

In discovering this lore, I wondered if I could utilize the three elements for character progression. Because Druids have the ability to swap spells daily in 5^th edition, and Druids’ skills shine when they focus on utility (though this doesn’t mean they can’t deliver a heavy hit), this class has a roomier space to breathe in terms of gameplay and versatility. Essentially, a player could emphasize character development through their character’s manifested powers and magic.

Depending on which Circle you choose for your Druid, choose one of the three elements above to focus on first. This will be your character’s most familiar element, the one they feel the most comfortable with. This may also play into the land and terrain from which they hail.

This first chosen element will determine which spells are initially chosen and utilized, how they interact with the land around them, and perhaps flavor for their personality and viewpoints of the world.

As the character progresses in gameplay, leveling, and abilities, choose a secondary element to introduce to their spellcasting that they either develop, learn, or unlock. This can happen at any milestone the player feels their character has met. Perhaps certain powers were needed, so they manifested naturally; maybe by connecting to certain landscape, the character grew familiar with it; or it could be that a character sought a mentor to show them how to expand their understanding of the world and to unlock their connection to the other elements.

While which element is chosen in which order will depend on how a player wishes to roleplay the subclass or develop their backstory details, I propose the following paths for each Druid Circle. Recall that Nwyfre (spirit) is lifeforce, Gwyar (sea) is change, and Calas (earth) is material.

• Circle of Dreams: Nwyfre (spirit) -> Gwyar (sea) -> Calas (earth)
• Circle of Land: Calas (earth) -> Nwyfre (spirit) -> Gwyar (sea)
• Circle of Moon: Nwyfre (spirit) -> Gwyar (sea) -> Calas (earth) or Gwyar (sea) + Nwyfre (spirit) -> Calas (earth)
• Circle of Shepherd: Nwyfre (spirit) -> Calas (earth) -> Gwyar (sea)
• Circle of Spores: Calas (earth) -> Gwyar (sea) -> Nwyfre (spirit) or Gwyar (sea) -> Calas (earth) -> Nwyfre (spirit)
• Circle of Stars: Nwyfre (spirit) -> Gwyar (sea) -> Calas (earth)
• Circle of Wildfire: Gwyar (sea) -> Nwyfre (spirit) -> Calas (earth) or Gwyar (sea) + Nwyfre (spirit) -> Calas (earth)

Spellcasting

In terms of spellcasting, a player could choose certain spells based on their elemental familiarity and progression. Think of schools of magic as having particular elemental associations. These categories could be debated, so choose for yourself for what makes sense to you, and perhaps realize that some schools could fit multiple categories.

• Nwyfre (spirit, mind): Abjuration, Conjuration, Divination, Enchantment, Evocation, Necromancy
• Gwyar (flow, change, sea): Conjuration, Illusion, Necromancy, Transmutation
• Calas (earth, structure, material, body): Conjuration, Evocation, Necromancy, Transmutation

You might also consider looking at spells individually. As you will see, spells may be found appropriate for multiple elements:

• Nwyfre spells would include effects that call upon spirits, heal, produce light, or influence the minds of creatures (Guidance, Animal Friendship, Beast Bond, Absorb Elements, Charm Person, Cure Wounds, Faerie Fire, Protection from Evil and Good, and so forth).
• Gwyar spells have a flow of energy, power weapons or objects, or alter the state of things, including healing (Control Flames, Druidcraft, Shillelagh, Cure Wounds, Gust, Poison Spray, Fog Cloud, Enlarge/Reduce, Elemental Weapon, Plant Growth, Polymorph, et cetera).
• Calas spells affect the body or structure of a material object, heal, provide stability and protection, and ground the spellcaster (Guidance, Mending, Absorb Elements, Cure Wounds, Earth Tremor, Entangle, Barkskin, Earthbind, Enhance Ability, Heat Metal, Dispel Magic, Erupting Earth, Meld into Stone, Summon Fey, Fire Shield, and so forth).

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Druid Inspiration: Art and Ceremony

Immersing your character in Druidic practices is an excellent way to incorporate these Celtic element inspirations. Here are several examples of how to roleplay your Druid based on Celtic tradition.

Poetry and Prayer

Consider adding simple poetry to your repertoire. Speak using the terms of the elements in Gaelic tongue. The following prayer comes from The Druid’s Garden. When your character casts a healing spell or Plant Growth, for instance, say the following simple prayer in character:

Calas, the form and the shape
Gwyar, the flow and the change
Nwyfre, the spark of life
Sacred elements spiraling
Bless this land’s growing.

In The Celtic Heroic Age (2003) (pg. 265), John Carey translated The Song of Amergin from the Book of Leinster. This poem, thought to be the earliest spoken Irish poem, contains myriad inspirations for Druidic dialogue:

I am a wind in the sea (for depth)
I am a sea-wave upon the land (for heaviness)
I am the sound of the sea (for fearsomeness)
I am a stag of seven combats (for strength)
I am a hawk upon a cliff (for agility)
I am a tear-drop of the sun (for purity)
I am fair (i.e. there is no plant fairer than I)
I am a boar for valour (for harshness)
I am a salmon in a pool (for swiftness)
I am a lake in a plain (for size)
I am the excellence of arts (for beauty)
I am a spear that wages battle with plunder.
I am a god who forms subjects for a ruler
Who explains the stones of the mountains?
Who invokes the ages of the moon?
Where lies the setting of the sun?
Who bears cattle from the house of Tethra?
Who are the cattle of Tethra who laugh?
What man, what god forms weapons?
Indeed, then;
I invoked a satirist…
a satirist of wind.

Ceremonies and Vision Quests

According to Celtic Druid Temple, “the Celtic way of spirituality shows us that sacred places are found and not created. This is why Celtic Druids would hold ritual ceremony in a natural setting.” Though Druids don’t necessarily worship deities in Dungeons and Dragons, they may worship nature or the Weave of magic flowing through all living things.

When a character experiences a significant event, such as performing a heroic act or mourning loss and tragedy, they may wish to develop their character and resolve by performing ceremonies in a natural space. When a character is between two or more difficult decisions, communing with nature is a way for a player to resolve their uncertainty without forcing a division within the party.

Natural places for ceremonies and vision quests include hearths, prolific trees, monumental rockscapes, natural landmarks, water oases, and so forth. Practices used in these ceremonies include meditation, guided dreaming, chanting, drumming, singing and dancing. In a ceremony, the Druid focuses on their connection to their tribal gods, their ancestors, themselves as individuals, or nature in order to better visualize themselves in the vast web of life.

Utilize natural imagery in dreams and vision quests. Consider asking your Dungeon Master to provide imagery and descriptions of dreams. Taking time to describe a ceremony need not be long, but a simple explanation of what a character sees or feels is sufficient to set the tone of character development for upcoming events.

Dream Imagery for Druids

Animal Symbol	Meaning
Stag	Nobility, honesty, patience, persistence, pride, success. Birch tree.
Cat	Observant, perception, senses, intution, insight, diverging from paths, creativity. Rowan tree.
Adder	Communication, persuasion, curiosity, inspiring, spontaneous, unpredictable, uncooperative if disagree. Ash tree.
Fox	Cunning, sly, guile, intelligence, evasive, intense, courage, loyalty, honor, friendship. Alder tree.
Bull	Large, solid, broad, strong, stable, caring, stubborn, defensive, trustworthy, intuition, moody. Willow tree.
Seahorse	Flexible, resourceful, adaptable, clever, small, understanding of complexities, affectionate, sharp. Hawthorn tree.
Wren	Moral responsibility, honor, integrity, cheerful, friendship, caregivers, burdened. Oak tree.
Horse	Powerful, exhuberant, competitive, charging, talent, bravado, boisterous, gregarious, straightforward, leader. Holly tree.
Salmon	Introverted, quiet, reflective, inpsired, visionaries, artistic, observant, poetic. Hazel tree.
Swan	Aristocratic, spiritual, transformation, growth, eloquent, refined, tasteful, beautiful, composed, code of conduct, passionate. Vine plant.
Butterfly	Social, gentle, caring, revere freedom, dreamers, cheerful, empathetic. Ivy plant.
Wolf	Exclusionary, alone, pack animal, loyal, brave, fearless, honorable, warrior, uncompromising, strong, devoted, stubborn, strong. Reed plant.
Hawk	Keen, lofty, wise, knowledgable, teachers, single-mindedness, floating, focused, open to philosophies, moral. Elder tree.