Druid's Grove - The Circle
A group known as the Circle has in years past been responsible for the Druid's Grove. During the Time of Troubles, the members of the Circle were:
- Mourntarn "The Master" (N human male Drd12): Grim and parsimonious with his words, and usually silent in meetings, Mourntarn is one of the nine Druids of Cormanthor, the organization of druids based on the shores of the Sea of Fallen Stars. Mourntarn is often present at meetings of the powerful in the Dales, but given his quiet nature, his presence rarely noted or remembered. One of his favored forms is that of a great horned owl.
- Deltra (N human female Drd5): Deltra is Eimair's daughter. Her father was said be Jyordhan, but this may be rumor. Neither Eimair nor Deltra will comment on it, and Mourntarn remains as silent as ever.
- Eimair (N human female Drd9): Mourntarn's companion and right-hand woman, Eimair usually speaks for Mourntarn when he decides he must make a statement. She leads the services in the Grove.
- Feldel (N half-elf female Drd5): Feldel is the youngest of the Circle and a companion of Deltra in her adventures.
- Orben (N human male Drd9): Orben disappeared during the Time of Troubles, though the exact nature of this disappearance was unknown. He has not been replaced since then.
- Veshar (N half-elf male Drd9): One of the eldest of the Circle, Veshar is said to have served under Aencar the Mantled King. Now old and extremely fragile, he seems to often forget whom he is talking to. Unlike Elminster, this is no pose or act.
In addition, the Circle contains a number of rangers. They include: Briadorn (NG human female Rgr9), Rathagol (CG human male Rgr8), Reptar (CG elf male Rgr6), Selvan (NG half-elf female Rgr5), Temis (NG human male Rgr5)
In the period following the Time of the Troubles, the Circle has chosen to abandon the Grove and seek out a new, more secluded location. This is in part due to the troubles that Shadowdale has experienced - invading armies, warring gods, and a continual flow of adventurers. It is also in part due to the increasingly civilized nature of Shadowdale itself. In particular, the recent construction of a temple to the nature goddess, Chauntea, in the town has done much to convince the Circle that they should seek a new location.
For the DM, the Circle provides an organization of neutral and neutral good individuals who may be used with ranger and druid player characters, particularly those druid initiates who reach 12th level and must confront a full druid within the hierarchy. The Circle may or may not return to Shadowdale - if it is inconvenient for the campaign, the DM may choose to send its members off wandering or even relocate them in another area where the player characters may seek them out.