Druids are representatives of the Cult of Life symbolized by the Ruddy Moon in Anicean society. Diviners, doctors, scientists, poets, satirists, and sacrificers: filled with boundless energy, these impulsive religious figures change roles with the seasons—and their moods!
The appearance of their place of worship, the Nemeton, varies even though it is always located in an area where life abounds, such as a forest or a commercial crossroads. With rare exceptions, Nemetons are not named, and Druids, unable to remain in one place for too long, alternate between these different sacred sites. It is therefore possible to find a Nemeton empty or occupied by a dozen Druids at a time.
The most important mission of the Druids is marriage, a sacrament, despite the attempts of the Cult of Death, which the Cult of Life still has exclusive rights to. In addition to the ceremony, Druids are responsible for the Cenalio, a series of trials imposed on the couple to determine the purity of their feelings. If they fail, the marriage is considered impure, i.e. motivated by selfish interests, and loses all honor.
Apart from their social duties, Druids seek to satisfy their hunger—literally—for knowledge in order to strengthen their bond with the living through sacrificial rituals. These rites are an opportunity for them to “taste life”, that is, to consume the organs of the sacrificed—animals or humans—raw. This practice allows Druids to acquire the characteristics of those they consume, such as their strength, perception, or even knowledge.
Most Druids carry the organs of their sacrifices with them to consume them when the need arises. The digestion of these offal, like that of poisonous mushrooms, is surprisingly easy for them, even if this does not change the revulsion caused by their monstrous appearance.
Rare and revered in Anicea, Druids often have a bad reputation outside the kingdom's borders, where human sacrifice is forbidden. The few who venture beyond are forcibly recruited by the MIR to become Agents. While joining the organization is a disgrace for Aniceans, Druids see it as a way to continue their quest for knowledge with impunity.
