The Old Path in Aramán refers to the ancient practice of druidism, particularly as followed by the orcs of that world,^[2] which was nearly erased from existence by the Shapers who sought for their millennia of rule to be the only path by which mortals could access the divine; however, the Old Path survived, and has gained popularity and acceptance in the last seven decades.^[3] The term refers to both the process of reincarnation and a metaphysical location adjacent to the Tenebral Reaches. It is described as a dark wood, past the edge of death, which souls of creatures journey through to become reincarnated.^[4] The druids have named it, and lit the way for souls to follow.^[5]

The followers of the Old Path defend the idea of reincarnation, believing that a corporeal body is merely a vessel for an immortal soul,^[6] each of them being part of the song of the world.^[7] Part of the process, however, involves accepting that each new life comes with change, and the druids have to ease the fears of souls in the Underworld unwilling to let go of their previous identities.^[8] This idea of constant change and rebirth was anathema to the immortality of the elves^[4] who, even in death, stayed linked to their soul in the Garden of the Spirit. Specters and other forms of undead also rejected this, moving away from both the Old Path and the potential afterlife beyond.^[9]

There were those, after the death of the gods, that preyed on the bereaved by telling them that the Old Path would have their loved ones' souls sent to oblivion and the void, and offered a path to a brighter resting place, for a price.^[10]

Known druidic circles

• The Circle of Ancients, of great reputation, based in Dol-Rungja after leaving Dol-Makjar^[11]
• The Circle of Seasons, focused on the healing of the Barrowdells, with global influence^[12]
• The Circle of Stone, connected to giant traditions, with regional influence only in Riesingürtle^[13]
• The Circle of the Hunt, of fearsome reputation, global influence, and represented by three bloody stripes; they are against The Totality, in Hargood^[14][15]
• The Circle of the Stag, also known as the Circle of Seven Tines,^[16] druids of Timmony supported by King Augustus Valian^[17]

Trivia

• During Campaign Four, a "follower of the Old Path" seemed to refer to any practitioner of the druidic arts.^[18]
• Some of the few remaining religious people in Aramán seem to be wary of followers of the Old Path.^[19]
• Followers of the Old Path from different regions (such as those of Dol-Makjar and Riesingürtle) see each other as kin, or symbolic "cousins", due to their shared values.^[20] Among druids from established circles, they also refer to each other as "cousins" or "brethren" even in private.^[21]
• Since the Old Path existed hidden for thousands of years and has only emerged publicly in the last seventy, it has more instincts and principles than actual rules and orthodoxies.^[22]
• The Farramh led by Agari Shadow after the death of Azgra was the first one celebrated in the open in millenia.^[23]
• Although a soul can walk the path by itself in time, the proper funerary rites makes it reincarnate faster. Even after the reincarnation, however, the world itself still retains memories and echoes of the soul in each of its incarnations, so that a spell like Speak with Dead draws on those remains of identity to communicate with the deceased regardless. An ability called "Calling the Corners" allows a druid of the Old Path to communicate with all the spirits connected to the Path in a specific area.^[24]
• Druids can use blessings of fertility by modifying existing spells (Aabria Iyengar suggested the Enrichment option of Plant Growth for both flora and fauna, while Brennan Lee Mulligan said he would even allow the effect to take place through Druidcraft). The cast has joked about how many followers of the Old Path might actually be so just because of the many benefits the druids can offer them with their blessings.^[25]

References

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