Appendix B

A good many works of modern fantasy fiction deal with druids or druidlike figures who act to magically preserve and protect Nature. Some of the best are listed below, but many more Arthurian (Merlin was a druid!) or Celtic-inspired fantasies await in bookstores and libraries.

Novels and Series

The Mists of Avalon, Marion Zimmer Bradley. The story of King Arthur, Merlin, and Morgan le Fay told from Morgan's point of view. Beautifully written.

The Dreamstone, C. J. Cherryh. Arafel, the last of the Sidhe and immortal protectress of the wood, makes a good model for an eccentric Guardian druid. Sequel: The Tree of Swords and Jewels.

Moonheart, Charles De Lint. This novel has a modern setting, but its compelling tale of bards, druids, shamans, and the meeting of Celtic and Amerind magic has relevance to any fantasy campaign--as do most of De Lint's other novels (especially Greenmantle).

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever series, Steven R. Donaldson. An outcast from our world becomes drawn reluctantly into a struggle to save the magical Land from evil. The forces rallied in defense of the Land hold ideas usable in a druidic campaign. Also relevant is the theme of protecting a world against a corrupting evil.

Moon of Gomrath, Alan Garner. This tale, regarding the return of "wild magic" to England, contains useful enchantments.

Mythago Wood, Robert Holdstock. This award-winner full of powerful images brims with druidic magic and ancient mystery in England's woods. The Mythago Wood is the archetypal primal forest; mythagos themselves would make an exciting mystery encounter--and an interesting alternative to avatars. Sequel: Lavondyss.

Druid, Morgan Llywelyn. Clearly, this novel is superior historical fantasy.

Nausicaa and the Valley of the Wind, Hayao Miyazaki. Nausicaa, the heroine of this excellent science-fantasy comic (and movie), resembles a gray druid with the Hivemaster kit.

Moonshae and Druidhome trilogies, Douglas Niles. These six books center around a druid who worships the Earthmother in the Forgotten Realms setting.

The Forest of Forever, Thomas Burnett Swann. This is one of several novels by Swann that focuses on sylvan folk, dryads, and the like within an ancient setting.

Lord of the Rings, J. R. R. Tolkein. The encounters with the Old Forest, Tom Bombadil, Radagast, and Treebeard contain many ideas usable within a druidic campaign. Some think Gandalf resembles a druid far more than a wizard.

The Seedbearers trilogy, Peter Valentine. This series postulates a druid migration to Great Britain following the sinking of Atlantis. Its action continues up to Rome's destruction of the druids.

Game Supplements

Halls of the High King (FA1), Ed Greenwood. This Forgotten Realms adventure contains information on druidic groves in the Realms, including their unique "moonwells."

Celts Campaign Sourcebook (HR3), Graeme Davis. This book provides rules on how the very different Celtic druids of ancient Britain, Gaul, and Ireland can work within a historical fantasy AD&D game. It has a useful bibliography on historical druids.

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