The Druidical Order
The Society of Druids, also known as the Druidical Order is the political and social class of the learned that guide fae society. They are the priest, poets and sages of the fae. As such, they encompass many vocations.
The Druidical Order is made up of three professions: bards, praise-singers, and druids. The druid class is the powerful within the order and the most respected in Faerie as a whole. (Note: druid with a capital "D" refers to the Druidical Order, and in that case may refer to a bard or ollave.) The Druids are seen by all fey as the glue that bind the fey together. Within that order, the druids gain their power directly from Faerie, which they see as indistinguishable from god, and/or the natural order. It is the source of all things.
Grand Druids - these are (normally) ancient fae who are at least seventh level in all three of the Druid classes. Moreover, they have gone through each class one by one: first bard, then ollave and then druid. Most dedicate themselves to the druid class thereafter. These druids lead the Druidical Order.
Druid - the druid class is, as one imagines, the backbone of the Society of Druids, and the de facto "priest" class of fae society. "Pure" druids are more highly respected than any other class, save grand druids. While praise singers devote themselves to one god, druids look at the whole cycle of the world - its mysteries and connections to both otherworlds and the rhythms of nature. They are the conscience of the fae and the glue that binds the disparate cultures of sidhe, elf, dwarf, gnome and halfling together. All of these people, in one fashion or another look to the druids for guidance and wisdom. So far druids, have never betrayed that trust. They favor no race, or social class and seek to keep fae society vibrant, and balanced with the needs of nature and the gods.
Ollaves, praise-singers - lesser in stature than druids, the ollaves are persons that devote themselves to the study and praise of one god above all others. Unlike the templars of human lands, ollaves never have congregations, or churches to offer them support. Each praise singer may have one or two initiates learning their rites. Essentially, they operate alone. They preside over festivals and ceremonies that involve their deity and sing priase-poems both to entertain and educate the masses. Along with the rangers, they often act as defenders of groves and front line warriors when the Druids make war. As warrior priests they have developed formidable healing arts and are well-loved by the commoners whom they sometimes minister to.
Bards - bards are less important than ollaves in Druidical seniority, but powerful nonetheless. Individual bards command great respect in the society as great artists and orators. They are the eyes and ears of the Society of Druids, and sometimes its mouthpiece. Satirical songs and poems carry great weight in fae society. Many a noble has been humbled by the Druids without the casting of a single spell, due to a bard's skill. Bards gather knowledge for the ollaves and druids, traveling widely and therefore are more independent than their brethren.
