Lady's Grove
The Lady's Grove is a druid circle located near Crisial of the Four Towers. Started by Safrir Tree-friend and the ancient tree-spirit known in these times as Sara, it is the most modern and progressive of the well-known druid circles in the Federated Nations.
The Lady's Grove accepts those of any background who feel a tie to the kami and wish to further their understanding, whether they have the desire and potential to become druidic practitioners or not. The main demand of the circle is to pledge to work to tame the effects of mortals on the wilds and to strike balance between mortals and nature. They primarily act as mediators between mortals and the kami. Unlike some of the other groves, they accept technology and artificial construction as long as it's done with an eye to moderating the effects on the environment. Lady's Grove druids and shamans also teach responsible farming and circulate throughout the surrounding areas counseling and aiding farmers in farming sustainably, both for them and for the land. Many architects come to study the techniques taught here.
The basic philosophy taught here is the Circle of the Land (forests and plains, mostly).
There are currently (as of 250 AC) around 35 druids and druidic apprentices associated with the Grove, making it the second-largest circle in Western Noefra, after the Moon Circle in Byssia.
Leadership
Archdruid Safrir and Sara are co-leaders, although the organization is relatively loose. They're also lovers. There is very little hierarchy below them--the only ranks are druid (accepted, independent) and seeker (apprentice druids and those who come for short periods seeking knowledge and training).
Safrir remains the most powerful of the mortals, capable of casting 5th circle spells. But together with Sara, he's capable of much greater feats within the forest itself.
Of the 15 other full druids, 1 is capable of casting 4th circle spells, and 3 more of casting 3rd circle spells. The rest are weaker than that, with a full half only capable of casting 1st circle spells.
