RE: [DL] Pagans (slightly OT)

["Matthew M. DeForrest" <mmdeforrest@worldnet.att.net>]

-----Original Message-----
But that's just it, I don't want to use any existing
rules for this class, besides I'm not trying to create
a Wiccan AB. The reason I'm calling the background
Druid is that these people would be carrying on the
traditions of the druids who built Stonehedge (yes, I
know about the faerie doctor AB, but that's an irish
AB, I want to make an exclusively british one)
--------------------------

Strictly speaking, the Faerie Doctor is a pan-Celtic AB.  As such, the
British could use it, although the English couldn't.  Now, it's true that
the Irish would be the most likely to appear as Faerie Doctors.  The Faerie
Doctor is the folk continuation of the Druidic tradition.

--------------------------
As an example of history, Aleister Crowley published
his first book in 1898 and joined a hermetic order in
the same year (hurm, maybe I should call it Hermit)
which was formed in 1888 by three people who were
influenced by Qabalist teachings written by Alphonse
Louis Constant in 1854. In America, Spiritualism was
established as an alternative form of religious belief
in the late 1848. Founded by the Fox sisters
(Margaretta, Leah, and Kate), the focus of
Spiritualism was on communication with the dead.

[snip]

My point being: it should perfectly logical that the
british occultists of the 1860s and 70s and 80s have
their own arcane background to reflect their personal
philosophies and heritage. And that is what I'm trying
to create, a completely new (british) Arcane
Background
---------------------------

*Historically* speaking, the movement that produces Crowley is too late for
the current Deadlands timeline.  Of course, so is Jack the Ripper so history
shouldn't necessarily stop you.  Still, what you need is a good kick-off for
the movement.  The difficulty you will have with Druidism is that the
movement back towards Celticism isn't going to happen (again, historically)
for a little while yet -- that comes with the Ossianic controversy (although
the beginnings of Celticism can be found in the works of Sir Walter Scott).

Now, the first thing you'll want to decide is if this AB will be part of the
hierarchy/class structure.  If you want this, I'd recommend grounding its
basis in the Hellfire Club of the 1700s.  If you are more interested in a
hidden tradition, then you can date it back to the Roman attempt to wipe out
the Druids and have them survive in and around Glastonbury or headquartered
in Brittany.

To my mind, your real problem is going to be trying to integrate the Druidry
into the Victorian class structure.  Anything Celtic is going to be a little
too close to the Fenians to make the establishment comfortable.  Unless, of
course, it is part of an establishment attempt to control the lover classes
in the Celtic areas.

But always remember that it's your game and if you want to change or ignore
the British class structure, do so.

I hope this helps.

Matt