THE WAY
The "Way" or the "Path" is a belief based on the idea that there is a natural order in the Universe. By living in harmony with nature, one can accept one's place in the natural hierarchy. Inner peace can be reached through acceptance of one's place in the world. The Way or the Path is different for all creatures. It begins with accepting yourself for who you are.
The world is not static, continuously flowing through time. We do not inherit it from the past, but rather borrow it from the future. We are stewards, not owners. The world is our home, and can provide everything that is needed by all. It will not satisfy everyone's wants, for the physical world comes first, before the imagination. Moderation, not extremism, is the key to honoring the world. There are rules to be followed, that all life may share the same world, under the same sky, over the same earth. The animals and wildlife adhere to many of them by sheer instinct.
The Druidic Law is not complex. Sometimes it is more relevant than others.
The consequences are meted out as the judgement of the ruling Druid seems fit. Generally, consequences do not require suffering. The purpose of “The Way” is to set a standard for sentient behavior. Some of the rules pertain to the boundaries of civilization. Some pertain to civilization.
Retribution is different for everyone, but could result in crop failure or drought, infertility or poor livestock, wells going dry, blights and swarms. It's a punishment that affects an individual or a group.
Death usually applies to an individual.
The balance must be maintained. The world comes first. This is called First Priority. It is to be guaranteed at all cost.
After the First Priority, there are individual rules.
Earth
* Roads and paths should be necessary to minimize the impact on the earth.
* Quarries should be set back to nature when closed down
* Limited number of quarries are allowed.
* Leaving any evidence of passage is frowned on.
* Graveyards must bury their dead the height of the creature at least.
* Certain rock formations must be respected.
* Ground cannot be stripped of plant life that holds soil together.
* Scat is to be buried.
Water
* Do not block or reroute waterways
* Do not pollute or poison waterways. Punishable by retribution.
* Do not remove all of a particular type of fish or water creature.
* Do not interfere with the spawning of fish, or the laying of eggs
* Do not harvest more than half of the fish, or water creatures in a limited body of water.
* When fishing by line or by net, cast back the smaller half to allow more to grow.
Air
* Do not remove all of a particular type of bird.
* Do not burn poisonous plants. Punishable by retribution.
Wood and Plants
* Cut down a tree, plant two trees nearby.
* Do not remove all of a particular type of tree or plant from a particular area.
* Do not deforest an area. Punishable by retribution.
* When harvesting wood, thinning of an area is recommended.
* Leaving any evidence of passing is frowned upon.
* Only ripe fruit is to be picked from the wild.
* Do not harvest more than half of any plant from a particular area.
Fire
* Fire is to be maintained safely.
* Forest fires are to be investigated and are punishable by death and retribution if found to be intentional or due to carelessness.
* Use firewood on the forest floor. It helps prevent fire spread.
Animal
* Do not kill all of a particular type of animal.
* Do not release foreign animals into the wild.
* If you kill it, use it... All of it.
* Upon killing an animal, apologize to it, explain you have taken its life that your family may eat.
* Do not kill for sport. Punishable by retribution or death.
* Circle reserves the right to stop hunting and trapping in a given area.
* Do not disturb an animals lair without cause.
Insect
* Insect life is still life.
* Insect swarms are to left alone.
* Foreign insects are not to be introduced.
* Stagnant pools of water must he drained in civilized areas.
Farm
* Do not farm more land than you need.
* Share your seeds and surplus in times of need.
* Leave 1/3 of your fields fallow.
Disease
* Diseased creatures and plants must be evaluated and destroyed if a danger to the population.
* Purposely spreading disease is forbidden. Punishable by death and retribution.
Magic
* Irresponsible magic that results in the death of nature is forbidden. Punishable by retribution.
* Irresponsible magic that threatens the balance is forbidden. Punishable by death.
Unnatural Creatures
* Abominations are a disturbance in the circle of life. They will be destroyed.
* Undead are abominations.
* Magically created mixed types of wildlife are abominations.
* Magically created large wildlife are abominations.
* Magically transported creatures from other time periods are abominations.
* Creation of abominations, for any other reason but to restore the balance, is forbidden. Punishable by death or retribution.
* All sylvan creatures are protected from hunting. Punishable by retribution.