Druidism - Art of Nature

Druidism is the art of controlling and manipulating life around you. Accelerating the growth of plant life and flora, commanding the inhabitants of the wild to move as you please; all such things are under the command of a master druid. Unfortunately, unlike elemental mages, the energy required to use such skills in not in the capacity of mortal races. So instead, Druids rely upon ancient markings and symbols upon their skin, to attract and gather the Life energy needed to work their wonders. Druids are born with one such marking at birth, a physical manifestation of their Gift, and are named accordingly. Though they may have “normal” names, Druids will always call other Druids by their birth-mark name.

As a Druid advances in his art, he is granted more such markings by the Elder Council of Druids, which is done through ancient and secret rituals known only to the Elder Council. As a druid’s tattoos become increasingly intricate and numerous, he is capable of gathering Life energy more quickly and to store more of it when he does so.

This excess energy will allow him to do much more, even going as far as to possess enough markings to morph into forest animals such as birds or bears. However, Druids aren’t capable of maintaining their forms for long, often the most veteran capable of just under an hour. For such transformations are the peak of Druids abilities and draw considerable amounts of energy. What’s more, should a Druid fail to revert to his original state before the energy in his markings expires, he will be forever trapped in his current form, his mind quickly falling through into that of the beast he imitated.

As stated above, gathering the energy to commit these acts is tender art, one that requires patience and inner-serenity. Unlike elemental mana, life energy is of a calmer make, and does not lash back at its creators. This is also what allows it to be attracted to markings and manipulated, instead of forced as would an elemental mage. The velvet hand over the iron first as the human saying might describe. However, the energy is slow to amass and even quicker to drain, requiring Druids to be tactile in their use.

- The Professor, excerpt from the Druid Chronicles

I would like to see how this magic would be in... culture or something. Like how practical mages are considered in culture. You mention there being an Elder Council. How many councils of this sort exist and where (At "where", I would assume "Nomadic" or at least "Mobile"). How does society view druids and their art?

Also, you may want an optional reference to Umbsaliel. Perhaps these druids are her subconscious "Chosen" to emulate her (indirect) creations and invigorate themselves with her power. That is, assuming my lore in such an area is accepted until that point.

The Elder Council of Druids would be some sort of sub-order inside the Conclave. The reason for this being that I doubt any magically-themed organization could survive in Ara’niel without being incredibly secret or having some sort of powerful independent nation protecting them. Though normally Druids are relatively reclusive individuals, often traveling alone or in twos or threes, any significant gathering of Druids would travel from Grove to Grove, harboring and teaching other Gifted marked as they were. They are “conformed” to Conclave views but answer to the Elder Council not the Conclave Council. This could provide for some interesting inner-Conclave politics and add some friction to the world. As a sub-order the Druids would be modeled after the Celtic Druids, viewing objects such as mistletoe and oak as holy items. They would also likely perform animal sacrifices.

Also I'd like to see her exact tenants if you could link them but it sounds good to me.