In the Realms, Druids belonged to many different schools, or circles. The best known were the Circles of the Land, Moon, and Stars, though there were also smaller schools, such as Wildfire, Dreams, Spores, and Shepherds.
The Circle of the Moon favored Wild Shape-fighting by transforming into beasts. Its Druids therefore preferred to battle in animal form, in which they held advantages over other Druids: they could perform more actions while transformed, and every attack dealt additional magical damage.
Halsin was a Druid of the Circle of the Moon, and his strength had probably only just crossed the threshold into Master rank. Years of imprisonment and torture had reduced him to Elite rank, and he might need several years to recover. It was also thanks to his Druid abilities that he had survived his long captivity.
Apparently realizing that this could invite criticism, Halsin had his girlfriend return to human form-a female Druid wearing leather armor, with long brown hair and a slightly plump figure. Both she and Halsin were moderates. Back when Daba-Thorn realized things were going wrong, Halsin had held off the extremists so his girlfriend could escape. Fina had not fled far, however. She had wandered near the forest until she saw Aaron's army enter, then secretly followed them in and finally reunited with her boyfriend.
Including Fina, eight of the moderate Druids under Halsin were still alive. Seven were willing to stay. Even the only one who wanted to leave did not wish to abandon the Sacred Grove; he merely had a promise to fulfill somewhere far away and would return once it was done.
That showed just how attached the Druids were to the Sacred Grove.
Halsin pleaded with Aaron on his behalf-he hoped Aaron would give this Druid travel funds and supplies while also