Swamp Druids

Known as the Swamp Druids by the Celtic peoples of southern Ankomst, the Cinn Chliaban, or literally the "Cradle Ones", occupy and maintain the Swamp Temple deep within the Living River Delta in the far south of the continent. While belonging to no clan as a member of the Cinn Chliaban, the swamp druids draw from members of every clan. Swamp Druids from the Mud Temple travel throughout the Swamp of Life, and along the length of the Living River, which they revere as sacred. They fashion themselves as champions and defenders of the "Mother River", and journey its length in an effort to ensure its well-being. As many of the Celtic peoples make pilgrmages to the Mud Temple, the Swamp Druids in the temple keep an eye out for young pilgrims with an affintity for the swamp. They will often take these children in, if their parents are willing to part with them, sometimes offering to pay for the children in cases where the natural ability to tap into the magic of the waters seems strong within the child. (There are rumors of the Swamp Druids kidnapping some children in order to sustain their ranks.) Over years of service to the magic inherent in the Swamp of Life, and in the Living River itself, the Swamp Druids begin to take on the physical aspects of the land they servce and protect, often growing moss-like beards, branch-like protrusions from their bodies, bark-like skin, and even smelling like the fetid waters of the swamp itself. Swamp Druids have an affinity for the wildlife of the swamp and seem to be at their most powerful within the boundries of the Swamp of Life.  They are widely sought after for their gifts in the healing arts and magic.