Do Druids transform into their specific forms because of tradition / emerald dream stuff / wild gods or something like that, or could they theoretically transform into basically any natural creature they wanted? How about shifting back? Does their body just “know” what their base form should be, or do they have to actively put themselves back correctly?
And the clothes thing. Do we just not worry about that?
If you look at the lore based around the original Worgen you might find some strong answers. From what I remember off hand (take it with a grain of salt) - they were druids who spent so much time in their form that they lost the ability to transform back, and descended into being feral.
I know that the OG Classic druid quests had the druids learning and practicing each form, and you joined a sect of druidism based on which you leaned towards. That’s where we get Druids of the Claw, Druids of the Fang, etc etc.
It’s like a school of magic for sorcerers.
That’s essentially them losing their minds, though, right? If the Druid still has the mental capacity to leave their animalistic form, will it always 100% be “correct”? Or could they “forget” an ear, or a scar, or end up an inch shorter? I’m just unsure if it’s a calculated thing or a more instinctual reversion to the base.
So you would consider it a pretty hard-set rule that they are unable to transform into other things (ie: general shapeshifting/mimicry)? Or would you consider these sects to be more of a “norm” but not necessarily the only options?
It’s an interesting question, and I don’t have an answer. My immediate thought is to “splicing” from Harry Potter, but I can’t think of any relevant comparison in WoW.
I think that these sects are something druids practice in, and grow attuned to. It’s magic, so technically anything is possible.
Check out the Western Plaguelands quests with the Argents. There’s a druid named Zenkiki who is a novice, and just starting to learn about druid shape shifting so he screws it up constantly.
It’s a big joke type quest chain, but it may be helpful.