A werebear becomes a grove guardian when it makes a pact with an archdruid to protect the druid’s grove. Grove Guardians are slowly infused with nature magic throughout years of protecting the vibrancy of the grove. This infusion allows them to share a bond with the archdruid and the land to cast high level druid spells while within the grove and the surrounding environment. Grove guardians can live as long as the grove remains healthy and uncorrupted, leading to many of them being hundreds of years old. Their long lifespan and infusion of nature magic changes their curse of lycanthropy. They no longer spread it through bites but instead choose an individual to inherit their curse and bond to the grove with a druidic ritual. Grove guardians spend most of their time in their huge bear form and only take their hybrid form when facing powerful intruders. A grove guardian’s life is one of solitude and tranquil peace.
Art by IvantLaliashvili on Deviant Art