i have a lot of q's about druids

in soa, it says that you should be at least level 14 to be a druid master but i cant make jaheira take the place (you have to challenge the keeper in the driud grove).

is cernd worth to be with?

what are the advantages (in your own opinion) and disadvantages of being a druid?

Only your main character can become the druid of the grove, its the druid's stronghold. Both Cernd and jaheira cant challenge for the title if your main character isnt a druid either.

Not true. I was playing a straight fighter and Jaheira was able to challenge below level 14.

Nononono, you are getting mixed up, Wilbur. There are two different kind of challenges.

Jaheira and Cernd can challenge Faldorn to a duel in order to save the Druid Grove, but they cannot challenge for the title of Grand Druid( which is meant for the Druid Stronghold).

Is there any benefit from becoming Grand Druid?

DnD rules state that a Druid HAS to become a Grand druid if he wants to advance to lvl 15. Without being a grand druid, he cannot go past lvl 14.
BG II ignores this though, so it doesnt really have any meaning except the fact that the druid-stronghold accompanies that title.

are there major benefits thatyou can get from being a grand druid beside havingthe grove as your groovy stronghold?

Er... you get the Golden Lion Figurine. http://www.plauder-smilies.de/happy/astrosmiley2.gif

The only reasons I've ever seen for playing a Druid are: Ironskins, Insect Plague, Creeping Doom, and the fact that you level up so fast in ToB that a Levels 21/24 Totemic Druid->Fighter is a damn kickass combo. Other than that, Clerics rule all (except for the joy of being a Ranger/Cleric or Stalker->Cleric).

Although I do fully agree with you Six, better be careful or someone might start another mage/sorcerer vs cleric debate ;)

I think he meant from a Priest perspective.

Precisely. Although at times I do entertain a vision of my Stalker->Cleric casting Harm, then going Stealth, and nailing a Sorcerer through his Stoneskin, at which point the Crom Faeyr in my offhand hits and instant later--and its 5 electrical damage will penetrate the Stoneskin as well. Bye-bye!

But as for Clerics vs. Druids, Druids really get ripped off, in terms of weapons, armor, AND spells. They only have 4 good spells that Clerics don't: The 3 I mentioned, and Call Lightning is nice--when you're outside. Some people report that Nature's Beauty works well, too, but there's no accounting for taste....

Must... not... get dragged in... ...

Anyway, there is a way for Mages to counter the above scenerio, but it is only a slim chance. The advantage is on the Stalker->Cleric side because of two things. The element of surprise, and the lack of magic resistance on the Mage. However, it is also a tad unfair as you are pitting a dualclassed character against a pureclass one. ;)