[darkstorme]

Originally Posted by Verideth

Hello Darkstorme. Thanks for the reply.

So in effect, if a druid multi classes at all (except for shifter) you lose your class entirely.

I'm afraid I was slightly inaccurate with regards to my former statement. To save on rebuilds (which are costly in terms of time and can result in no end of trouble), the policy is similar to that of a cleric who has left their faith - all druid levels remain, but no druidic abilities (except for automatic calm) may be used.

At a later date, if I complete a CDQ to go back into druid, do I get those original levels back?

As indicated above, the levels aren't actually lost, so yes - but it would be a harder road to reenter the Path than it was to leave it.

Curious if Monk and Paladin are the same. Once you leave, you lose your abilities too.

With Monk, it is not the case. The only connections a Monk has are internal - training for years to connect to their inner self, to focus on personal perfection. Though this will not progress if they leave the path, and requires much to return, a Monk does not forget the training they have already had.

A Paladin, on the other hand, is very similar to a Druid. As a holy warrior, his connection to his deity is every bit as integral to his class (most notably, his class abilities) as a Druid's connection to Nature. If he decides that he no longer wishes to be in holy orders, his deity is unlikely to take this well, and his powers would be stripped from him. A Paladin turned Fighter couldn't expect to smite someone down with holy wrath.

(The exceptions here are Paladins of Lucinda, who are, of course, encouraged by their deity to take up the arcane classes.) The general exception to this (as best I can see) would be a Paladin who decides to take off his armour in favour of vestments. A Paladin become Cleric would surely still be in his deity's favour, and should he take up his sword in defense of his God/dess, he should expect to find his old abilities still supported.

Hope this helps!