Druid

A Druid is a versatile and often heroic character, capable in both combat and the casting divine spells. They gain divine magic from being at one with nature, or from one of several patron gods of the wild. To compensate for the fact they cannot wear certain armors, druids have a unique ability that allows them to change into various animal forms. Druids work very well with animals, and can try to improve a wild creature's attitude the same way they would improve an NPC with diplomacy. Druids gain a greater control of their body, they leave no trace. At higher levels they can change appearance at will, and do not age.

Party Role
Druids and rangers both play a role of wilderness expert within an adventuring party, but a ranger is more martially inclined, while a druid has more magical skill.

Druids work well as supportive characters, since they are both competent spellcasters and fighters. Druids can cast ability-augmenting, offensive, defensive and healing spells, making them versatile casters and able secondary healers. At higher levels, Druids become increasingly useful; the wild shape ability allows them to assume the form of animals that lend abilities to the party. They can become a hawk to gain a spot bonus, a cat with a move silently bonus, or a horse to provide a mount. Additionally, they can have animal companions that fill some of these functions.

Novels
In the novel The Jewel of Turmish a druid is the main character, something not common in the Forgotten Realms.