Nymph

"I dream of windswept shores, even while there."
-overheard from a neried

Nature has a certain magic about it, especially beautiful places. In few places is this more literal than Polisia. Stunningly beautiful creatures called nymphs call places around these islands home, tailored to specific environments, from the seas surrounding the islands to the grand oaks in its forests.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Nymphs are fey creatures-- beings of almost perfect magic. Specifically, they are personifications of the beauty of nature, itself. As such, each different variety has distinct magical powers inherent in their very being. Many of them are quite unique, unlike any other magic known to mortal kind.
All nymphs are supremely beautiful creatures, almost always with elf-like features. Also, all nymphs are female. It is unknown why the personifications of natural beauty are all female, but this is always true without exception. Also, all nymphs are fully grown and no young one has ever been encountered.

Varieties

Nymph

The "common" nymph is not specific to any environment, and are instead found anywhere of sufficient natural beauty. They are known as the most beautiful of all nymphs, and this beauty is of such power that anyone who sees one can be stricken blind, although the nymph can suppress this ability if she wishes.
These nymphs are especially shy creatures, even more so than other nymphs, preferring to remain out of sight and depending on their blinding beauty to protect themselves. Very rarely does a humanoid overcome this reclusive nature. Instead, they usually prefer the company of animals, who will often ignore their natural enemies to be petted and caressed by the nymph.

Dryad

Dryads are nymphs bound to the majesty of ancient oaks. These creatures are connected with that tree, body and soul. They cannot travel far from their home tree, or they will die. The health of the dryad is reflected by the health of the tree. If the tree is harmed, so is she, and if the tree is killed, the dryad dies.
In terms of their behavior, dryads are far more affectionate than other nymphs. They have, among the power to control plants, the power to charm humanoids. They do this to protect themselves, but they also use this power on those they find attractive. They are sometimes known to keep such charmed admirers for a long time, possibly even forever.

Nereid

The nymphs of purest water, nerieds are as much elementals as they are fey. These creatures spend most of their time in the ocean, where their skin turns from a slightly pearlescent color to transparency. The kiss of a neried is capable of instantly drowning its recipient.
Nerieds are naturally playful creatures, cavorting with all creatures of the sea, even the fearsome cetae. Most famously, they keep their souls in a white shawl. If this shawl is destroyed, they die. Thus, they can be easily coerced by whomever possesses it. However, the nereid will do anything to retrieve it, even killing the person who holds it.

Oread

Also elemental beings like nerieds, oreads are instead creatures of elemental earth. They are bound to mountains much like dryads to their trees, feeling all mining and building taking place on it and with skin that resembles its stone. They have the power to speak with the voice of the mountain, itself, creating powerful suggestions that are nearly impossible to resist.
Oreads are stoic creatures, especially compared to other nymphs. They are rarely moved by emotion of any kind, normally remaining as steadfast as the mountain, itself. They are extremely protective of their domains, often coming into conflict with miners and prospectors, using their powers to drive them away.

Vila

Vila (sometimes called sylphs) are one of the few nymph varieties found outside of Polisia, primarily making their homes in the tall peaks of Pranish. These, too are elemental creatures, as manifestations of the skies. They mostly resemble other nymphs, save for their delicate insect-like wings that allow them to fly. They are also more magically powerful than most, commanding the power of wind and storms.
Vila are often quite unpredictable, pleasant and friendly one moment only to become furious the next, sometimes with very little provocation. They also travel far more than most nymphs, making their way through their mountainous homes riding on the winds.

Huldra

Bjornland's huldra are very different compared to other nymphs in many ways, to the point where it is debated whether they are nymphs at all. They are distinguished by an animalistic tail-- most often a fox's-- and a hollow space in their back. They have incredible powers of illusion in addition to their powers of seduction.
Unlike other nymphs, these creatures are predators, using illusions to hide and their beauty and power to lure prey close. When they have their victims close at hand, they devour them. Under the huldra's power, these people don't realize the danger they're in, even as these creatures tear them apart.

Too Much of the Spice of Life
In Greek mythology, there are an incredible number of different varieties, including meliae of ash trees, oceanids of the sea, naiads of fresh water, and hamadryads of also trees, among many, many, many, many, maaaaaaany more.
I chose to keep the number of types small and manageable. These in particular were chosen as the most distinct and basic for convenience. All (except huldra) have appeared in D&D, and many of the others are redundant, such as oceanids and nerieds, and dryads and hamadryads (the latter of which have also appeared in D&D).

Genetics and Reproduction

As creatures of fey magic, the exact source of new-born nymphs is unknown. None have ever seen a nymph child, and no nymph of any type has ever answered questions asked on the topic. It is believed they arise spontaneously, born fully formed from the beauty of nature, itself.
Nymphs of all kinds (except perhaps huldra) are capable of having children with humanoid men. These half-nymph children look very much like their mothers, with specific features varying by type. They also bear magic that makes them especially close to the natural homes of their mothers. For example, half-nerieds love the water and often make their living sailing or pearl diving.

Ecology and Habitats

The exact environments favored by nymphs tend to vary wildly. For instance, elemental nymphs-- the nereids, oreads, and vila-- tend to flock to environments dominated by their specific element. There is one thing these environments all have in common, however: intense beauty. It is even believed that they are born from this natural beauty.
No nymph type has an overt impact on their environment. They need no food and build no homes. Indeed, their presence is only a boon to such places. Most nymphs are dedicated protectors of the majesty of their natural homes, and most humanoids are unwilling to disturb the homes of such beautiful creatures.

Behaviour

Almost without fail, nymphs of all kinds are very shy creatures. Even the most amorous of dryads hides from a vast majority of people, only showing themselves to very few. Thus, they almost always live very far from civilization. Nymphs also greatly value beauty, and are thus far more likely to show themselves to more attractive people.
Nymphs tend to be very carefree, to an extent practically alien to humanoids. They have very few concerns beyond simply living in the moment and basking in the beauty of their homes. As such, they tend not to raise their half-nymph offspring, preferring instead to leave them where mortals will find them.

Genetic Descendants

• Half-Nymph

Lifespan

Unknown

Average Height

5 - 5 ft. 5 in.

Average Weight

90 - 110 lbs