Yv’anda Dryad
Yv’anda are Dryads clans from the Kallonia
continent. They were present way before
the first humans started walking these lands.
Preserving nature. Such a small event as the rise
of the human empire on their continent is not
enough to change their old ways.
It might sound a bit harsh, but a typical Yv’anda member
can be described as a blend of a druid and a primitive bandit
in their appearance. Their clothing consists of armor crafted
from durable materials found in nature, like wood and animal
skins, which is passed down through generations. At least, that
is what it looks like. In regions with colder climates, they may
also don cloaks to protect themselves. However, after years of
infusing their bodies with magic, they have gradually developed
resilience to weather changes. As a result, the Yv'anda have
become progressively immune to the whims of nature, which
enables them to endure the cold of winter or the scorching
heat of summer with relative ease. It also helps them to become
attuned to the rhythms and cycles of the environment, aligning
them harmoniously with the ebb and flow of the seasons.
The forests of Kallonia are the domain of the Yv’anda. They
are the most numerous in the Banewoods, but you can find them
in any of the old woods of that continent. Because of that, they
often get into fights with small villages living off cutting trees.
What is normal for humans can be seen as very detrimental to
the forest in the eyes of the Dryads, so the conflict arises naturally.
Still, in the contrast to Dryads, from other regions, they can be
reasoned with. It is unknown if they live in obscure shacks in
the woods or have some kind of villages hidden in the deeper
parts of old woods. At least none of the humans know of any. But
during my travels, I encountered several individuals claiming to
have been nurtured back to health in their enclaves. They said
they were blindfolded whenever they moved outside, so none
knew anything about the location or the size of their dwellings,
but from what they saw inside Dryad houses, it seems that the
Dryads only use the most necessary items, many of which are
claimed from other races. Though saying “other races” might be
misleading here.
New members are recruited from all races—as long as the
creature’s heart truly loves nature and wants to protect it—as
they claim. In return, they share magical secrets only known to
them and even extend the lives of their members. Some even
attain a state of utter harmony with nature and become spirits
harnessing its power. Still, most of them are just flesh-bound
mortals far from these mythical figures.
Their worldview is quite passive, and while they stand in
opposition to the Fortress of Dragsa, they are not openly
attacking them. At least so long as the Dragsa bring no harm
to their forests. In the civil war brought by the beastkin, they
decided to shelter all beastkin refugees. While their stance
remains unchanged and supposedly neutral, their influence is
surely one of the main reasons for the stalemate on the continent.
Otherwise, the beastkin revolution wouldn't have lasted so long.
Ancient Dryads are the leaders of the Yv'anda clan. Throughout
their long lives they have amassed great knowledge and power.
While in the long past, they were mere members of the Yv’anda
clan, now they are beings that surpassed the boundaries of
their weak flesh. After a lifetime of protecting nature, they have
become one with it as spirits commanding nature itself. With
their magic, they can freely control plants and communicate
with animals. Entangling enemies with tree roots, blocking their
paths, or protecting allies with sudden vine overgrowth is but the
gist of what they are capable of. What's worse, it is not limited to
their surroundings. So, as long as you are in their forests, you will
not be able to escape from their grasp as the path will change,
and the watchful eyes of forest creatures will follow you.
Although their magical prowess and centuries of experience
make them a threat on their own, they hardly ever work alone.
Most of the time, you can see them as commanders of younger
Dryad scouts or other formations. Truly, not the kind of beings
you want as enemies.
Yv’anda Armored Warriors As the war with the Dragsa
claimed more and more of the clan's members, the Dryads
came up with new ways to counter Dragsa's armies—armored
warriors born from the Yv'anda clan's magical secrets and the
ideas of another member of the Redoe Alliance, the Rashers
tribe. Using the power of nature and ancient knowledge, the
Dryads have created a hybrid between one of their own and
a wooden golem. Such armored warriors stand as protectors of
nature, with the ability to control plants and to shapeshift. They
can entangle enemies with roots and block their paths.
Alternative Names
Yv'anda
Parent Organization
Subsidiary Organizations
Controlled Territories
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