Dryads

Basic Information

Anatomy

Dryads are humanoid women with an ethereal beauty, often seen with pale, bark-like skin that matches the type of tree they're bound to. They have hair resembling leaves, flowers, or vines, and their eyes glow in forest colors. Adorned in natural leafy attire, dryads are known for their graceful, agile movements.
The defining feature of dryads is their unbreakable bond to a specific tree. They excel in woodland camouflage, becoming nearly invisible among trees when still. Dryads possess charm magic to protect their forest and forest magic affinity, allowing them to communicate with animals, control plants, and summon allies. They have an ephemeral quality tied to the cycles of nature, which can manifest in their appearance or demeanor.

Genetics and Reproduction

Dryads reproduce through a magical process rather than traditional genetics. They are typically created or awakened when a nature spirit or deity binds their essence to a specific tree, forming an unbreakable bond between the dryad and the tree. This rare event occurs under specific conditions, often when the forest's balance is threatened, and is considered a significant event in the forest's life. Dryads have a long lifespan as long as their bound tree remains healthy.

Growth Rate & Stages

Dryads' growth and stages are intricately tied to their magical nature. They come into existence through an awakening process when a powerful nature force binds their essence to a specific tree. This marks the beginning of their life as protectors of the forest. As they mature, dryads develop their unique magical abilities and become more skilled in their role. Their long lifespan is connected to the health of their bound tree, potentially allowing them to live for centuries while retaining their youthful appearance and magical prowess.
However, the well-being of their tree is crucial, and if it's harmed or dies, the dryad's existence is threatened. In such cases, they may undergo a reawakening process, seeking a new tree to bind to and continue their life.

Ecology and Habitats

Dryads primarily inhabit forested environments, with a preference for lush, dense forests rich in plant life. They are often associated with ancient groves or secluded clearings within these forests, where their bound tree and the core of their magical power reside. These hidden glades and sanctuaries offer them both protection and a sense of harmony with the natural world. Additionally, some dryads may be found near water sources within the forest, as water is vital for their tree's health and the overall ecosystem.
Dryads may dwell in enchanted or mystical forests where powerful magical energies flow. These unique habitats enhance their abilities and contribute to their longevity. Their chosen habitat plays a significant role in shaping their behavior and the mystical aura that surrounds them.
They possess the power to manipulate the forest's elements, shaping terrain and creating natural barriers to safeguard their territory. Their unparalleled ability to blend seamlessly into the surroundings makes them nearly invisible when they stand still, allowing them to observe and protect their domain without detection. Furthermore, dryads communicate with the natural world, conversing with animals, plants, and even the elements. This connection not only provides them with valuable information about the forest's health and potential threats but also enables them to summon woodland creatures as allies when needed.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Dryads partially rely on photosynthesis, absorbing sunlight for energy, while also consuming herbs, leaves, and fruits from their forest habitat. Water is also a vital component of their diet. Dryads aim to minimize their impact on the forest, aligning their dietary choices with their role as protectors of the ecosystem. Their eating habits tend to be seasonal.

Biological Cycle

Dryads have a distinctive biological cycle, intricately tied to the magical and natural aspects of their existence. Their life begins with an awakening process, where their essence becomes bound to a specific tree, marking their "birth" and establishing an unbreakable connection between the dryad and the tree. This relationship is symbiotic, with the tree providing the dryad's life force and physical anchor, while the dryad, in turn, protects and nurtures the tree through their magical abilities.
Their longevity is directly linked to the health and vitality of their bound tree, allowing them to potentially live for centuries while maintaining their youthful appearance and magical abilities. Despite their long lifespan, dryads may exhibit an ephemeral quality, experiencing changes in their physical form or demeanor based on various factors, such as the seasons or the overall well-being of the forest they safeguard. In the event of harm or death to their bound tree, dryads may undergo a reawakening or seek a new tree to bond with, ensuring the continuity of their unique biological cycle.

Behaviour

Dryads exhibit cooperation and unity among themselves. They collaborate to protect their forest, sharing information about threats and coordinating efforts to maintain the natural balance. Communication among them is seamless, facilitating swift responses to environmental changes or dangers. Periodic gatherings reinforce their bonds, and knowledge sharing ensures the preservation of their cultural and natural heritage.
Conflicts are settled peacefully through discussion and mediation, while mutual aid in times of need strengthens their role as forest protectors. These behaviors collectively promote the well-being of their forested homes and contribute to the unique and harmonious existence of the dryad species within their natural environment.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Their eyes are known for their enchanting shades of green, brown, or gold, often with a subtle magical glow. Delicate and finely sculpted features, such as high cheekbones and slender noses, contribute to their ethereal beauty. Some may have leaf-like patterns or textures on their cheeks and around their eyes, accentuating their connection to the forest. Natural makeup made from crushed petals or bark enhances their woodland affinity. Their expressive eyes convey wisdom and empathy, while graceful smiles evoke tranquility and harmony with nature.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Dryads are typically found in lush forested habitats, including temperate forests with deciduous and coniferous trees, tropical rainforests with vibrant ecosystems, ancient groves that serve as their sanctuaries, hidden glades for solitude, and riparian zones near water bodies vital for their bound trees. They may exist in enchanted or magical forests where nature's magic enhances their abilities and longevity.

Average Intelligence

They are somewhat wise and knowledgeable beings with a profound understanding of the ecosystems they inhabit.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Dryads are deeply attuned to their forest environment, able to sense disturbances and maintain an acute awareness of their surroundings. With keen senses, they can see, hear, and smell with exceptional precision, making them skilled trackers and guardians of their territory. These powers allow them to not only protect their forest but also foresee potential threats and maintain the harmony of their natural domain.

Civilization and Culture

Beauty Ideals

They value natural elegance, unspoiled by artificial enhancements. Their ideal beauty reflects radiant health. Enchanting eyes are a focal point, reflecting wisdom and a profound connection to the forest, while graceful movements evoke serenity. Some beauty ideals incorporate ephemeral qualities, mirroring seasonal changes in appearance, and they celebrate individuality, influenced by the type of tree they are bound to.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Elvish and Sylvan

Common Etiquette Rules

Dryads prioritize respect for the natural world, treating all elements of the forest with reverence. Their movements through the environment are gentle, ensuring minimal impact on the delicate ecosystem. Sustainable resource gathering is a common practice, taking only what is needed while preserving the forest's balance. They politely greet and communicate with forest creatures and spirits, recognizing their importance. When welcoming guests, dryads offer hospitality to those with good intentions. They protect their forest boundaries with charm magic and communicate cryptically with visitors. Elders are highly respected, and consensus building is the preferred approach for decision-making. Conflict resolution is peaceful, emphasizing harmony within their community.

Common Taboos

Harming the forest, uninvited intrusion with ill intentions, and wastefulness are grave offenses. Disrespecting elders and misusing magic within the forest are strongly discouraged. Excessive noise and taking from the forest without giving back disrupts the natural peace. Desecrating sacred sites and polluting the environment are considered severe violations, as is cruelty to animals within the forest. These taboos ensure the protection and preservation of the forest's sanctity, and transgressors may face the dryads' wrath or other natural consequences.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Dryads maintain spiritual connections with forest spirits, seeking guidance and alliances to safeguard their shared habitat and collaborating with Treants to protect the forest.

Scientific Name

Kingdom: Feywild
Phylum: Sylvanimus
Class: Nymphidae
Order: Arborales
Family: Dryadidae
Genus: Sylvanus
Species: Naturae

Average Height

5 to 6 feet

Average Weight

100 to 150 lbs.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Their skin often resembles tree bark in texture and color, reflecting the type of tree they are bound to, with shades ranging from light gray to deep brown or green. Leafy patterns and natural markings adorn their skin, aiding their seamless camouflage within the forest. Their hair mimics the hues of leaves, flowers, or vines from their woodland habitat. Some dryads may emit a subtle natural luminescence, especially during moonlit nights, while intricate tattoos or runes symbolize their forest magic and lineage.

This creature follows harvesting rules. Creature specific harvesting can be found here.

Basic Rules, pg. 304

Dryad CR: 1

Medium fey, neutral

Armor Class: 11 (16 with barkskin)

Hit Points: 22 5d8

Speed: 30 ft

STR

10 +0

DEX

12 +1

CON

11 +0

INT

14 +2

WIS

15 +2

CHA

18 +4

Skills: Perception +4, Stealth +5

Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 14

Languages: Elvish, Sylvan

Challenge Rating: 1 ( 200 XP)

Proficiency Bonus: +2

Innate Spellcasting. The dryad’s innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 14). The dryad can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At will: Druidcraft

1/day: Barkskin, Pass Without Trace, Shillelagh

3/day: Entangle, Goodberry

Magic Resistance. The dryad has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Speak with Beasts and Plants. The dryad can communicate with beasts and plants as if they shared a language.
Tree Stride. Once on her turn, the dryad can use 10 feet of her movement to step magically into one living tree within her reach and emerge from a second living tree within 60 feet of the first tree, appearing in an unoccupied space within 5 feet of the second tree. Both trees must be Large or bigger.

Actions

Club. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit (+6 to hit with shillelagh), reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 2 1d4 bludgeoning damage, or 8 1d8+4 bludgeoning damage with Shillelagh.
Fey Charm. The dryad targets one humanoid or beast that she can see within 30 feet of her. If the target can see the dryad, it must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be magically charmed. The charmed creature regards the dryad as a trusted friend to be heeded and protected. Although the target isn’t under the dryad’s control, it takes the dryad’s requests or actions in the most favorable way it can.
Each time the dryad or her allies do anything harmful to the target, it can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on itself on a success. Otherwise, the effect lasts 24 hours or until the dryad dies, is on a different plane of existence from the target, or ends the effect as a bonus action. If a target’s saving throw is successful, the target is immune to the dryad’s Fey Charm for the next 24 hours.
The dryad can have no more than one humanoid and up to three beasts charmed at a time.

Travelers entering a forest might catch a glimpse of a feminine form flitting through the trees. Warm laughter hangs on the air, drawing those who hear it deeper into the emerald shadows.
Treebound. Powerful fey will sometimes bind lesser fey spirits to trees, transforming them into Dryads. This is sometimes done as a punishment when the fey spirit falls in love with a mortal and that love is forbidden.
A dryad can emerge from the tree and travel the lands around it, but the tree remains her home and roots her to the world. As long as the tree remains healthy and unharmed, the dryad stays forever youthful and alluring. If the tree is harmed, she suffers. If the tree is ever destroyed, the dryad descends into madness.
Reclusive Fey. Dryads act as guardians of their woodland demesnes. Shy and reclusive, they watch interlopers from the trees. A dryad struck by the beauty of a stranger might investigate more closely, perhaps even try to lure the individual away to be charmed.
Dryads work with other sylvan creatures to defend their forests. Unicorns, Treants, and satyrs live alongside them, in addition to druids that share the dryads’ devotion to the woods they call home.
Woodland Magic. Dryads can speak with plants and animals. They can teleport from one tree to another, luring interlopers away from their groves. If pressed, a dryad can beguile humanoids with her enchantments, turning enemies into friends. They also know a handful of useful spells.

Suggested Environments

Forest