Dryad

Dryads are the fey spirits of very old trees (500+ years). These spirits can leave their trees and walk about as beautiful female humanoids. Though they may travel any distance from their bonded tree, they must spend eight of every twenty-four hour period resting with it or begin to weaken and even die if enough time passes. This will also cause the bonded tree to die.
They have a number of abilities based on their connection with plants. They have a powerful charm ability that they use on animals when the need arises. This includes humanoids.

Basic Information

Anatomy

When outside their bonded tree, dryads are humanoid, often being mistaken for elven females.

Biological Traits

Dryads have a powerful charm ability that is their usual first line of attack. They will often charm local animals to act as guardians. Should this ability fail, dryads also have a number of abilities based on their connections to plants. They may manipulate plants for offensive and defensive means, including causing entagling or thorny vines to sprout up. They may cover themselves in bark-like armor.

Genetics and Reproduction

Dryads do not reproduce sexually. Instead, when a tree gets to be of a certain size and age, its spirit gains sentience and the ability to leave the tree. Thus, a dryad is born.

Growth Rate & Stages

Dryads live as long as their trees do. Their humanoid form never appears younger than adolescent.

Ecology and Habitats

Old growth forests. They are fierce protectors of the forests in which they reside, using their plant manipulation abilities and charm ability to their advantage.

Dietary Needs and Habits

As the spirits of trees, dryads do not need any other nourishment than that needed by their trees. They may ingest food and drink out of pleasure, but have no biological need to do so.

Biological Cycle

Depending on the type of tree they are bonded with, some dryads hibernate in colder weather while others may be active all year round. Should a dryad's tree be killed, the dryad will soon follow, rarely lasting more than a tenday after this.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Dryads are typically solitary. Occasionally, there may be a number of dryads in an area rarely numbering more than six. On Faerie, however, these it's not unknown for there to be a dozen dryads congregating in a single forest. A collective of dryads is called a "grove".

Facial characteristics

Dryads are considered beautiful by many humanoid species. In many ways they resemble elves, having pointed ears and almond-shaped eyes.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Dryads are found in any climate and any terrain that can sustain trees. There are even rumors of desert dryads that have cacti as bonded "trees".

Average Intelligence

Typical

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Normal Sight, Normal Hearing, Low-light Vision. These senses work normally even when the fey is within her bonded tree.

Civilization and Culture

Beauty Ideals

Dryads are often quite vain, and love receiving compliments about their beauty.

Average Technological Level

Dryads make little use of technology, living simple lifestyles.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Dryad speak a dialect of Sylvan.

Common Dress Code

Dryads almost never wear clothing as they cannot take it into their bonded tree with them.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Dryads will often charm comely humanoids to act a servants and lovers. These poor individuals are rarely seen again for once the dryad tires of them, she abandons them in her forest, forcing them to survive on their own.
Dryads got along fairly well with elves before the Vanishing. They remain on good terms with gnomes.

Origin/Ancestry

Fey

Lifespan

Immortal

Conservation Status

Very Rare

Average Height

Medium

Average Physique

Dryads tend to be in good physical shape.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Deep brown to pale white, depending on the bonded tree.