Dryad
Dryad
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.Living alongside them are the UNICORN,TREANT and SATYR,in addition to Druids that share the Dryad's 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.
Comments
Author's Notes
Original Article written for D&D Monster Manual 5e by Wizards of the Coast (WotC)