Dryad

Timeless Witnesses

Borne out of the very wilds every 100 years, Dryads are a mystery -- even to themselves. They are native to anywhere where plants can grow fervent and green, though it is not unheard of to see them sprout in nature's extremes. Unlike other races, Dryads lack a social hierarchy or structure, instead forming part of a larger 'community' which they 'guard' or 'nurse'. Typically, this 'community' is composed of the trees and animals in an environment. But sometimes, Dryads will wander into groups such as Gnolls or Apelong, and attach themselves to them. Few (at least in the wild races) reject these encounters, as Dryads understand nature in an almost religious way which can be supremely beneficial for a tribe or clan.
Dryads are solitary creatures, roaming the wilds alone often, even when part of a larger group. They inherently know that they are witnesses to creation and so long to see stories unfold before them. Those who learn to read and write often develop a sense of culture and nuance that can be lost even to the most learned of writers from other races.
Many claim Dryads to be 'awakened' trees, much like elementals, and seek them out to learn the secrets of their bodies. Some individuals have been attempting to recreate the Dryad for decades, though with no definitive success; though not due to lack of trying. Dryads note these attempts with horror, as to snuff out the life of one of their kin is seen as unnatural to them. This fear of becoming 'trapped' in a moving cell of iron or steel has made Taigas (groups of Dryads commuting and living with each other) more common in recent years. Dryads are universal pollinators, meaning that once a year they release spores that pollinate (and reinvigorate) all the trees and plants they touch. When a Dryad does this, it gains some of the visual traits of the plants it pollinated. To this day, however, it is not know if a Dryad can be borne from this act, though if it can, it is not common.

Naming Traditions

Family names

Dryads in truth have no name, but an identity they feel is independent from the identity of others; a feeling rather than a name. Dryads who interact with other races are usually named by them, or take on the name of a tree, plant, or flower so that its neighbors can address it properly.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Sylvan

Coming of Age Rites

The First Pollination, which, though happening once a year after that, can only be achieved after the first 100 years of age.

Common Taboos

Unnatural fires. Though campfires and torches can be tolerated, any other kind of unnatural fire is frowned upon. Dryads idependently take it upon themselves to never set a fire.

Common Myths and Legends

It is believed Dryads live indefinitely.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

To appear as lush and verdant as they can.

Relationship Ideals

All relationships with a Dryad have a sense of condescension in them, as they inherently see all creatures who aren't Dryads as children to be cared for and themselves as caregivers.

Related Organizations

• Piaobo Doctrine

Languages spoken

• Feyish

Dryad

Ability Score Increase +2 Wis, +1 Cha

Size Medium

Speed 30ft

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Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Fey Ancestry. You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.
Natural Adept. You are proficient in the Nature skill.
Fallow. Dryads don't need to sleep. Instead, they lie fallow, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep.
Photosynthetic. You do not eat, but must maintain physical contact with fertile soil for at least 72 hours each week or ingest one handful of fertile soil each day. You must be exposed to direct sunlight for 6 hours each day. Partial sunlight contributes at half the rate, and bright magical light at one quarter of the rate.
Natural Speech. You can communicate with beasts and plants as if you shared a language.
Dryad Magic. You know the druidcraft cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the goodberry spell once; you must finish a long rest in order to cast the spells again using this trait. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the plant growth spell once with this trait, and must complete a long rest before you cast the spell again using this trait. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Tree Bond. As a 10-minute ritual, you can deposit your essence within a tree large enough for your body to fit inside, and are able to see, hear, rest and sustain yourself for the remainder of its lifetime or yours, whichever comes first. If the host is uprooted, damaged or disturbed, you are expelled and also take the damage done to the tree as psychic damage to yourself.
Fey Nature. Your creature type is fey.

Languages. Sylvan and Common