Dryads

Dryads are a race of people that started far before Humans, or even Neiandithals, but have survived to this day. They are green, often plant-like, and they can control nearby plants to a limited extent. They are the first known people that were classified as Homo, as they exhibited many of the same characteristics.

These creatures have Mana, but strangely have an inherent ability to use it by manipulating vines. It is used in the same way as magic, but is exclusively for plants. They can use magic, but it's much less effective than their plant manipulation.
These peoples' society is split into two facets. The first one is a group of Dryads that live among humans happily, typically farmers who get some extra energy from the sun whilst they work on the fields. The other facet, which is the oldest group, is what is collectively known as the 'Erestrian Cult'. It's not technically a cult, though. It is incredibly widespread, and all Dryads that aren't part of human society are members of it (barring the ones from the New Land).
This 'cult' centers on one woman. Her name is the Flora Queen, the adoptive monarch of the Dryads. Dryad oral history and Neiandithal evidences suggest they emerged around the time of the emergence of the Dryads in themselves, possibly earlier. She typically possesses far more Mana than any other of the Dryads, and is quite powerful even by human scales. If a Flora Queen cannot find a suitable Dryad replacement with enough Mana, she takes a human child to raise. This, however, is uncommon, and if one is to see a human Flora Queen, their heir lineage won't live to see another. 

Humanic Dryads typically live among humans, although they typically reproduce with exclusively Dryads, and not Humans. There are exceptions to the rule, but in general, this is the rule. They typically only work the farms, so that they can absorb the sunlight as it grows, and their plant-based abilities make it quite easy. They also can hunt well, and occasionally spend their nights hunting, using vines to trap the boars and spears or knives to kill them.
If one finds a Humanic Dryad, they are typically regarded as a Human, and treated as a Human, as their cultures are completely integrated. They also tend to dislike Aurises that live in Human society, and two will never be seen talking unless they are fighting. Race rivalries never end, apparently, even when separated for so long.

Basic Information

Ecology and Habitats

These peoples live either in forests or in human societies. The ones that live in the forest are quite different than humans. They hollow out dead or dying trees to live on, using the nearby plants to stop insects from getting in them. They also put their prisoners (when they take them) into these logs.

Dietary Needs and Habits

These creatures are omnivores, but also absorb food from the sun. This is why during most of the day, you'll find one either in a field or on the top of a tree. They do, however, eat supplemental nutrients, at least typically. In the North, where there is less sunlight, you are more likely to see Dryads surviving off of meat, but in the South, they are more likely to lounge around for most of the day in a tree or near a mountain.

Behaviour

These people behave similarly to humans, but are, as per usual, dumber.

Additional Information

Average Intelligence

~85, give or take.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

If they touch a plant, they can feel what it feels for a varying amount of distance depending on Mana. Other than this, they have normal sensory.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

They most often name their children after Flora Queens. The males are named names of plants (ie:Trorlim = Thorn).

Common Dress Code

Loose outfits is the norm, but can be tighter dresses.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Twice a year, they have a celebration, 'heathen' Dryads and cult Dryads both celebrate the Flora Queen, once in the heart of spring and once in the heart of summer. The human-integrated Dryads celebrate it more like a tradition, as many of them follow human religions.

Common Taboos

They absolutely hate animals, especially Aurises.

History

These people emerged from Erestria a great long time ago, after the Goblins had fallen and before the Humans were rising. They established the Flora cult, and some split off. They helped shelter humans when the Elves began genociding, and the Humans again when the Giants fought. After this, they were rewarded with a place in human society, and remain in human society to this day. Others kept with tradition and worshipped the Flora Queen, and stayed with her. This is why they hate humans and 'heathen' Dryads.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

They hate Aurises. The cult Dryad population and the Auris tribals hate each other, and often fight. This is due to the limited amount of forests, and the Auris' use of trees as materials and scratching posts. Humans and Dryads (the cult ones) have a strenuous relation, considering the Humans' rampant abuse of trees, and the betrayal of many Dryads to humans. However, careful Human diplomacy has managed to stop open hostilities.  Dryads and Elves' relation is openly hostile. As they both have to live in the Erestrian forests, the only thing that stops their battles are shaky treaties, dubbed 'Tonds', the Dryadic word for shaky agreement.

Scientific Name

Homo Florus

Lifespan

~75

Average Height

5'10"-6'2"

Average Physique

Slim, but can be beefy.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

These peoples' skin is completely green, including their hair.