Dryad

A single ray of moonlight pierces the forest's branch-bound roof, illuminating the dancing silhouette of a feminine figure. Enter the dryad, a mysterious fey both shy and alluring, whose powers of beguilement are as famed as their harmony with nature. Dryads have a deep connection with the forest and form a life-long mental bond with a given tree. their descendants remain female.

Culture

As forest nymphs, dryads are spiritually connected to the nature. They seem not to have objections against hunting but deeply care for trees and other plants. It is absolutely forbidden to bring fire into the forest or to cut a tree with axe. Instead of cutting wood to construct buildings, dryad magic allows the dryads to shape the living trees and shrubs whichever way they want. This way, they can have huts, or even large houses, either on the ground or in the treetops.

Subtlety over Strength

The sorority favors subtlety over brute strength, and so when fighting, the Sisters prefer to set ambushes and harassment maneuvers to overcome their foe. It is exceedingly difficult to surprise them and, in most confrontation, they will engage the enemy from a safe distance and cover with a volley of poisonous arrows and spells before retreating into the forest. Depending on the success of the first engagement, they will repeat this technique until the enemy gives up or lies dead. If muscle is necessary they will call upon other fey and primal beasts’ allies to honor the ancient pacts of protection.

Characteristics

Physical features

dryads are usually short and slender. Their skin tones may take tints of olive, chestnut, green or red, but sometimes it appears to be green.

While similar to humans, hamadryads and their descendants have some "weird" physical features that allow to recognize them among normal dh'oine.

Dryad Ranger by Diego de Almeida

Mental Traits

The bond between the dryad and her tree makes drawing Power from earth and air easier for her. Some dryads may have mastery over magic comparable even to that of human archmages. These sorceresses usually accompany dryad sentinels at borders of the Wood of the Vale, helping to fight off the invaders.

Dryads are excellent healers, skilled in use of conynhaela and knitbone. They are also able to influence the growth of plants so that they take shape of huts and houses where other dryads can live in comfort. The most skilled ones are able to create treants.

Despite all these possibilities, the bond have also a drawback: when the tree dies, its dryad goes insane and usually follow it not much later. The same effect might occur when a dryad leaves the region where her tree grows.

Names

Dryad names originate from the Sylvan language and closely resemble Elf Female names. They are usually soft and ethereal sounding. Most dryads only possess one name, although if pressed may refer to their last name as that of the forest they come from.

Dryad Names: Aloria, Casaraine, Ethissia, Lathesae, Nadasei, Satharia, Theralin, Yalasee

History

War of the Ancients

During the War of the Ancients, Eithne healed the wounded, turning the Wood of the Vale into a refuge. Nillian and Nymue both saw her as a love interest, but in the end Eithne would only return the feelings to one of them.

As the battle against the demon grew more ferocious, Eithne had to call forth more and more of nature's power to heal the wounded, cure the diseased, and give rest to the death. There, she was faced with a choice, calling on nature's power was taking a heavy toll on her, but she had to continue to save her people. One fateful day, her lover, Nillian, was brought to her, grievously wounded. Brought to tear by the state of the one she loved, she gave up everything she had to save him, the nature extending its influence on the druid's body, transforming her as the world roots themself were giving her the power she needed. On this day, Eithne became the very first dryad and saved her lover.

With her new power, her life was never-ending, linked to Toriel itself, she couldn't die or be defeated. Yet after the war, death took its price, Nillian dying of old age, Eithne had to live with the death of her first true love.

The dryads later formed an independent clan, allies of the elves. Traces of the dryads were indeed spotted in certain elven ruins as guardians of the nature. At least one elven town, Craag An, was built within the forest's boreders, in the Col Serrai valley, and the city still serve as the dryad's village.

Tana's Great Reunion

When the humans were conquering the elves, and burning the woods, some elves seek shelter further south, back then, both the Wood of the Vale and the Elven Forest forest were connected. The local dryad, hearing the story of those elves called upon the power of the green enchantress, Eithne Flosthùl. And with her fantastic power, they were able to protect this forest, banning mankind from their land.

To this day, those wood are still under their protection, and the whistling of arrows striking the air as any human dare to approach make sure said humans know this place is still forbidden to their kind. This restriction does not apply to elves or other races, but the dryads, protecting those wood are hostile toward intruders, warning them, whispering elven words telling them to turn around.

The Wood of the Vale and its neighbouring realms remained hostile towards each other, though attempts at making peace were made by at least few human monarchs. The negotiations were usually turned down by Queen Eithne Flosthùl who perceived most of the human side's conditions, such as giving up half of the forest, as unacceptable.

General Information

Scientific name
Homo Drys
Geographic Distribution
Wood of the Vale
Languages
Elvish, Sylvan

Physiologie

Average Lifespan
750 years
Size
Medium
Average Height
1.3‒1.6 m
Average Weight
37‒68.9 kg

Others