Also known as ladies of the forest dryads were once widespread throughout the world, but they became less numerous as war raged during the slave revolts. Retreating to the shadows of the world the only four remaining colonies are north Frostmourn,
Dread Forest, the isle of Elysia, and most surprising
Death Valley.
Common features
Dryads take on the features and appearance of nature in their area, they connect to a tree upon birth and live as long as the tree does, this makes some truly ancient. Dryads typically have green skin with leaf-like hair though this can change slightly according to what they connect to. Entirely female dryads can only reproduce with other species, such unions don't always produce Dryads, when it doesn't often have some Dryad features and choose to stay with the colony or find their father's people. While those who are Dryads sometimes so traits of other species but always link to a tree.
The Frostmourn colony
Deep in the desolate wastes of the Forsken north, lies the corrupted colony. The Dryad of this colony seems to live somewhere between life and death with many taking on a more fungal appearance. Their skin is also normally white or brown with matted hair more fungus colored. More hostile than their sisters, the Frostmourn Dryads blame the civilized races for their fall. Due to these factors, the number has been dwindling, however, those killed by nature have risen to help protect their groves, turning into mutated fungal monsters.
Dread forest
Probably the most similar to their ancient ancestors, these Dryads are powerful nature spirits, respected by all those around the forest quite often you'll see trees connected to a dryad marked by foresters, signaling it not to be Touched. An over mark is made when the Dryad is ready, indicating to the
Elves of the Forest to kill the tree in a painless way, allowing the Dryad to move on and the wood to be used by others. This was taken over by the Spring Court during the early Fey age, though several scholars still suspect they do.
Elysia
The Isle of Elysia's Dryads' skin is more yellow-tinged than their sisters, due to the more tropical climate. They also tend to have more colorful hair, often representing the season they were born. More lively than others they often are seen partying, attracting passing ships for rest and time away from the sea. During later ages, more jovial races like satyrs joined the isle as more permanent residents. These Dryads are often mistaken for nymphs, a race of legend.
Death Valley
Rumors talk of the cave network in the Death Valley being home to the last colony of Dryads, this is hard to believe due to how inhospitable the area is. These rumors, however, are true, the most colorful of all Dryad, these connect to mother plants rather than trees, and each tends to the plants from that plant. These plants then are used by the Kalastar druids to be used as medicine and to restore nature. Unlike others, each new Dryad journeys out into the world to find a new plant for the garden.
Interesting ideas for darker dryads.