Homebrew Dryagor Species Details

“Adventures contain days, that are filled with joy and days, where every thought is a wish of returning back home. That day, it is now almost three years ago, is still not fitting in one of these two. My journey led me inside a forest, darker and more threatening then I have ever seen one. It was a place where beasts or undead could jump at you any second. A place, where the wind of the ancients still was blowing. It was not a place, any mortal was supposed to go. But the most frightening about this place were not the creatures or the darkness. It were the trees. Not because they were hostile when I cried for help. But because they answered my calls.”

— N. Cimari, The Worlds Above and Below

Legends say that once, a tree with golden leaves throned over the world. The tree gave life and safety to those living at its roots until it was destroyed by an attacking nation. The tree was burned to the ground. However, as the fire climbed upwards, a single branch of the tree fell, inheriting its spirit. As the fire faded, a new race was born. The Dryagi.

Steady and Restless

A creature made fully out of wood sounds a lot less dangerous then it is to actually get into conflict with one of them. Slightly larger then humans and almost one and a half times as heavy, they are an impressive sight, especially when noticing them hush by in a lightless forest at midnight. Using nature to their advantage, they have successfully defended their land since centuries, allowing nobody to finish off the last remains of the tree.

Dryagi’s skin looks a lot like various trees from the material plain - although examples from other plains have been spotted and still cannot fully be explained. Their eyes have a green, shining colour, gradually turning more and more red when far away from the Dryagi birthplace. The principles of law, ownership or power do not appear in the world of a Dryagor. They only wear clothes while travelling or, in one of the few cases, when interacting with other races, preferring long, brown robes. However, when a Dryagor takes part in the problems of others, all included parties should prepare for them to have massive impact. 

Warrior Sentinels

The ancient creatures are some of the most two-sided humanoids to exist. At the moment, the first of them were formed from the falling branch, an obsession with peace appeared in their minds. Even though the goals of the Dryagi began to vary more and more, their original enthusiasm remains. When a Dryagor considers someone a friend and feels, as if they have earned trust and freedom to act as they please, assistance of the Dryagor will feel like a blessing of the gods themselves. But those seen as a threat to the world and it’s integrity, will be hunted down without mercy. Dryagi show little to no remorse or sympathy. When a target dies, it was for the good of the world. And if something happened for the good of the world, there is nothing to be sad about. 

Lone Walkers

Due to the Dryagi’s emotions having little to no impact on their decisions, they are feared by most other races, who make large turns around their territory. However, in the last decades, more and more Dryagi seem to have undergone a change of mind, leaving their homelands to live among others. Most of these have difficulties finding their place in the world - with one exception: A Dryagor finding a chaotic but joyful group of wanderers will find his ability to feel joy in no time. That is why Dryagi are most commonly seen with bards - and those, who travel with the musicians and storytellers are the most well liked by far.

Hive of Wood

The Dryagi still residing in the lands of the ancient tree live in unity with nature. Most of them form smaller families and make important decisions in unity with their closest family members. In the multiple ages that Dryagi have existed, there is not one single record of one of them trying to build a kingdom, nobility, autocracy or similar in the lands of the tree. In this place, protecting peace and the Dryagi as a whole seems to be the only priority. However, as a Dryagor move further and further from the birthplace of his kind, the influence of the tree begins to wear of and due to their precious and strict sense for logical decisions, a lot of Dryagi outside of their lands have become famous assassins, generals or even kings. 

TRUST TO BE EARNED

Whenever Dryagi judge people or groups, most of it is about their sense for fairness and peace. If it would be better for the state of the world, if a specific group would vanish, Dryagi almost never step back from generalisations or even obvious attacks. 

Humans. “Meeting multiple humans is a gamble. Meeting a single one is a situation where you cannot lose. In a group, they can thrive to the most beautiful societies ever invented or to the most brutal and horrific ones. Meeting a lost human on his own has two outcomes: Either they are an honest being and you can work together. Or, if their heart is rotten, you will with certainty be able to finish them of without their allies.”

Genasi. “Power corrupts. Once mortals inherit the power of the gods, they will not turn to good. They will bash in each other’s skulls with even more force, until nobody is left. A disgrace, not even worthy being extinguished, because they will do it themselves anyway.”

Elves. “Elves are a site of peace in this cursed world. Their beauty is a sign from the gods, that not everything is as bad as it looks. A wind of justice blows in their lands and most of them are friendly as nobody else. If you have to pick a place to rest, pick one these beings also like.”

Awoken by Freedom 

Travelling Dryagi in general have two reasons to do so: Either they were sent on missions to gather recourses for their homeland or they have abandoned their homeland in search of a better life outside the forest. The difference in intentions can most accurately be recognised in the Dryagor’s movement: If it seems hopeful or excited, they are most likely on their way to leave the lands of the tree in destiny’s hands.

Dryagor Names

A Dryagor has a given name and a family name. Some Dryagi change their given names once they leave their homeland - as a symbol of a new life.

Male Names: Galagor, Laas, Adlanda, Sawadin, Baran, 

Female Names: Cori, Rina, Maltaa, Oreene, Belynn 

Family Names: Varne, Olos, Gweth, Yen, Kiros

Subrace

The three main kinds of Dryagor, Dark Oak, White Elm and Weeping Willow were altered in body and mind to fulfil different tasks in the lands of the tree. Choose one of these subraces or one from another source.

Dryagor Traits

Your dryagor character has a number of traits in common with all other dryagi.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2.

Age

A dryagor reaches adulthood at the age of 30 and generally lives between 100 and 350 years. 

Size

Dryagi’s hight in adulthood reaches from 5 1/2 to 7 feet. They weigh about 260 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Tendril Control

As an action, you are able to attack any hostile creature within 5 ft. that is large or smaller with tendrils sprouting out of the ground, which wrap themselves around the target and forces them to make a strength saving throw (DC: 8 + your proficiency bonus + your constitution modifier). On a failed save, the target is restrained for a number of turns equal to a quarter of your character level (rounded up). You can use this feature a number of times per long rest equal to your constitution modifier (minimum of one).

Nature Link

While inside forests, you gain advantage on survival and nature checks.

Photosynthesis

When taking a short rest in sunlight, the required duration is reduced to 10 minutes and you regain a number of additional hit points for each hit dice used, equal to half your constitution modifier (rounded up, minimum of 1).

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Sylvan.