Homebrew Dryad Species Details

Created from the union of a mortal and a fey or the result of a curse born of forbidden love, Dryads are spirits of their tree homes. Shy and reclusive their feminine forms are rarely seen away from their forest habitat. Travelers into the wild forests often regale glimpses of beautiful wooden figures, the slight chime of laughter through leaves or the soft touch of a woody hand on their shoulder, only to disappear into the deep forest. Others claim to have heard these sounds just before the screams of their companions break the forest silence.

She was unlike any woman I had ever seen. Her woody skin, lustrous leafed hair hanging long behind her curves. Truly, the woman of the forest is a beauty unlike any other.

Diary of Herbert Merryweather

 

Treebound

Whether born out of love or cursed by an Archfey, Dryads live their lives within the forest of their conception. Those born into the world as a forest spirit choose a tree to call home, often the one they feel most akin to. Those born from a curse inhabit the tree it was bound to as part of their transformation. Both Dryads consider this tree their home and heart and will do anything to protect it. A Dryad may wander the world as its curiosity fits but this tree will always be its haven. Whether out of fear of the Archfey that created it or some other innate phobia, Dryads born from a curse rarely wander away from their forest, instead preferring to protect it from outsiders.

As long as the Dryad's tree remains healthy, so too will the Dryad remain young, vibrant and healthy. Yet should the tree suffer or die the Dryad will similarly suffer, but instead of dying will go mad with grief and rage, becoming a wrathful spirit of the forests.

For Dryads that venture beyond the confines of their forest, the Dryad Adventurer table may serve as inspiration.

Dryad Adventurers

D4	REASON FOR ADVENTURING
1	Follow a particularly interesting creature
2	Forest destroyed by an army
3	A natural inclination for traveling nature's domains
4	Forest is under threat from a creature or beast

Forest Protectors

Dryads protect their forest home with a vicious passion that does not reflect their normally calm and shy demeanor. They share this forest with other fey creatures and work together to protect it. Any intruder who is deemed a threat will be met with violent retribution.

Reclusive Spirits

Dryads are guardians of their woodland haven. They are generally shy and reclusive, preferring the peace of the forest and the company of its woodland creatures. They live as sentinels, watching outsiders and interlopers from the emerald shadow of the trees. Dryads are curious by nature; wandering their forest, and perhaps beyond, ever searching for the many different manifestations of nature. They love encountering new animals to talk to, new flowers to smell and new trees to listen to. A curious Dryad that is struck by the beauty of a stranger or captivated by the strangeness of this newcomer might investigate more closely, perhaps even try to lure the individual into the forest to be charmed. Others may be so enraptured by them that they leave the safety of their forest boundary to pursue them. 

Woodland Magic

A Dryad's fey ancestry allows them to easily communicate with animals and plants. Their affinity with their home tree allows them to pass from one tree to another using the magic of the forest. Their beauty is matched by their charm, which they use in equal measure to lure interlopers either into their homes or away from their groves, depending on the nature of the newcomer.

Dryad Names

Within their homes, Dryads have no use for personal names. For more curious and adventurous Dryads, they may adopt a name in order to communicate with outsiders. These names are always derived from their forest homes and reflect the names of those plants they live with. These may include:

Alder, Apple, Ash, Aspen, Aster, Birch, Bluebell, Buckthorn, Buttercup, Catalpa, Cedar, Cherry, Chestnut, Clover, Cosmos, Cottonwood, Cypress, Daffodil, Daisy, Daphne, Death Cap, Desert Rose, Elm, Erica, Fir, Filbert, Hawthorn, Hazel, Heather, Hebe, Hemlock, Honeysuckle, Holly, Iris,  Jasmine, Juniper, Lavender, Lilac, Lilly, Lotus, Lunaria, Lupin, Magnolia, Maple, Marigold, Moonflower, Morning Glory, Narcissus, Nymphea, Oak, Orchid, Pear, Peony, Pine, Plum, Poplar, Poppy, Powder Puff, Primrose, Puffball, Redwood, Rose, Snowflake, Sun Drop, Sunflower, Spruce, Sweetgum, Sweet Pea, Tiger Lily, Tulip, Violet, Walnut, Waterlily, Willow, Winterberry, Yarrow, Yew, Zenobia.

Dryad Traits

Your Dryad has a variety of natural abilities derived form their close attunement to their habitat.

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom score increases by 2. Increase either your Dexterity or Charisma by 1.

Age

Dryads do not age so long as their tree lives. They reach maturity at around 10 years or 30 years depending on their tree.

Alignment

Dryads are protectors of their forest homes first and foremost. They tend towards the aspect of good. Yet should their forest home or tree be destroyed they take on a wrathful nature and tend towards a chaotic aspect. 

Size

Dryads are between 4-5 foot tall and average 90 pounds. Your size is medium

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Languages

You can speak, read andd write in Sylvan and one other language.

Attuned to Nature

You are a spirit of the wilds and have attuned to the voices that inhabit your home. You have the ability to communicate freely with beasts and plants. They can understand the meaning of your words, and you can understand them in return. You have advantage on all Charisma checks you make to influence them.

Forest Paths

Your intimate nature with tree homes allows you to travel freely between them. As a bonus action you can magically transport yourself between one plant to another. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Nature's Guardian

As a protector of the forests, you have proficiency with the Nature skill. Your bark-like skin gives you natural protection from nonmagical weapons, but leaves you vulnerable to fire.

Fey Charm

Your beguiling nature allows you to protect the forests by guiding interlopers away or into the forest. You are able to cast Charm once a day. The Charmed individual must make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be magically charmed. The charmed creature regards you as a trusted friend for 24 hours.