Homebrew Dryad Species Details
When a Dryad cries …
… the bright red leaves
and the tree stands
in a pool
of blood
… forest green leaves
and the tree stands
in a pond
of heartbreak
… red and green leaves
and the tree stands
in a lake
of sorrow
There is no sadder song
than when a tree dies,
there is no deeper grief
than when a Dryad cries.
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.
Shrouded in Mystery
The Sisters of the Vale are [monster]dryad;Dryads’ member of a mystical sisterhood tied to the Feywild and the Material Plane. The Sisters’ nature and origins are shrouded in mystery, but it is believed that they are serving a hidden archfey and that their tendrils of influence reach into many druidic circles, wood elves cultures and tribal societies throughout the world. Although for all their connections, they have never pledged allegiance to either the Seelie Court or the Unseelie Court.
Love and Fear
The Sisters of the Vale are both loved and feared. Loved, because they respond readily to requests for aid; feared, because the price they exact for assistance is often more than the supplicant is willing to pay. They may imbue young warriors with peerless battleskill, but in exchange steal all kindness from their soul. They might answer the pleas of an elf-maid forlorn in love, then years later steal away her first-born child. It is even within their leaders’ power, the green enchantresses, to stave off death’s hand, but they will only do so if a life is offered in exchange, and the petitioner is seldom permitted to choose the victim.
Sacred Oath
The Sisters have sworn an oath to defend the world from the madness of their siblings. When a dryad loses her tree, and begins her descent into a spriggan, the sisterhood will find and confine her in a hidden place, called vale of tears, enspelled into an eternal slumber. In many ways, they have become similar to their charge, exposed constantly to the overwhelming sadness of the spriggans, many lose their playful nature and their fey charm ability in their first years of service — hiding their viciousness beneath a graceful aspect. The Sister’s secondary goal is to protect the worldroots, the heart of spriggans, from the predation of hags and ill-intentioned mages. Under the guise of the green enchantresses, they fulfil their sacred duty, watching over the vales of tears, protecting natural magical sites, fey crossings and overhaul maintain harmony between worlds.
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.
Sister of the Vale 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
Dryad Traits
Your dryad character has certain characteristics from their fey origin.Ability Score Increase
Your Charisma score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Age
Dryads are often young elven girl, obtained in exchange for the dryad's protection or blessing, and transformed with the green enchantress magic. They live up to 700 years old, but their body stays youthful and alluring for the entirety of their lifespan.
Alignment
Dryads tend toward neutral alignment, been more leaning toward the rhythm of nature than any code or benevolent intentions. Dryads that are part of the green enchantress conclave may tend toward lawful as they follow her lead.
Size
Dryads are about the same size as humans and elves. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision
Thanks to your heritage, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Dryad Magic
You know the druidcraft cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the hunter's mark spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the barkskin spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Dryad training
The sorority favors subtlety over brute strength, and so in most confrontation, they will engage the enemy from a safe distance and cover with a volley of arrows and spells.
You have proficiency with scimitar, longbow and herbalism Kit.
Speech of Beast and Leaf
You have the ability to communicate in a limited manner with beasts and plants. They can understand the meaning of your words, though you have no special ability to understand them in return. You have advantage on all Charisma checks you make to influence them.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common, Elvish, and Sylvan.
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