Homebrew Dryad Species Details
Woodland Protectors
Dryads are neither evil nor good. They are spirits of nature, bound to its endless cycle of growth, decay, death, and renewal. They do not harm without cause, and generally prefer to lure their foes away with mystic fey magic rather than confront them directly. Yet neither will they interfere with the natural hardships of the world. The wolf must hunt, the river must flood, the storm must blow, and winter must eventually come. To a dryad, nature is not gentle or cruel, it simply is.
Though forests are their most common homes, dryads are guardians of the natural world in all its forms. They watch over the changing seasons, the migration of beasts, the blooming of flowers, the falling of leaves, and the quiet return of life after winter. A dryad may mourn a dying tree while understanding that its decay will nourish the soil for what comes next. Their endless serenity comes from accepting that nothing in nature is meant to remain unchanged.
Dryads often work alongside satyrs, druids, spirits, and other beings who respect the natural order. Good and neutral fey are often fond of them, with mischievous pixies finding much in common with their love of life and celebration. It is said among the fey that a ring of red toadstools marks a place where dryads and pixies gather beneath the full moon to dance, feast, and welcome the changing season. Any mortal fortunate, or foolish, enough to stumble upon such a gathering may be granted a great boon.
A dryad is bound to a tree, but can roam the land surrounding it. Certain dryads are free to wander as far as their hearts desire, yet they always remain connected to their tree, for it is their home and a part of their very being. If the tree suffers, the dryad suffers. If it dies, the dryad may lose itself to grief and madness. Only a difficult ritual performed by a powerful fey or archdruid can bind the wilting dryad to a new tree and restore the connection.
Occasionally, a dryad will leave its home for a time, though never without reason. Some seek threats that could upset the balance of nature, while others travel to repay a debt to someone who once aided them. Others simply follow the changing seasons, answering the quiet call of spring, the heat of summer, the decay of autumn, or the stillness of winter.
Dryad Traits
Creature Type: Fey
Size: Medium (about 5–6 feet tall)
Speed: 30 feet
Darkvision
Accustomed to life under the shadow of verdant boughs, 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.
Fey Blessing
Whenever you are subjected to a magical effect that makes you make a Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma Saving Throw you gain advantage on that save.
Wood Land Magic
You know the druidcraft cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the charm person 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.
Season Tree Tie
You posses a tie to a guardian tree that grants you it season abilities. Choose a tie from the Season Tree´s table. You gain the level 1 benefit of that tie.
When you reach certain character levels, you receive more benefits according to the season of your tied tree.
Cherry Tree Tied Dryad Traits
Fruits of the Forest
As a bonus action, you can create a magical cherries in your hand. The cherries have all the properties of a berry created by the goodberry spell. You can use this trait once, after which you cannot do so again until you finish a Long Rest.
Furthermore, at 5th level you learn the Entangle and Zephyr Strike spell. You always have these spells prepared. You can cast each spell once without a spell slot, and you regain the ability to cast it in that way when you finish a Long Rest. You can also cast the spell using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for the spells you cast with this trait.
Oak Tied Tree Dryad Traits
Strong Roots
You are sturdy and rooted. You have advantage on saving throws and ability checks you make to avoid being pushed, pulled or knocked prone.
Toughened Bark
The bark that is a part of your skin is very tough. When you are not wearing heavy armor you gain a +1 bonus to your Armor Class.
Pine Tied Tree Dryad Traits
Evergreen
Your cells' resiliency and ability to adapt and maintain homeostasis have granted you resistance to Cold and Necrotic damage.
Red Maple Tied Tree Dryad Traits
Maple Spit
Your Dryadic relation to the Red Maple Tree has made your spit as viscous as sap. You can use this sap in battle and its property to harden quicken gives a new sort of edge on the battlefield. Your spit is a ranged natural weapon (15/25) that you are proficient with. this natural weapon is also considered to be a simple weapon. You deal bludgeoning damage equal to 1d4 + your dexterity modifier on a hit.
A creature hit by the sap makes a Dexterity saving throw (8+ your dexterity modifier + proficiency bonus). on a failed save, the creature is grappled by the sap until it breaks it free. A creature grappled by the sap can use its action to make a Strength check equal to or greater than (8+ your dexterity modifier + proficiency bonus). If it succeeds, it is no longer grappled.
The sap has an AC of 10 and 10 hit points. it has vulnerability to fire and cold damage.
Willow Tied Tree Dryad Traits
Long Limbs
Your movement speed increases by 10 feet.
Tree-like Apperance
As an action, if you are in a location that typically contains trees (DM Discretion) and remain motionless while being watched, you are almost indistinguishable from an ordinary tree to a creature watching you, giving you advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in those surroundings.
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