Homebrew Dryad Species Details

Birch, cool

With sap, tree, your breath

In my hands, tense

Bark, a yielding glass,

But to feel deeper

Stirrings, the stretching

In the trunk,

Towards the branches.

Let your hair fall

Fall in your neck, I hear

Through the coolness, I hear a fluttering,

Hear the current lift,

The rising flood,

Hear ecstasy

Sing in my ear

- Johannes Bobrowski, Dryad

 

Dryads resemble fair maidens, with their sleek feminine features. They are creatures bound to a tree, who are very reclusive and tend to only commune with other fey or creatures of the forest. They are curious and mostly unaware of what happens outside of their peaceful and secluded communities, hidden within flora.

Charming and Recluse

Not many creatures can describe dryads with vivid detail, as these feminine flora tend to stay away from towns and cities. More oft than not, dryads will lure things away from their area using their magic, without being seen even once by the one they are pushing away. However, those who tend to be more attractive often gain the attention of these curious fey folk, who may approach them silently without engaging in conversation. People who HAVE come face to face with dryads or even struck up a conversation with them describe them as curious, charming, aloof, and especially attractive

Guardians of their Home

 It is common knowledge that dryads are interlinked with a tree, which sustains their life eternally

Dryad Names

Dryads have very... basic and expected names, often based around the tree their bound to, or relating to the wilderness or forest in general. These names are almost always feminine due to the nature of dryads. These names include:

Feminine Dryad Names: June, Cocoa, Honey, Locust, Aspen, Laurel, Maple, Moriko, Fern

Masculine Dryad Names: Peco, Sycamore, Oakley, Spruce, Camphor, Clover, Linden

Dryad Traits

Your dryad character has some racial traits which are in tune with the forest and wilderness.

Ability Score Increase

Your Charisma score increases by 2, and one other ability score of your choice increases by 1.

Age

Dryads live for as long as their tree lives. This can be a couple years to hundreds and hundreds of years, depending on the tree and its location. As long as the tree is alive, the dryad is alive.

Alignment

Dryads care most for their tree, its in their nature. They are most often neutral, as they will protect their tree from anyone and anything, no matter how good or bad the intentions of the thing harming it is. Some dryads are mischievous, leading them to chaos. Some might prefer a more peaceful and calming lifestyle with order, fit for a lawful alignment. More often than not, however, dryads will not be evil.

Size

Dryads are usually scaled to their tree, mostly being a bit taller than humans. They can vary from 4 ft to 8 ft, depending on the tree.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Fey Creatures

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

Magic of the Dryads

You know the cantrip Druidcraft. You can cast the spell Charm Person at third level. You can cast Barkskin at 5th level.

Flora

You have a natural Phobia of Fire, and must roll a d10 to decide how serious this phobia is. You are vulnerable to fire.

Forest Folk

You gain the ability to speak with beasts and plants. You gain an advantage on stealth checks in the forest.

Languages

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