Homebrew Dryad Species Details

Dryads are a guarded people, they hold the secrets of the forest close to their chests, for harming the forest makes an enemy in the dryads. Dryads are of the fey, being born from Mother Earth herself, being moulded by the earth before coming into the world through their Birth Tree. A dryad's Birth Tree is bonded to them from the process, tying the dryad to the Tree and to the forest it is part of; this means that leaving the Tree is very difficult for a dryad as they are called into being by Mother Earth to care for and protect the forest. That is not to say that it cannot be achieved, there are dryads who use the knowledge of generations past and of Mother Earth herself to use their magic to take a portion of their Tree with them, keeping that safe and cared for, and to be able to keep an eye on the state of the Birth Tree itself through. Most dryads are female, those who are male are far and few between, being limited to being born once every 100 years for Mother Earth is a fickle being.
Dryads get along with a lot of beings, flora and fauna alike, as well as elemental beings such as genasi, they also get along well with elves, firbolgs and other creatures of the fey. They are wary of most humanoid races, tending to observe them from a distance. Amongst themselves, the younger dryads are playful and play tricks on each other while the adults routinely head out of the grove to patrol the rest of the forest for protective purposes as well as hunting and foraging. In each grove, a female dryad is chosen as the Matriarch, a position she gains from her many years of experience and wisdom. The Matriarch is responsible for protecting the entire grove, overseeing the newly-born dryads, and offering wise words and advice to those younger then her. She is well-respected in her role, and is chosen by Mother Earth, meaning that she is never contested amongst those in her grove.

Graceful and Slender
Dryads, like many of the fey, are graceful in movement, and slender of build. They range from just under 5 feet tall to just over 7 feet tall, towering over most other humanoid races alike. They are as slender as elves, and weigh from 100 pounds to 165 pounds. The males are usually marginally heavier than the females, but they both stand at the same height. The colouration of dryads encompasses the entire spectrum of greens and browns, as well as ashy white and depends upon from which species of tree they are born. This includes their hair, and the leaves which they grow on their bodies and in their hair. Their eyes tend to glow a range of yellows, greens and more rarely, reds. As well as leaves, some dryads have a skin-structure not unlike the bark of a tree, which can encompass the entire body, or grow in patches. Dryads tend to wear no clothing whilst in the forest, and very little when outside preferring to be barefoot all the time.

Ancient Roots
Living for up to 1000 years, dryads are patient and have a deep knowledge that is shared with Mother Earth. Dryads are not materialistic or greedy, preferring the simple life that was gifted to them from Mother Earth. However, they are also a curious people, tending to stay hidden within the trees whilst observing those who enter their forest. Learning all they can about the outside world to stop it from entering their home. They do not forget an enemy of the forest, and relentlessly protect what nature is in danger of being disturbed. Being attuned to the forest around them, and to their Birth Tree, gifts them with the wisdom and knowledge of survival skills, as well as the prowess of wielding nature magic and bows. Using their home environment to their advantage, dryads are also gifted with strategy and graceful acrobatics to traverse the environment.

Enchanting Forest Realm
Dryads do not live within buildings or build monuments to their beliefs, instead they reside within the trees themselves, sleeping amongst the boughs, or within the hollow knots of the trunks. When entering a dryad grove, an individual will find nothing but an enchanting beauty of the natural forest, a sense of peace that is only slightly tinged by the feeling of being watched. The more perceptive individual would also be able to see a portal to the Feywild within the grove, hidden by flora and protected with magic. Groves can be the size of a small village, or several acres big, spanning large portions of forestry.
When encountered outside their own forests or groves, dryads are usually travelling druids, heading to other forests to make a new grove, or refugees escaping far from their own for it has been compromised by an enemy. Contact between dryads and other humanoid races has been extremely limited, and they are seen as potential threats by them.

Adventures and Exploration
When a dryad is found away from their forest, carrying their Birth Tree with them, it is usually because they have set out on a mission given from Mother Earth. This mission is to go and heal, or to help create a grove within another forest. These are the most outgoing of dryads, those who Mother Earth imbued with the knowledge of geography and a wanderlust. Since dryads are so long-lived, these explorers can heal many forests and create many new groves, feeding their curiosity about the world. Adventuring like this allows dryads to gain more knowledge of the world to share with others of their kind, and with Mother Earth; this can add to their prowess with nature magic and allow their survival skills to thrive. They would never join in a fight without cause, if they or the forest they are caring for is threatened, they will fight in defence. However, they have been known to be sympathetic to others' causes.

Dryad Names
Dryads are considered children until their 200th birthday when they are named by the Matriarch, until then they are unnamed, going by the names of their Birth Trees. Upon their 200th birthday, the grove Matriarch will conduct a coming of age ceremony, where the young dryad undergoes a trial that shows off their skills in caring for nature, survival and self-defence. Due to the fact that they are birthed from earth and trees, they have no family names, however, when asked for their full name, they will state one of two names: which grove they are from, these consist of the direction and a second part which remains secret to outsiders stating the name of the forest, or they will state they are from the earth. A dryad is also free to not use a last name.
Female Adult Names: Ashtra, Aerynn, Brokyllia, Cionne, Chea, Daelliph, Einna, Fryphia, Innead, Ina, Latasch, Liphissa, Maetraph, Noetill, Prona, Paea, Rhacea, Raeni, Sylquinn, Sholna, Tryphe, Wenna, Vyenna.
Male Adult Names: Ahnkelith, Ary, Berr, Blensho, Chinaro, Daeton, Dytron, Enil, Eke, Frerenn, Inoll, Laeph, Lota, Luscha, Maektrat, Nostran, Nouta, Paiti, Rint, Roenn, Sarll, Sporkra, Tiktro, Traenno, Wye, Vell, Vio.
Grove Names (common): Naetra (Northern), Wollenstra (Western), Staenno (Eastern), Thousstronn (Southern).

Dryad Traits

Your dryad has a myriad of natural abilities at their fingertips, this is the result from many generations of refinement.

Ability Score Increase

As a dryad, you grew up climbing and running through treetops and forest floors, you're able to move swiftly even in the highest of branches. Dexterity increases by 2.

Age

As a dryad, you physically mature at the same rate as humans and elves, yet you are given a name on your 200th birthday and can live up to 1000 years old.

Alignment

As a dryad, the most valued thing is the forest. Everything is for the good of the forest or Mother Earth. Achieving those ends by any means necessary is not unheard of. The only exception is the Thornbush dryads, who lost their way when they misinterpreted the messages of Mother Earth and lost contact with her.

Size

You range from just under 5 feet tall to just over 7 feet tall.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Accustomed to the forest at night, your vision in dark and dim conditions is superior.

Keen Senses

You have proficiency in the Perception skill.

Fey Ancestry

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

Languages

Sylvan is a language that sounds like the rustle of leaves and flows like a river and is very difficult to speak for non-natives.

Subrace

There are three main subraces: green leaf dryads, thornbush dryads, and blossom dryads. Choose one of these subraces.