Homebrew Dryad Born Species Details
Frowned upon by most dryads as a distortion of their race, Dryad Born rarely survive beyond infancy due to dryad's general ignorance of what "flesh bags" need in order to live. Dryads are known for their often promiscuous temptation of mortals, leading ultimately to destruction for those individuals, but the opposite seduction is less common, and often punished by other dryads. Should the union result in a child, severe punishment such as banishing the dryad's sprit to another tree entirely is not unheard of.
These unearthly humanoids can range in height and color, depending on their parent's tree, though they are not tied to a tree of their own. This results in most Dryad Born feeling displaced and alone. They inherit many of their dryad parent's unique abilities, but their inherent need for nurturing is usually not sufficiently met by a parent that is more forest than mother.
Dryad Born are exclusively the offspring of female dryads, and are almost never raised by their fathers. Many roam the wilderness in solitude giving way to legends of wild women and banshees; witches and will o wisps.
If a young Dryad Born is found however, and nurtured in a society, they are often mistaken for elves or half elves, though many who meet them cannot shake the feeling that there is something not quite present about the wildly beautiful being in their midst.
Dryad Born can live to be quite old since they don't require the same sustenance as other humanoids. Childhood lasts until roughly 20 years old with adolescence ending between 30 and 40. The oldest Dryad Born live well into 400 years old.
Dryad Born are typically lawful neutral because of their zoomed-out perspective. It's hard for them to understand the difficulties of the average being because they have such a hard time creating attachments themselves. When a Dryad Born has committed themselves to something or someone, however, they are often faithful to the death.
Dryad Born are not usually given names by their mothers. Only the most affectionate Dryads will assign some sort of moniker to their offspring. These names can tend more towards pet names that point out their squishy children's shortcomings; "my clumsy fawn" or "noisy bear cub".
There are some Dryads who interact more frequently with other races (satyrs, centaurs, and other nature folk), and do adopt proper names for themselves and their babies. These can be taxonomical in nature or downright fantastic depending on how the Dryad perceives itself.
Whereas many Dryads are quite tall, Dryad Born seem to have no standard height. Similarly, even though most dryad's resemble their host tree significantly, Dryad Born tend to carry one major trait in common with their mother's tree. This can be anything from pallid lilac skin, dusty green hair, or even shocking red eyes!
Dryad Born Traits
Nature is always your ally as a Dryad BornMask of the Wild
Normally, you can’t hide from someone if you’re in full view, but using mask of the wild, you can try to hide simply by being in heavy rain, mist, falling snow, foliage, or similar natural phenomena. You can find hiding spots in nature inaccessible to other beings. This is not an automatic success however, and a Dexterity (Stealth) check is required as normal.
Fortunately, your Dryad lineage grants you a +2 stealth bonus ONLY IN NATURE. Cities and open roads are not conducive to your stealth abilities.
Made of Earth
When self-healing or using hit-dice, you must touch the earth barefoot or suffer disadvantage
Fey Ancestry
You have the advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can't put you to sleep.
Dark Vision
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.
Speak With Beasts and Plants
You have the ability to communicate fluently with the flora and fauna of the forest. You can speak to beasts and plants as if you shared a language and can understand them in return. This communication is somewhat limited by the animals intelligence.You have advantage on all Charisma checks you make to influence them.
Unearthly Beauty
All humanoids within 30 feet and clear view must succeed on a D17 wisdom save or be transfixed for 2d4 rounds. Victims cannot be commanded or communicate. If the transfixed is attacked before the time allotted, it can attempt to make a D9 wisdom save to remove the effect of the transfixion.
In successive rounds, any humanoid previously transfixed can attempt a D2 Dexterity check to avert gaze and permanently avoid transfixion. Mele attacks are with disadvantage if the attacker is averting their gaze.
This can be started or stopped as a free action but can only be used once per long rest.
In addition, you gain +2 bonus on all Charisma checks.
Tree Stride
Can enter one tree within 10 ft. and emerge in another within 60 ft.
Nature Born
Being so connected to nature has its pros and cons.
If traveling through nature plagued by draught or blight must succeed in a D20 charisma save or have disadvantage on all ability checks. If traveling through this space for more than 24 hours, must succeed in a D20 charisma save each additional day AND suffer exhaustion.
However, your Dryad lineage grants you +2 proficiency on all survival and nature checks.
Nature Magic
Your race grants you access to spells your class may deny.
Languages
Your Race grants you proficiency in Sylvan, and one other language.
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