Homebrew Dryads Species Details

Forest creatures bound to plants is the embodiment of nature and her forces. They often have parts of their body relating to trees, like branch-like hair. Their skin is usually green or brown. They live in tribes in different forests, and even though the tribes aren't enemies, they don't really interfere. A notable thing is, all dryads are women. 

Bound to trees

Dryads are bound to and associated physically with trees, and they inherit their appearance  - for example, a dryad bound to a birch will usually have intensely green skin and black and white hair resembling its bark, while one bound to an olive tree will have the skin tone raging from dim green to olive and usually brown hair. Their skin tones will range in all shades of green and brown, in case of being bound to young trees it might also be yellow or pale. While some dryads will have usual hair, simply thicker than humans, some instead of hair will have long, light branches of the tree they're bound to - it depends on, apart from genetic issues, on how strong actually their relationship with nature is. The "hair roots", as some call them, can develop leaves or flowers on them. They grow similarly to usual hair and also serve as a reserve of water for a short time - a dehydrated dryad will usually have her hair go dry first. Usually, dryads can also control their hair, using it as ropes or holders - it requires energy, however. All dryads are females and have the sexual traits of females. They're quite tall, their height is usually around 6' and can be determined with the formula 5'8+1d4. An adult dryad usually weighs from 132 to 152 pounds (132lb+1d20). They're built quite sportily, have a fair amount of muscles but can be described as thin. They have a really long lifespan, while the average one of dryads is around 500 years, some of them live up to even 800 years, however, they reach maturity already by the age of 20.

Nature lovers

While most forest residents tend to treat it as a shelter and source of food, for dryads woods are like a deity, something they're bound to forever. Even if they leave it, they still feel the connection to trees and other plants, it's a source of energy, inspiration and knowledge for them. They'd like to protect nature and harmony at all costs. It's the highest good for them. Dryads will often kill everyone that doesn't give forests enough respect. A silent arrow from behind the trees is all they have to do to keep the peace. They are worshippers of Nature and her powers.

They tend to live in tribes consisting of 10 to 20 people. The most important one in a tribe is usually the most experienced dryad. She's the leader of all hunts and is responsible for the health of all members. The leader will usually have an advisor or two, helping in making decisions. The lives of dryads are quite careless - their job is usually patrolling the forests. They also have roles in the community - flower sellers, tea house owners, arrow manufacturers. However, for some such life is boring to spend a few centuries in. That's why they tend to leave their tribes and start adventuring or travelling. Some of them come back after achieving a certain goal, but some stay in the outer world forever. Dryadish tribes are quite exclusive communities - they usually won't give shelter to people of other races, but are welcoming for all dryads, even those of other tribes.

Born by nature

Since all dryads are female, reproduction itself isn't possible. Most of them tend to have romantic or sexual relationships with other ones from their tribe, but they can't get children from such acts. Dryads are simply young girls, either lost in the dark forests or born after intercourse of a dryad with males of other races and brought after that directly to the forest, brought up by dryads and therefore getting eventually bound to trees. That's when their appearance starts to change and they forget about their past lives. 

Names

Most names of dryads will relate to nature in some way or have a natural and soft sound. Examples: Mendeis, Almonis, Eyteliana, Anisum, Xaniphe, Cornelia, Liliflora, Sanguinea, Aster, Villosis.

Dryads Traits

Dryads inherit a lot from the trees and use excessively their natural hunting abilities and their relationship with nature.

Languages

Dryads can speak both Common and Sylvan.

Ability Score Increase

Dryads get additional 2 points to their Wisdom because of their great knowledge about nature and life in general, they also have a dexterity bonus because of their hunting lifestyle in forests.

Age

Because of their bond with trees, dryads will live for approximately 500 or 600 years. There are known cases of dryads living for over 800 years. They mature, however, already at the age of 20 and that's when their appearance changes from casually-looking young girls to obviously bound to trees nymphs. Same with their elderly years - their hair goes dry and wrinkles appear in the last few years of their lives. For the rest of the time, they have the appearance of younger or older adult women.

Alignment

Dryads, as forest beings, are really adhering to natural laws. They are often up to do everything in order to protect nature and harmony. While some of them will decide that the happiness of every living being is the most important and will become kind and good-hearted creatures, others will become ruthless fighters protecting the woods from unwanted visitors.

Size

Dryads are generally taller than other fey creatures, their height ranges from 5'8 to 6'2, while their weight from 130 to 150lbs. Because of their forest lifestyle dryads are usually quite thin and have a sporty bodybuild.

Up and Forth

Because of being brought up in a forest, dryads are trained in climbing and both their walking and climbing speeds are equal to 30.

Protector of Forests

Because of tribal lifestyle and traditions revolving around protecting Nature and harmony, dryads are usually proficient in using a longbow, being their traditional tribal weapons, most accessible in forests and useful in hunting.

Bound and becoming

A dryad is able to temporarily (maximum of 1 day) turn into a tree. It's a ritual taking up to 1 hour. A dryad in the tree form is immobile but has all her senses. To leave the tree form, another 1 hour is required. While in this form, one is subducted to any damage dealt, her HP and AC stay on the same level, and in case a tree is continuously attacked saving throws are rolled normally - however, in case of passing them the tree can't be attacked anymore - it is simply thought to be dead. In such case, when a dryad loses consciousness in her tree form, she transforms back after the 1 day period ends. 

After using this ability, a dryad needs to take a long rest before using it again.

Commune with nature

Communicating with nature is a natural skill of dryads. Using one action, one can communicate with plants in the range of 5 feet. This spell can be used for an unlimited number of times, it doesn't count as one of the known spells and doesn't use up a spell slot.

Forestborn

Due to her forest life, a dryad is proficient in Nature and Survival skills.