Homebrew Dryad Species Details

Like the inhabitants and spirits representing all living things, Dryads are only one subset of Nymph within the bounds of the Natural World. The protectors and defenders of the trees and forests of the world, Dryads have always lived on the outskirts of Mankind, choosing instead to keep to themselves and revel in the company of their fellow nature spirits and their great god, Pan.

Natural Beauty

As a Nymph and representative of the Natural World, Dryads share the beauty of nature with slender Fae features and eternal, unblemished skin. Their height can range from anywhere between just under 5 feet to a regal 7 feet, the oldest and wisest of leaders among them (if any) often reflecting their status with their size. They are often epitomes of human beauty standards, but can weigh anything from 100 to 175 lbs. There are notably more female than male Dryads, females outnumbering males 5 to 1. Males and females are about the same height, and males are only marginally heavier than females.

Dryads' coloration is often tinged with the colours of nature, and while a non-discerning eye may allow them to pass as human with any range of skin-tones, a closer inspection would yield clear undertones of green, yellow, brown, orange, or red. The eyes of most Dryads relate directly to the species of tree from which their spirit is derived, whether they be bright chlorophyll green, dark spruce brown, or even pale cherry-blossom pink. Their hair is often not hair at all, but flowing locks of leaves, twigs and vines. Male Dryads may have some facial hair, but most Dryads have no to little body hair. They favor simple clothing made from the environments in which they live, including bark or leaves from their genus of tree.

Eternal Revelry

Like many other nature spirits, Dryads can live for hundreds, or even thousands of years, as long as their trees - their homes and resting places - remain untouched by plague, natural disaster, or men's destructive tendencies. They are often depicted as tricksters, beguiling men and women alike and luring them to mystical glades from which few ever return. They are often disinterested in the politics of Humankind, opting to spend their days careless and free, and their nights dancing until the sun comes up. When one lives as long as a Dryad, the rise and fall of civilizations begin seeming trivial matters. While they may often invite humans to party with them, true long-lasting bonds between them are difficult to come by. Their fellow brothers and sisters, the Nymphs and other occupants, and their forests are the strongest bonds Dryads hold onto.

While reluctant to fight in a battle that does not involve them, Dryads are fiercely protective of their own forests and homes. When threatened, they band together to make a force to be reckoned with and will fight with a fury to defend their land and the nature therein. Often fighting in these scenarios with home-turf advantage, Dryads have the abilities to turn an entire forest against an invading army with nature magic. But when the need arises to draw steel, Dryads reveal a chaotic but effective martial side, demonstrating skill with clubs and bows, but also strong healing abilities.

Incorporeal Benefits

As Dryads reside within the tree of which they are the spirit, they have both corporeal and incorporeal forms. They enjoy good wine and food, however, while their trees continue absorb sunlight and nutrients from the soil, Dryads do not need to eat or drink in the way mortal races do. They are made of magic, and most are content with their abilities to compel nature to form any object of their desire. Some, particularly younger Dryads, who possess fascination with the artisanal capabilities of Humans, Elves, and Dwarves may choose to take up creative hobbies like weaving or crafting, but their interest often passes quickly to something else.

It is practically unheard of to meet a Dryad away from his or her forest, let alone their tree. Their power is derived from the strength and health of their tree, however not completely dependent on it. For a Dryad to travel more than a mile away from their tree, they must carry part of it with them, either a branch, piece of bark, or a handful of leaves or berries.

Desire and Conservation

Dryads are rarely propelled by a desire for adventure or wanderlust. Since they are so territorial and family-oriented, most go their entire lives without ever once leaving their forest. However, they are also largely driven by a desire to experience fun in any capacity, and also by their love of nature. A Dryad may follow a mortal all over the world to satisfy an infatuation, or if one becomes wise to the destruction of nature, a particularly individualistic Dryad may seek to take a more active approach to combat it.

 

Dryad Names

Dryads age at the same rate as their tree, thus can mature at wildly different rates. Some are not considered adults for decades, others fully mature after just a few years. Nevertheless, they keep one name, and only one name, throughout their entire lives.

There is little difference between male and female names, and all Dryad names, like all Nymph names, are derived from plants and nature itself. They can be as simple as Branch, Twig, Willow or Birch, or have embellishment that allows for easier differentiation between spirits.

Name Examples: Adomeite, Bambolis, Cedrela, Clovelia, Clymoni, Diphylla, Eytelis, Festuca, Haldiphe, Iris, Ipomea, Pellitoria, Poinsenia, Semestra, Sylvatica, Viola, Willonia, Xaniphe

 

 

Dryad Traits

Your Dryad character has a variety of natural abilities, the result of thousands of years of life, and their inherent magic.

Ability Score Increase

Your Charisma score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.

Age

Dryads age at the rate of their trees, and thus reach physical maturity and varying times. A Dryad may reach adulthood after 5 years or 50 years, and can live as long as their tree does, possibly thousands of years.

Alignment

Dryads love freedom and revelry, so they lean strongly toward aspects of chaos. They value and protect their homes and domains, and believe in the natural order of things, whatever that may ensue. They range from Neutral to Good, and are rarely considered Evil without the influence of external forces.

Size

Elves range from under 5 to around 7 feet tall and normally have slender builds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Accustomed to twilit forests and the night sky, 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 Charm

You target one humanoid or beast that you can see within 30 feet of you. If the target can see you, it must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw where the spellcasting ability modifier is Charisma or be magically charmed. The charmed creature regards you as a trusted friend to be heeded and protected. Although the target isn't under your control, it takes your requests or actions in the most favorable way it can.
Each time you or your allies do anything harmful to the target, it can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on itself on a success. Otherwise, the effect lasts 24 hours or until you die, are on a different plane of existence from the target, or end the effect as a bonus action. If a target's saving throw is successful, the target is immune to your Fey Charm for the next 24 hours.
You can have no more than one humanoid and up to three beasts charmed at a time.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Sylvan. Sylvan is the ancient language of the Fae, with subtle intonations and intricate grammar. Sylvan literature is often historical and steeped with magic, and their songs contain meanings and prophecies either passed or long since forgotten by mortals.

Speak with Beasts and Plants

You can communicate with beasts and plants as if you share a language.

Tree Stride

Once on your turn, you can use 10 ft. of your movement to step magically into one living tree within your reach and emerge from a second living tree within 60 ft. of the first tree, appearing in an unoccupied space within 5 ft. of the second tree. Both trees must be large or bigger.

Innate Spellcasting

Your innate spellcasting ability is Charisma. The dryad can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At will: Druidcraft
3/day each: Entangle, Goodberry
1/day each: Barkskin, Pass Without Trace, Shillelagh