Homebrew Dendrya Species Details

Millenia ago, groups of dryads and treants united against a great threat to the vast woodlands which they called home. Amidst the conflict, a dryad- Annoris- and a treant- Ferling- fell in love. They fought together side by side, defending their home. Once the battle had been won, and the woodland was safe, Annoris and Ferling wished to maintain their love, and to settle down together. They soon found themselves at a grove located deep in the heart of the woodlands, a place which was said to be blessed by Melora herself. The pair thought this place befitting of their union not just as a couple, but as representations of the bond between the spirit and body of nature. Here they spent hundreds of years tending to the flora and fauna surrounding them- providing tender care to the creatures that often came to the grove in search of Melora’s blessings. One day, Annoris fell ill; the tree they were bonded to had become diseased, and was dying. Ferling spent months searching for answers, reaching out to legendary druids and clerics for help- but to no avail. Desperate, Ferling called out to Melora, asking for her to undo the disease and bring his partner back to good health. Melora heard these cries, and by divine revelation, made it clear to Ferling that the natural cycle could not be undone, and that Annoris’ tree would soon die. The goddess had taken note of the deeds done by the couple over the past few centuries, and offered a different solution- to bond Annoris’ spirit with Ferling’s body, so that the pair could live out the rest of their lives together. Melora warned that there could be consequences, but the couple insisted the goddess carry out her plan. Annoris and Ferling embraced as Melora acted quickly to bond the two, and from their unity sprouted a grand, beautiful tree. After many years, this tree slowly began to bear fruit, and from its seeds came small, humanoid saplings. 

Dendrya (den-DRY-uh) is a being born of dryad and treant lineage, maintaining the tree-like qualities of an ent while being much more humanoid-looking. It is common for Dendryan to have crowns or pauldrons made of branches and twigs, and having skin that is plated in various spots by various bark depending on their tree of origin. Moss and fungi may grow on them as they age, or parts of their bark may begin to splinter over time. 

Dendryans are asexual- and often genderless- beings, reproducing at will at any point in their life beyond their age of maturity. Because of this, there aren’t many Dendryan people around the world. The few communities of them that do exist will often be found in dense forests, where they can roam and exist in peripatetic groups. They are not restricted to a specific climate and can be varied in origin (swamplands, jungle, etc.).

Dendrya Traits

Ability Score Increase, Barkskin, Fen Ancestry, Druidic Blessing

Ability Score Increase

This creature gains a +1 to Constitution and +1 to Wisdom.

Age

 Dendryans mature around age 30 and can live for hundreds of years. Some even surmise that a handful of Dendryan have lived for thousands of years.

Alignment

Dendryan people are often Lawful Neutral or Chaotic Neutral.

Size

Dendryans are between 5 and 8 feet tall at full maturity and can weigh as much as 400 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Language

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

Barkskin

Dendrya cannot wear armor. Instead, your tough skin acts as your protection from weapons and magic. Your AC is 10 + your Constitution modifier. You still benefit from shields and other protection items as normal.

Fen Ancestry

You can cast the Speak With Plants spell at will once per long rest, without expending a spell slot or components. Additionally, when amongst trees, you gain advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.

Druidic Blessing

You know the Druidcraft cantrip.