Name: Dryad (P. Dryads)

Classification: Tree Spirits

Occurrence: Found only within woodlands such as forests and jungles

Risk Factor: Safe

Entry: 

“Dryads, not to be confused with druids, are beautiful things. Prettier than the prettiest women and more delicate than the most delicate lilies, if given the chance, I would give up everything in the world, fame, family, friends included, to be able to live out the rest of my life with one of the dryads. Shame they are too shy to come near people, and even in my thirty years of searching, the closest I’ve come to meeting one was a glimpse at the corner of my eyes of a dancing silhouette of a delicate figure.” 

—Muller Godwin, Renounced Noblemen of the Western Gallia Region  

 

The name Dryads, or Dryades, is said to have originated from a long dead ancient language, but there exists no one today who can say for certain whether this is the truth or just hearsay that surfaced over time. There is evidence however which supports the former being true, as ancient texts recently deciphered by our colleagues in the archeological branch point to the word “Drys,” meaning “oak” in the normal tongue, to be the source of the name. This also falls in line with the general and already well known consensus that the word “Dryades” was originally a term used to refer to tree spirits found within woods and forests. It is also believed that dryads may have some sort of connection to druids. (See Druids, Chapter 2: Humanoids)

Due to their careful and shy nature that makes them scarce to people, very little is known in the open world about dryads and what little we do know amounts to just the very basics, such as how there have only ever been tales of female dryads, never male. The prevailing theory is that dryads reproduce asexually, similar to some fauna and flora, and as all scholars worth their salt knows, leads to thus leading to offspring functionally identical to the parent.

In terms of outwardly appearance, Dryads are humanoids who would fit right in alongside the Fey, with a large focus on their natural beauty that is rumored to be unreal and too perfect to be true. Dryads may have blonde hair, red hair, brown hair, or any other colored hair that fills the spectrum. Being tree spirits, it seems any color of nature is fair game when it comes to their appearances. Additionally, it is also believed that dryads can change the color of their hair depending on the season— or that it changes alongside the season, to match the color of the leaves on a tree. Although another more depressing hypothesis says that the color of a dryad’s hair is an indicator for her age and a countdown for how much remaining time she has left. 

Additional Information: 

To this end, it is hard to judge just what a dryad is capable of doing, as they are elusive beings that are not particularly known for their aggressive nature. What is there, however, are stories and folklore passed down through the ages that speak of the powers of a dryad. These powers can be generalized into two categories, with the first being a dryad’s ability to mesh with the very woods she makes her home. One moment an open spot under the undergrove of a tree may contain a dancing dryad, but in the next instant, no traces of her would be left behind. It is believed this ability is what allowed the dryads to continue to be so elusive despite the number of people searching for them. 

The second ability a dryad is believed to have, is the power to speak with and command the forces of nature to do her bidding. From commanding ancient tenants to crush her enemies (see Treants, Chapter 11: Elementals), to ordering bears and wolf packs to hunt down instead, a dryad is capable of doing this and so much more. However, it seems this is more a byproduct of their ability to speak the language of nature, and thus allow them to pass the time conversing with the creatures of the forest. This is where their title of Grovewardens spur from.

Once again, the lack of concrete evidence severely hampers any attempts one many have at formulating a proper strategy to deal with a dryad. With that said, if one were to assume all stories on the dryad to be true, then so long as one does not do something to offend a dryad, such as doing great harm to the part of nature that makes up her territory, then one should have zero worries to consider.

But in the event that one may have indeed offended a dryad, there are several actions one can take to protect his life. As a dryad kills by sending the creatures of the forest to pursue her target, all one has to do is simply to move out of the beasts’ range. If one’s location can no longer be tracked, then not even the dryad would be able to send any more creatures after him. Travel as far from her territory as one can, across a body of water that splits the land is preferable, if possible. But if this is not an option, as would be the case for many serfs and peasants, then try to stay where people gather, behind walls, or indoors. Safety is in numbers and civilization after all. If a bear cannot get to a person, then no matter what the dryad attempts, the bear would still not be able to get to that someone. If living alone or on the outskirts of civilization, then always carry some kind of tool of self defense. A dryad is said to live many times that of a normal man. A wait of fifty years may be enough for a mortal man to let his guard down, but that would only be comparable to a day and a night to the dryad.

Although, be that as it may, dryads are not known for their propensity for fighting, so the actual strength of a dryad is not that high. Any fifth son from any disgraced nobility shall have no problems triumphing over a dryad in a one-on-one setting. They should however beware of anything more dangerous which might reside in the forest which the dryad makes her home, as she will be able to send those creatures as part of her entourage.

 

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