Dryad

Entry documented from the excerpts of an anonymous journal discovered in the ruins of a castle.

Parent Race

Elves, though they no longer share many characteristics and often seem ashamed to admit their relation to the elf race.

Appearance

Particularly beautiful creatures, Dryads are often wrapped in vines or flowers, and all Dryads wear a golden laurel, which cannot be removed. They occasionally may grow animalistic traits, such as antlers. They share similar base complexions to elves, however they have a more speckled complexion, their skin often being equated to appearing like that of a mushroom. They may occasionally possess gold freckles and accents, having an affinity towards gold and golden jewelry, as if the ore was a part of their very being. They appear to have a rare ability, perhaps stemming from their ties to flora, in which they are able to shift the colour and shape of their eyes and hair to resemble various flowers and gems. No other shapeshifting abilities have been noted and its unclear what the evolutionary purpose behind this might have been. Author notes it could potentially be a form of camouflage the race practices in order to protect themselves as healers.

They share a lifespan with their elven kin, maturing around the same time, however living in the lush caves for so long has caused them to adapt to caving, fitting into smaller spaces, thus they are often significantly shorter than elves, though there is some overlap in their heights.

Abilities & Behaviors

Unlike their more militant elven kin, Dryads chose communication over conquest. As caretakers of nature's bounty. Dryads live in gentle Kinship with the world around them. Their hearts are open, but their bodies fragile, receptive to both life's blessings and curses. While their art of brewing potions is unmatched, their sensitivity to alchemical effects makes such craft a double-edged vine, thus they may brew potions twice as powerful, they will also feel potions twice as strong.

"Dryadic potions and healing abilities are 2x as powerful, but damaging potions are 2x as effective against a Dryad."

Excellent farmers and skilled animal tenders, their affinity for agriculture is evident. However, their deep love for all living things causes them to be intensely empathetic, feeling connected to all the creatures they meet. They cannot stomach the flesh of animals, for to consume one would be to betray the life they cherish. They are bound to the consumption of plant life. No Dryad would dare consume the flesh of an animal willingly.

"Skilled agriculturalists, they farm only the highest quality of crops and cultivate only the highest value animal products. However, this is achieved by forming a deep bond with all natural life, thus, a Dryad cannot stomach the flesh of another living creature without falling violently ill. A moral and physical rejection of all foods non-plant based."

Dryads are curious, kind-hearted, and conflict-averse. They often try to mediate disputes and see value in all living things. However, their peaceful nature can lead to naivety in political or violent affairs. Dryads are powerful in support and healing roles but are not frontline warriors. Their strong empathy makes them excellent peacekeepers. It is not uncommon for towns to hire or house a Dryad to offer them the role of peacekeeper and to assist in orchestrating alliances or settling political conflicts amicably. One would typically not send in a Dryad alone for these types of conversations however, as their proclivity towards diplomacy leaves them too trusting and naive. They are easily manipulated and highly susceptible to betrayal, especially by those they considered allies.

"Their unwavering empathy and talent for facilitating diplomatic agreements makes them excellent bargainers and peacekeepers. Though, this is challenged by their inherent trust of all things, eager to take people at face value and eternal optimism leaves the Dryad race particularly exposed to manipulation. One should not send a Dryad into political conflict alone, lest they fail to see that not everyone has good intentions."

Biology

Maximum Lifespan: 400 Years (800 Maximum)
Age of Maturity: 80 Years
Height Range: 150cm - 190cm (4’11” - 6’2”)
Weight Range: 36kg - 127kg (80lbs - 280lbs)

Culture & Beliefs

Dryads typically live in arboreal villages or above lush caves, often blending homes into the plants themselves. Their society is built around seasonal festivals, herbal knowledge, and protective wards. Most worship a nature deity or spiritual forest guardian, and believe in balance over dominance. Strong bonds are formed with other peaceful races. They are wary of those who over-industrialize or exploit nature.

Origin & History

Excerpt taken from journal.

In ancient groves, long untouched by war, the Dryads came into being after a group of elves disapproved of the vain nature of their community, choosing to abandon it in search of unity rather than superiority. Spirits of nature, bound to the vitality of forests and the harmony of life.
Long ago when the races suffered under significantly less unified harmony, elves were often the ones to cause conflict, believing themselves superior to other races, and attempting to offer unwanted guidance. The elven race was often viewed as condescending and rude by outsiders, and thus was frequently targeted by other groups, being the source of great conflict. In the midst of this endless strife, a group of elves formed an underground coup, planning to escape.
Their only common trait being the distain for war, sporting all different religions, beliefs, and complexions, it was hard at first. Many of the original group were shunned by the elven race as cowards, and were threatened with abandonment by their friends and family if they decided to go through with their plan of leaving. At one point it seemed like the entire group was going to fall apart, with elves backing out left and right, valuing peace with their family in the midst of war, rather than war with their family in the comfort of peace. However, the few elves that remained stayed strong, venturing off one day, to find a better place.
One day while they had set up a quiet temporary camp and were excavating resources from the ground below, they stumbled into the magical lands of the lush caves. These caves seemingly provided everything they could ever need or want. Peace from the outside world, amethyst to hone their magic, magical crops to hone their agriculture, water with which to brew, and adorable fauna of all kinds to bond with. The elves decided to settle down there, learning to live with the resources around them. The mysterious glow berries found in the caves seemed to not only infuse them with previously untapped plant magic when eaten, but when brewed into concoctions, they also provided a powerful potion base, thus turning the culture towards magical brewing and away from architectural and stone magic like their elf forefathers.

Many years of living like this caused the Dryad race to slowly form and adapt to their surroundings, taking on softer appearances as to not scare local fauna, and becoming one with the plants around them, wrapping themselves in flora and assimilating with the vines. In modern times they no longer share a race with their elven forefathers, and have instead become their own kind. Sharing naught but simple characteristics, while maintaining wildly different personalities to the elves. In turn, the earth recognised their change, and rewarded the Dryad race with a mystical golden laurel that wraps all their heads like a halo. This laurel cannot be removed, even by force. It is one with the Dryad, as much as its heart, or its soul would be.