Dryad

Dryads are a Nymph subspecies. They are guardians of the forests of Cartyrion, and in this role, they keep an eye on everything that goes on in the woodlands around them. Though not nearly as common as the sprites and pixies found in the forests, they rarely make themselves known to travelers through their domains, unless those travelers are doing harm to the nature around them.

The affinity these nymphs have for the trees of a forest is exceptionally strong. Each Dryad will have one tree in particular that it calls "home". This "Bonded Tree", which actually shares a spirit link with the Dryad, becomes a gateway to a small extradimensional "pocket" in which the Dryad establishes living quarters. Should the Dryad even stray too far from the Bonded Tree, it will begin to suffer ill effects that will limit its ability to use the innate magic it is imbued with. If the Bonded Tree should be severely damaged or destroyed, the Dryad will select another, but during the time between, it will suffer the same ill effects as if it had strayed too far afield.

Dryads have the innate ability to communicate with the nature around them; full conversations with the trees, plants, and common woodland animals within their domain are possible. The Dryad is also capable of requesting simple things of the plants and animals; it is believed this is one way they keep aware of everything going on in their domain. If a Dryad is near, then there literally are "eyes and ears everywhere.
Name
Dryad
Type
Fey, Nymph
Gremlin Corruption
Tree Hag
Size
SizeClass, 5.5ft (170cm)
Habitat
Common: forest

Dryads that have been corrupted by Corizzea and transformed into Gremlins are now either Tree Hags or ??.

A very small number of Dryads - perhaps a few dozen at most across all of Cartyrion - have been given exceptionally strong magical powers by Berdea and have been tasked with broader responsibilities of guardianship. Made more in the image of their Alevar creatores, they radiate an aura of beauty that captivates any who approach and gaze upon them. These Greater Dryads are not bound to one specific tree as their lesser siblings are, though they are bound to the forest they guard. They have, to date, also proven to be resistant to the corrupting touch of Corizzea; there are no gremlin forms of Greater Dryads.



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