Cryiad
Cryiads are a Nymph subspecies. They are the guardians of glaciers within the highest peaks of the world, and vast ice sheets that cover the frozen oceans near the poles. These regions may seem at first to be devoid of any life that Berdea was responsible for; thus there is much conjecture among scholars as to why Berdea would have created guardians over these places at all. Most believe that Berdea must have simply appreciated the raw beauty of the terrains that the Creator of Worlds left behind. In any event, Cryiads guard and defend their icy domains as vigorously as any dryad defends a forest.
As with all other Nymphs created by Berdea, the jealous Corizzea has corrupted some of thte Cryiads. Lesser nymphs that have beeen tainted by Berdea's rival are known as ??, while the Greater Cryiads so transformed are now Ice Hags.
(Greater Cryiads)
Lesser Cryiads are bound to a specific geographical region in much the same way as other "guardian" nymphs. This may be a single glacial sheet in a mountain range, or a region of frozen sea near the poles of the world. Their more powerful cousins, the Greater Cryiads are capable of magically teleporting from region to region, able to visit any glacier or ice sheet.
Like their Psyiad kin, Cryiads generally resemble Elves or Half-Elves in stature, build, appearance, and facial features, except that the skin tone of Cryiads is ranges from rich blue to an almost deathly pale white with bluish hints.
Sages debate over what becomes of the Lesser Cryiads that are bound to regions where seasonal ice expands and retreats during the course of a year, as at least a few of these are known to exist. Some believe they seek refuge in another dimensional plane when their "home ice" has vanished. Some believe they simply dwell with others of their kind nearby. Others still believe they enter some sort of magical hibernation.
Name
Cryiad
Type
Fey, Nymph
Gremlin Corruption
<variable for gremlin equivalent>
Size
SizeClass, 5.5ft (165cm)
Habitat
Uncommon: glacier, ice sheet
All of the other "guardian nymphs" possess some innate ability to communicate with the nature that occupies their domains. A similar ability exists within Cryiads, whose domains are often devoid of living creatures entirely. Cryiads, however, are capable of discerning things from the ice itself, including information about creatures - including adventurers - who may have passed by. Cryiads also have innate abilities to manipulate and reshape the ice magically.Like their Psyiad kin, Cryiads generally resemble Elves or Half-Elves in stature, build, appearance, and facial features, except that the skin tone of Cryiads is ranges from rich blue to an almost deathly pale white with bluish hints.
Sages debate over what becomes of the Lesser Cryiads that are bound to regions where seasonal ice expands and retreats during the course of a year, as at least a few of these are known to exist. Some believe they seek refuge in another dimensional plane when their "home ice" has vanished. Some believe they simply dwell with others of their kind nearby. Others still believe they enter some sort of magical hibernation.
As with all other Nymphs created by Berdea, the jealous Corizzea has corrupted some of thte Cryiads. Lesser nymphs that have beeen tainted by Berdea's rival are known as ??, while the Greater Cryiads so transformed are now Ice Hags.
(Greater Cryiads)
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