Dryads are usually born as protectors of a single tree. The type of tree determines a lot about them. Nobody knows why some, rare trees create dryads, while others do not. Most dryads spend their lives guarding their tree or forest, but some have their connection severed, and end up leaving to explore and see the world.
Dryads have the appearance of beautiful men or women with delicate features seemingly made of soft wood. Their hair is made of leaves and foliage the color and appearance of which depends on both the dryad’s origin and the season.
“As beautiful and welcoming as a sunlit glade in high summer, as terrifying and deadly as a winter gale sweeping through a barren forest – that’s a dryad.”
Dryad Traits
Your Dryad has the following traits.
Ability Score Increase. Increase one ability score by 2 and increase a different one by 1, or increase three different ability scores by 1.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Sylvan.
Creature Type. You are a Fey.
Size. You size is Medium.
Speed. Your walking speed is 30 feet.
Photosynthesis. If you spend an hour in direct sunlight or an hour with your feet in fertile soil, you do not need to eat or drink for the next 24 hours.
Plant Tongue. You may touch a plant and imbue it with a limited sentience. For the next ten minutes, the touched plant may communicate with you telepathically as though it were affected by the Speak with Plants spell, but it is not imbued with animation or movement. Once you have used this trait, you may not do so again until you finish a short or long rest.
Magic of the Forest. You know the Druidcraft cantrip. At 3rd level, you learn the Entangle spell, and may cast it once using this trait, you regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. At 5th level, you learn the Pass without Trace spell and may cast it once using this trait, you regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Wisdom is yous spellcasting ability modifier for these spells.
Subraces
There are as many subraces of dryads as there are species of trees. Below are four of the most common ones.
Cherry
Cherry dryads are considered to be among the most beautiful and alluring, with their breathtaking white flowers and flowing branches, they are truly a sight to behold.
Alluring. You have proficiency in the Persuasion skill.
Fruit of the Forest. As a bonus action, you may create a cherry in your hand. The cherry has all the properties of the fruit created by the Goodberry spell. You may use this trait
a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, after which you cannot do so again until you finish a long rest.
Oak
Oak dryads are thought of as the strongest of their species. Powerful and tall, they stand head and shoulders above other dryads.
Bark skin. You bark is very tough. When you aren’t wearing armor, your AC is 12 + your Constitution modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield’s benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor.
Sturdy as an Oak. You are sturdy and rooted. You have advantage on saving throws you make to avoid being pushed, pulled, or knocked prone.
Pine
Pine dryads can adapt to any environment. They aren’t the tallest or most beautiful dryads, they are the most resilient.
Hardy. You have proficiency in the Survival skill.
Evergreen. You have resistance to cold damage.
Willow
Willow dryads are said to be the most graceful and agile. They have long, flowing limbs and move with surprising grace.
Long limbs. Your movement speed increases by 5 feet.
Graceful stealth. You may take the Hide action as a bonus action on each of your turns and can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by foliage or other plants.