Dryad

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Dryad Introduction

In the heart of the ancient forest, where sunlight filters through a dense canopy of emerald leaves, there exists a creature of ethereal beauty and timeless grace—the Dryad. These enigmatic beings are the very soul of the woodland, their essence intertwined with the trees they call home. As you venture deeper into the verdant realm, the air grows thick with the scent of moss and earth, and the whisper of leaves seems to carry a melody only the forest knows.

The Dryad is a vision of nature's elegance, her form as fluid and graceful as the branches swaying in the breeze. Her skin bears the texture and hue of the bark of her bonded tree, ranging from the pale silver of birch to the deep, rich brown of oak. Her hair cascades like a waterfall of leaves, shifting colors with the seasons—from the vibrant greens of spring to the fiery reds and golds of autumn. Her eyes, deep and knowing, reflect the wisdom of the ages, glimmering with the light of the forest's secrets.

These elusive creatures are guardians of their woodland domains, bound to the trees that give them life. A Dryad's behavior is as unpredictable as the forest itself; she can be as gentle as a summer breeze or as fierce as a storm. They are known to be shy and reclusive, often avoiding the gaze of mortals, yet they are fiercely protective of their homes. Those who respect the forest and its inhabitants may find a Dryad to be a helpful ally, while those who bring harm may face her wrath.

Legends speak of the Dryads' ability to commune with the flora and fauna of the forest, their voices a harmonious blend with the rustling leaves and chirping birds. It is said that they can call upon the very trees to aid them, commanding roots to ensnare intruders or branches to shield them from harm. Many tales tell of travelers who have wandered too far into the woods, only to be guided back to safety by a mysterious, unseen presence.

The habitat of a Dryad is a place of serene beauty and ancient magic. They dwell in the oldest parts of the forest, where the trees tower like ancient sentinels and the ground is carpeted with a thick layer of fallen leaves. Here, the air is cool and damp, filled with the sounds of nature's symphony. It is a place where time seems to stand still, and the boundary between the mundane and the mystical blurs.

As you stand on the threshold of this enchanted realm, a sense of awe and wonder fills your heart. The forest is alive, and somewhere within its depths, a Dryad watches, her presence as much a part of the woods as the trees themselves. Tread carefully, for you are in the domain of the Dryad, where nature reigns supreme and the spirit of the forest whispers its ancient secrets.

Dryad Skills & Traits

Skills

• Stealth +6
• Nature +3

Senses

• Darkvision 60 ft.
• Passive Perception 14

Languages

• Elvish
• Sylvan
• Can communicate with beasts and plants

Abilities

• Fey Charm: The dryad targets one humanoid or beast that she can see within 30 feet of her. If the target can see the dryad, it must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be magically charmed. The charmed creature regards the dryad as a trusted friend to be heeded and protected. Although the target isn't under the dryad's control, it takes the dryad's requests or actions in the most favorable way it can. Each time the dryad or its allies do anything harmful to the target, it can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on itself on a success. Otherwise, the effect lasts 24 hours or until the dryad dies, is on a different plane of existence from the target, or ends the effect as a bonus action. If a target's saving throw is successful, the target is immune to the dryad's Fey Charm for the next 24 hours. The dryad can have no more than one humanoid and up to three beasts charmed at a time.
• Tree Stride: Once on her turn, the dryad can use 10 feet of her movement to step magically into one living tree within her reach and emerge from a second living tree within 60 feet of the first tree, appearing in an unoccupied space within 5 feet of the second tree. Both trees must be Large or bigger.

Actions

• Club: Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 2 (1d4) bludgeoning damage.
• Entangle (Recharge 5-6): Grasping roots and vines sprout in a 15-foot radius centered on a point within 90 feet of the dryad. For 1 minute, these plants turn the ground in the area into difficult terrain. A creature in the area when you cast the spell must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be restrained by the entangling plants until the spell ends. A creature restrained by the plants can use its action to make a Strength check against your spell save DC. On a success, it frees itself.

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Battle Tips for Dryads

Dryads are mystical tree spirits that can be both allies and formidable opponents in a forest setting. As a Dungeon Master, utilizing dryads in your campaign can add an element of enchantment and strategy. Here are some tips for incorporating dryads into your battles:

Using Dryads in Battle

• Environmental Advantage: Dryads are deeply connected to their forest environment. Use this to your advantage by having them manipulate the terrain. They can cause roots to entangle players, create illusions of dense foliage, or even call upon the forest creatures to aid them.
• Charm and Diplomacy: Dryads have the ability to charm adventurers. Use this ability to create conflict within the party or to negotiate terms. A charmed player might be convinced to protect the dryad or turn against their allies temporarily.
• Hit-and-Run Tactics: Dryads can use their ability to step into trees to evade attacks. They can strike from a distance with spells or ranged attacks, then retreat into the safety of the trees, making them difficult to pin down.

Coordinating Multiple Dryads

• Ambush Tactics: Multiple dryads can set up ambushes by luring adventurers into a trap. They can use their charm abilities to lead players into a specific area where other dryads are waiting to attack.
• Coordinated Spells: Dryads can work together to cast spells that affect a larger area or have a greater impact. For example, they can create a wall of thorns to block escape routes or use entangle spells to immobilize multiple targets.
• Divide and Conquer: By charming different members of the party, multiple dryads can create chaos and division, making it easier to pick off isolated adventurers.

Fleeing and Retreat Strategies

• Tree Stride: If the battle turns against them, dryads can use their ability to move between trees to make a quick escape. This can be used to regroup or to lead adventurers into a more advantageous position for the dryads.
• Illusions and Distractions: Dryads can create illusions to confuse and distract their pursuers, allowing them to flee without being followed.
• Summoning Allies: In dire situations, dryads can call upon other forest creatures to cover their retreat, using the chaos to slip away unnoticed.

By leveraging their connection to nature and their magical abilities, dryads can be a versatile and challenging opponent for any adventuring party. Use these tips to create memorable encounters that will keep your players on their toes.