Contrary to the common Dryad in DnD, the Dryads in this world are…Earth Satyrs!

​ The story of the Dryads is an arduous tale, having first entered the world through the blooming of the first spring. All legends regarding this fantastical race claim that the  first Dryads were not born, but blossomed. Every story explains that the first of their kind awoke within a bouquet beneath the tallest tree at the center of what was once known as The Grove. The forest was monumental, green as far as the eye could see, teeming with life of all kinds, and as far as they understood it, the Dryads were meant to be its protectors. From what, they didn't know yet, but they awoke from their dream within the bud with knowledge, and prophecy. It foretold that there was a great evil on the horizon, and that the very essence of their home was sought to be destroyed. There were fiery visions of great sky beasts, and premonitions of their Grove burning. This shook them to their core, and whilst they lived among their prosperous forest, they also lie in wait, preparing for the worst. 

And when it came, there was nothing that could have prepared them for the doom they faced. The dragons descended upon their home, setting their Grove ablaze with a mere heave of their chest. Every shard of history of their people and the splendors of the greatest forest to ever exist melted in the blink of an eye, from green as the purest seedling sprouting from the rich forest floor, to black and charred as the leftovers of a volcanic destruction. The Grove was gone, and there was nothing that their decades of preparation could have done to prevent it. 

A deep loathing grew within what was left of the Dryads that day, their ears ringing with the wailing of their people and the life roasting within the interno of their once sanctuary. What was left of their broken society sought shelter in the Asur Misoa, doing what they could to salvage what they could.

They often adorn hooved feet and very nature-esque coloration. Their horns can be made of standard keratin or bone, but can also be naturally sprouting growths of trees to form antlers. They sometimes have tails, either mirroring the animal corresponding with their hooved feet or taking on a tree-like appearance. In even rarer cases they may grow patches of bark on their skin or flowers from their hair and horns. During the spring and summer months of the realm, the hair of a Dryad is vibrant, while during autumn it will fade, and in the winter, eventually turn brown. Born dryads rarely have blond hair or blue eyes, but these can be inherited from human or elven fathers.

Their skin tones can be described as similar to humans, though often take on forest-like tints of olive, chestnut, red or green. At some occasions however they may appear entirely green. The exact shade is often unclear due to their habit of painting their skin into camouflage patterns by scouts and sentinels, as well as wearing clothes patched up out of their natural surroundings, like leaves and twigs, which help them to blend into the forest. 

These individuals prefer to live away from most other civilizations, enjoying the openness and fresh air of the plains and delighting in the wilderness away from Dragonkin, those who burnt their forest down all those centuries ago. They live in tandem with the nature around them, taking extra care not to wither or step on flowers or sprouting seedlings, and accept the company of those that do so as well. Only those who sought to destroy their forest saw the full wrath of this race, which the Dragonkin will have for eternity, for Eldra and the legend of the Scorched Earth.

Because of their attunement to earth, it is very rare for a Dryad to actually consume plant-based food and instead have adapted to be incredibly carnivorous, sporting sharp teeth to tear into their meals.