Lost Company Press
Dryads are mystical tree spirits that blend seamlessly with the woodlands they inhabit. They appear as humanoid figures whose skin and hair resemble leaves and bark, and their eyes glint with the verdant light of the forest. These guardians of nature are bound to a particular tree and can vanish into it or any tree in their vicinity. The dryad's eyes have no pupils and seem to follow you wherever you go, even when it remains motionless, almost indistinguishable from the trees around it.
Motive: Protect the forest and their bound tree
Environment: Deep forests and ancient groves (Forest)
Health: 9
Damage: 3 points
Armor: 2
Movement: Short or immediate when moving from tree to tree
Modifications: Stealth as level 4; Speed defense as level 2 when in the open
Combat: A dryad can merge with its tree or emerge from any other tree within immediate range as an action. When emerging, it can make a surprise attack against a target within immediate distance with a whip-like vine, dealing its standard damage and entangling the target. A trapped character must succeed on a Might defense roll to break free or remain immobilized. Nature's Embrace: The dryad heals 1 point of health when in contact with its bound tree or any living plant. Vine Attack: When a dryad hits with its vine attack, small thorns inject a toxin that hampers concentration, causing the target to have all tasks related to Intellect defense hindered by one step for ten minutes. Forest Illusions: The dryad can create visual and auditory illusions within the forest to confuse and mislead intruders.
Interactions: Dryads are wise and enigmatic, preferring to communicate with those who show respect to the natural world. They will bargain or provide aid if it benefits their forest, but they can become implacable foes if their home is threatened.
Uses: The characters are tasked with retrieving a rare herb found only in a sacred grove guarded by a dryad, or perhaps they must negotiate with a dryad to pass safely through an enchanted forest.
Loot: Rare herbs, enchanted wood, a blessing or curse tied to nature
GM Intrusion: The character accidentally damages the dryad's bound tree, causing the dryad to fly into a vengeful rage or become weakened and unable todefend its forest until the tree is healed.