Dryad

Dryads are ethereal fey creatures closely tied to the natural world. They are enchanting and elusive beings, dwelling within ancient forests and sacred groves. A dryad appears as a graceful humanoid with luminous skin, adorned with garments and accessories made of leaves, flowers, and bark, seamlessly blending into the surrounding foliage.

These fey creatures are deeply connected to the trees they inhabit. Each dryad is bound to a specific tree, which serves as their life force and sanctuary. They possess the ability to meld with their tree, becoming one with its essence, and can only stray a certain distance from it.

Dryads are protectors of the forests, nurturing the growth of flora and preserving the balance of nature. They possess a profound bond with the woodland creatures and can communicate with them through a mystical language. Dryads are known to possess knowledge about the forest’s secrets, magical herbs, and hidden paths.

Their enchanting presence carries a captivating aura, drawing wanderers to their groves. However, dryads are cautious and reclusive by nature, often evading direct contact with outsiders. When threatened, they can call upon the spirits of nature to defend themselves, manipulating vines and roots, summoning forest creatures, and using their magic to enthrall or disorient their foes.

Encountering a dryad is a rare and magical experience, as they typically keep to the depths of the forest, hidden from mortal eyes. Only those who prove themselves as worthy or hold a special connection with nature may earn their trust and witness the beauty and wisdom they possess.

In summary, dryads are alluring fey creatures bound to specific trees, embodying the grace and enchantment of the natural world. They are guardians of the forest, possessing magical abilities and an affinity for communicating with creatures and plants. While reclusive, they can be both nurturing and formidable when their domain is threatened.

Special Abilities

Innate Spellcasting

The dryad’s innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 14). The dryad can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At will: druidcraft
3/day each: entangle, goodberry
1/day each: barkskin, pass without trace, shillelagh

Magic Resistance

The dryad has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Speak with Beasts and Plants

The dryad can communicate with beasts and plants as if they shared a language.

Tree Stride

Once on her turn, the dryad can use 10 ft. of her movement to step magically into one living tree within her reach and emerge from a second living tree within 60 ft. of the first tree, appearing in an unoccupied space within 5 ft. of the second tree. Both trees must be large or bigger.

Actions

• Club: Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit (+6 to hit with shillelagh), reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 2 (1 d4) bludgeoning damage, or 8 (1d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage with shillelagh.
• 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.

Proficiencies

• Skill: Perception +4
• Skill: Stealth +5