Dryad

*For the chapter of the same name, see Chapter 33.*

* Color
* Manga

**Dryads** (ドライアド, *Doraiado*?) are a type of monster in *Delicious in Dungeon*.

## Anatomy and Appearance

Dryad buds look like large flower buds, about the size of a hand.

Dryads have unisexual flowers that look like naked men and women. The ends of their arms and legs are darker in color than the rest of their bodies. They have shoulder-length "hair" and a crown of leaves that attaches them to their parent tree via a vine. This human-like appearance, however, is only external: internally they appear to be made of fibers, with their heads growing off a stem. The insides of their "upper torso" either holds pollen or has a stigma, style and ovule containing egg cells. Once fertilized by pollen, the "hair" and rest of the "body" dies, leaving behind the "head" which becomes a fruit. It is attached to the tree via the previously mentioned vine.

Dryad fruit look much like pumpkins that have faces with different expressions. Their eyes, noses and lips stick out of the 'face'. They have fairly thick shells that can be easily cut open with an axe.

A dryad bud.Dryad flowers, including the vines that attach them to their parent tree.Dryad fruits.
## Behavior and Weaknesses

If Dryads perceive that their fruit is in danger, flowers that have not been pollinated will attack, with at least one arm turning into a sharp mass of plant fibers that they will use as a weapon. In addition, they release pollen if sliced open, which causes an incapacitating allergic response with symptoms such as severe eye watering, itching and difficulty breathing to those who inhale it. However they are easily defeated via a sword or axe slice.

They reproduce by "kissing", which transfers pollen from the male flower to the female flower.

## Culinary Usage

Both Dryad fruit and buds are edible. The fruit tastes sweet and floral, while the buds have a nice smell and a slightly bitter taste. The buds appear to spoil within a day or two of picking, so quick consumption is necessary.

They have been used in the following dishes:

* Jack-o'-Lantern Potage and Sauteed Dryad Buds with Cheese
* Eisbein-Style Cockatrice and Dryad Bud Sauerkraut
* Stone-Baked Cockatrice and Egg Ankake
* Whole Fifth Floor Piccata
* Sweet Dryad

## Other

The immortal residents of the Golden Castle have a vast dryad field, and are supposedly able to grow them from cuttings.

## References

1. ↑ *Delicious in Dungeon* Manga: Chapter 33, p. 23
2. ↑ *Delicious in Dungeon* Manga: Chapter 33, p. 21
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 *Delicious in Dungeon* Manga: Chapter 33, p. 9
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 *Delicious in Dungeon* Manga: Chapter 33, p. 10
5. ↑ *Delicious in Dungeon* Manga: Chapter 33, p. 15
6. ↑ *Delicious in Dungeon* Manga: Chapter 33, p. 19
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 *Delicious in Dungeon* Manga: Chapter 33, p. 11
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Miscellaneous Monster Tales -5-
9. ↑ *Delicious in Dungeon* Manga: Chapter 33, p. 22
10. ↑ *Delicious in Dungeon* Manga: Chapter 33, p. 24
11. ↑ *Delicious in Dungeon* Manga: Chapter 33, p. 14
12. ↑ *Delicious in Dungeon* Manga: Chapter 33, p. 13
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 *Delicious in Dungeon* Manga: Chapter 33, p. 26
14. ↑ *Delicious in Dungeon* Manga: Chapter 33, p. 25
15. ↑ *Delicious in Dungeon* Manga: Chapter 33, p. 27
16. ↑ *Delicious in Dungeon* Manga: Chapter 34, p. 27
17. ↑ *Delicious in Dungeon* Manga: Chapter 34, p. 31
18. ↑ *Delicious in Dungeon* Manga: Chapter 35, p. 14
19. ↑ *Delicious in Dungeon* Manga: Chapter 40, p. 10
20. ↑ *Delicious in Dungeon* Manga: Chapter 46, p. 16