Dryads

Maidens of the woods, mothers of nature, Dryads are intimately tied to the trees that they call home. They are so at one with nature, that their primary form of surviving is by becoming one with a tree, melting into it and sharing both nutrients and life. If a tree that a Dryad is inside is killed or dies, the Dryad will die too.

Dryads are a species that often prefers the company of trees to people, tending to distance themselves from any sort of settlements. As such, many of them reside within the ancient, quiet, Western forest. It is not uncommon for them to dislike associating with even their own kind.

Their power have to do with plants in their entirety. They can accelerate the growth of plants, make them move how they wish, and, in a pinch, they can even consume the life forces of them, though this last ability is one that many Dryads would rather die than use. The most powerful of Dryads can make entire forests uproot and march to war.

Dryads, much like Nymphs, have a strange primary way of reproduction. New Dryads are born within ancient trees. The inside of the tree becomes hollow, and eventually cracks open. Inside, there is a new Dryad, fully grown. The other method is by mating with a male of another species, although this has a very low success rate. If it is successful, the child is almost always a Dryad.

Lifespan - Unknown

Dryads are hard to place a lifespan on. They can technically live as long as the trees around them, which is so far an unmeasured length. Some only live for a few decades, others are around for centuries. It is not old age, but disease and hostility that ends their lives.

Size - 4.5 to 5.5 feet

Dryads tend to be within the lower range of Human heights, ranging from 4.5 to 5.5 feet tall. It is not, however, unheard of for their to be especially rare 6 foot tall Dryads.

Diet - Symbiosis

Dryads gain sustenance by combining with trees, and getting glucose from the tree itself, or draining the life out of smaller plants. This sort of relationship means that without trees, or at the very least plants, Dryads will starve to death.

Strengths

Dryads can control plants, from flowers to trees. They can also accelerate the growth of plants, meaning that even the tiniest seed can be a weapon. They can also hide in trees, meaning that in a forest, they are extremely tricky.

Weaknesses

Dryads are not very hardy, even by Human standards. They are also entirely dependent upon plants for survival.

Reproduction - 5%

Dryads have an especially low fertility rate, but can reproduce with almost any other species. The are primarily are born from ancient trees, that crack open to reveal the fully grown Dryad.

Death

Dryads are said to be reincarnated after death. They either come back as a tree, or are reborn within an ancient tree as a new Dryad.

Ranks

Rank E - Greenie - Weakest of the Dryads, these individuals cannot actually combine with trees, but can gain nutrition through touch. They can also make plants grow exceptionally fast.

Rank C - Sapling - Weaker Dryads, these individuals can combine with trees, and make smaller vines lash out. Thorn bushes are a favorite weapon... Bushes can easily be grown in a matter of moments.

Rank B - Guardian - Dryads of medium rank, they can make tree branches lash out at enemies. They can cause a tree to grow from a sapling to full size within a few weeks, rather than decades.

Rank A - Grove Mother - Powerful individuals, these Dryads can make an entire tree bend to their will, becoming powerful protector and weapon.

Rank S - Earth Mother - The most powerful of Dryads, entire forests bend to the will of these beings. They can raise forests from the seeds of the earth, and command them to go to war.