Dryad

As living things all trees have spirits. All trees have characteristic magickal properties. Furthermore tree spirits
imbibe magickal energies from their surroundings and over time they accumulate great power (which may be
sensed in their strong presences their auras generate). Tree spirits also accumulate great knowledge and
wisdom, in particular knowledge of past events that occurred in their vicinity. All tree spirits bridge the gap
between the Physical Plane and Otherworldly Realms. Some trees, however, may possess especially powerful
spirits called Dryads. Dryads may be highly evolved tree spirits, perhaps reincarnated to serve the gods,
perhaps created by powerful Druidic magick, or perhaps they are spirits who simply naturally reside within
certain trees.

Dryads are of variable alignment. Many serve to protect forests, and in doing so may appear angry and spiteful
to those who harm the forest, or surprisingly rewarding to those who nurture the forest, and indifferent to
others. Some, however, may have evil intent, Lawful or Chaotic, and may even serve evil deities. Others have a
more elemental temperament, appearing neutral or chaotically unpredictable.

The physical capabilities of a Dryad will depend on the type of tree body it occupies. Several examples are
given in the tables below. The values quoted are either ranges are typical maximums, but trees are enormously
variable, even within the same species and values outside those quoted are possible. The examples are
representative species designed to act as a guide to include other species.

                                                       Tree Size Class        Hits: main trunk
                                                               S                             50-200
                                                               M                           200-400
                                                               L                           400-750
                                                               G                          750-2000
                                                               GG                          2000+

Due to their toughness and structure trees have a high armour class (as great as 5 for some species, such as
ebony). The hits given are those that need to be inflicted to destroy the main body of the tree, but severed
components will not immediately die and may even take root. Main branches number 2-4 and will have 50-25%
of the hits of the bough, smaller branches will have less. Main roots number 4-10 and have 20% of the hits of
the trunk. Fire-based attacks, including lightning-based attacks, negate the armour class protection of most
tree types, but less so conifers, many of which are fire resistant. Cold-based attacks may slow a Dryad, and
may make wood brittle, but otherwise cause no damage.

Intelligence: Excepional. Dryads have vast knowledge and wisdom. Dryads frequently possess magick (level 5-
10) appropriate to their type. Examples are given below:

Movement: Dryads can move quickly once they uproot themselves and get going, but are usually reluctant to
move large distances at speed. If motivated, however, Dryads may move strategically at x2 normal speed,
largely because of their great stamina.

Tree Type        Maximum Size        Hits        Armour Class        AC V Fire Attacks        Max Life Span (yrs)
Birch/Hazel                S                100-200            3                             0                                200/
Willow                        L                  500                 3                             0
Oak/Ash/Beach         G                1000                 4                             0                         1000/300/400
Pine/Yew                   G                1000                 4                             3                        500-4900+/5000+
Red Wood                 GG             10 000              4                             4                               3000+

Perception: Dryads have a variety of physical senses, and are particularly sensitive to noise and vibrations.
They also have excellent ESP (all modes). See 55   Smell/Taste 60   Hear 85   Touch 30 Navigate 85   ESP 90.

Psychology: those Dryads vulnerable to fire will fear it. Otherwise they fear little, except Dragons, Greater
Demons and Deities. Many Dryads distrust humans. Dryads have a mutual respect for Druids. Dryads of
positive alignment have great compassion for Elves and also befriend benevolent Sylphs, Undines and Gnomes.

Language: Dryads have their own language (level 6) and can also speak Elvish and elemental tongues and
one or more Middle Earthen tongues. Dryads are also telepathic.

Psionic Ability: 0-100 (some or all modes).

Attacks: Dryads will attack with roots and branches. AS: 60-80. PS: 40-60. A critical hit will result in a smaller
target being grappled by the Dryad resulting in 1 critical loss per turn from the grappled body part, plus one
additional part per turn being grappled on a successful normal attack against an encumbered opponent (parry
–20), until the grappling roots / branches have been severed or the main trunk destroyed. Large Dryads may
also stomp (automatic hit, dexterity save, against all targets within the Dryads path).