by Glynn Tafuro

Dryads are a naturalistic race. Their society is nearly feral; a lose collection of tribes that are so widely dispersed that many dryad feel more at home in human lands than their own. They are the most skilled survivors of any of the humanoids, and are able to physically conform to their natural environment.

Personality ? Dryads are soft-spoken and direct. They have a very unnerving way of whispering the sharpest, most honest, and among other cultures, most inappropriate verbal barbs. They enjoy quiet contemplation in their ?homes?, the out-of-door locations that many dryads choose to nest. These natural environments are deeply rooted in the desires of most dryads, they feel a kinship with trees and rocks, with timelessness and the wisdom of age. While this kinship makes them protective of nature, they also have a great understanding of nature?s ability to heal itself, despite the spread of civilization.

Physical Description ? A typical male or female dryad stands anywhere from 5 to 6 feet tall, and most are svelte and lean. The males are typically shorter and weigh less, culturally filling a lithe and quick role during hunts. The women are more substantial, being both more muscular and less angular than the men, often taking the role of strong protector. Dryads are distinguished from humans by their smooth, nearly flawless skin and their tapered, flapless features. Dryad ears don?t protrude but mold into the side of the head. The eyes of a dryad are lidless, allowing the dryad to see even while asleep. The eyes appear as glossy, black orbs, usually referred to by humans as ?beast eyes?. Dryad?s fracture-less skin is usually the color of the soil from which the dryad was raised, being gray, reddish-brown, blackish-brown, tan or even pure white in the colder climes. Their hair is thin, silky and often worn short and can be silver, black, brown or blond. They lack eyebrows and lashes but can grow small goatees.

Relations ? Dryads are the most accepting of other races and cultures, usually transplanting themselves into the lands of others, though protective of their home environments. Humans and dryads have an age-long friendship. While dryads have a mistrust of ziongs, they can be tolerated. Titans are often spiteful of any other race, but have learned the worth of a few friendly dryads in matters of politics, war and trade. More then any other, dryads are a race that is well-received by nearly all other sentient races.

Language ? Dridic, the language of the dryads sounds like whispers in the dark and softly moving brush with high chirps and whistles as punctuation. The dryad gains dridic and the language of their nation at first level.

Lifespan ? Dryads live for 1000+ years, breeding rarely and dying slow, painless deaths.

Dryad Racial Traits

• Dryad?s are medium-sized creatures.
• Dryad?s base speed is 30 feet.
• +2 to Dexterity. Dryads are lithe, fast and agile by nature.
• -2 to Intelligence. Dryads do not typically receive an education beyond understanding their natural surroundings. This does not mean that Dryads are naturally slow, but that they simply are not as well versed in the mental pursuits as other races.
• +4 to Spot checks. Dryad eyes are farther apart then other races. This bonus applies whether or not the Dryad is asleep. Dryads are the only race that can make spot checks while sleeping.
• +2 to Hide checks. A dryad?s skin is often the color of their surroundings at birth. This only applies if the dryad is in his or her birthplace or similar surroundings.
• Ambidexterity. Coordination does not favor one side over the other in the dryad, they are naturally ambidextrous.
• Ignore Terrain ? A dryad can ignore any impediment to his normal movement caused by natural terrain. This includes inclines up to 60?, unsteady, rocky or even slippery and sticky natural terrain. This ability reduces the impediment (the amount of reduction in movement) to half-normal if the dryad moves at a higher rate of speed then his base speed.
  Magical effects that degrade one?s movement still affect the dryad normally.