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Description
Dryads are a species of sentient plant-like organisms that carry traits of both animal and plant. They possess bodies and appendages that are quite humanoid, but their internal and external systems are quite different. Their flesh is tough and fibrous, due to their cells having walls. The skin also possess chlorophyll, which allows them to absorb sunlight and turn it into energy. Various plant-like structures develop on their bodies, with some gaining thorns, bark or even flowers. Their legs typically end in roots, which can burrow into soil to absorb nutrients. On the inside, they have a very basic digestive system. Due to their increased size and movement compared to other plants, photosynthesis and soil is not enough for them to survive an active lifestyle. If a Dryad were to remain motionless like its plant cousins, it could easily survive off these systems. The simple digestive tract allows them to process and absorb organic matter, gaining more energy and nutrients to supplement photosynthesis.

Dryads are very in tune with nature, mainly the plant side of things. They often coexist with other plants, and their homes are usually crafted out of living vegetation. Any plant matter used in tools are usually from fallen or dead plants, with them rarely harvesting them while alive. This kind nature can vary between variations, but most are pleasant. Their interactions with wildlife, however, can sometimes not be so pleasant. Sentient beings who damage their plants and trees can meet a hidden anger that rarely comes out of them, and the results are often not pretty.

With plant-like traits, it is no surprise that Dryads come in many different variations. Different environments and habitats result in different structures and abilities. Though they can be quite different in appearances, Dryads get along fine with any other variations. But differing habitats make these meetings rare occurrences.

Desert/Arid Dryad - Desert Dryads can be identified by their hunched posture and thorny hides. Their head plants are like that of a cactus, sporting sharp needles to protect water rich flesh. Their arms and legs are more wooden and tough, with nasty thorns running up and down their appendages. Their fingers and roots are more claw-like, and their mouths have sharpened points to them. Their hunched backs possess fleshy sacs that are used to store water in the hot environment. Since water is a rare commodity in their environment, Desert Dryads are designed to prevent water loss, as well as find ways to gain water. On noticeable behavior is frequent hunts for critters to eat, from which they filter water from. Natural instinct and long arms allow them to snatch prey from the hot sands, and thorny hides prevent the same happening to them. In their society, water is the currency and obsession. Each Dryad fiercely protects their water from other species, which initially gives them a nasty demeanor. But those who share water can be seen as trustworthy. Travelers who run into communities of Desert Dryads can offer water to them as a way of getting on their good side. Between them, water sharing is a very personal act, especially since they draw it directly from their bodies. The binding of two lovers will always have a moment where they swap water between their bodies, a very touching and personal scene for such normally harsh beings.

Conifer Dryad - Conifer Dryads are one of the tallest Dryads, with them reaching adult heights of eleven to twelve feet. Their bodies are tall and lanky, protected by bark-like skin and tough pine needles. Their head cap is structured much like an acorn cap or pine cone, and gives them protection as they walk through the forests. Conifer Dryads are mainly found in cold environments, where winters are harsh and deciduous trees are less common. They often wear simple garments of moss, either for some warmth or camouflage. Behavior wise, they are much like the weather around them, cold and serious. They are less carefree and jokey then other variations, more focused on survival and caring for their own. Their society is more nomadic, traveling from place to place as the seasons change. With cold harsh winters, Conifer Dryads spend spring and summer gathering resources and food. They hunt wildlife that migrates through the area, using spears and ambush tactics to take them down. Often the tall Dryads will latch onto the trunks enormous trees of their home, waiting for prey to walk by. They will drop nets and spears on the animal, and jump down onto them to subdue them. Wanderers into their territory can receive quite a scare when these tall beings drop down from the trees. Stores of meat and fur are made, with the fur being used for young Dryads who have a harder time in the winter months. The young are often bundled tight in the warm furs, and are rarely seen by outsiders during the winter. During spring and summer, the young are out more, and often frolic beside their parents. During the warmer months, Conifer Dryads can sometimes be a bit warmer to outsiders, as it is an easier time for them.

Lily Dryad - Lily Dryads are one of the smallest Dryads, with their main bodies reaching only about three feet. The long anchor root is often longer then their own bodies. Their head caps are much like lily pads with very large flowers. They use this structure, and their light body weight, to float just below the water's surface. Their mouths lead to throat filters that catch plankton and zooplankton for food. This drifting lifestyle makes these Dryads extremely joyful and carefree. Since they rarely have to worry on food or sun, they often just drift about enjoying life. Their society is very simple, with them hanging out with groups of their own kind. An outsider can spot a pod of Lily Dryads by the armada of lily pads hugging close to one another on the surface. During turbid weather, Lily Dryads will hold onto one another with their thin arms, or grab the lake bed with their anchor root if it is shallow enough. Lily Dryads can leave water, but only for a short time. This is usually done when water levels drop and they need to slither to a new pond. Due to their carefree nature, Lily Dryads can often be difficult to talk to, as they usually are joking, making whimsy comments or just giggling uncontrollably.

Marsh/Swamp Dryad - Easily identified by their long "tongues," Swamp Dryads are close in body type to common Dryads, but have a few changes to their form. Their roots are webbed and splayed, which allows them to walk on the wet muck without sinking. Their mouths have long needle-like fangs, and a prehensile fleshy tongue slithers from their lips. Swamp Dryads feed primarily on insects, using their sticky saliva to capture them. To gather bugs, they will lick their arms and bodies, covering themselves with the sticky substance. This gooey gunk attracts insects, and as they walk through their habitat, bugs will get stuck on their bodies. After awhile, the Dryad will stop to lap up the caught insects, as well as apply a fresh coat. Clouds of bugs can be caught with quick darts of their tongues, and their mushroom caps are capable of releasing the smell of decay and rot to attract more. This stench can also be used against attackers or predators, scaring them off with a nasty cloud. They live in burrows and huts made of peat and vines, with outsiders calling their villages "wet" and "very squishy." Despite their appearances, they are kind creatures that have no quarrels with outsiders. They are welcoming to others, but their lifestyle and social quirks often scare away visitors. The wet, soggy homes are placed in already unpleasant swamp. They often smell of decaying flesh, and do not think twice about letting out some reek when they need bugs. And to top it off, their social skills involve a lot of licking, with it being a way of saying hello to on another, or a way to show friendliness.

Feral Marsh/Swamp Dryad - Found very deep in swamps and bogs, Feral Swamp Dryads are Dryads that have gone solo and have devolved into more animalistic beings. They share all the same traits and hunting strategies as Swamp Dryads, but are antisocial and more prone aggression. They do not form a society, rather they hunt alone, living in the swamps and eating bugs.

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Some Dryad variations in the KotWT world. These guys were a lot of fun to make, and I know I will be making some more in the future. As soon as I figure out some more plants to base them off of.

Description
Dryads are a species of sentient plant-like organisms that carry traits of both animal and plant. They possess bodies and appendages that are quite humanoid, but their internal and external systems are quite different. Their flesh is tough and fibrous, due to their cells having walls. The skin also possess chlorophyll, which allows them to absorb sunlight and turn it into energy. Various plant-like structures develop on their bodies, with some gaining thorns, bark or even flowers. Their legs typically end in roots, which can burrow into soil to absorb nutrients. On the inside, they have a very basic digestive system. Due to their increased size and movement compared to other plants, photosynthesis and soil is not enough for them to survive an active lifestyle. If a Dryad were to remain motionless like its plant cousins, it could easily survive off these systems. The simple digestive tract allows them to process and absorb organic matter, gaining more energy and nutrients to supplement photosynthesis.

Dryads are very in tune with nature, mainly the plant side of things. They often coexist with other plants, and their homes are usually crafted out of living vegetation. Any plant matter used in tools are usually from fallen or dead plants, with them rarely harvesting them while alive. This kind nature can vary between variations, but most are pleasant. Their interactions with wildlife, however, can sometimes not be so pleasant. Sentient beings who damage their plants and trees can meet a hidden anger that rarely comes out of them, and the results are often not pretty.

With plant-like traits, it is no surprise that Dryads come in many different variations. Different environments and habitats result in different structures and abilities. Though they can be quite different in appearances, Dryads get along fine with any other variations. But differing habitats make these meetings rare occurrences.

Desert/Arid Dryad - Desert Dryads can be identified by their hunched posture and thorny hides. Their head plants are like that of a cactus, sporting sharp needles to protect water rich flesh. Their arms and legs are more wooden and tough, with nasty thorns running up and down their appendages. Their fingers and roots are more claw-like, and their mouths have sharpened points to them. Their hunched backs possess fleshy sacs that are used to store water in the hot environment. Since water is a rare commodity in their environment, Desert Dryads are designed to prevent water loss, as well as find ways to gain water. On noticeable behavior is frequent hunts for critters to eat, from which they filter water from. Natural instinct and long arms allow them to snatch prey from the hot sands, and thorny hides prevent the same happening to them. In their society, water is the currency and obsession. Each Dryad fiercely protects their water from other species, which initially gives them a nasty demeanor. But those who share water can be seen as trustworthy. Travelers who run into communities of Desert Dryads can offer water to them as a way of getting on their good side. Between them, water sharing is a very personal act, especially since they draw it directly from their bodies. The binding of two lovers will always have a moment where they swap water between their bodies, a very touching and personal scene for such normally harsh beings.

Conifer Dryad - Conifer Dryads are one of the tallest Dryads, with them reaching adult heights of eleven to twelve feet. Their bodies are tall and lanky, protected by bark-like skin and tough pine needles. Their head cap is structured much like an acorn cap or pine cone, and gives them protection as they walk through the forests. Conifer Dryads are mainly found in cold environments, where winters are harsh and deciduous trees are less common. They often wear simple garments of moss, either for some warmth or camouflage. Behavior wise, they are much like the weather around them, cold and serious. They are less carefree and jokey then other variations, more focused on survival and caring for their own. Their society is more nomadic, traveling from place to place as the seasons change. With cold harsh winters, Conifer Dryads spend spring and summer gathering resources and food. They hunt wildlife that migrates through the area, using spears and ambush tactics to take them down. Often the tall Dryads will latch onto the trunks enormous trees of their home, waiting for prey to walk by. They will drop nets and spears on the animal, and jump down onto them to subdue them. Wanderers into their territory can receive quite a scare when these tall beings drop down from the trees. Stores of meat and fur are made, with the fur being used for young Dryads who have a harder time in the winter months. The young are often bundled tight in the warm furs, and are rarely seen by outsiders during the winter. During spring and summer, the young are out more, and often frolic beside their parents. During the warmer months, Conifer Dryads can sometimes be a bit warmer to outsiders, as it is an easier time for them.

Lily Dryad - Lily Dryads are one of the smallest Dryads, with their main bodies reaching only about three feet. The long anchor root is often longer then their own bodies. Their head caps are much like lily pads with very large flowers. They use this structure, and their light body weight, to float just below the water's surface. Their mouths lead to throat filters that catch plankton and zooplankton for food. This drifting lifestyle makes these Dryads extremely joyful and carefree. Since they rarely have to worry on food or sun, they often just drift about enjoying life. Their society is very simple, with them hanging out with groups of their own kind. An outsider can spot a pod of Lily Dryads by the armada of lily pads hugging close to one another on the surface. During turbid weather, Lily Dryads will hold onto one another with their thin arms, or grab the lake bed with their anchor root if it is shallow enough. Lily Dryads can leave water, but only for a short time. This is usually done when water levels drop and they need to slither to a new pond. Due to their carefree nature, Lily Dryads can often be difficult to talk to, as they usually are joking, making whimsy comments or just giggling uncontrollably.

Marsh/Swamp Dryad - Easily identified by their long "tongues," Swamp Dryads are close in body type to common Dryads, but have a few changes to their form. Their roots are webbed and splayed, which allows them to walk on the wet muck without sinking. Their mouths have long needle-like fangs, and a prehensile fleshy tongue slithers from their lips. Swamp Dryads feed primarily on insects, using their sticky saliva to capture them. To gather bugs, they will lick their arms and bodies, covering themselves with the sticky substance. This gooey gunk attracts insects, and as they walk through their habitat, bugs will get stuck on their bodies. After awhile, the Dryad will stop to lap up the caught insects, as well as apply a fresh coat. Clouds of bugs can be caught with quick darts of their tongues, and their mushroom caps are capable of releasing the smell of decay and rot to attract more. This stench can also be used against attackers or predators, scaring them off with a nasty cloud. They live in burrows and huts made of peat and vines, with outsiders calling their villages "wet" and "very squishy." Despite their appearances, they are kind creatures that have no quarrels with outsiders. They are welcoming to others, but their lifestyle and social quirks often scare away visitors. The wet, soggy homes are placed in already unpleasant swamp. They often smell of decaying flesh, and do not think twice about letting out some reek when they need bugs. And to top it off, their social skills involve a lot of licking, with it being a way of saying hello to on another, or a way to show friendliness.

Feral Marsh/Swamp Dryad - Found very deep in swamps and bogs, Feral Swamp Dryads are Dryads that have gone solo and have devolved into more animalistic beings. They share all the same traits and hunting strategies as Swamp Dryads, but are antisocial and more prone aggression. They do not form a society, rather they hunt alone, living in the swamps and eating bugs.

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Some Dryad variations in the KotWT world. These guys were a lot of fun to make, and I know I will be making some more in the future. As soon as I figure out some more plants to base them off of.