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The Sisterhood of Dryads


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Note: This thread is the original accepted lore from a good two or three years ago. Any additions that lore or magic teams need me to make I will do so quickly, just let me know!


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A Dryad is a female Wood Elf who has developed a physical and mental bond with a tree by undergoing a process known as "The Blossoming". 
 
All female Wood Elves feel the call of Dryad-ism sometime in their life. It may be early on, before puberty, or it may be very late in their lives. They can choose to accept this call or ignore it till the urge fades away. 
 
After their transfiguration, the now-Dryad is still a lot like their former Wood Elf self, at least mentally. They retain their former personality but now they feel much more relaxed. Time loses its relevance. Seasons come and go, kingdoms rise and fall all around them. Nothing truly matters except that they are in the presence of the tree and they are in the midst of nature. 
 
Dryads also undergo a physical change. Their skin color could lighten or darken. Their hair color is also subject to change, as well as their eyes. Normally, this all depends on which type of tree they end up bonding to. Drayds of the same tree type will look similar but not the same.
 
A Wood Elf's personality determines which type of tree they end up feeling a bond towards. 
 
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The origin of Dryads is a mystery. Some argue that Dryads have always existed, that their population rises and falls in rhythm with some unknown schedule. Others argue that Drayds only came about since our stay in the lands of Asulon. 
 
Both are true, in a sense. Dryads have always existed, even since Malin's time. It is also true that their population booms every now-and-again. For hundreds of years they might only be one Dryad alone in an entire forest, singing away in the boughs of her tree. A year later, there might be a hundred more spread throughout the lands. 
 
Regardless of that odd cycle, all female Wood Elves will hear the call and feel the urge during her lifetime. It is a natural part of growing up and life.

 

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When a Wood Elf feels the urge or call of Dryad-ism, she feels the need to abandon her current life and just leave. To leave the bustling mortal world. To leave behind the wars and politics. To be free of all worries. Some choose to ignore this. After a time, the urge begins to fade away and will disappear. But be warned, any Elf that ignores this call will forever pass up her chance to become a Dryad. 
 
If they listen to the call, if they fan that burning flame of adventure, their search begins. Generally, the Elf will know in what direction they are searching in. It might be in the direction the sun sets, or where the birds fly when the cold weather sets in. The budding Dryad instincts guide her to her tree. The journey might be long, it might take weeks, months, years. Or, it might be as simple as the forest outside her city. 
 
Once the Dryad has found her tree, and she will know when that happens, something magical happens. It is akin the what some would call 'love at first sight'. The Elf will stare at her tree for a time, totally transfixed. She may talk to it, hug it, set up a camp near it and sleep by it. 
 
It takes two full months of time before the Elf's Blossoming is complete. During that time, she might feel overly ecstatic. Or possibly overly aggressive and protective of her tree, picking a fight with any who draw near. Possibly even at total peace for once in her life. These feelings will last the entire duration of her Blossoming and even into her time as a Dryad.  During the second month, the Elf will change physically. Her hair might grow longer or change colors. Her skin might lighten or darken and her eyes may change to a completely different shade. Generally the change will be based on what type of tree she has bonded to.
 
If the Dryad leaves her tree at any time during the Blossoming, the overload of emotions will cease and will be replaced by that of intense nausea. If she persists through the side effect of nausea and ignores the budding bond, she will remain a Wood Elf and will pass up her chance of becoming a Dryad. 
 

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Some say that the tree chooses the Elf. Others, that the tree and elf were born for each other; that since the elf was a toddler and the tree a sapling, they have been waiting for each other, to finally meet and become one. 
 
The bond between a Dryad and her tree runs deep. They become entwined, almost one entity. The tree becomes her closest friend. The Dryad might feel the roots within the dirt beneath her feet. She might feel the air passing through the branches above her, rustling the leaves. She would also feel the chop of an axe in her tree's trunk or feel the burning sensation of flames washing over the tree. This bond persists till the Elf dies, and sometimes, the tree.
 
If the Elf dies, the tree will soon follow.
 
If the tree dies, the Elf will not die but will suffer deeply. She will be stricken with grief, or her mind might break in a way that she truly never recovers. She might suffer a deep depression till the end of her days or she might take her own life.
 
Their exists a way to save the tree in most circumstances though, and that is through something known as the "Amber Seed". [Read below.]
 
The Elf feels naturally at home when she is near her tree. She may choose to sleep in its boughs or maybe in a hole close to the roots. The Elf must sleep near her tree at least once every three days. If she does not, she will die. 
 
An Elf can travel as far as she wants from her tree, though the farther away she is, the sadder and more melancholy she will feel. She can also rest away from her tree, but the sleep will be fitful and she will not recover any energy. 
 
A Dryad feels no yearning for a mortal relationship. They do not wish to reproduce or to wed; All that matters is that they are with their tree. 
 

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When a tree that is bonded to a Dryad dies, it leave behind something known as an Amber Seed. It is roughly the size of a fist and weighs roughly that of a fist-sized stone. This seed is the very essence of the tree and, being such, the Dryad feels her bond  connected to it. She must still sleep within a close distance of the seed or she will feel exhausted and eventually die. 
 
This seed, once planted, will sprout a sapling that grows at a magical rate. What once took a hundred years to grow will take only a few months. This tree will be an exact replica from before and the bond will persist through the tree's "death". 
 
The seed must be planted within a year of the tree's death. If it is not, it will harden into a grey-black object then break and blow away as dust in the wind.
 
A tree can only go through this process of death-and-rebirth once. 
 
A tree can only re-grow in a fitting biome. (To prevent... say a Palm tree in a chain of freezing mountains.)
 
 
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During her time as a Dryad, some circumstances might make the Dryad consider returning back to an ordinary Wood Elf. It might be that the tree has become sick and it would kill them both should she not cut the bond. Or possibly it is that her Wood Elf family misses her dearly and visits every day, begging her to return home. 
 
There is no process. The Elf must simply cut the bond though It is extremely painful, both mentally and physically. It will take at least a month of time before the bond is fully cut, all the while the Elf suffers, though she can stop at any moment. 
 
Once the bond has been cut, the tree will die and produce an Amber Seed. The bond will be cut so the Elf does not need to carry the seed around with her, but if she plants it, the tree will grow and the bond will resume. After a year's time, the seed will turn to ash and blow away in the wind.
 
The Elf will feel a faint ache of sadness or a feeling of melancholy for the rest of her life, assuming she did not replant the seed and resume her bond.


 

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Dryadic Instincts: Upon completing her blossoming, a Dryad will instinctively know and understand most things relating to her and her tree's survival. 
 

  • A Dryad will always be able to find her way back to her tree, regardless of where she is. 
  • A Dryad knows that she can only rest in the presence of her tree and that three days of being apart will result in death. 
  • A Dryad will be able to tell whether someone is a Dryad or not just by looking at them.
  • A Dryad will also be able to tell whether or not a tree is bonded to another Dryad. 
  • A Dryad will know how to cut the bond between her and her tree, and she will also understand what the amber seed is and how to use it. 

 
Dryadic Quirks:  Upon completing her blossoming, a Dryad will have a few new habits.
 

  • A Dryad will generally address a fellow Dryad as 'sister'.
  • A Dryad will continue eating whatever they ate as a Wood Elf. They won't feel an urge to change their diet. 
  • A Dryad will not go out of her way to maintain or develop friendships. If Dryads live rather close to each other, they might become friends. Same goes if someone visits a Dryad daily, a friendship MIGHT develop. 
  • A Dryad will still retain all magic prowess they had as a Wood Elf, though they probably won't feel the urge or need to use it often (or ever).
  • A Dryad will also retain all combat prowess they had as a Wood Elf, though they probably won't feel the urge or need to use it often (or ever).
  • A Dryad can wear whatever she pleases. Generally, they will feel inclined to wear leaves from their tree. They might also sew a dress or outfit that mirrors the colors of their tree.
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If you wish to apply to play a dryad, please see the official creature application that can be found at the bottom of this thread: 

 
 

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While skinning your Dryad, keep a few things in mind:
 
1. Think of your tree's biome. If it's in very cold biome that snows constantly, you do not want your Dryad wearing a simple leaf skirt and bra. They would freeze to death. Think more along the lines of an elegant wool dress, dyed green, with pine needle accents. Keep in mind that you can always have multiple skins, too. If you'll predominantly be in a cold biome but think you might travel through a desert sometimes, you can always have a simple bra and skirt skin.
 
2. Remember your tree's colors. Every tree has a few "required colors" that usually matches their leaf/trunk colors. Your Dryad's skin should reflect what type of tree she is bonded to. A Maple Dryad will have very vibrant reds, oragnes, and yellows, while a pine Dryad will have predominantly dark green with various other shades. 
 
3. Remember your Dryad's skin colors. Every tree has a range of skin color that your Dryad can be. 
 
4. Eye color is for you to decide upon. Just don't do anything TOO wacky like pure red eyes if your tree is predominantly green.
 
5. Hair length if for you to decide upon. Colors should stay within your color pool.
 
 

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Most Dryads feel the urge to adopt a new name to go along with their new identity. This naming process does not follow any known Elven naming convention and instead, is thought to be something instinctual. 
 
Please use google translate ( http://translate.google.com/ ) English to Greek for your Dryad's name - use something fitting, on phonetic setting. For example, Paizon, a very playful Dryad, translates to 'play'. I had a Maple Dryad named Kollodis, which means 'sticky'. (Think 'maple syrup.')

Your name in-game will be <Tree> Dryad <Name>. For example, Ash Dryad Paizon or Maple Dryad Kollodis.  
 
Guide to naming your Dryad:
1. Go to http://translate.google.com
2. Select From:English and To:Greek
3. Type in the English word in the first box. You will receive a Greek word in the second box. Example: Dance -> Χορός. 
4. Click the "A with two dots" symbol, the 'read phonetically' button.
5. Your Greek alphabet word will now be in English alphabet.  Dance -> Χορός -> Chorós

 

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Unfortunately I do not have any example skins- all the old ones were hosted on imageshack and have been dead and gone for years. 
 
Orange Dryads by "Tentoa" 
Colors: Green, Orange
Skin: Tan to Dark
Tree: j4xB0sp.png
Description: Much like Ash Dryads, Orange tree Dryads are very friendly towards strangers. They enjoy giving away their fruit like Apple Dryads as well. They have incredibly short attention spans and are prone to wandering off mid-conversation, though.
 
Ash Dryads
Colors: White, Black, Green 
Skin: Light to Dark
Tree: ZUia9Av.png
Description: Generally very playful, happy, and loving, Ash Dryads are prone to wandering into cities and
settlements in search of a friendly conversation or someone to play with. Though they enjoy travelling around more than the average Dryad, they do not enjoy curling up in their tree’s branches any less than the other Dryads. 
 
Maple Dryads
Colors: Red, Orange Yellow
Skin: Light to Dark
Tree: -
Description: Maple Dryads are rough and tough, and they’re not afraid to show it. Travellers who pass by their tree might find themselves faced with a friendly, physical challenge like a brawl or wrestling match. These Dryads are prone to “bullying” other Dryads, but in a way similar to how an older sibling might treat their younger.
 
Apple Dryads
Colors: Green, Brown, Red
Skin: Light - Tan
Tree: Bs7D091.png
Description: Apple Dryads are the most motherly out of all the Dryads. They love to hand out their fruit to hungry travellers and provide shelter for the night. They still view and refer to other Dryads as ‘sister’ but they do so with more of a maternal tone/authority. 
 
Palm Dryads
Colors: Green, Brown, Blonde
Skin: Ligjt
Tree: ovBr3y6.png2SoEY7Q.png
Description: Palm Dryads are very vain. They value beauty higher than anything else. They view everything else as “ugly”, even other Dryads. Occasionally this will cause trouble between them and another female.
 
Pine, Fir, and other Conifer Dryads
Colors: Green, Brown, Very little white 
Skin: Light to Dark
Tree: FV4FPIR.png
Description: The Conifer Dryads share the same trait: Shyness. Getting to know one well might prove difficult. Once they’ve opened up, though, they are very kind and hospitable. 
 
Birch Dryads
Colors: White, black, grey, green.
Skin: Light or Dark
Tree: ZUia9Av.png
Description: Birch Dryads usually end up being retired warriors, adventurers, or protectors of some sort. They are very protective of their tree and possibly other nearby Dryads, but not in a hostile way. 
 
Oak Dryads 
Colors: Green, Brown, Orange
Skin: Tan to Dark
Tree: xgH0HfZ.png
Description: Oak Dryads are the smartest of all Dryads. They value wisdom and knowledge above all else. They might not be interested in conversing unless they're certain the other person is at least above average intelligence. 
 
Sequoia Dryads 
Colors: Green, Brown
Skin: Light to Dark
Tree: qUaA9O2.jpg
Description: - Adventure! Youthful! Energetic! All of these words could be used to vaguely describe most Dryads, but they explain Sequoia Dryads to a tee. They enjoy going on mini-adventures and then returning home to excitedly tell their tree all that they had seen and experienced. 
 
Willow Dryads 
Colors: Olive green, dark green.
Skin: Light to Dark
Tree: 1wjyW8q.png
Description: Willow Dryads are the saddest of all Dryads. Strangely melancholic, simply being near them could dampen any good mood.
 
Mangrove Dryads 
Colors: Grey, Green 
Skin: Tan to Dark
Tree: 1wjyW8q.png
Description: Mangrove Dryads are the strangest of all Dryads. They prize being unique and strange above anything else. 
 
Cherry Dryads 
Colors: White, pink, red.
Skin: Light to Tan
Tree: 3IVxtj2.png
Description: Cherry Dryads value cleanliness and neatness. They collect their seeds fanatically, often times using them in an attempt to barter or trade. 
 
Cedar Dryads 
Colors: Green, dark green. 
Skin: Tan to Dark
Tree: HNNVD8k.png
Description: 
 
Bonsai Dryads
Colors: Green, Brown
Skin: Light to Dark
Tree: ucmMNeo.png
Desciption: Bonsai Dryads are Elves who become a Dryad before puberty. They are very young, still children, and as such, very small. They generally have a size or age complex. 
 
Jungle Dryads
Colors: Deep greens, browns, 
Skin: Tan to Dark
Tree: Jungle Trees
Description: Jungle Dryads are big and tall and not afraid to remind you. They are extremely prideful and enjoy looking down on (figuratively and literally) any who might pass by their tree. They are prone to major mood swings as well; One moment they might be threatening to smack you for being near their tree, the next they're inviting you to gaze upon it in all its tall glory.
 
Chestnut Dryads by "Keegan Valkrae" 
Colors: Hazel, Brown, Hair: Blonde -> Creamy white
Skin: Tan to Dark
Tree: iNxdVjC.png
Description: The personality of the dryad directly reflects the nut of the tree. If the chestnut is still ripe, the dryad will put up a wall between everyone and her emotions. As the chestnut ages and begins to ripen, the nicer and open she is around you. The only exception to the ripe stage of her personality is if she is talking to another chestnut dryad like herself.

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This is the 'community' portion of Dryads. If you make a Drayd or transition your Wood Elf into a Dryad and wish to have their name, biography, and any other relelvant information known below, let me know!  

 

 

 

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A note from me to you:

 

Dryads have always been a labor of love. The ownership of the lore has transferred many times between multiple people. xmrsmoothx was original creator back in Asulon/2.0 map. Once they left the server, I took on ownership and managed the lore till late into the 3.0 map where I took my own hiatus. The lore was handed down to Emily (sorry I can't remember your MC name!) and then I guess it became magic and lore team's domain in the past year or so. 

 

Feel free to submit your ideas for different types of drayds. Or drayd skins, cool tree builds, or anything else you'd like. I like players getting involved in the lore that they're actively participating in; make it your own and leave your mark on things! 

 

I know there's a lot of lore above, so if you'd like a TL;DR about what dryads are and how they work, take a look below. This is mainly for players that would like to know how to ineract with a Dryad but don't necessarily want to spend an hour reading every bit of lore about them.

 

Dryad TL;DR:

 

  • Dryads are Wood Elves that have undergone a transformation of sorts. When they reach a certain point in their lives (which could be a different age for every Wood Elf), they feel the call of the Dryad.
  • This call sends them on a journey through the world to where 'their' tree is. After a bonding process (1-2 months in-lore), the Elf completes her transition into a Dryad. Their skin changes, they become more peaceful and content. They may decide to change their wardrobe drastically as well. Their personality remains mostly the same. They retain their physical and magical prowess but many do not see the need to use magic or fight.
  • A Dryad can only truly rest when she is in contact with her tree. She can travel and journey as far as she likes, but if she does not return to her tree with three days, she (or her tree) could die.
  • A Dryad's tree can be reverted into a tiny seed either by will, or when it dies. This seed, when planted, will cause the Dryad's tree to re-grow fully in a short amount of time. This can only happen once, however.
  • Unless any major lore changes have happened, a Dryad cannot be permakilled unless the player gives their permission. Since the tree is an extension of their character, players wishing to harm a tree would require permission. I urge Dryads to roleplay this well, however. Don't act snooty because you believe you have a perceived invincibility. If you feel you're being consistently harassed, remember you can move your tree to wherever you'd like, albeit only one time. 
  • Dryads get a small region around their tree. This is so you can edit your tree as you like. Build upon it, maybe design a nice grotto at the base. Make it look beautiful and nature-y! If you plan on having your tree in a popular city or location, I urge you to ask the region/city owner for permission. You cannot have a region made without permission.
  • When a Dryad breaks the bond with their tree, they undergo a depression. They may be especially sad, withdrawn, or melancholy for a long while. 
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They become a tree's lover? How does that even work....

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Just now, JungleSinOfSloth said:

They become a tree's lover? How does that even work....

 

That's just a way to look at it. I don't really like the ideas people get from that and it's more of a remnant from the old lore so I'll probably be changing that.

 

Best way to think of it is like a Dryad singing THIS (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQhVMQ5Wcg8) about her tree.

 

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You will want to use this link:

Instead of this link:

Because the latter is outdated and in a forum only visible to use filthy staff.

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Just now, Mephistophelian said:

You will want to use this link:

Instead of this link:

Because the latter is outdated and in a forum only visible to use filthy staff.

 

I'm silly, thank you!

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Totally bringing my dryad back!!!

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Expect a dryad from me!

Maybe. Even if it's an event one.

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Totally bringing my dryad back!

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Why can't males become dryads? You should make a male form of dryad, maybe satyr lore.

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*makes plans to dryaaaad.* Dryading could be a solution if one gets bored of there female wood elf, or ya know, just do it for some weeks or months as character development. It allows more flexibility then Bryophites that's for sure.

 

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This current Guild has been deemed inactive and has hereby been moved. If you wish to appeal this decision you must present evidence to myself proving the guild is still active.

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