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Dryads (/ˈdraɪ.æd/;) are a humanoid race of people who currently
== Etymology ==
The term Dryad originates from an old legend and mythology. It was initially a term used by the Fae to describe [[Spirits of the Forest]]. Since then it has come to describe another people. In Fae culture, Dryad still refers to both the Spirits of the Forest and the Dryad people.
=== Astrian Contact ===
Once the Fae came into contact with other peoples, namely [[Astravia]], the term came to instead describe the '''People of the Forest'''. Over the next centuries, the term was used to describe a specific group of
''see also [[Coraie Order of Dryads]]''
== Physiology ==
Dryads are often mislabeled as "Tree People", with many believing they are solely made from wood. Dryads are
=== Skin ===
Dryads can be characterized by
=== Horns ===
==== Cultural Significance ====
Unlike many
Like rams and goats, Dryads shed their horns outer layer somewhat frequently. This is caused by the keratin curing from the sunlight, drying the surface layer. Adult Dryads shed their horns approximately every 12-15 years, and every 3-5 years during childhood and adolescence. The shedding is not painful, and is often described as relieving. In most dryad societies, the event is seen as passing into the next phase of life; it means that the Dryad will experience a major event soon. Over the next several years, the outer layer rebuilds. After 6 months they already have regained half the necessary layering of keratin. During this process, Dryads often consume much larger amounts of food. Dryads shed their horns and average of
=== Digestion ===
Like almost all humanoid species
Due to the long history of a
===
Dryads have much smaller respiratory systems than most humanoid species
Dryads do however also posses the ability to absorb oxygen and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and water, through the skin and into their circulatory system. However this is not a sole source these compounds, and has been found to have little to no effect on their ability to breath in oxygen and carbon dioxide starved environments.
The limited ability to breath underwater has led to somewhat of a fear of large rivers and oceans. Even a strong, or trained Dryad can only spend 15 seconds underwater before needing to surface.
=== Circulatory System ===
Dryads posses a circulatory system that is very different from humans, and much closer to that of a tree. While they do have what could be considered a heart, it act much more slowly than a human heart. The system will pump a fluid similar to sap through a Dryad's body. This fluid moves oxygen and carbon dioxide through the body, as well as distributing sugar and needed protein. It is produced by cells in the Dryad's digestive system, and has a high water content. Due to the slow speed of movement, a break to the skin or "vein" is not as fatal of a wound as it can be for humans. However because the fluid is not replaced as quickly as red blood cells, an injured Dryad will take much longer to recover. The fluid also will harden when exposed to nitrogen for a prolonged period. Often resulting in injuries becoming paralytic until the hardened fluid is washed away. During this time a chronic condition of hypoxia and hypoglycemia will occur; leading to pain, hallucinations, and exhaustion.
=== Aging ===
Like the mythos of outsiders that Dryads are trees, so too is there a falsehood that dryads are immortal.
Dryads spend much longer than most humanoid species in infancy and adolescence. Dryad children are considered infants until about the age of 7, at which point they become capable of accomplishing most tasks on their own, and shed the first horns of their lives. Like most humanoid species, children learn to walk and climb between the ages of 2 and 3. Between the ages of 3-6, Dryad children learn to speak. The end of infancy can be characterized by the first shed of the child's horns. These are often kept for use in ceremony.
Adolescence often begins at the age of 16, and lasts for 10-12 years. During this time, secondary sex characteristics emerge, as well as the body growing to its adult size. Dryad horns also grow to near their final length during this phase of life. There is no clear and defined end for adolescence; most Dryad's consider the sixth shedding of their horns to be the end.
Adult Dryads do not show signs of age until approximately 170 years of age, at which point they aging process is accelerates quicker than humans.
=== Hair ===
Dryads have hair like most humanoid mammals, however it is not made of keratin. Dryad hair is more akin to vines, or long grass. It primarily grows from the scalp, avoiding the base of the horns.
Dryads have little to no body hair due to the time spent living in more temperate environments, as well as their very rough skin. Dryads can also be characterized by a light brown, pale green, or red color to their hair. Culturally, Dryads will stain their hair with various pigments to help better blend with the world around them. As well as decorate their hair with beads, flowers, mushrooms, and other plants.
=== Gender Diversification ===
Dryads have classified sexual dimorphism like any other humanoid mammal.
Males of the species can be categorized by slightly broader shoulders, as well as a lack of breasts. Typically males also have slightly longer jaws. Dryad males are often described by humans as
Females of the species have breast tissue, as well as slightly wider hips than males. These traits are present in most humanoid females, but are less pronounced in Dryad females. Female Dryad horns also have a green tint to them. This has been discovered to be the result of a cultural practice in which they are dyed with pigments or chlorophyll from the leaves of the Great Tree they reside in.
== Habitat ==
Dryads require a very specific habitat to survive. They do not survive well in cold temperatures. A frost or heatwave can kill entire orders in only 2 days. Like most societies, they live near water sources. Most often this is in the form of small streams or brooks.
=== Climate ===
Dryads have very poor thermo-regulatory systems, as the circulatory system present moves very slowly. They are deemed warm blooded, as all mammals are. They do not posses the native ability to manage cold or heat well. Their
=== Great Trees ===
Dryad orders often make their homes in [[Great Trees]]. These are very old trees, often over 1000 years of age and over 100 meters tall. Most great trees in the world are Great Azalea, though many others can be found through the world. These trees often create cavernous hollows beneath their roots over the tree's long lifespan. Dryads will live in these hollows, as well as in the branches and tuft. This often depends on the region's climate
== Behavior ==
Dryads often group together into orders. These orders will often inhabit a single great tree, and
=== Language ===
Dryads primarily speak common. Although they have a native language, it has been slowly merged with common. Because of this many words are replaced with their old
=== Dress ===
Clothing is often constructed of cloth and fibers, either gathered from trade with other people, or woven from vines and grass fibers. Traded materials can cotton, wool, silk, or other foreign threads. These clothes often have leaves and plants sewn into them. Dryads take great pride in the collection of leaves they wear. Often being covered in hundreds of leaves.
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Many Dryads will carry their most recently shed horns on them, most often attached with a vine or fiber at the hip. All horns have a unique sound, and can be heard from several kilometers away. While mostly serving as adornments, they can be blown into to signal to other nearby Dryads.
==== Camouflage ====
Dryad clothing is often covered in leaves. This serves multiple purposes; Its primary use is for decoration. The secondary purpose is for camouflage. By using the leaves of the Great Tree in which they reside. As such they blend into their environment extremely well. Dryads will also dye their hair with the natural pigments of the leaves. While this is more of a cultural act, it has the side effect of helping blend them into the woods. These leaves are replaced often.
== Society ==
Dryad society is very communal. The main focus is often on making sure the needs of all are met. Often there is head to the order, who's role is to communicate with the outside world. They are the primary diplomat for the order, as well as the spiritual leader.
=== Spirituality ===
Dryad society is highly spiritual. Rituals and ceremonies hold a large importance in their society. Most of these practices are done in devotion to the Forest Goddess that blessed the Dryads thousands of years earlier. Altars to the Forest Goddess can be found in every inhabited Great Tree.
In Dryad culture, bees are considered the most important animal. They are can sometimes be cared for more closely than the Great Tree in which the order lives. Due to this, apiaries are very common in orchards and amongst the branches of the Great Tree. Honey is the only animal product consumed by Dryads, often only being consumed on special occasions. Most often during spiritual holidays and celebrations.
Fire is seen as a deadly and malevolent idea in Dryad religion. This extends to a natural fear of fire and reinforces the belief by outsiders that Dryads are wooden. Candles are the only exception. By using a wick, lighting and maintaining a burning candle is seen as an act of bravery against destruction. As such, beeswax candles can be found in small numbers around Dryad orders, especially near spiritual and religious sites.
==== Binding ====
When a Dryad comes of age, they bind themselves to the Great Tree in which they reside. While not a lot is know about this process, it is an extremely spiritual and personal experience. Part of this ritual is taking an oath to protect the tree with their life. When a Dryad binds to a Great Tree, they essentially become and extension of it. While they do not become the Tree, they grow a psychic link to it. As a result, they feel much of what the Great Tree does. This can include emotions, pain, biological needs, and for some Dryads memories. Harming the bound Great Tree could cause a Dryad to become cursed, and sick.
=== Food ===
Dryads are entirely vegan or herbivorous in their diets.
The most common dish served is cut fruits and sugar made from cane and fruit. This often topped with ground cinnamon bark, and a seeds of the cocoa pod. Common drinks include fruit wine, tea made from various herbs and leaves, and distilled spirits made from sugar, spices, and berries; similar to gin.
=== Music ===
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*[[Great Trees]]
*[[Spirits of the Forest]]
*[[Drydaeic]]
[[Category:Species and Cultures]]
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