Dryads, Naiads, and Sylphs

Member Posts : 70 Join date : 2014-03-11

Dryads

Quote :: An artist's interpretation of a Dryad. Many liberties were taken...

In sparsely populated areas, especially near large forests, stories of Dryads are quite common. No portrayal of them is universally accepted: they can be viewed as benevolent guardians or heartless monsters, agents of Sylandra or independent caretakers. Upon first glance, they are indistinguishable from surrounding trees, but they are said to possess an ethereal glow and an unmarred appearance, despite immense age.

Dryads spend most of their time as trees and occasionally animals, native to the forest they inhabit. In cases where a Dryad moves from one region to another (which are very uncommon) they are slow to adapt and remain limited to their original tree form. They can also adopt a humanoid form, with "skin" smooth and grained like wood, and green, leafy hair. Oddly, they possess distinct gender characteristics, either male or female. Whether this is connected to reproduction, or simply mimicking another species, is unknown.

Though immortal, a Dryad's health is very fragile. They are sensitive to the encroachment of civilization, the felling of trees, and the pollution and destruction of the natural environment. This not only affects them emotionally, but can manifest as physical sickness. Dryads situated near or within settlements will quickly become withered and weak (both forms reflect this), and eventually die.

A Dryad that has been sufficiently aggravated may become hostile to its perceived aggressor(s), especially if someone attempts to chop it down. Even as trees, they are constantly aware of their surroundings and capable of (very slow) movement. As humanoids, they are as strong and sturdy as their arboreal forms, the oldest of them able to wield powerful and surprisingly varied magic, controlling such natural elements as fire, lightning, earth, and sunlight. In addition, most Dryads can influence the behavior of plants and animals on a massive scale, spurring more aggressive growth and multiplication, to drive away townsfolk. They rarely aim to kill, but can nevertheless be quite fearsome.

Given the immense power of Dryads, magic-users have long attempted to find ways to subvert their will. As with the other nature spirits, this poses many problems for the aspiring mage. While Dryads are the most stationary of the others, the most resilient to captivity, and the least likely to turn on their masters, they are the most difficult to control initially. They are highly intelligent, the oldest ones gifted with profound wisdom and foresight. They are also notoriously stubborn and resistant to attempts to persuade or influence them.

In the deepest parts of the Wildlands, Dryads are rumored to thrive in "groves," without interference from outsiders. But they can be found throughout the world, in any isolated forest areas. Ancient Dryads that take the shape of tall pines endure the bitter colds of Ostia, those younger and friendlier inhabit Eurisko, and violent, mistrusting ones can be found in Leoben. Their numbers appear to be dwindling as the forests are pushed further and further back to build structures, fuel fires, and allow room for crops to grow.

A less human-looking Dryad.

Naiads

Quote :: Can you spot all the Naiads in this picture?

While Dryads may be considered a rare sight, Naiads are seldom seen nor heard of at all. Often referred to as "water elementals," these mythical beings inhabit collections of water throughout the world: ponds, lakes, rivers, falls, and so forth. When they appear, it is as a shape of crystal-clear, faintly luminescent water, sometimes humanoid, sometimes not. The recorded instances of them taking a physical form, such as that of a seal or turtle, are few enough to be counted on one hand.

When Naiads do appear, however, it is usually by chance rather than intention. Stories of talking fish and the like are considered very unlikely by scholars. Naiads seem afraid of the civilized races, and give settlements a wide berth. They die quickly if held in captivity, more slowly if under the sway of a powerful Water Mage. They are not easily influenced by outsiders, but can be with enough skill and understanding.

Like with Dryads, Naiads can be "corrupted," made sick and unhappy by the effects and mere proximity of civilization. They are not known to lash out like Dryads, instead resigning themselves to death. However, some cultures believe that they can indeed be angered, causing fish never to bite a hook, luring young children to drown, and even raising destructive floodwaters. Whether or not these are just accidents and natural disasters is up for debate.

Rather than viewing Naiads as harbingers of misfortune, many choose to believe that catching a glimpse of one is a sign of good luck, especially for fishers and boatmen. Strangely enough, there is very little mention of them living in the oceans. It might be that they can not tolerate saltwater, or that the vast oceans are just easier to hide in.

Sylphs

Quote :: Sylphs, unlike Naiads, are a relatively common sight, found almost anywhere in the world, even (rarely) in the hearts of cities. They are the least affected by the rise of civilization, literally floating above it. It is believed that they are born of currents of both wind and magic, and live short - rarely more than a handful of years - but active lives. Many experienced aeromancers have reported sensing their presence on the winds.

A Sylph can take a variety of shapes, provided they can remain airborne. For them, landing is certain death. They spend their lives soaring along the wind currents, fuelled by the very act of movement. They have been known to appear in a variety of forms, including clusters of floating leaves and petals, a song on the wind, or the sound of chimes. They can also take physical forms - including hummingbirds, dragonflies, and even small winged humanoids.

They can be mischievous pranksters, tousling hair or rumpling clothing, and on a larger scale, toppling weak structures and knocking people off their feet. Sylphs take the blame for all kinds of bad weather, from blizzards to sand storms. Although much more frequently encountered, the full extent of their capabilities is a mystery. Their mercurial and childlike nature makes it difficult, if not impossible, to communicate meaningfully with them.

In addition to communication, many mages have tried to take control of and influence Sylphs, with only moderate success. They are easily warded off and redirected, providing fearful peasants with a measure of security against foul weather, and aeromancers with a minor degree of control over them. But to have direct power over the winds and weather across huge tracts of land is something an aeromancer can only hope for, and if s/he had the power to subjugate that many Sylphs, s/he likely wouldn't even need them.

Subject: Re: Dryads, Naiads, and Sylphs Thu Mar 20, 2014 9:44 am

I like the idea of Sylphs being blamed for weather phenomenons. It'd help to distance them somewhat from the common adventurer, even though they are rather commonly around. I wonder if as an air mage you could do much in the way of manipulating them, or communicating to them with ease. For some reason I'm getting the image of an air mage acting like a ward on a farm against sylphs and bad weather. I like it. As for Dryads and Naiads that take the form of trees and other woodland entities, as well as certain fish and other sea creatures, can they move around in these forms? Do they switch to different forms depending on where they are, or does a Dryad or a Naiad have a specific 'tree' or 'fish' form depending on their region of birth?

I give this lore a Dryads, Naiads, and Sylphs 7Cy2X

out of ten.

Subject: Re: Dryads, Naiads, and Sylphs Thu Mar 20, 2014 12:57 pm

Jacque wrote:: I like the idea of Sylphs being blamed for weather phenomenons. It'd help to distance them somewhat from the common adventurer, even though they are rather commonly around. I wonder if as an air mage you could do much in the way of manipulating them, or communicating to them with ease. For some reason I'm getting the image of an air mage acting like a ward on a farm against sylphs and bad weather. I like it.

Likewise :3

This lore's solid, man. I really dig it, especially in that they're flexible as to how often they might appear. I like how you tied it into various regions too, that's nice.

Member Posts : 70 Join date : 2014-03-11

Jacque wrote:: I wonder if as an air mage you could do much in the way of manipulating them, or communicating to them with ease. For some reason I'm getting the image of an air mage acting like a ward on a farm against sylphs and bad weather.

Yes, I can see this being a possibility. I'll try and work this into the page.

Jacque wrote:: As for Dryads and Naiads that take the form of trees and other woodland entities, as well as certain fish and other sea creatures, can they move around in these forms?

Naiads don't have a problem moving around, and Sylphs are constantly in motion. I hadn't considered whether Dryads would be able to move in tree form, but they are constantly aware of their surroundings, and can change shape, so it's plausible that they could (albeit very slowly). I'll tweak these entries.

Jacque wrote:: Do they switch to different forms depending on where they are, or does a Dryad or a Naiad have a specific 'tree' or 'fish' form depending on their region of birth?

Good question. I intended for Dryads to have fairly restricted forms, given their stationary nature. Naiads and Sylphs, which are more chaotic, would have no such limitations. But the lore is pretty open-ended on that front.

Edit:
And done. See if you like it.