"There are tales throughout the Old World of beautiful, enchanted, forest maidens. In Norsca, they are the named Woodwose, in Estalia, the Arumae and in the Empire they are called Dryads. Whatever their name may be, they are described the same: dangerous feminine forest spirits who delight in tempting men. However, despite the great range of the tales, Dryads have only ever been verifiably sighted in the primordial forest of Athel Loren. Why this should be is unknown. Perhaps they are magical constructs, crafted by the mystical Elf witch who is said to rule that realm, or maybe they are actually female Elves who have been somehow transformed by exposure to Athel Loren. I subscribe to another theory. I believe that they are an extension of the forest itself, which explains why they have never been sighted elsewhere. They are a defence mechanism, if you will, for the trees of that magical wood. I have no proof of this; it is merely conjecture on my part for none of the very few Elves who have ever travelled out of Athel Loren have been willing to discuss the matter so the mystery remains."
A Dryad, known in Norsca as a Woodwose and in Estalia as Arumae, are shape-shifting, feminine nature spirits of the forest which, in their true war form, are manifestations of nature's savage wrath.
Dryads are spiteful creatures with hearts akin to shards of ice. In the soul of a Dryad, there is neither room nor regard for compassion or mercy, merely an uncompromising dedication to Athel Loren that makes even the most heartfelt vows of Elf or Men seem trivial by comparison.
Role
"Your sap flows pure and strong through your limbs. I would feel its warmth upon me. Share just a little of it with me, won't you?"
- —Kayanora, Dryad[3a]
To harm the forest is to invoke a deadly and unyielding vengeance that ends only when the transgressor's body has been ruined and broken. Only a fool deliberately offers insult to a Dryad, but alas, these nature spirits are so utterly different to mortal creatures that offence is often taken whether it was intended or not. Few mortals make such a mistake twice, and then only if the individual in question is either very lucky or very swift.[2a]
Dryads are able to shape-shift into different forms and often mimic the appearance of female Wood Elves. On such occasions, they appear as unearthly, lithe and beautiful Asrai maidens -- albeit with a greenish hue to their skin and twigs in their long, cascading hair. It is in this form that the Dryads walk the bounds of Athel Loren. They are not choosy in their victims, preying on tree-killers, invaders and lost innocents with equal malice.[2a]
The only sensible course of action when approached by such a creature is to flee as far and as fast as possible, but most potential victims find themselves enraptured by the Dryad's comely form or beguiled by the haunting melodies of her otherworldly song. Before long, the victim is sufficiently addled that they will do anything that the spirit desires, and so is swiftly enticed into the shadowy depths of the forest.[2a]
Only when the hapless prey is completely under her spell, their mind lost in a cloud of desire and promise, does the Dryad strike. Sloughing off her beauteous form she transforms into a war aspect, the hatred and spite within her soul remaking her outer appearance into a thing of horror. Her hair becomes a twisted mass of thorns, briars and twigs, her face distorts into a terrifying and savage visage, her limbs turn long and wood-like, and her fingers become vicious talons capable of rending and impaling her prey. Before the victim has even registered his predicament, his blood is spilt upon the hungry ground of the forest and his body ripped limb from limb with implacable savagery.[2a]
When Athel Loren takes the field of battle, the Dryads assume their war aspect and hunt upon the flanks of the army. Their lithe and swift nature allows them to cover great distance at speed, falling with ease upon a foe who, until moments before, thought themselves entirely safe from harm. Indeed, a surprise attack by hissing and darting Dryads is oftentimes the first tangible warning an enemy army has that Athel Loren marches against it. That, or their general disappearing from camp in the still watches of the night, only to be found shredded and lifeless in a nearby glade at dawn the next day. Dryads are not known for their mercy.[2a]
Shape Shifting
"They are fluid as a stream and just as ever changing. No one shape can contain their essence for long, so they shift from one form to another, dancing even while they are standing still. They are the pulse of the forest, wild and fierce by turns, followed by pensive calm. One moment they are as hard as an Ash, shrugging off blows that could fell an Ogre, the next they are as supple as a reed, bending around their opponent’s weapons as they giggle or mock his discomfiture. My fellows and I have often talked about why they never hold to one form for long. The general consensus is that they easily grow bored."
- —Mylaburr, Athel Loren Scout[3a]
Dryads are able to dwell inside trees or assume the form of trees by magical shape-shifting. Dryads only assume tree aspects when in hand-to-hand combat.[1a]
- Birch Aspect - Dryads which shape shift into their Birch aspect take on a silvery-white appearance like birch trees, with a mass of delicate yellow green or tawny yellow foliage for hair. They are extremely vicious and spiteful and lash the foe with their long fingers which cut into flesh.[1a]
- Oak Aspect - When Dryads shape shift into their Oak aspect, they become more robust and resilient to wounds. They assume a green or brown skin and their limbs thicken. Their hair becomes a mass of oak leaves and acorns.[1a]
- Willow Aspect - In their Willow aspect, Dryads change into creatures with green skin and extremely long yellowish green hair which hangs down around them like the leaves of the weeping willow tree. Their fingers extend into incredibly long, whip-like willow twigs. In hand-to-hand combat they entwine their fingers around the foe and grip his weapon making it difficult for him to wield it at all.[1a]
Notable Dryads
"The four legs have their teeth, their claws or their speed to protect them. The Shining Ones have their bows and blades. What do the trees have? They have us and the Forrest Lords."
- —Whishira, Dryad[3a]
Notable Regiments
- Wraiths of the Frozen Heart - Exiled on their own accord from the frosty cage of the Winterheart, these Dryads carry the biting chill of their home realm.
- Sisters of the Eternal Grove - The Sisters of the Eternal Grove were daughters of none other than the Oak of Ages itself, and its fire and might echoed through their being also. Moreover, where most dryads were cruel and malicious, the sisters were haughty and aloof, more akin to elves than their fellow spirits.
- Wildkin - This regiment within Drycha's army was comprised of a mix of Chaos-influenced and insane nature spirits.
Miniatures
See Also
Sources
- 1: Warhammer Armies: Wood Elves (4th Edition)
- 1a: pg. 52
- 2: Warhammer Armies: Wood Elves (8th Edition)
- 2a: pg. 49
- 3: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Old World Bestiary(RPG)