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Sundew Dryad — Description
While hybridization is a possibility between almost any dryad type, it should be noted that the chances are not always the same. When two different dryad types mate, it does not always guarantee that the offspring will be one of these hybrids. Some hybrids have higher chances of being created over others, for what reason we are not entirely sure yet. It just seems that certain types need more than just two different parents, and if these unknown requirements are not filled then the offspring will be born as one of the two types. An example of this is would be the difference between a Bloodwood dryad and a Sundew dryad. For Bloodwoods, they are a hybrid of a Conifer Dryad and a Bloody Dryad, and if these two mate, than it seems like a third of the offspring will be Bloodwoods. For Sundew Dryads, whose parents are an Ivy Dryad and a Marsh Dryad, there is a much lower chance. No real solid numbers have been calculated, but the guess is that only five to ten percent of these offspring will come out as a Sundew. Once again, no one is really sure why, or what conditions are needed to create this hybrid. Needless to say, Sundew Dryads are quite rare!

As mentioned above, the Sundew Dryad is a hybrid that can come from the pairing of an Ivy Dryad and a Marsh Dryad. It may be a bit hard to believe at first glance, though, as Sundew Dryads are quite different looking than their parents! The bright colors that are found on their limbs and headcap may be partly from their Marsh Dryad mother, but their bodies have boosted these vibrant hues to an extreme degree. Stalks erupt from their shoulders, joints and rim, making their bodies look more like costumes you would see in some extravagant play! Their forelimbs and roots share this vibrant color, and their hands possess a thin layer of webbing. Adorning these bright spots and headcap are sticky globules that are similar to the saliva of a Marsh Dryad. In this case, though, the goo has an extra kick to it thanks to their Ivy mother. The gobs contain trace amounts of digestive fluid within them, but not enough to make them dangerous. The effect is quite weak, being a threat only to tiny insects that may get trapped on them. For larger creatures, this goop leaves a tingling sensation on the skin, and prolonged exposure over the course of hours may leave tender red marks, much like a sunburn. Be you plant or flesh-based, there is nothing to worry about with a Sundew's secretions, besides the fact that they leave everything around them sticky. Since their fingers end with dollops of this stuff, they can't help but it get all over everything they touch. That is, of course, if they choose to actually use their hands.

The other notable feature of the Sundew Dryad is their foliage (or hair, to our meat-based readers). Rather than coming in the shape of simple vines, leaves or petals, their foliage has grown to a ludicrous degree. Not only does it grow longer than their bodies, but these tendrils are actually dexterous! Like the tentacle of an octopus, the Sundew can control these growths with incredible coordination and precision. Over time and training, they can use their tendrils just as easily as one would use their hands! These extra appendages, though, do not end in fingers but flexible paddles. They too are coated in drops of their sticky secretions, which help them grip objects and snare prey. In some cases, they may hide up in trees and drop their foliage down to grab prey that is passing down below! How crazy! Imagine using your hair to catch dinner! Wild! I have also heard they make for great multitaskers too! It does sound like a cool ability, but such gifts are not always blessings. Their control over their foliage takes time and practice, meaning that they do not emerge with perfect coordination and mastery. According to my sources, having this long mane can be problematic for saplings who are still trying to figure out the uses of their arms and legs. They can easily get their tendrils tangled up or they may even trip on them when playing. I also imagine these long strands are perfect targets for bullies to grab and pull. Even when they begin to practice with them, they can be unwieldy and unresponsive. There is no telling how many vases or table settings have perished to a Sundew's tendril whipping about with reckless abandon. Even adult Sundews run into this problem from time to time, as having six extra long limbs can make management difficult. To help mitigate this, Sundews often come up with a more compact "hairstyle," where they coil or wind their tendrils up to make them more manageable. Many mothers will wrap the foliage of their saplings so that it is not such a hazard for them, at least until they learn to control it better.

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

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If ya'll thought I was done making dryads, then you thought wrong! In this case, though, credit for the idea goes to Lediblock2 , who thought that a sundew would be a perfect hybrid between a marsh and ivy dryad!