Canonicity: To Be Decided.

Many adventurers and explorers who have travelled the more remote regions of the New World give accounts describing beings that resemble the Dryads of Greco-Roman mythology. When collecting and comparing such accounts however, one will find that the ‘Dryads’ encountered are often very different from another.
This has lead to the now widely accepted theory that those beings are to be subdivided into two categories, namely Plant Folk and Forest Nymphs.

Plant Folk
Plant Folk encompass a range of humanoids with plant features. Individuals of this category are commonly identified with one type of plant they resemble, i.e. stories may tell of ‘Birch Dryads’ or ‘Tobacco Dryads’. Hardly anything is known about their biology, for example how they reproduce and if they eat like other sentient species.
Since most of their subtypes seem to be rather physically weak, they are often used as slaves or cash crops. One of the reasons why we know so little about them might be that free populations choose to not engage with outsiders because they fear enslavement.

Forest Nymphs
Forest Nymphs are an even rarer sight. While there are a few solitary ones, they mostly live in larger families, secluded in remote forested areas. Unlike Plant Folk they have a more human-like appearance, usually they are described as beautiful women with a light green skin tone, visibly different to Orcs or Goblins.
Another thing that sets them apart from Plant Fold is their aptitude for magic. Forest Nymphs are able to transform into animals, they posses strong regenerative abilities and can manipulate the growth of plants around them, and with more preparation time this ability extends to the manipulation of organic matter in general.The ones who live in secluded forests will use their magic to defend their territory against uninvited guests.

One unique need of the Forest Nymphs is their reliance on another lifeform to bond with. They are usually bonded to trees, although some accounts suggest that other options, such as bonding to a human may be possible.