Wrote this up to help me with writing Dancer. The seven noble trees of Dryad families.
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Many people that read my Dancer story question me about Dryads. Most people think that they are only females called nymphs or tree sprites. I did some research and found both male and female Dryads. I also found more info than I wanted to use in the story.
In Dancer there are many families of Dryads and to help myself with creating their culture, I wrote up the following about their most noblest family trees. The following does use what I have found, with some of my own views and imagination. This is my set guideline for my story.
They are the noble protectors of the Empress. They are of strong wood and do not sleep in winter. The fairies are known to shelter with them in winter. Their magic is the most natural in being protective from evil spirits, weather and poisons. Most Dryads carry a piece of holly wood with them during travels for good luck.
They are the protectors of homes. Their strength allows them to do more than defend from attackers. Many have the gift of prophecy. The greatest mages use oak for their staffs and wands. Carrying a small piece of oak gives one a sense of security and well being as well as to help protect from harm. Many Dryads soak their feet in an infusion of oak bark and leaves before a journey to help guide them and ensure a safe return.
The warrior tree. They stand in the front line of battle. He is the king of waters and the willow is his queen. Many hide the doorways to fairy realms within. Many Dryads mix the sap from the alder with the madder plant to produce red dyes. They use them to color ribbons, cords and sashes used in magic and rituals.
They are the Lady of the Woods a keeper of youthful grace eternal. Her branches speak of innocence, beauty and hope and is a healer and restorer of health. Many Dryads use the birch in many medicinal potions and use the wood to protect the innocent from evil spirits.
The honored tree of poets. They are both useful as both shield and weapon for they are granters of wisdom. The Dryads use them for funeral pyres of their most honored and the royal family. Dryads seeking wisdom and knowledge soak hazel nuts in water and then drink it to gain enlightenment. The poets wand made of hazel wood is used in connection with mercurial energy from which poetic and magical inspiration is gained and given and also be used to devine suitable places in which to work magick.
She is sacred to poets in love. She governs the madness in the heart and give inspiration and dreams to those whom she favors. Poets believe that listening to the breeze through the willow branches will help inspire them. Dryad nymphs line their beds with willow branches to increase fertility.
The first Dryad nymph is believed to have come from this tree. Wands made from rowan are used to increase the powers of the mind. The bark and berries are often used in making luck and success charms.
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