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Duskthorn Dryad

Medium · Fey · CR 3 · Chaotic Neutral

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

17 (natural armor)

77 (14d8 + 14)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Fey

Alignment Chaotic Neutral

XP 700

Initiative Bonus +5

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 15 ft (4.6 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 14

Saving Throws

Constitution +3 Wisdom +4

Skills

Deception +9 Nature +6 Perception +4 Persuasion +9 Stealth +7

Languages

Common, Elvish, Sylvan, Umbral

Traits

Magic Resistance

The dryad has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Speak with Beasts and Plants

The dryad can communicate with beasts and plants as if they shared a language.

Tree Stride

Once on her turn, the dryad can use 10 feet of her movement to step magically into one dead tree within her reach and emerge from a second dead tree within 60 feet of the first tree, appearing in an unoccupied space within 5 feet of the second tree. Both trees must be Large or bigger.

Actions

Children of the Forest

1/day

The dryad magically calls 1d4 boars, constrictor snakes, or wolves, or it calls 1 child of the briar. The called creatures arrive in 1d4 rounds, acting as allies of the dryad and obeying her spoken commands. The creatures remain for 1 hour, until the dryad dies, or until the dryad dismisses them as a bonus action.

Multiattack

The duskthorn dryad makes two Thorned Slam or Thorn attacks.

Spellcasting

The dryad casts one of the following spells, requiring no material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 17):

At Will: druidcraft
3/Day Each: charm person, entangle, invisibility
1/Day Each: barkskin, spike growth, suggestion

Thorn

+7 to hit, range 80/320 ft (24.4/97.5 m). Hit: 2d4+5 piercing damage.

Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range 80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d4 + 5) piercing damage.

Thorned Slam

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+5 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) piercing damage.

About Duskthorn Dryad

Duskthorn Dryad is a medium fey with a Challenge Rating of 3. It has a chaotic neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 77 hit points (derived from 14d8 + 14).

Duskthorn Dryad has communication capabilities including Common, Elvish, Sylvan, Umbral. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Duskthorn Dryad

2 tips available

When using Duskthorn Dryad in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Mid-level Encounter: Ideal for parties levels 3-8 as solo or small groups
Terrain Advantage: Use terrain to offset moderate combat abilities

Player Guide: Facing Duskthorn Dryad

2 strategies available

When your party encounters this creature, keep these strategies in mind:

Moderate Threat: Prepare standard combat tactics
Tactical Advantage: Use terrain and positioning

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 3.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 5 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 1,200 XP
Hard: 1,800 XP
Deadly: 2,400 XP

Based on D&D 5e Dungeon Master's Guide encounter building guidelines. CR roughly equals party level for medium encounters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the challenge rating of Duskthorn Dryad?: Duskthorn Dryad has a Challenge Rating of 3, making it appropriate for parties of level 3.0.
What type of creature is Duskthorn Dryad?: Duskthorn Dryad is a Medium Fey, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Duskthorn Dryad speak?: Duskthorn Dryad can communicate in Common, Elvish, Sylvan, Umbral.