Leidrie

The most expansive and colonial of the Dryads, the Leidrie have come far from their harsh origins of suffering within the wasteland deserts. Known for their love of cacti and pursuing academics, Leidrie are abundant, after all it is hard to cross a desert without finding a colony.

Anatomy and Appearance
Leidrie are tall in height, averaging around 6’3” in height. They have soft, muted brown skin, with slimy green hair resembling Aloe Vera leaves drooping from their hair. Some Leidrie grow hair in different colours such as blue or red, though this is typically a rare occurrence. Leidrie skin is born very soft, and hardens over time.

A Leidrie’s reproductive tendrils are usually located between their wrists and the palms of their hands, allowing easy access for Leidrie to seed, which was required for higher rate of reproduction. These tendrils are quite small, often being mistaken for spots on a Leidrie’s skin, and are plentiful in number.

To combat the scorching heat of the desert, Leidrie have patches of leaves and flowers growing on their skin, as a way to absorb sunlight. Leidrie also have a blood-like compound of water and other nutrients running through a system of veins, which is vital for keeping the body healthy. Should these veins be exposed, the Leidrie will slowly bleed out and die, much like other organisms with blood.

Reproduction and Children
Leidrie seeds are kept inside special incubation buildings, cooled with crude sprinklers and rudimentary air ventilation. Leidrie Sprouts are born particularly small and nimble, and little hordes of them can be found bumbling around their caretakers. Ledrie mature quite quickly, growing to adolescence in a matter of months. After they have grown old enough, Sprouts are sent to live with their families.

Diet
Anyone familiar with even the basics of Leidrie and their culture will be aware that cacti is their preferred food. Leidrie food tends to look for high water contents, which can be broken down and turned into nutrients. With the added ability of MRO (Magically Reformed Organism) rituals that can alter the genetics of food sources, Leidrie tend to experiment with their food, leading to a multitude of plant-based delicacies.

While they can digest meat, eating too much can leave a Leidrie quite sick, as their bodies aren’t used to the high levels of protein and saturated fats.

Behaviour and Culture
In the early history of the Leidrie, survival was incredibly difficult. The desert was not a forgiving place, and thousands of Leidrie gave their lives before even the foundations of their society was built. One notable tradition that had stemmed from these early days are the Leidrie’s idea of polygamy. In order to survive and continue their family bloodlines, the early Leidrie had Seeded as many Sprouts as possible in the hope that some would survive. While in the modern day, this is no longer necessary, many Leidrie have several partners of whom they hold dear.

Leidrie are a very friendly race, and are quite hospitable to guests, and trade often between colonies and even with other races. Their spoken language is the most developed, though as a result, they don’t often talk through touch. Leidrie often settle around an oasis, creating a cacti farm, then build cities outward from this centre. For whatever reason, Leidrie seems to have a particular dislike towards Dyrii, despite Dyrii being the ancestral origin of the Leidrie.

Academic’s and the Arts are a common passion for the Leidrie. As such, they have one of best medical facilities and practices out of the Dryads, and better education especially regarding biology. Their music is typically considered the most advanced, with some famous composers having pieces that use ensembles similar to a human orchestra.

The Leidrie have a concept of a ‘soulmate’ which they consider to be above normal love. Their word for this is ‘Noctual’, and the ceremony between a pair of Noctuals is an intricate process of rituals. At the end of this bonding, a series of vows are made between the two partners, and by Leidrie law must never be broken. The punishment for doing so is described to be a fate worse than death.

Notable Historical/Mythical Leidrie
Lufgan Lichenster Von Daerk: The most well known composer of Dryad music, Lufgan is famous for experimenting with the music of other Dryads, and when he was alive, his music was sought out by many Dryad musicians. Legends say that his original manuscripts are hidden in the sand, in a tomb where he was buried.

Lord Jacques Marques Allar: Considered a visionary by some, and a monster by many. Despite his heinous crimes against other Dryad sub-species and the environment, most recognise his push for the early colonisation of deserts were what allowed Leidrie to flourish into what they are today.

Erisk Hacht Numerbar: A prominent explorer, allegedly trekking across the desert for 8 weeks without food or water, some claiming he was a sorcerer using magic alone to keep him alive. It should be known that some of the spots he was known to have stopped at are all devoid of life, and any remaining plant life appear to be trapped in a state of constant decay, yet never falling apart.