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Dryads are female tree spirits in Greek mythology. In Greek drys signifies 'oak,' from an Indo-European root 'tree' or 'wood.' Thus dryads are specifically the nymphs of oak trees, though the term has come to be used for all tree nymphs in general. "Such deities are very much overshadowed by the divine figures defined through poetry and cult," Walter Burkert remarked of Greek nature deities (Burkert 1986, p174).
The nymphs of ash trees were called the Meliai. The ash-tree sisters tended the infant Zeus in Rhea's Cretan cave. Rhea gave birth to the Meliai after being made fertile by the blood of castrated Ouranos.
Dryads, like all nymphs, were supernaturally long-lived and tied to their homes, but some were a step beyond most nymphs. These were the hamadryads who were an integral part of their trees, such that if the tree died, the hamadryad associated with it died as well. For these reasons, dryads and the Greek gods punished any mortals who harmed trees without first the tree-nymphs.
See also the myth of Daphne, who was pursued by Apollo and became a dryad associated with the laurel.
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Video Games
Dryads are featured in the World of Warcraft game, seen mostly on the continent of Kalimdor as allies of the Alliance and Night Elves. They appear to be half deer, half elf. *
Dryads are featured in Warcraft III as part of the Night Elf race.
Dryads are also featured in Dungeon Siege II as a selectable character race. They are a part of the story and live in tree-towns. They look like humans except their greenish skin colour.
A dryad appears in Runescape as a woman with what seem to be twigs growing out of her.
Dryads are common enemies in located in the caves beneath the castle.
Dryads are special units in Age of Mythology (the Titans) as strong walking trees.
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