Monster Manual V

and they are forced to scramble for shelter, warmth, andfood. Thralls must also survive the tasks their dryadsset for them, including defending the dryad fromthreats, delivering messages to otherdryads in the area, and searching throughthe forest for shiny stones, weatheredwood, and other items that strike thedryad’s fancy.If a humanoid survives this treatmentfor a year and a day (andassuming the dryad does not simplygrow bored and dismiss him), heawakens to find himself rootedto the ground. His transformationinto a plant creaturetakes place over the course ofthat day. The creature’s hair fallsout, and his skin takes on thetexture of bark. The thrall’sdryad mistress might attemptto comfort him duringthis distressing andpainful process. Attemptingto cut ortear the creaturefrom the groundkills it instantly, buta remove disease or removecurse spell freesthe thrall from the transformationprocess.If not freed before sundown,the thrall becomes a verdant reaver, forgettingnearly all its past life and possessing undying loyalty tothe dryad who created it.Evil and neutral dryads delight in creating verdant reaverservants, seeking out those hapless souls who pass tooclose to their domains. Good dryads rarely make verdantreavers intentionally, sometimes discovering the processonly after a romantic attraction to a humanoid turns todark possessiveness. Thereafter, a good dryad creates averdant reaver only if she believes a thrall is worthy ofthe punishment.Freeing a thrall from a dryad can be a simple matterof dispelling the charm effect that binds it, but suchcreatures can also be easily freed while they sleep. Adryad’s charm person spell-like ability normally lasts 6hours and can be used three times per day. This leaves a6-hour period during which the thrall is free of the dryad’scharm. Dryads typically use suggestion to order the thrallto sleep and take shelter until morning, whereupon thedryad can renew her charm. If approached and awakenedduring this period, a thrall might be easily convinced toescape its servitude.Verdant reaverEnvironment: Verdant reavers live primarily in thetemperate forests where dryads are found. However, thosethat have broken with or been dismissed by theirdryad mistresses wander far afield in search ofanother mistress to obey and protect.If properly commanded and treatedwell, a verdant reaver might follow a newmistress even out of its normal forestenvironment. Rumors sometimes tellof these creatures living entirely undergroundas the servants of strangedruid sects.Typical Physical Characteristics:Weighing 600 to 1,000pounds, verdant reavers resembleanimated fallen logs or driftwoodmore than living plants.They stand 12 to 15 feet tall,but their hunched posturemakes them appear slightlyshorter.Alignment: Verdantreavers are creatures of rawnature, so they have nomoral connection to theirformer lives or even thedryads who createdthem. They are almostalways neutral.SOCIETYOnce its transformation is complete,a verdant reaver loses almost allconnection to the being it once was. As creatures devotedto the individual dryads who created them, verdant reavershave no society of their own. However, they all share commontraits. Verdant reavers must serve a mistress—a femalecreature (or one that appears to be female) willing to give theverdant reaver orders. In the absence of its creator dryad, averdant reaver seeks out another mistress.Verdant reavers in search of a new mistress seek outnymphs, sprites, and forest-dwelling humanoids who commonlyspeak Sylvan, such as druids and elves. If it goeswithout a mistress for a year and a day, a verdant reaver dies.In the service of the fey or other creatures that protect nature,these creatures can live indefinitely.TYPICAL TREASUREVerdant reavers have little use for treasure, but they arecompelled to collect valuables. They give this wealth to theirmistresses as tribute. A verdant reaver without a mistress carriesits treasure in the hollows of its barklike skin. Verdantreavers have half standard treasure for their Challenge Rating,mostly in gems and magic items.Illus. by M. CoimbraVERDANTREAVER197