The Dryad is an enemy in the Castlevania series. They are evil tree spirits.
Origins
A dryad is a tree nymph, or tree spirit, in Greek mythology. In Greek drys signifies "oak"; thus, dryads are specifically the nymphs of oak trees, though the term has come to be used for all tree nymphs in general.
They were normally considered to be very shy creatures, except around the goddess Artemis, who was known to be a friend to most nymphs.
Description
Dryads are evil tree nymphs, or female tree spirits. The first dryads in the Castlevania series protruded suddenly from the trunk of a tree like a human-shaped branch. The Dryad tree in Castlevania: Circle of the Moon emitted seeds that slowly moved toward the player. The dryad formed the shape of a woman from the upper trunk of the tree in Aria of Sorrow.
Appearances
Haunted Castle
First appearance of Dryads in the series. Only two are found in the entire game, both in the Graveyard after exiting the burning section. Due to their unconventional way of making their presence and attack, they may take the player by surprise. Even then, however, they are easily avoidable and will be put down in just a few whip strikes.
Super Castlevania IV
After a long absence, Dryads return once more in Super Castlevania IV. Once again, only two appear in the entire game, at the beginning of the Sorcery Tower, and they protrude from solid walls instead of trees. Their shapes are more akin to that of a feminine body this time around.
Castlevania Chronicles
Dryads are the very first enemies encountered in the Courtyard and appear all throughout the first section of the level. They retain their usual means of attack by protruding from dead trees in an attempt to surprise the player.
Circle of the Moon
Dryads in Circle of the Moon deviate from their usual portrayal and instead appear as monstrous tree trunks which, along with their branches, give them a humanoid appearance that boasts a face contorting in pain.
They are only encountered in a long tunnel of the Underground Warehouse which leads back to the Catacomb. They are mobile this time around, although they move very slowly and resort in spewing giant spores that travel across the ground to inflict Plant damage. While not particularly difficult to avoid, they can become a nuisance should the player let them populate the screen.
Aria of Sorrow
A most faithful depiction of the mythological nymph, the Dryad in Aria of Sorrow appears as a female torso protruding from a dead tree trunk, with its long branches making the role of hands. They are found in the Underground Reservoir guarding the secret path to the Forbidden Area.
Unlike their Circle of the Moon counterparts, they remain stationary this time around and only resort on hurling three persimmons which they grow themselves at Soma. If one of these manages to connect, it will stick to him for a short time and deal small but constant damage until it disappears. This attack is the only one in the entire game which does not cancel Soma's bat transformation.
Gaining dominance over their soul grants Soma the Drain Seed ability, which allows him to hurl the same kind of fruits at enemies to deal damage and transfer their HP to himself.
Enemy Data
Enemy Data: Dryad | |||||
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Image | Name - Game Description |
Statistics | Items | Location | Notes |
' | HP: 6 Exp: 200 Atk: 1 |
1. Graveyard |
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' | HP: 0 Exp: 100 Atk: 2 |
4. The Trick Manor |
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' | HP: 12 Exp: 300 |
3. Courtyard |
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' | Strong: Plants HP: 120 Exp: 300 Atk: 300 Def: 360 |
Common Drop: Heart High (1%) Rare Drop: Heart Mega (0.2%) |
Underground Warehouse |
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An evil tree spirit. | Weak: Flame HP: 350 MP: 212 Exp: 200 Atk: 45 Def: 38 |
Common Drop: Mystletain Rare Drop: Persimmon Soul: Drain Seed |
Underground Reservoir, Forbidden Area |
Item Data
Item Data: Dryad | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Image | Name - Game Type - Users Description |
Attributes / Consume | Statistics / Sell | Found | Notes | |||
Sword carved from a sacred tree | Attrib: Sword, Holy |
ATK +36 Sell: $4,000 |
Find: Clock Tower (hidden) Common Drop: Dryad |
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A bitter fruit. | HP +80 Sell: $500 |
Rare Drop: Dryad |
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Grows stronger by stealing HP from its enemies. | Consume: 33 MP |
59 ATK |
Rarity: 50 Drop: Dryad |