Nymph Ecology

by Fortuan

Search GM Binder Visit User Profile

Nymph Ecology

I once met a lass in a clearing, a beauty unparalleled and smile endearing. Yet when I approached she shunned me, she turned and she stung me. So when I pleaded oh dear lady why?, She laughed oh you poor creature do cry. She then told me every physical flaw, every nick every bruise and left me raw. So turned and stomped away Harimph, that my friend is why we don't talk to a Nymph! - Bardic song the "The Rude Forest Lass"

Introduction

Nymphs are not common in our world. In my journey to describe their relationship with others, especially Dryads, I have discovered a great many tales but rarely specifics. While most, if not all, agree they are beauty unmatched, their manners wouldn't suggest as such. Nymphs are a unique and very fascinating type of Fey that have their own ideas on how to act and behave that shares no similarities to any creature that I have come to know.

Nymph Physiology

Origins

Nymphs are ancient creatures. Records show that they have appeared since the first ages. Not just in the Feywild but also the Prime Material Plane. Accounts of them are rather sparse, Nymphs, are not known to any company for long. Despite the lack of detail, several records, with credible sources, can easily be found.

From what I can gather, there are no originating species that they come from. Nymphs biologically are a base species. Living unchanged for millennia as far I can tell.

Physical Attributes

How a Nymph appears is just that, how it appears. Only with the use of a spell of True Sight can one see them for the ghostly spirit they truly are. Unlike a shapeshifter, such as a doppelganger, there isn't much of a true form. Instead, there is an indication that a spirit of nature is present.

There are similarities to how they look when gazed upon. First and foremost, they are a fusion of nature, flowers, plant-life, pollen, and even wood in the form most pleasing to the onlooker. This plant life is always made of the life present in the area they call home.

To each person, a Nymph will look different based upon their idea of perfect beauty. For example, a male orc may find the stoutest and strong female orc made of brush they'll ever lay eyes upon. For me, I only saw haunting memories.

How a Nymph is Formed

Nature itself is seen not as a concept, as most would define it, to druids and other nature inclined beings it a tangible thing. No matter how familiar we can be, its mysteries will still surprise the oldest Druids.

Nymphs are a truly fascinating phenomenon that challenges our conventional thinking of nature. While yes, they are a true living entity, their formation, and existence stretches the definitions. Locations of natural beauty will produce a Nymph. This is a manifestation of the location's beauty personified. How, to what degree, and when that level of beauty is achieved is decided, and by whom, I have no answers. Once formed a Nymph will protect, groom, and frolic in their home.

Creatures of Beauty

Nymphs have a narrow scope as to what they care for. Everything about a Nymph is about beauty. When not constantly grooming and bathing themselves, they are doing the same to their home. Even the animals that live in or frequent their area are well-groomed and kempt.

To creatures and plants, this can come off as either kind or extremely rude. If a Nymph doesn't want to take the time or feels the effort is too laborsome, they will eject something not up to their standards of beauty. While this behavior seems odd, their existence could depend on it.

Blinding Beauty

The beauty of a Nymph isn't simply an aesthetically pleasing attribute. They also possess supernatural properties tied to their beauty. If a Nymph feels threatened or hostile to a creature, they can harm those who look upon them. This is not too different from that of a curse and can be resisted. Those who take the full effect of their power can instantaneously perish. Even if resisted creatures are blinded anywhere between a few hours to the rest of their lives. There are cases of this ability unable to affect some beings, but these cases are rare. This is why those in the Feywild who know Nymphs know not to gave upon them directly.

Amphibious Nature

Nymphs are often near bodies of water, although not always. They don't require air to breathe, as they are a nature spirit, they can be on either land or in water. Drowning creatures sometimes are saved by a Nymph who can give air to the creature in need. Their speech can be heard underwater as well, with little to no distortion.

Nature Magic

Nymphs possess some abilities of natural magic. The most predominate of these abilities is that of healing. Locals may have legends of the beautiful maidens of the forest who heal wounded soldiers. No doubt, these tales come from a male perspective, but they do hold some truth. Most often, they will use these to help with their routine of maintaining beauty in plants and animals.

Other abilities they possess are the ability to call vines to bind a foe and detect magic around them. Some can produce Good Berries like a Druid, but this is less common.

Diet

Nymphs being physical beings need energy like any other living creature. How they obtain that energy is mostly through photosynthesis and water. However, this may not be enough, especially when under great duress. When they need more energy, Nymphs will often eat fruits or vegetables. This doesn't make them against the idea of meat. Only when neccissary, as eating meat is seen as ugly.

Nymphs do snack on many nuts and seeds. They seem to be particularly useful in feeding magical energies, especially when they end up using them frequently. Often a seed or nut is used as a component to their many healing spells.

Habitat and Home

Nymphs are creatures at home in any environment. They fear no heat or cold, as long as it is a place of nature, they are safe. For the most part, Nymphs will stay close to where they were formed. However, they also like to explore and discover. When things are in order and should be quiet for some time, they like to take the opportunity to vacation.

Nymphs have no quick means of travel, such as tree walking Dryads. Instead, they either ride upon a trusted friend such as a stag or simply walk. These expeditions are usually brief, though, only a few weeks at most.

Their home is mostly a small nook or organized bed of foliage in the beautiful landmark of nature they live in. This area is respected by the resident animals. So much so, that if an unwitting visitor would go near a Nymph's bed, the nearby animals may warn the intruder.

Life Cycle

Like Drayd's, Nymphs are inexorably tied to the nature they love. Their life force is purely dependent on the area of beauty in which they protect. If a Nymph's body is slain, it will soon reappear in the same place it was born. Thus to truly harm the Nymph, you must make the place ugly. Only then can the Nymph truly be banished.

This is a rare thing as they are elusive and normally live far away from most things that would willingly bring harm to their homes. Of course, they will also do everything in their power to keep any harm coming to their homes and even those who share it. Nymphs also make friends with powerful allies at times, and thus even finding their home is a great task.

Intelligence, Social Behavior, and Psychology

Intelligence

Nymphs are sentient and intelligent beings. However, they are not very learned about things outside of their immediate homes or understanding. Thus while they can be useful to garner local information, general insights to the world at large are out of their scope. They are curious beings and will ask many questions if their curiosity is piqued.

Communication

Sylvan is the only language most Nymphs know. Even if they come to understand another language, they are not often willing to communicate or even speak another language. Despite knowing only Sylvan, they can speak clearly and easily with plants and animals in their domains. This is more of a learned language of mutual understanding.

When outsiders can communicate with a Nymph, it is hard to steer the conversation, especially if haste is required. Nymphs like to take their time speaking. Their way of speaking also involves many more adjectives than conventional speaking. For instance, I may say a lazy red fox, a Nymph, may describe it in much finer detail.

Nymph to Nymph Interaction

Nymphs are very solitary creatures. They don't require anything socially and are happy to tend to their affairs. However, Nymphs may know of another Nymph. These relationships are normally that of a distant friendship. Most likely, one had met the other, on a trip, rarely do they seek out one another in need. Nymphs connect easily to their goals of beauty. Discussing not just how beautiful each other are at times, but also the world around them can be exhilarating.

Interactions with Other Creatures

Relationship with Dryads

Nymphs and Dryads have an interesting relationship. Most often, Dryads are in charge of and protect much larger areas than that of a Nymph. When individuals do know each, other it's usually because a Nymph lives within the area a Dryad protects. Nymphs adore and shower Dryads with compliments as most Drayds are considered beautiful. However, the Dryad can see the Nymph as narrow-minded and flippant. Nymphs will discuss the looks of something, with great detail and expertise, while the Dryad impatiently waits to get to the point.

Inhabitants of the forest

Nymphs can come off as abrasive even to the animals around them. Their almost pure focus on looks can annoy animals more concerned about survival. Many rabbits avoid Nymphs as looking good is nothing compared to the hawks circling above. Deer though may enjoy the attention at times. Doe who visit a nymph, often have braids of daisies in their fur and well-groomed coats.

All of these really depends on the animal's and plant's personalities and if they align with the individual Nymph's. Some Nymphs are very polite about their opinions while others are very brash and upfront.

Humanoids

Nymphs, in general, are not very fond of humanoids. The many imperfections and variations that give humanoids identity can be seen as ugliness to a Nymph. Thus most humanoids who are not immediately cast out of Nymph's domain with a sneer or derisive snort are met with a litany of suggested improvements. It's not uncommon for elves sometimes considered very fare, to be heavily critiqued.

While no humanoid is perfect, those who are close or considerably attractive can grab a Nymph's attention. This attention simply means that the list of improvements will come with compliments and a willingness to listen. Well, listen to an extent. Nymphs are often considered extremely vain.

Battle Tactics

Nymphs are not quick to anger, nor are they fond of fighting. When they dismiss a creature they will usually simply dissipate, not wishing to interact further. This avoidance usually works, if there's nothing to fight, then there is no fight. However, if something starts to directly assault their home, they may intervene. Their first line of defense is their glaring beauty. If they so wish it, they can inflict harm on anything gazing upon them. This is extremely effective but also can harm those not involved. If there are innocents in the area, the Nymph will warn them first. If this doesn't work, they may resort to violence, but only in rare cases.

When they do get aggressive, it's mostly for show and to scare something off. They can produce a magically enhanced club to fend off attackers with heavy blows. This club is swung with a clumsy accuracy but can do serious damage to a creature if they don't defend themselves properly. The Nymph will also call for help from the forest, the trees, plants, and animals can rise against an attacker.

Variations

Nymphs are a rare creature already, but some variations do exist. Here are the known kinds of Nymphs.

Ever Present Nymphs

The most common kind of Nymph is one that is around at all times. They guard their homes at all times. They live in remote areas where nature is untouched and allowed to flourish. These Nymphs can be found on any land or in any waters where the beauty of nature can be found.

Seasonal Nymphs

Some areas of nature are particularly beautiful, depending on their season. Whether it is the glory of the rains finally come to a desert, The Autumn leaves enhancing the hills of a forest, or slightly warmer areas of a glacier these rare Nymphs can be found frolicking. Their time away is unnoticed, and they only seem to have consciousness during their season. They must lay dormant in some way offseason.

Grave Nymphs

Nature has a way of revering those who upheld and bettered the balance. One of those ways is that the grave of a particularly loved or effective champion of its cause can become an ever-present place of beauty. Some high ranking druids who loved their craft with all of their hearts may find where they finally rest to be under the ever caring and grooming watch of a Nymph. These Nymphs also are the keeper of the champion's story for all of time.

Lost Nymphs

Lost Nymphs are the rarest individuals known. How this occurs is not yet quite understood, but when a Nymph loses its home in a disaster it can hold on. These Nymphs are not dangerous but instead very weakened and can reflect the ugliness of what their home as become. Most often after a time of shock, they are compelled to bring their home back to its former glory.

DM's Notes

Nymphs are an interesting creature to encounter. While they aren't built for a fight, roleplaying opportunities are where they excel. Maybe the Nymph needs help with a particularly ugly band of orcs hurting the forest? Maybe a party can be intrigued by the beautiful ghost of the lake? There are many ways to add a Nymph into your world.

Thanks for Reading

This is my 55th article

If you like this and would like to read more click below:

Fortuan's Ecologies

 

This document was lovingly created using GM Binder.


If you would like to support the GM Binder developers, consider joining our Patreon community.