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Description
It never fails, the desire to take what isn't ours. The want for power that we should not have. No matter how cruel the weapon, how steeped in savagery the power is, there will be those envious of its strength. Warriors will fight to claim the blade upon their throats, tearing at each other so that they are the first to hold the power that dooms all. It is a desire found in all races, in all classes. In the realms of magic, so much is gained by taking from others. By stealing a strength from things beyond or harnessing an energy that one cannot hope to contain. They see the devastation it can bring, the destiny it promises, and they lust for it. And every time, it is the same. "I can contain it, I can control it." They clutch the reigns of the maddened beast, claiming that all will be well. They can tame it, they can control it. In some cases, they will be correct, and they will rule unrivaled. In many cases, though, they will fail. Their hands will slip, the collar shall break, and the beast will be set free. And every time it breaks loose, the first it devours is those who dared imprison it. This is the fate of those who seek such dark powers. This is the struggle that all Vinoro must face.

During normal day-to-day life, the untrained may not realize when they encounter a Vinoro. They look like normal dryads, and the few bits of plant life clinging to their bodies is rather common for these plant folk. They are often dressed leisurely, wearing loose-fitting garments (or perhaps none at all) and often are carrying food with them. With a slow, easygoing pace, many would see them as laid back folk on their way to a picnic. If they are called upon, however, this image is quick to change. When violence comes to their homes, they transform in the blink of an eye. Their coverings tear away as roots burst from their flesh. Thorns erupt from their skin as choking vines wrap in thick coils around their bodies. Limbs grow into deadly claws, and spiny tendrils slither out from every direction. The calm dryad is suddenly gone, replaced by a gnarled monstrosity of root and thorn.

This transformed appearance of Vinoro is what has given them their second name: The Rootbound. Their bodies appear to generate an absurd amount of woody vines and roots that obey their commands like loyal serpents. They often wrap themselves in layers of these roots, creating living armor that can respond to attacks and heal from damage. The vines can grow nasty thorns and merge into grotesque limbs covered in spines and cruel hooks. Foes who get near them shall be shredded in a violent frenzy, but those who fight from afar are not safe either. Wooden tendrils shall lash out to snare and tangle, thorned vines will burst forth like living spears. Limbs elongated and stretch, surging across the field to seize their prey and crush them in their grip. Loping like beasts upon these chaotic limbs, they will chase down enemies and barrel through their defenses. When released upon the battlefield, their ferocity and strength is unmatched. While these fighters can turn the tide of battle for dryad kind, they are a force that brings terror to their own hearts. For the savagery that is seen within the Rootbound is one that they know all too well.

Though the rapid growth of these vines and roots is fueled by magic and the internal energy of the dryad user, there is one crucial component to this class. The twisted growths cannot come from nothing, there must be a source. This special ingredient can be easy to find, but many dryads dare not go near such a thing, let alone seek its help. What lies inside all Vinoro are the seeds of the Strangler, or at least a special breed of them. It is said that these unique seeds are a strain that has been tamed by dryad magic and works in a more mutualistic manner. Those who seek to become a Rootbound will ingest these seeds, and allow them to grow within their flesh. With meditation and practice, they can attune themselves to these growths and use them as an extension of their own bodies. The introduced plant will not grow out of control and consume them like a Strangler would, though death is not an impossibility during these induction rites. Things can go wrong, the body can reject the seeds or the strain may not be perfectly domesticated. Sickness may occur, as flesh and seed rage an internal war. Proper medicine and body soaks must be quickly administered, before the two factions rot them from the inside out. If all goes well, the seeds will grow and entwine themselves perfectly with the body. There they will wait to be summoned, bursting out when fueled with the energy and will of their dryad host. Though it can look like these vines tear through the skin when they violently emerge, many Vinoro have altered themselves to keep the damage to a minimum. Those with softer skin will have their roots exit through special pores that can stretch and widen as the growths come out. Those with a woody hide may already have special openings and holes made in their bark, using the roots to plug them up and disguise them. Sharing the same bark color, these roots will blend right in with their skin, all until they are called on and explode into serpentine tendrils. That is not to say, however, that this is a comfortable experience. Many rookies in this field will find these moments painful and distressing, not yet having the years of experience to understand and control these sensations. Those in the early stages of this field often will experience discomfort throughout their day and even have trouble sleeping at night. They claim they can feel the growths slithering through their bodies, moving against their organs and flesh. In time, they will be able to block out these feelings and become more attuned to it.

Once one masters the ability to summon and shape these roots, they will become a juggernaut on the battlefield. This magic is used purely for offensive purposes, as it creates a powerful, intimidating warrior. The battlefield is where they find their home, and they can be a master of it. This strength, however, is not without its costs. There are limits to what they can do, and the growths they create require a great deal of energy. The greatest weakness of the Rootbound is their need for fuel, as they require energy and nutrients to perform their magic. Every time they grow a root, every time they form their armor and weaponry, the plants need sustenance. This is leeched out from the bodies, and it can be a problem when the Vinoro starts running low on energy. So much is lost when they create these growths, meaning that reabsorbing them does not fully replenish their bodies. If there is not enough nutrients, and the Vinoro cannot supply more, their symbiotic plant will involuntarily suck them dry. Over committing to battles and going crazy with growths and attacks can burn through their energy supply, and it can quickly lead to death if one is not careful. Despite them being vessels for war, the most common cause of death for a Rootbound is starvation. It can be found in many tales and legends, where a Vinoro valiantly wins a battle or fends off the enemy horde, only to drop dead moments later as their bodies are drained completely. This is why the most important piece of equipment they carry with them is: food. Some may laugh at the idea of a warrior being strapped with snacks and treats, but it is vital that they have a convenient energy source on hand at all times. As they fight and grow, they will eat to help replenish their reserves or perhaps gorge themselves in preparation for one huge spell. Platoons and armies that have a Vinoro amongst their ranks will often have their medics carry food with them. When the battle is over, and the first responders rush out to tend to the wounded, there will be those who hurry out to the Rootbound warriors to shove sweets into their mouths.

The other alternative to this is pairing a Vinoro up with a Heliotek. These sun-based magic users utilize solar power to energize others and provide aid, which is perfect for a warrior that burns through fuel so quickly. In these cases, the Heliotek's one duty will be to keep the Vinoro fueled and alive, directing all their power to them as their partner unleashes havoc upon the battlefield. These pairings can be quite powerful, but it can be dangerous for the Heliotek. It is obvious that they are the ones fueling the thorny monstrosity, so every foe will be targeting them to cut off the food supply. The other issue with this pairing is that they can wind up becoming too attached to each other. Fighting besides each other for so long can create powerful bonds, which sounds like a good thing at first. If one of them perishes in battle though, the other is often close behind them, but that isn't that uncommon for any warrior couple in the field. The real issue is that most of the time, the pair wind up taking an early retirement. With Helioteks committing their lives to helping others, they often express concern over the health of their partner and the dangers their hungering magic pose. If the two grow close enough together, the Vinoro may be convinced by their partner to stop partaking in these hazardous arts and seek a less violent life. Romantic and wonderful as it is to see folk better themselves for the sake of others, many generals and war leaders who rely on such powerful warriors don't find it so charming.

Though the Vinoro can be powerful warriors and great assets on the battlefield, they are a class of magic users that many dryads fear. The obvious reason is that they are infested with Strangler seeds, which is a horror that many folk don't wish to be near. There are quite a few that are not convinced that this "special strain" is fully tamed, and are certain that it is insidious in nature. Surely these seeds are still parasitic and are controlling these infested dryads like puppets to spread their kind. This paranoia often leads to Vinoro not being allowed to be buried in certain sacred groves when they pass, as others fear that they will rise as Stranglers. Another reason why dryads are fearful of the Rootbound is because the hunger that comes from the seeds can turn some of these magic users feral. When tearing apart foes on the battlefield, a Vinoro requires sustenance to fight and survive. If they have no ready food source at hand, some may look to the bodies that lay at their roots. Though these are rare occurrences, Vinoro that have turned to eating fallen enemies, or even cannibalism, have forever tainted the image of this art. Some of these magic users have gone mad from such acts, and become hungering mindless beasts. They seek only to feed, becoming like an Aconstrum, who haunt the land in search of prey. This leads many to worry during every battle the Vinoro fight in, wondering if this is the moment they will snap and feast on the flesh of their allies. What doesn't help is that this magic class is used purely for battle, having little uses in more peaceful situations. A magic used only for violence is a frightening one, especially one that calls for such invasive techniques. In calmer times, one would imagine that the number of these magic users would go down, but it seems that their population remains strong. The reason for this is that dryads require strong warriors on hand in case things go wrong, or if outsiders bring violence to their doorsteps. These words, however, tend to come from more warmongering individuals. Accusations and rumors have flown around for some time that militaristic dryad communities lure in younger dryads and persuade them to take up this mantle. Once they have ingested the seeds, they will become brutal fighters that are easily controlled through their hunger and fear. Those seeking a better life can be wooed by the promises of support and glory, only to be trapped with a symbiote that requires sustenance only their leaders can provide. With the seeds being difficult to remove once they have been indoctrinated, many victims stay in these communities, as their training makes them fear the outside world and those in charge constantly provide the resources they need to stay alive.

The choice of becoming a Vinoro is not a permanent one, it is just a difficult one to walk back from. For those who wish to retire from this art, they must commit to weeks of medicine and body soaks. Special baths made of herbal brews and unique toxins must be taken weekly, while two doses of foul medicine must be drunk every day. All of this is to fully purge the body of these seeds, but it is a very uncomfortable experience. Those undergoing this process often feel weak and nauseous, as the symbiotic seeds are poisoned and killed. It is a miserable time, but one that must be seen through til the end in order for it to be effective. If they quit halfway through, then there is a chance some seeds survived and they will regrow back to their normal numbers in time. Only after weeks of treatment will they truly be a free, but it will be a grueling experience that can scare many away. With this intimidating treatment process and the fact that these medicines are not cheap, it can be difficult for some to commit to this retirement, especially those that are taken advantage of. In response, some groups have formed to help provide this treatment to any Vinoro that wish to retire, specifically setting their sights on those trapped by the war communities. Most of these helpers are banned from these villages, accused of spreading propaganda and attempting to weaken their security and safety. This means that these groups must work in secrecy and stealth, sneaking into these communities to try and help the indoctrinated. Those that can be convinced to accept this aid will have to be taken away in secret, as the leaders and most loyal will never allow a deserter. The hardest part, though, is reassuring those that have been seized by these warmongers and winning their trust. To them, the outside world is harsh and hateful, and leaving means certain misery and death. One must show them that there is kindness beyond those walls, and that family are those who hold each other in love and care, never through fear.


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More dryad magic! Woo! More plant monsters! Woo! More sad stuff! Woo?

Description
It never fails, the desire to take what isn't ours. The want for power that we should not have. No matter how cruel the weapon, how steeped in savagery the power is, there will be those envious of its strength. Warriors will fight to claim the blade upon their throats, tearing at each other so that they are the first to hold the power that dooms all. It is a desire found in all races, in all classes. In the realms of magic, so much is gained by taking from others. By stealing a strength from things beyond or harnessing an energy that one cannot hope to contain. They see the devastation it can bring, the destiny it promises, and they lust for it. And every time, it is the same. "I can contain it, I can control it." They clutch the reigns of the maddened beast, claiming that all will be well. They can tame it, they can control it. In some cases, they will be correct, and they will rule unrivaled. In many cases, though, they will fail. Their hands will slip, the collar shall break, and the beast will be set free. And every time it breaks loose, the first it devours is those who dared imprison it. This is the fate of those who seek such dark powers. This is the struggle that all Vinoro must face.

During normal day-to-day life, the untrained may not realize when they encounter a Vinoro. They look like normal dryads, and the few bits of plant life clinging to their bodies is rather common for these plant folk. They are often dressed leisurely, wearing loose-fitting garments (or perhaps none at all) and often are carrying food with them. With a slow, easygoing pace, many would see them as laid back folk on their way to a picnic. If they are called upon, however, this image is quick to change. When violence comes to their homes, they transform in the blink of an eye. Their coverings tear away as roots burst from their flesh. Thorns erupt from their skin as choking vines wrap in thick coils around their bodies. Limbs grow into deadly claws, and spiny tendrils slither out from every direction. The calm dryad is suddenly gone, replaced by a gnarled monstrosity of root and thorn.

This transformed appearance of Vinoro is what has given them their second name: The Rootbound. Their bodies appear to generate an absurd amount of woody vines and roots that obey their commands like loyal serpents. They often wrap themselves in layers of these roots, creating living armor that can respond to attacks and heal from damage. The vines can grow nasty thorns and merge into grotesque limbs covered in spines and cruel hooks. Foes who get near them shall be shredded in a violent frenzy, but those who fight from afar are not safe either. Wooden tendrils shall lash out to snare and tangle, thorned vines will burst forth like living spears. Limbs elongated and stretch, surging across the field to seize their prey and crush them in their grip. Loping like beasts upon these chaotic limbs, they will chase down enemies and barrel through their defenses. When released upon the battlefield, their ferocity and strength is unmatched. While these fighters can turn the tide of battle for dryad kind, they are a force that brings terror to their own hearts. For the savagery that is seen within the Rootbound is one that they know all too well.

Though the rapid growth of these vines and roots is fueled by magic and the internal energy of the dryad user, there is one crucial component to this class. The twisted growths cannot come from nothing, there must be a source. This special ingredient can be easy to find, but many dryads dare not go near such a thing, let alone seek its help. What lies inside all Vinoro are the seeds of the Strangler, or at least a special breed of them. It is said that these unique seeds are a strain that has been tamed by dryad magic and works in a more mutualistic manner. Those who seek to become a Rootbound will ingest these seeds, and allow them to grow within their flesh. With meditation and practice, they can attune themselves to these growths and use them as an extension of their own bodies. The introduced plant will not grow out of control and consume them like a Strangler would, though death is not an impossibility during these induction rites. Things can go wrong, the body can reject the seeds or the strain may not be perfectly domesticated. Sickness may occur, as flesh and seed rage an internal war. Proper medicine and body soaks must be quickly administered, before the two factions rot them from the inside out. If all goes well, the seeds will grow and entwine themselves perfectly with the body. There they will wait to be summoned, bursting out when fueled with the energy and will of their dryad host. Though it can look like these vines tear through the skin when they violently emerge, many Vinoro have altered themselves to keep the damage to a minimum. Those with softer skin will have their roots exit through special pores that can stretch and widen as the growths come out. Those with a woody hide may already have special openings and holes made in their bark, using the roots to plug them up and disguise them. Sharing the same bark color, these roots will blend right in with their skin, all until they are called on and explode into serpentine tendrils. That is not to say, however, that this is a comfortable experience. Many rookies in this field will find these moments painful and distressing, not yet having the years of experience to understand and control these sensations. Those in the early stages of this field often will experience discomfort throughout their day and even have trouble sleeping at night. They claim they can feel the growths slithering through their bodies, moving against their organs and flesh. In time, they will be able to block out these feelings and become more attuned to it.

Once one masters the ability to summon and shape these roots, they will become a juggernaut on the battlefield. This magic is used purely for offensive purposes, as it creates a powerful, intimidating warrior. The battlefield is where they find their home, and they can be a master of it. This strength, however, is not without its costs. There are limits to what they can do, and the growths they create require a great deal of energy. The greatest weakness of the Rootbound is their need for fuel, as they require energy and nutrients to perform their magic. Every time they grow a root, every time they form their armor and weaponry, the plants need sustenance. This is leeched out from the bodies, and it can be a problem when the Vinoro starts running low on energy. So much is lost when they create these growths, meaning that reabsorbing them does not fully replenish their bodies. If there is not enough nutrients, and the Vinoro cannot supply more, their symbiotic plant will involuntarily suck them dry. Over committing to battles and going crazy with growths and attacks can burn through their energy supply, and it can quickly lead to death if one is not careful. Despite them being vessels for war, the most common cause of death for a Rootbound is starvation. It can be found in many tales and legends, where a Vinoro valiantly wins a battle or fends off the enemy horde, only to drop dead moments later as their bodies are drained completely. This is why the most important piece of equipment they carry with them is: food. Some may laugh at the idea of a warrior being strapped with snacks and treats, but it is vital that they have a convenient energy source on hand at all times. As they fight and grow, they will eat to help replenish their reserves or perhaps gorge themselves in preparation for one huge spell. Platoons and armies that have a Vinoro amongst their ranks will often have their medics carry food with them. When the battle is over, and the first responders rush out to tend to the wounded, there will be those who hurry out to the Rootbound warriors to shove sweets into their mouths.

The other alternative to this is pairing a Vinoro up with a Heliotek. These sun-based magic users utilize solar power to energize others and provide aid, which is perfect for a warrior that burns through fuel so quickly. In these cases, the Heliotek's one duty will be to keep the Vinoro fueled and alive, directing all their power to them as their partner unleashes havoc upon the battlefield. These pairings can be quite powerful, but it can be dangerous for the Heliotek. It is obvious that they are the ones fueling the thorny monstrosity, so every foe will be targeting them to cut off the food supply. The other issue with this pairing is that they can wind up becoming too attached to each other. Fighting besides each other for so long can create powerful bonds, which sounds like a good thing at first. If one of them perishes in battle though, the other is often close behind them, but that isn't that uncommon for any warrior couple in the field. The real issue is that most of the time, the pair wind up taking an early retirement. With Helioteks committing their lives to helping others, they often express concern over the health of their partner and the dangers their hungering magic pose. If the two grow close enough together, the Vinoro may be convinced by their partner to stop partaking in these hazardous arts and seek a less violent life. Romantic and wonderful as it is to see folk better themselves for the sake of others, many generals and war leaders who rely on such powerful warriors don't find it so charming.

Though the Vinoro can be powerful warriors and great assets on the battlefield, they are a class of magic users that many dryads fear. The obvious reason is that they are infested with Strangler seeds, which is a horror that many folk don't wish to be near. There are quite a few that are not convinced that this "special strain" is fully tamed, and are certain that it is insidious in nature. Surely these seeds are still parasitic and are controlling these infested dryads like puppets to spread their kind. This paranoia often leads to Vinoro not being allowed to be buried in certain sacred groves when they pass, as others fear that they will rise as Stranglers. Another reason why dryads are fearful of the Rootbound is because the hunger that comes from the seeds can turn some of these magic users feral. When tearing apart foes on the battlefield, a Vinoro requires sustenance to fight and survive. If they have no ready food source at hand, some may look to the bodies that lay at their roots. Though these are rare occurrences, Vinoro that have turned to eating fallen enemies, or even cannibalism, have forever tainted the image of this art. Some of these magic users have gone mad from such acts, and become hungering mindless beasts. They seek only to feed, becoming like an Aconstrum, who haunt the land in search of prey. This leads many to worry during every battle the Vinoro fight in, wondering if this is the moment they will snap and feast on the flesh of their allies. What doesn't help is that this magic class is used purely for battle, having little uses in more peaceful situations. A magic used only for violence is a frightening one, especially one that calls for such invasive techniques. In calmer times, one would imagine that the number of these magic users would go down, but it seems that their population remains strong. The reason for this is that dryads require strong warriors on hand in case things go wrong, or if outsiders bring violence to their doorsteps. These words, however, tend to come from more warmongering individuals. Accusations and rumors have flown around for some time that militaristic dryad communities lure in younger dryads and persuade them to take up this mantle. Once they have ingested the seeds, they will become brutal fighters that are easily controlled through their hunger and fear. Those seeking a better life can be wooed by the promises of support and glory, only to be trapped with a symbiote that requires sustenance only their leaders can provide. With the seeds being difficult to remove once they have been indoctrinated, many victims stay in these communities, as their training makes them fear the outside world and those in charge constantly provide the resources they need to stay alive.

The choice of becoming a Vinoro is not a permanent one, it is just a difficult one to walk back from. For those who wish to retire from this art, they must commit to weeks of medicine and body soaks. Special baths made of herbal brews and unique toxins must be taken weekly, while two doses of foul medicine must be drunk every day. All of this is to fully purge the body of these seeds, but it is a very uncomfortable experience. Those undergoing this process often feel weak and nauseous, as the symbiotic seeds are poisoned and killed. It is a miserable time, but one that must be seen through til the end in order for it to be effective. If they quit halfway through, then there is a chance some seeds survived and they will regrow back to their normal numbers in time. Only after weeks of treatment will they truly be a free, but it will be a grueling experience that can scare many away. With this intimidating treatment process and the fact that these medicines are not cheap, it can be difficult for some to commit to this retirement, especially those that are taken advantage of. In response, some groups have formed to help provide this treatment to any Vinoro that wish to retire, specifically setting their sights on those trapped by the war communities. Most of these helpers are banned from these villages, accused of spreading propaganda and attempting to weaken their security and safety. This means that these groups must work in secrecy and stealth, sneaking into these communities to try and help the indoctrinated. Those that can be convinced to accept this aid will have to be taken away in secret, as the leaders and most loyal will never allow a deserter. The hardest part, though, is reassuring those that have been seized by these warmongers and winning their trust. To them, the outside world is harsh and hateful, and leaving means certain misery and death. One must show them that there is kindness beyond those walls, and that family are those who hold each other in love and care, never through fear.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

More dryad magic! Woo! More plant monsters! Woo! More sad stuff! Woo?