Dryads are tree nymphs in Greek Mythology. They are specifically the nymphs of oak trees. They are known to be shy, except around artemis, who is considered a friend of the Dryads. The dyrads of the ash tree are called 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 the castrated Uranos. Nymphs associated with apple trees were Epimeliad and those associated with walnut trees were Caryatids. Dyrads, like all Nymphs, live supernaturally long and were tied to their homes, but some were a step beyond most nymphs. These were the hamadyrads. They were an intregal part of their tree and if the tree associated with the hamadyrad died, so would the hamadyrad. Gods and dyrads punished those who hurt trees without a reason.
Relation to Lightning Theif
No direct relation except there may have been some at camp half blood.
Sources
"Dyrads" Sept 19 Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dryad Rouse, WHD. Gods, Heroes, and Men of Ancient Greece. New York: New American Library, 2001. Riordan, Rick. The Lightning Thief. New York: Hyperion Books, 2006.
Dryads are tree nymphs in Greek Mythology. They are specifically the nymphs of oak trees. They are known to be shy, except around artemis, who is considered a friend of the Dryads. The dyrads of the ash tree are called 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 the castrated Uranos. Nymphs associated with apple trees were Epimeliad and those associated with walnut trees were Caryatids. Dyrads, like all Nymphs, live supernaturally long and were tied to their homes, but some were a step beyond most nymphs. These were the hamadyrads. They were an intregal part of their tree and if the tree associated with the hamadyrad died, so would the hamadyrad. Gods and dyrads punished those who hurt trees without a reason.
Relation to Lightning Theif
No direct relation except there may have been some at camp half blood.
Sources
"Dyrads" Sept 19 Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dryad
Rouse, WHD. Gods, Heroes, and Men of Ancient Greece. New York: New American Library, 2001. Riordan, Rick.
The Lightning Thief. New York: Hyperion Books, 2006.