The Dryad Blood Curse

Shortly after the fall of the Aitauan Empire, the young woman that would eventually be called The Queen of Blood and Thorn used magic to transform an elven woman into a true dryad. The elven woman was changed, but the attempt was not completely successful. The elven woman fled.
The changes to her genetics have been passed down through her bloodline, and there are a few of her descendants scattered throughout the Shielded Sea region. Those descendants have greenish, almost leafy hair, and tough, almost bark-like skin. They also possess enhanced strength and agility, heightened senses, and the ability to commune with trees. Some of her descendants have flashed the ability to awaken trees, but this most stories say it has only occurred in moments of great need.
The Queen of Blood and Thorn has hunted for one of the descendants for the past 2500 years, believing that having the mutated blood is key to restoring Veaengeihvean, or in helping her ascend to godhood herself. She can sense their blood when close, and can trigger a lost and longing feeling in those that carry the curse. Occasionally she will also step into their dreams, haunting their sleep. These descendants often spend their entire lives on the run.