Spriggans (The Elder Scrolls)

The Spriggan is a creature that can be found across Skyrim. Spriggans can be found in Tamriel, usually underground or in dense forests. They appear more tree-like than they did in Oblivion, where they looked more humanoid.

Behavior and appearance
Spriggans are beings which are made entirely of wood and magical energy; the source of which is their Taproot. Spriggans are attracted to Taproot, and Hagravensmanipulate this weakness by hanging Taproots from trees to attract Spriggans. Hagravens will sacrifice them for their magical characteristics and because of their hatred of nature.

Some Spriggans may be encountered hiding in trees, and step from them when the Dragonborn comes too close. Despite this, all Spriggans may be found with Aura Whisper or Detect Life.

In combat, Spriggans have the ability to use the Invisibility spell, heal themselves quickly when low on health, and attack their target with a unique novice Destructionspell in the form of swarm of bees which can poison their target. When in Melee range, they can swipe at the Dragonborn with their claw-like appendages which can also poison.

Their most notable ability is their ability to enthrall the nearby wildlife - including animals not normally hostile like deer, goats and foxes - to come to their aid; enthralled animals bear a green aura and the effect can be overridden with the Animal Allegiance or Kyne's Peace shouts, or prevented entirely with the Voice of the Sky effect from the 7000 Steps Etchings. After casting this spell they become invisible for 5 seconds, but the invisibility can be broken by being attacked. The animals remain enthralled after the Spriggan is defeated.

Spriggan Matron
A stronger variant of the Spriggan who typically serves as a miniboss level creature, but they will also replace Spriggans in some areas if the Dragonborn is of a high enough level.

Spriggan Earth Mother
The strongest boss level Spriggan added with Dawnguard.

Burnt Spriggan
A variant of Spriggan that roams the ashlands of Solstheim added with Dragonborn.

Trivia

 * The Spriggans in The Elder Scrolls series were likely inspired by the Spriggans from the Cornish Faery lore.
 * They might also be an allusion to dryads of Greek mythology.
 * Spriggans don't attack the Dragonborn when they are in werewolf form.
 * Spriggan Matrons seem to have an effect attributable to their attacks known as "Spriggan Poison" described in the Active Effects menu as "Saplike poison does 0 points of damage for 10 seconds."
 * The Spriggans have changed considerably since The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall, where they made their debut. Spriggans used to possess a more humanoid appearance in The Elder Scrolls games before Skyrim, but they now possess a more tree-like form.
 * Spriggans will not cross deep waters, one can use this as a weakness if one has a bow or can cast long ranged spells.
 * Spriggans may turn any of the Dragonborn's animal followers, such as dogs, against them.
 * Spriggans in Skyrim will never drop sap; it can only be purchased or found.
 * Allthough very little is known about the nature of the spriggans, it can be speculated that they have some form of connection to the equally mysterious nirnroot plants. In the alchemist's journal found in the camp overlooking Evergreen Grove the alchemist wonders what effects the nirnroots groving there could have on the water downstream. The water downstream turns out to be home to two spriggans and it is possible they are connected with the plants somehow. In The Elder Scrolls V: Dragonborn, there are several spriggans on the Giant Nirnroot Island northeast of Solstheim, seemingly guarding the huge concentration of uniquely large nirnroots there.