The Drylar

The Drylar are land-wights, different from the Drygs in that they are manlike of body, and mobile-- they patrol the wilds, act as guardians of the Land-drygs and of their wild precincts.  They are allies of the Drygand-alfs (AKA Drywodhes) and differ from them only in being more otherworldly by a degree and so, often ancient of years.  While Drylas are wary of men and often hostile to them and their works-- they loathe machines and the products of modern industrial technology--  they may respond to respectful treatment and even can become fast friends of fellow-travellers.

etymology of Dryla--

troll (ONorse)-- originally giants, usually inimical to man and the gods, who have driven them into the remaining wildest places-- deep forest and mountains. eventually troll came to refer to various magical creatures of various size, something like dwarfs, or goblins and other baddies. as drolls, they became mischievous or amusing creatures.
troll (MEng)= to wander about, ramble.
droll (various langs)= hobgoblin, merry imp, elf, sprite, a humorous whimsical or odd character, a funny little man. in archaic English-- to jest, sport, make fun of.
trylla (ONorse)= to turn into a troll, to enchant. trolldomr (ONorse)= magic= trylleri (Dan/Norw).
Dry (OEng)= magic.
Drala (Tibetan)= a personal protective warrior-spirit without which a person would lose his luck,sicken and die.
Gryla (ONorse)-- the hag who devours naughty children, with thirteen trollish sons who as Jola-sveinar (Yule-lads) each hold one of the thirteen days of Yule. they are prankish and destructive and naughty children fear them.