After leaving the city and making a purchase, she gathers her worldly belongings and heads into the Old Forest, she spends the first hour seeking out the spot where the Owlbear and Oak were murdered and spends time to bury its remains. She then went seeking out a spot for camp where a water source and shelter was provided. She will keep an eye out for the Doge's men to try to stop them from cutting down more trees. She spends more time gathering food and keeping an eye open for Druids.

Nearly a week after arriving in the Old Forest, Cassidy continues to live off of Nature, taking care not to harm any animals or beast unless she is attacked. Living off of berries and other fruits and nuts she drinks from a spring she found and makes waste a distance from her camp coving it up in a small hole and leaves.

Towards the end of the week, a woman dressed in white seems to simple appear in the clearing that Cassidy had made her home for the time being. Her hair is short and fiery red and she moves with a predatory grace. She carries only a simple quarterstaff. At her side is a sleek and powerful looking night black panther. The woman's eyes look around the makeshift camp and then to the woman responsible for it

"Aŕe tells me that you are looking for the children of the forest...and that you are very loud and clumsy. Tell me, why is a child of the dead and silent city looking for me and my family?"

This past week the forest had not been kind to Cassidy, her rations were gone and she looked cold with leaves packed in her clothing for warmth. She looks up to the woman with dirt on her face and offered a smile. I am Cassidy, a child not of the city; well not originally. The foulest Krakens have tricked me into aiding them in the destruction of this beautiful land and the murder of a creature native to these woods. I was and am horrified by these actions. I beg atonement for what they had me do in their name. I no long desire or wish to be a servant of them or of the city. Great and honured Child of the Forest, I ask for teaching. Allow one like me to become educated in your ways and let the Forest grant me the power and strength to prevent the Krakens from doing more harm to the forest. I am your most humble servant.

The woman listens to the tale impassively. Once Cassidy is done speaking she looks to the panther and the two seem to have a conversation before she looks back

"I know well what you and your friends did" she responds in an icy tone "Though I do admit that you are the only one who seeks redemption for the act, which is why you are still alive" she nods "Though you likely wouldn't have lasted much longer as it is. You're lack of knowledge is very obvious but ignorance is no excuse at all for what you did, no doubt in the quest for gold or glory" her words turn hard and eyes blaze "Flattery will not get you anywhere with me, so spare me the attempts" she crosses her arms as she looks the woman over "All that being said...I will provide you with a task for atonement and if, and that is a very large if, you impress me...I may take pity and consider training you should the Circle of Elders approve it"

She kneels down and with her finger draws a crude map in the dirt "You will travel here and locate a certain tree. When you find this tree, your next instructions will be given. If you cannot find the tree...then return to your city"

With that, the woman turns and walks out of the camp with the panther at her side. Both seem to vanish into the foliage and are quickly out of sight

(( Roll survival DC 10 to read the map and figure out where to go ))

She leaned forward to the dirt drawing trying to figure out where to go and where this tree might be, it's true she did not know the forest so she closed her eyes and whispered a prayer to the Spirits of Nature for guidance in understanding this map.* (( no magical ))

She packed up her camp, made sure her water skins were full and went out to hunt down this Tree she was given the task of.

It takes some time, but eventually Cassidy finds the area she was told to go. There are several trees in the area, as one might expect. None seems to stand out more than any other...

(( Perception roll ))

Cassidy followed the trail to the area she was tasked to do, she then looked around using all her senses to try and find what the Druid had left for her to find.

Cassidy is about to spot that one of the trees is different, but she can't figure out how...until a strikingly beautiful woman steps out of the tree, by far the most beautiful creature Cassidy has ever seen. Her body is the green of the forest and what little clothing she wears seems to be made of bark that blends perfectly with the tree. Her eyes widen when she spots Cassidy and she looks like she might be ready to attack...

She watched the woman carefully as she appeared from the Tree, she was very careful of her actions for this moment as she searched all the stories she has ever been told as a child on the Spirits of Nature and the Creatures that protect the world of Nature.

Cassidy is able to idebtify that this is a dryad. She knows that these Fey live in and are bound to special trees. The dryad isnt large, and doesnt look threatening but clearly she is prepared to defend her home

"You cannot harm these trees!" She states and produces a dagger that seems to be made of wood "I will stop you if you try!"

She offers her hands in an open palmed to the Dryad. I mean you no harm brave Fey. I come for Atonement, a Druid sent me here to obtain the next part of my quest. The Evil Kraken have tricked me and I seek to be taught the ways and true power of Nature Herself. I am here to help not to harm, no more to harm.

The dryad doesn't seem convinced that Cassidy is there for anything but harm. Her eyes narrow at the words

"You were part of the group protecting those that killed my sisters...and now you have come to kill my tree as well, haven't you!?"

There is fruit hanging from some of the nearby trees within easy reach, there is also fruit hanging from the tree the dryad had stepped from

I swear, brave Fey, I mean you and yours no harm. I seek only Atonement. She disarms, laying her rapier, longbow and arrows on the ground. I am but a humble servant of Nature. It is not my desire to harm anyone. The Evil Krakens have tricked me and I seek Atonement as directed by a Druid of these woods. I wish only to change my life. Please brave Fey help me.

She still doesn't seem anywhere close to convinced that Cassidy means no harm

"Why did you help those people who killed my sisters!?" She demands "You claim to be a servant of nature but you helped KILL those who truly are!"

She looks sad. They tricked me, I was only told it was to escort some people into the Forest. Once I knew the truth I did nothing to aid in their attacks. I tried, I did try to save the Owlbears' life but was unable. I did bury its body. I do not know if it had young or not. I have lived alone in the forest this past week and half. This city is not my home. I came from another land only a few months ago. I did not know how horrible these people were and now that I do I shall never aid them. I swear to help defend this forest my new home if you will help me. She makes a motion with her hand and pulls a fruit from a tree close by Not from the Dryad's tree looking first to see if any fruit had fallen on the ground to take it first. I hope you do not mind, Brave Fey, I am very hungry. I shall not fight you. Please believe me, I mean you no harm.

None of the fruit has fallen, but all of the fruit that hangs from the tree is perfectly ripe and looks quite tasty. The dryad's eyes narrow dangerously as she sees the fruit being plucked from the nearby tree

"If you truly wish to atone then you will continue to fast" She states and then tilts her head and listens to something on the wind and nods "You will stand vigil in this grove for five days and five nights. Should any harm come to any of the trees in this grove by you or any other, your atonement will fail and you will die"

She puts the fruit away in her pack and nods. I shall do as you have said. I shall continue to fast and stand vigil here. I shall be a good keeper of these wood. Thank you Brave Fey. (( Any rolls you want now or wait for tonight? Well night for me, its only noon here. ))

(( Fort Save first, then a Will Save ))

The days without food are certainly starting to take effect...Cassidy is quite fatigued. She is able to resist the urge to eat the fruit...for now

(( Another fort and then will save for the next day ))

Cassidy is able to ignore the hunger pains...for now...and thus is able to resist the allure of the fruit as well

(( another fort and then will save for the next day ))

On the third day...the hunger pains hit hard...and Cassidy just can't resist any longer. The fruit she had taken beckons so sweetly and she can't resist eating it any longer

She continues to stand vigil as instructed. She could not resist and eats the fruit she originally collected and put in her bag. She keeps an eye open for trouble to protect the Grove.

(( Fort and will save for day 4 ))

Despite eating the fruit...which strangely did absolutely nothing to lessen the hunger Cassidy has been feeling...the hunger pains are still there and she can feel herself wasting away from it...but she is able to resist eating more fruit

(( one more fort and one more will ))

On the last day, Cassidy is able to somehow fight of the wasting effect of starvation...but perhaps that is because her will breaks rather spectacularly and she simply cannot resist gorging herself on the fruit of ALL of the trees in the small grove

She does her very best Not to eat the ALL and those she does eat she will spend the time to look for some good places to plant the seeds from the fruits so new trees will regrow in time.

Despite trying not to, Cassidy does indeed eat from all of the trees, including the dryad's tree. Her attempts to find good places to plant are...rather horrible. She would eventually see the druid she had fist met watching her, leaning against the dryad's tree with her arms crossed and the panther standing at her side.

"Disappointing, but entirely predictable" she states "City dwellers are slaves to their desires" she motions to the fruit that, even now, Cassidy is eating as she simply cannot stop. "No doubt you haven't yet realized what the fruit has done to you. The more you eat, the hungrier you will get and it will continue until you go mad" she shrugs "A strong protection for this grove and for the one who protects it" she runs her hand along the tree lovingly and speaks the language of the fey to it before looking back

"If you truly wish to learn the ways of the forest, it will require you to lose everything that you are and have been" she states "Everyone you have known, everything you have done up to this point will be forgotten by all. It will be as if you never lived that life...so I will give you one chance to reconsider because once you start down the path, there is no turning back"

I believe strongly that knowledge is important to have. I am horrified by that which the Kraken have done and the actions of the Doge. I wish to know the ways of Nature and to live as you do. I understand the risk and the rewards.

She pauses at the mention of the Kraken "Before I take you in...there is one more thing you must do. You will go back to the city one last time, and find some sort of proof that the Kraken are indeed behind what occurred. Before any steps are taken against them, I need proof one way or the other. Bring me that and your atonement will be considered complete"

She patrols the Grove, Nixa prowling beside her. Her fingers gently caress the leaves of bushes and trees as she passes letting the feel of her home wash over her.