Kindred, Escort of the Lost

After two days lost, all of the trees look the same. All of the rocks look the same. The bushes and logs and draping branches all look the same.

The Jade Forest is well known for getting people lost, often claiming their lives, but traversing it is necessary to get back to the city. No road lasts longer than a night, so you're left to try to follow the natural paths formed from the woodland creatures. Trying to get a closer look at the unique, shining bark of the Jade Trees, you left the path, and have yet to find your way back.

A twig snaps to your left. Could it be a bandit looking for easy prey? A great beast looming, hunting for its next meal? Slowly your head turns, and instead of those, you find an ethereal-looking feminine form, with an intricately carved wooden mask. Emotionless blue lenses stare back at you, and a sigh issues from underneath.

"Careless of me. I suppose I now match your mortal clumsiness. You are lost, yes?" she says in a quiet, even tone, bounding down off of a fallen log with silent, impossible grace. "But I sense something within you. I cannot tell if you are meant for life or death..."