Cassava

***Spoiler Warning:** Plot and/or ending details follow.*

**Cassava**, or **Cassava Brightback**, was the firstborn son and former heir of Burbark Silverback.

Cassava tragically loses his life after being killed by a mind-controlled Burbark who subsequently appoints Bramble Greenback as his next heir. However, Bramble and Moonflower honor their brother's sacrafice by travling to the plains to succeded where Cassava had failed.

## Personality

Cassava was a responsible young male who cared deeply for his troopmates (Particularly his family). When he notices his father acting strange he asks his younger brother, Bramble, to check on him. When Dayflower, the Mistback, warns about evil invading their home, Cassava didn't express any of the doubts shared by most of his troopmates about his stepmother's credibility.
After his unexpected demise, Bramble expresses skepticism that a leopard was the cause of his brother's death as it was uncharacteristic for Cassava to seek out a fight. After Bramble and Moonflower escape from their mind-controlled troop, they decide to travel to Bravelands to warn them about the reptiles in order to succeed where their elder brother had failed.

## Biography

### *Shadows on the Mountain*

Cassava grabs Bramble by his hindfoot and swings the latter up into the air. Bramble demands his elder brother to let him go.

Cassava refuses to release Bramble until the latter explains what he had been up to. Although Bramble denies any wrongdoing, Cassava doesn't seem to buy it. He then reminds Bramble that he's should learn to be more reasonable now that he's three years old. Bramble claims that he is indeed responsible but Cassava reminds Bramble of the trouble he causes their troop with his mischief. Cassava then informs his half-sister, Moonflower, that her mother is looking for her. After Moonflower bids her brothers farewell, Bramble explains to Cassava that he and Moonflower were just having fun and living up everyone's day. Cassava responds that nobody needs to be bothered by his antics and sarcastically suggests that Bramble can have all the excitement he wants on the plains where there are hazards like starvation and lions. Bramble tells Cassava that he can handle a lion. Cassava asks if his younger brother has even seen a lion. Bramble denies this so Cassava warns Bramble how dangerous they can be.

Cassava is present when Bramble is telling their troopmates about his fight with the hyenas. After the earthquake, Cassava gathers the troop for the Spirit Mouth Ceremony. Bramble and Moonflower sit next to their elder brother in the spot reserved for the Silverback's children. After Groundnut wonders aloud what was taking Burbark so long, Cassava is the first to spot his father, and alerts Groundnut. After Dayflower reveals an unknown force threatens the whole of Bravelands, Cassava vouches for his stepmother along with Moonflower when their troop-mates express skepticism towards Dayflower's prophecy. Cassava suggests that he visit the other troops to see if they got the same message. Burbark stubbornly refuses to grant Cassava's request, much to the Brightback's dismay. When Bramble wakes from his nest the following day, he notices that his troop-mates are absent decides to seek out Cassava in order to tell him about the nightmare he just had. When Bramble spots his troop in a clearing, he goes off to investigate the commotion. Burbark Troop attempts to stop Bramble, but he refuses to back off. Much to Bramble's horror, Cassava is lying motionless.
Groundnut explains that Cassava is dead, but Bramble is in denial and is unwilling to accept that Cassava had been killed. After several unsuccessful attempts to rouse Cassava, only then does Bramble accept that Cassava is dead.

### **The Venom Spreads**

Cassava is mentioned when Bramble bitterly reminds Apple that Burbark had ended Cassava's life before Moonflower reminds Bramble that the sandtounge speakers are at fault (As they forced Burbark to betray his firstborn against his own will).

1. ↑ *Shadows on the Mountain*, Page 76