Not all druids follow the notion that one must live a life of peaceful coexistence. After all, the animal kingdom is full of conflict and conquest, predator and prey, as well as battles for dominance. Some druids feel, therefore, that to truly emulate nature one must do so fully, including tooth and claw. The problem there is that druids are, by nature, generally on the squishier side and so they needed armour that would protect their vital areas better than their normal robes.
On Ashenfall, it was the druid Pikenmix who first tried to break out of the peace-loving mould. They learned magic that would allow them to hurl flame from their fingertips hoping it might be enough. Yet, as the enemies got too close, she soon learned that she needed stronger defence than her meagre hood would allow.
It was when she was lost in thought, that she found the solution – by walking straight into a tree. Her nose broke in several places and her entire body screamed in pain, yet the tree remained unaffected by her violent interaction.
So it was that she crafted herself a helm made from the very same tree. Partially in revenge, but mostly because she knew how strong the bark could be.