Shortly after Ash defeated Tongueater, Janaar and Proxen left the group to go claim the reward they were due from the Druid they assisted in curing the jungle of the poisonous “vines” running through the jungle to the monkey maker machines. Not only that, Kildrak and Zymaan were in the process of dismantling those operations such that the poison would flow no more.
They rendez-vous’ed with the Druid as previously agreed at a tree of no special remark, although Proxen now appeared to listen to the trees all the time despite having professed only to speak for them. They wait patiently for the Druid to show and eventually she does. She motions for them to be silent and then leads them along a long trek through the jungle to the Deep Wood.
The Deep Wood is an ancient forest within the jungle. A micro-climate of coniferous trees in a jungle of exotic flowers and mediterranean flora. Among these trees exist the Heartwood, a living and sentient species of tree much older than any of the greenery that surrounds it.
After having shared many meals and hunts with the Druid along the trek, Janaar and Proxen are already more attuned to the message the Druid has to offer when then reach the Deep Wood.
“You have earned the right to be present here,” she says, “but a tree must agree to come with you of its own free will.”
Janaar and Proxen nod their understanding and agreement, but the Druid persists before moving on. “So what do you offer then?”
Janaar looks at Proxen and Proxen at Janaar, neither having a worthy answer.
The silence lingers.
“Here’s a suggestion then,” the Druid eventually offers. “Why don’t you agree to seed these ancient trees in another worthy place, as of today unknown, but to be hopefully visited in your great and vast journeys, and to be approved by whatever tree agrees to these terms, if any.” She nods and smiles, hoping Janaar and Proxen agree, which they do.
Soon the trio are among the Heartwood and Proxen becomes lost in the beauty of their speech. The whole experience becomes a marking point in his life. A time when he received ancient teachings previously unknown to him. The moment when he became the green knight.
Janaar experiences no similar transmogrification, but he is pleased for his friend.
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[INSERT LIVE ADVENTURE TO BE PLAYED ON JAN 26 REGARDING THE SELECTING OF A HEARTWOOD TREE TO BECOME THE MAIN MAST OF THE SEA GHOST AND THE BESTOWING OF MAGICAL PROPERTIES UPON THAT SHIP]
——-
The giant tree uproots itself and becomes a living, walking thing!
It then leads Janaar and Proxen, who by now have parted company with the Druid, back to the Sea Ghost. The journey takes several days, but relentlessly they march through the jungle until they return to the Lucky Monkey where this leg of their grand adventure began.
They are distressed to learn when they get there that Tongueater took retribution against the townsfolk for the adventurers’ ambush against him. A dozen severed heads on spikes with their tongues eaten out are positioned around the inn. Proxen is particularly struck by this development as he knew many of these people during his time among them.
Suddenly it does not appear sufficient to Proxen that Lord Ash permitted Tongueater to become a hermit in the mountains after he was defeated.
The opportunity to consider such questions is short-lived, however, as soon Janaar and Proxen observe smoke in the sky which attracts their eyes back toward the jungle they have just left.
“Fire,” Proxen states flatly.
“Nyneve,” Janaar adds, almost slapping his forehead.
They wait and watch and listen. Even if it is a real and immediate problem, they are too far away to assist. Now that they are finally at the shore side and so close to the Sea Ghost, Janaar strongly prefers to just get on with it and replace the existing main mast with their new friend. The sounds and sights they see, however, only increase their concern.
Just then, a large contingent of armed warriors exit the jungle in a long military line. Janaar and Proxen both understand immediately that they are to be contained here while the real action occurs elsewhere.