S10E03 - Your Tongue Has Forgotten the Sounds of the Wood
Jun 19, 2023
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Ving experiences culture shock in the Elven court, Billie and Tuk realize the stupidity of Elven society. The group arrives at the forest edge and encounters Victor the liar wolf. They create a name using 'Ving' and explore the Elven royal court. Billy observes Wendy in the moonlight and witnesses an angry elf girl preparing for battle. They navigate personal issues, become prisoners in the forest, and plan their escape. Ving and Tuk explore an overgrown forest and make a surprising discovery.
01:11:48
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Quick takeaways
Elven society in Vigil, the capital of the Boreal Reach, is disgusted by the smells and traditions of prisoners, turning their backs to avoid the stench.
Knowledge of the guards' movements and the ability to communicate with the live trees in the palace can aid covert navigation in the elven palace.
The heart tree at the center of the forest in Vigil has been compromised by an obsidian intrusion, indicating a potential threat.
Deep dives
The Court of the Woods and Vigil
The capital of the Boreal Reach, known as Vigil, is made up of massive trees connected by bridges and structures both in the branches and inside the trunks. The trees have been deliberately shaped and grown over centuries, with each territory in the forest having its own ruling family. There is a central tree at the heart of the forest that the ruling trees take their cues from. The structures within the trees go down into the earth, including storage areas and prisons, with some prisons even hanging from the tops of temples. The palace for Ving's father is a large tree with staff and rooms for the royal family.
Food Mishap and Prisoner Life
Billy and Tuck successfully pulled off a switcheroo, replacing the prisoners' feast with sticks, bugs, and other unsavory items, leading to chaos and disgust among the elves. Ill, an elf in the neighboring cage, trades information for a taste of the picture book. Ill reveals that the elves are disgusted by the smells and traditions of the prisoners, turning their backs to avoid the stench. Ill also shares that knowledge of the guards' movements and the ability to communicate with the live trees in the palace can help them move unnoticed.
Navigating the Palace and Tree Communication
Ill provides insights on moving through the palace unnoticed, mentioning that the guards have predictable movements. Additionally, the live trees in the palace can be communicated with, revealing information and potentially aiding their covert navigation. Ill's information offers an opportunity for Ving's group to infiltrate the palace and fulfill their greater purpose in the heart of the court of the woods.
The Escape Plan
Ving, Tuck, and Billy successfully escape from the cages and climb down the tree to the forest floor. They make their way to the clearing of the knowledge tree, which appears to be struggling. Billy senses an intrusion and discovers a small piece of obsidian in the heart tree at the center of the forest.
Intrigue at the Palace
Ving overhears a meeting in the palace where nobles are demanding the execution of the prisoners. He relays this information to the group, prompting them to escape quickly. After a treacherous journey through the overgrown forest, they arrive at the knowledge tree and discover its weakened state. Billy uncovers an intrusion and senses a connection to a dark piece of obsidian hidden in the heart tree at the center of the forest.