First Reply Grand Theft Tree

[Braze]

​

Within the dense jungles, Braze had finally secured a tree of notably worth. From what he'd researched, a good tree had to be tall, straight, and not half-rotten on the inside. A clean trunk meant longer boards, and less time fighting knots later. He ran a hand along the bark, feeling for flaws, watching where the gold resin caught the light between his fingers.

"Solid heartwood," he murmured. "No twist in the grain, no bug tunnels, and not too much leaking sap." He gave the base a few solid knocks, listening to the dull, even sound of strength beneath. "Yeah… this'll cut smooth."

He looked up, the canopy blazing with filtered sunlight. "Probably worth a small fortune," he said under his breath, then smirked. "Good thing we're not here for the money~" He had brought along an axe for this absurdly tall and rotund tree.

There was no time like the present as this would be a lengthy endeavor. In short order he set to work using his ax against the tree. The golden threaded wood would make for a very fine material for his projects.

 

[Tieuvelli Renlas]

Braze

Tieuvelli felt at home amongst the densely packed trees, their knitted branches a constant reminder of her temperate jungle home, Kashyyyk was many lightyears away and yet she could feel the living force around her. Guided by the slipstream, on silent wings she weaved through the canopy until the waves of sound struck her.

Chop. Chop. Chop.

Strange. She thought as the sound bounced between the trees. Curiousity, as it often did, got the better of her and twisting her body to divert the glide she struck into the branches nearby. Oh, how interesting.

It had been many moons since she found sentient life, the life of a seeker was a lonely one and you didn't catch many people out in the forests like this. After navigating to the lower branches with a couple well placed hops, the Songwing hooted a greeting.

"Hello stranger, have you come in search of that Kamaslavia tree or, perhaps, it is warmth you seek?"

 

[Braze]

Tags: Tieuvelli Renlas ​

Braze was nowhere near the strongest of men, yet that didn't stop him from working hard to fell a massive Golden Silk Tree.

Wait, was that a talking owl?

Did he just inhale some hallucinogenic pollen or mushroom spores in the woods? No, no... he didn't feel dizzy or sick, and nothing seemed especially funny. Still, he had never seen anyone who looked like a talking owl before. The surprise was plain on his face as he glanced up, stumbled backward, and tripped over the tree roots, sending the axe flying as he landed squarely on his rear.

"Oof…" He blinked up at the creature, wide jade eyes filled with disbelief. "Uh... I am attempting to harvest this tree for its wood," he said, scrambling to his feet and brushing off dirt and leaves from the jungle floor.

He tilted his head, studying her plumage with open curiosity. "You... don't happen to live in this forest, do you? I'd hate to find out I just swung an axe at someone's sacred tree, or you know, their home." He hesitated, then added with a faint almost nervous sort of laugh, "If it is your home, I can... patch the bark? Offer an apology gift?"

 

[Tieuvelli Renlas]

Braze

Tieuvelli flinched and retreated behind her wing as the young man hit the earth with a thud. She was quick to glide down to perch atop the heft of his axe. "Oh, no dear. Are you okay?" She asked, this wasn't the first time her nature had caught someone off-guard. It wasn't the worst reaction, at least he didn't try and shoot her or worst yet attempt to capture her for some Hutt.

She looked again at the tree, inspecting the damage. A trickle of sap bled through the natural channels of the trees bark, adding to its natural golden hues. These were concise and powerful blows, suggesting some manner of training. She turned her head back to him and slowly blinked. He didn't look like a tradesmen, certainly nothing like a lumberjack which she was all too familiar with. Perhaps he was something more flexible, an adventurer perhaps?

"Both, actually." She said sounding more playful than angry, "It is a very nice tree, but I am not as particular as the local Amani who occasionally visit." She explained with a slight shrug of her wings. "So I would save any offerings for them. That said, if your willing, I am familiar with another tree that is long overdue being felled, but it is not for the faint of heart."

 

[Braze]

Tags: Tieuvelli Renlas ​

Braze tilted his head, studying the owl-like being with faint curiosity. "Oh? Amani, huh? Can't say I've ever met one before," he said as he crouched down to retrieve his axe.

He straightened and gave a small, crooked grin. "Another tree, then? And what makes this one not for the faint of heart?" He asked. It was hard to imagine any tree being more troublesome than the time he'd stumbled across a drengir nest, but something in that tone suggested this might be close.

 

[Tieuvelli Renlas]

The Songwing leapt from the gentleman's axe the moment it was secured, taking perch on his nearest shoulder. Her talons were feather-light against his coat, relying instead upon the stiff, wedge of her tail for balance. "Are you familiar with Tuskens? They share a similar temperament, which is a blessing and a curse. Respect their rules and traditions and you can expect a reasonable welcome; otherwise, you shouldn't be surprised to find the salamanders jabbing spears at you." She chuckled.

"Indeed!" Her head snapped up, mimicking a nod. "Some fool thought it was an excellent idea to smuggle Farleks. They operated out of a ruin nearby. Low and behold, they escaped and killed the poor fool and now have made it their nest." She watched the gentleman for a flicker of recognition or distaste.

"Ravenous monsters have been satisfying their gluttony on the same food as our Amani friends. As you might expect, this can be a problem for local villagers and drive up tensions. As chance would have it, I know there is an older tree in a courtyard. It's healthy enough, and I expect you might benefit from a more mature sample." She explained, looking down at her small frame.

"Sadly, my nature prevents me from interfering. However, with your help, perhaps we can both benefit?" She suggested, paused, and trembled her feathers ruffling in self realisation. "Where are my manners?" She sighed, "I am Tieuvelli, I am a historian and former artificer."

With that, Tieuvelli leapt off his shoulder and flew forward into a hover. "If you are willing, I can lead you there?"

 

[Braze]

Tags: Tieuvelli Renlas ​

Braze was mildly startled when her wings snapped open, but once she settled he relaxed again.
"Tuskejans? Oh... yeah, I guess I do know a fair amount about them," he said, thinking back to what had happened with A'Runda and Aris Noble on Tatooine.

"Farleks?" Braze echoed, unfamiliar with the tiny creatures. He listened quietly as the little lady-owl spoke like some whimsical quest giver, explaining their wishes.

"Sounds pretty awful for the poacher," Braze mused. "I can try to round them up for you. It would not be the first time I had to catch critters that did not belong in an environment. I imagine the Amani would be glad to have them gone from their ecosystem if they are competing for resources."

He paused, considering the offer.
"I can do that. And in exchange you will show me the bigger older tree? That sounds like a deal."

Truthfully, he would much rather take one large fallen or aging tree and leave the rest untouched. A single trunk offered more than enough material for what he had in mind, and it felt better to leave space for the forest to grow instead of clearing anything unnecessary.

The owl introduced herself, and Braze’s expression softened.
"It is nice to meet you, Tieuvelli. I am Braze," he said, offering the introduction with an easy smile.

“By the way… how did you learn to speak Basic so well out here? Most forest spirits I meet only chirp or click. You sound like someone who has traveled.... or perhaps I am ignorant and have never met what you might be?”

 

[Tieuvelli Renlas]

"Yes. Awful." She repeated with a click of her beak, allowing the man to continue until an accord was struck. "Then we have a pact! Please allow me to guide you." She concluded. Circling through the air until she was satisfied, the Songwing began leading him through the knitted foliage, deftly evading the creeping vines and slowing down as was necessary.

Spirit?!

"SpiHooHooHoo"

Tieuvelli hadn't much experience with the other sentients of the galaxy. Her head was either in dusty tomes or secluded archives, her kind had done much of that work for her. They had little traffic at home with the occasional Wookiee, but overall they kept as much to themselves as possible. She was probably one of a dozen that existed in the wider galaxy and so his curiousity wasn't all that surprising. In fact, she expected it but to be called a spirit? That was a new blessing and one with much deeper meaning to her specifically.

She fluffed up her feathers in delight, as she continued along the travellers path. "Braze. Oh, what a wonderful name you have." She said, attempting to reciprocate his perceived kindness.

"A spirit I am not. A Songwing am I. A traveller of the stream, who studied hard, and learned your song most beautiful." She chirped, "My people are highly secretive and I have yet to meet one travelling the slipstream..."

With a short pause she corrected herself, "Stars. I was stranded here some three cycles ago, when my transport never arrived. Thankfully, despite my love for lore I am no stranger to the wilds and saw it for the opportunity to rekindle my own studies instead of someone else's." She explained stopping on a low branch nearby, looking down into the densely packed ferns. "Watch your step. There is a trench here; an old road, I am led to believe which leads to our destination."

"Pray tell, what are your plans with the silk tree? Are you a man of chisel and hammer?" She asked, eager to learn more about this interesting individual.

Braze

 

[Braze]

Tags: Tieuvelli Renlas ​

"Alright." Braze agreed easily, letting the songwing lead him wherever she saw fit. He padded along after her through the woods, watching the way she moved, studying the rhythm of her wings and how they caught the air when she flew.

"Yes. I am an artificer of sorts," he answered, voice carrying a quiet note of pride. "I intend on using the wood for its beauty, to make various things and projects. They are incredibly large trees, so I only really need one as a supply. I plan to use it for fine artistic works, not mass production."

As he followed, the forest floor shifted underfoot. Roots twisted through the soil and stones jutted at awkward angles, but Braze navigated the uneven terrain with surprising ease. His slightly heeled boots should have made it awkward, but he moved lightly, almost like he was accustomed to far worse obstacles than a tangle of roots and moss.