The Shadowy Being (also the Emissary or Guardian of the Tree) is a hooded supernatural figure, possibly a deity, with extradimensional power. Roughly human in form, it has an aura of cosmic power, a dark hood and a voice of authority. It appears immortal and eternal.
Role
- Offers temptations of pleasure and immortality: the women will want children by the party, and the nine remaining fruits will create a new horde of Wise Warriors.
- Demands tribute, a horn or a relic, as the price of passage, and casts a powerful spell of magical suggestion on the group.
- Tells Michel: “Maybe you want to take my place?”
- Does not seem hostile; it acts as a guardian or a test.
- The group reads it as the “Priest of the Tree”, emissary of a mythological power, possibly a Titan (Atlas is explicitly referenced). It says Lirio is good and Alexio “nothing more”.
- The group chooses to leave rather than stay. Michel leads the resistance through faith: “lust is the demon’s path”.
Open questions
- Is it an ally of Hugo, a deliberate test, or a hidden enemy? What is the purpose of the temptation?
- Its identity may be a Titan, possibly associated with Ur (the negotiation with the giants) or with higher extradimensional forces.