#the tree entity

OKAY SO this is not going to be in order of when they were released. Why? I have reason to believe these images come in a completely different order. I will give my reason for each one as I go along. Once again, like from my other posts, this is all with the assumption that Skid's Father is the one writing these.

Onto the first one in my theorized timeline of images!

First off, why do I think this one comes first? Well, you see that thing? The one in the corner?

THIS IS IMPORTANT. This isn't the same candle, like in the other images. I believe, after looking long and hard for whatever the hell this thing is, that it's a Roman oil lamp. Like, from Ancient Rome. That, combined with the mention of Saturn (a figure in the Roman Pantheon), the surface that this text is being written on being different from the other two, and the fact this is being written in a scroll and not a codex (I'll explain those in the next picture in case people don't know)? I think this came first, and is very likely to have been written during the time of the Romans... Which has absolutely CATASTROPHIC impacts on the rest of my speculation, because this means he was around back then! He's not just old, but "Hey, son! You wanna hear about your dad's gladiator days?" old! The background and lighting is the thing I haven't seen people talk about, which I'm a bit surprised I haven't seen. Especially because it also explains the use of Latin outside of "language associated with religion". It would've been Skid's Father's native language if he was born in the Roman Empire.

Anyways, into the actual text, now!

"Horror runs through my blood... I shall never be myself again. Colors shall fade, the music of winds shall cease, the exquisite bread will perish, the sense of touch will fade away, and the scent of a new day shall depart. Embraced by the darkness of night, I see myself hidden away from rustic eyes. Therefore, I will not allow my life to go on treated like a rag left in the mud."

This entire first paragraph feels important to me. For one, there's the part of Kevin's Dream Job at the very end, where it flashes to him as a skeleton, and everything is grey and it seems like the world has ended. So that long section about things losing color, the wind being gone, touch fading away could be about that. However, I think the last line is probably the most interesting to me, since it can imply a personal feeling of mistreatment for Skid's Father. That, or a separate interpretation of this paragraph that I have later on.

"I've spoken with some god-like being, fiery by nature like the world in heaven, the king has given the gift of knowledge to the dark sun risen in the sky, I shall begin a prayer of brazen blasphemy to the burning god."

My only interpretation of this is that Moloch appeared and Skid's Father began to worship him. I think most everything after this is a prayer to Moloch. However, he says Saturn in one of the lines after this! Which leads me to believe that Moloch presented himself as the Roman gos Saturn to him, so that Skid's Father wouldn't know his true name. More on this later, when the text mentions Saturn.

"The king shall demand tribute, by means of immaculate offerings of flesh and spirit, to reach beyond the heavenly self, and only then shall another day bloom. I beseech you, oh benevolent blaze, protect me... free me from the eternal night."

Skid's Father seems to believe Moloch to be benevolent and kind... which, Moloch clearly is not. That, and Skid's Father wants to be freed from "the eternal night". I have a theory on what it is, but I think it'll make more sense describing it later.

"Shivers run down my hands... The weight of sin, of life, of guilt. The pleading of youth never leaves my ears, fear corrupts my senses, but the king answered:..."

I think this is more important than a lot of people give it credit for being. The main reason being that it shows Skid's Father can feel guilty for his actions, and from the context of "pleading youth" and this being Moloch, guilty for the sacrifice and death of children. Possibly even, to some degree, traumatized by it if we take "the pleading of youth never leaves my ears" as him being unable to forget or stop thinking about it. This by no means means he is justified or some sort of "sad smol bean", but it does mean that at this point in time, he is not necessarily heartless in his actions. He's doing these things knowing, to some degree, that they are wrong and it is shaking him up.

This next part is in quotations, and so it can be assumed he's quoting Moloch's words. So, I'll be speaking a bit more about Moloch than Skid's Father for this next part of the analysis.

" "The essence of the will, and the vessel of flesh touched by earth, just as a tree and its leaves, just as the soil and its pastures, the heavenly bodies may be born so that they may guide how you live, dream, love, create. In the abyss, just as the night, celestial bodies are concealed, for the hollow light will pursue the sinner who seizes the fate of his own time to the ages of ages." "

I have a hard time making this one out. However, I do have a few things I can mention. For one, Moloch uses trees and leaves as the first example of how the essence of will and vessel of flesh work. This can be seen as a small, but possibly significant tie between himself and The Tree Entity. If I had to guess, he's trying to get across how will guides the body and is the most important part of living. Leaves without a tree are useless and pastures cannot exist without dirt. The heavenly bodies might be The Eyes of the Universe, which may not have even been "born" yet, and might pursue Skid's Father for his goals. Probably for trying to become immortal, because living to the "ages of ages" seems to be a fancy way of saying "so long that the concept of ages is its own age of history".

Back to Skid's Father's own words and prayer.

"Thank you, Saturn, for having heard my prayers, for bestowing me the knowledge of a thousand nights."

This part is the main reason why I think Skid's Father believes Moloch to be Saturn. It explains a few things, one of which being why he would believe Moloch to be benevolent.

Saturn, in Roman Mythology, is considered a god of time, generation, dissolution, abundance, wealth, agriculture, periodic renewal and liberation. Most importantly, he was believed to have ruled over the Golden Age of Humanity, a period where humanity lived in abundance and peace, as well as lived for extremely long lifespans. So long that some versions of the mythos believe that humans were immortal, but others believe it was for a long life with a guarantee of peaceful death. Humanity was happy and at peace eternally, they lived alongside nature, knew no hardships, and their souls were "sincere". With Saturn, humanity was practically living in paradise.

It's no wonder that if Skid's Father believes Moloch is Saturn, he'd naturally assume he is benevolent. He'd also have reason to believe him to be Saturn, since if this is during the time of Ancient Rome, Skid's Father would most likely be following the Roman Pantheon. This would also make the fact that Moloch asks for child sacrifices make a little sense, since while I couldn't find any evidence of child sacrifice being a historic sacrifice to Saturn, Saturn is infamously known for eating his own children in Roman Mythology.

As for why Moloch would hide his identity, there's a few reasons: He needs Skid's Father to trust him, for one. What better way than to position yourself as a benevolent god? Secondly, in Hollow Sorrows, it was shown that Gregor needed Moloch's name to exorcise him, and that while Moloch could instantly possess everybody else, he needed to ask Skid and Pump permission to possess them. Skid and Pump both know Moloch's name! So, possibly, knowing his true identity would've given Skid's Father power over him, which Moloch reasonably didn't want to let happen.

"Horror runs through my mind, fragile and human... Forgive me for having created life. Forgive me for the purple offspring born in darkness. Forgive me for the sin of eternal night. Forgive me for the wine drained from the vessel. Forgive me for those who will never die. Forgive me for creating life. May the stars, embraced by darkness, guide me."

This seems to be the last part of the prayer, and I have a few interpretations of it. My main two are that the "purple offspring" might be Skid or The Eyes of the Universe. Skid's mother is Lila, who has purple hair. Then, for The Eyes of the Universe, their original appearance is actually quite purple in color, and with the talk of wine spilling from vessels (probably blood) and the stars guiding, it'd make sense. That, and before, with the mention of celestial bodies, just as night, being born to pursue by Moloch, it could mean that The Eyes were born during this time to pursue Skid's Father for his sins that he's begging for forgiveness for.

I'm currently thinking that it's The Eyes, but Skid is still a possibility.

Next image!

I believe this one is next in the timeline, because the candle isn't as burnt down as it is in the next one. That, and the codex format is used instead of a scroll, and the table is different. A codex is basically parchment bound together with twine, with an animal leather to protect it. In Rome, these were used after scrolls, but different places developed the codex at different times.

Onto the text, now!

"When the moon is seen in the hour without light, newly weak souls can show a new world to god, which was nothing and now is everything. He saw the flesh from all the necessities of life and the wine of the living, for the custom of returning to darkness before eternal returns."

This, combined with the next lines, might be implying that the stars aren't only the eyes of The Eyes of the Universe, but that when you die you become a new star. So, you show a "new world" to The Eyes by giving it a new eye. The returning to darkness could mean death and the wine of the living blood.

"This pile of skin with soul-filled eyes can see a vessel in us, and when we perish to shine in the lightless sky, we embody the path to everything in this realm called Earth."

The soul-filled eyes could explain why the Eyes' eyes are white. Perishing to shine in the lightless sky also seem to be becoming a star, again. Embodying the path to everything in Earth, though, is interesting. I can't think of anything for that, yet.

"At first, in the deformed structure, was a hunger for the essence my body holds. Over time, the structure was made aware. I almost succumbed to his ruthless lies, his greed can be seen in his jaws."

A "hunger for the essence my body holds" could mean Skid's Father's blood or soul. Sacrifices to keep The Eyes docile. Then, growing aware could imply that, at this point in time, The Eyes were still immature and small. The most interesting part to me are the talks of ruthless lies, and the overall negative and disgusting imagery that Skid's Father has been using to describe The Eyes of the Universe.

"Pile of skin", "deformed structure", and "ruthless" aren't necessarily the words I'd use to describe a being I look up to and respect. If my theory that The Eyes were born to pursue Skid's Father is true, I wouldn't be surprised if they had/have a hostile relationship with each other. Possibly a begrudging partnership over a shared goal.

"One silent night as darkness covers the town, which speaks of something that is more than everything. But soon it will be close, everything will become nothing and everything will be no one."

I believe this is The Eyes telling Skid's Father about whatever event will happen at the end of the series. Currently, I'm guessing the end of the world, but I'm not sure.

"I didn't believe it, I thought it was another lie... But then he showed me... I saw everything that we had lived through, and then I saw the evil that awaited me... Then I returned."

We learn a few things from this. For one, The Eyes lie to Skid's Father enough that he doesn't have a reason to believe what The Eyes tell him until he shows Skid's Father, possibly from a vision. Secondly, Skid's Father has been shown future events, like a prophecy. The evil that awaits him could mean a few things: Bad events that happen to him in the future, possibly his death, then his return meaning being revived. Then, alternatively, evils that Skid's Father performs, then him returning to the present as his vision ends. My current bet is the former, due to my interpretation of the next line.

"My body was paralyzed, my mind weakened and my life shortened, for I saw an eternal nightmare, this is the creature's pain. I made a deal: "Make me eternal, for me to forbid everything so that all is from you." He accepted."

I believe the first part about his body being paralyzed, life shortened, and mind weakened from seeing an eternal nightmare is his death that he saw in the vision. Mostly because if his life was shortened, which I wouldn't know how he'd know unless he died immediately, he wouldn't have been alive to make the deal for immortality. Seeing his own death, which with the context of a supposed "weakened mind" and paralysis, sounds agonizing, would give him a reason to make a deal for immortality.

This then brings into question Moloch and Skid's Father. How would Skid's Father have survived for this long without immortality. My guess is that Skid's Father got an extended life from Moloch, but not necessarily immortality. The extended life would've possibly been enough for The Eyes to have been created to pursue Skid's Father for "seizing the fate of his own time", but still make it so that he could bargain for full on immortality here.

Alright! Last image!

I believe this one is after the one we just went over, but not by much. At the very least, I believe this has less time between it than the scroll and the last image does. I think this because the candle has burned down further than the previous image, but the actual codex has the same amount of wear and tear as in the last image. So, not only is it seemingly the same book, but it hasn't been long enough for any visible damage to have come to it.

Onto the text!

"I lost the feeling of living each second. Nights become torment, for I dream in fear, of the gouging horror waiting in the light surrounding the sky. In any moment my vessel will break and the light will consume my essence."

I feel like part of this is relatively obvious. Skid's Father is talking about dying. He's fearful of dying, and that death is going to come soon. However, I think it's important to note that he doesn't say "I am going to die", but that "my vessel will break" and that his essence will be consumed. I just think it's important. Perhaps the deal with The Eyes had complications, possibly due to The Eyes not having granted immortality before, or being too young/immature to have the power to fully grant it at that point in time?

"But I have learned how the soul could heal and survive the passage of time; and perhaps, live again without fearing the end."

Skid's Father has found a way to gain a new vessel or immortality. Pretty obvious. I find the added part of fearing an end a bit noteworthy, as it implies he fears death. Possibly to an unhealthy degree. Actually, probably, because he's made like... two deals to either extend his life or try to grant immortality.

"Yesterday, I walked to the forest to warm my home in the cold of the night. The town, or what was left of it, stopped going there. I walked through the dark forest and felt eyes on my back. I looked desperately around me, seeing nothing but the seed of the earth. I kept walking until I saw a tree, one of which looked sternly at me. He asked:..."

A few things can be guessed from this: He's going out for firewood, which then means this is one of the first times we hear of Skid's Father and cutting down wood. We could guess from a portrait of him that he was a wood carver, so this is the first text evidence of the connection between him and trees. Secondly, the town he's in has stopped going to the forest, and it's quite possible that The Tree Entity has killed a lot of people from this town (hence "or what was left of it"). I think the "he" there is either a translation error or a writing error, since the majority of the text used "she" when talking about The Tree Entity. Or maybe The Tree uses both? Idk The Tree is a tree, let the Tree go by whatever the Tree wants lol. Just thought I'd mention it, since I'm pretty sure both "he" and "she" in this text is meant to be The Tree.

" "What an unlucky soul, running after a false goal." "

The Tree says this, which can have a few implications. The Tree thinks Skid's Father is chasing a meaningless goal is one. The goal is true, but unattainable. Second is that The Eyes, once again, are lying to Skid's Father. The Tree knows this, but Skid's Father believes the Eyes to be telling the truth. Thirdly, The Tree knows Moloch is not really Saturn, and so whatever Moloch might be telling him is also a lie. Fourth, The Tree is trying to position herself as trustworthy, and someone who will expose the lies of those around him.

"She walked towards me. Her eyes could pierce my flesh and feed on my soul; and her voice, oh, the horrible sound of her dry, petrifying body gradually approached. I looked to her, eye to eye... before she asked."

More confirmation that this is The Tree Entity. Obviously, Skid's Father is fearful of her. I'd even say he seems to be more afraid of her than he was of The Eyes of the Universe. Whilst he used more spiteful language about The Eyes, like speaking of a monstrous being he despised, here he's talking about the Tree Entity using words like "petrifying", and spoke of feeling watched and looking around desperately just before this.

" "I can let you live, if you'll allow a trade." Terrified, I said no out of fear, and ran away, which the tree understood."

The Tree Entity offered yet another deal involving life to Skid's Father. However, out of pure fear, he ran away and said no. I am assuming "which the tree understood" meant to mean The Tree knew he would've said yes if he were in a right state of mind. Either way, I feel this is more evidence that he's more scared of The Tree Entity than he is of either The Eyes or Moloch.

"He showed me how to hide my soul in a new vessel, but in exchange he wanted six children, for their souls are stronger. I will end the lives of many; a born sinner will be no exception."

I believe this is still The Tree Entity. The exchange that he wanted was six children in return for learning how to transfer himself into a new vessel. Specifically, the wording was to "hide". So, perhaps something else is now seeking Skid's Father? Skid's Father then claims that he will end the lives of many, with "a born sinner" not being an exception to that rule. I think it's mainly meant to show that he is completely willing, at this point, to end the lives of children. The term "born sinner" is a bit interesting, since I wonder if that is now his excuse to reconcile himself with the idea of it. These children aren't innocent, but were instead born sinful, so it is fine.

"Today, in the hour of light, I experimented with the vessel. I cut off some trunk then searched for someone, and it worked. It moved like a caterpillar trying to evolve into a butterfly. Unfortunately for them, the monster was hungry."

I think this is meant to show that he gained a new vessel first, then went to find the six children second. The way he speaks of his new vessel is with an interesting fascination. It works, and the movements are "like a caterpillar trying to evolve into a butterfly". Not like a butterfly, but like something trying to become one. I'm guessing it might mean that he was stumbling a bit, like he wasn't used to it, yet, so he wasn't quite graceful?

Alternatively, perhaps his vessel was a child. So, it moved like a caterpillar trying to evolve into a butterfly... because caterpillars mature into butterflies. So if it were a child who was sort of possessed by an adult, they would move oddly, like a child trying to move with adult mannerisms.

"The meaning of life comes, for this vessel will be all mine; But I'll bring it every night, I fear there is a clear dark end."

The vessel will belong to Skid's Father. Will, implying that the trade might not be complete fully at the time of writing. Yet, we can assume it was eventually completed. The clear dark end is still looking over him, though. Especially because, in the diagram of the vessel, there's that diamond symbol on the forehead. There's a portrait of Skid's Father, where if you mess with the lighting enough, you'll see the same diamond over his forehead. It's a bit hard to see, but I'm sure somebody else will make a better image.

So, what are my thoughts? Anything I haven't mentioned, yet? Yes, actually!

I think the "eternal night" Skid's Father wants to be freed from is death, itself. The possible alternate version of being "mistreated" from the first image is the idea of him living a difficult life, only to unceremoniously die and be buried in the ground like he never existed. That's why,in every text, there is a mention of some form of immortality or life extension.

He first is with Moloch, who he believed or still believes to be Saturn. The Roman god of time, periodic renewal, generations, that ruled over the period of time where humans lived in peace and for an extremely long time. There, he gained some form of an extended life.

Then the next was with The Eyes of the Universe, a being meant to destroy him or be a punishment for running from death. There, he asked for immortality after witnessing his own prophesied death, in exchange for helping The Eyes stop some doomsday event. However, at that point in time, The Eyes were too immature to fully grant him the immortality he desired, so his vessel began falling apart. He was so fearful of death that, despite previously complaining about mistreatment and how he'd "not allow his life to go on treated like a rag left in the mud", he turned to a being who was mistreating him by lying to his face and asking for his essence in order to escape death.

Then there was The Tree Entity, who found him before he was about to die. In fear and desperation, he sacrificed six children in order to learn how to transfer himself into a new vessel to extend his life. He was so fearful of death that, despite previously running from fear of The Tree Entity and denying the trade, he still accepted the help of the Tree Entity afterwards.

There's this theme of extending his life throughout all of them, but also this realization that he could've been a relatively normal man before all of this. Definitely not the most sane, probably started out as a bad enough person if he was willing to give sacrifices of children to extend his own life, but in the first text he says it haunts him. The memory of those children pleading haunted him. Then, by the time of The Tree Entity, he's full on admitting that he will end the lives of many, and coldly saying that children are no exception to that rule. Not only that, but he wrote of finding people, most likely to sacrifice considering it was followed by "the monster was hungry". Yet, no mentions of how he felt after the sacrifice was done.

He's doing anything to extend his own life, to the point where he's becoming desensitized to the things that previously horrified and haunted him, just so he can mentally survive how long he's been alive and the actions he's taking to keep it that way. He's survived, but who he once was had to die in order for him to.

She exists because I wanted to make a OC to ship with the witch because she is one of my favorite characters from the show. I thought of a mushroom monster who loves trees and how a character like that would be perfect to ship with the witch/tree who loves mushrooms. I ended not going anywhere with the idea at first because I couldn't really make her interesting enough outside of that base idea. But then within the last month I got the idea of her having been a hippie who turned into a mushroom from eating so many of them. Aswell as the idea of a her being a cult leader who wants people to join nature (inspired by a idea @skeletal-jig had that I was allowed to take as it was no longer being used). This ended up with me finally going ahead and making her.