Since the Tale of Tales site cites humans having been in/maybe still being in TEF, I choose to just see it as human interference.

"An old bridge allows access to the other side of the stream, although for deer, jumping over it is far more convenient. Where are the people who built and used this bridge? Did it serve the monks when they went to mass in the cathedral? When did the humans disappear? Or did they not?" - The Pond.

"Fitting with the romantic picture of our forest, we created a ruin of the gothic Saint Salvator church, based on actual measurements." - The Ruin.

And of course, these are backed in game with:

- The Old Woman. (Abiogenesis event.)
- The plane shadow/engine sound. (Abiogenesis event.)
- The cabin [in the woods, hurrhurr]. ("The Path" release special event.)
- Jesus's likeness appearing on a grave in the Ruin.
- (Speculative.) The semi-Greek-looking-human carvings decorating the Ruin.
- De Drinkplaats fountain.
- The Crying Idol/Pagan Idols.
- Perhaps even the Twin Gods, though I speculate they are a new type of magic appearing after the human concepts of Christianity and Paganism, alongside The Endless Forest stags.

I actually have a semi-joke character who's a kind of reporter/paranormal enthusiast type who runs around trying to interview Forest denizens to learn more about "humans."

But anyway, that's just me. Considering mine is just rooted in what I've read, my idea is probably pretty boring. xD

The old woman is a model taken from another of ToT's games--I believe from "The Graveyard." During at least one Abiogenesis, the gods had her walk around in TEF. Many deer who followed her were turned into doves.

The Cabin was a model taken from "The Path" itself, and just sat around in the forest for (I think) about a week, in the birch. I wasn't there for either event, so I'm not entirely certain on those facts.

Same with my little to-myself character: just digs the things which happen to have Endless Forest deer faces. (I still get a kick out of her perspective, since obviously, to TEF deer, humans are the weird-looking ones.)

I've read about both of those, and loved both of the ideas. That poor photographer, and I was horrified--in good humour--to have the Rut associated with the Magicians. Here's to hoping they aren't in for much of a surprise, should they come to be as more than simply concepts.

I also agree with the notion that it's likely been some time since humans were around, though, as well, perhaps time works differently in TEF. After all, a day there varies in length, and can be many months here. Who's to tell. Regardless, definitely an interesting thing to think on.

Oh, most definitely. That's an interesting thought. I suppose it'd depend on the mindset.

Oh that'd be a trip. But I like the idea--I'd considered something like that as a possibility, just due to the circumstances, due to the faces. Headcanons are my jam.

Excellent notion. I've been doing something sort of like that with a character of mine lately as well, in fact a little bit inspired by your own thoughtfulness, as well as his general outlook. It's been interesting, at least, seeing the forest with fresh eyes.

Goodness me, you must be fun. Don't be too hard on the DM with that creativity.

P.S. Don't mind that old brown thing using my pictogram--just a character of mine I haven't found a good pictogram for. He's a little strange. The lack of bow is not meant to be offensive.

Oh I know. Much like some Religions/Mythological collections opt to do, I hold quite a few beliefs as Headcanon simultaneously, even if they directly contradict themselves.

I'm personally still interested in the second to last sentence about the Old Oak. As I've seen from you, La has quite a thing about that tree. Wonder what will happen.

Oh good--I'm happy to read that. That's a good way to read him.
Ha! That's cute--I actually hadn't noticed. He'd like that, I think.

I had a feeling, but it never hurts to clarify.

About the stumps... I do not want to interfere, but sometimes you can hear a tree falling!!

Of course, of course. Very sensible things. I understand the both of you.

Yeah, I realized that as well. It may just end up being something like the description of how they'd intended the game to go at one point--though, with the new sets, I think it's totally reasonable to be optimistic about changes coming in the future, even though it may be distant.

Indeed, definitely. Cautious optimism is the way to go.

@ Vala's comment.

I'd always noticed that and was going to bring it up here, but spaced it. From the marks on the trees, I'd say they're cut. As for the sounds, it's impossible for me to tell whether they're falling, or being felled.

That said, the cuts are not the same as traditional tree-cutting markings would leave. (Aka, cutting a notch to guide the tree to fall a specific direction. These cuts are flat.)

Strange forest stuff, man.

A two-man saw or some other such tool could leave it flat, maybe. It's possible there are a pair of lumberjacks in the woods?

@Vala: Oh my goodness that's the best thing ever. Easter eggs are delightful.

I didn't know that. Learn something new every day. Maybe they carry off the trees for cabins, or they make those log things for deer to jump over and sit around.

PS here are the sneaky lumberjacks!

P.S. Linked this in Trouts updates. also. Someone needs to help Trout communicate better. WE still think its all the glitches fault. But id rather it be those sneaky lumberjacks!

If you think about it, the deer have human faces. They could have been humans before the Gods came, for all we know.

just an idea don't hurt me pls

As corny as my comment sounds, Thinking about all this helps to bring back the magic of the forest to me. I'm really intrigued by Flatsodas comment about the deer being human once. Hence their humanoid faces. xD

._. mind blown