The Elderwood
Der Alte Wald
Plot Summary
David terGorden, burdened by the knowledge that he is the Heir of Power, travels with Narda del Drago and Aura Damona Mar aboard the Collector to the Old Forest, hoping to find answers about his destiny. The Collector travels through Space II before arriving at the Old Forest, a solar system-sized collection of intelligent plants surrounding a dwarf sun. David makes telepathic contact with the collective consciousness of the Old Forest, but finds them aloof and unhelpful.
The Collector lands on a planet within the Old Forest, where they meet Luther Straightwire, the Lenker, who reveals the history of the Pre-Cosmos, the Ancients, the emergence of carnivorous life, and the Intercosmic Anti-Entropy System (the Long Row). He explains that David is meant to reactivate the Long Row by finding the eight other Spectra and uniting with them. He also reveals that the Connex Crystal, containing the knowledge of the Pre-Cosmos, is needed for David to fulfill his destiny, but it is currently in the possession of Jana the Witch.
Straightwire explains that the Old Forest is composed of inactive Steerers who have merged into a collective consciousness. He also warns David about Ratatosk, an energy being that feeds on entropy and is trying to sabotage the reconstruction of the Long Row. David expresses his mistrust, and Straightwire proves his identity as a Steerer. As they prepare to leave, the Old Forest refuses to let them go. Straightwire and another Steerer help David, Narda, and Aura Damona force an n-dimensional channel to escape, but it requires a massive exertion of their combined PSI powers.
After escaping, Straightwire receives a message that an Entity has attempted to seize the Connex Crystal. He departs to deal with the situation, leaving David, Narda, and Aura Damona to continue their journey to retrieve the Connex Crystal and begin their search for the other Spectra. The Collector sets course toward the center of the Milky Way.
Key Events
- 01 David terGorden, Narda del Drago, and Aura Damona Mar travel to the Old Forest aboard the Collector.
- 02 David makes telepathic contact with the collective consciousness of the Old Forest, finding them unhelpful.
- 03 They land on a planet within the Old Forest and meet Luther Straightwire, the Lenker.
- 04 Straightwire reveals the history of the Pre-Cosmos, the Ancients, and the Intercosmic Anti-Entropy System (Long Row).
- 05 David learns he is meant to reactivate the Long Row by finding the eight other Spectra.
- 06 Straightwire explains the Old Forest is composed of inactive Steerers and warns about Ratatosk.
- 07 Straightwire proves his identity as a Steerer to David.
- 08 The Old Forest refuses to let them leave.
- 09 Straightwire and another Steerer help them force an n-dimensional channel to escape.
- 10 Straightwire departs to deal with an Entity attempting to seize the Connex Crystal.
- 11 The Collector sets course toward the center of the Milky Way.
Characters
David terGorden — The Heir of Power, destined to reactivate the Intercosmic Anti-Entropy System. He is burdened by his destiny and struggles with the responsibility.
Narda del Drago — David's faithful companion, a young Driver with telepathic abilities. She is supportive of David and concerned for his well-being.
Aura Damona Mar — An Oracle, a PSI-being from Sarym. She provides cryptic prophecies and insights into the cosmic situation.
Luther Straightwire — The Lenker, a plant-being disguised as a human. He reveals the history of the Pre-Cosmos and David's role in the Intercosmic Anti-Entropy System.
Jana the Witch — Lodge Master in possession of the Connex Crystal.
Ratatosk — An energy being that feeds on entropy and is trying to sabotage the reconstruction of the Long Row.
Locations
Space II — An alternate dimension used for faster-than-light travel.
Old Forest — A solar system-sized collection of intelligent plants surrounding a dwarf sun, composed of inactive Steerers.
Planet within the Old Forest — A planet covered in forest and jungle, serving as an anchorage for the Old Forest.
Ships & Vehicles
Collector — A quasi-intelligent plant spaceship, cultivated by the PSI-Auras on Sarym specifically for David terGorden. It serves as their primary mode of transportation.
Technology & Concepts
Heir of Power — David terGorden's destiny to reactivate the Intercosmic Anti-Entropy System.
Pre-Cosmos — The universe that existed before the Big Bang, populated by intelligent plant beings.
Ancients — The intelligent plant beings that populated the Pre-Cosmos.
Intercosmic Anti-Entropy System (Long Row) — A system designed to prevent entropy from destroying the universe.
Spectra — The nine beings destined to unite and reactivate the Intercosmic Anti-Entropy System.
Connex Crystal — A crystal containing the knowledge of the Pre-Cosmos, needed for the Spectra to fulfill their destiny.
Steerers — Beings responsible for coordinating the Intercosmic Anti-Entropy System.
Ratatosk — An energy being that feeds on entropy and is trying to sabotage the reconstruction of the Long Row.
PSI — Psionic energy, used by various beings for telepathy, telekinesis, and other abilities.
Space-Time Stroboscope (STS) — A network of n-dimensional channels used for faster-than-light travel.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of destiny, responsibility, and the struggle against entropy. The tone is serious and philosophical, with elements of mystery and suspense. The narrative style is expository, with long passages of dialogue explaining the history and concepts of the Terranauten universe.
Connections
Continues from: Previous booklets that established David's role as the Heir of Power and his connection to Yggdrasil.
Leads into: The search for the Connex Crystal and the other Spectra. The ongoing threat of Ratatosk.
Related booklets: Booklets dealing with the history of the Pre-Cosmos, the Ancients, the Intercosmic Anti-Entropy System, and the Steerers.
```