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GREEN PLANET, PART III: THE RRYATT TRAIL
The journey down the Rryatt Trail was a long one and Carst began to understand the value of a Wookiee guide not long after they set out for the Shadowlands. He knew that even with the Force, he would never have been able to navigate through the foliage and trees. He recognized Phandon felt the same, otherwise he would not have called on Raabarhynn.
The Trail was broken up into five separate levels, each more difficult to navigate and dangerous than the last. After what seemed like an hour, the four adventurers entered onto the second level of the Trail, which was called the High Grounds, as Raabar had explained. Like the Common Paths, this level sat along various hills, although it snaked deep enough into the forest that just the tops of the Wroshhr trees could be seen. As they trekked through this level, Raabar explained that the High Grounds was known to be the home to a variety of moufs, medium-sized, solitary creatures, and bolotaur, long-necked reptilian beasts.
Soon enough, the four crossed into the Wroshyr Canopy, the third level of the Trail. As the name implied, it was the canopy of the famous Wroshyr trees. This entire section of the Trail consisted of the intertwined branches of several of the immense trees and lasted for miles. There were numerous beasts that made their home amongst the canopy, peering out as the adventurers made their way through the trees.
Carst looked around as they walked, catching the movement of the creatures out of the corners of his eyes. "Raabar?" He asked.
"Yes, Carst?"
"What sort of creatures live here? I've seen quite a lot moving amongst the trees."
"Oh, many creatures make their home here. Sathog, jykkle vultures, fern bickers." Raabar began. A large creature up ahead growled and darted back into the trees. Raabar pointed ahead. "Those massive simian creatures are called minstyngar. Only adults roam the Trail. Their elders and young are kept deep in the forest, away from travelers and poachers."
"Are any of these creatures dangerous?" Carst asked, curious about their nature.
"Not unless they're provoked. The real danger lies on the fourth and fifth levels."
Raabar was certainly telling the truth. The fourth level of the Trail was known as the Webweaver Path, named for the wyyyschokk that infested the interconnected branches of the wroshyr trees, which were further connected by a series of low lying hills. Wyyyschokk, also known as webweavers, were arachnids that were highly intelligent, though their intelligence level is unknown, as they were too dangerous to observe by living subjects. Any droids set to observe them were destroyed within minutes.
Raabar explained that wyyyschokk held the distinction of being the most dangerous predator on Kashyyyk, signifying them as one of the most dangerous in the galaxy. Because of this fact, Raabar led them carefully and cautiously along the Webweaver Path, his bowcaster held out in front of him, in case of a wyyyschokk attack. Fortunately for them, the Force seemed to be on their side, as they crossed onto the fifth and final level of the Trail unharmed.
Carst had noticed that as they traversed down the Trail, it became increasingly darker the lower they descended. But this level was different. It seemed to be shielded from any sunlight at all by the tall trees and thick foliage. Even though in reality it was midday, here on the lowest level of Kashyyyk's forest, it felt like the dark of night.
Raabar held up his furry arm and the three behind him halted their steps. The Wookiee turned around and slung his blaster over his shoulder.
"We are now in the lowest, darkest, and most dangerous part of Kashyyyk." Raabar explained. "The beasts that live here are some of the most vicious and savage. Very few of us Wookiees every come here, aside from rites of passage or other ceremonial reasons. It is a place of exile and banishment." Raabar sighed. "Welcome to the Shadowlands."
Carst looked up and stared into the winding, inhospitable darkness of the Shadowlands, unhooking his lightsaber and grasping it tightly in his hand. The real danger was shrouded by the shadows of these grounds, and it was those shadows the four adventurers were about to enter.
_________________ "Do not fear the mysteries of the Living Force. You are in the hands of something much greater and much better than you can imagine."
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