Tree (Hunters)

The tree can be considered a rite of passage. Young tribe members are to plant a sapling in the forest they live in. Symbolizing the bond to their home, this tree is considered the center of life for that member, as well as a proof for his allegiance to the forest. It is a holy duty to care for that tree and make sure that the tree may grow and thrive. David Kessel was only allowed to attend things as a full member after he himself partook in the ritual planting of his tree.

If a member dies, the tribe will burn the body in a ceremonial second rite of passage, and will reunite the remains with the soil at the feet of the tree. Furthermore, the tribe will then take responsibility for the tree. In every forest that is or was once inhabited by Hunters, there is such a graveyard of old trees. The reputation of a tribe amongst others depends heavily on such graveyards, and the age of the oldest tree on a tribe's graveyard is a symbol for the age and honor of that tribe.

Having their tree die is one of the hardest things that may happen to a member. Losing the tree is equivalent to losing the bond to home, and treeless Hunters are considered to be without home. Evicted from their tribes and sometimes even the forest, these Hunters are forced to live the lone life of a hermit. Seldom and only because of accomplished deeds is a treeless one allowed to take a new sapling and regain his face in the tribe and in the community of all Hunters. Such act however is question of a volksthing and nothing less.

Similarly, the tree may be chopped as the ultimate punishment for a capital crime. Even here, the possibility of forgiveness exists; But driven by both guilt and pain from the loss of the tree, most of the treeless ones will accept the life of an outcast.