The village of Holmoak has always stood out from its neighbours in the Fenwater Delta for its prosperity, and the enormous oak tree visible for miles in the flat, brackish delta. What most don't know is that an ancient creature lives in the great oak: a pale, faceless vaguely man-shaped creature. It knows all that happens in the area under which the oat's roots spread. It is able to alter its limbs at will, elongating its fingers into razor-sharp claws or rootlike suckers that drain life. It uses its magic to improve the village's fortunes. In return, a cult of villagers feed it travelers. Its flesh is spongy, porous and uniform: it has no organs to speak of. It can only be truly harmed by piercing weapons carved from the wood of, or burned with fire kindled from, the great holm oak it lives in. Instinct: To endure

• Know its domain
• Drain essence
• Call cultists