Editing Black Heath (section)

=== What the Forest Wants ===
This is the central question of Black Heath, and it has no clean answer [1].

The forest appears to act in its own interest — redirecting water away from settlements that damage root systems, growing aggressively into clearings that humans try to maintain, and withholding resin from communities that overharvest [1]. But it also cooperates — sometimes enthusiastically [1]. It grows shelters [1]. It redirects roots around human-built foundations [1]. It produces resin in greater quantities near allied settlements [1]. It has, on recorded occasions, warned Tappers of approaching danger through the resin-link [1].

The forest is not benevolent [1]. It is not malevolent [1]. It is strategic [1]. And it has its own agenda — one that operates on timescales of centuries and priorities that do not always align with human needs [1].