"The Silent Circle" is a short story that was published in the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge-exclusive edition of the book Myths & Fables. The story was written by George Mann, illustrated by Grant Griffin, and published on October 7, 2020.

Plot summary[]

According to legend, there is a circle of trees on the planet Batuu and those who visit the circle alone at night with pure intentions might be able to hear the tale of the trees. It is said that the tale recounts the life of the trees when they were alive and brimming with the Living Force. The trees grew and nurtured new life eventually bring about new species, a race of flying fae and a herds of beasts. Both lived in harmony with the trees for many years.

After a millennium the trees grew curious about the distant lands and began to instill intelligence in the fae so they could explore and bring back news of what they learn. For many more years life continued for the trees while saplings grew in the distance to from a new forest in the mountains. However the distant forest remained silent and none of the fae that left on the migration had returned. Growing concerned the trees encouraged a second group of fae to form and expedition to the mountain forest. However as the years past none of the fae returned.

Concluding that the mountain forest had become a paradise and they had no desire to return the trees turned their sights to the islands in the near by ocean and encouraged the great beasts to learn to swim so a group of Fae could explore those islands. As time passed the tree saw that a new force began to grow in the distant islands. But like before the new coleny remained silent.

After many years a small group of fae emissaries arrived from the mountain colony. At first the trees were overjoyed to hear from their distant offspring, but the fae came demanding resources to further the expansion of the mountain forest. Knowing they could not spare the resources the trees refused the demands and sent the mountain emissaries away. However soon the trees saw signs of a new great migration in the mountain colony. Fearing a war the trees asked the ocean colony for help, but the colony refused. So it was that the trees prepared for war. Repealing the initial attack the conflict evolved into a protracted war between the Fae of each forest. As the war continued the ocean colony joined the war seeking dominance over both the other colonies and establish peace.

However as war continued on and the fae developed new methods of fighting, they discovered that they could mine the living force from the trees to power their engines of destruction. Powerless to stop them, the trees were drained of their connection to the Force becoming blackened and dead where they still stand today.

Framework story[]

Near Black Spire Outpost is an almost perfect circle of dead trees. Nothing grows and no one has ever built something inside the circle. Some say that the dead trees emit an aura that discourages the presence of life. Others say that if someone will visit the circle alone at night with pure intent, the trees will weave their tale of downfall, called The Silent Circle. According the few that heard this story, it is a warning in hope that they who hear it might learn from past mistakes of hubris and unchecked curiosity.

Embedded story[]

The wise trees live in perfect harmony with the hulking beasts. Some day, a new species, the small fae, emerges. The three species form an ecosystem in the forest and live in harmony for millennia. They eventually spot mountains in the distance and decide to form a colony there. years pass and the trees form more colonies, including a colony in the ocean. Unexpectedly, the mountain colony returns and demand new resources. When the tree ecosystem can't provide, the colony attacks and a war breaks out in which the ecosystem collapses and the trees, beasts and fae die.

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