People once avoided cutting trees from ancient groves in winter. When timber had to be taken, gifts were left among the roots before the axe fell and deadfall was used whenever possible. Some villages still count these customs among the Winter Debt, treating the gifts as payment for taking living timber from the wild.

Growing demand has made such traditions increasingly inconvenient. Trees are felled in quantity, their branches bound for transport and the timber carried away under lawful writs. Most reaches market. Some trees taken from the oldest groves attempt to return.

A Ropebound Ancient may stir before the cart has gone far, using severed roots and broken growth to drag itself back toward the woodland. The ropes around its branches tighten as it moves, catching horses, harness, cargo and sometimes people. Those that reach their former groves have been found rooted again at the forest edge, scarred and tangled with the remains of the journey.

Attempts to restrain one often leave it carrying even more home than it began with. Once such trees have rooted themselves again, nearby observers may place decorations, food and small gifts among the torn clothing and bones already caught in their branches.