Classification: FH/1.1/BA/T/A
Description: Artifact #2 is a sweet chestnut tree (species Castanea sativa) measuring around 50 feet tall. The tree was originally located in a glade about 10 miles from Ringstone in Wiltshire County, Britland. Coordinators from the Figueroa Archive, in cooperation with the Britland Sovreignity and local tree surgeons, were able to transplant the tree to a wooded location near Archive Headquarters in Chiliguay, where it is tended by expert foresters daily.
About a third of the way up the trunk of the tree, the bark forms a distinctive human face, resembling an aged man with long hair and beard that flows fluidly into the bark pattern of the trunk. The face of the tree is dormant by default, resembling a wood carving.
Consuming chestnuts from the tree has been reported to allow the consumer to interact with the face. Subjects report initially experiencing symptoms of vertigo and slight fever, which pass quickly into a semi-euphoric state described as a slight buzzing in the forehead. After this, the eater of the chestnut can converse with the face, who calls himself Jack.
Jack claims to be an ancient fertility deity whom has lived in one form or another since the dawn of life on our planet. He brags openly about his divine abilities, which he claims include bringing snowfall; making the other trees of the forest speak at his whim; killing any man who offends him instantly; and fertilizing females of various species, both plant-based and animal. He is also quite lewd, using rather stark language when speaking. This usually has the unfortunate effects of embarrassing any male subjects, and titillating female ones.
Jack is reported to have a canny and devious nature. He often misleads those he converses with, sending them on wild goose chases through the forest with the promise of further information. He is not always so manipulative, however, and has been known to take a shining to certain individuals; most notably, he has struck a friendship with groundskeeper Ortwin Gerste, whose unsurpassed ability to imbibe alcohol greatly impresses him.
Though the Archive has acquired Artifact #2 with the blessing of the Britland Sovreignity, a number of formal complaints have been lodged by the Ancient Order of Druids towards that government, and several members of the fraternity have gone so far as to issue death threats at specific officials. To date, no violent repercussions have come of these correspondences.
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