Epic... Gnarl? Gnarl, singular? That's right! Rather than being a distinct subspecies of the Plant Top Boss, this Monster is the outcome of a one -in-a-million chance that an individual from the Common Quint species never seeks a partner and instead strikes out on its own. This life-path diverges from the typical Gnarls experience like a branch from a great trunk. As it draws more nutrients from its environment, its two eyes merge into a single oculus, although it unsettlingly retains dual irises. Since the solo Gnarl doesn't need to share resources with a partner, it's able to convert some of the vine-like parts of its body to become sturdy arms and legs. Eventually, these 'barkly' bits also climb upwards and picturesquely frame the Gnarl's corolla, creating a silhouette that gives this Monster its second name the Heartwood Tree. Does this solitary existence mean that the Epic

solitary existence mean that the Epic Gnarl is lonely? It has no shortage of fellow Plant-Elementals to socialize with, but as it beholds other Gnarls in its habitat, the feeling must be just a smidge bittersweet.