“

...That tree has got it coming.

„

Marl is a tree keeper for the village. They seem to hold a nasty grudge against the tallest tree in the village - having fallen off of it in their youth - and many of the village people work to prevent them from cutting it down.

Dialogue

Initial Conversation

• "So it's launch day, huh? Hal's going to miss you.
  Speaking of launch day... I was thinking about it, and the platform those ships launch from is getting old. Isn't about time you built a new, less flammable one?
  That big tree in the village would be the perfect choice. I wouldn't mind helping out the space program. Just say the word!"
  • >The current launch pad is fine, thanks.
    • "Oh. Really? Dang.
      Well, maybe someone needs a new porch or something. A big one."
  • >Nice try. We all know you have it out for that tree.
    • "What? No, I just think it's in the way and someone ought to chop it down, you know? Specifically, me.
      ...Haha, you think this has to do with the time I fell out of it and broke my arm? That was when we were hatchlings! Who would hold a grudge for that long?"
  • >The launch pad is FLAMMABLE?!
    • "Ha! You didn't realize that?
      Don't worry, it's held up for all the launches so far. It'll definitely be fine for yours. Probably."

If talked about the tree

• "...That tree has got it coming.
  If you swing by the moon, say hi to Esker for me."

After going to space

• "What are you doing back? Did you forget your spacesuit or something?"

Trivia

• Esker chuckles that Marl is probably the only one who remembers they're up on the Attlerock and ponders going to see "the big lug" soon. They know about the feud with the big tree in the village and ask the Protagonist not to mention they sometimes send their Little Scout down to make sure Marl isn't "doing anything stupid."
• Moraine is worried Marl will cut down the tree if no one is in it; they stay in it as much as possible in the belief Marl doesn't see eyes-to-eyes with Mayor Rutile, who told them not to cut it down. Rutile feels it's their duty as mayor to stop Marl from getting rid of the tree, and suspects that they hit their head on the way down when they fell from it.
• Tektite considers setting both Marl and Hal loose on the Dark Bramble seed in Youngbark Crater, saying no one can get rid of an unwanted plant faster than a tree keeper.
• Marl may live or work in the building standing behind them. Its water-wheel and the cut logs by the mechanical lift in the clearing behind it suggest that it is a sawmill and/or lumber-mill.
• As all Hearthians they are named after minerals. Marl is an earthy material rich in carbonate minerals, clays, and silt.