Indeed. When the first set of us were brought here, it involved a rather nasty business with a rogue dryad at the Tree. How, I could not tell you, but it trapped us in a sort of dream or vision centering around sacrifice, more or less. We were to give mind or body as tribute to be freed.

[ He nods and hums out a thoughtful note as he considers just how much to explain of what that means since his own case was rather... Unique. But he decides that there's not really a reason to withhold it, so honesty it is. ]

I was personally a part of the trial twice before being rescued by the Tribune, as a matter of fact. In one, I gave a finger, and in the other, well. It was with someone who has a rather poor opinion of me, so she killed me.

[ He says, extremely casually... ]

Quite obviously it was not real. But it did certainly feel it, I shall say.