As you arrive, the castle walls fade from around you. Except for a small stone alcove housing the button you just pressed, the structure is nowhere to be seen. In its place is a lush jungle featuring gigantic ferns, tall tree trunks ringed with vines and strange fungi, and a wide assortment of critters—just about every Earth species you could think of, past and present, with the strange yet notable exception of humans. Looking up you can see a forest canopy with some patches of sky peeking through. Despite what your instincts should be telling you, you feel surprisingly at peace here. Some of the animals might look scary, but none of them seem the least bit interested in harming you or anything else—not even for food. In fact, you’d be willing to be that if you hadn’t immediately run away you would have discovered that the terror bird charging you almost seemed like it was attempting to initiate some form of play. And you could almost swear you just saw a lion lying down with a lamb.

The ground is springy and easy to walk on. Whenever it gets the least bit damp, thick tree roots can also be found to use as bridges, as if the jungle is responding to your every need. You don’t see any dead animals lying about, even from old age. The days and nights are pleasant--not too warm or too cool—and the air smells almost perfumed. The evening sky is full of brilliant, beautiful stars. The water from the rivers and pools is perfectly clear and has a sweet taste. You could almost call it paradise.

Before you start exploring in earnest, do try to remember where the red button to return to the castle is located. Maybe you could keep in mind how, although you're in a small clearing, the foliage seems to thicken around the alcove as if trying to hide it. Maybe it's the foliage itself; strange blue flowers about the size of one's hand and shaped almost like squids. Or if you're a mathematical-minded person, you could remember that the button is 2640 feet straight in from the perimeter from all directions.

Going North through the jungle you'll cross many streams that converge and diverge; at some points they're little more than a trickle, and at others they are rushing torrents.Soon after leaving the streams, the ground becomes craggy and the jungle eventually gives way to mountainous area. The borders are not far past this point, although you might be able to climb a mountain or two before passing out.

The eastern jungle features small pools and waterfalls, due to a series of streams that run from the west through the northern portion of the jungle. Caves are also prevalent here; could this be where you set up camp? The jungle extends well beyond the invisible borders here, and what's beyond cannot be seen.

Significantly drier and flatter than in the North or East, the southern portion of the jungle consists of mainly stable ground and patchier shade. Most of the foliage you've seen elsewhere, but there are two trees that seem to command your attention. They're massive, and there doesn't seem to be much else growing around them. The trunk of one is dark and hard with brilliant tiny golden leaves. The other, a white wood with thick leafy branches. A gorgeous aura surrounds them that you can almost make out in just the right light, and you never see a single leaf drop.

If you get close enough to the edge of the jungle you'll see it eventually gives way to vast plains, but you'll start to feel faint just as the jungle begins to recede, and you'll pass out before you ever set foot outside of it.

If you walk west you'll head upstream. The onrush of water will become less sporadic and more regular, resulting in the growth of the largest, strangest flora you've ever seen. As you reach the borders of the jungle you may be able to glimpse a far-off ocean through the trees, but the closest you'll get is a small bay just skirting the edge of the trees. Be careful; try to swim too far and you'll hit the borders.

Wildlife

Every kind you can think of, from every time period you know of and some you don't. All are peaceful and it isn't an uncommon to see a pack of wolves grazing along side a herd of zebra. The animals are everywhere, yet they seem to blend into the landscape rather than take from it. It would really be a shame if mankind did something silly to upset the environment.

Dinosaurs

Like other wildlife found here, these reptiles peacefully roam and graze in every patch of scenery. Despite their sharpened teeth and strong claws, every species lives together in harmony. Even the mighty T-Rex has taken to munching the leaves of the larger trees. Although these creatures are friendly and approachable, take caution when interacting with the larger ones. They're fairly clumsy and don't always watch their step.