All references are to [#99 Once Upon A Time] unless otherwise stated.

3. THE HOLOENVIRONMENT - THE FOREST OF FOREVER

In its normal condition, the imaginary Forest of Forever is a beautiful environment containing in idealised form the elements found, or which can be found, in a real wood - trees, glades, forest paths, plants, flowers, birds, insects, a pond (where Flotter lives) etc. The holoprogram has been constructed to incorporate and combine the most idyllic elements of real forests on the planet Earth. The authors of the holoprogram were unconcerned that in reality much of the assorted vegetation in the Forest of Forever would not exist side by side, on Earth at least. There is no particular season in the Forest of Forever, with it being perpetually a mixture of spring and summer.

'Flotter and the Tree Monster'

'Flotter and the Tree Monster'

The climate is pleasant and sunny, and mild enough for players to be in it without wearing coats, warm garments or waterproof clothing. The temperature would seem to be akin to that of the interior of USS Voyager's inhabited decks. The environment also requires no tending or other maintenance, for instance the paths in the Forest of Forever are wide and clear, and they require no periodic cutting back whereas in reality paths would become overgrown as the more productive plants would spread rapidly and develop into an impenetrable jungle.

Samantha and her daughter Naomi enter the holoprogram in the chapter in which Flotter, Trevis and the player(s) explore a castle where a giant beetle lives

'Flotter and the Tree Monster'

'Flotter, Trevis and the Ogre of Fire'

There are holographic components designed to appeal to intrigue children and appeal to their sense of wonderment, such as a castle and a giant beetle (neither of these components are seen on tv).

source TOSTFF

Aspects of indoor life are also to be found in the Forest of Forever. For instance, the holocharacters Flotter and Trevis meet to share tea drinking with Neelix (pictured). They use a tea set and for a table they use a tall tree stump. In Flotter and the Tree Monster Flotter sets a trap for 'the Tree Monster' (who turns out to be Trevis, and definitely not a monster) whose alarm consists of small high-pitched bells that sound like windchimes which are often found in a domestic environment.‡ Flotter leads Trevis, Naomi and her mother Samantha to a castle (which has an indoors).

‡ I have, however, seen (and heard) windchimes used in modern revivals (of dubious authenticity) for certain outdoor Celtic or specifically Druidical rites, as I discovered in profusion in woods in Cornwall one summer. Trees are sacred in many such rites, such as those practiced by Druids (who were systematically wiped out by the Romans in the 1st century).