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Object
Object

Sculpted Stepping Stones of the Woodland Garden

Flat oval stones arranged across a shallow stream in the woodland garden, their smooth surfaces darkened by moisture and age. They are set precisely enough to serve as a bridge, each stone large enough to support a boot while rising only slightly above the water's surface. Their irregular shapes match no clear pattern, suggesting they were likely placed by long-past gardeners rather than mindless erosion, their edges worn by centuries of careful footfalls. Romana uses them to cross while following the tracer signal, their presence both pragmatic and uncanny—just another testament to the garden's deliberate design.
2 appearances

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments
S16E13 · The Androids of Tara Part 1
Grendel takes Romana to Castle Gracht

The sculpted stepping stones enable Romana to cross the woodland stream while following the tracer signal toward the statue. The stones provide the only dry path across the shallow water, situated along her route.

Before: Stable stepping stones bridging the stream, worn and moss-covered
After: Unchanged, having supported Romana's approach and retreat under duress
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S16E13 · The Androids of Tara Part 1
Romana outwits beast Grendel intervenes

The stepping stones provide Romana a means to cross the shallow stream toward the statue. Their irregular, moss-slick surfaces complicate movement, adding tactical delay during the ambush. They become both refuge and obstacle—Romana retreats across them under threat, while the beast’s chase is halted by the water barrier.

Before: Undisturbed crossing stones in the woodland garden water feature.
After: Temporarily displaced or slightly wet from Romana’s hurried retreat.
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