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THE EARTEHN CODEX
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Written by: Reyn d'Murani.
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Table Of Contents

subject

Prologue

Taint- Definition

The Pillars

The Earth Lords

Lord Gorgulu, and the Taint

The Taint, and the Basin
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Prologue

At the begining, there was Earth.

"We, Emperor Ladantine VII, on this twelfth day of the month of Ashtar in the
year of Our Holy Empire five hundred and forty-three, do hereby proclaim and
ordain that the Holy Empire's most glorious and Holy mission to reach beyond
the Higher Planes shall be held on the Thirteenth Day of Gorgani of this year.
Expedition Cosmic Hope will launch from the Stone of Truth in Magnagora"

-Imperial Proclamation: Date and Place for Expedition Cosmic Hope. Taken from
the chronicles of the Holy Celestine Empire.

The Basin was joined under the banner of Emperor Ladantine VII, its denizens
joined and rejoiced as operation Cosmic Hope was announced.

To those who expect a full accounting of the tale, I shall only say that I am
no historian. But, all things have their beginnings, and it is only fitting
that I shall mention this beginning here.

The city of Magnagora joined Celest, Gaudiguch and Hallifax and so
"Cosmic Hope" came to be. We must understand however, that the original need
that called for this action was not greed- but the general will of the dwellers
of the Basin to be able to tap into the power of the higher planes and thus
restore the Basin of Life for it suffered much harm in the days of the Divine
wars.

The Geomancers have existed in those times as well, and the nexus of power was
named "The Stone of Truth".

When the Soulless, Kethuru, was unleashed upon the basin, He brought with him
ruin and destruction but in so doing, he empowered the land and its denizens
for generations to come.

Studying the histories, I cannot help but feel some measure of anger and
amusement. Celest, in the certainty they knew what was right and what should be
done, rallied the support of the whole basin, promising restoration and
prosperity. We are not blameless, we joined in these efforts, but we did not
know better and the hope to restore the Basin was truly a worthy goal- how
could one deny his children the hope of dwelling in a world intact and healthy?

But allow me to raise this question. Why, why did Celest declare Magnagora to
be the place from which the expedition shall commence? At those days, just as
they do now, they refused to pay the cost of failure. "Let us restore the
Basin" they bellowed, but as long as the final tally will not be ours to pay.
The exact reasoning as to why Magnagora and not one of the other cities was
chosen, is hard to say. I would venture the guess that Magnagora was Celest's
greatest rival and in assuming that the worse scenario shall lead to the
destruction of said rival.

Lord Kethuru swept through the land, clouding Shallamar, the Earth plane and
Magnagora in a cloud of madness and transformation. The landscape changed,
twisted... evolved. And so, the noble race of Viscanti was born, out of the
essence of a god more powerful then any single other, the mightiest of the
Soulless Gods. The Geomancers too, found their plane altered, and so their
studies were enhanced. The Earth, no longer a mere nest for plant-life, but a
force so powerful and so primal, that no other practitioner of any art and
element can hope to challenge.

When Kethuru was banished and sealed, His influence over the minds of
Magnagora's denizens ceased as well, to restore the Empire. None can hope to
understand the intent of Lord Kethuru. All we know is, that upon his departure,
he also left us, willingly or not, the gift the Basin came to name Taint.
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Taint- Definition

"Subject: Crisis in Magnagora; Failure of Cosmic Hope Expedition

Discussion: Chair Adom summarized recently events surrounding the debacle of
the Cosmic Hope Expedition. When the expedition attempted to channel cosmic
energy into the nexus of power known as the Stone of Truth, a backlash of
unknown origins infected the Stone of Truth in all of its multidimensional
manifestations, including the Higher Plane of Shallamar, the Elemental Plane of
Earth, and Magnagora itself. The expedition was apparently lost, which included
Professor En’oonki Lars, a member of this Board. A black cloud subsequently
appeared over and in Magnagora. Calls for help were sent through the aether
broadcast network. Minister Tooli Goldfeather and Chia Cloudwalker, both
members of this Board, flew to Magnagora with a delegation of rescue volunteers
to offer assistance. They have not been heard from since.

Minister Shevat reported that subsequent observations indicate the black cloud
is growing and spreading in all directions, notably west into the Crystal Sea,
south towards the Gloriana Forest, north towards the Shallach River. To the
east, the cloud seems to have been stopped by Avechna's Teeth (including the
Angkrag mines), generating the theory that the cloud can be physically
contained. Unverified reports of the cloud infecting plants, animals and
minerals with accelerated mutagenic properties are causing widespread panic. "

-taken from the historical chronicles of the Basin.

The Taint- the past versus the present.

The initial tainting, as the records teach us, came in the form of a huge black
cloud that engulfed Magnagora and spread out from there. The cloud itself was
said to have an oily quality to it- being of both liquid and gas, roiling
together to seep into and above the ground.

According to most witnesses, those who came in contact with this cloud became
aware of a hunger too powerful, too total, to comprehend and that the said
hunger was merely a fragment of an entity far greater. The changes wrought by
the contact with the said cloud were imminent and quite violent- mutations of
the flesh, cancerous lines appearing on the skin. All life forms were said to
have been either mutated or merely destroyed. Any attempts to remove it at the
time failed and so we conclude that while Kethuru was present, the taint was
more potent, quicker and more violent than it is today.

That conclusion I draw due to several reasons:

1-Lolly Pringle tells of how she was cast into the Tainted lands. She explains
that not only did her body not transform, she managed to survive the journey
within it. The reason for this is simple, Kethuru was sealed and so only the
Taint remained without the sentient hunger that drove it. We learn that when
Kethuru was still present, the Taint mutated everything in touched in a matter
of seconds- that drastically changed upon his departure.

2-The taint that the Geomancers are capable of procuring can be "cleansed" by
other magic wielding individuals and though their demesnes can never obtain the
sheer power that we can unleash, they can still remove that which was once
beyond mortal ability to remove.

3-Plant-life, whilst it is true that most plant-life would die, they do not die
immediately like they did at the original Tainting. Forestal demesnes' hold can
be immediately broken, yes- but harvestable plantlife do not immediately
wither; they slowly die out just like any plant from which water shall be
deprived.

And so we are forced to conclude that what remains today is a lesser power to
that which was spread by Kethuru.

Whilst some would claim the Kethuru blessed us, I am more inclined to believe
that the taint was simply a manifestation of his hunger… a result of his
presence, not a blessing intentionally given unto us. I consider it a powerful
tool and see nothing wrong with using it, if anything, we earned the right to.
But I find the notion of Kethuru favoring us a bit naïve for he sought to
spread his Taint throughout the Basin, not just us. Also, the Soulless are
chaotic to the extreme, acting on impulses rather then formed patterns and
logic.

Definition:
So what is the Taint?

The taint is a manifestation of Kethuru's hunger and strength brought by Him
when he was accidentally unleashed by the notorious "Cosmic Hope" operation.
When he was cast back, the taint lost much of its potency but we regained our
own individuality. The taint is a force of change, mutating both body and
surroundings, becoming stronger and more enduring.

In the following passages, I shall detail my understandings, as they were
imprinted unto me as I attempted to study and observe the Lords and Lady of the
Earth. These observations are by no means the absolute truth nor are these the
words of the Lords themselves, but merely the product of my years of study and
information gathering. I hope these do justice and are not perceived as
disrespect.
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The Pillars

This is where I delve into the realm of uncertainty. The Theories which I am
about to detail are mine own and no one else's. These visions, I had in my
dreams and meditations, and it began when I underwent the ritual of the
summoning of the staff.

The Elements were symbolized by four pillars, three of them equal in size, and
another significantly larger in mass. The three smaller pillars were all rooted
upon the top of the fourth, far bigger pillar. The Earth was represented by the
bigger pillar, while the three other elements were represented by the smaller
ones.

I know not who spoke to me in my visions, possibly the Earth Lords, for they
are well versed and are indeed the harbingers of the art of Dreamweaving. It
might also be my unconscious, finding a stage and hold palaver with my "aware"
mind in my weakened state. Regardless of the source, it is the content that I
choose to focus on:

"The Earthe is the foundation upon which all is set. Without Earthe there can
be no water, for without a frame to hold them, they fall useless"

"Fire, that which burns exists only within the Earthe. There cannot be wood nor
oil without Earthe".

"Air, what is air if not the carrier of Earthe, its servant?. Can it hope to
shape boulders? Can it even dream of shaping mountains? Air is weak, and
without Earth, there will be no use of it."

"The truth- the truth is Earthe, the truth is Taint. There can be no greater
power, and as the foundation was blessed with it, the other pillars cannot hope
to ward it off for long."

- Taken from my own notes, written shortly after I was blessed by said visions.

Fire- Fire is produced when heat, air and some sort of fuel all meet.
Fire is entirely dependent on the presence of another element- Air.

Though it is intensely hot, it cannot do much to the Earthe. Be it sand and be
it rock, they can withstand even the most intense of heat and only at extreme
conditions they are liquefied. Liquid at those times they may be, but they are
still of the Earthe. Wood, oil... all of these are created due to the presence
of the Earthe- great reserves dwelling deep within it. For without Earthe there
shall be no Fire.

Air- the air which surrounds us is a mixture of gasses and other matter, one of
which is dust- The Air is not "pure". Air is essential to most forms of life,
aye- but it is also dependent on those who are capable of releasing certain
gasses in order to replenish these. The life forms which do replenish these
rely on the Earthe as a provider of minerals and sustenance. Only the strongest
of winds can hope to cause any noticeable change to the terrain, only at its
prime can it bring forth change and even than, the effect is small and barely
noticeable when compared to an Earthquake. For without Earthe, Air holds no
sway, no purpose.

Water- To begin with, one must understand that liquid and Water are not the
same. Most materials can be liquefied, depending on the temperature- does that
mean that these items now oppose the teachings of the Earthe? of course not!

Lava is molten rock, Mercury is a special kind of metal- all of these are
minerals which grew within the Earthe. The examples are endless. Ashes to
Ashes, Dust to Dust- That which came from the Earthe, to the Earthe must
return.

The Aquamancers name the Water Plane "pure" and indeed, unlike the Earth plane-
their source of power was not blessed by the influence of Kethuru. However, that
does not mean that all waters stand against the teachings of the Earthe. All
mortals require Water in order to function, it flows through our veins and yet
we are granted the full scope of control over the Earthe- The reason is simple,
Water is essential for any life form but without something to hold it, it holds
no sway. Every ocean has a bottom and each body functions as a frame of Fleshe
to hold the waters therein. Waters can, though very slowly, shape great tracks
of land- This process is both slow and pales in comparison to the effects of an
Earthquake. For without Earthe, Water hold no sway.

The Earth is the pillar upon which the basin is set, without it, the
basin would not exist.

The foundations are set, solid as ever, stronger then before as they were
blessed by the Taint. The other elements draw sustenance and support from the
foundation, the prime element of Earthe. It is a matter of time before the
blessing shall spread to the other, dependent, elements.
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The Earth Lords.

In the following passages, I shall detail my understandings, as they were
imprinted unto me as I attempted to study and observe the Lords and Lady of the
Earth. These observations are by no means the absolute truth nor are these the
words of the Lords themselves, but merely the product of my years of study and
information gathering. I hope these do justice and are not perceived as
disrespect.

Gravynia, Lady of Cracked Stone

The lady fair towers to an immense height, the air around her vibrates with
power and raw energy, like a nexus, a whirlpool of energy. Lady Gravynia wears
an unmistakable feminine figure, but this said figure is visibly fractured and
worn out. Do these "flaws" diminish the beauty, the sheer might of the Lady of
Cracked Stone?

The answer is obviously no, there's a lesson to be learned here, I believe.
Her message to us- Beauty is fleeting, the trials of life may chip our frame,
as smaller, less stable, parts of us fall to never return again. What remains
however is the product of these trials, a hardened frame, soul and persona. The
Taint is a classic example of this: to the naked eye, the Taint twists and turns
its surrounding, making it "poisoned and disfigured". But beauty is shallow,
fleeting and external, serving our most simple impulses. To transcend, to
understand that beauty does not, by any means serve to truly evaluate the worth
of a person, let alone the nature of such a force.

Beauty is also extremely inaccurate, what one may name beautiful, another may
name revolting. One cannot measure beauty and there's no fixed parameter with
which one may measure or evaluate anything. By limiting ourselves to this
parameter, we degrade ourselves as enlightened individuals- To judge with a
mere glance and by relying on eyesight alone.

We are better, we embrace the Taint and know that beauty can be found in
anything and everything. Beauty may be frail, the might we wield, is eternal.

Klaymech, Lord of the Soiled Earth

Here I must state my disagreement with some of the beliefs and conclusions
drawn from the essays I have read about so far. As Geomancers, we indeed revere
and understand the sanctity of the Earth and take for granted its absolute
superiority. But, I feel that iscoffing at the other Elements is not prudent.

Lord Klaymech, towering as high as any of the Earth Lords, is a roiling mass of
mud which unfolds unto itself. Mud, essentially, is the mixture of Soil with
water or some other liquid. One of the Earth Lords themselves holds within
Himself liquid- does this not serve as a counter to the common belief?

I believe that Lord Klaymech is proof that the Element of Water is a
considerable power unto its own, or else, why would it be an ingredient in the
corporeal form of an Earth Lord?

The basin is consisted of all four Elements, creating the environment in which
we, mortals dwell. None can argue that we rely on water to sustain us, for our
body requires it in order to function- so are we damned, unfitting?

In nature, all elements have a role, such is the nature of our ecology and
biological state. The exact balance between them varies with each terrain, but
in essence, all elements reside everywhere on prime. Water, in fact, is the
single element which has a significant impact on the Earth. Slow it may be, but
water can shape and sculpt landscape over time, seep into the cracked Earth and
fill underground reservoirs.

Water, when applied to Soil, softens it, making it easier to manipulate.
Allowing the creation of shapes which were impossible if the Soil had remained
dry. Water, when used correctly may be a powerful tool. It allows advancement
and growth, Transformation.

Whilst we learn that Water can coexist with the Earth and sometimes, is even
vital if we wish to create certain effects, we must always remember that it is
the Earth which sustains the mixture. Without it, the Water would simply spill
and become a puddle for it is the Ground that solidifies it, frames and
empowers it.

Water rely on the Earth to contain it, the Earth needs not rely on any other
Element.

This lesson may be applied to all: we must understand that no tool is
forbidden, any force, when applied and used correctly may work to our
advantage. To fear of it, is to be defeated by it.

Bhalegu, Lord of the Blasted Sands

The Lord of the Blasted Sands may seem unstable at first, as his body is a
gigantic vortex, a tornado, of shifting sands. However, interpreting it to
instability would be unwise- As we all know, the Taint is a force which always
moves, improves and evolves.

Stasis brings forth decay and without flexibility, initiative and advancement,
there shall only be deterioration. The Earth is composed my a multitude of
grains, each of these is vital and ever shifting, even if at a large scale,
these minute shifts go without notice.

Lord Bhalegu teaches us that the Earth, while appearing solid, is ever changing
and does not allow itself to remain forever in stasis. It is consisted of tiny
pebbles that form together and so stones, rocks, boulders and mountains are
made- And these too move to form others.

Whilst evolution and advancement is encouraged, no evolution can occur if there
is not a solid base upon which one may grow and build. And so, must our eyes
must come to face the eyes of the Lord. Burning Rubies, nestled within the eye
within the Storm which is He.

Change, grow, transcend- but one cannot cut his or her roots, for you shall
wither and your existence shall come to an end.

Brom, Lord of the Poked Earth

Lord Brom, at first, seems like the least impressive of the four- but as I have
learned, eyesight alone means little.

Our Lord represents life, not the force of it, but the impact it tends to have
on a mortal within the Basin. Is it not fitting, as from ashes we came and to
ashes we shall return?

The Body of the Lord is mutilated and broken at parts, representing the
hardships of life in a most physical way. However, Lord Brom does not show the
slightest sign of weakness, not a hint of faltering. Indeed, our Lord stands as
mighty as the mountains of madness themselves.

The Lord teaches, that when the foundations are strong, the hardships and
boulders life may cast at us, shall mean nothing but a superficial scar. We
shall remain hold, true and strong.

Also, one may take notice of the length of the Lord's arms. The significance of
this did not strike me when I was there, but only when I meditated upon that
which I have seen.

Our arms, are our tools. Our hands can build, nurture and destroy- It is these
abilities that shall grant us our most vital support and basis. The more
capable we become, the more proficient, so shall our stability and hold grow
stronger.

And as before, Change, grow, transcend- but one cannot cut his or her roots,
for you shall wither and your existence shall come to an end.
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Lord Gorgulu, the Devourer of Souls and the Taint

Many would argue, based on sound logic and historical references, that Lord
Gorgulu's teachings relate to the abilities and studies that we, as Geomancers,
hold.

Lord Gorgulu dictates that hunger is perhaps the most powerful of impulses or
drives. One should not restrain one's hunger for power, to grow, to try and
satiate a hunger that cannot be satiated.

As the enlightened ones, we know that the Taint is a powerful tool which can
only work to the betterment of the Basin, if applied and used correctly. We
seek to spread it, we experiment day and night in order to further our
knowledge and hold over it.

As such, Lord Gorgulu embodies the craving we all have, to expend, grow and
become stronger through it.

Whilst I can definitely see the bond between our teachings and His, I feel
obligated to state the differences, as I see them.

I believe that no single fashion or behavior fits all situations. Some live by
the blade while others refuse to pick up one throughout their lives- none of
these is "wrong", but life consists of many trials and experiences and no
single approach shall allow one to go through them all producing the best
outcome. Some are impatient and shall not heed words, others might be more
proficient with a blade than ourselves, and so… it falls unto us to choose
the best approach for every given situation.

How does this relate to the matter at hand?

Lord Gorgulu's hunger demands satisfaction. The need, the impulse is so great
that it can totally override our better judgment, thus turning us into mindless
bodies, working tirelessly and with no consideration only to achieve one goal-
satiation.

As I choose to see it, the Geomancers are a group of scholars dedicated to the
practice of Tainted magic, imbuing the Earthe with it. We work because we
choose to, because we have a higher ambition. Hunger is forced upon us, a basic
need with which we are born. An aspiration is higher, noble , and a more fitting
term, I feel, if one wishes to define the teachings of the Geomancers. Mind over
matter, spirit over flesh.
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The Taint in the eyes of the Basin

I have taken the liberty of speaking to a few citizens of the other communes
and city. I did so in order to perhaps get an insight into their views and
understandings. Whilst I cannot claim that the following represents all
inhabitants of all the different organizations, I can say that they do fit the
general stereo-type.

Celest

The City of Celest never hid her hate for us. Indeed, the war between us has
been waged ever since the Taint Wars, following Cosmic Hope.

They see it as a plague, a poison that twists and corrupts the minds of those
who practice it. It was even suggested that the Taint is somehow sentient and
with its own Agenda.

As with all extremities, their views are clouded by blind faith and arrogant
belief that they are the righteous ones- There can be no alternative. While it
does provide an endless measure of comfort I am sure, to "know" that you are
always "right", I cannot take such an approach seriously. Mortals with the best
of intentions still make mistakes, was it not Celest that initiated Cosmic Hope?
Was it not the Celestian Emperor himself who was the first to be exposed to the
Taint?

The danger in this misconception lies not with the fact that they think
differently from us. The danger lies in the fact that they seek to exterminate
us, to judge our nature and find us wanting of death over it. Intolerance and
blind faith brings them to acts which have little to do with the teachings of
the so called "Light". Do they not spread their "love" with steel and sorcery
as any other organization upon the Basin?

I could only speculate that they are trying to calm their conscience and undo
that which they have wrought, refusing to even consider that Kethuru's
departure changed the nature of it- Refusing to embrace logic over prejudice.

Perhaps, some they shall wake up to see that their actions are the very same
acts their "hated enemies" take, will they realize that Light blinded them,
creating a picture of false innocence.

Serenwilde

The northern forest considers itself the last untouched, untainted, pure
bastion within the Basin. When Cosmic Hope was initiated, they opposed it and
were allied to the forest of Gloriana in the attempts to sway the minds of the
leaders of the different factions.

The Taint engulfed Magnagora and crept over the Gloriana forest, altering and
morphing the Great Spirits therein, the plantlife and all living beings.
The Serenwilde were forced into an agreement to recognize the Wyrd as a natural
force, yet in truth they still stand by their belief that the Wyrd originated
from the Taint and as such, it is a poison which should be cleansed.

The Taint, in their eyes, is a poison that twists and essentially kills nature
as they define it, nature as they seek to defend it.

This of course, puts us at odds with them. However, due to recent chain of
events, we find a common goal and work together when we are confronted with
Glomdoring and Celest.

In truth, the Serenwilde never forgot the fact that it was the taint which
twisted the Gloriana forest, and as they see themselves guardians of the
natural order, they consider it a catalyst of change which is violent,
poisonous and unnatural.

Truly, I cannot fault their logic for indeed, it has some measure of merit.
Unlike Celest who hides under the mask of being righteous, Serenwilde never
claimed to be "just". They seek to preserve the last natural forest within the
basin and sustain it for as long as they can.

However, I do believe that this impulse to preserve might counter the very
teachings they try to live by. Nature, that's a hard definition to make, is it
not? In the end, are the great spirits, and the forests within which they
dwell, not the creations of the divine?

It can be argued that everything we can see, touch and smell originated from
the divine. Why are the cities not "of nature", are they not sophisticated
lairs, or dens? When did a group of individuals who work together and progress
become something which is unnatural?

Also, is evolution not an essential part of the natural order? And who is
"authorized" to introduce the catalyst for it?

The soulless are unnatural yet the divine are?

Evolution takes place when a certain change in the environment presents itself.
Traits shift randomly from parents to litter but only those who are strong
enough, those who were handed down the "right" traits will move on to have
children of their own- the strongest, the fittest and so it is assured that
there shall always be improvement. It is the environment itself which dictates
what traits are needed, be it a better digestive system or a sharper beak or
what not.

So, in their attempts to preserve, is it at all possible that they are
defending nature from itself? Not allowing it to burn and from the ashes rise
anew, stronger and superior?

I cannot conclude so many questions- only say that I feel there are many gaps
and perhaps a tragic misunderstanding within their lore, for they might be
working against that which they seek to preserve, and in so doing, weaken it.

Glomdoring

The forest which lies to the south is an enigma indeed, filled with shadows and
murky water. The same thick shadows however dwell in the minds of those who
inhabit the place, cloaking their mind and preventing them from questioning
their own nature. They live and believe that which is said and done by the Lady
Viravain, putting all sense of logic aside.

The Gloriana forest in its former form was twisted by the Taint after the
initiation of Cosmic Hope, much like Magnagora, the landscape and its denizens
changed and grew to become something else, different than before.

To this point, there's a general agreement. After the return of Esatarra, Lady
Viravain returned to the basin, seeking to cleanse the forest, she took the
advice of Lord Raezon, the Forbidden and so she sought to cleanse the Ravenwood
tree itself, by the use of the seal of nature. The seal was broken and Kethuru
took hold of Lady Viravain, once again posing a threat to the Basin itself.

Kethuru was driven out and sealed once more. Lady Viravain emerged and claimed
the forest of Glomdoring is now cleansed of the taint, and so the Glomdorites
were forced to believe that the forest was not tainted, even though signs of
its presence were plainly visible within the woods.

For a time, things remained as they were. Indeed, some sought to form an
alliance with Magnagora for they believed that the forest was tainted still,
thus making the two factions natural allies. But these voices were drowned
swiftly and efficiently.

A remarkable change took place within the forest however, as Lady Isune and
Lady Viravain were fused together to a single form. They went to form a cocoon
within the Glomdoring and when they emerged, the fae declared the forest
Wyrden.

When I asked about the Wyrd, the word I often got for an answer was "perfect".
I do not believe in perfection however, all things can and should constantly
improve. Perhaps, in theory, there is such a state of perfection but it is so
distant that I doubt any life form is capable of living long enough to see it.

When I asked if the Wyrd originated from the Taint, I stumbled upon an
interesting, and apparently unstable, argument. Some believe that the Wyrd was
a morphosis of the Taint, while others still argue that it was a divine
intervention that brought forth change and ascension.

All of our studies indicate that the Glomdoring was indeed tainted, and it is
my firm belief that the Wyrd is merely the forests' way of adapting to the new
force which inhabits it. The Taint, as we know it, is incapable of sustaining
plantlife. The Wyrden woods however flourish, and so, I believe that the basic
difference between the Wyrd and Taint is that the Wyrd can sustain an existing
ecological system. The Taint may allow the growth of certain plants in the
future, but these would have to be able to endure in conditions which the
plants we know, cannot.

It is my belief that when Lady Viravain was influenced by Kethuru, her will and
need to detach herself completely from the entity was so fierce that she became
blind to His presence or the tracks He left behind- the Taint.

Most Glomdorites remain indifferent to the Taint, not delving too deeply into
the nature of the Wyrd, Taint or the relation the two might share. I strongly
detest the choice of ignorance, to simply latch unto what you are told and be
content with it. But to each, their own.