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| The Healer's Compendium |
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A dissertation of the methodology behind healing, practical applications, and
understanding of the healing arts.

As written by Marina Whytetower

Dedicated to Lacostian. May Your memory never be forgotten, Father.

~Abstract & Introduction~

To begin to understand the process of the healing arts, it is best to go to the
source of it all. Whereas most arts that include magical studies, healing, in
and of itself, calls for both an understanding of the physical body as well as
the spiritual, emotional, and mental well-beings of the body. I term this
"holisticity"[1], or the study of the well being of the entire body, in every
dimension and form. For those healers who have been my students, I've made quite
clear that the healing arts are extremely difficult to understand and take many,
many years to even begin to take the first step towards being a healer. It is
true that there are those out there that claim they are "true" healers. I must
make it very clear that, unless the healer has studied the entire body and also
holds the principles of a healer, then they are far, far from being a "true"
healer [2]. First and foremost, if one desires to begin to study the healing
arts, then one should first begin with themselves. A person whose heart is not
totally and entirely encompassed by the desire to learn to heal and ready to
take up the healing arts is a very dangerous, self-destructive person. This book
will cover the healing arts in its entirety, from the beginning steps to
practical applications to definitions of items and circumstances found within
the healing arts. Please do note, however, that this book is not for the faint
hearted nor is it for the whimsical. Healing, if and of itself, takes
dedication, determination, many years worth of patience, and studying to master;
even then, it may take life times to understand.
Footnotes:

[1] Holisticity: the study of the well-being of the entire body; includes the
study of emotional well-being of the body, the physical well-being of the body,
the mental well-being of the body, and the spiritual well-being of the body.

[2] See my book "The Selfless Path" for further detail on principles and morals
of the healing arts.

Chapter One: The Self

While it is true that healing does include another body to work, it is also
true that the healer must have a good and sound understanding of themselves as
well. Why is this? Because without the knowledge of how one's own body works, in
all dimensions, healing cannot and will not take place. Let me give an example.
An old student of mine, who will remain nameless, tried to heal a wounded
soldier after they were ambushed by Magnagorans. Without thinking, he channeled
his own energies into the wounded soldier and saw, to his surprise and horror
that the nose did not mend. Instead, it cracked the vertebrae found in the
septum [1] of the nose. This is a very good example of what can happen if a
healer tries to heal a wound without knowing what was broken, where the damage
is located, and how bad the wound is. It would be similar to trying to fashion a
sword with a blindfold on and having no prior experience in blacksmithing. The
results can be quite the contrary of what the smith is hoping for. The same goes
for healing.

The first step in studying the healing arts is to learn how to meditate. Yes,
meditate. Meditation is the foundation of healing. By learning how to comprehend
the natural phenomenon found in the body, such as blood flow, pulse rates,
memory functions, and breathing rates, the healer gains access to an unbound and
endless amount of knowledge. The apprentice healer should also start to make
acute and accurate observations of his/her surroundings. By studying nature, a
healer can gain the understanding of the natural passage of life.

The cycle of life exists in four stages: birth, growth, maturity, and death
[2]. In birth, we find new life. In growth, we see the young become adolescent,
and in adolescence, a new array of trials and errors arise. In maturity, we see
the adolescent become an adult who faces a whole new set of difficulties. And
finally, in death, we see the adult slowly wither into old age and die. The
cycle of life is prevalent in all things, at all times, and in all ways [3].

Footnotes:
[1]Septum: is a partition separating two cavities or spaces. Examples include:
Nasal Septum: cartilage dividing nostrils of the nose. Often deviated or
perforated through physical injury. Cephalopod Septa: walls between each
chamber, or siphuncle, in shells of nautiloids, ammonites, and belemnites; i.e.
cephalopods that retain an external shell.

[2]In systems of categorical classification, Biota or Vitae is the superdomain
that contains all life. For that reason it is often disputed how the taxon
should be further divided, as the definition of what life really is is often
changed or adjusted, and also extraterrestrial life would be included besides
the life held in the basin, if it would be discovered. In general, all cellular
(living) life is naturally included in the Biota, when there is mention of
non-cellular life the taxon Biota is most often simply divided into Cytota
(living life) and Acytota (non-living life). Historically, what was not
mineralia, could also be referred to as biota (i.e., fauna, flora (including
fungi)).

[3]The divinities have more than often claimed they are not "trapped" or bound
within the confines and laws of time. See "The Selfless Path" for more
information on divine life cycles.

~Chapter II: Biota, Vitae, and Ecology~

Biota is the total collection of organisms of a geographic region or a time
period, from local geographic scales and instantaneous temporal scales all the
way up to entirety and whole-timescale spatiotemporal scales. The biota of the
basin lives in the biosphere.

A biome is a major class of ecologically similar communities of plants,
animals, and soil organisms, often referred to as ecosystems. Biomes are defined
based on factors such as plant structures (such as trees, shrubs, and grasses),
leaf types (such as broadleaf and needle leaf), plant spacing (forest, woodland,
savanna), and other factors like climate. Unlike ecozones, biomes are not
defined by genetinoc, taxonomic, or historical similarities. Biomes are often
identified with particular patterns of ecological succession and climax
vegetation. The biodiversity characteristic of each biome, especially the
diversity of fauna and subdominant plant forms, is a function of abiotic factors
and the biomass productivity of the dominant vegetation. Species diversity tends
to be higher in terrestrial biomes with higher net primary productivity,
moisture availability, and temperature. Ecoregions are grouped into both biomes
and ecozones.

A fundamental classification of biomes is into:

Terrestrial (land) biomes and Aquatic (water) biomes. This would be similar to
the classification the Aquamancers and Geomancers adhere to. Biomes are often
given local names. For example, a temperate grassland or scrubland biome is
known commonly as steppe, savanna or veldt, prairie, and pampa. Sometimes an
entire biome may be targeted for protection, especially under an individual
nation's Biodiversity Action Plan, though none of which exist as of the moment
to the author's awareness (Do Note, however, that New Celest has self-proclaimed
a strange attachment to Oleanvir Valley. However, without any given public
statement of a Biodiversity Action Plan on their part, I will be leaving that
out on purpose as a true plan of protection and preservation for nature’s
sake).

Climate is a major factor determining the distribution of terrestrial biomes.
Among the important climatic factors are:

*latitude: arctic, boreal, temperate, subtropical, tropical
*humidity: humid, semi-humid, semi-arid, and arid
*seasonal variation: rainfall may be distributed evenly throughout the year, or
be marked by seasonal variations
*dry summer, wet winter: most regions of the earth receive most of their
rainfall during the summer months; more tropical climate regions receive their
rainfall during the winter months.
*elevation: increasing elevation causes a distribution of habitat types similar
to that of increasing latitude.

Biodiversity generally increases away from the poles of north and south, and
increases with humidity.

The most widely used systems of classifying biomes correspond tolatitude (or
temperature zoning) and humidity.

It may be confusing as of right now why I cover these points in this book.
Allow me to clear the confusion at this point. By understanding that life wanes
and waxes in accordance to the natural phenomenon found in nature, a healer is
able to understand that, like nature, the body will suffer or grow in difference
situations and circumstances. For example, let us say that we place a faeling,
whose natural environment is a forestal area for most accounts [1], into a humid
and hot climate, such as those found in a desert. The faeling will, undoubtedly,
begin to suffer terribly from high fevers, hallucinations, and possibly death.

This is because a faeling's natural habitat provides it with a way to survive
in a natural form. If that environment is taken away, then the faeling's
built-in ability to fend for itself has been stripped away. I term this
phenomenon "habitat"[2], or the natural surroundings in which a given species is
accustomed to and has learned to work with in order to survive sufficiently.
With this knowledge, the healer is able to diagnose a given patient's illnesses
and well-being acutely and sufficiently, as well as make notes through
observation on what illnesses and diseases the patient may have according to
probability and statistical cause.

Footnotes:
[1]Habitat: the place where a particular species live and grow. It is
essentially the environment at least the physical environment that surrounds
(influences and is utilized by) a species population. I use "species population"
instead of "organism" here because, while it is possible to describe the habitat
of a single black bear, we generally mean not any particular or individual bear,
but the grouping of bears that comprise a breeding population and occupy a
certain geographical area. Further, this habitat could be somewhat different
from the habitat of another group or population of black bears living elsewhere.
Thus, it is neither the species, nor the individual, for which the term habitat
is typically used. A microhabitat or microenvironment is the immediate
surroundings and other physical factors of an individual plant or animal within
its habitat.

[2]While it is typical that most races are accustomed to their natural
environment, there have been rare cases where a given species has been raised or
evolved accordingly to survive new habitats/environments. I term this phenomenon
"rehabilitation", or the natural ability of certain species to evolve and adapt
to new surroundings. An example of this would be a trill raised by furrikin.

~Chapter III: Anatomy & Physiology~

Anatomy is the branch of healing that is the consideration of the structure of
living things. It is a general term that can include anatomy, animal anatomy and
plant anatomy.

Anatomy should not be confused with histopathology (also called anatomical
pathology or morbid anatomy by the school of research I oversee), which is the
study of the gross and microscopic appearances of diseased organs, which is
another branch of healing that I will cover later in this book. Superficial
anatomy [1], or surface anatomy, is important in anatomy being the study of
anatomical landmarks that can be readily seen from the contours or the surface
of the body. With knowledge of superficial anatomy, healers gauge the position
and anatomy of the associated deeper structures [2].

Adamant anatomy, including gross species anatomy and histology [3], is
primarily the scientific study of the morphology of the adult body[4].

Generally, students of mine learn gross [5] anatomy and microscopic anatomy
from anatomical models, skeletons, diagrams, and lectures. The study of
microscopic anatomy (or histology) can be aided by practical experience
examining actual examples; and in addition, many students generally also learn
gross anatomy with practical experience of dissection and inspection of cadavers
(dead bodies).

Species anatomy and physiology are complementary studies in healing. Species
anatomy can be taught regionally or systemically; that is, respectively,
studying anatomy by bodily regions such as the head and chest, or studying by
specific areas, such as the organs that support breathing or the region of a
certain body phenomenon.

Please remember, however, that dissecting will come after gross species anatomy
has been learned. What use is it to dissect a creature without knowing what
area you are making the incision in or what exactly you are looking for?

The following rules are usually taught to my students:
1. By applying pressure to the skin and then retracting the pressure, blood
flow is often measured along with the blood pulse. If there is an unstable blood
pulse, then immediate treatment should be used. If the blood pulse is normal,
then move onto other forms of inspection.
2. If the patient is suffering from an unusual amount of pain, seek to remedy
the pain with either narcotics or pain relievers [6]. 3. The irises oftentimes
show any mental disorders or mental illnesses. If dilated, then immediately seek
to treat the patient with a set of pressure point application or limb
supplication [7].

[8]
Footnotes:
[1] Superficial anatomy, a term I created to represent this type of anatomy,
acts as the starting point of anatomy. Superficial anatomy (also called surface
anatomy) is a descriptive study dealing with anatomical features that can be
studied by sight, without dissecting an organism. In particular, in the case of
direct anatomy, these are the form and proportions of the body and the surface
landmarks which correspond to deeper structures hidden from view, both in static
pose and in motion. In other words, it is what can be seen without directly
dissecting a creature.

[2] While deeper structures are the next step in anatomy, it is always better
to leave the dissecting of a creature in the background and attempt to focus
one's Eos into the vital compartmenture of the immediate form and body. This is
the art of "transference", or the ability to press upon the outer structural
wall of the body (the skin) and attempt to feel for broken bones, torn tissue,
et cetera. This will be covered in the second edition that will be released at a
later date.

[3] Histology: Microscopic (or minute) organisms found within the structural
form of the body.

[4] While it is true that each species is different from the other species,
certain facts remain for all of them. It is best to study each species as a
different entity in the study of anatomy, as what is ailing a furrikin might not
be ailing a tae'dae and vice versa.

[5] By gross, I do not mean disgusting but rather overall.

[6] Note that using a pain reliever will not remedy the cause of illness or
pain. It will simply make the pain tolerable. This does not, in any way, shape
or form, mean that the cause of the illness or sickness is gone. Continue
treating the patient until you find the cause.

[7] Limb supplication: Moving the limbs of the patient in several motions to
provide better blood flow or gauge amount of mobility.

[8] I use the term "patient" to refer to the one being treated by the healer.
By using this term, the healer is able to detach themselves emotionally and work
fervently with the client without an attachment forming. However, total
detachment, I have found, is far from healthy or productive for neither healer
nor patient. Some sort of care and worry for the patient's well being should be
present.

~Chapter IV: Anatomical Differences~

In the previous chapter, I discussed overall anatomy. In this chapter, I will
be covering the differences in anatomical make-ups of the species found in the
basin.

First, let us begin with looking at what makes up the sentient species of the
basin [1]. They are:

Aslarans
Dracnari
Dwarves
Elfen
Faelings
Furrikins
Humans
Igashi [1]
Illithoids
Kepheri [2]
Loboshigarus
Lucidians
Merians
Mugwumps
Orclash
Tae'daes
Taurians
Trills
Viscantis [3]

Let us begin with examining the aslarans. Similar to the canines that are
found within the basin, the aslarans generally have a tall build with heavy to
sinuous musculature, along with fur of varying color and thickness. This may
make it difficult for the apprentice healer to gauge the wound or severity of
the wound on this particular species. However, shaving the area where the wound
is present, if external, is the best procedure in treating this particular race.
Do also remember that they have a large and thick bone make-up. If the wound/s
is internal, then further examination and diagnosis will be needed. The tail has
sixteen small bones that make up it. Do note that the cartilage and muscles are
tender and weak in this particular area, so any surgery in this area will have
to be done carefully and precisely [6].

The dracnari have a very interesting anatomy. Their scales, like small pieces
of metal, must be pried off or surgically removed if the healer is not
accustomed to working with the Eos [4]. It is highly recommended that the
dracnari be heavily sedated before attempting to remove their scales, as it is
both extremely painful for the patient and requires cutting into the deeper skin
at certain parts of the body (under arms, pelvis, buttocks, the crevice of the
leg, and atop of their nostrils). Like the aslarans, the tail of the dracnari
is composed of several bones (twenty-seven) that are held together by muscles
and cartilage. Unlike the aslarans, their tail holds the same density on the
surface as the rest of their bodies. It is still recommended the dracnari is
very heavily sedated [6] before operating if the healer is not using Eos to cure
and/or treat the ailment/s. Like the aslaran race, Dracnari do not possess a
speedy metabolism. Great amounts of care should be used when applying medicines
or surgical applications, especially when they come direct contact with blood
flow. Do also note, as well, that Dracnari are cold-blooded [8], their reptilian
ancestry adding to the precautions the healer should take when dealing with any
topical applications that may include using anything that is below room
temperature.

Dwarves, unlike the former races covered, are of a smaller frame and body.
Their skeletal make-up is much denser, along with a dense musculature and
cartilage make-up. Surgery used on this particular race will have to be
extremely cautious and careful not to tear muscle or cartilage otherwise thought
to be safe. Also note that this particular species does not function as other
races do, their natural habitat being in mountainous regions where weather is
oftentimes chaotic at best and abysmal at worse. Healers doing anything that
does not use Eos will also have to have clothe available, as well as a dense
thread to sew the incisions after surgery [9]. The anatomical form of the Dwarf
is also very strong, but when broken, the damage tends to be greater than
normal. Limb supplication is suggested if a broken bone or torn cartilage/muscle
is apparent. Do be careful not to aggravate the damage further by over
supplicating the limb.

Elfen, like dwarves, do not have scales or fur. Their skin, unlike dwarves, has
a lesser elasticity and can be broken easily by blade or other means. It is
highly suggested that the healer work with another healer to mend any broken
limbs or wounds on this particular race, as the elfen race does not adhere to
the same anatomical make-up as the dwarven race. However, if the damage is
mental or "psychic" in form, which will be rare, it is suggested that a master
healer work with the patient, as the damage will be sufficiently larger than
normal. Also, the metabolism and blood pressure of the Elfen race is much
stronger and greater than normal. Practice cautiously if an open wound is
present, using pressure to staunch the flow of blood to the wound and give time
to either sew the wound, cauterized [10] the wound, or heal it by use of Eos.
The best place to treat an Elfen is in their natural habitat. Forests and other
areas where wild life is present seem to have a benign ability to heal their
wounds without a healer, if the wound/s is not lethal. However, as a side note,
this does not include ailments, sicknesses, or diseases.

Furrikin, to the author's knowledge, are one of the two races known to the
basin that are minute and smaller than the other races [11]. A joke amongst my
students and I often reflects the curiosity this specific species exhibits.
Though, I often admit that furrikin make wonderful healers because of said
curiosity, but I digress. Furrikin, like aslarans, are covered by fur, though
not as dense or long as the aslarans race. The same process for treatment of
external wounds will follow the procedure used on aslarans, shaving the area
around the wound to prevent further infection and allow the healer to work
without interruption. Do note that furrikins have an innate resistance to cold
weather or topical agents that might be below room temperature, their fur giving
them added protection as well as high blood temperature. They unfortunately also
suffer from easily broken bones and torn cartilage, so the healer must always
first check if any of these are present, along with torn muscles. Limb
supplication is suggested here to test for any of the previous three
dysfunctions of the physical frame. On a side note, furrikins have a great
amount of mental abilities, oftentimes making up for their menial sizes by using
great intelligence and analytical skills in place of; in other words, they do
not suffer or will not suffer from "psychic" attacks or ailments very easily. If
they are suffering from the former, however, it is highly suggested that the
healer immediately seek to remedy and cure the patient of any ailments that
might be present mentally and emotionally.

The next species we will be looking at are the humans located in the basin.
This particular race of beings does not suffer from any aggravated or
preconditioned ailments or susceptibilities. The healer working with humans
should note this and act accordingly. Limb supplication and treatment of typical
wounds and ailments should also be put into practice immediately. It is highly
suggested that the healer have a compress ready in case of external bleeding,
applying pressure where necessary to halt the flow of blood to the wound. Also,
sedatives, for humans, seem to work well with their natural immune system as
well as their metabolisms. However, this race does suffer from typical diseases
throughout their entire life spans. The healer should note this when working
with human patients, be aware of possible side effects that certain topical
agents may have in regards to the human being tended to.

I will end the first half of this chapter here with the following conclusions
and key points the reader must be familiar with before continuing reading. The
anatomical make-ups of the mentioned races are, in fact, stable while in good
health. While it is true that there may be other factors affecting immediate
health of the patient, the tending healer should be conscious of any possible
health conditions the patient may be experiencing or have experienced. Question
the patient continuously, keeping a direct link of verbal contact open at all
times. If they are unconscious, then work quickly to revive them. It is
important for the healer to have suggested tools ready, along with any other
tools they have found to be helpful when working with patients. If the healer is
a novice healer or an apprentice healer, it is strongly suggested that the
healer be overseen by a mastered and professional healer at all times. Due to
the fact that medical mistakes do happen, the novice/apprentice healer will be
able to ask their overseer for aid in case of such happening. It is also
important that the healer be ever-vigilant with their own emotions and keep a
steady hand and mind while working. Showing any signs of surprise, aversion, et
cetera will cause the patient to panic, and that is not something healers want
their patients to be overcome by.

Footnotes:
[1] By sentient, I am referring to those that can actively and consciously
think and deduce logically.

[2] -I is used in plural form of this word.

[3] -I is used in plural form of this word.

[4] The author assumes that the reader is knowledgeable of the historical
foundations of these races. If the reader is not knowledgeable, then it is
suggested they pay a visit to the Great Library located in/near local
city/commune.

[5] Eos: the use of the healer's "mystical" abilities to heal wounds and/or
ailments without surgery or other means. This will be discussed in the second
edition, which will be released soon.

[6] The apprentice healer should also note the slow metabolisms of the aslaran
race. This, combined with the lack of equilibrium certain plants and medicines
(if Eos is not used as the primary treatment) cause, should be taken in account
when using external medicines and surgical applications with the aslarans
patient.

[7] The healer applying the sedative must be extremely familiar with the
side-effects of using certain sedatives. Most sedatives, in whatever form, can
be highly lethal, if not out-right deadly, if used in large amounts.
Dreamweavers oftentimes use this very technique to produce a trance-like state.
Healers are not dreamweavers, and therefore should practice with a great amount
of precaution when using sedatives in surgical or other means.

[8] Note that by using the term "cold-blooded", I am referring to the aspect of
the Dracnari inability to sustain body temperatures for long amounts of time
that are not inherent in their natural habitats.

[9] The density of Dwarven skin is not the same as other races. It can sustain
great amounts of damage, yes, but upon breaking or tearing, the surface will
continue to tear and break until healed by Eos application or by other means.

[10] Cauterizing a wound must be the very last approach taken to mending the
wound. It not only causes a tremendous amount of pain to the patient, but it
also has the tendency to leave scars and damage the patient more than sewing the
wound or healing it by way of Eos.

[11] Faelings being the first smallest race.

~Author’s Conclusion~

You may be asking yourself why I didn’t cover all of the races all together
and why I seemed to skip over a few items I discussed within this textbook.
Please allow me to answer those now.

While this textbook is made for the mediocre healer, my next textbook, “The
Healer’s Compendium: Edition II”, will be covering all of the races in
depth. Due to the complete and utter complexity of some of the sentient races,
I believe it better to dedicate an entire textbook to their anatomy and surgical
implications needed. The terms that I did not cover with the reader are terms
that will, as well, be appearing within the second textbook that will be
released within the next four or five years.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me via letter.

In conclusion, I leave you with a few key points that were covered in prior
chapters. Healing, by no means, is a simple walk in the forest or a stroll on
the streets. It takes dedication, an iron stomach, and determination, as well
as compassion and fortitude. A healer works with his/her patients day in and
day out. This leaves them with little time for their own endeavors. This must
be understood and thoroughly practical to the healer in training. If you wish
to learn more about more esoteric understandings of healing, please see my book
“The Selfless Path”.

Also, keep your eyes open for the second edition to this book in your Great
Library within the coming years.