Several attempts by the Serenwilde had been made over the months, both
to find out the fate of their beloved Patrons and to find a means to
heal the forest of the plague that had beset them. Indeed they had even
sought out the healers of Caoimhe Dell, only to find they, as well, were
beset by the rabid animals that plagued the Serenwilde. Finally one day
the Hierophant Gregori Mes'ard found the elfen Wise Woman, Radella
Airmid, wondering the Serenwilde Forest, seeking Dain, the Nature Guide
of the Hartstone. Invited by a letter sent through one of Serenwilde's
many owls, Radella had come to discuss the nature of the plague with
Dain. As Radella, Dain and an elfen healer from the dell met in the
Hartstone Grove, Lehki, Gregori and Seraphia, all from the Hartstone,
eagerly listened on and offered what they could, as the elfen healer
described what small successes had been made, while Dain offered what
knowledge he had on afflictions.

Finally it was decided a three-fold cure must be found: for the plague
afflicted the body, the mind and the spirit, and no matter how hard they
tried, they could only cure one at a time - causing one of the other
infected portions of the animal's being to simply spread the infection
back to the healed portion of their identity. And so Dain and the elfen
healer set about gathering herbs and ingredients for a tonic to heal the
body, while Radella Airmid left for the Caoimhe Dell to prepare herself
and many of her healers to go before the Queen of the Fae, Maeve, to
plea for the Fae's assistance in healing that of the mind. The question
lingered as to who might be able to draw out the spiritual aspect of the
plague, but many presumed that the Moon Priestess Ridien would know of a
way, and went about their business, waiting for when their assistance
might be of use. A dark, foreboding feeling settled over the Serenwilde
as plagued animal after plagued animal led an assault upon the Great
Spirit that dwelled in the southern portion of the forest, and soon the
disease began to affect the White Hart, as well.

And so Dain and the healer erected a large cauldron in the Southern
Serenwilde Forest, and began to brew a tonic with a strange, minty
smell. Radella Airmid of the Caoimhe Dell went before Maeve and threw
herself down, pleading with the Queen of the Fae to honour the old pact
between the elfen and the fae to work together, to heal those of nature.
And so Queen Maeve acquiesced, lending those who brought the glowing
moonflowers blessed by Mother Moon to her silvery rosebuds from Her own
bush, allowing the Serenwilde to encourage fae who might be worried that
they no longer have the strength to do what they once did. And, slowly,
the Serenwilde did succeed - rosebud after rosebud began to unfold,
which they then placed in a rosebush tended by a pixie at the White
Hart's Grove. And as the Serenwilde began to assist the healer and Dain
in gathering the corpses of animals, herbs and even the rarest of
flowers - from loti mushrooms in the Undervault to the skyblooms of
Clarramore, even the rare beid blossom of the Hyfae Forest and the
crystalline kouseki flowers of the Skarch.

Yet none knew of one to draw out the spiritual affliction, as even
Ridien was puzzled, arriving at Dain and the healer, confused by the
presumptions. Yet earlier that very day Bandrui Fyrgenwig, a strange
mugwump with a strong love of the Serenwilde, had been chased from her
hiding place by deer that foamed at the mouth and attacked any on sight.
And so, hearing that the White Hart was in trouble, began to craft
talismans for those who brought her the parts she needed to complete
them. And so Sarrasri Talnara took the gruesome talismans from the
mugwump druid and headed off across the Basin of Life. Soon, through the
work of Bandrui's talismans, animal spirits joined the White Hart in his
battle against plagued animals - a majestic spirit stag was found,
leaping to the White Hart's side, kicking and goring any that drew near.
A massive spirit bear soon after joined the fray, clawing and biting at
any who threatened his charge. A golden spirit cat pounced out of the
trees upon the nearest of the plagued creatures, joining the fray
readily. Lastly a massive trout swim through the forest upon ethereal
waters, dropping a protective bubble over the grove and slapping away at
those that drew near with his tail.

Yelling in excitement, the elfen healer and Dain finished their brew,
slowly spooning the tonic into a flask for the White Hart. As Konton of
the Moondancers brought the last rosebud, the bush as well was prepared.
And so, at Konton's suggestion, the elfen healer and Dain together held
the flask to the weakened White Hart's mouth, so that he would drink of
it. And drink he did. Quickly after such the animal spirits, one by one,
left the White Hart, heading into the Serenwilde Forest to do battle.
With renewed vigour the White Hart pawed at the ground with one of his
front hooves, before racing through the rosebush, which reached up to
gouge great cuts in the side and flank of the Great Spirit. Leaping high
above the Serenwilde, the White Hart was spotted by all who looked up
racing across the skies, spilling blood and essence down upon the
forest, eagerly assisted by each of the spirits who had come to his aid
already, until he could complete his trek, before returning to his
grove, satisfied. And all of the animals of the forest were healed,
mewling softly as they went to their dens to lick their wounds and
recover from the ravaging side effects of the plague.

Yet still questions linger - is the Serenwilde Forest truly safe? What
of the cities, and the Glomdoring Forest that so boldly demanded
assistance from Queen Maeve of the Fae, only to be rebuked? And what of
these Gods, who readily slay their former followers? An ominous rumble
from Avechna's Peak hints upon the fate of the First World, as a cloud
of grey energy is spewed from the massive sore upon the Path of the
Healer, and Kiradawea of New Celest stands alone atop the Southern
Voluta Diadema Tower, a large glistening pearl slipping from her hand
and into the beacon there, a look of awe etched on her face as a being
of light descends, uttering a cryptic prophecy, foretelling the First
World's demise...


Penned by My hand on the 8th of Dvarsh, in the year 225 CE.