As the Song of Ail'Fae Runia rang throughout the Basin of Life,
strengthened in some part by the higher vibrational hum of the Elemental
Planes, the Solar Queen was overwhelmed. The skies of Faethorn glowed a
gentle amber and twisted under the weight of ethereal magic; as if
called into being by this situation, a column of golden light erupted
around the Queen's Tree. A fiery lash struck at the skies, and the Queen
exhaled smoke and ash. Did it work? Was the Queen free?

Indeed, she was. But nary a moment of respite was granted to the Queen
as she was soon beset by the people of the Basin of Life. Was she okay?
Did she know what had happened? Queen Maeve did, it seemed. She
explained that the warmth she had felt long ago was the awakening
presence of the Sun, and specifically, the possessive influence of the
Great Spirit's champion, Mahaadi. At last, a name, an enemy! And this
enemy did not wait too long before returning to Faethorn in force.
Furious at the machinations of the Basin-dwellers, he unleashed a wild
hunt with his cadre of warriors. The Faethorn burned, and the Basin
laboured long fighting against Mahaadi's minions. As this happened, the
Queen, overseen by healers such as Ulalah Stormcrow, latched onto the
small remaining residue of Mahaadi's power in her to find his source.
What took moments felt like minutes, an hour even, but it dawned upon
the Queen.

Calling the forces of the Basin back to her throne, the Queen explained
that he was coming from the Tree of Trees. When questioned further, it
was revealed that the Rite of hai'Glohid b'Slawen was broken or left
unkept - an ancient rite that brought those under its effects into
dreamless sleep. Tasking the little fae girl to guide them back to the
Great Old One, the Maeve informed the Basin to seek Captain Maple
Merriwood, as he would know what to do.

Returning once more to the Tree of Trees, the little fae girl explained
that very few went into the Great Old One's branches. However, in order
to stop Mahaadi, she would reveal an entryway. And so, after gentle
coaxing, the path to Amberni, the mighty branches of the Tree of Trees,
was opened.

As the people of the Basin climbed to the highest points, they were
greeted with fearful intrusion by Captain Merriwood. Learning they were
friend not foe, he informed them that the invasion of Faethorn was
brought on by Mahaadi, who was awakened by Delphyne Amberlight, a
powerful and old nymph who is beloved by Father Sun. Tirelessly, the
Basin gathered the materials necessary to stop the Dawn's Champion -
returning back and forth to Faethorn and Amberni to fight against him.
After many stages of the battle, Mahaadi was finally struck low - his
power too weak to revive himself in the smouldering embers of Faethorn.
It was then that the Sun's power peaked. Erupting in a silent nova of
darkened energy, the Black Sun shed its darkened figure - becoming a
cascade of rainbow light, something which had not been since the time of
the Elder Gods. However, this moment of beauty was not to last, for it
was then that the dreadful ***CRACK*** of the Seals resounded. A Trial
of Ascension was to come.

Yet, while the Basin of Life slowly returned to the Prime Material
Plane, and to the hope of normalcy, not all was finished in Amberni.
Indeed, Primus Gero and Tristanna Myeras stayed behind to aid Captain
Merriwood in performing the Rite of hai'Glohid b'Slawen. The task was
long, tiring and difficult, but in the end, it was managed. Mahaadi's
invasion was stopped and Delphyne Amberlight was returned to her sleep,
at least, until she was awakened again and he called to war.

In the end, the question remained: what was the purpose of these turn of
events? The awakening of Father Sun, His drawing of power from the Queen
of the Fae, the invasion of Faethorn, and the turbulence in distant
Jojobo - their threaded story remains to be completely told. Perhaps in
future months and years much more will be revealed. But for now,
Ascension draws near - as does the threat of the terrible Soulless God,
Almighty Kethuru.

Penned by My hand on the 17th of Tzarin, in the year 461 CE.