After many days spent nobly guarding the root entrusted to him by the
dying earthen sage, fighting off many who sought to steal it from him,
finally fatigue took its toil, and Trenon passed responsibility of the
root to Aidan of Khandava. He loyally guarded his charge within his
grove for most of the month, protecting it from any hostile forces that
attempted to take possession of it, and fulfilling his task admirably.
Later, it passed to Logain, also of Khandava, to keep it from the Horde.
It was as he was guarding it that Rythanis, the herbalist, visited him
and the assembled guardians who were with him, and examined the root,
returning later after a period of study to pass on the knowledge that
this root had its origins in the Underworld.

Ancient knowledge he unearthed mentioned that such a tree, once planted,
would give the controlling organization the power to escape the
underworld, through climbing the tree's mate which would grow in the
underworld once the root was planted on the material plane. Discussion
and dissention was rife, with many differing opinions. The more obvious
were those who desired the root for their organization, though there
were others who wished its destruction to solve any arguments. Rythanis,
however, indicated that the root could not be destroyed, for it would be
instantly reborn, and the bickering grew stronger.

Fearing attack, Logain withdraw to Khandava where he planted the root,
which quickly grew into the the Arythian Rowan. At the same time, the
Tree of Wailing Souls grew in the depths of the underworld, and the two
somehow are linked. Citizens of Khandava found they could climb the tree
in the underworld, emerging alive once more in their city.



Warned of the soon approach of Chur and his forces, many citizens of
Antioch, Kinsarmar, Khandava and Celidon joined to guard the tree. Wave
upon waves of the horde fell upon Khandava, mercilessly hunting for
those that stole the object of Chur's desires. The tactical application
of the protective power of the grove of Lavinia, combined with the
massed attack led by Kildare of Kinsarmar, held back the forces of the
horde. Meanwhile, Stavenn was occupied as their 'allies' turned upon
them, the orcish forces running amok and killing many. They managed to
quell the attacks, though the leaders of their city where nowhere to be
found.

As the hordes led by Chur massed in Khandava for a final attack, a
massive group of guardians, led once more by Kildare, attempted to break
the force, yet almost all were slain by the overwhelming power which
threatened to destroy the remarkable tree. Yet they rallied once more,
returned to life by Alakshmi. At the end, the ogres were massing for one
final blow when the combined might of the forces surprised them with a
sneak attack, felling most of the forces as Chur ran for his very life,
vowing regenge against those who dared to steal what he considered his.

So, Khandava has gained a new way to travel from the Underworld, and
Chur has been forced to retreat, whilst Stavenn was betrayed by the
Horde with whom they sought to ally. What form Chur's revenge will take,
and what may occur to both has yet to be seen, but for now, relative
peace has returned to Aetherius. The legacy of Duil'en caused much
controversy, yet in the end seemed to unify much of the land against the
threat of the Horde, and brought new life to the council of Khandava

Penned by my hand on the 8th of Tenebrae, in the year 409 AD.