The setting sun fell over the Great Oak, setting shadows over the
already darkened ashes that filled the Ithmias. Taking a rest from her
firefighting duties, Rhaea Thalion, as well as other various members of
Duiran or the Sentinels, sat near the entrance to the Heartwood. A
powerful voice called up from somewhere below them. Hardly discernable
words flowed through the Oak, though some claimed to be able to make out
"Rhythm" or "Hunter." Word quickly spread within the forestal
community....a voice in the Heartwood...animals in unrest...all portents
pointed towards the Hunter's eminent arrival in the realms, yet
something delayed it.

Feeling the movements of the Rhythm, members of Lord Haern's order began
gathering at the Temple of Thorns, each searching to find any hint as to
why their Patron was not able to return to their perception. While
searching through the courtyard of the temple, Xon Vekato noticed that
the three animals Lord Haern graced with intelligence and set over one
of His Ways each seemed restless. After briefly speaking to the bear,
Xon called the Hunters to him and they entered the temple. The bear led
them before a great stone door, carved with the runes of the Hunt.

The Hunters stood flabbergasted, watching the Bear attempt to claw its
way through the door. As the bear sought entry, a booming voice filled
the chamber, speaking in the runic language of the Hunter as it faded
into and out of perception. After much debate, the Hunters determined
that the voice spoke of the need for a ritual to harness the power of
the Rhythm to create a gateway between the Prime Material Plane and the
animal underworld, Dendera. Resolving to create a ritual as soon as
possible and to assemble the necessary items to gain entry to the area
behind the door, the Hunters dispersed into the Wilds.

Several months later, after scouring the Wilderness for the necessary
items and sacrificial objects and poring over the scrolls containing the
runes, the Hunters gathered together in the Temple of Thorns. As visions
of the Hunt filled their minds and the bloodhounds grew more agitated,
the three sacred animals emerged from their respective trees once more
and descended into the depths of the Temple. As the appointed time drew
near, the assembly of mortals and animals moved as one through the door,
into the inner sanctum of the Hunter, and began to prepare the
sacrificial offerings. The Rhythm swirled faster around them as they
worked, lightning licking out closer to them with each passing moment.

Taking their respective places in the ritual and surrounded by the other
members of the Hunt, Zaene Fiadhaich, Xon Vekato, and Landara
Forestwalker began their ritual chants in succession, the power of the
Rhythm growing with each verse. With the swirling winds encroaching
further and the lightning bursts from the surrounding mass thundering
between them, the Hunters brought the ritual to its crescendo, turning a
small portion of the power of the Rhythm to the creation of a planar
gateway into Dendera. As the joyous baying of His bloodhounds resounded
across the realm, Lord Haern stepped from the planar gateway and greeted
His exultant Hunters.

Penned by my hand on the 10th of Lanosian, in the year 168 MA.