On an ordinary shopping trip to Grastagg, Pycena had come across the grizzly events that transpired across much of the emeraldite lands. Screams and cries. Madness in the streets. Guards on their last legs. A scene reminiscent of the tyranny of Asphodel, just with different colors. She was shocked by the weight of the events.
After passing by some guards she rode through Grastagg. She met Levias, the Twiceborn. A man she once saved from undeath, having somehow the luck to survive death for a second time. And yet the scenes on the streets, and the tales of the guards were that of utter horror. Regardless of her allegiance, she could not sit idly and watch innocent people suffer.
She found a guard, one sane enough to explain the situation to her. Some kind of malicious spell allegedly cast by Dawn's Reverie has brought madness to the people and let to the insanity. One which poisoned the water supply.
Having the tool for the job, a staff channeling the pure waters of Thalassus, she went to work on the local water supply. Small black particles lingered in the lake, most likely the source of the corruption. Pycena had cast plenty of magics before: evocations, enchantments, and wards. Her most recent accomplishment was creating several spells to be used in army warfare inspired by ancient tales from her home. With that knowledge in mind Pycena had quickly thought of a short incantation.
"Reverse waterfall"
"Stable flow"
"A balance restored"
"A cleansing glow"
"Waters pure"
"Shall fill this lake"
She drew the rune of purification and healing - Berkano, with her staff in the air, a trick she learned from Svarog when they were trapped together in a haunted mansion. Then let the pure waters fill the lake, channeled by her magic.
The particles began to float up and dissapear, the corruption seemingly purged. Hesitant, she took the first sip of the water. It was... normal, normal as in good. Job well done.
Having confirmed her efforts had worked so far, Pycena had set out to purify the rest of the waters in and around Grastagg she could get access to. Then, she set out towards other emeraldite cities suffering from the same maddening afflictions.
Being a skilled equestrian had its merits. Pycena would be able to charge and maneuver through the crowds of the maddened, without having to kill a single one. No one would judge her for it, and yet she treated the lives of the maddened with the same respect they would have in life.
Pycena headed to other Emeraldite settlements: Eastlake, Oakhold, Westwatch, New Heathrest
The reception wasn't always warm, but Pycena wasn't always honest. It was just a matter of talking to the right guard to let her do her magic.
...River Grunne? Surpisingly that place was fine, or not. Either whoever did this had a strong bias or did not want there to be blighted madmen running amok.
...Wood's edge. Surprisingly fine but after talking to a few residents it seems like someone did a round of curing already, regardless she would purify the waters of both of the places.
Wherever Pycena went she would check her list of affected settlements occasionally, noting if she had missed any and making another trek if necessary. Returning home she checked her own water supply, perhaps a bit paranoid about the whole ordeal.
In her library she would begin to draft another spell. One able to mend the minds and souls of the unfortunate maddened citizens, and one which would serve useful in her own efforts going forward. When the dust settled she knew she'd need to ask June some hard hitting questions.