Starbark, the rarest and most coveted cinnamon variety, grows only in the deepest heart of the Cinnamon Grove, within a secluded cluster of ancient trees. These trees are marked by their pale, golden bark and star-shaped leaves that shimmer in the moonlight. Harvesting Starbark is a delicate process, as it only blooms fully under the light of the full moon, when its bark softens enough to be stripped without damaging the tree. Once harvested, the bark must be immediately dried over a slow, controlled fire of lemongrass and herbs, which preserve its potent medicinal properties. To turn Starbark into the revered medicine said to reverse dementia, alchemists carefully grind the dried bark into a fine powder, which is then steeped in a special elixir made from water drawn from the Locantis River. The resulting tincture must be consumed within a day of preparation to retain its full effectiveness, and even then, only in small, precise doses. The grove’s Singing Trees fiercely guard Starbark, and it is said that only those who gain their favor—possibly through the prophecy’s song—can approach these trees without falling prey to their deadly defense.
