Bounced back, yes, but it's taken over a millennia, and society is no where near where it was before. That might not be the most terrible of things though.

"Because they've been promised," he replied with a shrug, lips pursed. Everyone knew about it so no one really had to talk about it, which meant explaining it exactly and finding the right words was a touch difficult.

He took another sip of his coffee and considered.

"They're poisoned now, but they won't always be. It'll fade in time and when it's drained from the land they'll be reclaimed. A promise."