The Staff of Dreams

Created in ancient times by the Seven Sages of Ereglast, the staff of dreams is an artifact of great power.  Forged from a simple oak branch about six feet long, and inlaid at the top with a blue stone, it is a simple yet important item.  In the millennia past, the world had become a wicked place.  Men, Dwarves, Orcs, Elves, and others had become greedy, taking more than the realm could give.  The oceans were nearly drained of life.  Fresh water streams once clean and clear and teaming with flora around their banks were now brackish and eroded.  Mountains crumbled and lay bare of minerals and gemstones from over mining.  Plains that were once lush enough to support large herds of grazing fauna, had been farmed to the point of infertility.  Cities had become cesspools, humanoid waste ran down the streets and pall bearers filled large carts with countless dead bodies piled high, the result of diseases and poor living conditions.
The Seven Sages, a group of influential and powerful mages saw what the lesser men and beasts of the realm were doing to the realm, and they noted that something must be done if the realm were to survive much longer.  They called together the leaders of each race, and sat them down.  They explained that this world could not continue on like it was, that too much was being wasted, greed had gotten out of control, and that the world needed to be respected and nurtured by all races.  In a drastic move, the Seven Sages created the Staff of Dreams, a magical artifact able to place the entire realm into a dream like state for a thousand years at a time.
They explained to the leaders of each race that their people would not be harmed in this dream like state.  Citizens of the Realm of Ereglast would not need to eat or drink during this time.  They would not need to worry about the weather, or being attacked by beasts or fauna.  They would have no worries at all during this thousand year period, as their bodies and minds would be protected by the staffs magic.  During this dream like state, the Realm of Ereglast would have a thousand years to lay fallow.  A thousand years for vegetation to regrow, for animals to restock, for minerals to harden and be replenished by the pressure of the mountain.
The races of Ereglast agreed to be cast under the spell of the staff and the world was renewed.  In the realm, every thousand years, when resources need to be replenished, the staffs powers are unleashed by the seven sages...however...after this last awakening, something went wrong.  Barod Olon, the last living member of the Seven Sages has passed away, and the Staff of Dreams it seems has lots its power.
A brave group of adventurers has now been tasked many thousands of years after the staff was created, to find a way to reforge and recharge the power within the staff.  The hopes and dreams of the people lay heavily upon their minds as they race to find a solution.