The Journal of Tor'ak

Welcome to Tor'ak's Journal. Our campaign is moving each week, and life is crazy. So it can be hard to keep up. Luckily, Tor'ak is willing to open his journal to you so you can keep up with the crazy adventures of the Dreamers. All things here are told from Tor'ak's perspective and in first-person. I hope you enjoy!

**Session 10 -**

*16th of Ohmfist*

As our travels continued through the Cloudstep Tunnels, our new companion Loth proved to be a powerful, but terrifying ally. It became clear we had made a mistake and were in serious danger for allowing a Demonic Behemoth to travel with us. I find my judgments to be poor and clouded at the moment and take responsibility for not guiding my party well enough in the desperate hour.

As we plotted a way to get the beast back in its binding, Loth eluded us. He walked ahead and when we rounded the same corner seconds later, he was gone. With our minds elsewhere, trying to solve our current dilemma, we wandered into a different one. At first it looked to be the work of Loth, bodies torn asunder and bleeding, all while half-alive. But it seemed it what was before us was more sinister - something undead.

All the means we had of killing them didn't work though. Every attack we made created a dust that was animated. It attacked back and tried to finish the job the zombie like forms had not. We made to flee the chamber as Quatre was grabbed by a strange force - a black magic hand that pulled him away.

We tried to find him, but eventually had to move forward so the cave did not collapse on us. We found a holding room with a few dozen competitors in it. Wallie Mae and Alex were among them and seemed pretty certain the dark elves had taken Quatre.

I attempted to threaten them into giving us Quatre, but they did not know where he was. They offered to use the same magics to send us back to the beginning of the caverns to be with him. After a little deliberation, we agreed, planning to teleport back to She'e. The elves caught onto our plan though and teleported her with us. Frustrated, the party collectively worked to find Quatre as the cave began to collapse.

A strange red powder floated up in front of us, similar to what we'd seen before. Initially the Dreamers tried to avoid it but it became clear that it was actually helping us. The red dust revealed itself to be Sand Dile, a past acquaintance of the Dreamers who seemed to have a rocky past. It seemed that Sand Dile was willing to put that aside though, and helped us navigate our way to the top of the mountain with his abilities to reshape the very tunnels themselves.

We found ourselves walking out onto a platform with four Empyreans standing on each corner, the ones that had attacked Soloman the day prior. I am nervous to see how this unfolds and if Loth will follow through with destroying us to get his own wishes complete or will protect us for allowing him to leave his chains.

**Session 8 - Aligator Carpet Ride**

*15th of Ohmfist*

We spent a few hours amongst the crowds in the Cloudstep Tunnels, awaiting further directions to enter ourselves into the Blood Tournament. During that time, we met a few other representatives from different factions for the material plane and other planes as well. Kerrick of the Forst Iron Clan spoke to T.E.D. about dwarven people including the Grandbelt's who T.E.D. seemed particularly interested in.

We also witnessed a young boy, Kira, who approached Quatre, recognizing him from the fight that took place in Alahoot a few years before.

We needed to get more information about what we were walking into. Preparation is going to be the only way we survive this. Turns out, Wallie Mae had a lot of information on the tournament and was willing to share. He and The Savage King won the tournament in the past, a victory that led to the original unity of the Blood Clans.

He also imparted the history of the tournament onto us - a 2,000 year old even that originated with the Blood Clans. While the tournament used to be a competition amongst the Blood Clans, it grew over time to be more than that, the prize getting steeper with each passing tournament. Legends say that demonic intervention brought it to its current state.

While we waited, I spotted Koth, leader of the Hunters. The group used to try and ravage my home repeatedly, trying to capture our people and sell them back to their owners. Koth claims he has Magnus as his prisoner now. I tried to reach out and I could hear my love. He is nearby and I must rescue him.

Finally, the trials began. We have till sunset to get to the top of the mountain 100 miles away. As soon as the challenge began, the tunnels began to collapse on themselves. It seems The Heavenly Seven are not trying to kill us, and instead offer us guidance. Using Blythe's elephant and Soloman's magic carpet, we safely avoid getting caved in, ending with us staring at the ground which appears to be moving as if something large is breathing.

**Session 7 - 'Ey**

*15th of Ohmfist*

 After departing from The Black Feather Clan, we continued to make our way southward, coming upon a strange sight. I for one have only read about rain, but the others also seemed perplexed by the storm above us. A dark and unmoving cloud sat over this part of the land, leaving it under a permanent state of rain and overcast, but the water from above was salt water.

This had caused the plants in the area to die, fish to wash ashore rotted, and a wake of death in the area. I can't say I was not a little overwhelmed by the condition of the land. It was unnerving, to say the least.

Quatre and I sent our elementals out to investigate the area, searching for signs of life or understanding of this storm. It wasn't long until we came across large bricks being thrown off the side of the mountain. Huge smooth stones, unlike anything I would expect to see in nature.

As we were all intrigued by these large fixtures, Soloman offered to use his magic carpet to fly up and investigate what was happening. There Soloman came across four Empyreans, large celestial beings that cause the sky to cry and the land to rot when upset. They struck Soloman with a bolt of energy, sending him falling back to the ground.

It seems that they are building an arena of some sorts, according to Soloman's perception. Likely the arena for the Blood Tournament. Of course, I tried to use The Calling, knowing Magnus might be nearby, but I did not sense him; I was blocked by something. I did sense some fire and earth Genasi nearby, but then a voice said "Hello, Tor'ak" and I was jutted back from my Calling.

Eventually, we found our way to the other side of the storm. T.E.D. had become tired of waiting to find where to go, and resorted to asking some of the wildlife. He chose to speak to a black stag named Quivanas, that told us where to find The Black Stag Clan... I think he might have been one of them. He also revealed that The Thunderhooves, a tribe of centaurs, lived to the North.

We chose to rest for an hour and recover from the long journey. During that time, Quatre and T.E.D. discovered a strange rock structure. Stacked precariously, they looked through them, revealing a hidden cavern entrance in the mountain. Blythe used her items to create a large elephant magically, and set forth into the tunnels.

We wandered into the Cloudstep Tunnels searching for clues to the tournament, where we came upon a gathering of a couple hundred people, including three members of The Heavenly Seven: Alex, Wallie Mae, and Ferrick. Gathering some information, it seems we stumbled into the trials for the tournament, and what appeared to be the first test: the trial of Blood.

We needed the support of one of the Clans of Blood from the Blood Moors. We seemed to have gotten lucky, seeing as Quatre is a direct descendent of The Savage King, the uniter of the five clans. So with Quatre's approval, we find ourselves heading onto the next trial.

**Session 6 - The Queen's Song**

*15th of Ohmfist*

Upon arriving at the base of the Cloudstep Mountains, we were quickly accosted by rocks from above us. I helped the party escape notice at first by blending in with the rocks, but we were quickly discovered.

A murder... rook... flock... I am not sure what they call themselves, but a group of harpies attacked us, their queen leading from behind. After finding our location, she let out this song. I think most of my allies were affected as much as I was. Her voice was enamoring, and I was pulled to go towards her. Under our charmed condition, the Harpies began to separate us to be picked off. Soloman found himself surrounded. Myself, climbing the side of the mountain. The others following my trail.

Luckily, it seemed Blythe and Quatre avoided the charm and managed to trick the Harpy Queen into dropping her charm over us. We regrouped and prepared ourselves to face off against them again. We pushed back on her forces and managed to but the Harpy Queen to sleep and band her with the magic Bands of Balaro that Quatre had been carrying.

When she awoke, we questioned her. The Queens name was Silas, and it seemed that she was actually in some trouble. He people had been pushed West due to the fear of being hurt by Godfeather, who we gathered was a being that the Eagle Riders of the area worshipped. It sounds like a monstrous bird-like creature, and if the Harpies are afraid, I think we should be as well.

Silas also spoke of "the Greyskins", which seem to be Stone Giants that pushed the Harpies Northward into the land of Godfeather. Lasy Silas knew of them, the Greyskins were to the south, gathered close to the Black Stag Druids, a clan we'd been told about by some of the denizens of Blithtopia.

It seems there is a lot of people near the Cloudsteps fighting for control over the land. I hope we don't find ourselves pulled into another issue we have to deal with.

**Session 5 - Meeting of the People**

*14th of Ohmfist*

After bringing the egg back to Blithtopia, we spent some time bonding and training on an obstacle course that T.E.D. had constructed in our absence.

After we finished we convened with many of the leaders and figureheads of Blithtopia to establish leadership when Blythe and I departed for the Blood Tournament in a few days. It was decided that Jagrin and a council of others would lead togehter.

We also learned a little about the Cloudstep Mountains where we will be heading in the coming days. There is a nearby town by the name of Lok. Pelor is worshipped there, as well as by many other cultures nearby. With a little knowledge of the locale around the Cloudstep Mountains, we prepare to teleport there tomorrow. I am eager to find Magnus and figure out what is going on with this Blood Tournament.

**Session 4 - The Death of a Pheonix**

13th - *14th of Ohmfist*

Today, myself, Soloman, Quatre, and Tyr headed into the Violet Stretch to search out Fennick, a man that was close to Quatre old master, Grizwald. From what was explained to me Fennick was trained by Grizwald before Quatre, making the Heavenly Seven's demands for his death questionable.

Upon making it into the desert, I was introduced to the World Tree, a magical tree that expands its roots across the desert. I know this tree. It is in the Earth Plane as well, called the Yggdrasil Tree, which is known to bind the planes together. It was dead in the material plane though, but my new allies explained that they released the remanents of a former God King into it, and now it is alive again.

We looked at the roots, as they seemed to have gotten closer to Blithtopia than ever before. The strange sap leaking out of it, which upon touching linked the person to an omnipresent being named Adam. He seems intriguing. I can't tell if he is evil or good, or what his intentions really are. He claims he wants to see Valoria. But I am uncertain. He also expressed the need for 12 keys to fully awaken, some of which are already unlocked. Frightening, most definitely, but I am not sure if this is our concern.

We agreed to pass the message for access to Valoria to Anja to let her decide how she wishes to proceed. In return, Adam sends a large husk to watch over the Earth Gate for us while we worry about the upcoming Blood Tournament.

Adam also teleported us to Fennick, I really cannot pin his motives. Fennick also seems... questionable. Upon our arrival, we watched him kill a Pheonix. To my allies, this doesn't seem to resonate with them as it does me. A Pheonix is an important symbol of the Fire Plane and some of my people, but he quashes it with no problem or hesitation. He seems to consume its energy to strengthen himself so that he can reach his full potential.

Our entire interaction with Fennick has left me confused. Apparently, Fennick is the cousin of Quatre. Unexpected it seems to the unaware Quatre. The two were destined for an epic battle, but Fennick does not seem to see Quatre as ready and departs. The huge fight is also what the Heavenly Seven wanted. I have many questions. But Fennick departs, explaining he is headed to the Fire Gate.

The phoenix egg is left behind, which we take in order to care for so a new one can be born into the material plane.

**Session 3 - The Return of the Seven**

*13th of Ohmfist*

We began our day praying to our respective deities, searching for information to help us in our new endeavor to enter the Blood Tournament.

Quatre reaches out to the Infinite Conflict which seems to be devoid of spirits. Meanwhile, Soloman reaches out to Anja and her priest to learn about the tournament.

We gathered that the tournament happens every 25 years, maybe we could dismantle this from happening again. A sick gamble of souls cannot continue to go on like this. We also learned a little about a number of the gates, most protected by some powerful force.

After seeing what happened to the entrance to the Fire Plane, it seems that the Heavenly Seven are trying to open all of the gates to wreak havoc on the material plane. Why is there so much terror on this plane? I'd hoped it'd be better than our home in the Earth Plane, but it seems to be more of the same.

Anja ultimately decides to go check on the Gate of Air in the Twin Peak Mountains to make sure that they are protected.

Still wanting more advice on the Blood Tournament, Soloman uses Speak with Dead to talk to Cal, and old friend of the party. It seems that he has 1000 souls trapped in the skull that remains of him. One of those souls is Velatrix, the former champion. His wish for immortality upon winning the Blood Tournament, a prize we were unaware of, was twisted so that he now lives trapped in Cal's skull.

It seems we must complete 5 trials to compete in the tournament: strength, skill, stamina, blood, and cunning. In order to be part of the tournament, these 5 trials must be completed at the Cloudstep Mountains by the end of Bloodmoon. By my understanding, this will be the last 7 days of Ohmfist.

Ultimately, we were required to strike a deal with Shie. In exchange for one month out of my service, Shie agreed to fight amongst us as well as fly up to the Cloudstep Mountains to create a teleportation circle for us. FIghting without her by my side will be strange. While I've only had her with me for a few months now, her connection with me is something I have grown quickly accustomed to.

As our day seemed to be wrapping up, Quatre received a Whisper from a man named Atticus, who seems to be the leader of the Heavenly Seven. Atticus apparently claims to be saving the Material Plane by opening the gates. Apparently he needs Blythe to make that happen, as she is a beacon of chaos. There is no chance I will let them get their hands on her, the is certain.

Apparently Evelyn plays an important role as well as she is the Nifelhim, the last of the original race born of Aeos' son. Her residual power can alter the plane as we know it, in Atticus' words, of course, so I take that with a grain of granite.

Atticus also let on to his plan. He seemed to want to open the Plane of Air first and intends on killing Fennick, a person of great importance to Quatre. I am uncertain of who this person is, but Quatre seems to be intent that we are going to find him now. So it seems that is what we shall do as my friend, Shie makes her way across the land.

**Session 2 - A Day in the Blythe of Blithtopia**

*12th of Ohmfist*

Using Shie, we teleport back home to Blithtopia where we intend to meet with Queen Blythe to discuss the trouble happening on the material plane. Upon arriving home, it seems a call has been sent to all of Blythe's allies who begin arriving. First a warforged, by the name of T.E.D. who seems to have spent the last two years living underwater, covered in seaweed. As well as a new ally, a tiefling named Tyr, a young child that seems eager to help. I worry about his safety though.

Upon convening for our meeting, Quatre presents two cards with historical figures on them. One is Velatrix, champion of the Blood Tournament. It seems that the tournament he won is the same one the giants mentioned and occurs regularly.

Upon research, it seems that the price to enter the tournament is a gamble of 1,000 souls. The winner will get all of the souls gambled by each plane that enters. The need to interfere grows in me, knowing how dangerous those souls could be in the wrong hands. Let alone, the thought of not letting those souls go to rest as they should.

Adding further unease to my mind, it seems Koth and the Hunters will be entering as the representatives of the Earth Plane. They may try to recapture my people, the Cliff Dwellers if they find out where we are. I can not let this happen.

**Session 1 - Challenge of Flames**

*11th - 12th of Ohmfist*

A new friend has arrived in Blithtopia, a name he seemed to be hung up on, he kept calling it Sumakaut. He goes by the name of Soloman and appears to be a friend of the queen, Blythe. When he knew this land, it was a desert wasteland plagued by starvation, but it is now a forest oasis surrounded by life. Upon meeting Ra'gna, a member of the Cliff Dwellers, Soloman learned of the creation of Blythtopia and that I, Tor'ak, have become the right-hand of Blythe.

After being introduced, Soloman and I decided to adventure to the Ember Isles to look for an old friend of Blythe and Soloman. Boarding a magical boat, it seemed Soloman was concerned for our safety, but just as Blythe promised, we arrived in the boiling water surrounding the island.

The island was decimated, as was expected. Apparently Blythe's friends had tried to rescue the island, but it was destroyed by an explosion. I am beginning to question her choice in allies, but that is neither here nor there at this point. I will give them their chance to prove themselves.

Together Soloman and I adventured into the center of the island where a large volcano rose from the ground. There we were to meet Quatre, one of Blythe's closest allies, who she seems particularly upset with since he hasn't spoken to her in two years. We found out pretty quickly why he had been absent. He was training with Jayden, a warrior who seemed to be losing his mind while trying to impart knowledge onto Quatre.

Jayden cleared up the confusion on his sanity, explaining that he was a werewolf and that Keiser, the wolf in his head, had joined the Heavenly Seven, giving Jayden only two years to train Quatre and then they would join the others. Quatre seemed to understand what this meant and followed his teacher to a pool of lava where he pushed him in, ending Jayden's life, but also removing him from the Havenly Seven's forces.

Quatre solemnly followed us as we began heading up the mountain further to check the gate before heading back to Blithtopia. As we got close to the gate, I was greeted by one of my old enemies, a group of fire giants. From the slaves they carried with them, I could tell that they were former enemies of mine, as the slaves they carried were Cliff Dwellers, my family.

Quatre confronted the leader of them, Jotar the Forsaken King, to a challenge of strength. I told Quatre that the monster would take his challenge, being that they are such a proud race. After defeating the giant in a powerful display, Quatre questioned the giants on their plans and demanded freedom of the slaves. They claim the City of Brass intends to march on the material plane, a frightening thought.

One of the slaves, Jagrin, is an old friend of mine and Magnus'. He explained that Magnus is currently being held by more giants in the material plane, being used to build some arena for a tournament that is coming. As we lay down to rest for the night it seems that Quatre hears the voice of an old traveling partner, Mistress Evelyn. Apparently, she is a prize for the tournament, a sick thought, gambling people for prizes.

So it seems we have a lot to worry about. A gate to the fire plane wide open. A planned march from the City of Brass. As well as a tournament that now holds a friend of theirs and my husband as it's prisoners. We have a lot to do.