☼ Journal of the Resilient One ☼

[Tentacle]

Journal of the Resilient One, Soulkeeper
Date Unknown, Year of the Endless Night

The winds of Thornhaven whisper with a tongue I do not recognize—a language of shadows and forgotten things that stirs unease deep within the marrow of my soul. It is a city cloaked in mystery, a physical place that denies its existence in the grand tapestry of the Dreamscape, as if ashamed of the truth that lies beneath its surface. Here, they speak of time and gods as if they were mere trifles, gifts bestowed without purpose or consequence. The Time Portals, they say, were given by a god whose name has not been erased from memory. But I cannot shake the feeling that this deity, if it ever existed, was no benevolent creator. No, there is something dark, something malevolent, in the silence that follows mention of its name.

Thornhaven's citizens speak in hushed tones of the Time Portals, as if afraid their words might awaken something they would rather keep slumbering. And yet, they know so little. Who was this god? What became of it? And why, in the name of all that is unholy, would it grant such a gift to this place, this city that seems so disjointed from the greater cosmologies? These questions gnaw at my mind, a festering wound that refuses to heal. There is no mention here of the Boundary Mists, of the shardic life we knew in Underlight Prime. Here, the world is stark, devoid of the verity we once held dear.

The elementals are dead—two, at least, have been claimed by some malevolent force that seems to slither through the cracks in reality. Their absence is a void that the very air of Thornhaven seems to mourn, a silent dirge that echoes in the emptiness they left behind. It is as if the city itself has taken a breath, only to hold it, waiting for the inevitable exhale that will bring nothing but despair. I can feel the Dreamscape’s unease, its living essence recoiling from this place as if it were a wound that might never heal.

Yet even as the shadows lengthen and Thornhaven's mysteries deepen, we remain steadfast in our purpose. The Truths we came to know and safeguard as Keepers of Eternal Shadow are as alive now as they ever were, though just as we have, they too have evolved. Under the vigilant watch of the Inquisitor, the sacred history of our house, dating back to Underlight Prime, is preserved with reverence and exactitude even as it matures. The faithful continue to be ministered to, their minds and spirits nurtured by the teachings we hold dear. We protect them, shield them from the encroaching darkness that seeks to unravel all we have built.

In this ever-changing landscape, the value of the Arbiter and the Prefect cannot be overstated. They are pillars of stability, ensuring that our course remains true even as the winds of Thornhaven try to lead us astray. The Arbiter’s wisdom and the Prefect’s guidance are invaluable as we navigate the complex web of politics and power that this place presents. Together with them, and with all who walk our path, we continue to explore, to grow, and to deepen our understanding of the Dreamscape and the forces that shape it.

Our knowledge of the Old Ones and the ancient ways informs every step we take. Their whispers, carried on the winds of the Dreamscape, guide us through the labyrinth of intrigue and danger that Thornhaven presents. We do not falter; we do not waver. The history of our house is not a relic to be forgotten, but a living testament to our resilience and power. It is through this lens of ancient wisdom that we navigate the present, our purpose unwavering, our resolve unbroken.

The Strongholds continue their work, both in the open and in the shadows, but I cannot shake the feeling that we are playing a game we do not understand. Thornhaven is a place of secrets, of hidden depths that refuse to be plumbed. It draws us in, seduces us with its intrigues and its dark allure, but I fear it is a trap—a snare set by forces beyond our comprehension. The intoxicating music of court, the political dance that enthralls so many, it is all a distraction, a way to keep us from seeing the truth that lies just beyond our grasp.

But I am not so easily swayed. I am the Master of Resilience, of Willpower, and I will not allow myself to be blinded by the glamour of this place. The Dreamscape is a living thing, a vast and infinite expanse that we each must explore in our own way. Thornhaven may seek to ensnare us, to draw us into its web of lies and half-truths, but I will not forget what we are, where we come from. We are dreamers, awakened from the shardic worlds, and we have a greater purpose than mere survival in this strange and twisted kingdom.

I will continue to seek the truth, to unravel the mysteries that Thornhaven so desperately tries to hide. The Dreamscape is our guide, our teacher, and I will not allow myself to be led astray. There is something here, something dark and ancient, that seeks to consume us. But I will stand firm. I will not be taken by the darkness, by the lies that seek to obscure the truth. Thornhaven is a city of shadows, but I will not allow myself to be lost within its depths.

The winds still whisper, and I will listen, but I will not be swayed. The Dreamscape is my anchor, my guide, and I will follow its path, no matter where it may lead. The city may try to consume me, but I will not be devoured. I will find the truth, no matter the cost. The Dreamscape is a living thing, and so am I. And I will not be silenced. ☼

[Tentacle]

Journal of the Resilient One, Soulkeeper
Date Unknown, Year of the Endless Night

The Dreamscape grows heavier with the weight of stagnation. Once, our kind ventured forth with minds sharpened by purpose, driven by the sacred echoes of the Eternal Dream to seek knowledge and creation. Now, too many have surrendered to the banality of existence, content to weave shallow dreams that reflect their lesser desires. It is not apathy that disturbs me most—no, that would almost be preferable. What we face is a willing surrender of the mind’s potential, as if brilliance has become a burden too great to bear for those Awakened into this age.

They surround themselves with hollow entertainments, their once-sharp intellects dulled by trivialities. The grand architects of their thoughts reduced to idle artisans, sculpting visions of mere distraction. And worse still, the charlatans are emboldened by it. Like vultures descending upon the carcass of intelligence, they sweep through the kingdom, peddling their lies and false promises. These deceivers have mastered the art of guile, drawing dreamers away from their inner truths, replacing wisdom with manipulation. They promise power, enlightenment even, but it is nothing more than smoke.

It sickens me to see how easily the weak-minded succumb, bowing before the pretenders, these puppeteers who pull at strings unseen. The kingdom is being woven into a tapestry of deception, where illusion replaces reality and logic is cast aside like a forgotten relic. It is a place of masquerades now, where those who could shape the very foundation of this world waste their gifts, blind to the subtle shifts beneath their feet.

Cassimolair. The name lingers like a shadow on the edges of thought, tied to the mysterious messages that have reached me from unseen corners. The truth of these words is tangled, obscured by riddles and half-truths. I cannot ignore the pull it has on my thoughts, and I know that if I am to uncover its significance, I must tread carefully. Whether friend or foe, the one behind these messages knows more than they reveal, and it is clear that I am meant to pursue this path. What game do they play? And what role am I meant to fulfill?

Then there is The Heart’s Rebuke, the Looking Glass of unimaginable power. The legends surrounding it speak of a reflection that shows more than the surface; it reveals the truth that lies beneath, the heart of what we dare not face. If the tales hold any truth, it could break through the layers of deceit that have clouded this age. I must know—did The Heart’s Rebuke make its way here? Could it be hidden within the kingdom, shielded by its many facades? Or, perhaps the Elemental Seat of Life holds its own reflection of this ancient and powerful item, something parallel to what we once knew in the First Lyran Age.

The very thought of it stirs something within me, a desire that I have long kept buried. To gaze into the Looking Glass and confront what lies beyond the veils of this world… it could unravel so many of the mysteries that plague us. Yet, there is also danger. For what if the reflection shows something we are not prepared to face? The Heart’s Rebuke is aptly named—its revelations are not without consequence.

I must seek it out, but I must do so with caution. If it is here, buried within the layers of Thornhaven or concealed by the Elemental powers that still pulse through this realm, I will find it. And with it, I will uncover the truth that so many have sought to hide. Cassimolair may know something of its whereabouts, or perhaps they too seek it for their own ends. Either way, I must stay ahead of them, for this is not a tool that should fall into the hands of the manipulators, the deceivers who now plague our kingdom.

The camps grow more divided by the day. Those who still honor the old ways, who seek purpose in their Awakened state, find themselves estranged from the dreamers who have surrendered to the mundane. And I, I stand between them, watching as this schism threatens to fracture the very foundation of the Dreamscape. I cannot allow it. I will not let this realm devolve into a mire of complacency and lies. There is too much at stake, too much still to uncover.

I will not rest until I understand the truth behind the voices, The Heart’s Rebuke, and the whispers in the dark. The dreamers may falter, but I will remain steadfast. The winds of Thornhaven, the fractured currents of this age, they speak of unraveling. Yet I will not be caught in their spiral. The Dreamscape is mine to traverse, and I will navigate these shadows as I always have—with clarity of purpose, with the Willpower that has carried me through the darkest nights.

Cassimolair, if you are listening, I am coming for answers. And if you are the force behind this web of intrigue, know that I will not be so easily ensnared. The Heart’s Rebuke will be found, and with it, the truth. And when it is revealed, the charlatans, the deceivers, will have no place left to hide. ☼