Ocean of Dreams: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 19:48, 6 June 2023

The Ocean of Dreams is a wondrous place where the energies of the living and the dead can interact. It exists as a plane of mutable energies, separate from the material planes. The general area of the ocean forms a communal consciousness shared among all living things, while individual spheres of influence called the Islands of Dreaming represent specific dreams from entities. These islands rarely interact, though some dreamers believe in the possibility of dreaming together, which requires a strong connection and bridging the sea of Aether naturally.

This realm is known by various names, such as the "Land of Dreams and Nightmares" or simply the "Land of Nightmares." Legends and tales associated with this place recount unintentional visits or encounters by unwise practitioners of magic who stumble upon the ocean's dangers. Every race and language has its own concept and name for this realm, where dreams, thoughts, and past/future events converge.

Legends

The earliest legends of exploring the dream realm stem from stories of a dark wizard who used it to predict the future. His experiments with astral projection and physically entering the dream realm ended in his mysterious disappearance. However, his notes survived and inspired several of his apprentices to continue his work along different paths.

According to these accounts, the ocean has some semblance of structure. Dreamers visit this realm accidentally during sleep (and rarely when awake), and their islands constantly change, never remaining the same unless influenced by an outside force. The living are not the sole inhabitants of this realm; the Aether of the dead also resides here, with vast and powerful islands that expand over time. When the Aether of a newly departed entity manifests, their island naturally forms near those they knew in life who are also deceased. These islands grow and can connect, allowing departed souls to share dreams if they desire. Since entities control their islands, they cannot be forced into a dream or compelled to connect to another island.

Legends also suggest that within this realm, all fear, hate, and anger must be released and remain here. Entities unable to do so descend into the Severed Realm. However, not all energies in this realm adhere to this rule. Dangerous entities can touch the islands and feed off negativity, turning dreams into nightmares.

Travel Through Dreams

As the dream realm connects to other realms in various ways, it is possible, though unwise, to use it for travel between places. This method carries significant risks. In a realm where thoughts and reality intertwine, one runs the risk of losing track of what is real and what is not. This risk is only one of many. Denizens of the Ocean of Dreams thrive on the distress of others. Since this realm connects to all places, powerful immortal entities often use it as a means of traversing realms, unfazed by dangers that would tear mortals apart. These entities occasionally communicate with the dead or, in rare cases, the living through their dreams. Their presence is transient, and they come and go as they please.

The Sennik

In the past, dreams and this realm were believed to enable the prediction of the future through a book called a "Sennik." However, in modern times, a "Sennik" has transformed into a psychological text, explaining the potential representations of dream images and their connection to a person's mental state. The true Sennik, however, is not a mundane book but a unique tome of the dream world. It is crafted to be identical in both the waking world and the dream world, unlike most things. Within the dream world, the Sennik possesses special properties and can influence the surroundings. It is imbued with the psionic or magical energy of its creator, an extension of their being. The Sennik resists attempts by others to pry into its secrets.

Those skilled in the use of a Sennik and the dream world are often called Mistrzowie Koszmarów in Polish. Different cultures that independently developed exploration of the dream world have their own names and practices for individuals with similar abilities, masters of the dream world, and the tools they use. In some cultures, a Grimoire, a traditional spellbook used by Western European practitioners of magic, particularly in the areas surrounding Germany and France, is said to be particularly potent in dreams. When constructed correctly, it can function similarly to a Sennik.

Interaction with Reality

While closely tied to the material plane, the Ocean of Dreams is not a realm of specific reality. It can partially reflect the real world through focused thought. The ocean encompasses not only the islands of the dead and the dreams of the living but also the worlds of the material plane. Astral projection into this realm leads to an initial encounter with an echo of the real world, where a person's focus materializes. The dreamscape interacts with reality through the forces of creation and destruction. Within the ocean, the Aether primarily serves as a force for creation, and some individuals tap into this creative force known as dreamessence, a concentrated form of magical energy derived from the Ocean of Dreams itself.

As the echo of the real world is unstable and influenced by the thoughts of those present, it represents the most static aspects of reality. Mountains, for instance, are nearly solid and unchanging, while smaller objects have a more ethereal nature. The representation of the real world assumes the form of the most common and unchanging embodiments of various possible realities. Skilled individuals can manipulate these echoes of the real world using magical energy and thoughts, effecting changes in the material plane. Therefore, even living or semi-living entities can be created within the ocean using thought and then brought to the real world with considerable skill, as homunculi or golems.

Additionally, some entities exist in both the ocean and the material plane, drawing their essence and energy from the dreamscape. These entities, known as Kithian, are entirely dream-based and can manipulate the real world and mortals through dreamessence. A male Kith can form a union with a female dreamer, impregnating her with a being possessing the souls of both a human and a Kithian. These entities serve as bridges between dreamers and the ocean. They can use dreamessence to affect the real world, utilizing wayfarer magic, locomotion, or even constructing fantastical contraptions that are impossible in the material planes.

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-The Ocean of Dreams is a place of wonder where the energies of the living and dead can interact together.  This plane is not one of the material planes and thus exists solely as mutable energies which adjust their shape and intensity from interacting with entities who are within it.  The general area of the ocean is a communal consciousness which is shared within the Aether of all living things, which individual spheres of influence called the Islands of Dreaming.  Each island is that of a specific dream from a specific entity, most often a living being whose mind connects with this plane while they sleep.  The islands seldom interact together, though many dreamers believe they are dreaming as one with another it takes an exceptionally strong connection to bridge the sea of Aether and connect to dreamers together naturally; bit it is possible.
+The Ocean of Dreams is a wondrous place where the energies of the living and the dead can interact. It exists as a plane of mutable energies, separate from the material planes. The general area of the ocean forms a communal consciousness shared among all living things, while individual spheres of influence called the Islands of Dreaming represent specific dreams from entities. These islands rarely interact, though some dreamers believe in the possibility of dreaming together, which requires a strong connection and bridging the sea of Aether naturally.
-This realm has many names, it is at times called the ''Land of Dreams and Nightmares'' or simply the ''Land of Nightmares'', tales and legends associated with this place tell of unintentional visits or unwise practitioners of magic who travel to the ocean unawares of the dangers.  Nearly every language of every race has a concept of this place and name for it, it is a place where dreams, thoughts, and past / future events can come together.
+This realm is known by various names, such as the "Land of Dreams and Nightmares" or simply the "Land of Nightmares." Legends and tales associated with this place recount unintentional visits or encounters by unwise practitioners of magic who stumble upon the ocean's dangers. Every race and language has its own concept and name for this realm, where dreams, thoughts, and past/future events converge.
 == Legends ==
-The earliest legends of exploration in the dream realm come from stories of a dark wizard using the realm to attempt to predict the future.  Ultimately he met an untimely end, having spent years entering the realm via a form of astral projection, experimenting with physically entering the dream realm and was never heard from again.  Though his notes survived and spawned several of his apprentices to continue his work along different veins.
+The earliest legends of exploring the dream realm stem from stories of a dark wizard who used it to predict the future. His experiments with astral projection and physically entering the dream realm ended in his mysterious disappearance. However, his notes survived and inspired several of his apprentices to continue his work along different paths.
-This work tells that the ocean has some structure to it, while dreamers visit this place in their sleep (and when awake in rare times) by accident, their islands come and go and are never the same on two successive visits unless touched by an outside force.  However, the living are not the only beings here.  The Aether of the dead is also here and their islands are vast and far more powerful, these are static places that grow over times, each one expanding to meet those they knew in life once the Aether of a newly departed entity manifests here, it naturally comes into focus near those it knew in life who are also departed.  These islands grow and can connect allowing the souls of the dead to share a dream should they wish.  Since the entities control their islands they cannot be forced into a dream nor can they be forced to connect to another island.
+According to these accounts, the ocean has some semblance of structure. Dreamers visit this realm accidentally during sleep (and rarely when awake), and their islands constantly change, never remaining the same unless influenced by an outside force. The living are not the sole inhabitants of this realm; the Aether of the dead also resides here, with vast and powerful islands that expand over time. When the Aether of a newly departed entity manifests, their island naturally forms near those they knew in life who are also deceased. These islands grow and can connect, allowing departed souls to share dreams if they desire. Since entities control their islands, they cannot be forced into a dream or compelled to connect to another island.
-Legends also tell that within this realm all fear, hate, and anger must be released to reside here.  Those entities which die and cannot do this, are descended into the [[Severed Realm]].  This is not true for all energy which exists here, as there are dangerous entities which can touch the islands and feed off of negativity and other such things, turning dreams into nightmares.
+Legends also suggest that within this realm, all fear, hate, and anger must be released and remain here. Entities unable to do so descend into the [[Severed Realm]]. However, not all energies in this realm adhere to this rule. Dangerous entities can touch the islands and feed off negativity, turning dreams into nightmares.
 == Travel Through Dreams ==
-Since this realm connects to all other realms in some way or another, it is possible - although unwise - to use it to travel between places.  It is not without significant risks to do so.  In any realm where thoughts and reality are mixed, one runs the risk of loosing track of what is real and what is not and this singular risk is one of but many.  There are denizens of the Ocean of Dreams who reside here and feed off of the distress of others.  Since this realm connects to all places, powerful immortal entities often use it as a way to move through between realms, unconcerned with what could rend a mortal into shreds.  Such entities have even been known to speak with the dead or in very rare cases the living through their dreams.  Such beings are transient and come and go as they please.
+As the dream realm connects to other realms in various ways, it is possible, though unwise, to use it for travel between places. This method carries significant risks. In a realm where thoughts and reality intertwine, one runs the risk of losing track of what is real and what is not. This risk is only one of many. Denizens of the Ocean of Dreams thrive on the distress of others. Since this realm connects to all places, powerful immortal entities often use it as a means of traversing realms, unfazed by dangers that would tear mortals apart. These entities occasionally communicate with the dead or, in rare cases, the living through their dreams. Their presence is transient, and they come and go as they please.
 == The Sennik ==
-It was said that one could use their dreams and this realm to predict the future in the form of prophecy using a book called a "Sennik", while in modern parlance the this "dream dictionary" has contemporary meanings that are not supernatural or paranormal in origin having been replaced by psychological texts about the potential representations of images in a dream for a persons mental state.  A true Sennik, however, is not a mundane book but rather a kind of book of the dream world, crafted specifically to record images and impressions of this special realm.  It is crafted so that it is identical in both the waking world and the dreaming world, unlike most things which are not.  Within the dream world it also has special properties and can be used to influence the world around it, imbued with either the [[Psionic Energy|psionic]] or [[Magical Energy|magical energy]] of the person who created the book, it is an extension of its creator and will rebel against alien hands who attempt to pry into its secrets.
+In the past, dreams and this realm were believed to enable the prediction of the future through a book called a "Sennik." However, in modern times, a "Sennik" has transformed into a psychological text, explaining the potential representations of dream images and their connection to a person's mental state. The true Sennik, however, is not a mundane book but a unique tome of the dream world. It is crafted to be identical in both the waking world and the dream world, unlike most things. Within the dream world, the Sennik possesses special properties and can influence the surroundings. It is imbued with the [[Psionic Energy|psionic]] or [[Magical Energy|magical energy]] of its creator, an extension of their being. The Sennik resists attempts by others to pry into its secrets.
-Those who are skilled in the use of a Sennik and thus in the world of dreams are often called Mistrzowie Koszmarów in the polish, though most cultures for which the exploration of the dream world developed independently have their own name and practices for a similar person, a master of the dream world, and the tools used by that person.  In some cultures, a Grimour (the traditional spell book for a practitioner of magic in Western Europe (particularly in the areas surrounding Germany and France to the west and south) is said to be particularly potent in dreams and when constructed properly is able to be used in much the same way as a Sennik is.
+Those skilled in the use of a Sennik and the dream world are often called Mistrzowie Koszmarów in Polish. Different cultures that independently developed exploration of the dream world have their own names and practices for individuals with similar abilities, masters of the dream world, and the tools they use. In some cultures, a Grimoire, a traditional spellbook used by Western European practitioners of magic, particularly in the areas surrounding Germany and France, is said to be particularly potent in dreams. When constructed correctly, it can function similarly to a Sennik.
 == Interaction with Reality ==
-The material plane is closely tied to this plane, but of no particular reality.  The Ocean of Dreams can reflect the real world, in part, though focused thought.  Not only to the islands of the dead and the dreams of the living exist here but the worlds of the material plane do as well.  Should one astral project here, an echo of the real world will be found first and that is where a person will come into focus.  This dreamscape interacts with reality through the forces of creation and destruction.  Here in the ocean, the Aether is mostly a force for creation, and some draw on that force of creation in the form of ''dreamessence'', a focused [[Magical Energy|magical energy]] derived from the Ocean of Dreams itself.
+While closely tied to the material plane, the Ocean of Dreams is not a realm of specific reality. It can partially reflect the real world through focused thought. The ocean encompasses not only the islands of the dead and the dreams of the living but also the worlds of the material plane. Astral projection into this realm leads to an initial encounter with an echo of the real world, where a person's focus materializes. The dreamscape interacts with reality through the forces of creation and destruction. Within the ocean, the Aether primarily serves as a force for creation, and some individuals tap into this creative force known as ''dreamessence,'' a concentrated form of [[Magical Energy|magical energy]] derived from the Ocean of Dreams itself.
-Since this echo of the real world is unstable and responds to thoughts of those in it the representation of the real world is manifest as the most static portions of the real world.  As such a mountain range is nearly immutably solid but a single pebble is more ethereal in nature.  The representation of the real world takes the form of the most common and static embodiments of different possible realities.  This makes some objects nearly like ghosts and echoes but others more solid.  Someone who is skilled with the use of [[Magical Energy|magical energy]] and thoughts here can manipulate these echoes of the real world to cause changes in the material plane.  Thus even living, or pseudo-living, entities can be created easily here with thought in the ocean itself and then brought to the real world through no small amount of skill as a homunculus or golem.
+As the echo of the real world is unstable and influenced by the thoughts of those present, it represents the most static aspects of reality. Mountains, for instance, are nearly solid and unchanging, while smaller objects have a more ethereal nature. The representation of the real world assumes the form of the most common and unchanging embodiments of various possible realities. Skilled individuals can manipulate these echoes of the real world using [[Magical Energy|magical energy]] and thoughts, effecting changes in the material plane. Therefore, even living or semi-living entities can be created within the ocean using thought and then brought to the real world with considerable skill, as homunculi or golems.
-Further, some entities exist in both the ocean and the material plane, drawing their essence and energy from the dreamscape.  Such entities are the Kithian, which are entirely based on the dream and able to use dreamessence to manipulate the real world and mortals through their dreams.  A male kith can form a union with a female dreamer that impregnates her with a being that has the soul of a human and the soul of a Kithian.  Such entities, Changelings, act as bridges between dreamers and the ocean; able to use dreamessence to affect the real world for wayfarer magic, locomotion, or even constructing fantastical contraptions impossible in the material planes.
+Additionally, some entities exist in both the ocean and the material plane, drawing their essence and energy from the dreamscape. These entities, known as Kithian, are entirely dream-based and can manipulate the real world and mortals through dreamessence. A male Kith can form a union with a female dreamer, impregnating her with a being possessing the souls of both a human and a Kithian. These entities serve as bridges between dreamers and the ocean. They can use dreamessence to affect the real world, utilizing wayfarer magic, locomotion, or even constructing fantastical contraptions that are impossible in the material planes.
 [[Category:Planes of Existence]]