The Dreamwarden
The Dreamwarden is a title belonging to the protector of Somnambula, the home realm of the Travesty of Dreams, Drelux. The Dreamwarden is a title passed down through generations not by blood, but by a mysterious and ancient ritual. The truth is that the Dreamwarden is not a mortal being at all—it is a living dream, an amalgamation of hope, courage, and willpower born from the collective subconscious of the villagers. This dream possesses the body of a willing host, granting them extraordinary abilities to safeguard the village from the many dangers of the Sombre.
The Dreamwarden exists as a sentient fragment of the Sombre itself, tethered to the will of Drelux. Its form is incorporeal until it binds itself to a host, appearing in dream pools as a glowing, humanoid silhouette with swirling patterns of light and shadow across its body.
The Dreamwarden is not always a willing hero. Some hosts struggle with their role, fearing the loss of their own identity or resenting the weight of the village’s expectations.
Qualifications
While the Dreamwarden requires no formal qualifactions; it does require certain strengths of character, such as a strong sense of self and dedication to the protection of the village.
Benefits
The Dreamwarden wields powers that reflect its nature as a dream guardian and protector of the subconscious. For example, The Dreamwarden can shift between corporeal and incorporeal states. In combat, they manifest shimmering dream armor and weapons, such as a sword that leaves trails of starlight or a shield made of shifting coral. In addition, they possess an aura of calming energy, causing enemies to falter and drowsiness to take hold. This aura can also soothe terrified villagers, drawing them into peaceful dreams.
The Dreamwarden also gains access to:
- The Nightmare Banishment; a powerful ability that allows the Dreamwarden to unravel nightmare creatures or psychic intrusions from the Far Realm, dispersing them into harmless wisps of dreamstuff.
- The Shared Vision; The Dreamwarden can enter the dreams of others, guiding them or uncovering hidden truths within their subconscious. This power is often used to help villagers recover lost memories or to track threats to the village.
- Ethereal Wings; wings of iridescent light, allowing them to traverse Sombre swiftly and battle enemies that soar through the Stormclouds of Slumber.
- The Dreamwarden occasionally speaks with the voices of past hosts, their echoes emerging in moments of great stress or clarity. These fragments of wisdom can guide the current host, but they also remind them of their inevitable fate.
- The Dreamwarden’s strength is drawn from the dreams of the villagers. If the villagers lose hope or fall into despair, the Dreamwarden grows weaker, making the connection between the protector and the protected vital.
- Access to the Somnus Blade.
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
When the current Dreamwarden grows weary or falters in their duties, the living dream seeks out a new host. The ritual takes place at The Luminous Chapel, where the villagers gather to offer candidates. The dream chooses the host based on their resolve, inner strength, and willingness to sacrifice their individuality for the good of others. Once chosen, the dream merges with the host, imbuing them with its power and erasing parts of their past identity.
The villagers of Somnambula honor past Dreamwardens by inscribing their names on the walls of the Luminous Chapel. Each name glows faintly, as if still alive in the memories of the realm. Legends tell of one Dreamwarden who defied the Far Realm alone for centuries, holding back an incursion until their body finally disintegrated.
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