Oneiria

"Welcome, dreamer. You’ve stepped into the heart of Oneiria- a place that’s yours and not yours, shaped by your thoughts yet beyond your control. Don’t be shy; ask your questions. I’ll answer what I can, though, mind you, not all answers are meant to be understood- just like not all dreams are meant to be remembered."

— Erahis, a dream guide

To step into Oneiria is to step into possibility itself, a realm where the line between thought and reality blurs. It is an Inner Plane located on the fringes of the Outer Plane of the The Moon, a place shaped by dreams, visions, and the fleeting essence of unrealized futures. Governed by Verana, the goddess of dreams and prophecies, Oneiria serves as both a sanctuary for ideas yet to be born and a vault for potential futures that may or may not come to pass.

The Nature of the Realm

Oneiria is a surreal domain of countless floating islands suspended in an ethereal, ever-shifting expanse. Each island is born from the subconscious dreams of mortals, their essence coalescing into tangible landscapes. Rivers that flow upward, forests of crystalline trees, and skies alive with cascading stars are just a few of the wonders one might encounter. Similar dreams intertwine to form larger islands, while dreams of immense power create entire islands on their own.

Traversing these islands is easiest for those who enter Oneiria through dreams. The winds of the realm guide these dreamers, gently weaving paths between islands. However, mortals who physically cross into Oneiria find the journey far more difficult and dangerous. The winds become wild and unpredictable, the pathways elusive, and the realm itself resists the touch of flesh.

Oneiria holds a dual purpose in the cosmology of Kena'an. The winds of Oneiria carry the seeds of ideas not yet born, scattering them across the dreamscape. These seeds represent the raw potential of creativity, inspiration, and innovation, waiting to take root in the dreams of mortals. As they settle, they spark new concepts, inventions, and visions within the Material Plane. These ideas can be fragmented, shifting, and surreal, embodying what could be but is not yet.

At the heart of Oneiria, the Library of Prophecies serves as the vault of potential futures. This luminous archive holds countless threads of possibilities that stretch into the future, each one a pathway not yet chosen. While these futures are not set in stone, they offer glimpses of what might be, seen only by those with the gift to interpret them. The library itself is a labyrinth of shifting paths and dreamlike logic, where knowledge of these futures can be both enlightening and overwhelming.

Hierarchy of Oneiria

"From the seeds of unborn ideas to the labyrinthine corridors of prophecy, our realm is shaped by those who serve Verana. Here order exists, for even the wildest thought must be guided, or it will lose its way in the vast expanse of possibility."

— Erahis, the Dream Guide

Despite the ethereal, ever-shifting nature of Oneiria, the plane operates under a structured hierarchy, one that reflects the lawful influence of Verana, the goddess of dreams and prophecies. This hierarchy ensures that the boundless creativity and potential futures within Oneiria are not only nurtured but also safeguarded. It is a delicate balance between chaos and order, woven together by those who serve Verana in her absence.

Plane Alignment

Neutral

Alternative Name(s)

Dreamlands, Realm of prophecies

Type

Plane of Existence

Owner/Ruler

Verana

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Oneiria's Embrace

Hush now, little dreamer, close your eyes,
The stars are your blanket, the moon softly sighs.
Whispers of wind, gentle and light,
Will carry your spirit through Oneiria tonight.

---

Drift past the rivers that twist in the sky,
Walk in the land that dreams never die.
The winds hold the seeds of tomorrow's sweet song,
In Oneiria's embrace, you can do no wrong.

---

Fly with the eagle, with wings made of light,
Through islands that shimmer, both day and night.
Let the dreamshapers weave what you see,
In the land of the future, where all things may be.

---

Sleep now, little dreamer, you're not alone,
The winds of Oneiria will guide you home.
No shadows will follow, no fears will remain,
In the realm of dreams, you'll be safe from pain.

_{-a lullaby sang to children across Kena'an}

Irikah, the First Prophet

Irikah is the most trusted herald of Verana and rules Oneiria in her stead. Known as the First Prophet, she embodies the wisdom and foresight of the realm. Irikah oversees the winds of unborn ideas, the shaping of dream islands, and the maintenance of the Library of Prophecies. She is a figure of both majesty and authority, guiding the flow of Oneiria’s dreamscapes with a careful hand. In the material plane, Irikah is revered as a lesser deity by some of the remaining Eaglor tribes.

Zephyrus the Dreamer

Zephyrus is the guardian and director of the Lunar Spire, the academy of prophecy and divination located at the edge of Oneiria. A skilled seer and an enigmatic figure, Zephyrus the Dreamweaver guides mortal Eaglors who seek to understand the threads of potential futures. With an ethereal presence, he weaves the winds of prophecy into the minds of those who enter the spire, teaching them the art of seeing into what might be. His connection to the lunar energies makes him an essential figure in shaping the visions of Oneiria.

The Boogeyman

In the darkest reaches of Oneiria lies the Realm of Broken Dreams, a place where the shattered remnants of abandoned hopes and dreams take form. This bleak and nightmarish realm is ruled by a shadowy figure known as the Boogeyman, once a herald of Verana. After rebelling against his purpose, the Boogeyman sought to consume the seeds of unborn ideas for himself, corrupting the dreamscape in the process. His influence is often marked by deep purple vines that twist and ensnare dreams, turning them into nightmares. The Boogeyman’s dominion is a place of despair, and his presence is a constant threat to the stability of Oneiria.

Denizens of Oneiria

Though Verana rules Oneiria, the plane is alive with a variety of entities, each playing a unique role in maintaining its delicate balance. The inhabitants of Oneiria- be they the ethereal Dreamshapers, the cryptic Prophetic Wisps, or the tragic Lost Echoes- are as much a part of the realm as the islands that drift through its endless expanse. Each serves a purpose, whether to guide, inspire, or protect, yet all are touched by the ever-present influence of dreams, prophecies, and the potent forces that govern the flow of time and possibility.

Dreamshapers

These ethereal beings are born from the dreams and ideas of mortals. They exist to serve Verana, shaping and guiding the flow of creativity within Oneiria. Dreamshapers ensure the dreamscape remains vibrant and ever-changing, their forms as fluid and ever-shifting as the dreams they originate from.

Prophetic Wisps

Small, glowing entities, the Prophetic Wisps carry fragments of potential futures. They drift aimlessly across Oneiria, seeking dreamers to share their insights. These wisps are often seen as omens or harbingers of what could be, though their guidance is cryptic and their motives elusive.

Lost Echoes

Shadows of those who have spent too long in Oneiria, Lost Echoes are neither alive nor dead. These beings exist in a state of limbo, their identities faded into the dreamscape. As they linger, they become part of the plane itself, their forms ephemeral and intangible, yet often haunting.

The Sleepless Ones

Mortals or entities who have entered Oneiria physically but failed to return. Over time, these lost individuals become tethered to the realm, their identities slowly erased by the dreamscape. They exist as shadows of their former selves, wandering through Oneiria with no purpose or memory of their past lives.

Nightmare Wraiths

Born from the Realm of Broken Dreams, these malevolent entities feed on fear and despair. Often hunting dreamers who venture too close to the dark reaches of Oneiria, Nightmare Wraiths are terrifying, incorporeal creatures that can warp dreams into nightmares. Their presence is marked by a chilling, oppressive atmosphere.

"We are all woven from the same thread; dreamers, wanderers, lost souls. Some are born of hope, others of despair, but all serve a purpose. Even in the forgotten, there is a story waiting to be told."

— Erahis, the Dream Guide