The Church of Oneiros
Mythology & Lore
Legend of Oneiros and the Dream Weaver
Once upon a time, in a far-off land, there lived a young weaver named Lyra. She was a skilled craftsman, and her tapestries were renowned throughout the kingdom. However, Lyra was also plagued by vivid nightmares every night, causing her to wake up in a cold sweat and trembling with fear. Desperate for a solution, Lyra consulted with the local priests and healers, but none of their remedies seemed to work. In her desperation, she made a prayer to the god of dreams, begging for relief from her nightly terrors. One night, as Lyra lay in bed, she heard a whisper in her ear. "Lyra," the voice said, "I am the Master of Dreams. I have heard your prayer, and I can offer you what you seek. But first, you must prove your faith." Lyra was both terrified and intrigued. "What must I do?" she asked. "You are a weaver," Oneiros said. "Create a tapestry for me. It must be the most beautiful and intricate tapestry you have ever woven, and it must capture the essence of both dreams and nightmares." Lyra was hesitant at first. She had never woven a tapestry like that before, and she wasn't sure where to start. But the promise of relief from her nightmares was too tempting to resist. For months, Lyra worked tirelessly on the tapestry, using every color and texture she could think of. She wove images of stars and galaxies, of fantastical creatures and ethereal landscapes. And when she was finished, she held it up to the light and marveled at its beauty. But there was no time to rest, for Oneiros had come to collect the tapestry. He appeared before Lyra as a shadowy figure, taking the tapestry from her with long, slender fingers. And as he unfurled the tapestry, a strange energy emanated from it, filling the room with a soft, soothing light. "Thank you, Lyra," Oneiros said. "You have done well. And now, as promised, I will take away your nightmares." Lyra felt a sudden warmth spread through her body, and she closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she found herself standing in a lush, verdant landscape, surrounded by colors she had never seen before. She realized with a start that she was inside her own dream.Cosmological Views
The world was created by the four creator gods but once the first dream occurred a new force was born. Dreams, visions, and nightmares are all echos of the waking world. They all tell of what could be, what is, and what has been. They tell us what we want, what we know, and what we should fear. Through this the waking world is understood, is mastered. The waking world and the land of dreams are always changing. While Oneiros controls the land of dreams he does not directly control the waking world. Only through altering the dreams of the living can he change the waking world. Every living being in the waking world has a purpose and destiny in the land of dreams, and it is the duty of the faithful to discover their role while they live.
Tenets of Faith
Honor the dream world
Oneiros' followers believe that the dream world is just as real as the waking world and should be treated with the same respect.Respect the subconscious
Oneiros teaches that the subconscious mind is a powerful force, and his followers are encouraged to explore and respect their inner thoughts and feelings.Embrace your dreams
Oneiros is the god of dreams and encourages his followers to embrace their dreams as a way of understanding themselves and the world around them.Confront your nightmares
Oneiros is also the god of nightmares, and his followers are called to face their fears and anxieties head-on, rather than running from them.Worship
Lucid Dreaming
This is seen as the highest form of worship. Not everyone is able to lucid dream, and only a rare few can do so without years of training. For those who can the ability to wilfully enter the Land of Dreams and pay homage to the Master of Dreams is a powerful tool. It allows the faithful to influence their dreams and confront their nightmares. Those who use this tool to seek inward knowledge and perfection are the favored of Oneiros.Rituals
Sleep Ritual
The Sleep Ritual is a sacred ceremony practiced by the faithful of Oneiros. Before going to sleep, the worshiper prepares themselves mentally and spiritually by purifying their mind and body. They then light candles or incense and recite a prayer to call upon Dromnos the Dreamer and Lucian the Nightmare. During the prayer, the worshiper asks for protection and guidance in their dreams. They ask that Dromnos and Lucian show them what they need to see, and help them understand any messages or visions they may receive in their dreams. After the prayer, the worshiper lies down and falls asleep. It is believed that Dromnos and Lucian watch over them throughout the night, guiding their dreams and protecting them from any malevolent entities that may try to interfere. Upon waking up, the worshiper gives thanks to Oneiros for the guidance they have received in their dreams. They may also keep a dream journal to record their dreams and interpret any messages or visions they received. The Sleep Ritual is the main form of worship to Oneiros.Other Rituals
While less common than the Sleep Ritual there are three others: one to seek answers when confused by a dream, one to prepare for a night's sleep where you will confront a nightmare, and one to beg reprieve from a nightmare you cannot yet confront. These are all used by the faithful as tools of worship.Prayer
This is the least common form of worship. Most of the faithful will only partake in prayer to Oneiros during ceremonies or as part of the Sleep Ritual. To pray directly to Oneiros during the waking hours is highly uncommon. This is seen as a desperate plea to the Master of Dreams to change something or for help. As such only one prayer exists, the Prayer of the Damned.Ceremonies
There are five holy days within the Church of Oneiros.Dream Harvest
The Dream Harvest occurs on the first full moon of autumn. This is a time for the faithful to come together and share their dreams and nightmares with one another, seeking the wisdom and guidance of the Dreamweavers. It's a time of vulnerability and openness, as people share the deepest parts of themselves with others. The Dreamweavers may offer interpretations of the dreams, or help the dreamer understand what messages or warnings they may be receiving from Oneiros. Many of the faithful will gather their friends and family and spend time in their local houses of worship to Oneiros. Some will even travel to Temples and seek out more powerful Dreamweavers if they need more insight into a dream or nightmare.Night of Nightmares
The Night of Nightmares occurs on the winter solstice. This is a night of solemn reflection and personal growth. The faithful are charged with confronting their nightmares on this night. As nightmares show us what we do fear, should fear, or will fear they can tell us much about the dangers of our lives. Many will seek out the Dreamweavers for aid in preparing. As such the Dreamweavers tend to lead meditations and give blessings to help guide those preparing to confront. However, regardless of preparation this night is one that the faithful must face alone.Awakening Day
Awakening Day occurs on the spring equinox. This is a celebration of the power of sleep and the rejuvenation it offers the body and mind. This is one of the few times that the faithful pray on mass. Many like to offer prayers of gratitude to Oneiros and may engage in activities that promote rest and relaxation, such as massage, aromatherapy, or gentle exercise. It's a time to honor the importance of rest and self-care.Oneiros' Feast
Oneiros' Feast occurs on the 30th of Flower's Bloom. This is a joyous celebration of the dream world and the gifts that Oneiros offers to his faithful. The faithful may share stories of their dreams and nightmares and may indulge in food and drink that evokes the ethereal and otherworldly nature of the dream realm. It's a time to revel in the mysterious and magical qualities of the dream world and to help each other understand their dreams and confront their nightmares.Night of the Veil
The Night of the Veil occurs on the 31st of Harvest's Bounty. This is a night of remembrance and mourning, where the faithful honor the memory of loved ones who have passed away, and seek Oneiros' guidance and protection for their souls in the realm of dreams. The Dreamweavers may offer blessings or guidance to help ease the grief of the faithful and may lead meditations or rituals that help to bridge the divide between the waking world and the dream world. While it does not happen for everyone, some tell stories of loved ones who died in the past year visiting them in their dreams and getting to live just one more night with them. This is also true for enemies, however.Ceremonies
Buildings of Worship
Like all other Churches within the Great Pantheon of Gods the worship sites of Oneiros are not merely places of worship.
Temples
The Temples dedicated to Oneiros are large buildings with two central rooms. One room is domed with a glass ceiling allowing the moonlight to shine down onto the floor. The other is an open spaced garden. Each are designed for meditation, reflection, and sleep. Off of these two central rooms, there are normally a collection of smaller rooms for the Church staff and Dreamweaver.Churches
The Churches of Oneiros are gardens designed for meditation and relaxation. Both Temples and Churches are found in cities. Most every city has at least one, with most major cities, haveing a Temple and Church. Smaller towns may share a church between them, normally located in one town with a Shrine in another. In those cases the Dreamweaver will travel between the two.Shrines
Most Shrines are found outside of towns and cities, however. These are sights placed on roads or other well traveled paths. They are filled with beds and soft smelling herbs. They are meant to serve as rest points for travelers and the weary.
Temple of Dreams
This is a temple dedicated to Oneiros and his servant Dromnos. It is located in Udzard along the Neulem River. While most temples to Oneiros have a glass dome the Temple of Dreams is built with a glass wall. Due to the topography of the area the temple has many levels. The Dreamweaver who built this place saw that more Dreamers would enjoy the nigh sky if the mountain facing wall was made of glass. This affords those who rest here a view of the city, river, and mountains that is considered one of the most beautiful sights in all of Ilthim.
Priesthood
The priesthood of Oneiros is divided into two simple groups: the Dreamweavers and the Unordained. The Dreamweavers are the ordained priests of Oneiros who possess the ability to enter and manipulate dreams. They are highly trained and skilled in dream interpretation and use their knowledge to aid and guide those who seek their assistance.
The Unordained are those who serve Oneiros in more mundane roles, such as tending to the temples, churches, and shrines, managing the affairs of the Church, and assisting the Dreamweavers in their duties. They are not ordained priests, but are still considered important members of the Oneirosian community and are respected for their contributions to the church.
Both the Dreamweavers and the Unordained are expected to live their lives in accordance with the tenets of the faith and to maintain a deep and abiding respect for the power and mystery of the dream realm.
at the center and several radiating lines that intersect it. Each line represents a different aspect of dream magic, such as lucid dreaming, dream interpretation, and nightmare suppression. The tattoo is typically inked in blue or purple and is considered a symbol of the Dreamweaver's dedication to the god Oneiros and their commitment to their duties.
Unordained
The Unordained are the official members of the church staff responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the church, such as maintaining the church buildings and grounds, managing finances, organizing events and outreach programs, and handling administrative duties. They work closely with the Dreamweavers to ensure that the needs of the church and its congregation are met. However, they do not have the same spiritual responsibilities as the Dreamweavers and do not have the same level of training or authority within the church hierarchy.Dreamweavers
Being Ordained
To become a Dreamweaver, one must undergo a rigorous training process that lasts several years. During this time they are known as Dreamwalkers. The candidate must demonstrate a deep understanding of the nature of dreams and how to interpret them, as well as possess an innate ability to enter and manipulate the dreamscape.
The process begins with a period of study under a master Dreamweaver, during which the Dreamwalker learns the art of dream interpretation and gains a basic understanding of how to enter and navigate the dreams of others. Once the Dreamwalker has demonstrated a certain level of proficiency, they undergo a series of tests and trials to prove their mastery of the art.
If the candidate passes all the tests and trials, they are ordained as a Dreamweaver and given a special tattoo on their forehead as a mark of their status. From that point forward, they are allowed to participate in the most sacred rituals of the Oneirosian faith, including the Dreaming, where they enter into a collective dream state with other Dreamweavers to seek guidance and wisdom from Oneiros.
The facial tattoo that a Dreamweaver receives is a series of fine lines that are delicately etched into the skin using magical ink. The tattoo is in the shape of a stylized dreamcatcher with a circle
Example of a Dreamweaver's Tattoo
Responsibilities
The Dreamweavers are the ordained priests of Oneiros who are responsible for conducting rituals and ceremonies related to dreams and sleep, and for teaching the faithful about the importance of dreaming. They are trained in the art of lucid dreaming, dream interpretation, and meditation, and they use these skills to connect with the god and communicate his will to the faithful. Dreamweavers are also responsible for teaching and counseling the faithful in matters related to dreams, sleep, and nightmares. They offer guidance on how to achieve restful and rejuvenating sleep, how to confront nightmares, and how to use dreams for spiritual growth and personal transformation. In addition to their religious duties, Dreamweavers may also serve as healers and counselors, using their knowledge of dreams and the subconscious mind to help people overcome mental and emotional issues. Some Dreamweavers may specialize in certain areas, such as dream therapy, lucid dreaming, or nightmare treatment, and they may develop unique methods and practices to help the faithful.Authority
Each shrine, church, and temple will have no more than one Dreamweaver and one Dreamwalker. The Dreamweaver is the ultimate authority in their house of worship. While they have all been trained according to the teachings of Oneiros, these interpretations can differ from house to house. Regardless, should an issue arise to such a level that the Dreamweaver must all agree a Moot is called. This is a summoning of all Dreamweavers and their Dreamwalkers to the Land of Dreams where the issue may be discussed until a unanimous consensus can be made. Things that are agreed to at Moots are treated as having been said by Oneiros himself.Texts
The Church of Oneiros does not have a single holy book but instead relies on a collection of dream journals and writings from past Dreamweavers. These journals are considered sacred and are passed down from Dreamweaver to Dreamweaver as part of their training and initiation. The writings contain interpretations of dreams, meditations on the nature of sleep and the subconscious, and guidance on how to interpret and channel the messages of Oneiros.Current Date -
The Yet Unnamed Year of 1494 ce
Through the power of our dreams, we awaken to our true selves
Type
Religious, Sect
Alternative Names
Temple of Dreams, the Order of Sleep, the Cult of Nightmares, or the Faith of the Dreamweavers
Demonym
Dreamers
Parent Organization
Related Traditions
Portrait of Oneiros Master of Dreams and Nightmares
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