Dreamscape

Like droplets of rain, you can feel your skin being tickled by this haunting cold feeling. Yeah. Gliding through Dreamscape by those untrained could be stressful, perhaps even dangerous. You never want to wander too far away from the Dream you are observing. Trust me.

— Falth, Nocturnal Gryphon Dreamglider

World within

The exact rules and laws of Dreamscape have never been fully explored, yet those few individuals who experienced it describe the place as foreign, odd, and ever-shifting. It has been reported that it has an ecosystem of its own, strange beings seemingly aimlessly drift through this world, yet they give wide berth to all the Dreams and their manifestations. Dreamscapes landscape appears as detailed as there are sleeping individuals around. The more densely populated areas are near vivid, while in the wilderness, only faint memories of the few recent trespassers showcase hazy surroundings.

Reflections

Foreign observers appear shackled in the Dreamscape. The Dreams that tether them to their physical body via a cord of light called "Soul" are affixed to the backs of their skulls, where they seamlessly transition into their forms. These observers are usually Dreamgliders or Shamans and to a lesser degree Dreamweavers. As long as the Observers remain close to their body, they can view the Dreamscape around them safely and even see the reflections of Dreams from those sleeping nearby.

Observers

When you look upon the world around for the first time, it is shifting, scary and you do not understand it, yet you have presence that calms you and cares for you. Your Mother. You will feel the same in Dreamscape, except, the only calming presence will be seeing your own body and knowing that if things get too scary, you can always return back.

— The Pure Black Mistress

While Dreaming individuals always appear normal in their Dreams, Observers look distinctly different from their appearance in the physical realm. For example, Falth the black-feathered gryphon Dreamglider looks more like his mother in the Dreamscape, his form white-grey instead of jet black. Similarly, all the other Observers that stay conscious while in Dreamscape appear as if they were born differently - though they always retain similarity to their parents or grandparents - they never look quite the same in Dreamscape as they do in the physical realm. Why do Observers look differently?

Dangers

While observing the Dreams of others can provide invaluable insight, stretching one's Soul too far out and traversing far away from their body within the Dreamscape makes the surrounding area less reminiscent of the physical realm and more twisted. Inhabitants of the Dreamscape, creatures known of Spirit Tearers live on the outskirts of dreaming individuals, and when they see a lone creature without the protection provided by the body in their physical realm, they may become hostile. All juvenile Observers are thus taught to never venture too far out, lest they risk their Soul getting torn by these Spirit Tearers, and thus also lose control over their body. Permanently. This also allows the Spirit Tearer to devour and feed upon the now defenseless Observer.

Spirit Tearers are not all predatory, however there are some who are believed to be benevolent, but further research in this area is difficult, as neither Dragons or Gryphons possess any innate abilities to protect themselves within Dreamscape. No amount of physical preparation can influence something that happens in realm devoid of physicality. Only recently, Ember wielders have displayed some ability in affecting Dreamscape or Dreams directly, perhaps, they might be able to further research in this field. Below are some of the documented creatures that inhabit Dreamscape or both Dreamscape and the physical realm.

Weirds

I feel Weird.

— Someone, somewhere, all the time

Faceless creatures of elements, Weirds are almost entirely composed of a single emotion and single material. The resulting amalgamation can then appear as, for example, an Obsidian of Grief - its presence nearby feeding onto grief and sadness of sleeping individuals, while aiding any and all individuals in Artificing of Obsidian.
Another example would be a Skin of Happiness, which will feed off of joy and delight of dreaming individuals while aiding those that attempt to Artifice skin, hide or scales.
While Weirds can only appear and live in Dreamscape, sensitive individuals may recognize that a Weird is passing through the area due to mood swings of their tribe members. Thankfully, Weirds never settle anywhere for long, so the mood swings usually last only a night or two.

Dreameaters

Nobody truly understands how do Dreameaters appear in the physical realm, but they can. While rare, it is presumed that on Beyond's eve, when the barriers between the two realms is the weakest, Dreams of those that passed away either refuse to pass on to Dreamscape, or escape from Dreamscape into the physical realm, all because their Dream in life was to torment someone more than anything else.
Victims of abuse, torture, mental breakdowns or, possibly, former Dreams of Witless can all become Dreameaters. While dangerous against a lone individual, Dreameaters do not represent big threat to organized groups wielding Artificed weapons or Ember wielders. Scars suffered from Dreameaters heal slowly, and it can take up several tendays to fully heal.

Mire Callers

...And upon the cold currents of the deep,
Mire callers of the night sleep,
Eyes could see the green light,
Waiting to trap you in their blight.

— Excerpt from old water dragon Hatchling song

Mire Callers on the other hand, are a great unknown. It is presumed that these finned, green-eyed shark-like creatures possess intelligence as they are often seen carrying crafted garments from seaweed or pilfered spears from Water dragons. Their greatest asset is that they can also influence both the physical realm as well as the Dreamscape.
Thankfully, Mire Callers dwell purely in depths of the seas, where they use Mire, some sort of green light, to trap weak-minded individuals to do their bidding. Mire Callers thus form an elaborate retinue of manta rays, sharks, dolphins, and even sometimes stray Water dragons or Freighorns for their own protection. Anyone that gets possessed by the Mire still sees and feels everything, but their soul feels "disconnected". They cannot control their own body, but they are fully aware of everything the Mire Caller makes them do.
Any Mired individual has their eyes turn bright green, and the only way for them to be freed is if the Mire Caller perishes, or the distance between the Mire caller and Mired individual becomes too great to maintain their connection. Should one go to the Dreamscape near a Mired individual, they would see that their bodies are connected by a green cord, similar to the pure white one of Observers, but it leads up to the Mire Caller in control of them.

Manifestation

Dreamscape is the world's reflection of reality for intelligent unconscious beings. Whether they are sleeping, unconscious from trauma or dead, all creatures' Dreams wander through the reality of Dreamscape and live their own life or tell their own stories here.

Scope

It was never truly ascertained how far does Dreamscape go, for it seems to look slightly different with each experience. Dreamgliders can only ever visit the Dreamscape from point of view of other intelligent beings physically located and unconscious near them.

Localization

While only Dreamgliders are able to access it in half-awake and conscious state, Dreamscape is simply a reflection of reality and as such is only limited to places where intelligent beings have slept or died. Accessing Dreamscape as a Dreamglider, Dreamweaver searching for answers or trying to Artifice an item as a Purveyor in deserted areas is thus much more difficult, while doing so in places where a lot of dragons or gryphons oftentimes sleep or that had several deaths occur makes the process easier.

Type

Metaphysical, Astral

Glossary

• Dreams manifest themselves within all conscious beings of Midrast Wain, and they are the main driving force behind their lives. To live and to prosper is directly proportional to being able to follow one's dreams. Should one manage to fulfill their dreams, they grow in power and will be sensed by other creatures as more imposing and more notable.
• Dreamweavers are individuals who judge Midrastians whenever there is a dispute or they commit a crime. Their name comes from the idea that they weave the fate - dreams - of those who are to be judged.
• Shamans are usually Mud dragons, who dedicate their lives to the understanding of all things supernatural and Dreamscape. As part of their duties is also tending to those living with them and helping them overcome mental and spiritual difficulties.
• Dreamglider is a Nocturnal Gryphon specific profession. Only a few of these individuals are gifted and can visit the dreams of other self-aware beings sleeping in their vicinity. They have the unique opportunity to observe the drives, needs, and inner fears of those and help them find a way to overcome their obstacles, ease their mind or cure their depression.