Way-Houses of the Twilight Dreamers
The Street of the Lesser Gods in Karnstown is an odd place. After seeing the two great marble edifices dedicated to the Humanar gods, one might expect that even a street that refered to Cartyrion's other deities as "lesser" would have respectable structures where Folk other than Human could honor their gods. At the head of the street, the small stone chapel dedicated to the Dwarven gods, and the ornately decorated wooden edifice dedicated to the gods of the Elves do not disappoint, but beyond these, the street appears to be nothing but run-down warehouses. Most, in fact, are, but one indistict building houses something much different, for it is one of the Way-houses of the monastic sect that calls itself the The Twilight Dreamers.
As their name suggests, the Way-houses provide temporary lodging and comfort to the itinerant members of the sect wishing to recuperate after time spent wandering the world. But to half-elven folk whose dreams are touched by Brother Somnion or Sister Aurelana, the Way-houses can be much more. They are the schools that provide instruction in various arts and skills that the Dreamers hold dear. It is here that they learn to interpret and control their own dreams, and eventually to enter into and even manipulate the dreams of those around them. It is here that they also acquire various martial skills that permit them to survive in the world as they travel, as all but a few of thir number do.
Most Way-houses will also have a few private sleeping and meeting areas either on a second floor or in an adjacent building. There will also be a kitchen - either attached to the back of the main structure or housed in a nearby separate building.
Each Way-House will also have at least one "Discerner" assigned to it, though houses in the larger cities may have more. The duty of a Discerner is to walk about the city, sometimes by day and sometimes by night, reaching out through the dream world and guided by their gods to identify prospective candidates for membership in the order. Discerners have achieved at least Dreamseer within the order - sufficiently skilled to enter the dreams of another and observe them. Half-elven folk in the city, whether residents or visitors, who are troubled by strange dreams often find themselves approached by a Discerner, and are astonished when the strange monk who approaches them can not only describe their dreams in great detail, but can explain the meaning behind them.
Depending on the size of the Way-House, there may be one or more Dreamseers or even Dreamwalkers who have taken up more or less permanent residence as instructors to teach those brought into the order by the Discerners. Often, these are supplemented by itinerant Dreamers who will serve as trainers for days or weeks as they rest up between journeys across the world.
The Way-Houses do not have any other permanent staff. Acolytes, teachers, and even the Keeper are expected to take turns in the kitchens to prepare meals, and to keep the Way-house tidy and in good repair.
The former includes both unarmed combat and combat with various simple weapons such as staves, flails, slings, and thrown bladed weapons. Training includes mastery of "forms" - ritualized exercises that simultaneously enhance physical strength and endurance and mental sharpness.
The sect claims the forms are inspired by the natural world, with each suggesting the actions and skills of a particular denizen of nature. These include the Way of the Wolf, the Way of the Willow, the Way of the Crane, the Way of the Cobra, and the Way of the Dragon. This training never ceases; even the most experienced monks of the order are constantly observing the world around them and seeking inspiration from nature for innovative ways to defend themselves on their journeys.
Those that can achieve this at all find it easiest if the dreamer is another half-elf, but with time and experience, even the "foreign" dream-states of other of the Folk can be observed.
To be recognized as a true Dreamwalker, the aspirant must seek out another Dreamwalker, and while in the dream-state, learn the secrets of finding and entering the Temple of Twilight Dreams. Then, after making the journey and actually reacthing the temple, they are greeted by its residents and the title of Dreamwalker is conferred.
After becoming Dreamreaders, students are encouraged to leave the Way-house to experience the world - perhaps to discover a purpose the god and goddess may have for them. When possible, they provide their services to others of the Folk, helping to interpret dreams or visions. Some find employment by wealthy merchants or nobles to provide this service "on demand"; there are no strictures against this imposed by the order. On their journeys, they visit the various Way-houses around the world. There, they share their experience, assist in training acolytes, and those few with the proper inner gifts continue their own metaphysical training and advancement in the hopes of one day reaching the Temple of Twilight Dreams.
The Way-Houses
The Twilight Dreamers have only one true temple, and that does not even exist physically on Cartyrion. It is a center of learning and a refuge of peace accessible only to the most dedicated and well-trained members of the sect. It is the goal of every sect member to one day reach this Temple of Twilight Dreams, but in the meantime, they must rely on the network of Way-Houses found across Cartyrion.As their name suggests, the Way-houses provide temporary lodging and comfort to the itinerant members of the sect wishing to recuperate after time spent wandering the world. But to half-elven folk whose dreams are touched by Brother Somnion or Sister Aurelana, the Way-houses can be much more. They are the schools that provide instruction in various arts and skills that the Dreamers hold dear. It is here that they learn to interpret and control their own dreams, and eventually to enter into and even manipulate the dreams of those around them. It is here that they also acquire various martial skills that permit them to survive in the world as they travel, as all but a few of thir number do.
Keeper of the Way-House by Dungeon Alchemist and Hero Forge
The Building
The Way-house consists primarily of a single large open space. Acolytes sleep communally, with each assigned a place along a wall for a sleeping mat and small chest for storage of worldly possessions. In the very center of the space, a low table with abstract carvings representing Somnion and Aurelana are lit with small oil lamps kept burning at all times. Between this altar and the walls, the open space is used for training.Most Way-houses will also have a few private sleeping and meeting areas either on a second floor or in an adjacent building. There will also be a kitchen - either attached to the back of the main structure or housed in a nearby separate building.
The Residents
The Keeper of the Way-House is one such "permanent resident". This position is held by a sect member that has attained the title of Dreamwalker, the highest rank achievable within the order; a rank bestowed only upon those who have actually found and entered the Temple of Twilight Dreams. Their purpose is see to it that the Way-house runs efficiently and smoothly - a task that requires them to fill two roles. They function as an innkeeper, providing accomodation and often healing for traveling sect members. They also function as a school headmaster, overseeing the training of acolytes in both martial and dream-related skills.Each Way-House will also have at least one "Discerner" assigned to it, though houses in the larger cities may have more. The duty of a Discerner is to walk about the city, sometimes by day and sometimes by night, reaching out through the dream world and guided by their gods to identify prospective candidates for membership in the order. Discerners have achieved at least Dreamseer within the order - sufficiently skilled to enter the dreams of another and observe them. Half-elven folk in the city, whether residents or visitors, who are troubled by strange dreams often find themselves approached by a Discerner, and are astonished when the strange monk who approaches them can not only describe their dreams in great detail, but can explain the meaning behind them.
Depending on the size of the Way-House, there may be one or more Dreamseers or even Dreamwalkers who have taken up more or less permanent residence as instructors to teach those brought into the order by the Discerners. Often, these are supplemented by itinerant Dreamers who will serve as trainers for days or weeks as they rest up between journeys across the world.
The Way-Houses do not have any other permanent staff. Acolytes, teachers, and even the Keeper are expected to take turns in the kitchens to prepare meals, and to keep the Way-house tidy and in good repair.
Training in the Way-House
Acolytes brought into the Way-house and the order by the Discerners are expected to train in both physical (martial) arts and metaphysical arts associated with the dreamworld.The former includes both unarmed combat and combat with various simple weapons such as staves, flails, slings, and thrown bladed weapons. Training includes mastery of "forms" - ritualized exercises that simultaneously enhance physical strength and endurance and mental sharpness.
The sect claims the forms are inspired by the natural world, with each suggesting the actions and skills of a particular denizen of nature. These include the Way of the Wolf, the Way of the Willow, the Way of the Crane, the Way of the Cobra, and the Way of the Dragon. This training never ceases; even the most experienced monks of the order are constantly observing the world around them and seeking inspiration from nature for innovative ways to defend themselves on their journeys.
Twilight Dreamers
Monks of the order recognise four levels of achievement in the metaphysical arts of the dreamworld. While in the Way-houses, or the Temple of Twilight dreams, or for the rare formal occasion in the outside world that warrants it, they will wear robes that distinctly identify their rank to others of the order and those in the know.Acolyte
Acolytes are those of half-elven/half-human blood who are taking the first steps on the Twilight Path. Some have sought out a Way-House after hearing rumors of their existence from others of their Folk. Some have been sought out by the Discerners. All have had strange dreams suggesting that the gods might have something special in mind for them.Dreamreader
Dreamreaders are those who have learned to interpret their dreams... to understand the often cryptic symbols in dreams that represent messages being delivered by Somnion and Aurelana, and to tell the difference between these communications and the more mundane fantasies generated by a dreamer's own sleeping subconscious.Dreamseer
Not all Dreamreaders have the inner psychic talents to achieve their next milestone, for Dreamseers are those who have learned to connect their dreamworld with that of another member of the Folk. They can project their awareness into the sleeping mind of another to see and hear for themselves what another dreamer is experiencing.Those that can achieve this at all find it easiest if the dreamer is another half-elf, but with time and experience, even the "foreign" dream-states of other of the Folk can be observed.
Dreamwalker
Some Dreamseers find their psychic talents can be honed further still - to the point where they can not only enter and observe the dreams of another, but can actually maniifest themselves in those dreams to interact with the dreamer and guide the dreamer to manipulate the dream itself. These few thus acquire the skills of a Dreamwalker, but the skills alone do not confer the rank.To be recognized as a true Dreamwalker, the aspirant must seek out another Dreamwalker, and while in the dream-state, learn the secrets of finding and entering the Temple of Twilight Dreams. Then, after making the journey and actually reacthing the temple, they are greeted by its residents and the title of Dreamwalker is conferred.
After becoming Dreamreaders, students are encouraged to leave the Way-house to experience the world - perhaps to discover a purpose the god and goddess may have for them. When possible, they provide their services to others of the Folk, helping to interpret dreams or visions. Some find employment by wealthy merchants or nobles to provide this service "on demand"; there are no strictures against this imposed by the order. On their journeys, they visit the various Way-houses around the world. There, they share their experience, assist in training acolytes, and those few with the proper inner gifts continue their own metaphysical training and advancement in the hopes of one day reaching the Temple of Twilight Dreams.
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