Purdue Fantasy Club

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====== Dreamt ======
The Dreamt go by many names. Many call them fey or faeries, some refer to them simply as spirits, and many realms have their own local names for them. [[settings:cahyali:ruefang|Ruefang]] knows the Dreamt as Jing, for instance, and [[settings:cahyali:vervand|Vervand]] calls them the Daliad.

All these titles, though, refer to the same group of enigmatic beings. Dreamt, fittingly named, are borne from the thoughts, desires, and dreams of mortals in their home plane of the [[settings:planes:dreaming|Dreaming]]. Over time, they have developed into their own people, still linked to the thoughts of mortals. 

In general, Dreamt are born from notions. Many arise from the magic of the Dreaming, spawned from a thought or a dream a mortal has had. Some are born from a union of other Dreamt, much like mortals are. In rare circumstances, a mortal spirit can also be transformed into a Dreamt upon the mortal's death. This, however, requires specific rituals or the direct interference of powerful Dreaming entities.

===== Courts & Nanchons =====
The Dreamt, like any other sentient people, organize themselves into "nations" of a sense. In Dearmad Agrad, the part of the Dreaming linked to [[settings:jaern|Jaern,]] the Dreamt live in several grand [[settings:planes:dreaming#the_courts_of_dearmad_agrad|Courts,]] which each have their own structure and attitudes. The Courts of Agrad are each political entities in their own right, as or more powerful than a mortal nation.

The Courts are each named after a season, or a time of day. The Dreamt residing within tend to be diverse in appearance (though most are sentient), and each has an association with a form of magic wielded by mortals; elemental and sometimes psionic.

In Ochr Arall, the part of the Dreaming associated with [[settings:cahyali|Cahyali]], the world is wilder. There are no organized structures here, not like the Courts. Instead, the Dreamt of Ochr Arall are more loosely organized by the regions of Cahyali they sprung from. Due to the colonization brought by the Dahabu Empire, different folkloric traditions have managed to touch and mix, giving rise to a more unified Cahyalian Dreaming. 

However, each tradition still remains distinct. Mortals and Dreamt alike refer to these groups as Nanchons, the Dahabi Elvish word for "nation". These are named after the place on Cahyali from where they originate. They are not aligned with any particular sort of magic.

===== Old Dreamt =====
The term "archfey" is a vague one. It can refer to just about any Dreamt with enough power and influence, but many who fit this bill also happen to be Old Dreamt. These differ from their fey kin in that they are not born from passing thoughts and individual dreams, but rather from deep-running desires and concepts common among mortalkind.

They shun the contact of fey and waking beings alike and simply are, though there are rare occasions of these beings making deals with the [[lore:races|waking races]] in exchange for power. Otherwise, these beings simply exist, wandering and watching over the dreaming and waking worlds. 

Only the power of an Old Dreamt can manipulate the [[settings:planes:dreaming#the_sea_of_dreams|Sea of Dreams,]] and with its power they gain the power to spread their influence and affect reality. However, not even the Old Dreamt can escape the fate of all fey who harness the power of the Sea of Dreams, as they are slowly and surely destroyed by its power before they are reborn in a new consciousness. This is often the only way for an Old Dreamt to fundamentally change themselves - to escape the personality and associations foisted on them since their first moments of existence.

Some notable Old Dreamt include:
  * **Blue-Moon.** One of the first Dreamt, taking the form of a literal blue moon hanging full and low in the sky. They were associated with art and memory, and once desired to capture everyone and everything in their art pieces... forever, in the name of preserving them. They have since been reborn in the Sea of Dreams. Blue-Moon originates from Dearmad Agrad, but has no Court affiliation.
  * **The Carrion King.** An ancient Cahyalian Dreamt of the [[settings:cahyali#the_oxis_alliance|Oxian]] Nanchon associated with rot and decay. Stories surrounding him paint him as an amoral being, veering malevolent. He is known to lure and kidnap errant children, and sends curses of pestilence and spoiled milk to those who cross him. He took the form of a deeply tanned man with long hair, adorned with wooden antlers, mushrooms, and lichen growing over his simple robes.
  * **Hyrsam, Who Henceforth Shall Take The Name Melog.** A trickster from the Autumn Court, appearing as a calico cat with moving spots, as they hide and shirk their duties to the court. They enjoy making pacts with mortals, delight in playing tricks and pranks, and are known to cause jovial chaos. 
  * **Tise-Swa.** Also referred to with the title of Baron, this Dreamt originates from the [[settings:cahyali#the_heartlands|Heartlands]] Nanchon. Best known as an aspect of the god [[gods:almar|Almar,]] this being is widely thought to have once been an Old Dreamt associated with cleverness and trickery. He takes many forms, and is best known for having run a risky gambit with multiple gods, ultimately resulting in his ascension to the heavens.

===== Types of Dreamt =====
The forms of the Dreamt are as varied as the dreams they spring from. Many are not listed here. If you want to design your own Dreamt, they can take quite literally any appearance. The list below is **non-exhaustive,** and simply represents several broad and common categories of Dreamt.

==== Fairy ====
By far the most common type of Dreamt. When most people picture a Dreamt, they picture a classic fairy. They are found in every Court and Nanchon. These folk resemble humanoids - sometimes normally sized, sometimes small enough to fit in a hand - with gently pointed ears and gossamer wings. They often dress in natural materials, with smaller Fairies even crafting dresses out of fallen leaves and plucked flowers.

==== Changeling ====
This unique sort of Dreamt is defined by their ability to shapeshift, and few know what their true forms look like. Many appear like elves, with deathly pale skin and hair, as well as pitch-black eyes. They are most commonly found in the Dusk, Dawn, and Equinox courts - as well as the Nanchons of the Pale Reach, Heartlands, and Oxis. Legends surround Changelings, depicting them as tricksters which take the place of hapless mortals in the material world with their shapeshifting power.

==== Satyr ====
Half-humanoid and half-goat, the satyrs are well known as the most mirthful and carefree of the Dreamt. They flit about the edges of planes, rushing freely through the [[settings:planes:dreaming#the_slumbering_woad|Slumbering Woad]] to make their home in both the Dreaming and the material world. They are often considered benevolent, though their hijinks may incur some... //unintended// collateral damage. Satyrs are often found in the Oxis and Pale Reach Nanchons, as well as the Spring and Summer Courts.

==== Spriggan ====
Also known as dryads, these Dreamt-folk appear like living plants. Some take the forms of humanoids with a greenish tinge to their skin and hair composed of leaves and flowers, while others are tiny and squat, often confused for cabbages by farmers which see them. 

These small sorts of Spriggans are called //Amma// by [[settings:cahyali:buyukvahsi|Buyuk Vahsians]] which notice their presence, as they are rather adept at hiding themselves from anyone with ill intentions. They are common in every Court of Agrad, as well as every Nanchon. Amma in particular are associated with the Sublime Veld and Abundance Nanchons.

==== Djinn ====
The Djinn originate from the Nanchon of the [[settings:cahyali#the_sublime_veld|Sublime Veld.]] They also, on occasion, associate with the Summer Court. Some debate exists as to whether they are elementals or Dreamt, as each Djinn has strong affiliations with one or more of the four arcane elements. They are known to live in both the Dreaming and the [[settings:planes#the_elemental_planes|Elemental Planes.]] In the past, powerful mages were able to summon Djinn to their aid in battle.

==== Yōkai ====
Like Djinn walk the line between Dreamt and elemental, yōkai walk the line between Dreamt and spirit of the [[settings:planes:kurago|Kurago]]. They are significant figures in the folklore of the Abundance, especially the [[settings:cahyali:raikougan|Raikougan]]. Many are said to come from mundane animals or objects which somehow became infused with magical power, and rose to a state of mystical sentience.

===== Attitudes Toward Dreamt =====
On Jaern, the Courts of Dearmad Agrad are seen as powerful organizations from other planes, and generally treated as if they were any other nation. They are kept at arm's length, and their magic is somewhat feared. They are seen as simultaneously wild folk and people constrained by odd, esoteric, unspoken rules and conventions. Certain mortal places may form tenuous allegiances with different Courts. While worship of the Dreamt is not particularly illegal on Jaern, it is often looked down upon - just like most cults which worship entities apart from the [[:gods|Fourteen.]]

On Cahyali, the Dreamt are more treated as creatures of folklore, though they are undeniably an existing force in the world. Many countries ban worship of Dreamt, treating it similar to [[lore:creatures:demons|demonic]] worship. Although worship is not organized, many call upon the Dreamt for various things, and make sure to treat them with respect. Dreamt are common in childrens' stories and mythology, where they interact with many other beings of legend such as elementals, Kurago spirits, and gods.