Somnium

Somnium

  Somnium originates from Arcadia, representing the metaphorical force of dreams, nightmares, and wonder.

Wonder Somnium facilitates within those who perceive its Metaphor a sense of wonder. This concept stretches more broadly to encompass creativity, fresh ideas, and a natural lapse of memory in favor of new thought. It is a force of forward momentum. Those empty of Somnium experience intense drowsiness paired with insomnia, and only rarely do they experience sudden bursts of inspiration or feel a sense of wonder. Dreams The force of Somnium accrues within the brain tissues and senses of all things, drawing them towards formless Arcadia in order to sleep and dream. All within Arcadia is technically real, a reflection of reality yet inconsequential to the realms it reflects. Dreams are thought of as lies, and the force of Somnium itself is regarded as False Aether, possessing every bit of possibility as Prime Metaphor and yet so easily undone by simply waking and departing from its influence. Nightmare While dreams cannot cause change within the body beyond memory and feeling, nightmares, disturbingly, can. Those who foster within themselves nightmares as they dream risk real change to their bodies and minds, or else having their souls stuck within Arcadia, unable to escape. If a body should grow ill such that its Somnium is perverted to Nightmare, then insanity and all manner of mental disorder is often the result. Dying to a being of Nightmare or being warped by one will often cause one to awaken in shock with wounds upon their body, or aesthetic changes upon the skin. While this never results in death outright, it may exacerbate poor health and ultimately lead to such, and such frightful delusions may linger and cause the victim to take their own life. The forms of undead unable to sleep do not bleed their Somnium and thus often experience various degrees of insanity. Dreamcatchers Various forms of Dreamcatchers exist, capable of being manufactured by all manner of Practice. Some deny a soul access to Arcadia, thus granting it the boons and consequences of denying Wonder. Others simply steady dreams towards other Metaphorical concepts, or hold Nightmares at bay. Dreamcatchers may be a cure to Somnium-induced insanity, and the undead who cannot sleep are known to seek out and wear them in order to stay sane. Some cultures may even leave Dreamcatchers which attract Nightmares along their borders amidst gruesome displays in order to induce fear and insanity within those who witness them. Dreamcatchers function when gazed upon or touched, and they also work during slumber, acting on sleep when placed within a room - however, they may be overwhelmed by multiple individuals without a more powerful one, or a greater number of them.

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