[X] 130
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The place this time was a forest after a fire. Ashes and cinders littered the ground. It crunched and stuck uncomfortably on the body. There was a faint heat that radiated from the environment, and the black spider legs rising up into a glowing red sky. There was a bit of symbolism here this time in the dragons opinion.
"Understand that everything you do in my realm is within my sight." The dream-catcher's voice ground out. "Understand that I could care less what you do. This is a contest of ability. Nothing more, nothing less. Eventually one of you will simply become stronger than the others. I expect this."
The dragon shifted uneasily as the words continued. His rivals were shifting as well and looking over each other.
"You will likely eventually fight." The dream-catcher laughed harshly. "I might even see you die in your real world. I care not. Do what I ask, and I do not care what blood you spill. Now, your tribute."
Shaking himself, the dragon exhaled sharply. The gossamer ignited in the air and flew up into the foreboding red skyline. Up and up it went and swirled around. The lowest one this time was obvious. The one made of fire and nightmares had a paltry amount.
"As expected." The rain started to come down as the dream-catcher spoke, and the one of fire screamed in pain.
It wasn't a short scream either. It was something that a dying person would make. It made the dragon shudder and cringe back. The downpour continued for a moment and the scream grew louder still. Then the rain cut off and there was silence.
"Your plan was good." The dream-catcher sounded almost motherly now. It made the dragon shiver. "Your desire vast. One of your rivals however objected to it. Learn from it, or wallow in futile hate." With this the dream-catcher's legs slammed down around the dragon.
The gods had existed long ago. Magic had flourished in her memory. Things of wonder had been visible in the land beyond the dreams. Things that inspired such beautiful glories in the dreams.
The key word was had.
This... Modern day was placid. So many people and so few glorious things. It seemed as if humanity had expanded in nothing but size. It had grown fat around the middle.
There was still wonder though. The glorious moon landing had spawned so many interesting things. It was just a pity that it had become generic afterwards. Boring. Trite. The consequence of exploring borders and then that knowledge going to everyone in an instant.
Perhaps it was he becoming old and seeing the past idealized. If so, then her heavy weight along the world was a good thing. Time to change things radically and see what would happen. Burn away that sense of nostalgia and see the world again.
So, how would she do that though? She could shake the fabric of the world, but that was almost predictable. Like throwing a ball and expecting it to go in a different direction. Well, technically that could happen in a dream, but it wouldn't be a surprise to her.
She needed something out of context. Completely new to throw around. There were precious few things that would fit that criteria.
She could weave something. A son or daughter perhaps. Let them do what they would. It wouldn't be hard. They would just be part of her. Boring, and almost predictable She'd almost expect them to follow in her footsteps exactly.
No, no. If she was going to weave something new she was going to be sure it was completely new.
The answer had come to her suddenly really. As she was watching a dream form in the realm. What would the dreamers think if they knew what lurked outside their head?
Such a delicious thought. She had done it before, plucked a mortal out of their dream and watched them scream and cry. She just had either slain them or put them back afterwards. Usually the ones that woke from her touch had nightmares later.
What if she plucked them from their dream and then gave them more?
With that idea the rest came together quickly. She selected eight mortals. Each ones unique in the dream. Well, as unique as they could be with so many dreamers. Then she wove forms for them out of their dreams.
A dragon form from dreams of dragons.
A moth from sounds of beating wings.
A man from the feel of fists on a bag.
An atom, formed from fond childhood memories.
A maw from hunger and greed.
A fire from regular nightmares.
A thing of chaos and candy from one who never grew up.
And something made without wonder, but ambition instead.
They were introductory forms for each of her new 'disciples.' She would teach them and see what ripples they made. It was a marvelous idea in her opinion.
Her first lesson then would be to stuff their sleeping minds into the new forms. Let them realize the reality of their situation. Nothing mind breaking at the beginning. She needed them sane... For the moment. So see them stumble around in what they think to be a new dream, and then slowly bring them into the truth of the world.
Or at least the truth that she knew. She was an old and ancient thing, but there were things out there older and more powerful than her. They cared little for the world, but she imagined that they knew truths that would blow her mind. Such was the way of the world.
"Ahh, I don't regret my path." The dream-catcher sighed gently. "I'd suggest you try to do the same."
John woke up with a start then and nearly fell out of bed.
----
You have 30 Gossamer
You have 28 days until the next tribute.
Daytime Action
[] Patrol the campus. (You're a security guard for the local college. Your contract doesn't really need you to patrol, but it gets you out of the place.0
[] Nap and use Dream of Wonder
[] Watch the Monitors (Talk with Harold)
[] Play Ball with Scott
Evening Action
[] Hit the local library
[] Hit the local cafe
[] Hit the local bar
[] Go home (Use night action twice)
[] Socialize with someone
Night Action
[] Hunt for Gossamer (Specify a number from 1-7. 1 easy, 7 hardest)
[] Hunt for your rivals
[] Look for something new
[] Visit the dream city and do ____
Write in actions are acceptable.
Dream-catcher Reward. Pick one.
[] Ability that effects the real world (Gossamer Construct: Creates a temporary construction out of gossamer. Can be anything that fits within a sphere of meters times wonder. These constructs behave as real items, but a hit that would damage them destroys the entire construct. They burn away in the morning light as well. Costs 10 gossamer. )
[] Grafting session and a new draconic ability. (Will give dreams of gemstones)
[] +1 Wonder.