Dreamwalkers
Overview
The Dreamwalkers’ Cloister is a reclusive spiritual order in Nyssavren, devoted to interpreting celestial omens, arcane weather patterns, and the shifting dream-veil that overlays Velastra. Unlike the technical rigor of the Aetherwrights, Dreamwalkers rely on introspection, ritual trance, and communal meditation, believing that the cosmos reveals truths only to those who listen with their soul.
Many Dreamwalkers are Espers, drawn to the order for its compassionate discipline and symbolic worldview. Their dreams are not merely private—within the Cloister, dreams are shared, recorded, and studied like sacred texts. Those who master the deeper paths may “walk” into the Astral Veil, a liminal space where the thoughts of Primordials and gods whisper to the attuned.
Timeline of Key Events
| Year AR | Event |
|---|---|
| 672 AR | Founding of the Cloister: Seer-Twin Calha and Vess Nythoril establish the Dreamwalkers’ sanctum atop Halvyr’s Crest, believing the mountain’s aura thinned the veil between worlds. |
| 679 AR | Recognition by the Glacial Synod: The ruling caste grants the Cloister protection and supplies in exchange for prophetic guidance. The Dreamwalkers become spiritual advisors to the court. |
| 694 AR | Frostveil Concord: An ancient ice relic begins affecting sleep patterns across Thessryn. Dreamwalkers contain the anomaly, beginning their study of "veil fractures." |
| 701 AR | Selnara’s Weeping: A meteor storm causes the dreamveil to spiral wildly. Dozens of novices are lost to dream-trances. A Dreamwalker's Hall is established in Crystelmere for recovery and study. |
| 722 AR | Veilwriting Ritual Perfected: A form of script composed from shared dreams is developed, forming the Chronicles of the Nightmirror—a continually growing record of celestial truths. |
| 735 AR | Subversion Attempt by the Synod: A Synod magister attempts to place a political liaison inside the Cloister. The Dreamwalkers respond with mass silent meditation, invoking public respect and restoring autonomy. |
| 773 AR | The Deep Winter Dream: An elder named Isarell Solryn enters a five-year stasis dream, returning with visions of the “Last Light.” Prophetic cults form around her words before they’re censored. |
| 813 AR | Starlight Tithe Enacted: Dreamwalkers begin selecting an annual “Starguide” to visit other nations, sharing veiled prophecy and securing Nyssavren's place in cross-national diplomacy. |
| 818 AR | Current Era: Dream-trances have begun catching glimpses of flame serpents in the veil—symbols that the Cinderborn and Ifrexus are close to stirring. |
Political Relationships
With the Glacial Synod:
The Cloister is considered a holy body, not entirely under political rule but deeply entwined with the Synod’s decisions. The Synod frequently consults Dreamwalkers for weather forecasts, military omens, and economic prophecies, though tension arises when interpretations contradict Synod ambitions.
Dreamwalkers possess a “sanctified silence” clause, allowing them to withhold visions if deemed apocalyptic. Several Synod members fear the Dreamwalkers’ influence on the populace and their ties to the Frostfallen legends.
Ritual Practices
- Veilwalking: Entering a trance to navigate the astral dreamscape, often performed during full eclipses or aurora tides.
- Echo-scribing: Writing with enchanted frost-ink that reveals unseen messages only under moonlight.
- Choral Meditation: A dream-chant performed by dozens in tandem to harmonize their visions into a single shared prophecy.
Notable Relics
- Nightmirror Lens — A silvered obsidian lens that reflects not the world, but a viewer’s latent dreams. Used during initiations and celestial alignments.
- Chronicles of the Nightmirror — A massive volume of veil-scripted prophecy written by generations of Dreamwalkers. It is semi-sentient and reveals different verses depending on who opens it.
- The Frostveil Pendant — A relic believed to cool the mind enough to resist madness during deep veilwalks. Said to be made from a tear of Selnara.
- Glacial Loom — An ancient device that weaves threads of star-chilled arcanite into prophecy veils. Only activated during planetary convergences.
Leadership and Roles
- Seer-Prime Iria Thalorrin
Calm and poetic, Iria has led the Dreamwalkers for two decades, balancing openness with the Glacial Synod and protection of her order’s mysteries. She is known to speak in parables, often quoting dreams rather than speaking plainly. - Archivist Venn Talas
Stoic, blind since childhood, but possesses sight through the dreams of others. Maintains the Chronicles of the Nightmirror and is suspected to be part of a secret order within the Cloister called The Pale Echo. - Acolyte Ruun Velcaith
A rare young Esper with the ability to speak entire dream-sequences aloud as they occur. Frequently loses time and suffers from veil-hauntings. The Synod has taken great interest in his development.
