[Information] Dreamwalking 101: An IC Manual

[somarium_lords]

Dreamwalking 101: An IC Manual
This is an IC manual that characters will be able to access from their Dreamberries. It covers the basics of how dreamwalking works. For more OOC detail, refer to the Dreamwalker general information page. It reflects the same basic information given here. From this point on, everything written below is IC in formation.

❦ greetings!
Hey guys, it's Aisling! Here is a quick, little guide that should help you understand what being a dreamwalker means and how dreamwalking works. But I'm a believer that the best way to understand things is to just try it for yourself! Trust me, it's so much fun. But since Ryan says I have to write this thing so...here!

❦ what's a dreamwalker?
I don't know how many of you can do this already, but here in the world of Hypnosia, people can actually enter dreams! Cool, huh? Not everyone can because some just don't have the talent (or desire) to do it. But those who do are called dreamwalkers-because they walk in dreams! Easy to figure out, huh? Dreamwalkers can also manipulate and control their dream settings, so if you're ever bored of looking at the same scenery, just dream up something and take a mini vacation!

Anyway, you guys are kind of special in that you're technically already dreamwalkers, but that gets too complicated. It's really weird, though, you know? It's like...you're dreamwalking while dreamwalking. Weird!

❦ when you dreamwalk
When you dreamwalk, your physical body goes into sleep mode. Your subconscious, on the other hand, takes on a metaphysical or astral form. Basically you get a spiritual clone of yourself! You only can only take this form in dreams, though. None of you are strong enough to walk through the real world in this dreamwalker form. Anyway, you pretty much have complete control over your body, so you might not even notice you're dreamwalking at first.

When you enter someone else's dream, we call that place the dreamfield because they're usually small in scope. More powerful dreamwalkers can create huge places and landscapes, so we call those dreamscapes. For the most part, you'll be dealing with dreamfields.

And one last thing to note is you can use your abilities while dreamwalking! I know some of you come from totally cool worlds that use magic and special skills, so I'm sure you'll be happy to know that you'll be able to access them. But be careful! When you're dreamwalking, you're using dream energy, not whatever you're used to using in the real world. It's going to take a lot more energy until you've gotten used to it and gotten more experience with using dream energy and dreamwalking in general. But don't worry, you'll get there! You guys should be able to even create small objects and tools, too, but I don't really see why you would need any of that now. Oh well, it's good to know! You should be able to recreate your own weapons fairly easily, and if you have pets or animals that help you fight, you should be able to bring them along, too. It might take a little more effort, though, so be careful! I'd stick to just trying to use your own skills first.

❦ how it works
Okay now read carefully! Most of you won't get it until you actually try it, but this is the step-by-step guide on how to create dream fields and how to enter and interact with them!

Oh, and one more thing. Some dreams you just can't enter. It's all about dream energy alignment and composition, and if those aren't right, you won't be able to get through. Think of it like...a key to a lock! A person's dream is the lock and you as a dreamwalker is the key. If the lock isn't right, then there's no way the key will work. Of course advanced dreamwalkers can just break that lock down by force, but you guys won't have to worry about that anytime soon.

❖ creating dreamfields
You did know you can control what you dream, right? Well if you didn't, now you do! So that same "dream control" carries over here. Creating dreamfields can be both difficult and easy at the same time. You just need some creativity and concentration.

1. Think of the setting! My number one tip is to first try thinking about a place you're familiar! Maybe a room at home or your favorite place. Anyway, you need to start doing this before you sleep if you want full control.
   
   
2. Keep focus! After a while you won't have to concentration so much, but for beginners you really need to keep your focus. When you fall asleep, that place should be the last thing in your mind.
   
   
3. You made your dreamfield! If you did it right, you should find yourself sitting in your dreamfield! It'll be a little weird because you'll feel awake. That's because even though you're physically sleeping, your subconscious is awake! Cool, huh?
   
   
4. Be prepared for visitors! But be warned! Now that you've made your dreamfield, others who are dreamwalking may stumble into it. There are ways to make them more private, but you guys are definitely not ready for that yet. You would probably pass out if you tried.

And that's it! Pretty simple, huh?

❖ how to dreamwalk
This is also easy peasy! It has a few more steps involved and some other stuff, but the basic concept is so simple you can do it in your sleep! GET IT!?

1. Entering the dream. There are actually two ways to enter a dreamfield or dreamscape.
   1. Via sleeping. The most common way is that you're already sleeping and in dreamwalker form. Maybe you're just chilling in your own dreamfield. But when another dreamfield is open, you just get this tug and are drawn to it. More advanced dreamwalkers can actually see the dream energy from other dreams, but you guys aren't able to do that yet. But if you're already dreamwalking and feel that tug, try it! You'll only be able to sense those within Somarium, so don't worry about venturing too far off.
      
      
   2. Via Dreamberry. Did you know that the Dreamberry can also help you dreamwalk? It's true! I don't know the real technicalities on how it works (waaaay too complicated), but the Dreamberry can act as a sort of gateway to the person's dream you're watching! Of course, this only works if their dream is one you can even enter (see that little note above if you missed it!). Anyway, if you're awake when you see a dream, all you have to do is
      • Close your eyes;
        
      • Hold the Dreamberry close to your face;
        
      • and concentrate on the person's dream!
      Pretty simple, huh? You don't have to try falling asleep. Though be careful. The moment you enter the dream, your physical body will fall asleep. So make sure you're some place where you don't mind your body lying around somewhere.
2. Interacting with the dreamfield. Once you're in, you'll most likely see the dreamer. Say hello! It's also important to remember that you're like a guest to their dream and the dreamer has the ultimate control over the dream setting. It's possible for dreamwalkers to mess things around, but you guys are at a lower level. You should be able to change a few things or move things around, but nothing too advanced.
   
   
3. Leaving the dreamfield. There are actually several ways you can leave the dreamfield!
   • Voluntary. Maybe you're just tired of being there. All you have to do is consciously think of where your body is and you should be able to just wake up.
     
     
   • Forceful ejection. Maybe it's the dreamer that doesn't want you around. If they're strong enough or have enough will, the dreamer can forcefully eject you out of the dream. You can also be forcefully ejected if your dreamwalker form experiences excruciating pain or shock. It really kind of sucks because it hurts. It's like slamming into a wall!
     
     
   • Dreamer wakes up. If the dreamer wakes up before you leave, you'll be forcefully ejected out, too. But this isn't as bad and feels more like you woke up yourself.
     
     
   • Out of energy. If you dreamwalk too long, you'll eventually run out of energy to keep up the form. In that case, you'll be force to wake up and end up feeling really sick. So try not to stay out too long!

See? Really simple! Like I said, the best way to really understand how it works is to just try it yourself. It might be hard at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's really fun! Most of you will probably dreamwalk on accident since you're still trying to control it, but that's okay! I still do it even now.

❦ dream sickness and injuries
One final thing you should know. I mentioned before about how using too much dream energy can make you feel sick. It only lasts for a day or two, but you'll be plagued with headaches, nausea, and exhaustion. We call it the "Dream Hangover" because it's really like that. General rest and drinking a lot of fluids will get you back into shape, but there's also medicine called Dream Boost. You can only get these at specially designated clinics and pharmacies. It also tastes horrible, but it really helps if you need it.

Oh, and you can get injuries, so you might want to be ready for that. Usually you'll wake up with less severe injuries, but don't be surprise if you wake up to bruises and scratches. Also you can't die while in the dreamfield, even if you were fatally wounded. But the pain can still carry over, so just be careful.

❦ the end!
And that's it, guys! You now know how to dreamwalk! Have fun and try not to go overboard.