Shared Dream - how to do it?

[carborundum]

I got the idea of running a vicious, almost tpk-level combat for an unprepared and unrested party. The next stage is to have a creepy NPC they have with them to wake them and say he's had an awful dream ... and that it'll happen the next day. Their fight was basically his dream.

The party can then prepare, recruit, summon and refight the combat, hopefully kicking butt and getting revenge.

How can I justify the shared dream rules-wise? We're doing the Savage Tide, so any number of Powers could be looking out for them. That's no problem. The thing is, which spell, psionic power, ability or Epic abilities could let them send such a powerful creepy dream warning.

 

[Kristian Serrano]

You might want to take a look at Heroes of Horror which has a number of feats associated with dreams (i.e. - oneiromancy, dreamtelling, improved oneiromancy). For the most part, though, dreams are something you that allows you to sort of wave your hands at the rules.

Some suggestions in Heroes of Horror include changing how spells and powers are affected, such as applying random metamagic effects or even randomly decreasing their potency in some instances. Change the arrangement of a room randomly, or the locations of walls and doors. Heck, change the landscape altogether in the middle of an encounter.

PS - Hyperconscious has some great dream-related psionic material.

 

[carborundum]

Thanks! I saw it in the shop with a nice discount the other week. I'm happy with the whole handwaving for the sake of the story, my players are ... more rules-oriented. I could always just say "get used to my style and trust me" instead of being so defensive. On the other hand, they like splatbooks, so I can use a few of my own

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Have you ever heard of Dreamscarred Press? You might want to hop over to their forums and ask that question. I'm not familiar with all their products, but I know for a fact that the stuff I have of theirs is top-notch. And their staff (Jeremy & Andreas) are very quick to answer questions and point you in the direction that their works might help.

I know they are in the process of creating a whole line of products that involve the "Dreamscape." I think I have the term right. They also are in the process of detailing a place called Rajrin - the isle of dreams. You can find more about it in their flagship product: Untapped Potential. If you use psionics, it's a quality read.

 

[Jhaelen]

PS - Hyperconscious has some great dream-related psionic material.

This. To really make the adventure shine you'll have to put some additional effort into it. I applied different planar traits to each of the dream zones to make them more memorable. That worked quite nicely.

But really, why do you need any rules for this at all? Just tell the players they're all together in a dreamscape and you're done. Basically you only need to decide if the damage they take is real or not and what happens if they die while in the dreamscape.

 

[carborundum]

I guess my (and their) question is "how does the whole party end up in a dreamscape" - they never got to SAVE or anything....

I can (and have) said that it just IS so but there still a few grumbles

 

[Wolv0rine]

Dreams are tradtionally a medium in which higher powers relate mesasges (most often gods). The characters don't need to have any special abilities or anything, it's a pretty ancient and time-honored method of 'minor prophecy' or divine communication/warning. It's not like someone's casting Charm Person on them or anything, and if there isn't an easily seen answer to how it happened, it tends to hit harder.

 

[Kristian Serrano]

I guess my (and their) question is "how does the whole party end up in a dreamscape" - they never got to SAVE or anything....

I can (and have) said that it just IS so but there still a few grumbles

Use the Region of Dreams/Dal Quor (Eberron) approach; EVERYONE's conscience travels to the Dreamscape when they sleep. It's actually how dreams are shaped. In fact, while traveling in the Region of Dreams/Dal Quor, you might stumble into some other creature's dream.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

Penumbra's Occult Lore has a chapter on Oneiromancy, written by Kieth Baker. I have found the mechanics to work very well and cover the entire gamut of casual visitor to the dreamscape as well as the dedicated dream-mage.

The main 'cool' feature is the limited ability for dreamers to alter the dream itself. It would be in this manner that whatever friendly powerful ally could set up the dream for the party.

Side note, I would definately have the dream combat have tell-tales that it is a dream.