I, like many it seems, have the idea to use the Haunted Dreams trait to foreshadow future events particularly pertaining to Adimarchus.
Some excellent sample dreams have been included on the RPGenius sight but I would like to brainstorm some dreams (with anyone who cares) which helps build up the trait and the Adimarchus story.
What ideas do you have for dreams?
Here are some of my own ideas at the moment-
Dream One - personal reoccuring dream of the players childhood (Mother going mad, killing the family while the character hides under the bed, burning house rescued by wizard)
- yes I realize this is not pleasant but I reason that if the player is screaming and waking every night from nightmares the nightmare needs to be fairly horrific...especially when it is based on the characters real background.
Dream Two - same dream except the character is rescued by an angel who changes into a demon...
Dream ThreeThis is where the insane dreams of Adimarchus begins to overwealm the characters own nightmares.
- Adimarchus/The PC is an angel sitting in the Cathedral of Heaven where he is cast out because of his/the pcs actions (any ideas?)
Dream Four A demonic army battles with an army of angels while the pc/Adimarchus directs the invasion. A colossal demon (smoking skull in Occuptus) leads the charge. The angels are overwealmed but a golden angel descends from the clouds and sacrafices herself to destroy the colossal demon and tear the battlefield away from heaven and cast it into the Abyss.
What next? Are the above dreams logical or do they give away too much? What is your opinion?
Delvesdeep
I don't think they give away too much at all. In fact other than adding to the history of Occipitus and also Adimarchus (very end game), they really don't give the PC hints to what they are fighting against or why.
How about a dream of the fabric of reality tearing open and demons struggling to break free... and all the while the PC can feel... something... something evil and that something is overjoyed at the thought of finally being free.
Sean Mahoney
Doing similar. Here's an extract from my next game to be given to my insane PC:
Silver turns to red and the epitome of doom opens before you. A huge red landscape made of flesh is surrounded on all sides by dagger-like mountains, which in turn meet a sky of blood red and smoke. Strange things move beyond sight in broiling clouds, when suddenly a tear in the fabric of firmament appears. Through it falls what looks like an entire continent, upon which an epic battle ensues.
You watch with stoic detachment as it hits the surface, bodies tossed for miles and dust thrown up into the sky. It takes eons to settle and when it does, you see that nothing of the continent remains except in the form of an evil tribute; a huge skull buried half deep in the ground on it’s side so that only one eye socket is showing. Through it burns a flame that is black and out of it flies a creature heading towards you.
Emotionless you stare as it wheels and turns on its way to you. And then, nose to nose with you, the creature stops; it is humanoid, large and angelic in form – beautiful to behold. And then, in the blink of an eye, the creature is demonic, with serpents writhing from its back to lunge at you.
Their teeth pierce your skin and you scream in agony as you feel their poison ripple through your veins, granting you an agonising and painful death.
You wake up with the screaming caught in your throat.
Nurgan, Orcwart & Sean,
Thankyou for your comments and ideas. I like your 'dream' Orcwart particularly the imagery you used for the fall of Occupitus.
My ideas initially, were to create a sequencial story retold in portions gradually throughout the path.
But I'm now thinking that I will mix the order up and cloud the dreams more with sudden appearances of Anthax, demons etc and other insane random thoughts when the story/dream reaches a troubling/turmatic stage that was particular upseting to relive for Adimarchus.
Any other ideas for future dreams?
delvesdeep