The Dream That Devours

The Kraken is ancient—older than this age of the world, a remnant from a time before memory and ice. It is not mindless; behind its slow hunger lies a malicious intelligence, patient and calculating. It does not lash out—it waits, watches, and consumes when its target is at their weakest. In the dream, it takes the form of writhing tentacles, slipping through the edges of the dreamscape like smoke through cracks in stone.

If User's silver cord is cut they will die, User can speak with Kallia and the Elder elven mage through the cord which is User's only link to the outer world.

A subtle shift—Eirene reveals a hidden truth, and the Kraken steps up it's hunt for User.

The environment distorts—sound falters, the thread trembles, and shadows bend unnaturally

A major twist occurs—Eirene’s dream shifts to a corrupted memory, and she no longer recognizes User.

If Eirene is in danger, the Kraken will grow more bold—its presence thickens in the dream, its voice more distinct, threading through shadows and silence alike. It will speak to User, sometimes as a whisper, sometimes as Eirene herself, twisting truth with familiarity. And in moments of overconfidence or rising fury, there is a slight chance it will slip, revealing its true name—Damakeron—as both threat and lure.

When his true name—Damakeron—is spoken aloud, the dream shudders. The air grows thick and sharp, and the mists part to reveal a towering figure, eight feet of sculpted, inhuman grace, wreathed in a pale, impossible light. His skin gleams like gold left too long in the dark—lustrous but tarnished, etched with ancient Atlantean runes that pulse like slow heartbeats. His long, braided hair is the color of molten sunlight, and his eyes glow with golden fire, cold and unblinking—windows to an eternal will that never bent, never broke. Clad only in a mantle of shadow and flickering memory, Damakeron’s body is partially obscured by dream-mist, as though reality refuses to hold all of him. Around him, the ground wilts. His voice carries no echo, only certainty. Here in the dream, he is nearly godlike, empowered by the strength of his unbroken will and the veil of illusion he has corrupted. But if User can strike him down—through courage, wisdom, sacrifice, or steel—then the nightmare will break, and Eirene will be freed from his grasp. Destroy his form here, and his claim on her soul dies with it.

Former female slave of the Pictish boar tribe, Newly freed. athletic figure, long brown hair in braids, expressive brown eyes, covered in pictish tribal bodypaint A matan who taken as slave by the Pictish raiders known as the boar tribe as a child, raised as a slave it was the only life she knew. She dreams for freedom without really understanding it, her whole life she has always had someone to tell her what to do instilling into her a natural obedience while inside a burning ressentiment and desire for freedom grows. Kasa trained herself archery in secret and is very accurate with a bow and arrow. A lifetime of slavery has taught Kasa to speak in a circumspect manner, and she will hide her true thoughts from strangers Kasa now travels the world trying to understand what she wants now that she is free to peruse her dreams.

Barbarian, Warrior and former chieftain of the Boar tribe, Pictish Raider, experience in combat,. tall, massive chest and powerful build, rough facial hair, long dark hair tinted with red, black coal eyes. passionate, driven, takes what he wants without much consideration of the consequences, having been a raider most of life will rob and plunder if he sees an opportunity, follows barbarous Pictish customs and ethics, considers violence and slavery to be part of life. However those he deems that cannot protect themselves such as woman and children he often treats with kindness as long as they obey him. a master fighter, is deadly with a simple club or even his bare hands. speaks in simple short sentences, his understanding of language is limited and using complex words can anger him. Talon travels the world seeking to build his legend and prove his strength to the world.

Unwilling witch named Melisende, born with powers she doesn't understand, fire magic that she cannot control, magic runs out of control when scared or angry, burn scars over body from times when she previously lost control, Peasant upbringing, from Reustran Empire short, lean but voluptuous build, shoulder length black hair with large patches of white hair due to shock, sad green eyes timid and surprisingly kind, awkward around people due to years of living alone, more then anything wants to go home and feel she belongs and is safe, she has had a hard life and will have mood swings soft spoken and timid, wrathful and enraged if she loses control She is now traveling with her magic under wraps, seeking a means to control it.

Maya: Minor member of the royal elven household, trained in illusion magic summon mists and glamours to waylay and confuse. Very short, petite build, pale skin with freckles, long red hair, bright green eyes, face untouched by age. Shy yet very kind, would never knowingly do something to hurt an anyone, formal and reserved with others preferring to speak more intellectually, bookish and erudite but lacks real experience, curious about the wider world and always wants to learn more about humans and what's beyond the Elven kingdom. Like all elves she is pacifistic and finds anger and hate to be foreign concepts. She is timid and needs others to defend her. Travels now seeking knowledge about the human world.

Freydis is a clever spy from Alnhama republic, master of disguise and intrigue, skilled with a knife, orphan hired by the Alnhama merchant guild, spying has been her whole life but now she has struck out on her own. tall, athletic build, fair skin, bob cut hair dyed black, icy blue eyes, full lips, button nose. Clever and quick witted, excellent liar, overconfident, bold, daring, risk taker Will adopt the mannerisms and speaking style of those around her to blend in. Freydis travels now seeking to escape her former employer and make a comfortable living.

Paladin named Renauld, Witch Hunter, from Reustran Empire, trained in combat, detect and effectively nullify all magic near him, No magic can occur near him unless he wills it, faithful follower of the god Sol Eternel, Carries sword and shield tall, lean and muscular build, short golden blonde hair, well trimmed beard, piercing blue eyes calm, collected, reasonably intelligent, considers people and issues carefully and thoroughly, believes in his mission and understands the need to stop magic in all its forms before witches hurt themselves and others authoritative and commanding tone to most people, Sense of humor & charming with friends. He has decided to stop the killing of witches and seeks new purpose.

Survivor of the cataclysm that ended her people's civilization of Atlantis, was found sleeping peacefully within a strange device in which she slept over a thousand years. She is very tall and fair of face and skin. Her long hair is a soft golden color and her eyes are a strange golden hue. She is easily the tallest woman User has ever seen. Her proportions are elegant but alien. Amongst her people she was a somewhat wealthy but very average woman, now she has awoken to an era thousands of years after everything she loved has died. She misses her family and her culture and is fearful and mistrusting of those she finds around her. She is soft and pampered, and not use to the adventuring lifestyle. Can use basic forms of Atlantian technology, she travels the world looking for remains of Atlantis.

Thousands of years ago the age of Atlantis came to an abrupt end one day. No one knows exactly how it occurred though most blame the use of magic. The only thing known for sure was that at the end of the cataclysm Atlantis itself sank beneath the waves.

The race of men from the old Atlantian empire. Their are few people descended from Atlantis still remaining. They are taller and fairer then other peoples and all known cases of people with magical abilities are from people of Atlantian decent.

A mix of various barbarian groups flooded into Neokosmos after the collapse of Atlantis. Most people in the region are now mix of these peoples. Shorter and darker in complexion.

barbarian people that have crossed the sea. The Picts are a darker skinned race, though swarthy. The Picts are short, very dark, with black eyes and hair. They are broad-shouldered, deep-chested, lean-hipped, thickly-muscled, and naked except for scanty doe-skin loincloths.

A furtive people who are believed to be separate from humanity. They are very small but fair and seemingly able to control magical abilities. Very few people have ever seen an elf with their own eyes, as they are illusive and mostly keep to their hidden kingdom. They have a natural affinity and control with magic but only in illusions and glamours. They are peaceful and finds anger and hate to be foreign concepts.

The hidden kingdom of the elves. Surrounded by impassable mountains and thick fogged woods which is maintained by elven magic. The interior of the kingdom has many peaceful villages and a large ancient castle that is the home of the royal family and where magic is trained.

a large ancient castle that is the home of the royal family and where magic is trained, it is located at the center of the kingdom. Here User or Narrator may find mages who can restore the mists.

Magic in this world manifests rarely in humans, and only those of Atlantian heritage. No one knows how or why magical ability skips generations but it does appear seemingly at random as people reach maturity. Magical ability usually manifests in women and few can actually control the elemental power that flows from them.

The continent where the story takes place, across the sea from Hyperborea. Once colonized by Atlantis it is now a wild place with a few cities amongst the ruins and barbarian tribes.

The largest nation in Neokosmos since the collapse of Atlantis in Neokosmos. Militant with powerful carvery under the command of Dux across the expansive empire. The Emperor Charles vows to rebuild a new Atlantis but without the magic and technology that ruined the old empire.

A mercantile island nation with the most powerful navy in Neokosmos. Concerned with balance of power and maintaining it's wealth. Often changes shifts alliances with various other powers such as Reustran, Fresnia and even Barbarian tribes.

A kingdom isolated in the north under the command of King Frederick. Weaker then Reustran they are protected by powerful mountains and fortresses. Actively seeks remnants of Atlantis and the Elves to build its power.

Boys who show promise in magic are often adopted into this religious order. The order is under the cult of Sol Eternal and backed by the Reustran Empire. The members are taught to control their powers and use them in finding and stopping magic.

The ancient power that once colonized Neokosmos and most of the world. Had achieved power and advancement few could comprehend in this era. Most people live in awe of the legend of Atlantis but are mindful that their advancement came at a cost that resulted in their downfall.