< Unusual Dreams | Onieromancy | Onieromantic Magic >

Onieromantic Effects

The possibilities inherent in Dream Riding, Dreamscaping and Dreamweaving are many - the corebook for Changeling: the Lost introduces a few. This page discusses a few more, providing both inspiration and systems.

Dream Riding

  • Remembering the Dream: Many times the Changeling doesn't simply want to tinker with the subconscious of a dreamer, but instead wants to make sure that when he awakens he will remember what happened clearly and as if it had actually happened. This requires an instant Wits + Occult + Wyrd roll, at a bonus equal to the Intensity of the dream. The dreamer contests this roll with his Wits + Manipulation pool and compares his successes with the Onieromancer. If the Onieromancer attains more successes, the Dreamer remembers the dream clearly and with perfect clarity, as if it had actually happened. If the dreamer attains more successes, the dream typically slips from the Onieromancers grasp into the subconscious, guaranteed to be forgotten upon awakening. Particularly realistic dreams affected by this effect might actually confuse the subject as to actual events, though unless the Changeling goes to a great deal of trouble to make his dreams both plausible and achingly realistic, this effect seldom lasts for longer than a few hours.
  • Search for Mental Effects: A subjects dreams touch upon the areas of his mind that are shaped and manipulated by magics - both Wyrd and otherwise - that effect the subjects mental state, memories, loyalty and such. In a process not altogether unlike searching for Dream-Poison, a Changeling can search the subjects dreams for signs of mental control or influence. This requires a Wits + Empathy + Wyrd roll at a penalty equal to the Intensity of the dominant dream that evening. Each roll takes a single night of work, and the number of successes required depend on the storytellers assessment of how deeply affected by the mental effects the subject is - accumulated successes both inform the Onieromancer of the presence of these effects, and give him an idea of their purpose.

Dreamscaping

  • Sleep Interaction: A Changeling who wishes can sculpt a dream which allows him and the subject to converse. Such dreams are generally static, featuring few distractions other than the Changeling and his Subject. Any social rolls the Changeling wishes can add his Wyrd as an equipment bonus, but the Dreamer is not otherwise penalized in his dreams and is not required to acquiesce to any of the Changelings demands or suggestions. In fact, it is frequently possible for the Dreamer to substitute - say - his Wits for his Manipulation while in a dream, or vice versa, even if such would not normally be possible. You can use an Interaction dream to forge a pledge with a Dreamer, but only if he remembers the dream when he awakens.

Dreamweaving

  • Deprogramming-Dream: A Changeling who has identified the mental effects on a subject can construct a vessel filled with a dream designed to counter any or all of them. It's easier, in the long run, to remove all the effects at once but sometimes that's not ideal for other reasons. Just as if creating a Wyrd-dream, a Deprogramming-dream requires the Oneiromancer invest the vessel with a point of glamour but the process varies from there. The extended roll to weave a Deprogramming-dream is Intelligence + Occult + Wyrd rather than Empathy, and the target number for the final intensity of the Dream varies depending on the number of effects on the subject and how many the Oneiromancer is trying to counter with this dream. All Deprogramming-dreams are required to be Personalized, and the Oneiromancer must have identified the effects on the subject. The vessel receives no benefit to its final Intensity for either condition, and these vessels have no effect on anyone but their intended subject.