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Inspired/Dreaming Dark

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
james88o
Jul 28, 2009 19:31:57 Can anyone fill me in on these, mainly the dreaming dark.
I'm about to run my first Eberron campaign and I might have a Kalashtar Pc in the group.
I'd really appreciate any info on the BBEG that might soon be hunting him.

Main questions are

What are the inspired/dreaming dark?
Are they gods/a cabal/dictatorship?
Are they truly evil or just in opposition to a different ideology?
Do they hunt through the dream world or in the real world?
If so do they do it themselves or do they use agents/aspects?
#2
veltharis_ap_rylix
Jul 28, 2009 22:06:51 For all of this, I highly recommend the 3.5-era sourcebook Secrets of Sarlona, but I'll try and give you a quick over-view...

The Dreaming Dark is a society made up of the Quori, the native creatures of Dal Quor (Eberron's plane of dreams). The Inspired are a specially-bred race of Sarlonans which are particularly susceptible to possession by the Quori (raised to consider this fate the highest of honors) and the main conduit through which the Dreaming Dark acts on Eberron (since they cannot manifest directly on the material plane due to the Giants of Xen'drik severing the ties between Eberron and Dal Quor long ago).

The ideologies of the Dreaming Dark and the Kalashtar are closely tied together, though they aim towards different ends. The Quori discovered when studying their homeworld that the realm of Dal Quor periodically undergoes a metamorphosis, destroying itself and everything born of it - such as the Quori - and then reconstituting itself in a new form (a note: the Quori who invaded Xen'drik during the Age of Giants were from the previous era, and the current Quori know nothing about them save what they learned from the ruins of Xen'drik).

The current Dal Quor is something of a nightmare. Those Quori who eventually fled to Eberron and became/created the Kalashtar race were well-intentioned radicals who believed that the Quori should work toward bringing about this transformation in hopes of creating a new "Age of Light" even though doing so would mean the end of themselves and their race (or at least, this incarnation of it). The Dreaming Dark follow the opposite philosophy: they work to freeze Dal Quor in the current form (whether because they like the current nightmare that it is or out of sheer survival instinct). Both believe the dreams of mortals on Eberron to be the key to this task.

As to your questions regarding how the Dreaming Dark operates: All of the Above. The Quori in Dal Quor manipulate the dreams of mortals to achieve specific ends, while those within Inspired hosts work in a more direct manner to crush their Kalashtar rivals and solidify their iron grip on the people of Riedra (and more importantly, their dreams). If they are not stopped, their tyranny may eventually spread to cover the whole of Eberron.

While, as I said before, Secrets of Sarlona would be the best, the Dreaming Dark also get a rather detailed write-up in the 4E Eberron Campaign Guide (which I just got in today ).
#3
james88o
Jul 29, 2009 16:06:33 Thank you so much that was really helpful
I just got my guide 15 min ago and had to pull myself away to check these posts lol
#4
Alex_
Jul 29, 2009 21:51:52 Also, when dealing with the non-dream world, the Dreaming Dark prefers to use deception and manipulation.

They were able to take over the kingdoms of Sarlonna without ever actually having to use force. Through dream manipulation, misinformation, and manipulation, they were able to make all the leaders of Sarlonan nations suspicious of one another and plunge themselves into a civil war.

Then the Dreaming Dark came in and offered a solution to the conflict. They were welcomed with open arms by the war weary people and worshiped as gods. In the eyes of most people, there was never any actual invasion or takeover. Now they lead the entire nation of Redria.

They were disappointed to see the Last War in Khorvaire end, and would like to find some subtle way to kick it back off. In the mean time, they have established many peaceful trade agreements with the nations of Khorvaire, and are considered very kind, considerate, and generous, albeit mysterious.
#5
Madfox11
Aug 03, 2009 7:04:18 Remember that the Dreaming Dark is a known entity in Sarlona, but they are NOT part of the government in any official capacity. In fact, the ECG memtions that ambassadors of Sarlona would even go so far as to actively help PCs oppose the Dreaming Dark even though in reality they are both part of the same organization. I supose that most consider the Dreaming Dark agent foolish enough to get caught, deserves what he gets and it is only a temporary set-back anyway (the quori's themselves cannot die permanently). On the other hand, Khorvarians suspecting the Sarlonans would be a big set back.

Of course, personally I wonder why you would trust people who do not allow open travel into their own country, but that is just me. I am not trying to fight off lizardfolk and kobols while trying to establish a viable stronghold in the jungle ;)
#6
AvonRekaes
Aug 04, 2009 11:13:34 The Quori are also able to possess non-Inspired. The difference between Inspired and non-Inspired possession is that the Inspired have no choice. In 3e this was represented by Inspired automatically failing saving throws against possession by Quori. A non-Inspired individual must allow the Quori to enter his mind. The Quori doesn't have to be honest about what he's going to do with the person, but consent must be given to it.

So, for insance, you can have a normal, well-adjusted invidual be visted by a Quori in her dreams disguised as a Sovereign. So decieved, the well-meaning person may allow the "god" to enter her body for a "holy mission". Then the body wakes up controlled by an evil nightmare incarnate. This is how the Dreaming Dark operates.

There is also a tactical division of rank within the Quori. Those Quori that possess Inspired almost never possess non-Inspired, and vice-versa. This is why a Dreaming Dark quori, under duress of divination, can speak truthfully and say it is not involved with the government of Reidra, and why an Inspired, under duress of divination, can speak truthfully and say it is not involved in the terrorist organization known as the "Dreaming Dark".

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 james88o Jul 28, 2009 19:31:57	Can anyone fill me in on these, mainly the dreaming dark. I'm about to run my first Eberron campaign and I might have a Kalashtar Pc in the group. I'd really appreciate any info on the BBEG that might soon be hunting him. Main questions are What are the inspired/dreaming dark? Are they gods/a cabal/dictatorship? Are they truly evil or just in opposition to a different ideology? Do they hunt through the dream world or in the real world? If so do they do it themselves or do they use agents/aspects?
#2 veltharis_ap_rylix Jul 28, 2009 22:06:51	For all of this, I highly recommend the 3.5-era sourcebook Secrets of Sarlona, but I'll try and give you a quick over-view... The Dreaming Dark is a society made up of the Quori, the native creatures of Dal Quor (Eberron's plane of dreams). The Inspired are a specially-bred race of Sarlonans which are particularly susceptible to possession by the Quori (raised to consider this fate the highest of honors) and the main conduit through which the Dreaming Dark acts on Eberron (since they cannot manifest directly on the material plane due to the Giants of Xen'drik severing the ties between Eberron and Dal Quor long ago). The ideologies of the Dreaming Dark and the Kalashtar are closely tied together, though they aim towards different ends. The Quori discovered when studying their homeworld that the realm of Dal Quor periodically undergoes a metamorphosis, destroying itself and everything born of it - such as the Quori - and then reconstituting itself in a new form (a note: the Quori who invaded Xen'drik during the Age of Giants were from the previous era, and the current Quori know nothing about them save what they learned from the ruins of Xen'drik). The current Dal Quor is something of a nightmare. Those Quori who eventually fled to Eberron and became/created the Kalashtar race were well-intentioned radicals who believed that the Quori should work toward bringing about this transformation in hopes of creating a new "Age of Light" even though doing so would mean the end of themselves and their race (or at least, this incarnation of it). The Dreaming Dark follow the opposite philosophy: they work to freeze Dal Quor in the current form (whether because they like the current nightmare that it is or out of sheer survival instinct). Both believe the dreams of mortals on Eberron to be the key to this task. As to your questions regarding how the Dreaming Dark operates: All of the Above. The Quori in Dal Quor manipulate the dreams of mortals to achieve specific ends, while those within Inspired hosts work in a more direct manner to crush their Kalashtar rivals and solidify their iron grip on the people of Riedra (and more importantly, their dreams). If they are not stopped, their tyranny may eventually spread to cover the whole of Eberron. While, as I said before, Secrets of Sarlona would be the best, the Dreaming Dark also get a rather detailed write-up in the 4E Eberron Campaign Guide (which I just got in today ).
#3 james88o Jul 29, 2009 16:06:33	Thank you so much that was really helpful I just got my guide 15 min ago and had to pull myself away to check these posts lol
#4 Alex_ Jul 29, 2009 21:51:52	Also, when dealing with the non-dream world, the Dreaming Dark prefers to use deception and manipulation. They were able to take over the kingdoms of Sarlonna without ever actually having to use force. Through dream manipulation, misinformation, and manipulation, they were able to make all the leaders of Sarlonan nations suspicious of one another and plunge themselves into a civil war. Then the Dreaming Dark came in and offered a solution to the conflict. They were welcomed with open arms by the war weary people and worshiped as gods. In the eyes of most people, there was never any actual invasion or takeover. Now they lead the entire nation of Redria. They were disappointed to see the Last War in Khorvaire end, and would like to find some subtle way to kick it back off. In the mean time, they have established many peaceful trade agreements with the nations of Khorvaire, and are considered very kind, considerate, and generous, albeit mysterious.
#5 Madfox11 Aug 03, 2009 7:04:18	Remember that the Dreaming Dark is a known entity in Sarlona, but they are NOT part of the government in any official capacity. In fact, the ECG memtions that ambassadors of Sarlona would even go so far as to actively help PCs oppose the Dreaming Dark even though in reality they are both part of the same organization. I supose that most consider the Dreaming Dark agent foolish enough to get caught, deserves what he gets and it is only a temporary set-back anyway (the quori's themselves cannot die permanently). On the other hand, Khorvarians suspecting the Sarlonans would be a big set back. Of course, personally I wonder why you would trust people who do not allow open travel into their own country, but that is just me. I am not trying to fight off lizardfolk and kobols while trying to establish a viable stronghold in the jungle ;)
#6 AvonRekaes Aug 04, 2009 11:13:34	The Quori are also able to possess non-Inspired. The difference between Inspired and non-Inspired possession is that the Inspired have no choice. In 3e this was represented by Inspired automatically failing saving throws against possession by Quori. A non-Inspired individual must allow the Quori to enter his mind. The Quori doesn't have to be honest about what he's going to do with the person, but consent must be given to it. So, for insance, you can have a normal, well-adjusted invidual be visted by a Quori in her dreams disguised as a Sovereign. So decieved, the well-meaning person may allow the "god" to enter her body for a "holy mission". Then the body wakes up controlled by an evil nightmare incarnate. This is how the Dreaming Dark operates. There is also a tactical division of rank within the Quori. Those Quori that possess Inspired almost never possess non-Inspired, and vice-versa. This is why a Dreaming Dark quori, under duress of divination, can speak truthfully and say it is not involved with the government of Reidra, and why an Inspired, under duress of divination, can speak truthfully and say it is not involved in the terrorist organization known as the "Dreaming Dark".