[First Draft] Kaimelea, Planetar of Dreams

[Gossamer]

Kaimelea The Planetar of Dreams Alias’ The Giver of Dreams - Aelyria She Who Opens The Eye – Silrosia Ka'alah – Kemite Sumava – Dwarven Havvissa – Saurid Twister of Dreams – Cether Alignment Neutral Realm Plane of Dreams Abstract Little is known about Kaimelea, the Planetar of Dreams, though she was widely worshipped within the Greater Elfish Basin and her power reputedly touched the entire Material Plane. Known as "She Who Opens the Eye", Kaimelea had her origins as an extremely beautiful High Elf from Quel'anthas, whose love for life's simple pleasures earned her the praise and adoration of her people. Her own half-sister Risthal, jealous of her beauty and grace, killed her in a murderous rage, but forever at peace, Kaimelea escaped condemnation and asserted her own spiritual majesty. Thus was born the Plane of Dreams and the Planetar who rules it. Common Appearance Kaimelea favors no one aspect, though it’s commonly known that she is a female elf of lovely elegant stature. Because of her very nature, Kaimelea often comes in the guise of many forms, though it’s not unheard of for her to simply appear as a chimera of a vast array of creatures or people all put together. She might manifest as a female elf, human, dwarf, or cether, though its more likely that she will appear as an oddly combined animal such as a deer-horned monkey, a cat with dragon-like scales, a whale with bat wings and so forth. Her manifestations are always appropriate to the Dreamer she is visiting or the situation she is attending too. One universally common theme remains though. When Kaimelea appears in a humanoid form, she often appears in clothing that changes its hues and shades as she moves, and hair that seems outrageously off the standards in its coloring (bright azure, crimson red, forest green just to name a few…). Kaimelea, being a Planetar, does not normally use avatars or other disguises to appear. She also tends to take on a wispy ethereal appearance, and might even appear quite transparent. She often manifests Herself to Her followers in person rather than us an avatar. She holds a more close and personal relationship with her priests and priestesses than any other more commonly known God or Goddess. Due to this fact, Kaimelea often has a tight close-knit group of worshipers that work well together to promote Her goals. Organization of the Religion Kaimelea’s worship, since the onset of the prominence of The Church of Faith, has gone completely underground. Long gone are the bastions built in her honor where worshipers came together and dreamed. Now, isolated pockets of people still look to her for guidance and leadership. These followers are lead by the Waking Dreamers who are granted the ability to Dreamwalk with Kaimelea’s Grace. Oftentimes these individuals establish Reveries that act as support systems for extended groups of people that are related by blood, marriage, or friendship. Reveries then unite together to form Kindreds which are broader widespread organizations that follow Kaimelea’s Word. Multiple Reveries within a large community make up a single Kindred which often encompasses an entire city or province. Memberships to Reveries are often managed by the assent of the entire group… and the leaders of the individual Reveries often decide as a leadership council if new Reveries are allowed to join the greater Kindred. The Plane of Dreams The Plane of Dreams manifests differently for different people, but an overwhelming presence permeates the entire realm; this is the will of Kaimelea, Planetar of Dreams. Perception in the Plane of Dreams is ambiguous; though denizens have little difficulty knowing what is foreign to their reality, visitors and outsiders have a hard time differentiating between dreams and actuality, forever stuck in a limbo between sleep and awake, where a strange sensation of suspended reality hangs before them. At the heart of the Plane of Dreams is the river village of Reverie, named after the trance that seemingly befalls its fanciful inhabitants. The Material plain small groups of follower take its name from this village. Priests and Priestesses of Kaimelea are often ‘awakened’ and once they Dream Walk into The Plane of Dreams they learn a measure of ‘Dreamweaving’ that Kaimelea grants them for their faithfulness. This power allows them to move about and function within Her Realm. It does not translate back to the Material Realm, and hence has no effects therein. Dreamweaving allows Dreamers to manipulate the very fabric and landscape of the Dream Realm, and can often be used to either help or hurt visitors to this plane. Dreamweaving can also be used to draw outsiders into the Plane of Dreams. Life in the Plane of Dreams is not entirely benevolent, for Kaimelea is just as likely to punish those who oppose her with tormenting nightmares. Yet in recent times, Kaimelea has apparently made her peace with the multiverse, and has crafted her plane as an adventurer's retreat for rest and relaxation. Among planar travelers, the Plane of Dreams is a renowned vacation destination, but with a high price of admission. Those who are touched by the shores of Reverie are thought to be forever altered, their inner psyche touched by the powerful forces that drive She Who Opens the Eye's quest to guide the walking-dreamers to lead her followers into the future. Kaimelea’s Sacred Symbols The Dream Eye – This sacred eye symbol often has a long curved lines coming from it. Priests and Priestesses during rites often paint their eyes to mimic this very sacred symbol. Dreamcatcher - This symbol is often used hung over the location of someone’s resting place when they sleep. If blessed by a priestess of Kaimelea, it is rumored that Dreamcatchers filter out the nightmares sent by Risthal, protecting the sleeper and allowing only the dreams sent by Kaimelea to pass on to the sleeper. Dragonfly - This sacred creature is said to be the messenger of Kaimelea. If one whispers their secrets to such an iridescent-winged creature, the beast will take the message straight to the goddess herself. Some claim Kaimelea’s clothing is made of Dragonfly wings, thus giving it the shimmering iridescent ever changing color quality. Stars and Moons – Symbols of Sleep, the Stars and Moons also reflect Kaimelea’s Worship, and often her followers say that the stars themselves, if interconnected, would form a rainbow bridge straight to her realm. Clouds – Clouds often symbolize the changing and whimsical properties of the Plane of Dreams. Rites, Oaths, and Rituals While the Rites, Oaths, and Rituals of Kaimelea can vary greatly between Kindred to Kindred and even between Reverie to Reverie, some elements remain the same. These elements are called the Core to the Kaimelea’s Worship. The Core is listed below briefly next to the name of the Ritual. Dream Emersion (Cleansing) – This is the process by which a follower of Kaimelea bathes and cleanses themselves in preparation for communion with Her. Each Dream Emersion is different. DreamWalk (Dedication of Priestess/Priests) - This is where a priest or priestess of Kaimelea first learns to rip through the fabric of reality and pass into The Plane of Dreams. First Dream Ritual (Birth) - This ritual welcome’s the spirit of a Dreamer back to the Material from The Plane of Dreams where all devote followers of Kaimelea hope to go after death to reside full time. Last Dream Ritual (Death) – This ritual involves inurning the body of a Dreamer into the ground, and sending their spirit off for permanent residence in The Plane of Dreams. Reweaving (Healing) – While not a physical healing, this ritual is designed to help find ‘lost’ spirits who’ve become separated from their physical body normally by becoming lost in a Dream. Dream Identity (Naming) - Each Priest/ess or devote follower is given a name that they go by in the Plane of Dreams once they are successful in learning how to pass from the Material to Kaimelea’s Realm. Dream Oath of Kaimelea - Each follower is required to offer an oath to Kaimelea within the Plane of Dreams before they are truly accepted into the following. Sacrifice and Offerings - Appropriate offerings include Absinthe, Mushrooms, Hallucinogenic plants: The roots, stems, and leaves, Intoxicatingly scented flowers, exquisitely cooked food flavored with multiple seasonings layered in exotic flavors. Sacred Places – Sacred Places are often purified and dedicated to Kaimelea. These techniques vary widely but almost universally occur by the Priest or Priestess using Dreamsmoke in a censure to clear the space and open the participant’s awareness. Dreams First and foremost, Kaimelea always communicates with her followers via their dreams. In these dreams, she often manifests in her wispy dream form. Here are a few types. to be developed further More powerful dreams are often hand delivered by the Twin Senders of Dreams, if not Kaimelea Herself. These messages come in all forms, and are often to aid Her followers in tasks She wishes them to perform or duties She wishes them to oversee. Holidays and Holy Sites Each Kindred often pools its resources and erects a rather out of the way place for Kaimelea’s Followers to gather and worship. These sites take the form of temples (though very carefully disguised), caves, open-aired grottos, and other often strikingly beautiful locations. Each one is normally very unique and its location is heavily guarded. Meetings are often held once a cycle, with a formal ritual once a month in organized Kindreds or Reveries. Minions and Relatives Risthal – Kaimelea’s half-sister, The Planetar of Nightmares. The Plane of Dreams and Plane of Nightmares are actually multiple personalities of the same plane, designed to conquer/oppose the other one. And while Kaimelea can be cruel as well as giving, so too can Risthal, though her world is seemingly far darker than Kaimeleas. Often, followers of Kaimelea find an equal and opposite priest or priestess of Risthal and oppose them. Sometimes these dichotomous wars are waged silently and last for hundreds of years. Skavias - The Great Dragonfly. This creature is said to be Kaimelea’s personal companion and mount. Mother to all dragonflies, this creature appears as any number of species depending upon who sees her and what they hold inside themselves. Rhyax – The Great Dream Weaver. Another one of Kaimelea’s companions, Rhyax is an enormous delicate spider with an iridescent body. Her weavings are notoriously lovely and elaborate. It is said she spun the cloth of Kaimelea’s clothing. It is also said that her webs, when spun on the material, can show those that gaze into the morning dew that collect on them… images of the Plane of Dreams much like a scrying pool can for a mage. Divalat and Nivalas – The Twin High Priests of Kaimelea are the often called the Senders of Dreams. Though their parentage is unknown, much speculation surrounds the existence of these boys… namely that they are Kaimelea’s Sons, there is no actual proof of this relationship. These men are ruggedly handsome, and often appear in cloaks made of the same fabric as Kaimelea’s dresses. The youngest, Divalat, acts as the sender of Kaimelea’s well-wishes… he brings promotions and gifts. Firstborn Nivalas, on the other hand, handles Kaimelea’s darker aspects… her wrath and her curses. If one ever sees the twins together in one place, there’s bound to be incredible trouble. Facing them on their own, however, is daunting because the men are identical. One never knows exactly which one has manifested until the Dream they brought along comes on full force. Muse – The Whisper of Inspiration. While Muse has no true form, its voice is heard far and wide by artists, dreamers, builders, craftsman, and anyone in need of an inspiration. Ancient texts say that Muse is actually a will-o-wisp, and others say its form is simply that of the swirling fog seen around Kaimlea’s feet in Her Dreams. Regardless, Muse has and always will be Kaimelea’s Companion. Lavat – The Iridescent Serpent. Kaimelea’s favorite pet is a slender serpent that is often mistaken for a piece of jewelry encircling her throat. His iridescent scales cause him to blend into her clothing, adding to the impression that he is not indeed real. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Lavat is the gifter of erotic dreams. Much to Kaimelea’s amusement, one bite from his slender fangs are enough to send a victim deep into the heart of his or her deepest erotic fantasies. Champions and Notables … (need more info) Bases of Power There are no openly known bases of Power for Kaimelea. Partially this is due to the fact that Planetar worship is illegal. Also, the secretive nature of this religion causes even more obscurity of the bases of power. Rumor has it though, that Kindreds exist in Arakmat, in Port Alexandrya, Medonia, and The Fire Isles. Another rumor persists that Kaimelea’s priestess, the most powerful one in existence, is some sort of dragon called "The Sword Of Dreams" slumbering somewhere beneath the Lauryl Gracelands. Important Artifacts The Dreamer’s Eye - This is a circlet with a third eye held in the forehead position with the characteristic curving lines. This eye is neither a right nor left eye, but one perfectly centered. The colored portion of the eyeball is said to be made of a perfect blue sapphire. The Dreamer’s Eye circulates periodically, though is currently absent from the records. Its abilities are widely disputed, but most claim it allows the wearer to see directly into the Dream Plane without effort, and anyone wearing it can influence and manipulate the dreams of others. These manipulations can potentially heal the mind damaged, but they can also be devastating in the wrong hands. Priests and priestesses of Kaimelea often wear replicas of these circlets to honor this artifact. The Sword of Wakening - This sword acts as a blade that deals no damage. Instead it forces any awakened creature pierced by it to be forced out of the Dream Plane and kept from sleeping for 36 hours. Serious priests and priestesses of Kaimelea have developed a ritual that allows them to take a blade to the Plane of Dreams and enchant it via mysticism in a very special spell that replicates the effect of the original sword of waking (often on a dagger or other sort of blade) and return it to the Material Plane and have it function almost identically to The Sword of Waking. This is a level 3 mystical ability utilized by Waking Dreamers. The Staff of Dreams - This staff is made of three carved branches entwined with each other. Each branch is of a different type of wood. An intricately woven dream catcher marks the head of the staff and allows the bearer unrestricted movement between the Material Plane and the Plane of Dreams. Mystics who worship Kaimelea often use replicas of this staff for their staff of arcana.

[Gossamer]

This is the first in a series I'm planning on doing to flesh out The Gods and Goddesses of Aelyria. Feel free to comment the heck out of this, make suggestions, etc. There's lots of room for changes, additions, and tons of improvements.

[Kour'el Kha'Serith]

Just out of curiosity, does this mean that the story about her being an elf is actually canon now and that Risthal actually exists now? Before, the story of her being an elf was back story added later by Juan after the original paragraph and later proven false. Also, the GD had confirmed previously that Risthal doesn't exist and was suggested that Kaimelea was someone suffering from split personalities or something, or since, she is a neutral diety, she was just as likely too give a person bad dreams, as well as good. There is a discussion thread here that deals with those two points more, and there were several other places as well it was discussed that I am trying too find.

I suppose those are my first two questions/comments. I'll probably have more once I read the rest of the article.

[Gossamer]

Okay... so we have two conflicting stories. I knew that going into this. Basically I consulted Juan on this, and know the backstory about Michelle's wishes and not etc. We have two choices here... we can make Kaimelea a split personality, or we can make her be actually two Planetars, both half sisters, that want control over the same Plane.... which I think is far more interesting. I think the faucets of two different people (often mistaken for one) are easier roleplayed than a split personalities which is by and large far and wide too overdone. That doesn't make Risthal evil either and push Kaimelea into the good sphere.... because sometimes Nightmares are really good for us, can warn/protect/aid. They teach us caution. So that leaves two women, both powerful, but with the same magics, fighting for control over the same plane in an intense battle on the side.

Now, thats my thoughts on it and why I wrote this the way I did. Juan said he'd come comment. But if the group feels they want one Goddess, two aspects, I'm down with reverting back to that way of thinking.

[Gossamer]

This is one of the reasons I took on this project. We want some actual 'Canon' out there for the Gods/Goddesses. These sorts of debates need cleared up once and for all. I also believe the Directorate that overturned Risthal's existence did so when Juan wasn't around during a period where they were rejecting a lot of what the Creator was producing as Canon. This was probably not for the best of reasons.

[Kour'el Kha'Serith]

*shrugs*

I don't know that it's so much two stories, speaking from a position where I can't see what discussions or reasons the GD's had in their own private forums, so much as most of the past GD's agreeing that Risthal didn't exist, from old ones like Apop, Michelle, Caer on and telling people that's the way things were. I won't comment on why things were changed from what they were originally when introduced, just that many things in Alleria change from their original intention, most of all in the Worldforge.

Having Kaim start as an elf is fine, since most of the gods/planetars started as a mortal creature, ie Diana. As for bringing Risthal in as a real diety in her own right, that's fine as well, either having the pair of them, or the split personalities would make for interesting roleplay experiences for any of the players who choose her/them as their patron goddess. Perhaps one reason too explain the absence of Risthal in any lore sections, since she is only present in the one write up, is that Kaim gained the upper hand for a period of eras and purposely kept information from her sister/other self in an attempt too gain total control and now Risthal is free and restored too her true powers, and is now setting out too preach/gain followers/take control in her own fashion.

[Gossamer]

Perhaps one reason too explain the absence of Risthal in any lore sections, since she is only present in the one write up, is that Kaim gained the upper hand for a period of eras and purposely kept information from her sister/other self in an attempt too gain total control and now Risthal is free and restored too her true powers, and is now setting out too preach/gain followers/take control in her own fashion.

Great suggestion. I'm blatantly stealing it if you don't mind.

If anyone has any suggestions for Holidays that'd be great too. Also, is anyone aware of any NPC notables? I can pull from current threads to take some on, or just flesh some out but I'd like to use existing ones. I've deliberately excluded PCs from this list... I'm well aware that Parreyon should be listed.

[Veleraen]

I believe Parreyon has an NPC named Nimbralgra ? I'm not exactly sure what you would classify her as, a minion or a notable NPC, but yeah, might wanna ask Parreyon.

[Kour'el Kha'Serith]

Nope, I don't mind. Glad to help.

I believe Aderyn and Elle's twin babies NPCs were touched by Kaim, or something else, since Elle was pregnant when she had her thread with Eli, though they could be left out since they are tied too a PC.

[Parreyon Syndicus]

Nibralgaria ... she could be nothing more than a manifistation from Kaimelea to aid me in the real world. I actually know nothing about her. I have seen her in Unicorn form, great panther form, and Golden fur Pantheri. She was created by GM Heartbreaker but is currently controlled by GM Minerva. GM Minerva has eluded to Nim only being with me for a short period of time before having to return. She could be one of the minions transmorphed into a form Parr would accept, or simply be a notable for future use.

Goss I love this write up. It is detailed with things I never would have thought of.

A question I would have is in regard the the current write up in the deities area for Kaimelea. If she is at peace with the mutliversa and is used as a safe haven for weary adventures ... and we now have a planatar of nightmares who seems rather 'evil' ... shouldn't kaimelea be 'good' instead of 'nuetral'?

I like the idea of the dual planatars fighting over the Dream Plane better because those of us PCs involved with Kaimelea (and Risthal in the future) would have great RP opportunity compared to a split personality deity. I'm of no opinion regarding elf turned deity or how she came about, but I like this story

I see nothing in this write up that explains Kaimelea is also the Mistress of Mysticism and not just Dreams. Has it been left out or is this changing?

You're making me push up my write up for dreamweavers/walkers, entering the dream realm, manipulating the dream realm, etc.

[Gossamer]

Parreyon- Great feedback. This is why this is a very rough first draft. Catch me on MSN/Chat because I have something in the works in regards to Dreamwalking that you might need for your writeup.

NPC notables... I wondered if anyone had any Priests or Priestesses stashed throughout the game. I might need to just take this section out though, because I dont want to add PCs since they can be so transient, and everyone else can be covered. I know for Jorel's writeup (which is almost done), I have tons of Notables throughout the empire within various cities. Of course hes a full blown god and fairly popular.

I do not see Kaimelea as good. The reason being, once the Risthal writeup comes out you'll get another side of the story and sorta see whats going on there. What that means about you questioning this though is that we need to develop some of her further negative aspects. I tend to write things in good light without accessing the negative much. But perhaps under her alignment I need a blurb (and throughout the writeup) about why Kaimelea can be so bad.

Mysticism. Whoops.... I forgot? Glad you have my back there. I need a new section! *goes to write it*

Before you do your writeup about dreamwalking and waking dreamers (which some people claim are two different things), lets pow wow! I want to run something by you that I'm getting a converstation started in the Directorate about... it's underway now. It might inspire or horrify, but I want to see what you think.