These people are rare and incredibly skilled Dreamwalkers who exhibit unusual finesse and control in the World of Dreams, able to affect its very substance and access other dimensions and worlds. It appears to be a talent connected to the soul, and reappears in every cycle of that individual’s rebirth, though in some cases may remain latent or simply undiscovered. What causes this uncanny connection is unknown; it’s possible these individuals have a permanent and specific link to Tel’aran’rhiod.
Such is the rareness of the gift, only four souls may be spun into the Pattern at any one time. In some mythologies they are linked to fixed points, such as compass direction or the turn of season. To those with talents of perception, they may be sensed in the Pattern.
The fullness of the gift is only harnessed with two such souls working in tandem. Together they can create folds in the Dream to house permanent structures, and hide, destroy, and protect them at will.
In some Ages these people are known by titles, such as in the Age of Legends when Asristin Kyrineas Somneus was known simply as the Architect. In others they may be recognised only as exceptional Dreamwalkers, their differences never really understood, such as in the 3rd Age when such talents laid dormant for much of the Age. In some Ages and pantheons, the knowledge is forbidden entirely.
Rogue Dreamweavers can be very dangerous, and are usually dealt with harshly by their societies due to the potential structural damage they can do to the Dreamworld and adjacent worlds. This was seen in the early parts of the 5th Age, when the rebellious angel Azazel was punished severely for fear of the danger he presented.
Dreamweavers in the 1st Age
Dreamweavers in other Ages
2nd Age
In this Age dreamweavers are not fully understood, considered only as exceptional dreamwalkers, and recognised instead by titles.
3rd Age
Dreamwalking itself is lost for most of this Age, resurfacing only at its end. Though the Forsaken Eshamir understands their value in aiding the Dark One, the dreamweavers themselves never discover their gifts.
4th Age
5th Age
Amongst the Watchers, activity in Tel’aran’rhiod is greatly controlled and the mythology of dreamweavers is feared. Amongst the Taras it is encouraged. Due to a bargain made between Samyaza and the Taras, these dreamweavers never meet to discover their full talent.
6th Age
In this Age the dreamworld is ruled by Morpheus
7th Age
The dreamworld mostly remains dormant in this Age, recovering from the damages of Ragnarok. If any dreamweavers are born to this Age, they remain ignorant of their gift.
Abilities
Infinity Spaces
Dreamweavers have a deeper than usual perception of Tel’aran’rhiod. As a world with connections to all possibilities and other worlds, it naturally houses many untapped spaces within it. Dreamweavers may perceive and access these permanent spaces, and the most skilled can create bridges to allow entry to other Dreamers. They can also cut off or hide these bridges if they so choose.
An Infinity Space itself is formed in the minuscule gap between the threads of the Pattern. As such the space within it is infinite, and not bound by the normal rules of Tel’aran’rhiod. They are rare and exist in finite number, and are only able to be discovered by those with the Dreamweaving talent.
- The Gap of Infinity exists between the Waking and Dreaming worlds, and is the membrane that exists between all worlds,
- The Crevice is a sickle-shaped space that exists at the edge of the Gap of Infinity, and was discovered and controlled by Morpheus and his other rebirths.
Pockets
By working in tandem, Dreamweavers may create pockets of permanent space within the Dreamworld by folding or creating a wrinkle in the Pattern. Within these spaces they may create amazing things.
Such spaces can have various functions, and have been used for many things over the Ages. The grove in which the Arboreal Tuuru exists and was discovered in the 1st Age is one such space. The pockets through which the dreadlord Arikan almost brought down the White Tower in the 3rd Age is another.
Permanent pockets, once hidden, may only be discovered by a dreamweaver. However, if they have been left “open” they can be accessed by anyone who can walk the dreamworld.
Temporary Pockets
Alone a Dreamweaver may create temporary pockets of space in Tel’aran’rhiod. It is essentially folding the Dream to create a wrinkle in its pattern, however without another Dreamweaver to aid the creation, the effect is temporary. The environment dissipates when the owner leaves or wakes, or can collapse if their link to it is compromised (through lack of focus, or real world injury for example). Because a temporary pocket requires effort to maintain, a Dreamweaver may exert influence over those inside, since he or she is already enforcing will.
It is essentially similar to the way a skilled Dreamwalker may create a dreamshard, which is a blend of one’s own dream and Tel’aran’rhiod. Dreamshards usually reflect the real world and can be mistaken for it.
The main difference between dreamshards and pockets is the method used to create them.
Threads of Time
A dreamweaver may pull upon the threads of history, and temporarily create visions of the past. Nimeda demonstrated the skill unknowingly when she showed Noctua a Tārā sanctuary from the 5th Age.
Other Worlds
If they become aware of them, Dreamweavers may communicate with and travel to other worlds. They may also take other Dreamwalkers on the journey if they wish, or can create permanent bridges that any Dreamwalker may then use. The most infamous example of this is the Norse Bifrost from the 6th Age.
Vortex
A term used to refer to a specific type of dreamweaver, one who uses their ability to destroy rather than to create, but can also refer to an effect. Vortexes are dangerous and destructive, destroying or damaging the pattern of the dreamworld itself, necessitating repair.
The most infamous example of a Vortex was Fenrir in the 6th Age, owing to the corrupted nature of his thread that blended both wolfkin and troll attributes.
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