NightStalkers
These dreamers call themselves Nightstalkers.
Their mission is to rid the dream of the lesser mares.
They eat them.
Nocven Oneirsom, Rayven Morpheus, and Nadia Ivanov are the ones to appear so far.
Wishbringer and the Nighstalkers
by Sadara Sat Sep 12, 2020
This past week it has been very... very much active. One of the most interesting and troubling of these events is the Nightstalkers.
The Nighstalkers This was announced by Eldryck Venym via Citywide intercom from The Center. Several Dreamers, Zahra, Restel, Koriania, Severion, and Sadara were around in the Dream at this time and heard Eldryck's announcment. They decided to move to the Breach to gain more answers. Within the Temple of Elements, Eldryck appeared and announced to the Dreamers that Nighstalkers were arriving within the City Saturday. All the while congratulating Sadara for helping in bringing the Nighstalker into the City, through Wishbringer's Darkmare phase.
After some discussion soon after Eldryck left, there was a Datoken attack, as well as an interesting ordeal. Wishbringer was sensed in the Dark Awakening fighting the mares.
After a brief battle with Magdish, Wishbringer and many other Dreamers decided to head to his Sanctuary on the Basin. After a small discussion and some observation, Sadara gave Wishbringer a vial of Dreamsoul. Wishbringer instantly collapsed.
On 9/12 two Nightstalkers that came out of Wishbringer through his mouth in the Lower Umbric Sewer, Rayvn Morpheus, and Nocven Oneirsom. They are immortal, they cannot be hurt, and they eat mares. All of them Lesser, Dark, Datoken. Their immortality is seen to be from what Eldryck has said, from their not attacking Dreamers. Only eating Mares. He stated, "Let them feast, they will do you no harm. If they lift a finger to harm you, they sacrifice their own immortality. A risk they will not take." They seem to not really pose a threat to Dreamers, however if they keep consuming at this rate us as a City will fall. All Mares will be gone and we wont have any energy for our primes, the Dream itsself will collapse as the overwhelming Chaos will be quenched. That is just a theory, however we dont know what could happen if the Mares all go extinct.
Wishbringer also is still seemingly missing. However During the feast of the two Nightstalkers, Koriania and Sadara heard from Rayvn's mouth the cries of Wishbringer: >WishBringer's voice pours out of Ravyn's lips, "HELP!" >Ravyn Morpheus punches himself in the side of the cheek, closing his jaws -{S}
UPDATE: Wishbringer has been found safe in his Sanctuary on the Basin. He appears to be feeling better and acting himself. With a loss of memory. -{S} The Matronette Protector of the Conclave The Restorator -{S}
The NightStalkers
The news came to us in pieces - something was coming to the city. On Wednesday 9 September, Eldryck Venym gave them a name. He stood in the Center of the city, near the Heart, and warned us to be ready. He told use that The Nightstalkers would arrive. He even provided the date. He promised that they would cleanse the city. That Saturday, Eldryck's statement proved to be correct.. Two brothers - Ravyn Morphus and Nocven Oneirsom arrived in a bloody crossing through the bridge Eldryck had prepared - WishBringer. They appeared as dreamers do, albeit with some disturbing tendencies.
Claiming to be immortal, the brothers had no interest in conversing with the dreamers present. Instead they left for the Lost Caves declaring their intent to hunt - and to feed. The brothers relished in the hunt, and in the kill; the dreamers attempts to harm the Nightstalkers themselves bore no fruit. Neither chakram nor arts affected either brother.
A few days later, the brothers were joined by another - Nadia Ivanov. Her arrival was a simple affair, and her demeanor was more controlled.
In the days since, their hunting has led to the complete disappearance of all mares on four of the eight outer planes; the Lost Caves, the Cenotaph of Dread, the Chasm of Souls, and the Ossuary of Dread. For the loss of the mares on each plane, the city shook as the balance shifted.
On Tuesday, 15 September, Kanto led several dreamers in a ritual to create fixed poles that release a regenerative stream of Dreamsoul. Dreamers placed these poles through out the Cairn of Sorrow and in a few other hunting spots hoping that the dreamsoul would infuse with the mares and negatively affect the Nightstalkers.
Additional attempts were made in other areas as well. A concoction of pure dreamsoul made invisible and infused with the oil of Harrow leaves to hide the scent was injected by needle into each mare in Harrow.
However, the Nightstalkers have not been seen since these endeavors.
The Nightstalkers... Alive?
by Sadara » Thu Mar 11, 2021
An image appears within the plum book that lays on the ground. Though blurry, sound can be heard:
Sadara says, "Nocven!"
Nocven Oneirsom says, "What."
Sadara says, "I want to speak with you... about Ravyn. I know that is who you are looking for."
Nocven says, "Do you know where he is?"
Sadara says, "Can I see you..."
Nocven says, "I am not in your realm of view."
"Rayvn was killed."
"He can not be."
"Novcen... I saw it with my own eyes. Right here in Thresh. Ravyn attacked one of the Dreamers. And Eldryck dreamstruck him."
"Hoax. Illusion. He can not die. This is not so."
"It was not an illusion this time... Nocven.." Sadara looks down sadly at the tile. " I am sorry." Nocven says, "Its not possible. Death is not something we are familiar with, it doesnt happen. Ravyn did not die."
Nocven then begins to explain, "Let me explain something to you. We are immortal, because we have no soul. So there could not, have been a Soul Essence as you describe. Do you bleed?" Sadara nods gently. " We do not. We have no blood."
Sadara says, "So... what would happen if Rayvn were to get Dreamstruck? Would he.. be able to come back?"
Nocven says, "If he chose to, because it couldnt have landed. Precision illusions."
Sadara says, "What if I told you I have his Soul Essence?"
"It contains no soul."
"What does it contain...?"
"Nothing."
Pure Rage, and North Wind enter into the Lost Caves and join the conversation at this point.
Nocven says, "Do you trust me for a moment Sadara. Just a single moment." Sadara nods. Sadara feels a bite on her shoulder and screams aloud as she sees blood trickling down her arm from two small holes.
Nocven says, "Now abjure me."
Rage says, "So you trust us, then. Because now you're vulnerable."
Nocven says, "And even now, as you could attack me, I could be defeated yes. But I can not be killed."
Sadara says, "Is there a chance that... Rayvn can be... summoned or resummoned with the Soul Essence?"
Nocven says, "That is like asking if a bird can be summoned or resummoned from an empty egg shell."
Sadara nods to Nocven, "Is there a chance that you can summon him?"
Nocven says, "If I could summon him. I would have already. He is likely stuck in a conduit again."
Rage says, "So he's claimed, many times. But he was Struck and hasn't been seen since, nor have his pet mares, that I'm aware of."
Nocven says, "Is the conduit Bladeslayer still around?"
Rage says, "From time to time."
Nocven says, "Then Ravyn still exists."
Rage says, "Ah...well then. He must be stuck inside Blade. Would explain his outburst, last we saw him."
Nocven explains, "Ravyn was using Bladeslayer, if Bladeslayer is still around, and he has been seen after this "event" involving my brother, then Ravyn is as I said, not dead. Ravyn uses illusions of dreamers quite regularly. Its how he toys with inhabitants of these Citys. Foolish really."
Sadara brushes her hair behind her ear, "There was like 5 Ironies..."
Nocven says, "This is all Ravyn's doing. He is not dead. I need to find Bladeslayer so I can remove my brother from within."
North says, "So Edlryck is going to die and he didnt even kill Ravyn? Lame.
Sadara says, "Not on my watch..." and winks to North. -{S}
The Glimpse - Bringer Stories
by Koi-Wish » Fri Mar 12, 2021
Entry 1:
WishBringer chuckles a bit staring at the ground.
“I certainly hope no one comes and wanders what this is?”, he laughs a bit despite of himself.
Before him on the ground, his eyes trace the path where he had been pacing back and forth for what felt like an eternity, but certainly couldn’t have been all day, was it? The ground seemed to say so, the path grooved in like a well-worn animal path heading to a bed of water, but no water was at either end.
WishBringer lets out a deep sigh and looks up the mountain path. “Why doesn’t she know I am here?”, he thinks to himself as a sigh escapes him yet again, deeper each time. His brow furrows as he looks up the path yet gain through the Illapse. This time he turns to go up it, the thousandth time, his foot nearly lifts to go forward, but he turns again and continues down the worn-down path.
He evokes his art to locate others and his mind informs him yet again what he already knew. She is there, atop the mountain at that fateful house.
He lifts his hand and smiles as he breathes in the fragrance of the flower he carries, a single tear strolls down his face, its path also known, as a cumulation of tears rests on his garment, the spot glistening in the sunlight. He sighs, as he looks at the petals starting to sag, “I have to get her another one” He tosses the flower to the side and heads out through a side portal, knowing he will return shortly to pace. He turns one last time to look up the path before entering the portal, this time his eyes catch the hundreds of flowers he has now tossed wilted all along his route.
The previous Night Rose just tossed, hits the ground as his shadow fades through the portal, its petals mystical and resolute. A spot sparkles on single petal where a tear drop fell upon it just seconds before, but it dries and blends in with the many others within seconds. And for another short window, the valley well below the summit of Mt. Illapse is empty save for a graveyard of flowers that fill the air with a fragrance like no other. He breathes in sharply, his body shakes as he weeps on his journey to pluck another.
“I will wait for forever” his voice weak with sorrow, “I have to, I must.” “I love you.”, and with that he his confidence lifts and he moves forward….. again.
Hours pass and still he doesn’t return, the rose’s once wilting ends now twist and turn, their broken stem base growing, reaching, and splitting digging into the soil. They stand up right, wilt completely gone, they bloom fully and reach for the sky. A light wind blows by and the fragrance jumps on board the swirling wind.
Silence then settles in, a single petal falls.
Entry 2:
Nocven gasps for breath as his head reaches the surface.
“What a pathetic need,”, he states to himself as his breath calms, “Fragile as they are, no wonder they think he is dead.”
Around him the chaos pool spins; the deep blackness and stars swirl like a vortex around his central figure as he rises up from the pool. He trenches his way out of the chaos, and into the muck of the sewers and up onto the bridge before wiping himself off. A beast greets him and his eyes glisten for a moment as the creature barrels down on him. “Breakfast.” he states and his claws spring forth.
The bogrom itself winces in momentary terror as the claws pierce through its flesh, its internals exposed looking eerily similar to the chaos pool before turning to blood and bone. Nocven’s mouth flares open, stretching like a snake around the head of the bogrom. The Nightstalker proceeds to push and press the entirety of the bogrom into its mouth, as the flesh passes the razor sharp teeth its shreds and bleeds out spraying blood and material across the bridge.
Moments later it is gone.
Nocven takes a seat on the bridge and grins toothily in earnest, “Now lets see what we can do with this body.” He begins gesticulating with his hands and various cones of color erupt from one hand down to the other, he focused on himself a few times and feels protected, feels his body more limber and even blinks as his vision improves. “Interesting” he states as he flings out a fireball from his palm. “Time for more learning later, I must find him” he stands firmly and head out through a nearby portal.
The passageways twist and turn, with various portals and changes in scenery. He evokes a cone between his hands, “Hmm, the mountain.” He pauses a moment as if trying to reflect on a distant memory before proceeding. As he passes through portals, small creatures come at him and he bats them away with a flick of the wrist, “Time enough for you later.” At the base of the mount he comes across a field of flowers. He suppressed a gag as he makes his way through them, he pauses though, as a single petal on the ground draws his attention. He picks it up, and hold it to his nose, his eyes glimmer as he attempts to focus in on the connection, dissatisfied he places the petal in a satchel at his side and continues up the mountain.
He reaches the house atop the mountain and a being of this place stands, “Do you know?” he bellows and the hapless being reacts immediately crying out, “Not again! Oh heaven, not again!” A larger being hears her cries and says “What?” Nocven turns away, ‘I am not ready to challenge them’, he thinks to himself. ‘I can feel him, where he was last’ and races back down the mountain back towards the sewers. He pauses at the sewers and turns towards some caves his eyes focused on the entry. ‘Here’, this thoughts focus. The large being shows up, weapons drawn, “Know what” he doesn’t hesitate. Nocven narrows his eyes and focuses on the being, his mind pulling out his name, ‘PuRe RaGe’ “Where is my brother?” he states simply. PuRe RaGe responds back, “Who is your brother?” “Rayvn, he was station here”, he replies reading the others face. PuRe RaGe’s face shows no emotion as he states, “He was killed by Eldryck, defending WishBringer. Dreamstruck. Felled.” Nocven watch’s the heart beat along RaGe’s neck trying to pick up changes in pulse, “Dreamstruck. He can not be Dreamstruck. He can’t be harmed in any way” PuRe Rage shrugs. Nocven proceeds, “Your trivial arts mean nothing to the immortal” RaGe replies, “His soul essence was on the floor along with his essence, it happened here, even” Nocven sighs, “Hoax. Fabrications. Where is he?” PuRe RaGe replies “Probably abandoned his station then.” Nocven shakes his head, “Foolishness.” and moves past the man in earnest.
Nocven leaps up and takes to the sky, he pauses a moment after a few feet into the night sky, his brows furrowing. He reaches into the satchel and pulls out the petal. He looks at it closely.
“WishBringer you say?” he shakes his head.
“Lets see what he has to say” he turns and looks across the dreamscape, and sensing his target, he heads towards the Basin.
Entry 3
Nocven soars across the dreamscape back past the mountain, he pauses to get his baring’s, to focus in on where he is.
Various beings pour onto the mountain path where he flies overhead. He sighs and intends to ignore them, but not before focusing in and pulling out their names one by one just in case. A ball of flame hits him in the side a few times, from varying directions. His skin gets charred but feels no immediate pain or sensation of real suffering, satisfied he replies, “There is no need for aggression, I will not retaliation.”
The one he notes as Harkyn hollers out, “I was just pointing where ye were!” Nocven shakes his head and lowers himself to be more visible to those below him. “My brother Ravyn is not subject to your laws and rules of pain and anguish. Where is he?” he states. Harkyn responds, “Maybe ye should go talk with Wishbringer then?” Nocven pauses, ‘That name again’ “Who among you is this Wishbringer?” he looks to those below. “He is in threshold” a voice calls out. “He is in thresh” hollers another. Harkyn shouts, “Wishbringer, get up here and talk to this guy!”
Nocven heads towards the threshold. As he enters through a portal his target stands before him. “Where is my brother?” WishBringer glances back at “I am sorry?” “Where is my brother, Ravyn?” Nocven retorts. “He got struck” WishBringer says matter of factly. Nocven shakes his head, “This can not be, he is immortal.” WishBringer pauses before saying “Well apparently if one of your kind decides to make physical attacks, you become susceptible to attack and your immortality is in jeopardy right?” Nocven shakes his head, ‘this is what they believe’, and responds, “He is not a fool” Nocven considers for a moment, ‘Not yet, I am not fully ready’ his thinks. Nocven looks at WishBringer, his eyes squinting his mind assessing, “I will pick up the trail.” The Nightstalker turns and head back towards the portal.
“Should I let them know?” he says out loud as he heads back towards the caves. He nods to himself. He stands in the Caves and waits. Sadara shows up and he grins to himself, ‘She will do.’
Entry 4:
"Nocven!" Sadara's voice rings out into the Caves. "Nocven! I want to talk to you" she screams again. Nocven's voice but no seen entity calls out from the shadows, "What do you want?" Sadara reigns in, and her nervousness causes her to tense up before feigning relaxation. "I want to speak to you about Ravyn" she says quickly. "Do you know where he is?" Nocven's voice lowers but inquires. Sadara looks around for the location of the voice, "Can I see you?" Nocven's voice still low and steady, "I am not within your realm of view." Sadara considers for a moment but continues, "Ravyn was killed. I saw it with my own eyes. Right here. Ravyn attacked one of the dreamers and the Eldryck dreamstruck him." "Hoax. Illusion. He can not die." Nocven retorts, "This is not so." Sadara's voice calmly responds, "It was not an illusion this time... Nocven" Sadara looks down at the caves floor, "I am sorry" Sadara pauses before going on, "I learned something else as well, Eldryck" she pauses, "He is my brother. And for killing Ravyn he soon will be killed as well." Nocven's voice rises slightly, "Death is not something we are very familiar with, it does not happen!" and with firm tone, "Ravyn did not die!" Sadara's voice nearly pleads, "Nocven, I am certain of it" She continues, "There were eye witnesses, many other dreamers were here saw! Nocven his very Soul Essence fell where he was dropp..." "Your name is?" Nocven interupts. Shaken for a moment she gives pause, "My name.... its Sadara" PuRe RaGe enters the caves and cautiously stands next to Sadara looking about and around for the source of her conversation. "Let me explain something to you, Sadara. We are immortal, because we have no soul. So there could not have been this Soul Essence" The sound of larges wings descending and bits of dirt and rocks scatter as an unseen figure lands in the middle of the Lost Caves followed by Nocven's voice, "Do you bleed?" Sadara nods gently towards the spot where it appeared something may have landed. "We do not. We have no blood. Anything you saw would have been precision illusion, nothing more. Our forms are not as your eyes see them" Sadara listens, "But the Soul Essence, it has to contain something... its hefty. It looks real. Feels real. Even has all the proper strength" PuRe RaGe speaks up, "Perhaps you show it to him. I watched Trish Pawn retrie...." RaGe grunts as Nocven interupts him, "Do you trust me a moment, Sadara?" Sadara looks to PuRe RaGe a moment, he nods, and she replies "Sure?" A brisk wind blows by Sadara, as she reaches to cover her eyes she stops suddenly as a two holes poke into her shoulder and blood begins to trickle out. She grits her teeth but makes no noise. "Now abjure me" Nocven states. Sadara lifts her arm weakly and evokes. Nocven's form appears directly in front of her. She tilts her head, "Oh, there you are, but did you have to bite me?" Nocven's mouth curls up briefly, "Its the only way you would have been able to abjure me." Sadara looks over her shoulder and brings her hand over the wound, suddenly her hand glowing a bright emerald. PuRe RaGe his hand gripping a chakram, "So you trust us then, because now you're vulnerable. Or, as you said, you don't care. I'm not sure which." Nocven turns towards RaGe and glances at the chakram, "Even now, you could attack me. I could be defeated, yes." he pauses catching RaGe's eye, "But I can not be killed" "This is a dream, illusion and what is reality are something used quite regularly, especially by Ravyn, its how he entertains himself with local inhabitants" Sadara brusher her hair behind her ear, "There were like 5 Ironie II's and other doppelgangars in the City" Nocven lowers his head a moment, as if remembering, "Illusions, figments. This is all Ravyn's doing" RaGe speaks up, "BladeSlayer, he went in to the chaos to fight Ravyn and came out all chaotic and new pet mares attacking the City as well" Nocven inquires "BladeSlayer then, perhaps he is the new conduit" RaGe continues, tapping his chin "Kruugaar. Ah... well then, he must be stuck inside Bladeslayer. Would explain his outburst, last we saw him" Nocven questions, "When did Ravyn supposedly die?" RaGe responds, "A couple of weeks ago, perhaps closer to three" Nocven then suggests, "If Bladeslayer is still around, these pet mares and doppelgangers? Then as I said, Ravyn is not dead." Sadara steps forward, "So Eldryck is going to die, and he didnt even kill Ravyn!" Nocven turns away to hide his small grin, "I do not know this Eldryck" Sadara huffs and speaks firmly, "Not on my watch!" Nocven breaths in deeply and turns back to them, "I will need to find Bladeslayer and retrieve my brother from within" Nocven turns away and heads towards a solid rock face, his eyes hidden to the dreamers turn to swirls of chaos, his smile firm just as he passes through the rock and disappears from view.
Nocven turns and looks into the open caves through the rock walls at the small gathering of dreamers at the caves entrance. "Fools. Chaos reigns." he chuckles quietly, and turns away again.
