completed Alyria, Dreamborn Druid

[Ayeba]

All the rolls!

Well, that's pretty crap. Total of 67 and not even a single high score, so I guess I'll go with the standard scores.

Edited May 11 by Ayeba (see edit history)

[Ayeba]

 

Alyria

Dreamborn Druid 1

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Age A little over a centuryDepends on when you are counting from	Height 1'1''
Weight 25 lb.	Size Tiny (Small)Fey Logic. Alyria appears tiny, but interacts with the world as if she is was small.
Culture Dreaming Wilds	Background: Exile

 

VITALS

HIT POINTS 10	HIT DICE 1 (1d8+2)
ARMOR CLASS 17 (Nature Skin + Shield)	SPEED 30 ft. 30 ft. Fly 30 ft. Climb 30 ft. Swim
MANEUVER DC 12	PERCEPTION 15 (passive)
IMMUNITIES None	INSIGHT 15 (Passive)
RESISTANCES None	VULNERABLE None

 

SKILLS & SAVES

STRENGTH 8 (-1) Athletics -1

Strength Save +1

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DEXTERITY 14 (+2) Acrobatics +2, Sleight of Hand +2, Stealth +2

Dexterity Save +2

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CONSTITUTION 14 (+2)

Constitution Save +2

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INTELLIGENCE 12 (+1) Arcana (+1d4 regarding fey) +3, Engineering +1, History +3, Investigation +1, Nature +3 (+1d4 regarding fey, +1d4 in Feywood), Religion +1

Intelligence Save +0

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WISDOM 16 (+3) Animal Handling +3, Culture +3, Insight +5, Medicine +3, Perception (+1d4 using scent) +5, Survival +5

Wisdom Save +5

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CHARISMA 10 (+0) Deception +0, Intimidation +0, Performance +0, Persuasion +0 (+1d4 with people away from their land of birth)

Charisma Save +0

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Bold denotes Proficiency

 

Proficiencies & Languages

Armor Light armor, Medium Armor, Shields as long as they are not made of metal
Weapons Blowguns, clubs, daggers, darts, javelins, maces, quarterstaffs, scimitars, scythes, sickles, slings, spears
Tools Flute, Herbalism kit 

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Languages Common, Sylvan, Druidic, Auran, Primordial

 

Archtype: None yet

Planned: Treespeaker

 

Equipment

• Dagger [1 lbs.] 2gp
• Medium wooden shield [8 lbs.] 20gp
• Focus Tattoo 75 gp
• Herbalism Kit [3 lbs.] 5 gp
• Healer's Satchel [3 lbs.] 5 gp
• Bandages (5) 0.5gp
• Backpack [5 lbs.] 2gp
• Bedroll [7 lbs.] 1gp
• Rations (4) [8 lbs.] 2gp
• Waterskin (2) [10 lbs.] 0.4gp
• Flute [1 lb.] 2gp

Maximum Supply: 8
Maximum Bulk: 0

 

Background: Exile

Connection. The Mistress; the Arch Dreamer that exiled Alyria from the Dreaming.

Memento. A simple wood ring carved by the brother of Christopher Wintergreen, the boy who later became Alyria.

 

Destiny: Metamorphosis

SOURCE OF INSPIRATION

Unburdening. In order to be accepted back into the Dreaming, Alyria needs to transform into an Arch Dreamer and carve out her own domain in the Dreaming. She gains inspiration whenever she makes sacrifices to attain new lore, contacts, or items that can aid her transformation.

INSPIRATION FEATURE

Unearthly Diplomacy. Alyria's unearthly aspirations grants her insights into the minds of even utterly alien beings. As an action, she may spend her inspiration to form a connection with a non-humanoid creature she can see that has a CR equal to or less than her level. She communicate freely, even if they do not share a language or the creature would be normally unable to speak. She has no control over a creature she connects with in this way but she gains an expertise die on checks made to influence it. The knowledge and awareness of a creature is limited by its intellect or perceptions, but most give her information about nearby locations, monsters in the area, and knowledge of whatever it perceived within the past day.
This connection lasts for up to 1 hour or until she uses an action to end it.

FULLFILLMENT FEATURE

Forever Changed. When you gain this feature, consult with the Narrator about the exact nature of your metamorphosis and if your adventurer would still choose to remain adventuring after transformation.

If your character would remain an adventurer, you may choose and become an appropriate creature with a CR equal to or lower than your class level –2 (as per the spell true polymorph, except that this transformation is permanent and cannot be dispelled.)

If your character would not remain an adventurer, you may use a portion of your new power however you see fit (as the wish spell) before ascending.

 

WEALTH

COIN POUCH

Copper: 0 | Silver: 1 | Electrum: 0 | Gold: 0 | Platinum: 0

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BANKED COIN

Copper: 0 | Silver: 0 | Electrum: 0 | Gold: 0 | Platinum: 0

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ITEMS OF VALUE (Gems, Art, Jewelry, etc.)

1.
2.
3.

 

MAGIC ITEMS

ATTUNED ITEMS (Maximum of 3)

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1. Focus Tattoo
2.
3.

NON-ATTUNED ITEMS

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1.
2.
3.

CONSUMABLES

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1.
2.
3.

 

COMBAT

Action Bonus Action Reaction

ATTACKS

Dagger (dual-wielding, finesse, simple) +4 to hit; reach 5 ft.; one target; 1d4+2 piercing damage.

Sling (range (30/120), simple) +4 to hit; 30/120 ft.; one target; 1d4+2 Bludgeoning damage.

 

SPELLCASTING

Caster Level 1 | Spell Casting Ability Wisdom | Spell Save DC 13 | Spell Attack +5

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CANTRIPS

 Guidance (V, S, M). The target may gain an expertise die to one ability check of its choice, ending the spell. The expertise die can be rolled before or after the ability check is made.

 Druidcraft (30 ft, V, S). You call upon your mastery of nature to produce one of the following effects within range:

• You create a minor, harmless sensory effect that lasts for 1 round and predicts the next 24 hours of weather in your current location. For example, the effect might create a miniature thunderhead if storms are predicted. 
• You instantly make a plant feature develop, but never to produce Supply. For example, you can cause a flower to bloom or a seed pod to open.
• You create an instantaneous, harmless sensory effect such as the sound of running water, birdsong, or the smell of mulch. The effect must fit in a 5-foot cube.
• You instantly ignite or extinguish a candle, torch, smoking pipe, or small campfire.

Acid Splash (60 ft, V, S). A stinking bubble of acid is conjured out of thin air to fly at the targets, dealing 1d6 acid damage. Dexterity negates.

This spell’s damage increases by 1d6 when you reach 5th level (2d6), 11th level (3d6), and 17th level (4d6).

 Produce Flame (Self, V, S, 10 minutes). You create a flame in your hand which lasts until the spell ends and does no harm to you or your equipment. The flame sheds bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet. 

The spell ends when you dismiss it, cast it again, or attack with the flame. As part of casting the spell or as an action on a following turn, you can fling the flame at a creature within 30 feet, making a ranged spell attack that deals 1d8 fire damage.

This spell’s damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).

---

1ST-LEVEL (2 Slots)

4 spells prepared

Entangle (V, S). Constraining plants erupt from the ground in the spell’s area, wrapping vines and tendrils around creatures. Until the spell ends, the area is difficult terrain .

A creature in the area when you cast the spell makes a Strength saving throw or it becomes restrained as the plants wrap around it. A creature restrained in this way can use its action to make a Strength check against your spell save DC, freeing itself on a success.

When the spell ends, the plants wither away.

Healing Word (V). Healing energy washes over the target and it regains hit points equal to 1d4 + your spellcasting modifier.

Beautify Creature (S, M). The creature is immediately and beautifully groomed, as if it had been lovingly attended to by a group of no less than 4 highly-skilled servants. Its clothing (if it has any) will be spotlessly clean with any minor damage mended and, at the creature’s option, it may also be festooned with ribbons, be perfumed, and have makeup, face paint, or body paint applied. If the creature desires, its hair, beard, fur, and/or feathers can be styled or cut by this spell. This spell can only provide the most basic of accessories, such as ribbons, simple hair pins, and the like, which disappear in 8 hours.

The creature gains an expertise die on all non-combat related Charisma (Persuasion) and Charisma (Performance) checks for the next 8 hours. The Narrator may declare this effect ends early if the creature is in a grueling fight, caught in severe weather, or endures any other that may compromise the grooming.

A truly unwilling creature can resist the spell, but few do; the experience is very pleasant and tailored to the target’s wishes and aesthetics, not the caster’s.

Speak with Animals (V, S, ritual). You call upon the secret lore of beasts and gain the ability to speak with them. Beasts have a different perspective of the world, and their knowledge and awareness is filtered through that perspective. At a minimum, beasts can tell you about nearby locations and monsters, including things they have recently perceived. At the Narrator’s discretion, you might be able to persuade a beast to perform a small favor for you.

 

Wild Shape

Soon...

 

FEATS & FEATURES

Fey Logic. Alyria appears tiny, but interacts with the world as if she is small.

Knack for the Unexpected. Once per short rest Alyra can add an expertise die (+1d4) to a skill check she's not proficient in.

Aversion. Alyria cannot willingly touch cats, come within 5 feet of them, or even use tools to manipulate them.

She can attempt a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw to ignore her aversion towards a particular cat — and anything similar within 30 feet of it — for one hour. If she fails, her turn ends and she cannot try to ignore that particular aversion for a day. However, if she or an ally is attacked in any way by a cat, she can freely ignore the repellant effect as though she had succeeded on her saving throw.

Flight. Alyria has a fly speed of 30 feet as long as she is no more than 10 feet off the ground. To use this speed, she can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor. Additionally, if she attempts to go higher, or if she has spent 3 full consecutive rounds flying, on her next turn she instead falls safely for 30 feet or until she touches the ground. All falling damage beyond 30 feet (if she exceeded her height restriction by flying over a cliff, for instance) is still calculated.

Nature Skin. Most of Alyria's body is made plant material with a tough exoskeleton beneath. Many attacks simply whiff through without causing her harm. Her AC is 13 + her Dexterity modifier when she isn't wearing armor. She can use a shield and retain this benefit.

 

EXPLORATION

Home on the Range. Alyria can move normally through non-magical difficult terrain in Feywood. Additionally, she gains an expertise die on Nature checks in Feywood.

Nature Provides. In nearly any natural landscape, Alyria does not require Supply each day of a journey. She can always find just enough food and drink to sustain her, so her only real concern is dying of boredom. This benefit can never provide Supply for others.

Likewise, once per day she can turn a rock, plant, or animal part into a mundane piece of survival gear or a tool kit worth up to 10 gold pieces, though this does not grant proficiency with the tool kit. It reverts to its original form after 24 hours or 10 minutes after the item leaves her possession, whichever comes first. She cannot produce Supply using this trait and must still provide the raw materials to craft an item.

Mountain Climber. Alyria gains a climbing speed equal to her Speed. She gains an expertise die on any Athletics checks made while climbing and she is also acclimated to high altitudes, including elevations above 20,000 feet. In addition, she ignores the effects of roughing it imposed by resting in rocky or uneven terrain.

Aquatic Delver. Alyria is at home in the depths, able to control her breathing and attune to the subtle movements of the water. She gains a swimming speed equal to her Speed and can add her Wisdom modifier to the number of minutes she can hold your breath before suffocating. In addition, while fully submerged in water she gains blindsight out to a range of 10 feet. 

 

SOCIAL

The Power of Words. If Alyria promises something to a creature, that creature intuitively senses that it can use a reaction to compel her to fulfill a promise she made to them as though they had cast suggestion . The DC to resist this is 10. Succeeding the save represents her devising a way to wiggle out of the promise. A given creature can only levy one such obligation per day.

Once she is 3rd level, she can cast suggestion once per long rest , but only on a creature that has agreed to the stated course of action in word or text. Your spellcasting ability for this spell is Wisdom.

Fellow Traveler. Alyria gains an expertise die on Persuasion checks against others who are away from their land of birth.

Adventures and Advancement. Alyria may occasionally meet others from her native land. Some may be friends, and some dire enemies; few will be indifferent to her. After a few such encounters, she may become the leader of a faction of exiles. Her followers include up to three NPCs of Challenge Rating ½ or less, such as scouts .

 

APPEARANCE

Alyria can easily be mistaken for a flower, and for good reason. Her plant-like features are her most prominent, though her insectile features are visible on her exposed legs. Underneath the petals, she has an exoskeleton similar to an insect.

Barely above a foot, she is easily dismissed as harmless, and that is mostly true. She prefers to avoid conflict whenever possible, though she is far from spineless -- figuratively speaking. If she witnesses bullying or abuse of power, she will not just idly watch, but take matters into her own hands. While she may flee from a danger if caught alone, she will not retreat if it means leaving behind someone defenseless or or that have offered her companionship.

Despite her appearances, Alyria is not entirely clueless about the society of humans. Her understanding is a bit naïve, but she's curious and eager to learn more. When it comes to the topic of the Dreaming, she is almost obsessed to learn more -- which might come off as strange, considering she is a Dreamborn herself.

 

BACKSTORY

A young boy, the fourth child in the Wintergreen family, once disappeared into the Wierwoods. Despite his family's best attempts he was never found again. The boy had been lured in by a Dreamborn, intending to turn him into a gremlin. But despite the fey's best attempt, the boy refused to accept its offer. Lysara revealed the fey's true nature and its motivations. The fey grew bored with the boy and left him to his own devices inside the Dreaming.

Various inhabitants of the Dreaming sought to tempt the boy, but the silver glow of the Luminous Sovereign shred their pretty illusions. Eventually, the boy gave in and took an offer to earn a new name. The fey responsible for the offer took not only his old name, but also his body away. She transformed him into a creature similar to herself; a mix of a plant and an insect, positively tiny in comparison to humans.

Since names have power in the Dreaming, the newly emerged fey came up with a fake name for itself: Alyria, named after a character in one of the books the boy used to love.

Alyria lived in the Dreaming for nearly a hundred years. The motivation to get back to the mortal world was gradually eroded, but as time passed, Alyria became increasingly comfortable with both her body and her place in the Dreaming. As such, it was truly a shock when she was exiled from the Dreaming, shunted back into the forest from where the boy disappeared. She sought out the mansion that the boy used to live in, only to find it decrepit and deserted.

Her goal is to return to the Dreaming; not as a figurative ant in the hierarchy, but as an Arch Dreamer herself. Only then can she carve out her own domain in the Dreaming and not be at the mercy of others.

 

 

ALLIES & ORGANIZATIONS

None yet. There may be descendants of the Wintergreen family still present somewhere, but it's an open question if Alyria would recognize them. Her family name has been truly erased from her mind.

In addition, it is possible she may run into other Dreamborn that are familiar with her.

 

FOLLOWERS & STRONGHOLDS

None.

 

Edited May 11 by Ayeba (see edit history)

[Ayeba]

Alyria, Dreamborn druid 1

Str 8 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 12 Wis 16 Cha 10
AC 17 HP 10/10 Init +2 PP 15
Spell Attack +5 DC 13 1st 2/2
Knack 1/1 Nature provides 1/1 Inspiration 1/1

Alyria looked disheartened. "Really?" Why is it so hard to get them to understand?

Mechanics Main Hand: - Off Hand: Shield Proficiencies: Arcana (Fey)/History/Nature (Fey & Feywood) +3 Insight/Perception (Scent)/Survival +5 Action: - Bonus Action: - Move: - Manipulate: -

Spells SPELLS PREPARED Cantrips: Guidance, Druidcraft, Acid Splash, Produce Flame 1st level: Entangle, Healing Word, Beautify Creature, Speak with Animals

Wild Shapes   None yet.

 

Edited Thursday at 12:10 PM by Ayeba (see edit history)

[Ayeba]

99 years ago

At a clearing in a forest, not too far away from the path, a forlorn boy sat on a treestub. His eyes were red from crying, and his clothes were dirty and crumpled. The tears had dried up, but he was still stewing in misery.

"Why do they always compare me to Glen?" he muttered to himself. He had a straw of grass in his hand which he tried to tear into as small pieces as possible, in a futile attempt to vent his frustration.

"What's on your mind, child?" A melodic voice startled him. He nearly fell off his seat in sheer surprise.

Somehow, someone had managed to sneak up being him. He turned to see a woman crouching down to his height. She was beautiful, way more beautiful than any woman he had seen in his life. Her fair skin was flawless, her green eyes gorgeous. She was dressed in an unfamiliar but fine-looking outfit; red with white lines, and there was not a speck of dirt on it. Her smile was alluring and inviting, but there was also something strange about it. She looked... hungry?

"Who hurt you?" The woman interrupted his thoughts.

"No one," he muttered. He had some apprehensions about the woman, but she seemed strangely trustworthy.

"Really? But I can tell you've been crying."

"It's nothing," he said weakly.

"Nothing? Don't tell me a delicious boy like you are crying for no reason? Come on, tell me all about it."

There was something strange about the description, but he couldn't put a finger on what. Regardless, he could use someone to complain to, and if this lady was willing to lend him av ear...

"My parents are always comparing me to me older brother, Glen," he explained, "and it's not fair! I know he is better than me. He's so much smarter, stronger than better than me, I know that. But why aren't they treating my sisters the same way? Mom never complains that they aren't as good as Glen."

"Oh, I understand," she said, stroking his hair. It was strangely soothing. "That's so unfair. You have all the right in the world to be angry at your brother."

"I'm not angry at him," he protested "He's great! I'm fed up with my parents!"

"Yes, of course. They have been very naughty. They don't deserve a fine treat like you."

Something was wrong, but at the same time, everything felt right. He felt so understood.

"What's your name, lady?"

"Oh, my. It's rather impolite to ask someone else if their name before introducing yourself."

"I apologize," he said and stood up so he could give a proper bow. "My name is Chris Wintergreen."

"Such manners. Well, Chris Wintergreen, how about I invite you to my home? It's not far away."

Go with the woman? He knew he had to be home soon, but he didn't want to face his parents again. At least not yet.

"You live near the forest?" he asked.

"In a manner of speaking."

She motioned for him to follow and started walking. But the direction was wrong; this was further into the forest, not towards the edge.

"Are you sure this is the right way?" he asked.

"Absolutely. I never lose my way. But before we continue, I have to ask one thing of you."

"What is it?"

"I have some... peculiar neighbors. Promise me that you follow me all the way to my home, regardless of what you see. In return, I promise you will be safe all the way to my home."

Strange neighbors? It sounded like she had her own struggles to deal with. Well, she gave her promise, and he didn't want to be impolite.

"I promise," he said.

"Magnificent," she grinned.

They walked further, and Chris was starting to get a bit uncomfortable. Suddenly, in the corner of his eye, he noticed something strange. A tail sticking out from behind the lady? But when he turned towards her, it was gone. Was he daydreaming?

"Excuse me, lady. I never got your name?"

"No, you didn't. You can call me Vixen."

"Like a female fox?"

"Yes, exactly like a female fox."

 

An indeterminate amount of time later

"Chris Wintergreen"

All manner of plants, creatures, terrain and indescribable features flew past. Or rather, he flew past them.

"Chris Wintergreen?"

He knew it was hopeless. No matter how fast or how far he dashed, it was impossible to get rid of them.

"Chris Wintergreen!"

They repeated his name again and again. It has already reached the point where hearing his name called out filled him with dread.

"Chris Wintergreen..."

It wasn't even his full name. He usually shortened it from Christopher. Something told him it was good that he did, because this would be even worse if they knew his full real name.

"Chris Wintergreen..."

He was slowing down, unable to keep up the pace. It was pointless anyway. The creatures would always catch up with him.

"Chris Wintergreen...?"

It was possible to get rid of them. He had realized that after a few of them gave up. But it was still hopeless; more creatures had joined in, more than replacing those that were lost.

"Chris Wintergreen!!"

He sat down, face towards a tree -- or something that probably was supposed to be a tree, if it hadn't been pink -- and put his hands on his ears to block out as much sound as possible.

"Chris Wintergreen."

The creatures surrounded him, repeating his name times and times again. The noise seeped past his feeble defenses.

"Chris Wintergreen?"

The blue moon was up. It shredded their pretty illusions and fake faces, and revealed their cruel and greedy smiles. He wasn't sure how, but he could also hear their lies clear as day. They all wanted him for their own purposes. To turn them into something horrible. He wasn't sure exactly what, only that it was something he would not appreciate. Maybe he wouldn't mind, because they would take away what made him him, leaving only a hollow shell. That's what many of the fey looked like under the moon's light.

"Chris Wintergreen! I can fulfill all of your dreams of being left alone..."

"Chris Wintergreen, listen to me. I can make your parents suffer..."

"Chris Wintergreen, I can show you a safe place..."

The worst part was that they all tempted him with something he actually wanted, except one thing. None of them would lead him back home, out of ... wherever he was. Their offers were genuine, but the moon revealed the hidden strings attached. The unsaid words in their offers.

But he was getting so worn out. How long had he been here? A week? More? Less? Time didn't make sense, and almost nothing was logical. Well, not logical in the usual sense. There was some strange logic to everything, the kind of dream logic that didn't make sense when you woke up.

"Chris Wintergreen, I have something tasty for you. I know you're hungry."

He was hungry. Why he hadn't starved to death, he had no idea.

"Chris Wintergreen. Let me cradle you in my arms."

A tempting offer, were it not for the fact that he knew who made it and how frightening the creature looked under the blue moon.

"Chris Wintergreen! I'll let you see your family again."

Like most of them, this offer had been given repeatedly. It hurt a lot to decline it the first time, but now he was just numb. The moon had reveled that the creature would hunt his family and bring them to him dead or dying.

"Chris Wintergreen..." "Chris Wintergreen..." "Chris Wintergreen..."

He did his best to ignore all their offers, but it felt like a losing battle. Like he was slowly drowning, and all his struggles would only delay the inevitable. He would have to accept one of their offers, sooner or later, and let himself be claimed. Vixen would be back again soon, and he wasn't sure he could resist her again.

"Chris Wintergreen. I can give you a new name."

The words barely stood out from the other offers, but once he heard them, he couldn't unhear them again. The offer was not without strings, but it was the lesser of all evils he had heard.

"YES," he shouted as he sprang to his feet, "I accept." He didn't even need to specify who he was talking to. The dream logic ensured that everyone understood who he answered.

The onslaught of offers stopped, and it was suddenly dead silent around him. They all looked towards the creature that had made the offer.

The creature appeared to be a human girl with flowers in her hair, until the light of the moon shone on her. Her true nature was revealed; a grotesque mix between a plant and an insect. It's head and forearms looked like a giant flying mantis. Numerous leaves grew from its back, and the hind legs were replaced by roots. At the back end, it had a closed flower bulb, where a hint of the white petals could be seen. For some reason, he could tell that it was a female.

Even if she lacked a human face, he could tell that the creature was surprised that its offer had been accepted. Not only that, from the other creatures, he could sense loathing, disappointment and derision.

"Very well. Come with me, boy, and I'll uphold my end of the deal."

The way she spat 'boy' was peculiar. Everyone else had up to this point called him by his name.

She motioned for him to follow, and he obliged. They walked a mere hundred steps, but the terrain rapidly changed in a way it hadn't even when he had run as long as he could. He had a feeling she was leading him out of the trap he had gotten stuck in.

The insectile girl walked up to a tree, and grabbed a handle that wasn't there before. She swung a door open, revealing a passage inside that was way larger than the tree the door was attached to. Chris follow her inside. After just a few steps, he found himself inside a cacophony of plants, surrounded with insectile/plant creatures similar to herself, only smaller.

"Uphold your end of the deal. Surrender your real name."

He could sense the power of this place enforcing her words. He was as much bound by the deal as she was. If he reenacted on the deal, he would surrender his soul to her.

"Christopher Wintergreen."

Just as the last syllable left his mouth, he felt confused. What did he just say? He couldn't recall the words. She asked for his name, but he couldn't for the life of his remember what it was.

"It is not cheap to grant a new name," the girl said, "But I am bound by my words. At the very least, knowing your real name allows me to make you one of us."

One of them? What did she mean? He felt a shudder down his spine.

She spoke a name; his new name. It was not made up of words, but rather, concepts. The smell of thistle in spring. The thundering sound of a raindrop hitting a petal. The exhilaration of a mantis catching its prey. Air swirling in spiral patterns.

Why was she suddenly taller than him? She was positively towering over him. No wait, everything else was larger too. Was he growing smaller? The moon was not in sight, he didn't know if this was real or an illusion.

And then he was swallowed. Something pressed in on him from all sides, forcing him into a fetal position. There was not even a hint of light, and all sounds were muffled.

"Grow well, small one. When you come out of the cocoon, you will be beautiful. Like us."

 

 

Now

Alyria stood in front of what remained of a large mansion. It was in terrible shape. While most of the building still stood, it was clear no one had lived there for a long time. Plants had started their reconquest of the area, and there were clear signs that animals were freely moving in and out of the open windows and rotted door.

"What happened?" she muttered, as a tear ran from her eye and fell on the ground.

She leaped into the air, floated in the air and landed where the main entrance was. Many of the pillars lining the path from the gate to the entrance still stood, but the statues top of them were all gone.

She entered the building, careful of any beasts that might have claimed this as their turf. With a quick invocation, a flame appeared in her hand, providing light to the dark interiors. She kept her eyes and ears open for any threat, as well as any explanation for what had happened.

There were no obvious hints that could explain the abandonment. All items of valuables had been stripped, up to and including carpets and curtains. There were some hints of conflict, but that might have happened after the place was abandoned.

This had been her home once. No, not true. This had been the home of the unnamed boy from her previous life. More than a lifetime ago. She barely recalled anything from his life. Only random bits and pieces remained, such as the time he hid his sister's stuffed bunny. The incident when he was wrongly accused of stealing a pie. A story his nanny read for him. But names and faces? All gone like dew before the sun.

How long had it been? She had spent so long trying to figure out how to get out of the dreaming. Never making trouble, always keeping her head low, learning by watching and listening. Gradually, over the years, her hopes of returning to get family had been eroded. But she had also gained something; a place familiar to her. A quirky family, of sorts. Friends. A home.

And then, not long after she had acclimated to her new home, she had been tossed out. Exiled from the Dreaming. The Mistress had deemed her unworthy; a disgrace to the Dreamborn. The reasons were vague, but Alyria could read between the lines; the archfey hated her after the episode with the child. The one that she managed to earn the trust of, and refused to take advantage of.

Alyria was not a real Dreamborn, she knew that. It wasn't exactly her choice. But the Dreaming was her home. She wanted to go back. But provided she even managed to find her way back to the Dreaming, she would still be at the mercy of the Mistress or whichever Arch Dreamer that ruled that part of the Dreaming.

No. There was only one way she could return securely. She was going to become an Arch Dreamer herself. And she was going to do it on her own premises.

Just one question: How? She needed information, knowledge. Allies would also be helpful. No, not allies; friends. She was not like the other Dreamborn; she would not take advantage of her allies. She would find companions that she could trust, and return to the Dreaming in triumph.

 

Edited May 11 by Ayeba (see edit history)

[Ayeba]

@bwatford I believe I'm ready. I have invented a term "Arch Dreamer", which is the Dreaming variant of Arch Fey.

[bwatford]

Thanks for the application @Ayeba and good luck in final selection.

I have marked Alyria as completed.