The Dreameater
General Information;
A very specialized humanoid species, dreameaters are a race that feeds off of the negative energy created when one experiences a nightmare. They are refined into breeding fear with a power over illusions that rivals that of the kitsune, effectively bringing those fears to life.
Statistics;
Name:: Dreameater
Average Lifespan:: 250 years
Average Height:: 6ft/1.8m.
Average Weight:: 100 pounds
Location Found:: Abroad.
*all statistics based on averages; extremes in any direction, or found in odd locations, are always allowed.
Notes;
Diet This is what this species, and any variants, may eat at any given time.
Common:
nightmares.
Uncommon:
other dream energy.
Rare:
fear.
Overview:
Dreameaters, as their name implies, feed off of dream energy; particularly, the energy of nightmares. They can make do with other dreams, though by comparison such dreams offer nourishment bereft of flavor and pleasure. Barring all else, strong dreameaters can siphon energy from fear within victims who are awake, though this is a difficult way to feed for even the strongest. They cannot, despite their relatively human appearance, subsist on traditional foods at all.
Credits;
Species info credited to Verridith, Fyfergrund, Icarusa, and Firefly.
In-Depth Information;
Appearance The dreameater typically looks very young, rarely exceeding the age of a teenager in appearance. All are humanoids, and can appear anywhere from human to elven in physical features, though their own traits are still readily apparent. They are unnaturally thin and have a light, faded hair color, with oddly colored eyes that are usually in shades of violet and pink. Most dreameaters dress in clothing that is dark in color or otherwise nondescript. They will never wear armor, relying instead on manipulation of others for their protection.
Culture Many dreameaters are vain and cruel. When feeding on dream energy or fear, they are merciless and brutal, as well as manipulative to the extreme. Though dreameaters are sometimes uncaring or sharp of tongue, they are exceedingly loyal to those they develop a bond with. Dreameaters choose to bestow their favor on only a few people, but they will do anything to please them. Few things are more powerful than a dreameater's affection, though they share the same dedication in the pursuit of their prey. Able to charm their victims and render them helpless, they lure them with a mixture of physical charm and illusionary manipulation.
Dreameaters are mostly solitary creatures, traveling to prevent suspicion among their victims. However, some dreameaters band together, and these small tribes have a rich culture. Honor is a highly valued trait. It is a disgrace for a dreameater to wear armor, as they value the mind above the body. Wearing armor would indicate an inability to defend oneself with the mind alone. Young dreameaters are brought up as strong solitary hunters, but they celebrate their achievements with the whole of their tribe. Some tribes choose to stay in one place, which soon becomes known as haunted when people disappear to be kept as food for the dreameaters.
Dreameater victims are often highly valued, although manipulated, individuals. In tribes, victims do all the physical labor, but are also given only the best meals and housings. Dreameater victims live in lavish nightmares, given everything they want alongside everything they fear. Sometimes the prey dreameaters take in become guardians and mentors for dreameater children, protecting the fragile beings from any harm. Over time, a dreameater's victim develops the same obsession with their captor as a dreameater does with the chosen few it is close to. The bond is much like addiction, and the strength of the feeling largely depends on the person's willpower and the cruelty of the dreameater. The kinder, or more manipulative, dreameaters can amass a small army of captives, who obey their wishes at the cost of life and limb. Dreameaters care for their captives too - after all, they are their food source. Higher status dreameaters have the most captives, who they dress in finery that displays their wealth. Cloths and textiles are a particular talent of the dreameaters, who love to weave silk into complex patterns.
Abilities As a whole, dreameaters feed off of dream-saturated reiatsu, the memory and thought that weaves images while an individual sleeps. The taste of a dream has been linked to the amount of fear and pain inside of it - sweet, happy dreams are quite sour, while nightmares are very succulent and desirable. As well as eating away at the mind of their victims, they can see their fears and bring them to life using illusions, wielding terror as a weapon in itself. Dreameaters are also able to teleport, a strong ability that they use to protect themselves from harm. Most, if not all, dreameaters are physically weak, if mentally strong, a trait they do not share with their souleater cousins. Though this may seem trivial compared to their strong abilities, it is no small obstacle. Dreameaters often fall ill and major wounds are assured to be fatal without the assistance of a skilled healer. Their bones can be broken in a single blow from a powerful opponent.
Species Origin;
Long, long ago, long before Kairn’s rebellion, there reigned over Hell a Spirit King who watched the souls sent to his domain, and wondered if some of them might not be deserving of a chance at redemption through service to himself, and through him, to Shiranui. Long did he ponder, and as he pondered, he became more and more convinced of the merit of his idea.
Very carefully, he selected a number of potential souls whose crimes had not been so heinous as the worst souls who found themselves in Hell. These he took into Castle Oblivion, and from among them he took the soul of a human man into a private chamber. Within, the Spirit King altered the man’s soul, and bestowed a new, youthful body upon him. The man, now called a dreameater, would have the power to sense what was in the dreams of mortals, and would draw sustenance from those dreams.
The Spirit King intended for the dreameaters to spread across the Realms, and find and warn the wicked away from their misdeeds so that they in turn would avoid their souls being sent to Hell. In turn, the dreameaters would, at the end of their restored lives, return to Hell to be judged according to their actions and possibly be granted Shiranui’s blessing to go to the Soulplane. Satisfied with his new creation, the Spirit King created more dreameaters, then sent them across the Veil.
However, the Spirit King had overestimated his own abilities, and the dreameaters, once in the mortal Realms, were free from his control. What was more, Shiranui was displeased, for the Spirit King had breached the Veil without his blessing, and the dreameaters were beyond easy reach even for him. For better or worse, the dreameaters were free to choose their own destiny.
They quickly realized they were truly free to live their lives as they chose, and they swiftly spread across the Realms, living nomadic lives and manipulating others into doing those tasks they themselves were poor at, or simply didn’t wish to do themselves. Weak as their bodies were, they became greatly dependent on enthralled servants.
This species did not have an Ancient First.
subspecies;
Devourer
Classification: souleater-like dreameater. Location: abroad.
These dreameaters take on traits from their souleater brethren. Huge silver wings spread from their shoulders, and sleek silver scales run down their spine. Scales can replace skin on the face, hands, shins, and feet as well, but this largely depends of the individual. Their hair comes in pale, silvery colors, and their eyes range from pink to red.
Almost exclusively fire users, they have more combat potential than a usual dreameater, but they are not nearly as skilled in illusions. They must use their skills and appearance to intimidate their victims, and because of this, they are shunned by the others of their kind. However, this does not mean the Devourers are to be pitied. True to their name, they are a bloodthirsty race. A few tame their bloodlust and become valued soldiers, but many become cruel hunters. The favored prey of a Devourer is another fire user - in eating their heart, they can gain their powers. Devourers prefer to live in groups, and, unlike dreameaters, do not shun armor. However, they will only wear armor made from the bones and hides of enemies they have defeated themselves. Dragon skins are highly coveted.
