The Dream Realm

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The Dream Realm is a vast, ruined magical world populated by Nightmare Creatures. It is also the place where Nightmares are born. Humans are brought there by the Spell after surviving their first trial and can only return to the real world through one of the special portals, which are known as *Gateways*. By accomplishing this feat, they become Awakened.

## Characteristics

The Dream Realm is mysterious and mostly unexplored. It is also dead. There is no life out there except for the Nightmare Creatures, corrupted ecosystems, and now humans. But it wasn't always dead. The explorers can tell that once, a long time ago, the Dream Realm was home to several primitive civilizations. There are a lot of ruins buried in its soil.

Dream Realm is much bigger than Earth. It was not consistent in terms of star geography. Different regions had different stars and constellations, as well as a different number of moons. While the sun seemed to be the same, its behavior was highly unpredictable.

## Dream Realm and the Nightmares

The Nightmares are based on Dream Realm's history. They are replicas of past events, somehow reconstructed from the depths of time. There are four main differences between the Dream Realm and the Nightmares:

* Firstly, it doesn't have a "story". There is no predetermined conflict you are forced to resolve. You can move freely and explore, provided that you have the strength to stay alive in the wilderness. Most people tend to stay close to one of the human Citadels.
* Secondly, there are no people in the Dream Realm except for those who came from the real world. There are only monsters. Some of them can mimic human appearance.
* Thirdly, unlike the First Nightmare, no Nightmare Creatures will appear in the real world if you die in the Dream Realm.
* And lastly, unlike Nightmares, which are bound by the rules of fairness, there is no limit to what kind of Creature you can meet in the Dream Realm.

## Regions

### Hollow Mountains

* A region of the Dream Realm - It is a mountain chain that stretches for thousands of kilometers, forming a whole region of its own. It is marked as a Death Zone. Even Saints don't come back from the mountains alive. It is located at the northern border of human territory.

### The Forgotten Shore

* A region of the Dream Realm - It is located north of the Hollow Mountains.

## Terminologies

### Citadels

A human fortress in the Dream Realm built around a conquered Gateway.

### Death Zone

Death zones were regions of the Dream Realm populated by Nightmare Creatures of the three highest ranks — Great, Cursed, and Unholy.

### Gateways

A Gateway is a special portal that serves both as an anchor for Awakened entering the Dream Realm and as an exit point for those wishing to leave it. It is different from a Gate. A gateway is usually inside or near the most prominent landmark of the region.

Once Sleepers reached such a portal, they would be able to escape back to reality and become Awakened. Their core would evolve, and they would also receive a second Aspect Ability. After that, they would return to the Dream Realm each time they fall asleep.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chapter 23 Dreams And Nightmares
2. ↑ Chapter 178 Lost Expedition
3. ↑ Chapter 28 Training Montage
4. ↑ Chapter 23 Dreams And Nightmares
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Chapter 244 Death Zone