Somnium Aeternum

> What in the name of the Saints is that?!
>
> A common reaction upon seeing the Somnium Aeternum for the first time

The *Somnium Aeternum*, or "Eternal Dream," is a mind flayer ship currently in the possession of Aren, ally to the Wardens of Prael.

## Description

The *Somnium Aeternum* is a bio-mechanical ship capable of inter-planar travel. It is powered by a Mind Witness (a beholder that has been implanted with a mind flayer tadpole), known as the Navigator, that controls all aspects of the ship. A user can interface with the Navigator via the captains chair, which has a headset-like attachment that interacts directly with the user's brain. In order to do so, a user must possess some kind of psychic or psionic ability, such as telepathy.

The *Somnium Aeternum* features three decks. The main deck consists of sleeping quarters and storage units, as well as a large portion in the aft section known as the "engine room," which contains many bio-mechanical components and the Mind Witness' tank. The level below the main deck holds a series of stasis pods, which were used by the former captain to hold his mind-controlled minions. The bottom of this deck is able to open outwards as a large bay door, allowing access to the open ocean (while on the Material Plane). The level above the main deck contains the bridge, the captain's dining room, and a balcony that overlooks the engine room, which extends to the upper deck. There is another room at the front of the ship, on a level in between the main and lower decks. This room is the entryway, which connects the lowest two decks as well as two corridors that run from the front to the back of the ship. These corridors are known as the "gun deck," and hold the ship's psychic cannons.

## History

Aren, Buldrin, and Elloc first encountered the *Somnium Aeternum* when the ship they were traveling on, the *Star Sailer*, was trapped in the Astral Sea. The captain of the *Somnium Aeternum*, an ulitharid, attempted to board the *Star Sailer* with mind-controlled Duergar, but these were quickly beaten back by the three adventurers. In response, the trio decided to pay the ulitharid a visit of their own. After almost succumbing to a feeblemind spell, the trio were able to scare off the ulitharid, who plane-shifted away. The *Somnium Aeternum* then fell under the control of the adventurers, who were able to use it--with the help of a Githyanki captive they released--to transport themselves and the *Star Sailer* back to the Material Plane.

Following the capture of the ship, Aren devoted some time to the study of psionic power under the guidance of Glishek (a Githzerai companion), and was later able to use this ability to control the *Somnium Aeternum* himself. A full bond with the ship would not be formed until just prior to the battle against Dagon.

The *Somnium Aeternum* continued to aid the trio of adventurers in their travels, providing an easy method of transportation throughout Cival Barreth.

## Capabilities

The *Somnium Aeternum* has the ability to plane shift, and is able to travel to any known plane of existence in the universe. A common destination for the *Somnium Aeternum* is the Astral Sea, in which an interfaced user is able to use the stars to navigate to corresponding material plane coordinates, then plane shift back. This is how Aren and his companions were able to travel long distances in a very short amount of time, since time flows differently in the Astral Sea.

In tandem with its plane shifting ability, the *Somnium Aeternum* can morph and transform to suit the environment of the plane it travels to. For example, its Elemental Plane of Earth configuration appears more spherical with tentacles growing in a longitudinal ring around it. This allows it to navigate the twisting tunnels of the Plane of Earth with relative ease. It's Material Plane configuration appears close to its original form (Astral Sea configuration), but with a sleeker, steel-plated pressurized design that allows it to travel underwater when necessary.

The *Somnium Aeternum* is also a fully capable warship. Its gun deck features four psychic cannons on each side that can be fired both manually and from the Navigator interface. The ships forward tentacles, which are primarily used for propulsion, can also be used to grab onto other ships to fasten them in place.