Rudione is the protector of dreams.
In the shadowed epochs of Ertha’s history, where dreams and reality once intertwined, Rudione emerged as the eternal Protector of Dreams. Revered as a guardian and feared as a judge, Rudione ensures the sanctity of the dream realm, standing vigil against those who would corrupt its power. From their celestial domain, Rudione maintains the fragile boundary between the waking world and the dreamscape, a realm where imagination and chaos converge.
The Legacy of Rudione
According to the archives of House Pleayashayne, the Legends and Lore Guild, Rudione’s origins trace back to the Forbidden Time. This era, now obscured by myth and mystery, was a time when the veil between dreams and reality dissolved. The dream realm was no longer a place of respite but a battlefield where thoughts could reshape existence and nightmares could consume the living.
Rudione is believed to have been born—or perhaps created—during this turbulent epoch. Tasked by the cosmic forces of Ertha to restore balance, they took up the mantle of the Protector of Dreams. Under Rudione’s stewardship, the dream realm became a sanctuary once more, its dangers confined and its wonders preserved.
Rudione is depicted as a figure of serenity and power, their form shifting between a radiant, ethereal being and a shadowed warrior cloaked in dreamstuff. Tales speak of their ability to traverse dreams effortlessly, offering solace to the innocent and retribution to those who wield dreams for harm.
A Relic of the Forbidden Time
Among the most enigmatic artifacts associated with Rudione is the Dream Sword, a weapon forged during the height of the Forbidden Time. Crafted from the very essence of dreams, this blade is both a gift and a curse, imbued with immense power and boundless danger.
The Dream Sword grants its wielder unparalleled abilities, drawing from the limitless energy of the dream realm. Legends, preserved by House Lyema-Tzatz, the Magical Research Guild, describe its capabilities:
The wielder gains extraordinary strength, speed, and agility, becoming nearly invincible in combat.
The blade can cut through any material, rendering it virtually indestructible.
Its most fearsome ability lies in manipulating reality itself, allowing the wielder to alter their surroundings, enter the dreams of others, and even reshape the dream realm.
Yet these gifts come at a dire cost. The sword is cursed, turning its power against the bearer. Those who wield it risk losing themselves to the dream realm, their minds fractured by its overwhelming energies. Worse still, if one is slain while wielding the Dream Sword in a dream, they are said to never awaken, their soul trapped eternally in the shifting tides of the dreamscape.
The Forbidden Time
The Forbidden Time is a period shrouded in both wonder and dread. During this era, the barriers between dreams and reality dissolved, plunging Ertha into chaos. Thoughts and fears became tangible, and the dream realm spilled into the waking world. Nightmares roamed freely, and the line between imagination and existence blurred, creating an age of instability and despair.
It was during this era that the Dream Sword was forged, intended as a tool to harness the chaos and restore order. However, its power proved too great, and the artifact became a catalyst for even greater destruction. Realizing the threat it posed, Rudione intervened, sealing the blade within the dream realm and placing powerful enchantments and guardians to ensure it could never be misused again.
Rudione’s Vigil
Rudione’s eternal task is to protect the dream realm and the Dream Sword from those who would exploit its power. Their presence is felt in the dreams of mortals, where they guide, protect, or warn those who stray too close to forbidden knowledge.
The Dream Sword itself remains hidden, veiled by layers of enchantments crafted by House Daemnos-Phtagroar, the Artifacts Guild, and strengthened by Rudione’s own divine will. The sword lies in a location known only to Rudione, guarded by beings of immense power who answer only to the Protector of Dreams.
Rudione’s vigilance ensures that the dream realm remains a place of respite for mortals, rather than a tool for ambition. The sanctity of dreams, and the protection of the Dream Sword, are their unending purpose.
GM Tips
Rudione and the Dream Sword offer rich storytelling opportunities for Game Masters in Dicesongs.
Introduce Rudione as a mysterious and enigmatic figure. Their motives may appear inscrutable, but their actions are always guided by the preservation of balance within the dream realm. Players may encounter Rudione in visions, dreams, or moments of profound need, setting the stage for quests that intertwine the waking and dream worlds.
The Dream Sword should be presented as both a coveted prize and a dire warning. Its immense power makes it an alluring artifact, but its curse ensures that no wielder escapes unscathed. Use the sword to challenge players with moral and existential dilemmas. Are they willing to risk their sanity, or even their souls, for the chance to wield such power?
Tie the Forbidden Time into the campaign’s broader lore. Allow players to uncover fragments of its history through encounters with House Pleayashayne and House Lyema-Tzatz. These guilds can serve as sources of knowledge, revealing the dangers of the Dream Sword and the consequences of disturbing its rest.
Create layered challenges for players seeking the Dream Sword. These might include navigating the dream realm itself, deciphering ancient enchantments, or facing powerful guardians. The journey should test their resolve, creativity, and understanding of Ertha’s balance between dreams and reality.
Position Rudione as a final arbiter. They may permit the players to use the Dream Sword, but only if their intentions align with the preservation of balance. Alternatively, Rudione may serve as an antagonist if the players’ actions threaten the dream realm.
Incorporating Rudione and the Dream Sword into your campaigns offers a wealth of narrative depth, blending themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the blurred line between dreams and reality. As players traverse Ertha, let Rudione’s presence and the lure of the Dream Sword remind them that even in dreams, the stakes are real.