Thesis on the Ethics of Oneiromancy, and Dream Theory of Divination
Oneiromancy Ratio et Somnium Ethics
Author: Banshee Elgaestis
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Oneiromancy as first demonstrated and studied by the Red Wizards of Thay, does illustrate well the continuously weave-like state of mental sophistication for spellcasters whom have articulated through the art of Divination. As a caster educates him or herself further away from the generalist arcanist’s comprehension of the subject matter, the stronger we see a correlation between the sole thinker, and his or her environment; his or her fellows, most strongly represented in dreams. Most colorists of divination would agree that the weave is an off-blue-white, web-like structure that inhabits itself across the ethos of Toril, inhabiting all space and time. A dream however, does not merit space, and has very little, sometimes, no regard to time, yet still finds itself no exception to the influence of magic. Because this has been proven through the practice of Oneiromancy, we assume again the web-like state of the individual and the plural.

Though this sort of sapping and exchange into one another’s thoughts takes place, it does not necessarily make it a conscious feat. The subconscious acts without prompt, involuntarily activating the weave during a dream. Through the images, the sounds, and the touching, of: thoughts, feelings, ideas, and memories, we are helpless in reviewing the chaotic jumble of information during sleep.
However, a most common error made by diviners in analysis of a dream, is that the dream ends when the individual awakes. This is simply untrue. The subconscious mind does not rest, unlike the conscious mind. It is here where we must begin to articulate and derive Dream Theory from Oneiromancy.

Oneiromancy describes vaguely in text, (Stronger in experience), a limitless “dream-world” in the mind of the caster. While this realm is in fact metaphysically true, proven through divination, we cannot hold any dream-world constant, as no dreamer’s subconscious is homogenous to another’s. (Though on occasion, strong similarities can be found when divining monozygotic and dizygotic twins.) However, even in review, there is still some outstanding differences, if not accounted by the mere fraction. So, as all dreams are held without a constant, our furthest studies can only submit that there are endless possibilities to a “dream-world” Much better phrased, the mindscape. A mindscape has an appearance of limitless possibilities from as complicated as an entire jungle, to as simple as the color red.

Ethics of Oneiromancy
Oneiromancy is the craft in which we enter the mindscape of ourselves, and others and should not be used by inexperienced, lesser diviners. Because of this, It is a craft often abused, as some Thayan mages, and Illithid have notably done so with the past, distorting the mind of the individual with invasive spells like Mind Rape, and Your Delicious Weakness. However, the ethical Oneiromancer will not reduce themselves to such barbaric cruelity. The disciplined Oneiromancer will typically use their divinations for helpful practice. The proper ritual to using Oneiromancy on another being must be handled with upmost patience, and meditation as followed:

1. The Caster must never assume they are a welcome guest into the dreams of another. Therefore it is key that the diviner must first take what measures are needed to make sure the decision to use Oneiromancy is a good one. This is typically guided with an Augury spell to determine whether the specific action will be for the better or worse of both the caster and the dreamer. More experienced mages may wish to use a Foresight spell, but it is less taxing, and less difficult to simplify with an Augury.

2. Be rested. If a caster has used any spells since their last time of meditation or rest, they may become quite fatigued quickly. Oneiromancy is the most literally exhausting of all schools in the realm, and could easily put a caster into a comatose if they lose control of focus.

3. Courtesy matters. Once the caster has entered the stage called Threshold, where they now may physically exhibit the mindscape of another, they must remember that they are a guest in the dreams of another being. Tampering with things wildly, can make for the most unhappy results.

4. Know ahead of time what you intend to do there. Do not enter a mind for the sake of knowing. This is the path of darkness in terms of Oneiromancy. We see a prevalence of dreamers who wake up ruined or mortified into insanity at the whim of dark Oneiromancers, typically the results of Mind Rapes.

5. Lastly, the caster must protect others before themselves. It is very important to remember, if the caster is providing the Mind Walk for a party of individuals, rather than a one-on-one experience. The caster is the only portal for other guests to return and regain consciousness. This of course does put the caster at a greater risk, should something become a state of emergency for the dreamer or the guests, but these are the risks one must accept for studying into the art of Oneiromancy.
If it can be avoided, other guests should not be entered into the mind-walk, but sometimes it is necessary to key individuals who have meaning to the dreamer, do enter the dreamscape for solving the problem at hand.

When is Oneiromancy necessary?
We have explored why Oneiromancy is dangerous, but now we must look into why and when it is necessary to use. Because of its creative nature, any personal, or functional issue has the potential and possibility of cure, understanding, and extraction through the magic of dreams. Some of the most prevalent cases that are solved with Oneiromancy are: Comatoses, Nightmares, Night hags, and other haunts, Fowl magic, Functional issues such as dealing with long term scarring events, (Mostly associated with losses, or lack of forgiveness), Finding relevant information about another person who may be at harm, or finding information that may be putting the dreamer at harm, and the possibilities flourish.

Dream Theory
Now that we have articulated Oneiromancy, we can begin looking into the structure of sub-consciousness. Recall that sub-consciousness, unlike consciousness does not rest. The mindscape is always functioning and presenting images, memories, and meanings throughout each hour. Dream Theory suggests that the very nature of intuition, the prime resource of divination, is empowered through conscious training in the subconscious mindscape. The mindscape, according to Dream Theory, reacts to movement of the weave, and since the weave is connected web-like with most beings, we thus speculate that dreams are a function of magic. That is, when you sleep, your subconscious is being altered by magic. The metaphysical researchers of even the slightest pretension claim to have an intimate relationship with magic, and will often refer to the school of Divination, as “the faux magic”, but through Oneiromancy, we can show that divination is not as trivial as some theorists are led to believe.

Dream Theory also suggests through various research that through the perfection of dreaming, dreams can materialize and become real, so as long as the dreamer’s perception of the dream stays focused. Of course, since the sub-conscious is always aware, should a dream become visual among all proximal conscious beings, it would only suspend belief in the dream, and thus giving it action and influence to be; giving it life. Any such “perfection” must of course be first a consciously chased desire, through the meditation and efforts of controlling one’s subconscious, grounding it, and disallowing it to be altered in any way by the weave, may give the dreamer the foundation to achieving to such a high level magic, recognized vaguely in theory as dream projection.
Perhaps due to the fragmentation of most dreams, and to the loss of memory upon recalling a dream as the dreamer awakes, the weave is counteracting such a tremendous thing to ever happen. Perhaps only a god or goddess could dream so fantastically, to make real of something dreamed. Though through speculation in modern methods, some dream theorists believe that such a feat could bear accomplishment by utilizing cross manipulation of mastery illusionary spells, such as Permanent Image, or more horribly, Desecrate, along with mastery Oneiromancy arts. Even then, we trust the possibility to be unquantifiable.

Though to the hubris of the Oneiromancer, who thinks they may be able to accomplish, and intend to attempt such a disastrous feat,
I discourage you, should you ever dream a god.

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Character Status:
Mynna- Guldorand
Samrael Cymere-Winya Ravana
Laika-Unknown