Chapter Text
Down.
Down.
Down.
Sinking slowly, deeper into darkness.
Three dreamers, one dream.
On three different worlds, three different minds are having, at the same time, the same dream. They cannot see each other, cannot hear each other, but the founder of the dream can see and hear them all. He speaks from the void, his voice deep and powerful and silent:
So much to do, so little time…
Each of the three dreamers find themselves standing at the top of a tower made of stained glass. The colorful panes of glass depict fanciful images of characters they do not recognize.
Take your time. Don’t be afraid. The door is still shut.
As each of the dreamers steps forward, three pedestals rise from the tower around them, a magical item floating above each one.
Power sleeps within you. If you give it form, it will give you strength. Choose well.
Above the first pedestal floats a silver sword with a golden hilt. Above the second pedestal floats a crimson kite shield. Above the third pedestal floats a green and blue magical staff. Each of these items is emblazoned with a sigil that none of the dreamers recognize, made from three intersecting circles. As the dreamers approach these items to inspect them, the voice gives a description.
Of the sword it says, The power of the warrior. Invincible courage. A sword of terrible destruction.
Of the shield it says, The power of the guardian. Kindness to aid friends. A shield to repel all.
Of the staff it says, The power of the mystic. Inner strength. A staff of wonder and ruin.
The first of the dreamers chooses the Shield without hesitation. The second of the dreamers deliberates between the Sword and the Shield, but in the end chooses the Sword. The third of the dreamers examines all three thoughtfully before at last choosing the Staff.
Now, what will you give up in exchange?
The first and third dreamers both choose to give up the Sword; the second dreamer gives up the Staff.
Your path is set. Use this power to protect yourself and others.
The stained glass floor shatters into colorful shards, and the dreamers fall through the disintegrating cloud of colors into the darkness below. After a moment of terror, they each find themselves outside their childhood home, no longer falling through darkness but instead facing three of their childhood friends.
Hold on. The door won’t open just yet. First, tell me more about yourself.
One friend asks, “What’s most important to you?”
The first dreamer answers, “Being my true self.”
The second dreamer answers, “Rising above expectations.”
The third dreamer answers, “Learning new things.”
The friend responds to each, “Is that really such a big deal?”
Another friend asks, “What do you want out of life?”
The first dreamer answers, “The freedom to live it.”
The second dreamer answers, “The comforts of success.”
The third dreamer answers, “To broaden my horizons.”
The friend responds to each, “Oh, is that all?”
The final friend asks, “What are you so afraid of?”
The first dreamer answers, “Losing my voice.”
The second dreamer answers, "Being revealed as a fraud.”
The third dreamer answers, “Never having another adventure.”
The friend responds to each, “Is that really so scary?”
Once all the answers have been given, the three friends begin to melt into shadows. Every detail of their bodies dissolves into darkness, with the exception of their eyes, which turn a glowing unblinking yellow.
Your adventure begins in the dead of night. Your road won’t be easy, but a rising sun awaits your journey’s end.
The dreamers are once again standing atop a stained glass tower, now surrounded by small horrible yellow-eyed monsters made of shadow. Each dreamer finds themselves holding the weapon that they had chosen at the beginning of the dream.
There will be times you have to fight. Keep your light burning strong.
The first dreamer fights cautiously and defensively, striking out at the shadow monsters only when safe and mostly hiding behind the shield.
The second dreamer fights with great agility, clearly no stranger to combat. The sword flashes with blinding speed, striking out at the shadows as the dreamer easily evades their attacks.
The third dreamer fights strategically, striking physically with the staff when necessary but primarily using knowledge of spellcraft to dominate the battlefield with magic.
Once the last of the strange small shadow monsters is defeated, the strong silent voice from the void speaks again:
The closer you get to light, the greater your shadow becomes.
Each of the dreamers turns around to see their own shadow rising up from the stained glass floor, stretching and growing into a towering beast of shadow, vaguely humanoid with glowing yellow eyes and a great hollow heart carved into the middle of its chest.
But don’t be afraid. And don’t forget…
Each dreamer finds themselves paralyzed, unable to move, unable to scream, as the great shadow monster rears back to strike.
…You hold the mightiest weapon of all.
The shadow monster’s great clawed hand speeds toward the dreamers, and with a sudden gasp, they each awaken in their own home.
Three dreamers. Three worlds. One new adventure.