The Dream Dungeon

Dreams are still very much a mystery. None of the theories about why or how they form have been properly proved by science. However, for centuries some groups and individuals have learned how to control and exploit this neurological phenomena. Using several techniques these so-called lucid dreamers are able to realise when they are inside a dream and, once they do, they become able to modify the parameters of their oneiric productions. Depending on the skill of the dreamer, different levels of control are possible. Novices usually manage only to change small aspects of the environment or characters, while veterans are theoretically able to have god-like power over their dreams. They can change not only the different scenery and characters, they can even manipulate the physical laws of their inner worlds.

This, of course, is often used as a form of entertainment by the practitioners of this oneiric art. This can range from completely innocent fantasies, like riding unicorns in a rainbow world full of candy, to sick sexual deviancies and violent aberrations so disgusting and perverse that would make the worst exploits of the Marquis de Sade seem tame. Regardless, this is usually considered to be a harmless hobby. In fact some experts believe that these fantasies, no matter how horrid, could in fact be therapeutical. They hope that some users can sate their morbid impulses in the safe space of their heads and thus avoid obeying those instincts in the real world. A perfect way to channel their dark side, leaving no actual victims behind.

It seems reasonable enough, right? It does, until you consider the existence of what is commonly known as the Dream Dungeon. Lucid dreamers from all over the world, from different cultures and in different time periods have referred to this peculiar location. Only a few of these witnesses explain why, but all of them admit to quit lucid dreaming soon after they get to know this place. All the different accounts agree on some of the general characteristics of the dungeon.

It appears to be a labyrinthic complex of underground cells and hallways, with walls, ceilings and floors made of rough crimson stones and cells closed by bars of obsidian-like material, relatively easy to break but full of horribly jagged edges. The wardens of this gaol are faceless and genderless humanoids, tall as trees, that roam the hallways leaving a shining trail of sticky footprints behind. These monsters only interact with the prisoners when they leave their cells. Several statements explain how they catch the escapees using their enormous hands and suffocate them until they wake up in the real world or are thrown back into their personal cubicles so that their apparently unending nightmare can resume.

The description of the individual cells is the most interesting aspect of the different sources of information. No two chambers are the same, each one is seemingly customised to deliver a different punishment to each oneiric criminal, possibly inspired by the specific crimes the individual had committed during their dream scenarios. Some describe instruments of physical torture while others receive an equally gruesome psychological torment. Nevertheless, most seem to agree that the worst part of being stuck in the dungeon is the absolute loss of their previous powers. Inside the dark corridors of the prison they lost all control over themselves or their environment and were unable to do anything except suffer their punishment or pointlessly and painfully break themselves out of their jails, only to wake up inside the prison again the following day.

Only a handful of the prisoners of this dungeon have tried to claim that there was no reason for them to be subjected to that penance, although fewer fully confessed what they had done to deserve the sentence. Several questions arise from all this. Would there be a prison if there was no crime? Can there be crime without victims? Are the oneiric characters actual victims or are the criminals prisoners of their own conscience? And, if not themselves, who or what is judging the dreamers?