A journey of 1000 miles- A cooperative lucid dreaming game| Sign ups

**ExothermReacton** · 10-24-2016 09:53 PM

A journey of 1000 miles

„A journey of 1000 miles“ is a lucid dreaming game with the goal to appeal to both experts and beginners and create a cooperative challenge rather than a competitive one. Supporting each other is one of its greatest features and it may help to overcome challenges of dream control. It is probably a fairly long game but nobody is forced to be active all the time and you won’t get kicked for inactivity. The group of the travelers can be any size so nobody is blocking a free spot or something alike.

The group of the travelers(so far)

The story
Far in the south of the dream world there is a place known as “The Aether Tower” piercing into the sky with a fascinating aura around it. For ages this place has been the goal of a journey every dreamer should take once at least. Every year, a group of so called “travelers” depart from their home and take the long and admittedly sometimes dangerous journey to the mystical tower to seek for enlightenment. This year it happens to be us who decided to pull all their will together and go out there.

Oh, I didn’t even introduce myself, right?
Well, I am Thermon Exos and it will be an honor to be your navigator! I spent quite some time on research for our journey and collected knowledge about the path ahead of us, the most important places… and the obstacles of course.

So, the journey will begin soon. Who is with me?

How it actually works/Rules
This is a cooperative game in that all players work together to collect “steps” to progress on the journey. The journey is parted into many different areas, each with their own set of special rules/events etc. Once the group achieved enough points it will progress to the next area.

Tasks
There is always a whole bunch of tasks to complete with different focuses and difficulties. Of course difficulty is fairly subjective but it will give you a general idea about the level of the challenge. Don't get infleunced too much by my descriptions as they just represent my experiences. The current focuses are:

Exploration
Very suitable for beginners but also very fun for more experienced lucid dreamers. The goal is usually to take a look around and find either something specific or just something you might happen to stumble across. Takes barely any dream control and what is better than finding something totally mysterious or breathtaking in the dream world?

Creation
In contrast to exploration this focus is one that requires a fair amount of dream control but allows the most creativity as well. As you might have guessed, you need to create something for whatever purpose. Maybe a fancy shelter, maybe a nice plant, maybe a weapon or something totally ridiculous. Creating things can greatly influence the group and the journey.

Combat
Well, I told you we will have a conflict here or there. Combat tasks are all about finding ways to defeat a certain enemy. Direct combat is not a mandatory option though. Get creative and find funny ways to get rid of the enemy. Some tasks don’t even directly tell you to defeat somebody or something. The enemy is just an obstacle for fun at times.

Manipulation
Similar to creation tasks but mostly about changing pre-existing objects. You might create something new by manipulating an already existing thing. Believe me, this is useful on a journey like that!

Interaction
Another great focus for beginners but everyone should have fun with this. Interaction tasks are all about interacting with the other travelers, people we will meet and from time to time even an object. If you like surprises, this is your category. How will your environment react to your actions?

Each task can be completed by an unlimited number of people but the same person can’t complete the same task twice. To make tasks count you need to make a dream journal entry and link it in the game thread(not here).

A bit like a RPG
To make this journey interesting for all there is a little twist in this game. We all start with nothing but our clothes on our body. Well, not entirely true. We are granted two abilities and one item at the start.
PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE ABOUT YOUR CHOICES.
Things I wouldn’t like to see are one-hit abilities/items that totally take out the creative challenge in combat tasks or items that solve any problem by doing nothing at all. Other than that, go crazy. You don’t have to be serious, have fun!
While progressing there will be a lot of possibilities to get new items and abilities. So don’t worry!

You may ask why I made this rule. There are two reasons. First, it is a lot of fun to find creative solutions when your options are limited. I tried it myself once and you get ideas that you wouldn’t have otherwise. I am eager to see what the group comes up with!
The second reason is that especially beginners might learn well to control their dreams like this. You can’t control fire? No problem, a task will allow you to find a person that teaches you. It is a lot easier to learn dream control when it makes sense why you should be able to learn it in the first place.

You decide!
Every day all travelers will be able to perform certain actions such as swapping a task they don`t like/think is too hard, conjuring a random event(I have a few possibilities and a random generator chooses) or voting for decisions at certain points. Our journey is not set in stone, my friends!

SIGN UP!

Just use this format and you are in the group no matter how far we already progressed!

Name: Does not have to be your forums name. Get creative if you like.
Item: The first item you will receive when starting out.
Abilities: Your two starting abilities.
Biography: Give us a little information about you. Where do you come from? What adventures did you already take part in in the dream world?

The adventure starts on the 1st of November 8pm YOUR TIME. (You can join in later at any time though)

This is it for the sign up thread! You are always welcome to join the journey. The more we are the better it gets.

In the meanwhile I am going to create the actual game thread. See you there!

-With best regards, your navigator, Thermon Exos (yeah, I broke the 4th wall a few times)

**KingAerys** · 10-24-2016 10:58 PM

Sign me up. This looks 100% lit.

Name: J

Appearance (for seeing me in dreams): White male in late teens, white tee and blue jeans and red shoes.

Item: Combat knife

Abilities: Shadow control - ability to materialize, control and rarely summon shadows
Werewolf transformation - only possible when extremely desperate or pissed off. Heightens speed, perception, strength, and shadow control.

Biography: Nobody knows.

Hope this happens and more people sign up!

**DragonHammer** · 10-24-2016 11:33 PM

Count me in! I'd be happy to help you guys in your LD quest.

Name: W (J's bro)

Item: None

Abilities: 9-element magic (the ability to combine and/or utilize elements such as fire, wind, lightning+earth, light+ice+arcane, etc.)
Poison immunity (immunity to poison)

Bio: ............

Hope this ends up happening, because this sounds super fun :3

**ExothermReacton** · 10-25-2016 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by DragonHammer

Count me in! I'd be happy to help you guys in your LD quest.

Name: W (J's bro)

Item: None

Abilities: 9-element magic (the ability to combine and/or utilize elements such as fire, wind, lightning+earth, light+ice+arcane, etc.)
Poison immunity (immunity to poison)

Bio: ............

Hope this ends up happening, because this sounds super fun :3

Nice to have two people already! As the number of participants is not too important it will happen no matter what. I hope we all have fun as well and even if there are some things you don't like we simply change it.
Interesting items/abilities you got there by the way. Guess I should make my own setup here as well.

Name: Thermon Exos

Item: Magical compass that always points towards something interesting

Abilities: Dragon Soul - Dragon ghosts will appear to support us when needed. Fairly weak appearences but also very reliable
Super Speed - Superior movement speed. Usually takes me a while to build up speed though...

Biography: Told to be a rather unknown member of the Dream Hero League(DHL). Has stopped an eternal winter from happening once in his hometown. Shortly after he began to study the Aether Tower and the path that leads to it.

**Saizaphod** · 10-25-2016 11:25 AM

Interesting concept! I won't personally be joining at least for now since my LDing is not so great at the moment, but I'm definitely checking out the progress you make

Good luck on your quest!

**ExothermReacton** · 10-25-2016 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by Saizaphod

Interesting concept! I won't personally be joining at least for now since my LDing is not so great at the moment, but I'm definitely checking out the progress you make

Good luck on your quest!

Thanks!

Would be great to see you later on. Don't worry too much about your LD quality. There will be always at least one task that requires you to get lucid for only a few seconds, look at something you describe later on and that is it.

**Elaol** · 10-27-2016 01:27 PM

Name: RuneMaster

Ablities: I can speak or create runes in order to do something. For the beginning, I have two runes: flying rune and fire rune. If I understood this correctly, we can get more powers as the story continues, so I will learn more of them along the way. I learn runes by finding them. They are written in different places thoughout the world, but invisible to the naked eye.

Item: I have a medallion which signals me when the next rune is nearby and gives me ability to see runes

Story: I was ordinary kid who liked to go on adventures. I mostly liked old caves and ruins from ancient times. During one adventure, I was in an ancient ruin. I was looking around and the floor broke so I fell underground. It was pitch black except one mysterious light source. I naturally went toward it. It was a ball size of an egg. The light it emitted was constantly changing, from white to yellow to pink, etc. When I touched it, it merged with my body. That was weird, but I felt normal. I went out of that ruin and continued my life as nothing has happened. Years later, I became a scholar. I have spent enormous time at the library, studying arcane magic. I found the picture of that egg, and read that it gives the power to cast runes. That became my life's mission, to learn as many runes as possible.

**ExothermReacton** · 10-27-2016 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by Elaol

Name: RuneMaster

Ablities: I can speak or create runes in order to do something. For the beginning, I have two runes: flying rune and fire rune. If I understood this correctly, we can get more powers as the story continues, so I will learn more of them along the way. I learn runes by finding them. They are written in different places thoughout the world, but invisible to the naked eye.

You got it exactly right! Most tasks just say that you found some item/ability on your mission. Whatever that is is up to you. A few tasks give you specific items but they are rather rare.
I like that you set up your own personal mission on the journey. Signed up!

And I just realized that you can't edit posts after 1440 minutes. So don't worry if your name doesn't appear on the list in this thread. I have a seperate document so I don't forget about anyone.

**KingAerys** · 10-28-2016 04:00 AM

Can't update my post so I'll do it here. Time for a bio update!

Bio: Jake (prefers J) was cursed at birth by a malevolent spirit with the mark of the wolf, and ever since then he's been drawn to shadow magic. He is decent at it but still has much to learn and has only opened the 0th and 1st Forbidden Seals (Evil and Death) but intends to open all 6 (counting 0) to unlock new powers. He likes anime, adventure, and traveling.

**Cookino** · 10-28-2016 09:42 PM

This is a really cool idea, I like the character progression thing, it really makes it feel like an RPG. I'll be joining later on, when I have a nice idea for a character. I'm also focusing on accomplishing some of my current goals since I have quite a few right now, especially since I'm in the spooky competition and the DHL (in which I haven't completed any tasks yet). It wont take long since my LD induction is getting better recently. Anyway definetly count me in, this sounds really fun!

**ExothermReacton** · 10-28-2016 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by Cookino

This is a really cool idea, I like the character progression thing, it really makes it feel like an RPG. I'll be joining later on, when I have a nice idea for a character. I'm also focusing on accomplishing some of my current goals since I have quite a few right now, especially since I'm in the spooky competition and the DHL (in which I haven't completed any tasks yet). It wont take long since my LD induction is getting better recently. Anyway definetly count me in, this sounds really fun!

Great to hear that! Take any time you need. The group of the travelers is always open.

**spellbee2** · 10-29-2016 04:57 AM

This sounds like an awesome idea, Exo. I'm definitely interested in joining once the Spooky Comp is over.

Also, if you need me to edit your first post, PM me with your changes and I can do it for you.

**ExothermReacton** · 10-29-2016 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by spellbee2

Also, if you need me to edit your first post, PM me with your changes and I can do it for you.

You just made my life 100% better with this. Basically I just need to exchange the picture for the members list once in a while so everyone knows who is in. On the other hand the actual game with tasks/events etc. will be a google doc as I can edit that one at any time.

**Cookino** · 10-29-2016 06:57 PM

I said I'll join later, but screw it, I'm really excited for this! I'm also feeling confident about my LDing, so I'll leave my character here already.

Name: Astaroth
Item: Magic Encyclopedia: Magic talking book capable of analyzing things to an extent and describe them. More complex analysis subjects are harder to analyze and describe.
Ability:
Spirit Affinity: Astaroth has always had a high affinity with nature's spirits. He has learned how to converse with them and use spirit magic. For now, the only spirits whose powers he can utilize are minor fire and water spirits.
Bio: Since his childhood, Astaroth has been able to see and converse with spirits and, with time, has learned how to use their magic. Astaroth is also fascinated by nature and it's creatures as well as the mysteries of this world and became a scholar. Upon hearing of a group of travelers seeking the Aether Tower, he decided to join them and uncover the tower's secrets, as well as discover new locations, creatures and artefacts along the way and documenting them. He also seeks to improve his spirit magic along the way.

Can't wait for it to begin.

**KingAerys** · 10-30-2016 05:18 AM

Hate to be a bother, but I'm changing item as well. Instead of a combat knife, I'll use a Shadow tome to research and learn new techniques and Seals, and to power magic attacks and rituals.

**ExothermReacton** · 10-30-2016 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by KingAerys

Hate to be a bother, but I'm changing item as well. Instead of a combat knife, I'll use a Shadow tome to research and learn new techniques and Seals, and to power magic attacks and rituals.

Changing before it started is no problem. I am thinking about a possibility to change once in a while when the game started but let's see.^^

**ExothermReacton** · 10-30-2016 10:31 AM

Going to post the game thread today so you can prepare a bit and find out what awaits you in the first area. In two days the journey will start!

By the way, I have been thinking of giving each traveler a set of fairly challenging tasks that have to do with their story and their abilities on top of the general tasks. Would you guys like to see that or rather not?

**KingAerys** · 10-31-2016 03:24 AM

Yeah, that's awesome!

**GenghisKhan** · 11-01-2016 06:20 PM

Hi everybody !
I'm new to dv.com, but I am quite an experienced LDer (obfusc8 knows me from LD4ALL)

This sounds like super-fun stuff, so count me in !

I may be not too active in the next days due to work commitments / travels, but I definitely fancy some additional LD motivation

Starting item: a block of dream origami paper (I am a paper-folder) - it has no width, sheet have different colors - it may have some (yet) undiscovered powers
Starting Abilities: 1) Can infuse life to origami creations 2) Can grow/shrink origami paper / creations

About me: I remember having travelled back and forth the dream world in latest years, but I remember very little about my childhood.
I hope this adventure will allow me to discover something about it

**ExothermReacton** · 11-01-2016 09:00 PM

Originally Posted by GenghisKhan

Hi everybody !
I'm new to dv.com, but I am quite an experienced LDer (obfusc8 knows me from LD4ALL)

This sounds like super-fun stuff, so count me in !

I may be not too active in the next days due to work commitments / travels, but I definitely fancy some additional LD motivation

Starting item: a block of dream origami paper (I am a paper-folder) - it has no width, sheet have different colors - it may have some (yet) undiscovered powers
Starting Abilities: 1) Can infuse life to origami creations 2) Can grow/shrink origami paper / creations

About me: I remember having travelled back and forth the dream world in latest years, but I remember very little about my childhood.
I hope this adventure will allow me to discover something about it

Ha, I like the origami themed abilities. Imagining it is fun already and maybe I will be able to see it in action in one of my dreams

In other news:

The journey has started!

You can collect steps now, vote in the voting council and so on.

**GenghisKhan** · 11-01-2016 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by ExothermReacton

Ha, I like the origami themed abilities. Imagining it is fun already and maybe I will be able to see it in action in one of my dreams

Hopefully so, never used them in LD before

Originally Posted by ExothermReacton

The journey has started!

Hype !

I find this co-operative theme super nice !

**KingCobra** · 11-01-2016 10:37 PM

Great concept! I'll most likely join after the Spooky Competition is over.

**spellbee2** · 11-03-2016 03:45 AM

Screw it, I know I said I'd join after the Spooky Comp, but this all seems really awesome and I really can't wait.

Name: Bartholomew (the Bard)

Bio: From a young age, Bart always knew he wanted to be a musician. Inspired by medieval bands like REO Speedwagon, he taught himself to play the lute solely for the purpose of picking up chicks. After realizing that the glamorous life he had imagined was never coming to fruition (not to mention his genre of new age folk dubstep not catching on with the locals), he set out for Aether Tower in the hopes of being inspired to, in his words, "write the next 'Can't Fight This Feeling'."

Item: His pet cat, Epsilon. Being on the road for long periods of time, Bart needed companionship, so he bought a kitten from a mysterious old man at a market in one of the towns he passed through. Now the two are inseparable - often Epsy will perch up on Bart's shoulder during his performances. Despite his cute appearances, Epsy has learned to be an adept hunter, mostly out of necessity when Bart's finances didn't permit them to eat. He's fearless and knows the exact weak spots to attack on every animal in the region. Plus, he can use his super-sniffer to track down items or people. Just don't tell Bart that Epsy's also tone-deaf.

Abilities:

Talking to animals - After long nights on the tour-carriage with just him and Epsy, Bart has learned to understand and communicate with the most common types of animals, and for all the uncommon types, he uses Epsy as a translator. Just don't make him talk to chinchillas - they're naturally incredibly racist.

Fire-bending - Despite his passion for rock-and-roll, Bart was an avid student of the Pyronius School of Firebending, and learned to summon and control fire, flame, and basically anything that generates heat. Although he originally learned solely for the purpose of looking incredibly epic as he lit his fingers on fire during his particularly shreddin' lute solos, his skills have come in quite handy for other purposes. Which is good, because all the fire-fingers trick really got him was 3 piles of lute-ashes and a lifetime ban from the Thumb-Wrestling Championships in his home town.

**ExothermReacton** · 11-03-2016 09:19 AM

Originally Posted by spellbee2

Screw it, I know I said I'd join after the Spooky Comp, but this all seems really awesome and I really can't wait.

Name: Bartholomew (the Bard)

Bio: From a young age, Bart always knew he wanted to be a musician. Inspired by medieval bands like REO Speedwagon, he taught himself to play the lute solely for the purpose of picking up chicks. After realizing that the glamorous life he had imagined was never coming to fruition (not to mention his genre of new age folk dubstep not catching on with the locals), he set out for Aether Tower in the hopes of being inspired to, in his words, "write the next 'Can't Fight This Feeling'."

Item: His pet cat, Epsilon. Being on the road for long periods of time, Bart needed companionship, so he bought a kitten from a mysterious old man at a market in one of the towns he passed through. Now the two are inseparable - often Epsy will perch up on Bart's shoulder during his performances. Despite his cute appearances, Epsy has learned to be an adept hunter, mostly out of necessity when Bart's finances didn't permit them to eat. He's fearless and knows the exact weak spots to attack on every animal in the region. Plus, he can use his super-sniffer to track down items or people. Just don't tell Bart that Epsy's also tone-deaf.

Abilities:

Talking to animals - After long nights on the tour-carriage with just him and Epsy, Bart has learned to understand and communicate with the most common types of animals, and for all the uncommon types, he uses Epsy as a translator. Just don't make him talk to chinchillas - they're naturally incredibly racist.

Fire-bending - Despite his passion for rock-and-roll, Bart was an avid student of the Pyronius School of Firebending, and learned to summon and control fire, flame, and basically anything that generates heat. Although he originally learned solely for the purpose of looking incredibly epic as he lit his fingers on fire during his particularly shreddin' lute solos, his skills have come in quite handy for other purposes. Which is good, because all the fire-fingers trick really got him was 3 piles of lute-ashes and a lifetime ban from the Thumb-Wrestling Championships in his home town.

Well, you had a ride of a life. Welcome to the journey! Please play the lute only when really needed... PLEASE!

**dreamawake** · 11-07-2016 12:18 AM

Hey everyone! I love the idea, really sounds fantastic! I am practising to lucid dream so I won't join, but is the idea that there will be some kind of storyline that others can follow?