An Overview of the Dreamlands

There is no consensus among scholars as to the true nature of the Land of Dreams, other than the obvious fact that it seems to be an alternative reality that certain people can psychically visit while they sleep. Even the nature of the form of visitation is heavily disputed. Waking World experiments have shown that, with the exception of the overlay of an odd brainwave pattern, no change occurs in the physiology of the sleeper. Indeed, he or she will continue to cycle through the stages of sleep even as he or she sojourns through the Lands.

As such, there is no certainty as to whether the mind is a separate state from the biological brain, or if some other aspect separate from the mind, such as the soul or an animus spirit, makes the transition. Even whether the visitation can be called “dreaming” in any real sense is disputed, though Dreaming (note the capital ‘D’) is still used as a term of convenience.

Especially controversial is the metaphysical nature of the Dreamworld, whether it be a true physicality, or an illusory mental construct, or even a form of collective unconsciousness. All that is known for certain is that the form and substance of the Dreamlands may be altered by sheer force of will. In other words, one need only imagine a change and will it into existence, though this is easier said than done. Nonetheless, this seems to explain Dreamlands magic. A favorite explanation for this ability is that the Schrodinger wavefunction of the Lands is more easily manipulated than that of the Waking World, but this is by no means universally accepted.

Equally profound is the mystery as to why only certain persons are able to Dream, as well as why Dreaming is limited to certain species, specifically Humans, Cats, Dolphins, and Spiders. Also uncertain is whether other creatures, such as birds, are themselves Dreamers, or are constructs created by Dreamers.