ThisarticleoriginallyappearedinPyramid#7

EtInArcadiaEgo
NightmaresfromInsideandOutinanAdventureforKulttm.
ByJamesEstes
MynameisNigelSaintDenys.Pleasedon'ttrytogivethefamily
nameaFrenchpronunciationmyancestorsanglicizeditmany
generationsback.
IamdyingofAIDS.
Itusedtobothermetheprospectofdyingfromacrippling
diseasehasneverbeenattractivetopeople,andAIDSis
particularlyterrifyingbutnow?IliketothinkthatI'mrather
preparedforit.
Ofcourse,uponreflection(Idoalotofthatnow),itseemsas
thoughmyentirelifehasbeenspentinpreparationformydeath.
Macabre,maybe,buttrue.TheesteemedSaintDenyswealth?It
makessurethatmydeathbedisaveritablelapofluxury,andit
paysforthebestmedicalcare.Myeducation,oneofthebest
available?Mybackgroundandstudiesintheliberalartsare
invaluableasIspendtimerereadingandexploringthe"Classicsof
WesternCivilization."Iwasneverimpressedbycontemporary
deconstructionist/reconstructionist/feminist/MarxistliterarycriticswhosnidelycalltheGreat
Authors"deadwhitemen."PrettysoonI'llbeadeadwhitemanaswell.
Yes,Iwilldiesoon,butInolongercareI'velearnedthesecretofimmortality.Andthefunnything
isitisnosecret.Wedoiteverynight.Wedream.

Introduction
"EtinArcadiaEgo"isaboutthedreamsandnightmaresofNigelSaintDenys,ascholar(andretired
professor)dyingofAIDS.TheplayercharactersarepastassociatesofNigel,andarevisitinghim
foronelastgettogetherathisfamilyestatenearCharlottesville,Virginia.

NigelisaskilledDreameronthevergeofbecomingaDreamWanderer,intentonpermanently
enteringthedreamworldsbeforeheisovercomebyAIDS.Heintendstodrawhisfriendsintohis
dreams,relivingpleasentepisodesofthepast.Sadly,Nigel'smentalconditionisdeteriorating,asa
directresultofAIDS,andheisabouttolosecontrolofhisArtofdreaming:hisdreams,intendedto
besweetremembrances,areabouttobecomemutatedintoatwistednightmare.Furthermore,
Nigel'suncontrolledArtisconstructingavinculumbetweenthe"realworld"andthedreamworlds,
affectingtheverynatureofrealityaroundhisfamilyestate.Theplayercharacters,drawn
unwittinglyintoNigel'sdream,mustconfrontthechimeraofdeathandtheirownnightmaresbefore
theycanescape.
Gamemastersareencouragedtochangetheadventureinwhatevermannertheyseebest.

TheCharacters
TheplayercharactersareallassociatesofNigelSaint
Denys,andareamongthefewpeoplethatstillkeepin
touchwiththeirdyingfriend.Theymaybefamily
members,formerstudents,schoolmates,colleagues,or
friends,whohavereceivedinvitationstovisitNigelat
theSaintDenysmanor.Itpresupposesthatthe
charactersarelikelytocontinuerelationshipswitha
mansufferingfromAIDS.
Thisadventureisidealforgettinganewgroupofcharacterstogether,asitcandrawtogethera
varietyofpeoplewithlittleincommon.Ifthecharactersalreadyknoweachother,orthereisno
reasonthatacharactermighthaveeverbefriendedSaintDenys,thentheGamemasterorplayers
shouldbeabletocreatesomeotherexplanationfortheirinvitation.
Thisadventureisdesignedforasmallgroup,twotofourcharacters.NeitherskillsinMagicnor
Dreamingwillbenecessaryinfact,itisrecommendedthatcharactersberelativelyignorantin
thesematters.

SetUp
ThecharactershaveallreceivedinvitationsfromNigeltovisithimfora"winterholiday"overthe
MartinLutherKingthreedayweekend,andtheyhaveallarrangedtotakeanextraday,givingthem
fourdayswithhim.Itisreadilyapparenttoeveryoneinvolvedthattherealreasonfortheinvitation
isthatNigelwishestoseehisfewremainingfriendsonelasttime.MostofNigel'sfriendswill
knowthatheissufferingfromfullblownAIDS,andfewexpecthimtolivemuchlonger.
Noonewillknowthatheexpectstodeparthisdyingbodytoenterthedreamworlds.Heplanstodo
iteitherduringthisweekend,orsoonafterhisguestsleavebeforehisdreamsbecometotally
twistedbydementia.

THURSDAYEVENING
Arrival
ThevisitorswillarrivebyThursdayevening,tofindthatithasstartedtosnow.Itiscoldout,and
thenewsnowthatisblanketingthelandisnotafriendlyholidaysnow,butharshandbitter.
Uponarrival,aservantwilltaketheguest'sbagstohisorherroom,announcingthatNigelhas
dinedalreadyandhehasinstructedthemtopreparewhateverfoodtheguestsrequire:"Mr.Saint

Denysisnappingnowandexpectstogreetallhisguestswithinafewhours."Heisgivingthemthe
chancetoeat,relax,andcleanup(aswellaswaitforothergueststoarrive,ifnecessary).
Yourroomislargeandspaciousanenormouscanopiedfourposterbedperchedinthe
centeroftheroom.Theelegantwoodfurniture,probablyantique,appearstohavebeen
waxedandpolishedrecently,thesurfacereflectingawarmglow.Afireplaceappears
readyforuse,logspiledbesideit,andaglanceoutthewindowconfirmsthatthesnow
isfallingharder.Theadjoiningroomisabathroom,andthetemperaturedrops
considerablyinthisroom.Theporcelainandbrassalsoappearrecentlycleanedand
shined,withlargeterrybathtowelshangingbehindthedoor.Thelargeclawfooted
bathtublooksinviting,andtheentirebathroomrecallsalonglostageofelegance.
Theservantswilltendtomostoftheguests'needs.Laundrywillbecleaned,towelsreplaced,etc.
Thoughthehouseisrathercold,itisnotdrafty,andthewaterrunshot.
AWarmWelcome
Whentheguestshaveallarrivedandareready,theyshouldeventuallygatherinthedrawingroom.
Whilereading,talking,orotherwiseengaged,Nigelwillarrive:
Youaredistractedbythesoundofanelectrichumasyourfriendentersinanelectric
wheelchair.
WhenyoulastsawNigelSaintDenys,hewasahealthylookingmanmorebookish
thanathletic,he'dhadaslightpaunch,butonewhichheworewell.Hishairwasa
thickbrownmop,casuallystyled.
Thiscouldhardlybethesamemanhisfaceistaut,withafewdarkskinlesions
spottingitadarkhouserobehangsfrombonyshoulders,drapingagauntfigure.His
darkhairiscroppedshort,andseemstobethinningaswell.Hiseyesareburiedin
darkhollows.
Thenhesmiles,andhiseyessomehowmanageasparkle."Goodevening,"hesays,
warmly,andyouareengagedbythesameSaintDenyscharmthatyouhad
remembered.
Nigelwillthankhisguestsforarriving,andwillansweranyquestionstheymighthaveregarding
theweekenditinerary,thehistoryofthehouse,etc.Hewillbecurioustohearthedetailsofthetrip
tothehouse,inquiringiftheweatherwasanimpediment.Ifthecharactersdonotalreadyknow
eachother,hewillarrangeformalintroductionsforthem.Hewillberatherevasiveabouthishealth
conditionorprognosis.
Nigelwillletthemknowthathewillspendasmuchtimewiththemaspossible,buthetendsto
retireearly.Hetireseasily,andhisvariousmedicationsalsohaveasedativeeffect.Heannounces
thattheplansfortheweekendaresimple:relaxandenjoyeachother'scompany."Forthefirsttime
inalongtime,"hewillsay,"Ifeelalive."Theentirehouseisattheirdisposal.
Afterashortvisitwithhisguests,hewillindicatethathefeelsaheadachecomingon,andheshould
probablyretire.Leavingtheroom,he'llcallout,somewhatjovially,"sleepwell!"tohisfriends.
ThePCsarefreetodoastheychoosefortherestoftheevening,althoughitwillsoonbecome
apparentthatasNigelSaintDenysretires,thewholehousetendstoshutdown.Glancesoutsidewill
showthatthesnowfallhasnotabated.

Thursday'sDream

Eachcharactershouldhaveadreamtheirfirstevening.Nigelisdreamingofhisfirstencounterwith
eachguest,whenhewas(mostlikely)youngerandhealthier.Heisintentionallysummoning
charactersintohisdreams,buttowardstheendofthedream,helosescontrol.Itshouldbeadream
ofoneoftheirearliestencounterswithNigel:inaclassroom,atasmokefilledbar,atanacademic
seminar,afamilysocial,etc.
Donotsay,"Youhaveadream."Instead,gobacktothecharacter'sfirstmeetingwithNigel
elaborateonthescenario,andengageinasmuchroleplayingaspossible.Encouragetheplayersto
participateasmuchaspossibleinthisprocess:notonlydoesithelpfurtherthestory,butitshould
ideallyhelpdevelopmorepersonaltieswithNigel'scharacter.Asyouandthecharacterare
roleplayingtheencounter,indicatethatNigelseems,impossibly,tostartaging,becomingthinner
andweakerhewilllookathiswitheringhands,startingtospotwithskinlesions,inhorror.
Whiletheplayerwillmostlikelyrealizethatthisisadreamsequence,thecharacterwillnotfully
realizeititsuchisthenatureofdreams.However,asNigelagessuddenlyandquickly,tellthe
playerthattheircharacterissuddenlyawarethatthisisadream.Thecharacterwillthen
immediatelyawaken,inacoldsweat,imaginingthattheyheardNigelcryout"No!"
Thiswillprobablybethecharacter'sfirstexperienceinluciddreaming,thephenomenonofbeing
aware,whileinadream,thatoneisdreaming.UnlessthecharacterisaNewAger,apsychologist,
orsomeonewithastatedinterest(andskillsinparapsychologyorpsychology)insuchtopics,then
theconceptwillmostlikelybeunknowntothem.
Asstated,Nigelhasintentionallydreamtofhisfirstencounterwitheachofhisguests,andhas
drawnintheirdreamforms.Althoughhisrecentneurologicaldifficultieshavecausedsomeunusual
occurrencesinhisdreams,thisisthefirsttimethathehasactuallylostcontrolofhisdreambody.

FRIDAY
Daytime
Fridayshouldbeessentiallyunremarkable,butafewincidentsshouldoccur.Askeachcharacter
whattheymightdothroughouttheday,androleplaywhateverincidentsappearimportantfor
characterdevelopmentespeciallyinregardtothecharacters'relationshipwithNigel.
UnlessthecharactersawakenbeforeNigel(whoisupatdawn),theywillmostlikelyfindhiminthe
library,reading.Forthemostpart,theycanspendthedayastheyplease:readinginthelibrary,
enjoyingthesauna,orevenexploringthesnowcoveredestategrounds.Nigelwilleatlittleofthe
foodonhisplateduringmealtime.Hewilltrytoencourageasmuchconversationaspossible,and
invitethecharacterstojoinhiminthelibraryforcoffeeandsomelightreadinginmidday.
Thesnowfallfromthedaybefore,althoughsparse,hasnotabated.Thesnowblanketsthe
countryside,affordingthecharactersawonderfulviewofthetheAlbemarlecountrysideandthe
Blueridgemountains.Bytheendoftheday,theguestsarefullysnowbound,andcallstocounty
officialswillnotprovidedefiniteanswersastowhenroadsmightbeclear.Nigelwillbeslightly
upset,confessingthathehadhopedhisfatherwouldvisitbuttheinclementweatherwillobviously
notpermitthis.Otherwise,thehouseisfullystocked,sohiscompanyshouldbesufferingnothing
morethanmildcabinfever.
IfthecharactersdiscusstheirbizarredreamswithNigel,hewilltaketheroleoftheacademe,
interestedinwhattheyhavetosayandaskingifthedreamhasanymeaningtothem.Hewillnot
answeranyquestionsabouthisowndreams,claimingthattheywere"typicallyboring."Throughout
theday,Nigel'sdiscussionswillbethanatocentric:"whatdoyouthinkhappenswhenyoudie?",
"Thecommonloreisthatifyoudieinyourdream,youdieinreallife.Butwhatabouttheopposite
whathappenstoyouinyourdreamifyoudieinyoursleep?",etc.

Ifpressedfurtherontheissueofbizarredreams,hewillquotePlato's
Theaetetus:"Howcanyoudeterminewhetheratthismomentwearesleeping,
andallourthoughtsareadreamorwhetherweareawake,andtalkingtoone
anotherinthewakingstate?"Nigelisdisturbedoverhisdeterioratingcontrol
overwhatshouldhavebeenasimpledream,buthewillnotconfessanything
tothecharacters.
StrangeEvents
Regardlesswhathappens,pepperthedaywithbizarreoccurrences.Nigel's
lossofcontroloverhisincredibleskillinDreaminghasinadvertantlyopened
anoneiricnexusatSaintDenysmanor,andtherealworldwillstarttotakeon
theratherpeculiarnatureofdreams.
Forexample,atthestartoftheday,askeachcharacteroneormoreofthe
following:whatcolorsocksdidyouputon?whatisinyourpockets?what
jewelryareyouwearing?didyouforgettopackanything?
Then,lateronintheday,indicatesomehowthatthedetailsaredifferent:
socksmightbeadifferentcolorthanrememberedmore(orfewer)rings
mightbewornapocketmightsuddenlybefilledwithloosechangea
missingitemmightreappearinthecharacter'sroomorontheirperson.
Othersucheventscouldoccur:acupofcoffee,apparentlyempty,may
suddenlybefilledagain(orviceversa)theheadlineonanewspaper,orthe
titleofabook,maybesubtlydifferentthanhadbeenread,ineitherits
appearanceorthetextitself.
Generally,limitthesetotwoorthree"dreamlets"percharacter,andtryto
arrangeitsothattheyarenoticedonlybyindividualcharactersandnot
verifiablebyothers.

Friday'sDream
ThecharacterseachhaveanotherdreamonFridaynight.
Replayanincidentfromduringthedayoneoftheoccasionsinwhichacharacterisspeaking
alonewithNigelwhilehisnurseorservantsmaybepresent,theothercharactersshouldnotbein
thedream.Althoughthedreamwillbeareplayofaneventearlierintheday,Nigelwillbeyoung
andhealthy.AskeachplayertomakeasuccessfulrollofEgo/5ifsuccessful,thecharacterswill
realizethattheyareinadreamatthispoint,don'tsimplynarratetheevent,butallowtheplayerto
participatesomewhataswell.
Atsomepointinthedreamconversation,thefollowingoccurs:
Ashadowpassesacrossthe
room,andheavyfootsteps
soundinthehalloutside.
Nigelwhirlstowardsthe
door,obviouslysurprised.
Onceagain,hestartsaging,
hisbodybecomingmoreill
andfrail.Thedoorstarts
thudding,asifbeingkicked
orslammedinward,and
Nigelstartstobackaway

fromit,trembling,screaming,"No!Notnow!Notyet!"Hecrumplesinthecorneroftheroom,
wailinginutterterror.
Thedoorsplintersinwardasacoldshadowfloodstheroom.
Thisisthecharacter'sfirstexperiencewithaNachtschreck,whichisdescribedindetaillater.The
appearanceoftheNachtschreckshouldbeindividuallytailoredtoeachcharacter,reflectingsome
deepfear.
Iftheplayersaregettingrestless,thenusethisopportunityforcombatbutdon'tmakeittoodeadly.
AllowthecharactertoawakenuponreceivingtheirfirstLightWound.Thewoundwillbegone
whentheyawakenhowever,whicheverpartoftheirbodywasinjuredwillthrobpainfullyforthe
restoftheday.
Regardlessofwhetherthereiscombat,thecharacterswillawaken,drenchedinsweat.Whenthe
charactersfirstawaken,theywillbeunabletomove,theirbodiesparalyzed.Indicatethatthe
characterisalmostcertainthattheyareawake.
Attemptingtomove,youfindyourselfparalyzed,aheavyweightcrushingdownonyou,
grippingyoubytheshoulders.Yourealizethenthatyouarenotaloneintheroom:a
darkpresenceisnearby,evil,suffocating,smothering.
Anyactionsthecharacterattemptwillbeunsuccessful.Forafewminutes,nothingwillhappen
thenboththeimaginedpresenceandtheparalysiswillfadeasthebodyreturnstonormal.However,
onecharacter(yourchoice)shouldlaterdiscoverbruisesontheirshouldersandneck.
Acharacterwitheithertheskillsofpsychologyorparapsychology,uponasuccessfulskillthrow,
shouldrealizethatthisisasimplecaseofsleepparalysis,whenthebrain,indeepsleep,"freezes"
thebodytopreventitfromthrashingaround.Occasionally,asleeperwakesupwiththeirbodystill
frozenthebrain,stillpartiallyinREMstate,beginstohallucinate,oftencreatingevil,threatening
presencestomatchthefeelingofparalysis.Unfortunately,inthecaseoftheguestwiththebruises,
theoneiricnexusactuallygaveformtothisevilpresence,andnoonewithouttheArtofDreaming
willbeabletoexplainthetruesourceofthebruises.
Thedreamwilloccursimultaneouslyforeachcharacter,andeachwillawakenat4a.m.Shouldthey
checkonNigel,hewillbesleeping,andwillnotawakeneasilybecauseofhismedication.Ifthe
charactersmanagetoawakenhim,hewillbegroggyandunabletoansweranyquestions.The
nurse,fromacrossthehall,willrescuehimfromanysuchinsensitivecharacters,andhewillreturn
tohisslumber.
BothNigel'sphysicalandmentalconditionhavedeterioratedfurther.Hisprivatefearofdyinga
hideousdeathfromAIDS,aloneandunwanted,hasattractedaNachtschreck,acreaturefromthe
worldofdreams,thatisdrawntonightmaresandfears.

SATURDAY
Daytime
Saturdaymorningwillfindtheentirecountrysideshroudedinathicksnow.
Nigelwillbesleepinglaterthannormal,afacttheservantscommentuponasunusual.Hisnursecan
befoundeitherinhisroomorinthekitchen.Shewillappearconcerned,andifpressedfor
information,willrelateNigel'scurrentmedicalstatus,includingthedoctor'sconcernoverhis
prognosis.

Nigelwillawakenbylunchtimethoughhewilljoinhisguestsatlunch,hewillnoteat.Evenhis
ratherpleasantmannerwillfade,andhewilldriftintoboutsofirritabilityconcentrationwillbe
evenmoredifficultforhim.
SaturdayshouldbehandledmuchasFridaywas,butNigelwillbeapparentlymoreillandmoody
thanthedaybefore.AlternateboutsofdepressionwithhappiermomentshaveNigelthankeach
guestatleastoncefortheirfriendshipandtheirsupport.Alsomakethenurse'spresencemore
noticable,emphasizinghiscondition.
Hewillretiresoonafterdinner,askinghisguests'indulgence.
MoreStrangeEvents
Ifpossible,maketheeventsonSaturdayevenstrangerthanthedaybeforetrytomakethemmore
bizarre,andalsotrytoinvolvemorethanonecharacteratonetime.Forexample,charactersmay
findthattheirwatcheshavebeenexchangediftwocharactersweresolvingacrosswordpuzzle,
theymightfindwordsmissingthattheyremembersolving,etc.
IfNigelisaskedabouttheseevents,hewillbecomeevenmoresilentandwithdrawn.Whileheis
awareofthattheirlocalrealityisbecoming"dreamlike",hewillnotbewillingtoexplainwhy.He
willclaimtotalignoranceofthesituation.
Neithertheservantsnorthenursewillnoteanybizarrephenomenastrangelyenough,itseemsto
concentrateonNigel'scompany.

Saturday'sDream
Thecharactersallshareacommondream:
Youareinacemetery,gatheredtogetheraroundanopengrave.Anumberofmenand
women,alldressedinblack,surroundyoutheydonotlooksad,butcoldand
unpleasant.Acoffinissuspendedbycablesabovethegrave,andapriestisreadinga
funeralservicefromthebreviaryinhishands.Asnowfallcoverstheground,invivid
contrastwiththeblackofthemourners'garbandthefreshlyduggrave.
Youalllookateachotherandshareacommonthought:Thismustbeadream.
Asthecoffinbeginsitsdescentintothegrave,thepriest'svoicebeginstorise:"OLord,
castthissinnerintoeternaldamnationforhisdegeneratebehavior.Hehassinned,O
Lord,andismostdeservingofthyjustpunishment."Hateanddisgustfillhisvoice.
Oneolderman,slightlyresemblingNigel,stepsforward."Atleasthedidn'ttellhis
motherhewasqueerbeforeshedied,"hesays,claspingtohischestablack&white
photographofawoman."Thegoodwomanadoredherson."Heturnshisbackand
startstowalkaway,theotherobserversleavingaswell."Whatawasteofalife",you
hearsomeonesay."Youknowhowhebecameill,whathemust'vedone.I'veheardthat
they..."Voicesfadeintoagossipymurmurasthemournersleave.
Thecoffinhitsthegroundwithathud,andyouhearNigel'svoice,barelypenetrating
thewoodandmetalofthecoffin:"I'mnotdead,pleasedon'tleavemehere..."
Youawaken,stillhearingNigel'sforlorncry.
Anyactionthecharactersmayattemptinthisdreamisessentiallyfutilealthoughtheywillbeable
tointeractwitheachother,therestofthedreamwillnotacknowledgetheirpresence.Theiractions
willnotregisteruponmournersinthedream,andifacharactertriestotouchsomeoneotherthan

anotherdreamer,theirhandwillmerelypassthrough.Somecharactersmaybeawarethattheman
withthephotoisNigel'sfather.
Thetruthisthatthecharactersdonotawaken.TheirdreamselvesarestilltrappedinNigel'sdream,
andhisdreamhasonlychangeditsqualitytooneclosertorealitythecharactersaredreamingthat
theyareawake,andtherestoftheadventureoccursinthisdream.Evenifacharactersuspectsthat
theyareinadreamandattempttowakeup,theywillremainastheyare,firmlytrappedinNigel's
nightmare.
IftheygotoNigel'sroom,theywillfindthenursealreadythere,takinghispulse.Hewillhavean
IVhookeduptohim,andhewillbepalerandmorefraillooking.Thenursewillindicatethatshe
hastriedtocallthehospital,butthesnowmusthaverecentlydownedaphoneline.Shewillsuggest
thattheygotosleepagain,andifhissituationchangesdramatically,shewillhavethemawakened.
(Ifanycharactershavecellularphones,theywillfindthemstrangelyinoperative.)

SUNDAY
Daytime
Ifthecharactersareabletogotosleep(orrather,dreamthattheyaregoingtosleep),nothing
unusualwillhappen.Regardlessofwhattheydo,bydawn,thenursewillannouncethathis
conditionisthesame,thephonelinesarestilldown,andtheyarestillsnowedin.
Thedayshouldbemoresomber.Thestaffwillbequieter,andthechillandisolationofthehouse
shouldfeelmorepronounced.Emphasizethistotheplayersmakethemfeelalone.Wherebefore
thestaffwasalmostubiquitous,nowtheyareabsentmakepeoplelookforthem.Theymightfind
foodwaitingfortheminthediningroom,butitwillbecoldandunpalatable.
StrangeEvents
Thisday'seventshouldprovethemostunsettling.Havesome,orallofthefollowingoccur:
Atsomepoint,whensomeoneentersthelibrary,itwillbecoveredwithdust,asthoughithadn't
beenusedinyears.Bookswillcrumbletothetouch.
SomeonelookingoutsideawindowwillseeNigelstandingoutside,lookingsadlyin.Hewillnot
respondtothem,andiftheyturnaway,hewillbegone.
Thephoneswilloccasionallyring.Theywillnotbeansweredbystaff,andtheywillkeepringing
untiloneofthecharacterspicksupaphone.Allthatwillbeheardontheotherendisthesoundofa
manweeping.Thiswillhappentwicethesecondtime,theywillactuallyhearNigel'svoice,
plaintive:"Please,helpme...I'mtrapped..."Thevoicewilladdressthecharacterbyname.
Similareventscanbeadded.

Evening
SundayeveningwillmarkthefinalencountersinNigel'sdream.Atsomepoint,havethecharacters
realizethatneithertheservantsnorthenursehavebeenseenwithinthepasthour.Anexamination
ofthehousewillconfirmthatthecharactersarealoneitisasthoughtheservantswereneverthere.
Eachroomtheycheck,evenifithadbeenusedpreviously,willappearlongvacantandunused,
coveredinashroudofdust.Theonlyexceptionsaretheirbedrooms,whichwillbedeathlycoldbut
willappearotherwisenormal.
DarkSecrets&Disadvantages
Ifthecharactersendupseparatedatsomepointintheday,eitherbecausetheyaresearching

throughthehouseforthehousestaff,orforanyotherreason,manageaconfrontationbetweenthe
charactersandoneoftheirdisadvantages,darksecrets,etc.Forexample,acharacterwithadread
fearofsnakes,uponopeningaroom,couldfindtheroomfilledwithsnakes.Onlywhentheyre
entertheroomorsomeoneelseenterswilltheroomappearnormal.
Essentially,thisisthesortofencounterthatisbestcraftedbyaGamemasterforeachplayeronly
guidelinescanbeprovidedhere.Anysuchincidentsshouldemphasizethenightmarishqualityof
theday.
ItdoesnotmatteratthispointwhetherornottheyrealizethattheyaretrappedinNigel'sdream.No
matterwhattheydo,theywillnotbeabletoleaveuntiltheyseeitthroughtotheend.
Nigel'sBedroom
Theclimaxshouldtakeplacesoonafterthecharactersrealizethattheyarealone,andprobablyina
dream.Bynow,thedreamhastakenonthequalityofNigel'sworstanguishoverhisdisease:the
feelingsofabandonment,ofbeingswallowedbyadiseasethatnooneseemstocareabout.
IfonlyonecharactergoestoexamineNigelinhisroom,theywillfindthedoorlocked.Itcannotbe
picked,unlocked,orevenbrokendownunlessallcharactersarepresentthenitwillsimplyopenfor
them.
Theroomwithinwillnotbeasitwasbefore:Itwillbealarge,
sterilehospitalroomfilledwithavarietyofmachinesandrowafter
rowofemptysickbeds.Nigelwillbelyingononeinthecenterof
theroom.Flickeringfluorescentlightscastagrimbluesheenover
everything,whilehypodermics,bloodygauze,andemptyplasma
bagslitterthefloor.
DozensofIVtubeswillbeaffixedtovariouspartsofNigel'sbody,
thetubespulsingandwrithing.Thebagsattheendofthetubes
willbefillingupwithblood,bileandotherliquids,asNigel'sbody
isseeminglydrainedofitslifefluids.Theroomwillbesilentbut
forthesteadydripofthesebagsbeingfilled.
Hiseyeswillbeopen,anddartingfromsidetoside,buthewillbe
tooweaktomove.Ifanycharactersapproachhim,hewillwhisper,
weakly:"helpme...beforeitcomes."
Afterthecharactershavestoodaroundawhile,orifanyonestartsremovingthemultitudeofIVs
attachedtoNigel,thesoundofslow,steadyfoostepswillechodownthehall.
Theroomdarkens,andthetemperaturedropsevenfurther.Youhearasnappingsound,andleather
strapsappearonNigel'swristsandankles,clampingdownsotightlythattheydrawblood.Asoft
moanofanguishescapeshiscrackedlips.
Theshadowofatall,gauntfigurefillsthedoorway,andyouinstinctivelyrecoil.Althoughtheroom
isdark,thefigureisunmistakeable:itlookslikeNigel,moreillandwastedthanyouhaveeverseen
him,reekingofdeathandharshchemicals.Dark,piercingeyes,quiteunlikeNigel'seyes,glare
coldlyatyou."Heismine.Hewilldie.Youcannotstopthis."
ThefigureadvancestowardNigel.
Ifthecharactersallowittocontinueitsadvance,Nigelwillstarttostruggleonthetable,cryingoutinterror,but
otherwiseunabletomoveasheisstrappedtothetable.

TheNachtschreck

ThisisnotaconstructofNigel'sdreamitisacreaturefromthedreamworldsthathasbeendrawntowardthe
nexusofdreamandreality.Nigel'sfearsofdeathfromsuchawastingdiseasehavebeensostrongthatithas
takenontheformofthesefears.
NigelisastrongenoughDreamerthathemightordinarilybeabletodefeattheNachtschreck.However,heis
trapped,helpless,byotherfears:thathisdeathwouldbeinacold,sterileenvironment,withnoonetomournfor
him.
Attemptsatconversationwillbeunsucessful.TheNachtschreckcannotbepersuadedbyrhetoricordebateof
anysort.Ifthecharactersaskwhoorwhatitis,itwillanswer,"Terror."
Thecharactersmaytryanyofthreeactions:allowingthecreaturetotakeNigel,attemptingtostopthecreature,
orattemptingtofreeNigel.
AllowingtheCreaturetoTakeNigel
IfthecharactersallowtheNachtschrecktoapproachNigel,itwillclimbatophim,thenslowlystarttomerge
withhisstrugglingform.Nigel'ssickenedbodywillstarttowitherandwritheinagonywithonelastwheeze,
Nigel'sdreamselfwillsuccumbtothedisease,anddie.Donotmakethedeathinstantaneousgivethe
charactersachancetoreact.
IfNigeldies,thecharacterswillwakengoto"AftertheDream."
FightingtheNachtschreck
Ifthecharacterstrytoattackthecreature,theywillprobablyhavelimitedsuccess.Aseachcharactertriesto
fighttheNachtschreck,itwillchangeinformsothatitnolongerresemblesNigel'spersonalTerroritwill,
instead,mirrorthecharacter'sownfear.EachcharacterwillthusseeadifferentTerror.CallforaTerrorThrow
byeachcharacterbeforebeginninganycombat.
Unlessthecharactershappentoregularlymoveaboutarmed(whichispossible),orhavestoppedtoacquire
someweaponinthehousebeforeenteringtheroom,therewillbefewweaponsintheroom.AnIVstandmay
actasimprovisedstafforpolearm,andarustedscalpelortwomaybefoundonthefloor.Ofcourse,someone
withaskillintheArtofDreamingmaytrytodreamaweaponintoexistence,orotherwisechangesomeother
detailofthedreamtotheirbenefit.Anydamagethecharacters'dreamselvesreceivesinthisencounterwillalso
appearontheirphysicalbodyaswell.Ultimately,afterenoughwounds,theycoulddie.
IfthecharacterssimplytrytointerposethemselvesbetweenNigelandthecreature,conflictisboundtoensueas
itattemptstoflingthemaside.
FreeingNigel
Nigelisastrongenoughdreamerthat,ifhefightsalongsidethe
characters,theNachtschreckcanbedefeated.However,his
fearsofdyingaloneandunwantedhavebecometwistedbyhis
dementia,takingonaphysicalformandbindinghimtothe
dreamsickbed.
IfthecharactersmanagetoripfreealltheIVsandunstrapthe
leatherbindingsfromNigel,thenhewillbeabletoassistthe
charactersintheirstruggleagainsttheNachtschreck.Itshould
takeatotalof10actions(notrounds),whetheraccomplishedby
oneormorecharacters,toreleaseNigelfromtheIVsandthe
leatherstraps.TheminuteacharactertriestoreleaseNigel,theNachtschreckwilltargetthatindividualfora
personalattack.
Uponbeingreleased,Nigel'sbodywillstarttoreformintothatofamuchyounger,healthiermanmorefitand
vigorousthanNigelhadeverbeeninhiswakinglife.Hissickrobewillreformintoachlamys,andhewilldream

agladiusintoexistence,whichhewillusetohelpdispatchtheNachtschreck.
TheTerrorDefeated
Oncethecreaturedies,itwillfalltothegroundinasmokymist.Nigelwilllookaround,andsay"thissimply
willnotdo."Withalazywaveofhishand,thesettingshouldchange:Nigelandthecharacterswillallbein
Nigel's"true"bedroom,notthehospitalsickroom.Itwillbehisbedroominthemanor,sansmedicalequipment
(e.g,IVs,wheelchair,etc.).
Nigelwillbewillingtoansweranyquestionsthecharactersmayhave.Hewillindicatethattheyarestillinhis
dream,butonewhichhehasnowmanagedtocleanseofhisnightmares.
Nigelwillconfessthathehadinvitedthecharacterstobewithhimsothathewouldnotdiealoneheintended
todrawthemintohisdreams,buthehadplannedtomakethempleasantremembrancesoftimespast.Hewill
expressextremeregretthatthedreamsbecamesonightmarish,blamingitonhisdrugsandneurological
condition.Hewillhazardaguessthathisskill,tamperedwithbydrugsanddementia,constructedadreamnexus
attheestateitshouldbeclosednowthatheisinfullcontrolofhissenses.
Towardstheendoftheconversation,Nigelwillsaythathehasnowtransferredhimselfentirelyintothedream
worlds,andthathiswakingbodywilldiesoon.Thedreamworldsarehisnewhome.Whileitwouldnormally
havetakenafewdayslonger,thedreamnexusmadeitpossibleforhimtotransferhimselfentirelyovertothe
dreamworlds.Nowthatheistotallyfreedfromhisphysicalbody,hisdementiaandmedicationswillnolonger
affecthisdreaming.
Hewillthankthecharactersagain,indicatingthatthisisnotthelasttheywillseeofhim.
Openingthedoortohisroom,youseenotthemanorhallwaybeyond,butdarkgleamingspiresandfluttering
blackpennants.Turningtoyou,hesays,"It'sanotherworldoutthere,andIhavefriendswaitingforme.Thank
youagain."Withthat,hestepsthroughthedoor.
Youareeachinyourbeds.Thesunshinesthroughthewindows.
AftertheDream
Whenthecharactersawaken,ontherealSundaymorning,the
followingwilloccur.
Anywoundswillbehealed.IfNigelwastakenbythe
Nachtschreck,thenthecharacterswilllearnthathediedinhis
sleepovernight.
IftheyhaverescuedNigelfromtheNachtschreck,theywill
learnthatNigelslippedintoacomaovernight.
Foreitheroption:althoughthephonelinesweredownforan
hour,theyhavesincebeenrepaired,andboththeparamedics
andMr.WilliamSaintDenys,Nigel'sfather,havebeencalled.Thenursehasnoideawhenanyonemayarrive,
asthemanorisstillsnowbound,butreportsarethattheroadsarebeingclearedandthesnowismelting.
Theroadswillbeclearbymidafternoon,allowingboththeparamedicsandMr.SaintDenystoarrive.
Mr.SaintDenys,recognizablefromNigel'sdream,willasktheguests(politely,butrathermatteroffactly)if
theyneedtransportation.Thecharactersmaygettheideathattheyarenotwelcome.Williamwillbeshaking,on
thevergeofemotionalcollapse.IftheyshowconcernforNigel,Williamwillrelaxalittle,andmayactually
seemgratefulfortheircompany.ParamedicswilltakeNigeltotheUniversityofVirginiaMedicalCenter.If
Nigelwasaliveandinacoma,thedoctorswillnotbeabletopredicthowmuchlongerhehas.

Eventually,theguestsalldepart,withguaranteesfromWilliamthattheywillbeinformedofanychangein
Nigel'scondition.Hewillcollecttheirnames,addressesandphonenumbers,withpromisestokeepintouch.
Nigelwilldieoveraweeklaterorrather,hisphysicalbodywillfinallyexpire.

EPILOGUE
Afewweeksafterthecharactershavereturnedhome,theyeachreceivealetteronthepersonalstationeryof
WilliamSaintDenys:
Iamwritingtothankyouforthesupportyouofferedmysonduringhislastdays.Iknowfrommyphone
conversationwithhim,whileyouwerevisiting,thathewasmoregratefulforyourcompanythanyoucould
imagine.IamgenuinelysorrythatIwasnottherewithhim.
IwishIweren'tsuchastubbornoldmanwholethisprejudicesrulehisrelationshipwithhisonlyson.Butthisis
somethingI'llhavetolivewith,andmaybeonedaymanagetoforgivemyself.
Thefunnythingis,IhadadreamofNigellastnight.Hewasyoungandhealthy,andhetoldmehelovedmeand
forgaveme.Ifonlydreamswerereal.
Ihaveenclosedsomethingforyourinterest.Ihopetohearfromyousoon.
EnclosedwiththeletterisaphotocopyofNigel'sobituaryfromtheWashingtonBlade,aWashington,DCbased
gayandlesbiannewspaper:
NigelSaintDenys
NigelCharlesSaintDenys,43,ofAlbemarleCounty,Virginia,diedWednesday,February2,1994,
ofcomplicationsassociatedwithAIDS,accordingtohisfather,WilliamSaintDenys.
SaintDenyswasbornOctober20,1949inCharlottesville,Va.Hegraduatedin1971fromthe
UniversityofVirginia,withaB.A.inEnglishliterature.HeearnedadoctorateinGreek&Latin
fromYaleUniversityin1978.
SaintDenyslivedinWashingtonfrom19791992,teachingClassicsatCatholicUniversity.
SaintDenys'remainswerecremated.Friendsareinvitedbyhisfathertotheblessingofhisremains,
whichwillbeheldSunday,March14,1994,atStMark'sEpiscopalChurchinCharlottesville.
ContributionsinhisnamemaybemadetotheWhitmanWalkerfoodbank,1407SSt.,NW,
Washington,DC20009,ortotheAIDScharityfoundationofone'schoice.

CONCLUSION
IfthecharactershavesavedNigel,thentheywillhavegainedausefulallyinfurtheradventuresorforaysinthe
dreamworlds.Hemayevenvisitthemintheirdreamsonsomedays,thecharactersmayjust"thinkofNigel,"
notrealizingthattheydreamtofhimthenightbefore.
IftheypartedonsomewhatgoodtermswithWilliam,thentheywillhaveamoderatlyusefullegalally.Hewill
helpthemwithminordetailsasnecessary,butwillnotdoanythingillegalordangerousforthem.
Regardlessoftheconclusion,thecharactersallnowhaveanewskillintheArtofDreaming,equaltotheir
Ego/5(orpossiblyhigher,attheGamemaster'sdiscretion).

SAINTDENYSMANOR
TheSaintDenysmanorestateisinAlbemarleCounty,Virginia,whichisknownforattractingsomeofthe
country'srichestfamilies.Theestateisapproximately120milesfromWashingtonaneasycartripfromthe
city,althoughtrains(andevenshuttlesfromWashington,D.C.'sNationalAirport)servicethenearbytownof
Charlottesville.Nigelcanarrangetransportationfromthetrainstationifnecessaryacartripisabout20minutes
fromtheCharlottesvillestation,throughaseriesofbackcountryroads.
Themanoris126yearsold,situatedonalargeestatesome250acresacrossalongwiththemanorarealarge
fivecargarage,stables,apoolandcabana,andanowunusedguesthouse.Atitsheight,adozenfamily
members,inadditiontoalargestaffofservants,livedhere.Thehousehasbeenempty(exceptfortheoccasional
caretaker)sincethelate1970s,whenNigel'smother,Elizabeth,diedofcancer.Thechildrenhadgrownup,so
hisfatherdecidedtorelocatetoWashingtonandjoinaprestigiouslawfirmthathadbeencourtinghimoverthe
years.
Themanorislarge,quitebefittingthewealthoftheSaintDenysfamily.SinceNigelhasmovedin,afewmore
roomshavebeenopenedwiththearrivalofthevisitors,extrabedroomswillbeprepared.Onlyroomsof
importancewillbementioned:

SAINTDENYSMANOR
Thefirstfloorisshadedgrey.TheGamemaster
shouldassumethatthekitchenandthe
servants'quartersarelocatedundertheupper
floorsuites.

<N
FIRSTFLOOR
1.Atrium
Thisroomisfurnishedwithwickerfurniture,andlookslikeitwasoncethehomeofmanyplantstherearenone
now.Breakfastandlunchwillusuallybeservedhere.
2.DiningRoom
Thisisoneofthesmallerdiningrooms,reservedformoreintimateoccasionsstill,10peoplecansit
comfortablyatthemammothdarkwoodtable.Dinnerisservedhere,withoneortwoservantsattending.
3.DrawingRoom
Nigelhasopenedthisroomforhisguests'use.Theyarecomfortablyfurnished,withafullystockedwetbaron
oneside,andastereosystem,VCR(withanicevideotapelibrary)andalargescreentelevisionhookeduptoa
satellitedishontheother.
(NotShown)Kitchen
Thekitchenisenormousandpreparedforalmostanyculinaryneed.Alargeplaintableandchairsarehere,
intendedfortheservants'useorlatenightsnacks.
4.Library
Thisroomisinconstantuse,andisNigel'spreferredroom.Itiswarmedbyalargefireplace,andanumberof

leatherwingchairsareplacedcomfortablyabouttheroom.Twolargetablesarelitteredwithbooksandpapers.
AglancewilldisplaysomeofNigel'scurrentreadinginterests:TheTibetanBookoftheDead,theEgyptian
BookoftheDead,andanumberofworksonDreamsandDreaming.EnormousFrenchdoorsopenouttoa
porch.
(NotShown)Servants'Quarters/Utilityrooms
Theseareinthebackofthebuilding.Theservantsshareroomsandhavetheirowncommonroomandsmall
kitchenette.Laundryfacilitiesarealsoplacedhere.

SECONDFLOOR
5.MasterBedroomSuites
Therearetwosuchsuites,eachwithabedroom,sittingroomandbathroom.OneisNigel's,andtheotheris
reservedforhisfather'sfewvisits.
6.Bedchambers
Eachcharacterhasaprivateroomandbath.Eachroomhasapullcordthatwillsummonaservantwithinafew
minutes(longeriflateatnight),butnotelephoneortelevision.Thebathroomshavelaundryhampers.
Inspiteofanumberofhabitablerooms,thehouseisstillalmostaghosthouse.Anyotherroomsthattheguests
mayventureinto(e.g.,otherbedrooms,parlors,studies,etal.)willhavethefurnituredrapedwithalightcloth
andcoatedwithathicklayerofdust.Becauseoftheoldhouse'sageanddesign,theoilheatingisinefficient,
andmostroomshavetorelyonfireplaces.Nigel'sroomwillhaveportableheaters,andtheservantswillprepare
hotwaterbottlesfortheguests'bedsifrequired.Itwillbeastepbackintoanotherera,andthesnowthatis
gatheringoutsidewillonlyheightenthecoldandthesenseofisolation.
Themanorisequippedwithacagestyleelevator,whichNigelmustusenowthatheisconfinedtoawheelchair.

NONPLAYERCHARACTERS
NigelSaintDenys
TheArcadian
NigelSaintDenys(or,TheArcadianasheisknowninthedreamworlds)isthe"blacksheep"ofawealthy
Virginiafamily.Hisinterestsareinacademics,notmoneyheisgay,inaratherrepressed,conservativefamily
heisdyingofAIDS.
Nigelwasraisedinthelapofluxury,attheSaintDenysestateinAlbemarleCounty,Virginia.Despitehis
father'sprotestations,hereceivedadvanceddegreesinClassicalLanguagesandLiterature.Soonafter
graduating,hereceivedhisfirstpost,teachingintheClassicsDepartmentatCatholicUniversity,inWashington,
D.C.Hisfavorableteachingrecordandpromisingscholarlycareerearnedhimaquicktenure.Unfortunately,
afterbeingdiagnosedwithAIDS,hewasforcedtoretirefromteachingandreturntohisnowabandonedfamily
estateinAlbemarleCounty,Virginia.AsthephysicalsymptomsofAIDSworsenedandhishealthfailed,he
foundhimselfincreasinglyalonefewerfamilymembersorcolleaguesmaintainedanyrelationshipswithhim.
AsNigel'shealthwaned,hisinterestinmetaphysicsincreased.Nolongerabletotrusthisbodyashehadonce
beenable,heturnedinward.Hehadalwayshadastrong"dreamlife"rich,imaginative,andoftenquitelucid
and,becomingmoreandmoreintrospective,hebegantointuitivelymastertheArtofDreaming.Itwasnot
longbeforehedeterminedthathewouldabandonhisdyingshelltoanewlifeintheworldofdreams.Henow
spendshiswakingtimeinhislibraryorroom,reading,dreaming,andpreparingforhisfinaljourneytothe
dreamworlds.Whileasleep,hevisitsunknownworlds,oranidyllicrecreationofhishouseashegrewupinit.

Unfortunately,Nigelbegantosufferfromahostofneurologicaldisorders(see
"Nigel'sCurrentHealth").Ashismindbegantoslip,hismasteryoftheArtof
DreamingbecametwistedtheDreambecameaNightmare.Thefearswhich
plaguemanyAIDSvictimssocietallyimposedguilt,thesenseofloneliness
andabandonment,etal.slowlyweregivenphysicalforminhisdreams.
Eventually,anexusbetweentheworldofDreamsandthe"real"worldbeganto
develop,centeredaroundtheSaintDenysestate,Nigel'sboyhoodhome.
Nigel'sCurrentHealth:
Heissufferingfromanumberofopportunisticinfectionsandserious
conditions,themostseriousbeingNonHodgkin'sLymphomas(NHL)these
areincreasinglycommonamongAIDSpatients,andoftenstrikethecentral
nervoussystem(CNS).StandardNHLsymptomsincludefevers,weightloss,
andnightsweats.SymptomsofCNSLymphomaincludeconfusion,lethargy,
headaches,andmemoryloss.ChemotherapyisoftenprovidedforHIVinfected
peoplewithNHLsideeffectsoftenincludefever,lossofappetite,andfurther
neurologicalsymptoms.Nigelisalsoaffectedbythepreliminarystagesof
AIDSDementiaComplex(ADC),anorganicmentaldisorderthatmaybe
causedbyHIVinfectionofthebrain.SymptomsofADCincludedifficulties
withconcentratonandmemory.
Personality:Pleasant,andcalm.Nigelisoccasionallypedantic,andneverlikes
togivesimpleanswerstoanything.Heencouragesotherstousetheirintellect
asfullyaspossible.Hegenuinelyenjoysthecompanyofothers.
GamemasteringHints:BecauseofNigel'sADCandCNSlymphoma,hehasanumberofneurological
conditionstodealwith,includinglackofconcentration.Hewillforgetwhathewassaying,orrepeatthingssaid
earlier.Hewillwithdrawoccasionally,andactdepressed,evenirritable.Thisshouldnotbedonetoexcessorfor
humor.InNigel'sdreams,hewillbemoreconfidentandsecureparticularlyinhisfinaldream.
Nigel'sabilityscoresaregivenbelowtheyrepresenthisailingform,bothwhileawakeandwhilecaughtinhis
nightmare.TheabilityandskillscoresinbracketsareavailableonlytoNigelinhisfinaldreamformandasa
DreamWanderer.
AGL6[27]EGO5[42]
STR5[27]CHA12[15]
CON5[35]PER15[15]
COM9[24]EDU17[17]
Movement:3[13]
Actions:2[4]
Initiativebonus:2[+15]
Damagebonus:1[+6]
Damagecapacity:
3[8]scratches=1lightwound
2[7]lightwounds=1seriouswound
2[5]seriouswounds=1fatalwound
Endurance:55[205]
DarkSecret:SupernaturalExperience(NigelisaskilledDreamer).
Skills:ArtofDreaming30,HumanitiesScholarship18,Informationretrieval18,
Humanitiesscholarship(specialization:Literature)16,Languages:ClassicalGreek15,
Languages:Latin11,Languages:French10,Rhetoric13,WrittenReport12,Netof
contacts:scholars10,Riding10,Cooking10,Drive10[ProjectileWeapons:Bow25,
Seduction30,Meleeweapon:sword30]
Damage:Asperweapon.

WilliamSaintDenys,Esq.
WilliamSaintDenyshadurgedhissontofollowacareerinlaw,alwaysdiscouragingNigel'sinterestinthe
liberalartsandhumanities.WilliamwascrushedwhenhissonchoseYale'sgraduateprograminGreekand
Latin.Worse,astaunchconservative,asupporterandfriendoftworecentpresidents,heneverapprovedofhis
son'shomosexualityhealltooeasilyimaginedhissonengagedinnightlyactsofdebaucheryatsomesleazybar
ornightclub.Nigeldid,ofcourse,havefriendsandasexlife,butitwashardlywhathisfatherimagined.
WhenNigel'sillnessbecameobvious,Williamsuddenlybecametheconcernedfather.WhenNigelwas
diagnosedasHIV+,hisfatherwithdrewfurtherthanbefore,unabletocopewiththediseasethathadbecomea
partofhisfamily.Whilehehasmadesurethathisson'smedicalneedswerewelltakencareof,hecouldnot
offeranyemotionalsupport.
WilliamnowlivesinaCapitalHillbrownstone.HisappearanceinNigel'sdreamisanexaggerationofhow
Nigelsawhisfather.TherealWilliamhasconsiderablymellowed,andthoughheisnottolerantof
homosexuality,hehascomeclosetoacceptinghisson'ssexualorientation.However,heisterriblyfrightenedof
thediseaseanditsimplications,andforthesereasons,doesnothavethecouragetovisithissonasoftenashe
wouldlike.
GamemasteringHints:Heisgruffandforbidding,butnotovertlyrude.Williamisstillagentlemanoffine
stock,afterall.Hewillwarmuptothecharactersafterawhile,butifanyareopenlygay,hewillappear
uncomfortablearoundthem.

HouseStaff
Thehouseisstaffedwithanumberofservants:DwayneElwood,thedriver/handyman,wholivesinan
apartmentabovethegarageElizaWeiss,AmyJones,andLetitiaGates,thehouseservants,wholiveinthe
servants'quarters,andJenniferCollins,themiddleagednursewhooccupiesaroomacrossthehallfromNigel.
MorehouseservantscanbeaddedtoaccomodatethesizeofNigel'scompany.

Nachtschreck
TheNachtschreck,orNightTerror,isanentitythatexistssolelyindreams.Itisdrawntotheunconsciousfears
andterrorsofaperson,totheirphobiasandinsecurities,forcingaterribleandviolentconfrontationwiththese
fears.EvenveryexperiencedDreamerswillavoidconfrontationswithoneoftheNachtschreck.
Nachtschreckstendtotravelaimlesslythroughthedreamworlds,terrorizingdreamers.Sometimestheywillbe
drawntopowerfuldreamersothertimestheywillsimplyvisitrandomdreamswithnoapparentreason,
frequentlytakingonamacabreandfrightulappearancesimplytotormentdreamers.
NooneknowswhatthetrueformofaNachtshcreckis:italwaysappearstothedreamerinaformthat
representstheirdeepestfears.
AGL3d10(16)EGO1d5(3)
STR3d10(16)PER2d10(11)
CON3d10(16)
Terrorthrowmodification:5
Height:varies
Weight:varies
Senses:cansenseadreamerfromseveraldreamworldsaway
Movement:8m/combatround
Actions:3
Initiativebonus:+4

Initiativebonus:+4
Damagebonus:+3
Damagecapacity:
5scratches=1lightwound
4lightwounds=1seriouswound
3seriouswounds=fatalwound
Endurance:110
Naturalarmor:2
Skills:ArtofDreaming45,Unarmedcombat16,MeleeWeapons16,Hide16,Sneak
16
Attackmodes:accordingtoweaponorunarmedattack,whichmayvarywildlybased
uponcurrentguise.
Home:thedreamworlds

AUTHOR'SNOTE:
"EtinArcadiaEgo"istranslatedas"AndinArcadiaI."Moreelegaically,itisunderstoodas
"EveninArcadia,I(Death)amthere"Deathwillcometoeventhemostpleasantandhappy
lands.
FormoreinformationonAIDS,consultTheEssentialHIVTreatmentFactBook,byLaura
PinskyandPaulHardingDouglas(NewYork:PocketBooks,1992).Moreinformationon
sleep,dreamsandluciddreamingcanbefoundinExploringtheWorldofLucidDreaming,by
StephanLaBerge,Ph.D.,andHowardRheingold(NewYork:BallantineBooks,1990).
TheauthorwouldliketothankLoriL.Barr,M.D.forbasicinformationonHIVinfection.Thanksarealsodue
toTerryAmthor,MaimunKhan,andThomasWalkerfortheirinputandcontributions.
Kultisagame.AIDSisreal.

Articlepublicationdate:June1,1994

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