Soothing Dream Salve

From: Insect 629 of Lumimantis

Ingredients:

• 2 drops of Lumimantis Essence Oil
• 1 dollop of cloud cream
• 4 petals of the tranquility lily
• A whisper of wind essence

Preparation: In a marble mortar, crush the tranquility lily petals till they release their ethereal sap. Mix in the cloud cream until the mixture is smooth. Add the Lumimantis Essence Oil and mix again. Capture a whisper of wind essence and fold it into the salve. Store in a glass jar with a seal of protection. Apply to the forehead before sleep to ensure peaceful dreams and a restful slumber.

Lore of Soothing Dream Salve: Centuries ago, Saṃsāra faced the “Epoch of Restless Nights.” During this period, mysterious and terrifying nightmares plagued the dreams of every sentient being. No one knew its cause, but the effects were clear—exhaustion, fear, and a realm teetering on the brink of chaos. It was said that these nightmares were the result of an ancient curse, unleashed by a forgotten deity seeking retribution.

Amid this widespread despair emerged Aeliana, a healer renowned not just for her knowledge of herbs and potions but also for her understanding of dreams. Aeliana believed that the balance of Saṃsāra could be restored by ensuring peaceful dreams. Guided by visions from her meditative trances, she journeyed across the realm to gather unique ingredients—each with a profound connection to dreams and tranquility.

The Lumimantis Essence Oil, derived from the rare Lumimantis, was believed to hold the captured light of the stars. Cloud cream, a rarity even in Saṃsāra, was said to be harvested from the highest peaks during dawn. The tranquility lily, a flower that bloomed only under the soft glow of the twin moons, was key to the salve. And the whisper of wind essence, the most elusive ingredient, was the gentle breath of the very deity who had once been wronged.

With these ingredients, Aeliana crafted the Soothing Dream Salve. Word of its efficacy spread, and soon, the Epoch of Restless Nights was but a shadow of the past.

Appearance of the Salve: The Soothing Dream Salve possesses a luminescent pale-blue hue, reminiscent of the tranquility lily from which it borrows its color. Its consistency is smooth and velvety, with tiny specks that shimmer, likely remnants of the Lumimantis Essence Oil. When opened, the salve seems to radiate a soft, calming glow.

Cost: For a Tier One avatar, acquiring the Soothing Dream Salve would be a considerable investment. Lumimantis Essence Oil, with its celestial properties, would be the most expensive component. Cloud cream, given its remote source and rarity, would also command a significant price. The tranquility lily, while not as costly, would still be considered a luxury. The whisper of wind essence, being more conceptual, doesn’t have a set price but capturing it requires skill and patience. Given its legendary efficacy, the salve itself would be priced as a premium item.

Procedure:

• Begin by laying out all ingredients on a wooden altar, under the light of the twin moons.
• Using a marble mortar and pestle, gently crush the tranquility lily petals, releasing their ethereal sap and revealing a pale blue hue.
• Slowly incorporate the cloud cream, blending until the mixture attains a uniform consistency.
• Add the Lumimantis Essence Oil, stirring in a clockwise pattern to infuse the salve.
• To capture a whisper of wind essence, position the mixture in the path of a gentle breeze, allowing the wind to brush across its surface.
• Transfer the completed salve to a clear glass jar, sealing it with a protective rune to preserve its potency.

Tags: Tranquil, Ethereal, Dream-enhancing, Restorative

Service: The Soothing Dream Salve is traditionally stored in ornate glass jars, often adorned with patterns resembling dreamscapes. Before use, a user would open the jar and inhale its calming aroma, preparing themselves for the application. Using the fingertips, a small amount of the salve is applied to the forehead, usually in the shape of Saṃsāra’s crescent moon. The jar is then sealed once more and stored in a cool, dark place. As one drifts to sleep, the salve works its wonders, ensuring a night of peaceful and rejuvenating dreams.

Elixir Tale of Night’s Peace

Long ago, when night-thoughts troubled all in Saṃsāra, sleep-hard times named “Dark Dreams Time” were upon beings. Nightmares, like shadow-birds, filled sleep-eyes. Why? No knowing. But all felt weight of dream-dark.

From realm-heart, healer named Aeliana rise-shone. Not just plant-knowing, but dream-seeing too. She, vision-guided, believed Saṃsāra balance found in dream-peace. Journeying long-ways, she seek-rare things for elixir of calm-sleep.

Star-bug oil, sky-peak cream, moon-glow flower, and wind-speak—all in dream-salve mix. Aeliana, with dream-salve, brought back sleep-peace. Night-thoughts, once storm-like, became soft-clouds, and “Dark Dreams Time” just shadow-talk of old.

Moral of the story: In deep-dark, single light-spark can guide-return to calm. Seek, always, the balance-path in stormy times.

Sensory Activation upon Using the Soothing Dream Salve:

• Sight:
  • Perceived: Gentle glowing emanation from the salve.
  • Description: The luminescence is reminiscent of a moonlit night, soothing to the eyes.
  • Positives: Can act as a soft light source in complete darkness.
  • Negatives: If expecting pitch darkness for optimal sleep, the glow might be mildly distracting.
• Touch:
  • Perceived: A velvety and cool sensation upon application.
  • Description: The salve feels as if a cool breeze has been solidified into a cream.
  • Positives: Instantly calming on the skin, can provide relief to minor skin irritations.
  • Negatives: Might feel a tad cold upon initial application.
• Smell:
  • Perceived: The calming fragrance of the tranquility lily combined with the ethereal scent of cloud cream.
  • Description: A scent profile that evokes high mountain air interspersed with blooming lilies.
  • Positives: Aromatherapeutic properties induce relaxation and calmness.
  • Negatives: Those sensitive to scents might find it overpowering initially.
• Taste (not typically consumed, but if so):
  • Perceived: A taste like morning dew with a hint of floral essence.
  • Description: Refreshing yet intangible.
  • Positives: Reminiscent of fresh water sources.
  • Negatives: Not designed for consumption, so ingestion might not be advised.
• Hearing (post-application):
  • Perceived: A soft, almost inaudible hum.
  • Description: Sounds like the whisper of a gentle breeze through a tranquil forest.
  • Positives: Adds to the relaxation and calming effect.
  • Negatives: Might be inaudible to many, and straining to hear it might defeat its purpose.
• Extra-sensory Perceptions:
  • Dream Clarity: An enhanced ability to remember and interpret dreams.
    • Description: Dreams appear more vivid, with clear narratives.
    • Positives: Beneficial for those seeking guidance or answers in dreams.
    • Negatives: Extremely vivid dreams can occasionally be unsettling.
  • Sensory Shielding: An innate barrier against external disturbances during sleep.
    • Description: Acts like a protective bubble against loud noises or jarring sensations.
    • Positives: Ensures a deep, uninterrupted sleep.
    • Negatives: Might not hear alarms or urgent calls.

Buffs Derived from the Recipe:

• Restful Repose: Ensures a deep and rejuvenating sleep, allowing for complete recovery of physical and mental fatigue.
• Guarded Dreams: Provides protection against nightmares or magically induced dream disturbances.
• Lunar Insight: Post-application, dreams might provide insights or subtle hints regarding challenges or puzzles faced by the user.

The Soothing Dream Salve’s powerful effects can be internalized within one’s aura. Through focused meditation before sleep, the buffs can be stored within one’s spirit. These stored effects can be invoked later, ensuring the benefits of a restful sleep or the protection against nightmares at a later time. Once stored, these buffs remain active for up to two Saṃsāra moon cycles (equivalent to two nights). If not triggered by then, they fade away gently, leaving no after-effects.

Suggested conversion to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu:

Item: Soothing Dream Salve

• Effects:
  • Restores 1D4 SAN points after a restful sleep.
  • Provides resistance against dream-induced SAN loss for 2 nights.

Dungeons & Dragons 5e:

Item: Soothing Dream Salve, uncommon

• Effects when applied:
  • Grants the benefit of a long rest after only 4 hours of sleep.
  • For 2 nights, the user is immune to magical effects that induce nightmares or unrestful sleep.

Knave:

Item: Soothing Dream Salve

• Uses: 1
• Effects:
  • Restores 1d4 Hit Points after a restful sleep.
  • Immunity to dream-based negative effects for 2 nights.

Numenera & Cypher System:

Cypher: Soothing Dream Salve (internal)

• Level: 3
• Effect:
  • Restores 1d6+2 Might or Intellect points (user’s choice) after a full rest.
  • Provides an asset against any effects that disturb sleep for the next 2 nights.

Pathfinder 2e:

Consumable: Soothing Dream Salve, Level 4

• Price: 50 gp
• Activate: Interact (apply)
• Effect:
  • Grants the user benefits equivalent to a full night’s rest after only 4 hours of sleep.
  • The user gains a +2 status bonus against effects that would cause nightmares or sleep disturbances for 2 nights.

Savage Worlds:

Gear: Soothing Dream Salve

• Effects:
  • Grants the user a +2 bonus to recover from Fatigue caused by lack of sleep.
  • Immunity to magical or alchemical effects that disturb sleep for 2 nights.

Shadowrun:

Gear: Soothing Dream Salve

• Availability: 4R
• Cost: 250¥
• Effect:
  • Reduces the penalty from lack of sleep by 2 for the next 48 hours.
  • Provides immunity against magical effects that would cause nightmares or disturb sleep.

Starfinder:

Consumable: Soothing Dream Salve, Level 3

• Price: 75 credits
• Usage: 1
• Effect:
  • Grants the benefits of 8 hours of restful sleep after only 4 hours.
  • Immune to spells or effects that would induce nightmares or disrupt sleep for 2 nights.

Warhammer (Fantasy Roleplay):

Item: Soothing Dream Salve

• Effects:
  • The user recovers 1d4 Wounds after a full night’s sleep.
  • Provides a +10% bonus against effects that would cause nightmares or disrupt sleep for 2 nights.