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Moni nodded, moving to protect Perseus's back. "They hunt in packs?"

Moni jumped back, Endings held wardingly towards the beast. "What is that thing?" (It had been)

"Dear reader, I thank you for your constructive criticism. On your first kind complaint, I do not believe Platypus to be either evil or a great threat to the Thread, I was referring to Desolation, the inkling who threatened to steal the powers of any Narrator he came into contact with. Your second complaint is technically correct, save for that time-honored adage: 'the pen is mightier than the sword'. In the right hands any pen becomes a mighty weapon indeed, as Platypus discovered firsthand when he summoned the Enullers to his aid in dealing with that rogue that hunted Crickets."

For anyone wondering about the rules of seeking the Dreamsmith, I've made a guide.

"Yeah, lets." Moni started walking northwest. "Better get going. The quicker we're there, the less time Faceless have to get curious." "You convinced him not to plead guilty? Impressive." ... held up a document and handed it to Selppaenip. "What do you make of this? It's from Platypus's testimony. It records an encounter between him and a wizard that pretended to be Omen, trying to kill anyone who sought the Dreamsmith." "Oh." The traveler morosely pulls out her map again. Then her face brightens and she flips the map around. "Say I decide that I don't want to visit Onyx. Could you correct this map for me? So that I can find my way to the other place in Onyx's realm that I want to go of course."

"Hello and welcome seekers of the Dreamsmith! I, the brave adventurer will be your guide today, helping you to understand the intricate and formerly unwritten rules that guide all those who want to meet the elusive figure known as the Dreamsmith. Omen wrote out these rules but they were boring and very lacking in detail, so I've added my own annotations. Also, I'm dead, so my additions are in italics." Step 0: Who the heck is the Dreamsmith? Omen didn't think this necessary to explain, but I for one think that knowing a little bit about the person you're looking is kind of important. The Dreamsmith is an enigmatic figure and, unfortunately, there's not much I can say. But what little I can is this: The Dreamsmith lives in the World of Dreams (also known as the afterlife, for those of you unfamiliar with ancient lore). Whether he is a dead guy like me or some spirit born from dreams, who can say? But whatever his origin, the Dreamsmith is certainly a master at his craft. More on that later, but for now the important bit is that he's a smith. He'll make you a weapon (or not, in some cases) and then he'll send you on your way. In what cases will he not make you a weapon? Well, I can't speak to every individual case, but the one time he didn't, it was because the entity who came to him was already a great threat to the thread, very evil, and probably didn't need the help. Step 1: Make certain of your resolve The path to the Dreamsmith is not for the faint of heart. Before beginning your quest, steel yourself for all that might follow. Yeah, this step is obvious. Not much to say here. Be prepared for a quest before you go on a quest. Step 2: Search for Omen The path to me is the path to the Dreamsmith. Search, and I will be found. For those of you who are still confused, I'm in the same boat. Fortunately I've done a ton of research into this Omen guy and I think I've figured out what he means. Basically, some effect stemming from his connection to both the World of Dreams and TLT allows him to sense when people are searching for the Dreamsmith and subtly alter things so that they'll end up wherever he is. Now, you could skip this step with some help from a Narrator, but that's up to you (and perhaps your Narrator friends). Step 3: The Trial Any who seek the Dreamsmith must be tested. I, Omen will administer that test with my unique talents. As all who seek the Dreamsmith are unique, so too shall their trials be unique. Needs a little more detail here, which I find surprising since this is the part of the process that he's the most picky about. Also due to my research, I can tell you that Omen creates trials by pulling you partway into the World of Dreams. He has total control over the trials (and no, they're not real. But you might have a hard time remembering that while you're in one) and tries his best to tailor them to you so that you'll have to grow in order to overcome them. So if you want to help him out, be sure to display some character flaws on your quest. Step 4: The Dreamsmith With trials passed and the Dreamsmith found, ask for the weapon you desire. The Dreamsmith shall forge it from your own soul. Ah, the fun part! First off, as previously mentioned the Dreamsmith resides in the World of Dreams. Omen might be the only being in the Thread that can safely allow you to meet him, with emphasis on the safely part. Due to his nature as a resident in the WoD, the Dreamsmith is unable to make you a real weapon with any of the fancy materials that he keeps in his shop. Lucky for you, he can use something even more exotic: your soul! (don't worry, it's a completely safe process. No one's died yet) The Dreamsmith will do his best to forge your soul into a weapon, tool, etc. that will be useful to you on your personal character arc! Also, he charges nothing! "Alright everyone, thanks for reading! I hope this encourages you to seek out the Dreamsmith and get a sick weapon out of the deal! (hey, maybe I should seek him out sometime. Stay tuned for part 2: How to Seek the Dreamsmith if You're Already Dead)" PS: Just so everyone knows, I'm really enjoying the afterlife and am definitely not plotting an epic return to TLT as we speak. No need to prep the confetti cannons) PPS: Sorry, forgot to include this at first but I'm editing it in now. Some people might be interested to know whether they can visit the Dreamsmith more than once, or what they should do if they fail the trial. The good news is: Yes! You can visit the Dreamsmith more than once, just be aware that he might not make you another weapon. And you can try again if you fail the trial, as long as you can convince Omen to let you.

"All right." Moni focused, and the circle of light expanded until the edge was out of sight. "Hopefully that doesn't attract every Faceless for miles around. You said we need to go northwest?"

Yeah, nothing else. Let me know if you need somebody to help with Platypus.

Yeah, but I was rather busy at the time trying to get a weapon, then dealing with Desolation. ... looked up. "Ah, Selppaenip! How is my old friend?" "Oh." The traveler looks around at the barren landscape, imagining what it would be like to be lost out there with all sorts of dangers and basically no supplies. "Do you think you could take me close to it? My map... well, it's not too bad considering who made it, but it's still not good."

"Would they stay away from something that could kill them, or would they be attracted to it?" Moni held out Endings, and a circle of gray light expanded out of it, stopping about ten feet away from Moni. Perseus felt fragile as the field covered him and Moni, his mortality forcing its way to the forefront of his mind. "I could make this field extend about a mile every way all around us." ... was sitting in the room with all the other witnesses, looking through piles of paperwork. The traveler shivers, looking ready to flee at the slightest hint of danger. "I need to talk to Onyx about Nogard. It's... rather urgent." ...No. But then, I wasn't ever that active in stopping Feanor.

"You should go talk to all of the witnesses and see what their perspectives are. I'll sit here and not make any attempts to break out." The Great Wizard nodded. "Also, I would ask your master for advice. Having written much of our legal code himself, his knowledge in that area is even greater than my own." The traveler jumps. "Oh good. You're the guide, yes? The map said you'd be here." She gives the map a final derisive look, then stuffs it into her pack. "I'm aware of the dangers. But the guy with the sword is distracted now, so it seemed like a good time to visit." She looks around nervously. "He is distracted right? He hasn't killed Avatar yet?"

That was obvious though. Even I could’ve figured that one out.

Oh. So when have you had a feeling before?

Didn’t you have a feeling that … was Nameless?

Would these ‘events’ be related to Platypus?

A traveler stands at the border of Onyx’s realm. At her side is a sword, on her back is a pack filled with supplies, and in her hands she holds a poorly-drawn map. Actually, I’d better rephrase that. A traveler stands on what might be the border of Onyx’s realm with a sword she has no clue how to use, a pack with only a day’s food left, and a map that looks like it was drawn by a blind man with hand tremors. ”Well,” she says, resisting the urge to crumple the map into a ball, toss it to the ground, and stomp on it. “This is going well.” Then she steps across the invisible line that may or may not have marked the boundary between Onyx’s realm and the rest of the thread. @Ookla the Bacon Yeah, that’s what I was talking about. Unfortunately, my Author hasn’t managed to get the trial done on time, so it’ll probably not happen until after finals are over for him.

Yeah, but you could’ve just left if you were so busy.

“Can they feel fear?” Events are progressing quickly? I hate to break it to you, but things are probably going to be very slow for a while here.

“What’s the problem? Are they tricky to fight?” Moni took a sip of water.

“Southeast, you say?” Moni pulled two flasks from her pack and tossed one to Perseus. “Shall we start walking?”

The Great Wizard shook his head. “Almost certainly not. I’ll likely get a prison sentence at best.” Unintelligible sighed. “Look, I’m not upset that you killed him. I was going to kill him too. After Shoe had finished interrogating him. Would it have been that bad to wait a few seconds?” Moni and Perseus tumbled through the air for what felt like an interminably long time, then smashed into the ground with enough force to crack the rocks at their feet. They were both completely unharmed. “Well, glad that worked.”

Unintelligible teleported after Hacob again. “He was not going to kill him, and in any case it would’ve been easy for you to restrain him. You just killed him because you’ve decided to act callous for some reason.” “Alright. One, two, three!” Moni dashed towards the edge of the plateau and leaped off, holding tightly to her end of the horseshoe.

@Ookla The Loser OfThe Game great username, I hate it.

Subversion stood up off her therapy chair and started stalking away. “Kindness doesn’t have intrinsic value in fiction. It only has value in how it improves the story. Thank you for listening to me Bacon, but I’ve got to go. I’ll figure this out one way… or another.” She melted into shadow and vanished. “We can show that I did not intend to steal that Plotblades for myself, that I had at least somewhat good reason to distrust the Brave Adventurer, and that I never held any intention of harming the order.” The Great Wizard hummed, deep in thought. “And don’t forget to ask for a delay of judgement so that I can-under supervision-recapture my withergeist-bonded rabbits.” “Great!” Moni held out the horseshoe. “Hold onto this, and we’ll jump on three. Got it?” Unintelligible cursed, teleporting after Hacob. “Why did you do that?”

"Hm." Moni pulled the horseshoe out of her cloak and looked at it. A little bent, but the magic should still work, right? "How about we jump off?"