Report #4233
The Dreaming Corals
"Long ago, before ships came from west or east, a star fell into the sea to the west of Koa'ki. From where it landed a false moon was born, and strange new creatures appeared in its wake." - excerpt from the oral tradition of the Tāngata.
Many stories have been told of the strange creatures that haunt the waters between Atu Motu and Koa'ki. This report will attempt to bring together these tales with supplementary information from the Gwāsa to provide a cohesive account of what is happening beneath the ocean's surface in the Southern Region.
In the Beginning
The oldest story concerns a falling star that landed in the sea, somewhere between Koa'ki and Atu Motu. It is supposed to have fallen at some point after the Clarati destroyed the Empire of Muria, and before any trade through the region was re-established. This places the event at roughly four thousand years ago. Observations from multiple sources agree that a comet or star was seen in the sky around that time. Since that point, strange things have appeared in the waters where the star fell, and in the areas of The Dream that echo it.
Based on the information available, it is my opinion that the strange dreams are at the heart of the entire phenomenon, and that the source of the dreams are the unusual corals which grow in this part of the sea. I have named them 'Dreaming Corals', as they appear to be thinking and influencing The Dream in their vicinity far mor than other animals, and furthermore seem to have a singular purpose and intent in their collective mind.
To Change the World
The accounts we have from those who have visited the Dreamland that surrounds the corals describe a landscape unlike any other we know. The water is warmer than in the Physical Realm, and strangely sweet and cloying. Bizarre creatures inhabit this dreamscape, seemingly cobbled together from other animals, or the ideas of them. The region is always brightly lit, although the surface of the water is unreachable - the ocean goes on as far above as anyone has ever been able to travel. The light emanates from vast floating globes that hang above each of the coral towers. The animals in the region resemble those that have been appearing in the Physical Realm in the last four thousand years, with Skull-Snails being the most common, but also including fish with human teeth, floating collections of eyes, and clawed hands that hide in burrows beneath the corals.
Repeated observations have shown that the water around the physical corals is slowly becoming more like the dream landscape they are imagining. It is my opinion that these creatures exist as a way to focus the Egregoric Force on the goal of transforming the region into something more like the ocean floor they are dreaming of. While the process has been slow, it appears that it is succeeding.
The End Goal
This is purely speculation, but I believe that these corals are dreaming a version of the world where they and creatures like them will thrive. The changes being made to the environment and creatures living there speak to a kind of being unlike anything that we have encountered before, and those people who have been caught up in the changes have not been handled kindly. I also have several reports that the Dreaming Corals are growing, expanding the territory where their dreams are influencing the world, and I expect that unless something prevents it, they may eventually transform the entire seabed of the Southern Region and beyond.
This document has been prepared by the Librarian of Foxbridge, for use by the Lorekeepers of Foxbridge and those approved by the King of Bernicia or the Provost of Foxbridge College. If you are reading this without permission, I will know, and I will make sure you are dealt with.
A Drowned Moon
One of the strange phenomena that haunts the ocean west of Koa'ki is the Marama Tawhiti, a strange object that resembles a second moon, and seems to catalyze changes in the animal life close to it. It has the ability to entrance and draw creatures toward it, and those who know of it consider it extremely dangerous. You can read more about it here.
Strange Sigils
Another of the creatures to appear in the region is the Skull-Snail. This creature has been observed etching strange sigils in the rocks along the shores, which has had dramatic effects on those who attempt to read them. It may be another way the corals are attempting to enact changes upon the world, one that may be faster than the pressure of their dreams alone. You can read more about the Skull-Snail here.
A Connection to the East?
While they are not known for leaving their strongholds in the Rasrathnii Islands, the Hleemeentreezee's strange living ships have been seen more than once in the regions where the corals dwell. They do share some similarities in how both species use living creatures to achieve their ends, but it is unclear if this is a coincidence or if it reveals some deeper connection. Equally uncertain is their relationship to the corals, although it is my opinion that they are rivals, not allies. You can read more about the Hleemeentreezee here.
This article was originally written for Spooktober 2024. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
This article was originally written for Spooktober 2023. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
Sinister. The idea that they are slowly growing and will eventually spread and spread. I do kind of like the idea of floating eyeball colonies swimming around in the ocean though. It's weirdly cute to me.
Explore Etrea | Summer Camp 2025
These corals are pretty sinister, and I have plans for how their plot line will develop. At some point someone’s going to make contact, and that should kick things off.