Nirduk Spider Dreams

On an unusual note, our Clan has been blessed (?) with some significant Dreams over the last few weeks. These visions have appeared at astronomically significant times: New Moon and Full Moon. The timing of the dreams seems to be midnight or thereabouts. Initially I believed that my dream was a personal message from Corellan, but this possibility seems less likely after analysis. If you received dreams at these periods, check to see if they fit into my theory.

I believe that the dreams fall into eight major groups, and although the details differ from elf to elf, the major theme is consistent. The number "8" is likely to be significant. All elves received two dreams -- maybe the dream on the full moon is a "positive one" while the one on the new moon is a "negative one"? The dreams are not stock visions -- each is individually tailored to the dreamer. I doubt that it is in any mortal's power to send such sophisticated visions. Furthermore, mind-shielding was no bar to these dreams, indicating that they may come from a very powerful source.

Appendix A contains a summary of dreams recorded by the Clan. It is very brief, stressing only some of the salient points. I have attempted to retain only facts, filtering out personal interpretations. Your input on these is requested. Interestingly, some elves received visions in their second dream that others had received in the first dream. This seems to indicate that both dreams are from the same source.

I fear that my combination of dreams (#5, #8) bodes ill, and I have made arrangements for the Clan in case of my untimely demise. It is possible that I may have to sacrifice my life in the coming events to ensure the safety of our race, and it is a price that I am willing to pay. Arrangements have been made with the Library of Hollerith to release documents at the appropriate time. You should make similar arrangements, should your spirit also be required. These times are bleak, but we must not lose hope.

Streck's disappearance didn't seem to be connected to the Spiders at first, but some correspondence Ganeth found in the Nirduk Vault implied that Streck entered (or tried to enter) something called the Portal of the Eightfold Path in an attempt to stop the "Forces of the Octagon". Sounds spidery to me.

Appendix A: Dream Summaries

1. Time: Pre-dawn
   Scene: coastal city in background (Auramkil? Silverton?)
   Description: Four elves (including dreamer) from different clans (including Nirduk, Parnos, elite guard) engage spiders emerging from sea. Succesful encounter.
   Survival: positive for all.
   
   The fourth clan didn't have recognizable insignia, or it was blurred by the dream; hard to say if it's the Shorin or not.
   
   
2. Time: Day
   Scene: Forest, with 40' diameter clearing
   Description: Dreamer (solo) spots 8 spiders in clearing, summoning. Engages using wand of ice-storm; then engages spiders in H/H combat. Is victorious. Observes strange ash on ground (from trees?).
   Survival: positive.
   
   The party later encountered phase spiders that explode when killed, leaving a strange ashy residue behind. The 40' diameter clearings are suspiciously reminiscent of Spider Monk dodec blast areas. It's unclear whether the wand of ice-storm is part of the dream (like dream-G's brooch) or something the dreamer had, but it's unlikely that a low-level Nirduk would have one if a sub-leader is issued a wand of ball lightning. (We know this was not one of Streck's dreams.)
   
   
3. Time: unknown
   Scene: unknown
   Description: Dreamer (solo) meets Sehanine-figure who tells him/her that "The time of choice has come" [other communication not recorded]. Presents two visions:
   
   1. orange tinted landscape with spider armies & goblin troops. They set fire to a forest filled with magic-less elves.
   2. forest landscape with spiders hiding in web-covered caves. Elves set fire to webs and pursue.
   Survival: irrelevant.
   
   According to a manuscript Streck wrote and left at the Library of Hollerith, Streck spent fifty years on a plane with magic-less elves after being hit by a prismatic spray. (His belief that he is an avatar of Corellan may also stem from this event...but better an insane but somewhat good megalomaniac than an evil slimeball.) I think Sehanine is the female aspect of Corellan.
   
   
4. Time: Night
   Scene: Aerial, over forest
   Description: Dreamer (in shape of falcon) flying into sky. Below is a forest with a large oak tree, beside which stands an elderly male elf. Sky is covered in a lattice-work of webs. Pattern is tesselated octagon/square, with spiders at nodes. Large spider sitting in center area, appears to be surveying forest. Falcon climbs through web aiming for the Star of Corellan. Vision blacks out.
   Survival: unknown.
   
   The elf by the oak tree could conceivably be Plant Dude in his elven guise, but it could just as easily be someone else. Where is the Star of Corellan? Another dream involving a major change to the world, with the spiders (at least symbolically) blocking the elves off from some source of power.
   
   
5. Time: unknown
   Scene: Underground
   Description: Dreamer goes through large web-covered passageway (20'x20') to see a large armored spider. Battle does not go well.
   Survival: varies.
   
   See Ganeth's first dream for more details.
   
   
6. Time: Day
   Scene: Forest
   Description: Pair of elves (including dreamer) attack a group of 8 spiders, engaged in casting a spell. Upon attacking one spider, entire spell is disrupted, indicating some form of communal magic.
   Survival: unresolved.
   
   
7. Time: Night
   Scene: Forest
   Description: Dreamer (solo) fighting large spider that gazes fire. Gets bitten and poisoned. Flees with spider in pursuit, and meets a pair of (grey?) elves. One is unicorn maiden, other is archer. Together they defeat the spider, and female elf says: "I aid all those who champion the cause of Good".
   Survival: unresolved but looks promising.
   
   The grey elves are pretty clearly Silvana and Stealth; the unicorn is presumably Pepper. (I wonder if Silvana is supposed to have supplied the slow poison in [before] G's dreams.)
   
   
8. Time: unknown
   Scene: Underground
   Description: Dreamer encounters a chest with a dangerous egg-like dodecahedron. Dodecahedron releases small red spiders. Dreamer attempts to counter the threat. Spiders explode (suicide attack?).
   Survival: unresolved but looks disappointing.
   
   There they go with them dang Platonic solids again. See Ganeth's second dream for more details. I wonder if anything similar to Elissa's comments about priests turned up in other versions of this dream.
   

And now there are only two Nirduks left; I wonder if that puts in a crimp in someone's plans...