General Qual

Link to article: General Qual.

Module Styles

• (none)

Inline Styles

• border:solid 2px #112211; background:#DDEEDD; padding:25px; margin-bottom: 25px;

• overflow:auto

• border:solid 1px #112211; background:#EEF6EE; padding: 20px; margin-bottom: 3px;

• border:solid 1px #112211; background:#EEF6EE; padding: 20px; margin-bottom: 3px;

• border:solid 1px #112211; background:#EEF6EE; padding: 20px; margin-bottom: 3px;

• border:solid 1px #112211; background:#EEF6EE; padding: 20px; margin-bottom: 3px;

Includes

• (none)

CSS Classes

• (none)

Page Source

[[div style="border:solid 2px #112211; background:#DDEEDD; padding:25px; margin-bottom: 25px;"]]

[[>]]
[[module Rate]]
[[/>]]

[[size 150%]] **General Qual** [[/size]]

[[>]]
**The Old Nightmare, Vul-Oran, His Scarlet Majesty's Dream Phantom, Bane of Dreamers, The Nightmare God, Mister Elmer, He Who Tears at the Dreaming**
[[/>]]

[[div style="overflow:auto"]]

[[div style="border:solid 1px #112211; background:#EEF6EE; padding: 20px; margin-bottom: 3px;"]]
[[=]]
**Conspectus**
[[/=]]

Nightmares are inevitable in the realm of dreams, but the ancient terror known as Qual is among the worst. He is a haunting spectre in service to the Scarlet King, and tramples upon the Dreamlands with a fearsome army.[[footnote]] The Dreamlands is a collective dreamscape that spans across Creation. Mortals who are imaginative and telepathically gifted can easily access it through sleep. Consult a Librarian for texts about the Dreamlands. [[/footnote]][[footnote]] "Like the Dream Cycle by H.P. Lovecraft?" - Craig W.[[/footnote]][[footnote]] "Yes. It is not unusual for creatives to be influenced by their dreams. For example, the origin of the //Devil's Trill Sonata// by Italian composer and violinist Giuseppe Tartini. Randolph Carter was definitely Lovecraft's alias when visiting the Dreamlands." - H.J. [[/footnote]]

[[/div]]

[[div style="border:solid 1px #112211; background:#EEF6EE; padding: 20px; margin-bottom: 3px;"]]
[[=]]
**Knowledge**
[[/=]]

**Traits:** Qual is a being that exist primarily in dreams, and he can appear as anything there. A common form of his resembles a giant spectre with spidery limbs, and the bloody skull of a deformed horse for a head.[[footnote]] "Sounds terrifying. I would wake up immediately." - Kunj[[/footnote]] Sometimes he will appear as a wizard wearing a tattered red cloak.[[footnote]] "Some sources note that it is reminiscent of [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-1230 Book Keepers inhabiting Kadathian Dream Journals], gifts to the waking realm from the Great Ones of Kadath. I wouldn't be surprised if that is Qual's intention. It would be his way of mocking the Great Ones and their benevolence." - M[[/footnote]] His disguises often go by the name Mister Elmer.[[footnote]] "He probably stopped using that name by now." - H.J.[[/footnote]]

Qual requires a host to physically interact with Creation outside of the Dreamlands. The host will display psychic abilities such as telekinesis and telepathy under Qual's control. It is the manifestation of his own power. He can also control multiple hosts at the same time. However, the phantom covets those who can bend reality for a physical form to match his power in the Dreamlands. He usually targets individuals capable of entering the [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-1237 epsilon state of sleep]. On rare occasions, mages who suffer from the [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-3711 Song of Regretful Freeing][[footnote]] The Song of Regretful Freeing is a Finnfolk curse that transforms mages into their likeness, but allows them to freely use their mana for reality bending. It will eventually lead to death. The curse is invoked through the Sea Mither, and it takes the form of a haunting song from her. [[/footnote]] are also targeted. The host will develop a hideous visage.

**Nature:** Qual is a dangerous being who can manipulate the Dreamlands. He inflicts great harm upon the minds and bodies of mortals. If you are killed by him in the Dreamlands then your physical self will also perish. However, he enjoys tormenting his victims before ending them. The phantom is able to trap victims in multiple dream layers. It prevents one from escaping the Dreamlands. He will drive his victims to reach insanity.

Qual will sometimes manipulate mortals by inserting ideas through their dreams. He does that to cause subtle harm to the waking world without using a host. It draws less attention to himself.

**History & Associated Parties:** It's said that Qual was born from the collective dreaming of lesser gods in the [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/the-maker-and-the-beast Great Abyss]. Afterwards he simply feasted upon dreams throughout Creation, and caused the spread of nightmares. He is the oldest threat to the Dreamlands. Eventually the phantom met the Scarlet King through the dreams of his mortal followers. Now Qual leads the Scarlet Horde's front against the Dreamlands. Many nightmares joined Qual's side lest they be devoured by him. Mortal followers of the Scarlet King serve under Qual when they sleep. Qual apparently answers to [[[Lord Jeser]]], the Prince of Many Faces.[[footnote]] Consult the Hand's entry about Jeser for furter information. [[/footnote]]

The lieutenants of Qual are the [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-4116 Nightmare Kings]. They were mortals who left the waking realm behind for the Dreamlands. Unfortunately, Qual transformed them into dangerous nightmares. There are currently six of them. Other entities serving Qual include the [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-8323 Dream-Stepper Hidebehind],[[footnote]] Also known as the Stepping-Nightmare or the Approaching One. [[/footnote]] and [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/nightmare Smoke Woman].[[footnote]] Also known as the Burning Nightmare. [[/footnote]]

In the Dreamlands Qual faces opposition from a myriad of beings such as King Kuranes,[[footnote]] A powerful dreamer who abandoned his mortal body to become part of the Dreamlands. Now he rules his dreamed up kingdom of Celephaïs. [[/footnote]] Caer Ibormeith,[[footnote]] Caer Ibormeith is a Fae princess known to visit the Dreamlands. [[/footnote]] Njörun,[[footnote]] Njörun (anglicized as Njorun) is a goddess from the Vanir in the Norse pantheon. The dwarves of Nidavellir / Myrkheimr would sometimes pray to her for protection in their sleep, especially when they visit the Dreamlands. [[/footnote]] Nodens,[[footnote]] Nodens is a god who regularly visits the Dreamlands. He enjoys hunting the fantastic creatures that dwell there. Taming Night-gaunts is also a hobby of his. [[/footnote]] Hypnos,[[footnote]] Hypnos, also known as Somnus, is the god of sleep in the Olympian pantheon. In the Dreamlands he is accompanied by the Oneiroi, his siblings; and the Somnia, sons born from his consort Pasithea. The most notable sons of Hypnos are Morpheus, Icelos / Phobetor, and Phantasos. [[/footnote]] Maarp,[[footnote]] Maarp is a bestial god of sleep residing within Silver Ash, a lonely mountain of the Dreamlands. The god is represented by the Fae priestess Zinn, titled the Herald of Maarp. She commands the lepidopteran swarms that surround Maarp. They often defend Silver Ash from interlopers such as the Spiders of Leng and Night-gaunts. [[/footnote]] He Who Walks Beneath Dreams,[[footnote]] A god residing in the Underworld of the Dreamlands. He is worshipped by Dream-Ghouls and Gugs as a Great One of Kadath. Notably, it is within his power to manifest outside of the Dreamlands. [[/footnote]] [[[the Slumbering Prince]]],[[footnote]] The Slumbering Prince is a being trapped within the [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-3001 Darkness Between Realms]. It repeatedly tries to access Creation through the Dreamlands. Consult its entry for further information. [[/footnote]] and [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-990 the Dream Wanderer].[[footnote]] It is suspected that the Dream Wanderer is a Great One of Kadath. [[/footnote]] [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-2840 Cannibalistic nightmares] often attack his army. It is also a great taboo to merely mention Qual in the Dreamlands. For example, the cats of Ulthar will attack whoever speaks of him. On the campus of [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-4767 Dream State University] in Dylath-Leen it will result in temporary suspension.

Qual participated in the [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-1936 Battle of Daleport].[[footnote]] The Battle of Daleport was a conflict involving multiple gods in Daleport, New England. It was orchestrated by a group known as the Victory Society. [[/footnote]] He was able to acquire an epsilon dreamer as a host, and manifested a physical form for himself.[[footnote]] "Many believe that Jeser pulled some strings to help Qual acquire a worthy host." - H.J [[/footnote]] According to Pangloss,[[footnote]] Pangloss is a benevolent god who regularly visits the Library. He is an ally to the Hand.[[/footnote]] He Who Walks Beneath Dreams and Zinn the Herald were his targets throughout the conflict. Ultimately, the phantom did not succeed in slaying them.

**Approach:** Imagination is a powerful weapon in the Dreamlands, and it can be used against Qual in a battle of wills.[[footnote]] "Don't you need to be lucid enough for that or something?" - Gerald[[/footnote]][[footnote]] "Somewhat. Psychics usually have better control in the Dreamlands." - H.J. [[/footnote]] However, it's better to avoid confrontation with Qual lest one becomes trapped inside a dream within a dream. Sleep with protective charms such as dreamcatchers to avoid being possessed.[[footnote]] "There are numerous guides about protective sleep charms in the Library. Consult a Librarian to find some books." - M[[/footnote]]

Individuals possessed by Qual can survive terrible injuries. Destroying the brain is often the most effective strategy against his hosts. However, if you wish to spare the hosts, an Enochian exorcism could expel Qual back to the Dreamlands. The phantom will just make it extremely difficult. Use alchemy to create a [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-148 psychic wardstone].[[footnote]] "Don't forget that psychic wardstones are dangerous, especially the imperfect ones. Follow all safety measures when handling them. Consult the numerous alchemy books about it." - M [[/footnote]] Hopefully, it will protect from psychic attacks long enough to perform an exorcism.[[footnote]] "This approach is too risky. Psychic wardstone has the potential to not only kill the host, but also everyone who is around them." - H.J. [[/footnote]][[footnote]] "I agree. We should revise this section." - W[[/footnote]][[footnote]] "It's easier to just kill them as an act of mercy. Qual is likely to cause too many injuries for the host to survive." - Trünan [[/footnote]]

[[/div]]

[[div style="border:solid 1px #112211; background:#EEF6EE; padding: 20px; margin-bottom: 3px;"]]

[[=]]
**Observations & Stories**
[[/=]]

//"The land was kept awake for many nights before meeting their demise at the hands of Jeser. He sent the dream phantom Qual to torment the people before his arrival. Many screams rang out in the night. The Prince of Many Faces took advantage of their restless minds, and played cruel games with them under the promise of sleep without nightmares."//

- Excerpt from //The Atrocities of the Scarlet Horde//

------

//"I was chased by the dream phantom Qual, a terrifying emissary of the Scarlet King. His essence reeked of spoiled dreams. The form he chose was an animated mountain of dragon skeletons. I lost him inside a maze of my own creation with numerous traps. My dream guardians helped me to escape back into the waking world."//

- Excerpt from //The Lucid Dream Journal Collection, Volume 4//

------

//"I was unfairly suspended from Dream State University in Dylath-Leen, Dreamlands. My class was talking about the symbolism of nightmares, and we took a test about it. One of the questions asked about the symbolism behind Qual from the Scarlet Horde. What does his existence say about the ones who dreamt him? I was a bit confused by the question. It felt taboo that it was even on the test, and I asked the professor if it was somehow a mistake. He chastised me for calling attention to the question. It all turned out to be a trick. Nobody was meant to answer the question. How was I suppose to know that? I decided to attend [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/deer-college-hub Deer College] instead. At least they don't automatically enroll you for extortion like DSU."//

- Excerpt from //Deer College Odyssey Archives: Graduation Interviews//

------

//"The cases that troubled me the most in Oneiroi West were ones involving nightmares. We would be forced to kick people out of the collective. They often tried to invite horrors from the famous Dreamlands. One case I remember involved a cult that worshipped Qual, the old nightmare in service to the Scarlet King. They illegally conjured blood to vandalize walls with hideous murals of them both. I'm not comfortable discussing all the crimes they committed. It continues to haunt me in the waking world, and soured my own dreams forever."//

- Excerpt from //Nightmare Cases: True Crime of Dream Communities//

------

//"He Who Tears at the Dreaming, the old nightmare from the Scarlet Horde, is known as a Harbinger of Strife on Amvat. They refer to him as Vul-Oran. The Amvatiaa evolved to seldom sleep, and attribute it as a defense against the god. Their ancestors were tormented by him. When the Amvatiaa do sleep they perform a ritual to bless themselves, and create charms based on other gods to scare away nightmares."//

- Excerpt from the Pnakotic Manuscripts

[[/div]]

[[div style="border:solid 1px #112211; background:#EEF6EE; padding: 20px; margin-bottom: 3px;"]]

[[=]]
**Doubt**
[[/=]]

Dreams can sometimes be difficult remember or interpret. Not everyone will have a vivid experience. The constantly shifting and chaotic nature of dreams could lead to many falsehoods. Therefore, it is possible for misinformation to spread about Qual into the waking the world.

Many speculate on why Qual serves the Scarlet King. Some believe he was promised a physical form. It would be consistent with his many attempts at acquiring a powerful host. He might also admire the nightmarish ambitions of the Scarlet King. Regardless of his motivations, one thing is certain. The old nightmare will never stop until the sweetness of the Dreamlands completely turns bitter.

[[/div]]

[[/div]]

[[footnoteblock title=""]]
~~~~
[[/div]]