Dreams (Guide)

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To sleep — perchance to dream. Ay, there’s the rub!

Fallen London has a number of minor dream storylines which are progressed via sequences of opportunity cards. This is a guide to them.

Dreaming Strange Dreams[edit]

The first set of dreams you'll encounter are available as soon as you get out of the tutorial prison. There are five in all, each named for one of the sections of T. S. Eliot's The Wasteland and obscurely symbolic of various bits of lore.

What the Thunder Said[edit]

Having Recurring Dreams: What the Thunder Said begins with A dream about the mist, continuing through a series of cards (see below), ending with Who is the third that walks always beside you? which resets the dream quality and gives you Stormy-Eyed 7. You can then progress through the storyline again, with pairs of new options unlocked on some cards; one which increases Stormy-Eyed - this one will have the icon - and one which decreases it.

Increasing Stormy-Eyed[edit]

In addition to the actions on dream cards that raise it, Stormy-Eyed can also be increased (if you have it) with I bid the wind speak as part of the Mutton Island carousel. See Time Passing on Mutton Island (Guide) for full details, but it amounts to 0.76 CP/Action over 17 actions.

Once Stormy-Eyed reaches 19 and WtTS reaches 15 again The Thunder Takes Me Away becomes available, allowing you to travel to The Mind of a Long-Dead God. Actions there decrease Stormy-Eyed, and you will be unable to leave it until the quality reaches 0.

Cards[edit]

Dream Card Levels Autofire? Increase SE Decrease SE
A dream about the mist 0+ N/A N/A
A dream about stormy weather 1-4 I will encourage the storm. Read the moss with a meteorologist's eye
A dream about a clifftop 2-4 I will talk back to the wind Study the people
A dream about a familiar face 3-6 N/A N/A
A dream about a cave 4-6 N/A N/A
A dream about a rockfall 5-8 This is the gate of the womb of the earth Examine the rocks
A dream about a gathering 6-8 I will dance in the rain Ask a question
A dream about shelter 7-10 N/A N/A
A dream about a lonely clifftop 8-10 I will throw the knife into the sky Examine the knife
A dream about a storm in a garden 9-11 N/A N/A
A dream about a desert 2 10-13 I will dance with the vines! Examine the vines
A dream about a storm-tossed clifftop 11-14 N/A N/A
A dream about a stone knife 2 12-14 I will join in the singing Observe the ritual
A dream about an earthquake 1 12-14 N/A N/A
A dream about a violent gale 13-16 I will dive into the water! Analyse the way the wind is amplified by the rocks
A dream about thunder 2 13-16 I will leap to the centre of the group Put a stop to this barbarity
A dream about a sacrifice 2 14-17 I give myself as the gift Resist the thunder
A dream about appeasement 15-18 N/A N/A
A dream about a dark, cold place 2 16-19 I have reached the thunder! Fix your gaze on the city
A dream about a fleet of ships 17-20 N/A N/A
Who is the third that walks always beside you? 18+[1] N/A N/A
  1. Locked with Stormy-Eyed 7

Other Dreams[edit]

Having WtTS 10 unlocks options on other dreams cards, namely

Overcapping[edit]

There are several means of increasing WtTS past its softcap of 21.

The Burial of the Dead[edit]

Having Recurring Dreams: The Burial of the Dead begins with A dream about wine and dead men and then continues through a sequence of cards (see below) up to A dream of a mouldering library at level 18, which resets the storyline and gives you 5 CP of Haunted by Stairs. You can then play through the storyline again, with pairs of new options on various cards that increase or decrease Haunted by Stairs. Upon reaching TBotD 15, the increase option on A dream about a garden of tombs will set Haunted by Stairs to 19.

Once TBotD reaches 18 again and Haunted by Stairs reaches 19, you can draw Haunted by Stairs (card), which has four 0-action options that increase Haunted by Stairs and set Transformed by Stairs to 10 and one option which decreases Haunted by Stairs. Going to the Tomb-Colonies will allow you to play new options on various cards that give tidbits of lore and lower Haunted by Stairs. Once Haunted falls below 15, you can play Burial of the Dead: the Choice of Kings, which takes you through a series of storylets and concludes the storyline, resetting Having Recurring Dreams: The Burial of the Dead and Haunted by Stairs.

Once you've finished the storyline, you can wipe your Transformed by Stairs to play through it again from the A dream of a mouldering library card.

Cards[edit]

Dream Card Levels Autofire? Increases HbS Decreases HbS
A dream about wine and dead men 0-2 Take a book from the shelves Think of a memory of your own
A dream about a market-place crowded with dead men 1 1-3 Go to the market and rummage amongst the stalls Go to the market to find something that reminds you who you are
A dream about a garden of stones 2-5 Climb the steps to the grandest tomb Look for the grave of someone you know
A dream about a town square 3-6 Follow someone down a side street Walk to the centre of the square
A dream about a candle flame 4-6 N/A N/A
A dream about a market-place crowded with dead men 2 4+, 6 N/A N/A
A dream about a tombstone 5-8 Pick up the little statue sitting on the grave Let the dead rest
A dream about a field of candles 6-9 Pick up a candle Blow out a candle
A dream about a field of candle flames 7-10 Follow a glowworm. Feel the moss on the wall
A dream about moths 8-11 Follow a moth Turn your back on the moth
A dream about a flock of moths 9-12 Climb the steps into the fountain Shoo the moths away
A dream about a busy square 10-14 Turn from the window Run down to the marketplace
A dream about a dark place 10-13 Push harder Unwind the bandages
A dream about a gravestone 11-15 Go into a family tomb Remember that loved one whose grave you found?
A dream about cocoons 12-16 Find the fountain Free the glowworms
A dream about glowworms 12-15 N/A N/A
A dream about a quiet square 13-17 Crawl inside a cocoon Turn away from the cocoons
A dream about a window at night 2 13-16 Move into the reflection. Turn away from the window
A dream about a sheet of ice 14-18 Follow the moths Walk onto the ice
A dream about a cramped space 14-17 N/A N/A
A dream about a garden of tombs 15-20 Climb the cliff-steps Find that familiar tomb again
A dream about dissolution 16-20 N/A N/A
A dream of a mouldering library 18+ N/A N/A
Haunted by Stairs (card) 18+ [1] N/A N/A
  1. Also requires Haunted by Stairs 19

Other Dreams[edit]

Having TBotD 10 unlocks options on other dream cards, namely

Overcapping[edit]

There is no known method of increasing TBotD; this is[a] intentional, to prevent people from locking themselves out of the storyline.

The Fire Sermon[edit]

Having Recurring Dreams: The Fire Sermon begins with A dream about something expensive happening, then proceeds through a series of cards (see below) up to level 16, at which point you can play A dream of a dark, dark room to reset the dream quality and gain Seeing in Apocyan 4. You can then progress through the storyline again, with pairs of new options unlocked on some cards; one which increases Seeing in Apocyan and one which decreases it. Once you reach Seeing in Apocyan 15, you can play A dream about a crowded city, which allows you to reset both the dream quality and Seeing in Apocyan in exchange for Memories in Apocyan.

You may replay the latter part of the storyline by using A dream of a dark, dark room to remove your Memories in Apocyan.

Cards[edit]

Dream Card Levels Autofire? Increase SiA Decrease SiA
A dream about something expensive happening 0-2 Read a burning page as it drifts by Put the flames out.
A dream about fireworks 1 1-3 N/A N/A
A dream about a burning river 1 2-4 Watch the fireworks Close your eyes
A dream about a peaceful garden 3-5 Cast a flare into the shadows. Retreat into the shadows
A dream about a lake 4-6 Wait for the sunset (candle) Wait for the sunset (lake)
A dream about a fountain 4-6 Get closer Let the sparks fade
A dream about a burning river 3 4+, 6 ✔ (Menace card) N/A N/A
A dream about a bright fountain 5-8 Walk into the pool This feels frightening
A dream about a bridge 6-8 Illuminate the darkness. Turn back 4
A dream about a city 7-9 Walk into the city Welcome the rain
A dream about a burning city 7-10 Feed the flames. Run away! 2
A dream about a ship 8-11 Gaze into the depths Help the water extinguish the flames
A dream about a walk in the marshes 9-11 Capture it. It's a harbinger of death.
A dream about stars 10-13 Reach out Remember that most stars stay in the sky
A dream about a garden 10-13 Turn back the river Put your face in the water
A dream about lightning 10-13 Watch the ship Seek shelter
A dream about a will o' the wisp 10-12 Follow where the flame leads you Wait for dawn
A dream about a hearth 2 11-14 Stir up the embers Let the embers die
A dream about a burning river 2 11-13 Throw yourself in! No! Shield yourself from the flames instead
A dream about an earthquake 2 12-14 Encourage the mountain Save yourself from the visions
A dream about ice and fire 13-15 N/A N/A
A dream about an angry mountain 13+ Watch the volcano Calm the mountain
A dream of a dark, dark room 16+[1] N/A N/A

Other Dreams[edit]

Having TFS 10 unlocks some options on other dream cards:

Overcapping[edit]

As both A dream about ice and fire and A dream about an angry mountain continue to be available no matter how high your level of TFS, there isn't really a meaningful cap to surpass for this dream. Apart from these, the only method of increasing TFS to arbitrary heights is Dream from A Weakness in the Air in The Cave of the Nadir.

A Game of Chess[edit]

Having Recurring Dreams: A Game of Chess begins with A dream about a clock and proceeds through a series of cards (see below) up to level 22.

Cards[edit]

Dream Card Levels Autofire?
A dream about a clock 0-2
A dream about a row of tombs 1-3
A dream about a battlefield 2-4
A dream about strategy 3-6
A dream about capture 4-6
A dream about a stable 4-6
A dream about galloping 5-8
A dream about castle battlements 6-9
A dream about a soldiers' camp 7-10
A dream about a candlelit church 8-10
A dream about a cloister 10-13
A dream about a map 11-13
A dream about a clergyman 12-15
A dream about a flight from danger 13-16
A dream about a queen 14-17
A dream about geometry 2 15-18
A dream about a king 16-18
A dream about the Red-Handed Queen 17-20
A dream about the Beleaguered King 18-20
A dream about a sacrifice (A Game of Chess) 19-21

Other Dreams[edit]

Having AGoC 10 unlocks some options on other dream cards:

Overcapping[edit]

There are a few methods of increasing AGoC beyond its softcap of 22:

Death by Water[edit]

Having Recurring Dreams: Death by Water begins with A dream about whispers and continues through a series of cards (see below), which finish at level 10.

Cards[edit]

Dream Card Levels Autofire?
A dream about whispers 0-2
A dream about descending into darkness 1-3
A dream about the hold of a ship in a storm 2-4
A dream about being lost at sea 3-5
A dream about a calm sea 4+, 6 ✔ (Menace card)
A dream about a desert 1 4-6
A dream about a night flight 5-7
A dream about a dirigible 6-8
A dream about your home 7-9

Other Dreams[edit]

Having DbW 6 unlocks options on other dream cards:

Having DbW 10 unlocks more:

Overcapping[edit]

There are various means of increasing DbW past its softcap of 10.

The Odd One Out[edit]

There is one other dream available from the beginning of the game, but which doesn't fit into the same thematic set as the other five and is sometimes treated in a different way mechanically. This is Having Recurring Dreams: Is Someone There?.

IST? begins with either An inquisitive spider or A dream about a window at night 1. It then continues through a series of cards until it reaches 16, at which point only A dream about a window at night 1 will remain available.

Cards[edit]

Dream Card Unlock level Max level Autofire?
An inquisitive spider 0 1
A dream about a window at night 1 0 N/A
A dream about a brass mirror 1 3
A dream about the end of a corridor 2 4
A dream about a corridor lined with brass mirrors. 1 2 4
A dream about standing between two mirrors 3 5
A dream about your reflection 4 7
A dream about standing between brass mirrors 4 6
A dream about a corridor lined with brass mirrors 2 4, 6 N/A ✔ (Menace card)
A dream about the surface of a mirror 5 7
A dream about standing between dark mirrors 5 8
A dream about standing between bright mirrors 6 8
A dream about a mirrored hall 7 9
A dream about a different place 8 10
A dream about being followed 9 11
A dream about a knowing mirror 10 13
A dream about looking in through a window 2 10 12
A dream about a clouded place 2 11 13
A dream about an opaque mirror 11 13
A dream about a return to the mirrored hall 11 13
A dream about a dark tunnel 12 15
A dream about standing between avid mirrors 12[1] 15
  1. One option requires 13


Other Dreams[edit]

Having IST? 10 unlocks options on other dream cards, namely

Overcapping[edit]

There are a couple of ways of increasing this past its softcap of 16:

Zee Dreams[edit]

The other set of dreams appear once you have access to a ship of your own. Whilst zailing, options on some cards will increase Wind qualities, and so long as the relevant wind quality is at least 2 you'll draw the associated dream cards in London.

There are three zee-wind dreams, each named after a line from w:The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. They each have the same overall structure; at level 7, you will draw a card that resets the dream quality, gives you an Oneiric Pearl and grants a special quality that allows you to avoid replaying the dream if you don't want to by unlocking options on all of that dream's cards to wipe the associated Wind quality.

A non-wind zee dream is Rosy Colours Leaping on the Wall, named after a line from The Holy Grail (chapter from w:Idylls of the King) by Tennyson. Associated cards are unlocked with Delighted and nightmares while you are zailing the Unterzee. The resetting option at level 7 gives you 11 Whirring Contraptions the first time, and 4 thereafter.

Upon a Painted Sea[edit]

Having Recurring Dreams: Upon a Painted Sea is associated with the Eastern Wind quality. The special quality for completing this dream is Gazing at the Peak.

Eastern Wind[edit]

If you don't currently have any Eastern Wind, it may be gained from the following options:

If you do have some Eastern Wind, then some more options will give you more:

Cards[edit]

Levels Card
0 Swim to the surface
1–2 Swim to the beach
3 Listen to the waves
4 Grab a handful of sand
5 Look up to the canopy
6 Feel the soil
7 Look

I Shot the Albatross[edit]

Having Recurring Dreams: I Shot the Albatross is associated with the Southern Wind quality. The special quality for completing this dream is Impaled Upon the Peak.

Southern Wind[edit]

If you don't currently have any Southern Wind, it may be gained from Fix a looking-glass on the Mountain (from The Light of the Mountain in Shepherd's Wash), which gives +4 CP if you don't have any and +1 CP if you do.

If you already have some Southern Wind, these options will give more:

Cards[edit]

Levels Card
0 A Dream of Hunger
1–2 Pull the trigger
3 Look around you
4 Carry your burden
5 Take shelter?
6 Take another step
7 Approach the peak

Betwixt Us and the Sun[edit]

Having Recurring Dreams: Betwixt Us and the Sun is associated with the Northern Wind quality. The special quality for completing this dream is Hiding in the Cellars.

Northern Wind[edit]

If you don't currently have any Northern Wind, it may be gained from Listen to the wind (from A Wind from the North in Stormbones), which gives +3 CP if you don't have any and +1 CP if you do.

If you already have some Northern Wind, these options will give more:

Cards[edit]

Levels Card
0 Look inside
1–2 Knock (A Dream of a Door)
3 Look down
4 Look at the candles
5 Get out of the dance floor
6 Open your mouth
7 Run (A Dream of a Cellar)

Rosy Colours Leaping on the Wall[edit]

Having Recurring Dreams: Rosy Colours Leaping on the Wall is associated with the Delighted quality. The special quality for completing this dream is Still Waiting on the Host.

Delighted[edit]

Shattered Mask will give Delighted +1 when equipped in the Hat slot. If you don't currently possess the Shattered Mask, it may be gained from Lend yet another hand to the fight (from Duelling the Masked Corsair (On Godfall) in Godfall). Consult Evolution (Guide) for more details.

Cards[edit]

Levels Card
1–2 Look into the light
3 Hand him a hammer
4 Fly higher
5 Join them at their table
6 Drink the wine
7 Sunbathe in the light

General effects of Dreams[edit]

Dr. Schlomo[edit]

As A Person of Some Importance with Nightmares 3 and Renown: Bohemians 10, you can draw the card The Interpreter of Dreams, which lets you exchange some of your Dream qualities for various rewards.

Christmas[edit]

On Day 5, you can give some of your Dreams to Mr. Sacks.

A State of Some Confusion[edit]

When leaving the state, you will lose 5 CP of some of your dreams each, unless you happen to have purchased Honeyed Laudanum.

Cave of the Nadir[edit]

Entering the Nadir with Nightmares in tow can have peculiar effects.

In particular, certain cards will drain 10 CP of the respective dream.

Heart's Desire[edit]

Spoiler warning!
This page may contain spoilers for Ambitions or other major storylines.

Your Dreams can be given away as one of the options on Heart's Desire – the Price of Desire.

A significant amount of one dream will need to be exchanged for an army.

  1. 5/8/22 Patch Notes: "Haunted by Stairs: Adjusted upper bounds of ‘A dream about a garden of tombs’ and ‘A dream about dissolution’ to prevent edge cases where it became impossible to progress the story."