ORIGIN

state of centaurus:
Dreaming of Frozen Storms

Terrain is relatively flat, but with rolling hills. Much of this land is hidden beneath the roiling, frigid waters: a deep oceanic tide that sweeps back and forth with sometimes massive waves. The plant life is near fully aquatic, cold-tolerant kelps and seagrass in hues of dark indigos shading into black. A few yellowed, stunted evergreen trees huddle on the few protruding outcrops of snowy rock.
Humidity is completely flooded. Thick fogs and constant precipitation make visibility difficult.
The sky projected onto the cave ceiling is dim and stormy, with dark and rolling clouds.
Temperature is bitterly cold. It is always below freezing; rain is sharp sleet or thick snow, and ice floes bob on the stormy waters. Frost coats everything within moments, often freezing to a coating of rime.
Weather is violent. Storms are nearly constant; the wind can blow a Gembound off their feet.
Wildlife population is medium, but exclusively aquatic. Alien fish form shoals in the case of smaller specimens, though larger predatory fish hunt them and anything else they can find in the polar depths. The largest predatory fish should be GM-tagged to encounter, and may be dangerous.
A water tunnel has opened temporarily, linking the bottom of Centaurus's sea to an exit in Leo.

locations
Barracks Along the rear (northwestern) wall of the cave, a large stone barracks with many rooms is carved from the cave itself. The Barracks is perched on the frozen, rocky shore just above the waterline, and has been fitted with a heavy all-weather door that's kept firmly shut. (Knock for entry.)	The Breach Through the center of the room is a long rift in the stone, like a ravine. Much of The Breach's floor is a long vein of Oilstone. The Breach is currently covered by deep and roiling seawater at freezing temperatures.
The Oubliette A single-room dungeon, underground, between the Barracks and the Breach and surrounded by tunnels. This room has only two access points: a tunnel leading out, and a metal grate letting light in from above. Chains attached to winches lead into a very large chrysalis atop a large, stone structure like a throne or chair at the rear of this room. The Shaper is held by these chains. This room is currently dark and very foggy, bitterly cold, and encased with protective ice to keep it from flooding. Dark ocean water can be seen seething above. Entry is possible through its tunnel, which emerges into a small island near the Barracks.	The Maw A very short, broad, dark tunnel lacking functional light orbs, its walls cooled molten glass. From Hydra, it resembles the open mouth of a giant Sandworm: a rounded hole at a steep angle down into the Dunes. It emerges into Centaurus as a narrow gap between two tall rock outcrops against the cave's eastern wall. Its near-side mouth currently exits onto a short spit of snowy land that plunges straight into the freezing breakers.

previous centaurus dreams

Dreaming of the Eerie Unknown (Cycle 113)

Terrain is variable, but dark. Fog-wreathed swamp around the Breach gives way to barren, parched and shadowy earth in the direction of the Barracks, and spooky forest half-full of claw-like, dead trees near the Maw. What looks like empty urban ruins near the caves' northern edge whistles with an eerie wind. Along the southeast wall, towering boulders create a maze where explorers are unable to see more than a few yards in any direction.
Plant Life is plentiful but menacing. Many of the trees in the tangled forest seem dead, dark and claw-like. Thick moss, long grass and crunching leaves abound. Dead bushes dot the barren region.
Humidity is intense, with thick fog rolling through the room and obscuring vision.
The sky projected onto the cave ceiling is mostly dark, lit at times with a dim glow resembling moonlight.
Temperature is chilly, but not cold, with a crisp smell to the air.
Weather is variable. At times it is eerily still. At others, it is oppressive, with heavy rains or raging thunderstorms. Sometimes, shrieking winds blow through for hours on end.
Wildlife population is high, but often unseen in the fog. Ravens, crows, frogs, rats, mice, bats and large spiders fly and crawl through the cave, like Gembounds but non-sentient. Other, more menacing creatures lurk here and there, perhaps Lesser and perhaps not, but should be GM-tagged to encounter, and may be dangerous.

locations
Barracks Along the rear (northwestern) wall of the cave, a large stone barracks with many rooms is carved from the cave itself. The Barracks is now rebuilt, but has been temporarily half-barricaded (except for its door) with tangled, thorny vines.	The Breach Through the center of the room is a long rift in the stone, like a ravine. Much of The Breach's floor is a long vein of Oilstone. The Breach is currently covered by dark, stagnant water, and shrouded by thick swamp.
The Oubliette A single-room dungeon, underground, between the Barracks and the Breach and surrounded by tunnels. This room has only two access points: a tunnel leading out, and a metal grate letting light in from above. Chains attached to winches lead into a very large chrysalis atop a large, stone structure like a throne or chair at the rear of this room. The Shaper is held by these chains. This room is currently dark and very foggy.	The Maw A very short, broad, dark tunnel lacking functional light orbs, its walls cooled molten glass. From Hydra, it resembles the open mouth of a giant Sandworm: a rounded hole at a steep angle down into the Dunes. It emerges into Centaurus as a narrow gap between two tall rock outcrops against the cave's eastern wall. Its near-side mouth is currently a pitch black hole overgrown with hanging vines, with dead trees clawing at either side.

Dreaming of Alien Worlds (Cycle 112)

Terrain is relatively hilly terrain with many outcrops.
Plant Life is plentiful. The cave is full of plant life, vibrant and providing lots of cover but making travel more difficult.
Humidity is somewhat moist. Mists and fog is common in the morning and evening, and the water flow and weather is temperate.
The sky projected onto the cave ceiling is bright, with occasional rolling clouds.
Temperature is neutral. Temperatures range from warm to cool depending upon time of day, and weather is variable but not extreme.
Weather is calm. The cave mostly has calm weather, even when raining (or snowing), with a rare storm. The wind is mostly a breeze.
Wildlife population is high. The cave seems to be thriving with Lessers of high variety and numbers. Alien creatures of reptilian, amphibian, avian--some feathered and some scaled--and mammalian design flourish.

locations
Barracks Along the rear (northwestern) wall of the cave, a large stone barracks with many rooms is carved from the cave itself. The Barracks is now rebuilt.	The Breach Through the center of the room is a long rift in the stone, like a ravine. Much of The Breach's floor is a long vein of Oilstone. The Breach is currently covered by a thin trickle of a creek.
The Oubliette A single-room dungeon, underground, between the Barracks and the Breach and surrounded by tunnels. This room has only two access points: a tunnel leading out, and a metal grate letting light in from above. Chains attached to winches lead into a very large chrysalis atop a large, stone structure like a throne or chair at the rear of this room. The Shaper is held by these chains.	The Maw A very short, broad, dark tunnel lacking functional light orbs, its walls cooled molten glass. From Hydra, it resembles the open mouth of a giant Sandworm: a rounded hole at a steep angle down into the Dunes. It emerges into Centaurus as a narrow gap between two tall rock outcrops against the cave's eastern wall. Its near-side mouth is currently a broad hole in a barren rock wall.

Dreaming of Alien Worlds (Cycle 111)

Terrain is relatively flat with some minor features.
Plant Life is completely barren, sparse, difficult to survive in.
Humidity is fairly arid. Morning mists are thin, and water is shallow and sparse, but present.
The sky projected onto the cave ceiling is bright, with occasional rolling clouds.
Temperature is very warm. Temperatures are uncomfortably warm, often hot, but survivable. Plants are temperate to jungle or desert types.
Weather is still. The wind never blows. In hot or humid weather, this can be stifling and add to the heat.
Wildlife population is thin. Wildlife is thinly populated, but enough can be found to hunt and survive on. The creatures are mostly reptilian, cold-blooded and of strange shapes and colors alien to Origin or Earth.

locations
Barracks Along the rear (northwestern) wall of the cave, a large stone barracks with many rooms is carved from the cave itself. The Barracks is now rebuilt.	The Breach Through the center of the room is a long rift in the stone, like a ravine. Much of The Breach's floor is a long vein of Oilstone. The Breach is currently covered by a thin trickle of a creek.
The Oubliette A single-room dungeon, underground, between the Barracks and the Breach and surrounded by tunnels. This room has only two access points: a tunnel leading out, and a metal grate letting light in from above. Chains attached to winches lead into a very large chrysalis atop a large, stone structure like a throne or chair at the rear of this room. The Shaper is held by these chains.	The Maw A very short, broad, dark tunnel lacking functional light orbs, its walls cooled molten glass. From Hydra, it resembles the open mouth of a giant Sandworm: a rounded hole at a steep angle down into the Dunes. It emerges into Centaurus as a narrow gap between two tall rock outcrops against the cave's eastern wall. Its near-side mouth is currently a broad hole in a barren rock wall.

Dreaming of Alien Worlds (Cycle 110)

Terrain is completely flat, difficult to gauge distances and with no geological cover.
Plant Life is completely barren, sparse, difficult to survive in.
Humidity is arid. A thin mist and a trickle of water might appear from time to time, but mostly the cave is dry.
The sky projected onto the cave ceiling is bright, with occasional rolling clouds.
Temperature is fairly cold. Temperatures are often below freezing, but occasionally thaw. Plants are evergreen in nature, and water is often frozen.
Weather is chaotic. The weather can shift from moment to moment, from utterly still to violent storms, and can vary from point to point within the cave.
Wildlife population is low: It's not necessarily noticeable at first, but the wildlife numbers are somewhat low. The creatures are mammalian in appearance and behavior, alien to Origin or Earth.

locations
Barracks Along the rear (northwestern) wall of the cave, a large stone barracks with many rooms is carved from the cave itself. The Dreamers are currently rebuilding.	The Breach Through the center of the room is a long rift in the stone, like a ravine. Much of The Breach's floor is a long vein of Oilstone. The Breach is currently filled with swamp that extends beyond its boundaries. Falling in while wading is a danger.
The Oubliette A single-room dungeon, underground, between the Barracks and the Breach and surrounded by tunnels. This room has only two access points: a tunnel leading out, and a metal grate letting light in from above. Chains attached to winches lead into a very large chrysalis atop a large, stone structure like a throne or chair at the rear of this room. The Shaper is held by these chains.	The Maw A very short, broad, dark tunnel lacking functional light orbs, its walls cooled molten glass. From Hydra, it resembles the open mouth of a giant Sandworm: a rounded hole at a steep angle down into the Dunes. It emerges into Centaurus as a narrow gap between two tall rock outcrops against the cave's eastern wall. Its near-side mouth is currently jagged with stone and swampy.

Dreaming of Alien Worlds (Cycle 109)

Terrain is dangerous, vertically oriented terrain: all cliffs, steep drops, ravines, spires and spikes.
Plant Life is mostly barren, with only strange, sparse, alien plant life in hues of pinks, blues and greens, some of which is dangerous.
Humidity is very humid. The cave floor is very swampy in places, so that Gembound may often need to wade or swim to travel. Torrential rains (or snow, depending on temperature) are frequent, and flooding can occur in steep terrain.
The sky projected onto the cave ceiling is overcast and dim.
Temperature is neutral. Temperatures range from warm to cool depending upon time of day, and weather is variable but not extreme.
Weather is calm. The cave mostly has calm weather, even when raining (or snowing), with a rare storm. The wind is mostly a breeze.
Wildlife population is high: the cave seems to be thriving with Lessers of high variety and numbers. The wildlife is primarily bug-like, alien to Origin or Earth. Gross!

locations
Barracks Along the rear (northwestern) wall of the cave, a large stone barracks with many rooms is carved from the cave itself. The Dreamers are currently rebuilding.	The Breach Through the center of the room is a long rift in the stone, like a ravine. Much of The Breach's floor is a long vein of Oilstone. The Breach is currently filled with swamp that extends beyond its boundaries. Falling in while wading is a danger.
The Oubliette A single-room dungeon, underground, between the Barracks and the Breach and surrounded by tunnels. This room has only two access points: a tunnel leading out, and a metal grate letting light in from above. Chains attached to winches lead into a very large chrysalis atop a large, stone structure like a throne or chair at the rear of this room. The Shaper is held by these chains.	The Maw A very short, broad, dark tunnel lacking functional light orbs, its walls cooled molten glass. From Hydra, it resembles the open mouth of a giant Sandworm: a rounded hole at a steep angle down into the Dunes. It emerges into Centaurus as a narrow gap between two tall rock outcrops against the cave's eastern wall. Its near-side mouth is currently jagged with stone and swampy.

Dreamless

When Centaurus is dreamless, the room is empty and lifeless: a blank canvas. The Dreamer rests within his chrysalis to dream a new dream; the Shapers do as they please within the Barracks before also returning to a restful state within their chrysalises. Barren rock and dimmed lights lie in silence, waiting.

dreamless locations
Barracks Along the rear (northwestern) wall of the cave, a large stone barracks with many rooms is carved from the cave itself. Dozens of oilstone chrysalises inhabit this area.	The Breach Through the center of the room is a long rift in the stone, like a ravine. Much of The Breach's floor is a long vein of Oilstone lying near-dormant, its Chaos simmering as if in wait. A few claustrophobic tunnels lead from The Breach to the Barracks.
The Oubliette A single-room dungeon, underground, between the Barracks and the Breach and surrounded by tunnels. This room has only two access points: a tunnel leading out, and a metal grate letting light in from above. Chains attached to winches lead into a very large chrysalis atop a large, stone structure like a throne or chair at the rear of this room.	The Maw A very short, broad, dark tunnel lacking functional light orbs, its walls cooled molten glass. From Hydra, it resembles the open mouth of a giant Sandworm: a rounded hole at a steep angle down into the Dunes. It emerges into Centaurus as a narrow gap between two tall rock outcrops against the cave's eastern wall.

At the beginning of each Cycle, the Shapers of Centaurus are called into action. Guided by the Dreamer, who Dreams new shapes and life granted in visions from Elsewhere, they swiftly eject any stray Gembounds from the cave before Shaping it to fit a new Dream.

This thread will detail each cycle's Dream, along with offering glimpses of past Dreams.

Centaurus can be dangerous, or it can be safe; its features vary widely, as do the Lesser Gembounds within. Gembounds may face these dangers on the merits of their own roll attempts, and do not need to tag for a GM.

Each Dream also has rewards seeded throughout the cave. Lost gemstones, useful trinkets, pieces of armor, clothing or the occasional weapon—sometimes even enchanted—can be found by exploring Gembounds.

To claim a discovered, randomly-rolled reward, a character must post in at least a Medium thread searching Centaurus, and roll three successful searching attempts (of any path). Once these criteria are reached, players may GM tag to claim a randomized reward.

Undiscovered:

• What happens when one of these temporary Lesser Gembounds is Familiar-Forged..?

• What would happen if someone attempted to remain in Centaurus during its reshaping?

• What would happen to a developing chrysalis present in Centaurus during its reshaping?


Known Information:

• Centaurus and its ever-changing features were used to test new Valkhound designs, and train approved ones, in various terrains, weathers, and so on.


As answers to these questions are uncovered in-character, they will be added to this post as information.