Episode 12: "What Causes Dreams?"
The Pale Veil: Lore Archive: Dossier #037
Introduction
Investigations into dreams have often circled back to the mundane complexities of restless minds or neurological discharges, but recent findings connect our subconscious excursions to the arcane activities of The Pale Veil, a cult buried within the shadows of Hollow Pines. This dossier compiles evidence, eyewitness accounts, and theoretical research unveiling the sinister mechanics behind what we experience as dreams.
I. The Archivist’s Annotated Transcript [Recorded September 12, 2025]
[Begin Recording]
The Archivist: "In our relentless pursuit, we've unearthed a disturbing intersection between the natural phenomena of dreaming and the metaphysical manipulations by The Pale Veil. Indications suggest that 'dreams,' as perceived by the uninitiated, are not merely internal constructs of the mind but are manifestations influenced heavily by external, mystical forces."
[Pause. Sound of pages flipping.]
The Archivist: "From the testimonies gathered, it appears that the cult members, known implicitly as The Choir, engage in nocturnal rituals aligning with certain lunar phases, precisely when the psychological barriers of the mind are most vulnerable."
[Recording skips slightly.]
The Archivist: "Consider the folklore of Hollow Pines. It's peppered with tales of 'The Thin Boy,' a spectral entity reportedly seen by town residents during what are described as intensely vivid nightmares. These encounters don’t align with typical sleep paralysis. They suggest a guided orchestration, which leads us to theorize..."
[Recording ends abruptly.]
II. Eyewitness Account: "The Night of the Thin Boy"
Witness: [Name redacted for safety]
Statement: "I can't explain what I saw because it makes no sense. But he was there, at the foot of my bed, just staring. This... boy, thin as the night air itself, spoke in whispers that felt like cold wind. He asked if I saw the 'gates beyond the sleep,' and then I woke up, or at least I think I did. It's all blended together now."
III. Analysis: Dream Influences and The Ashen Gospel
Exhibit A: Page Fragment from The Ashen Gospel
Ancient text suggests a methodical blurring of the boundaries between our world and what The Pale Veil refers to as 'The Hollow of Worlds.'
Marginal Note: "See forgotten verse, possibly linked to theories of dream inception. Could dreams be a conduit?"
IV. Theoretical Research: "The Science Behind Dreaming" (By The Archivist)
Abstract: "What we understand about dreaming falls catastrophically short when one considers elements unearthed in our studies. Analysis of soil samples taken from Hollow Pines reveals abnormal concentrations of ██████████, which appear to respond to human cognitive patterns."
TL;DR: Key Points
- Dreams may not originate entirely within the brain; external influences play a significant role.
- The Choir’s activities correlate with increased dream vividness and frequency within Hollow Pines.
- "The Thin Boy" might be an avatar used by The Pale Veil to communicate or manipulate within dreams.
V. The Choir’s Missing Page 13
Recovered Ledger Details: A crucial page numbered 13, previously missing from Choir ledgers, was recently found. Its contents include a calendar marked with specific dates and lunar phases, all noted under the phrase: "We do not sleep. We wait."
VI. Conclusion: Implications for the Unaware
What initially began as an inquiry into the peculiarities of dreaming in Hollow Pines has evolved into a disquieting glimpse into a cult's potential to harness and exploit the subconscious landscapes of entire populations. The implications of their reach and power are not fully understood, but the patterns are undeniable and alarming.
VII. Closing Notes by The Archivist
[Annotated by The Archivist on a scrap of old paper]
"Our rational minds recoil at the suggestion that our dreams could be anything other than our own. Yet, as I delve deeper into the chasm between sleep and the supernatural, I can no longer claim with certainty where one ends and the other begins. We must consider if, in our most vulnerable states, we are truly alone with our thoughts, or if we are wandering through corridors crafted not by our psyche but by those who whisper from the shadows. The answer may lie in deciphering more of The Ashen Gospel, particularly the elusive 'Hollow of Worlds.'"
[End of note]
VIII. Addendum by The Archivist
[Recorded September 12, 2025]
The Archivist: "If dreams are the battleground for our souls, then we might already be at war without even knowing it. I urge anyone reading this to question their nightly visions and to guard their thoughts. We tread on the precipice of understanding, and below us, in the darkness, something stirs, perhaps awakened by our probing or perhaps it has been waiting for us since time immemorial. Be vigilant. The veil is thinning."
[Recording stops.]
[End of File]
