The Realm of Nightmares is a dimensional prison — a space connected to the dreams of mortals and filled with nightmare creatures tied to the Dark Tapestry.
Van, the Terran exile, was banished here after proving such a threat to Shubnigoroth (the Great Old One whose brood planet Wiege was) that she empowered her herald to remove him from the material world. Magical intervention was impossible against him due to his Terran magic immunity; without the specific tools used to banish him, there was no magical means to contain him.
Van’s Imprisonment
Van spent millennia inside the Realm of Nightmares. During that time he fought continuously against nightmare abominations — fulfilling his core purpose even in prison. His physical access to people’s dreams allowed him to recruit and influence mortals on Wiege while imprisoned, gathering followers across the centuries.
His chief disciple Aliel, recruited through dreams, founded the Cult of Material Metaphysics in the material world and worked toward Van’s eventual release.
The Release
Aliel, General Umbra, and the adventurer Nym acquired the keys to Van’s prison and assembled them to open a portal. Van exited back into the material plane.
Upon his return, Nym implored Van to retain his humanity and use his powers for good. Van, eager to experience the world again, joined Nym for a meal at a waffle place, where they discussed what comes next.