"ωєℓ¢σмє тσ нєαятѕ ¢αѕтℓє!"
"The small world of Traumerei is never without conflict. At the center of this strange land resides Hearts Castle, ruled by The Red Queen, an anonymous woman who dons an emotionless white mask and addresses her subjects always from a distance. Nobody has seen her without the mask; nobody knows her real name. And yet the small town encircling the castle has not known a ruler other than their Queen, not for hundreds of years, at least. Many have chosen not to question it, instead simply accepting the reasonably peaceful rule of the Faceless Queen and obeying the orders of her loyal soldiers, the Cards. These people live easy lives thanks to the Castle... but trouble always finds them in the form of the Rebellion. Those who question the Queen's rule, those whose loved ones have fallen into sudden comas and been taken by Cards into Hearts Castle, never to return, choose to live in the forests on the outskirts of the town. They plot against the Queen and anyone who assists her, assaulting and often murdering her more loyal of subjects, the Cards and their families. And now my question for you, dear friend, is this: will you choose to be a loyal subject of The Red Queen or assist the Rebellion in overthrowing her rule...?"
♥ ♣ ♦ ♠ Hearts Castle. ♥ ♣ ♦ ♠
"With The Red Queen as its figurehead, this luxurious castle sits dead center of Traumerei, surrounded by a protective and entirely necessary moat. However, unknown to all but those who serve and live within the castle's walls, Hearts Castle was formed - and has been ruled by all along - not the Queen but rather an oddity of a man named Alasdair Nightshade. Also unknown to the citizens of the small town is Heart Castle's true reason for being, why it takes both those who fall into comas and certain teenagers into its midst, with little to no contact with loved ones outside.
Those between the ages of thirteen and eighteen (with extremely rare cases of adults, too) run the risk of falling into a sudden coma, often referred to as 'falling down the rabbit hole' by the members of Hearts Castle. These people, known as Dreamers, are taken into Hearts Castle and tended to by Alasdair and his subjects. By entering their coma, they have also entered their very own world known as a Wonderland, a place formed over their lifetime based on their hopes and dreams. As wonderful as it sounds, a Dreamer's Wonderland is also a dangerous place, containing a single being called a Nightmare, a creature whose only goal in life is to kill the Dreamer and, as a result, destroy their entire Wonderland. Hearts Castle exists to recruit special teenagers with the ability to dive into these Wonderlands and bring the Dreamer back into the reality of Traumerei, thus saving their life and the future of their Wonderland..."
♥ The Hatter.
"Alasdair Nightshade, more commonly addressed as The Hatter in honor of his beloved top hat, is the founder and secret leader of Hearts Castle. Rather than run the risk of assassination by the Rebellion, the all-important Hatter rules from the shadows and guides their scapegoat of a Red Queen in her speech and actions. At the sprightly young age of 413, The Hatter owes his unreasonably long life to his existence as a special type of person known as a Corrupter. An eccentric man who loves tea and playing cards, The Hatter often complains that he's never allowed to do anything fun, as those around him insist on keeping him within the safety of the Castle's walls."
♣ The Red Queen.
"Noted for her emotionless white mask and bright red hair, the Red Queen is not one woman but fifteen. The original Red Queen, Alasdair's wife, Leanne Hart, was assassinated long ago by the beginnings of the Rebellion. Serving as a scapegoat, a target for the Rebels to blame their problems on, the position of Red Queen is a voluntary one taken up by a single woman residing in the castle. She is treated with the utmost respect for the risk she takes and holds a certain degree of authority within the Castle, second only to The Hatter himself. She remains anonymous, taking on the alter ego of The Red Queen so the public is unaware of any weakness in their ruler, as having your Queen murdered is no way to display a sense of strength and invulnerability. As per tradition, the current Red Queen adopts the last name of 'Hart' in honor of Leanne and her original genius idea and selfless sacrifice for Hearts Castle and its purpose."
♦ Dreamers // Alices.
"Dreamers, nicknamed Alices after Alasdair's dearly departed young daughter, are those whose lives have been spent subconsciously creating an entirely new world based off of their hopes, dreams, fantasies and general little bits and pieces of the life they know. An Alice can fall into their Wonderland at any time between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, with no warning whatsoever. Rare cases of those older than eighteen having fallen into comas have also been recorded, one such case being a previous Red Queen by the name of Melissa Shale. The typical Dreamer is usually pulled out of their Wonderland by a Hopper before their Nightmare, a single being obsessed with murdering the Wonderland's Alice and thus destroying the entire world, can get to them, in turn awakening the Dreamer from their coma. However, in some cases, a Dreamer is either unwilling to awaken or has no memory of their real life, either suffering from amnesia or having false memories implanted in their minds of a life they never lived within the Wonderland. These children often need the help of a Channeller to retrieve their memories or convince them to return to their life in Traumerei. Those who choose to remain are tasked with the challenge of conquering their Nightmare, whether through killing them or through a form of appeasement. Then, they are free to exist in their Wonderland until they die of natural causes... meanwhile, those who have climbed out of the rabbit hole spend their nights visiting their Wonderlands in an ethereal form where nothing can bring them harm and yet they can still enjoy the sights and sounds and converse with the residents born from their own mind."
♠ Channellers // Cheshire Cats.
"Those known as Channellers have received the nickname Cheshire Cats after a red and purple tabby cat possessing the same ability as they do who Channelled out of Alice Nightshade's Wonderland and into their reality. The cat itself was harmless, if not a little mischievous, a trait noted in the majority of Cheshire Cats recruited into Hearts Castle over the years. Channellers have the amazing ability to project their mind into a Dreamer's Wonderland, their physical body remaining in the comfort of Hearts Castle. As only their mind travels to the Alice's Wonderland, a Cheshire Cat's form appears physical and yet cannot be touched by those within the Wonderland, much like a ghost. Channellers are generally sent into a Wonderland over brief time periods in order to scope out the place and locate the Dreamer for a Hopper to successfully rescue them. They are discovered by shining a light into their eyes and watching for the pupils to dilate into cat-like slits, also being noted to have passive-aggressive, if not downright rebellious, attitudes and strong curiosity drives."
♥ Hoppers // White Rabbits.
"Nicknamed after a somewhat frazzled white rabbit who Hopped out of Alice's Wonderland and into Hearts Castle, White Rabbits are known as the retrieval squad. Unlike Channellers, Hoppers enter a Dreamer's Wonderland with their physical body, making them vulnerable to any attacks from the Nightmare and other residents. Therefore, Hoppers are generally only sent in last minute to grab the Alice and get the hell out of there, made easier by a White Rabbit's naturally fast reflexes. They are typically quiet and nervous, with an unnaturally fast heartbeat that gives them away as being Hoppers when tested by Hearts Castle. Unlike Cheshire Cats, they tend to avoid causing conflict and instead try for peace."
♣ Corrupters // Mad Hatters.
"Very rare indeed, Hearts Castle has only come across six Corrupters in its three hundred or so years, one of which being The Hatter himself and the other his deceased twin brother, Tobias. It's not hard to tell where the Hatter part of their nickname comes from and, well, the Mad part is easy enough if you ever come across a Corrupter. Typically, Mad Hatters are unstable and occasionally violent, blessed with an unnaturally long lifespan and the ability to alter reality, of any form. Alasdair Nightshade found that he was able to enter any Wonderland with ease, at the cost of losing a little piece of his sanity each time, and change not only the appearance and workings of the place but the appearance of both he, the Dreamer, the Nightmare and any other living subjects within. As a result, a Corrupter would be able to pop into a Wonderland, defeat a Dreamer's Nightmare, and be out in a flash with the Dreamer safe in their arms... however, as Alasdair himself is much too important to the everyday functioning of Hearts Castle, he is forbidden from entering any Wonderland, as people fear both the loss of his life and his sanity. Not a single sane Hatter has been found, apart from The Hatter, and so they have all had to either been killed or thrown into The Abyss surrounding Traumerei, for the safety of those who live there."
♦ Cards.
"Cards are the soldiers of Hearts Castle, ex Dreamers, Hoppers and Channellers who have aged over twenty, their powers fading with time. They serve to protect The Red Queen and the town from the Rebellion, find those who have fallen into comas and take them into Hearts Castle, run monthly tests on those teenagers enrolled in the Traumerei high school in an endless search to recruit new Cheshires and Rabbits, provide the public with both fresh food and water and reassurance that they're safe and all is well, train newly recruited Hoppers and Channellers both how to use their abilities and how to hold their own in a fight in case they encounter trouble and, most importantly, to keep the secret of Hearts Castle away from the public. For, you see, if someone were to learn of Hoppers and Channellers and Corrupters and then fall into their own Wonderland, such knowledge could result in the birth of creatures able to escape the Wonderland and instead enter the reality of Traumerei, as was the case with little Alice Nightshade, and nobody wants to run the risk of having a Nightmare that can escape its Wonderland and instead strive to destroy the world of Traumerei. Therefore, those Cards who wish to raise a family of their own must leave Hearts Castle, for the safety of them, their new family and everyone in Traumerei."
♥ ♣ ♦ ♠ The Rebellion. ♥ ♣ ♦ ♠
"As a lot about Hearts Castle is kept hidden from the public eye, it is only expected that there be those who grow suspicious and end up opposing the Castle and its system. The Rebellion was formed not long after Hearts Castle itself came into being, a group of people unhappy with the way things were hidden from them and who chose to build their own civilisation, separate from the Red Queen's rule. The Rebellion lurks in the forests outside of the town, living in caves and a series of underground tunnels and caverns, hidden from the Cards that hunt them down to avenge the deaths of many of their numbers. Most joined the Rebellion of their own free will, after suffering the loss of a loved one to the Castle either through a coma or recruitment, but there are those who were born into this life and know nothing else... some of these children are trained to join The Shadow Force, a small group of elite assassins trained to torture information out of close associates of Hearts Castle and, ultimately, murder the Queen herself. Many children inside the town itself have suffered because of this, becoming orphans because their parents have been killed by those in the Rebellion."
♠ The Rebel Leader.
"Every strong group needs a strong leader, as is the same for The Rebellion. Their Leader is generally voted in, proving themselves worthy by showing that they are passionate about the cause and a natural born leader. They tend to be charismatic and level-headed, able to formulate intricate plans to overthrow Hearts Castle and find out what exactly they are hiding from the public. Rebel Leaders have been known to be as young as seventeen, overthrowing their predecessor merely by gaining the trust and support of a majority of the Rebel population. As it is, younger minds are generally encouraged to take charge, with the guidance of older and more experienced members of The Rebellion. They're noted to be sharp and creative thinkers, with both physical and mental strength. Due to this, there has never been a female Leader, and such a thought is often spat at; after all, nobody wants another Queen."
♥ The Shadow Force.
"A small, elite group of teenage assassins, raised and trained to push the cause of The Rebellion. Mostly made up of fourteen to sixteen year old males, as females are deemed as weaker in the Rebellion's society and unfit to do anything of importance thanks to the Red Queen's influence, they're masters of the night and are able to sneak up behind their target without giving themselves away. The majority of these kids were raised this way, knowing nothing else, and most just do as they are told with little thought or feeling put into their assignments. However, there are also those who enjoy the rush killing their target brings them and these teenagers prove to be the strongest in The Shadow Force, ruthless killers who get across the point that The Rebellion is nothing to be taken lightly."
♥ ♣ ♦ ♠ Extra Bits and Bobs. ♥ ♣ ♦ ♠
♣ The Abyss.
"Surrounding Traumerei is an endless darkness known as The Abyss. To fall off the edge of Traumerei and into The Abyss is to be lost forever, as you fall and fall for all eternity or merely float away to who-knows-where. The greatest punishment is to be thrown out into The Abyss and parents often threaten their children, jokingly of course, that if they misbehave, they will be taken to the edge of Traumerei and dumped. Those high-up in The Rebellion have suffered such a fate, same with Mad Hatters just too unstable to pin down and humanely euthanise, prisoners captured by The Rebellion and poor unfortunates who just haven't watched their step in the dark of night."
♦ Hearts School, Hearts Orphanage and Hearts Hospital.
"The three most distinct institutions in Traumerei's small town are the combined Primary and High School, the Orphanage filled with more children than would be preferred and the small hospital that provides help for the sick and injured. School is mandatory from ages six to seventeen, a free service provided by the Castle to teach reading, writing, basic mathematics, about the few animals that roam Traumerei and the brief history of their world. Monthly check-ups conducted by Cards, explained as for health reasons but really to find Hoppers and Channellers and maybe even a rare Corrupter, have become the norm for high schoolers and they dismiss them as nothing important. The Orphanage isn't far from the school and houses approximately forty to sixty children and teenagers who have lost their parents, whether from comas, illness, abandonment, sudden death or murder by The Rebellion. The hospital is a small yet important service, with herbal medicine for illnesses and remedies for broken bones. Many bring their comatose children to this hospital so they can then be transported to a secret facility within Hearts Castle itself."
♠ Tattoos, Piercings, Music, Weapons and Technology.
"As far as technology goes, Traumerei is far behind. There is no such thing as television or iPods or any gaming systems; transportation is limited to skateboards and horseback or, heck, old fashioned walking. However, electricity is provided by Hearts Castle for the more necessary things, such as lighting and refrigerating. Some take advantage of this to power their own devices, such as tattoo and piercing guns, generally used by someone who knows what they're doing and offers their services in return for little favours down the road. It isn't uncommon for people to also dye their hair and wear coloured contacts or to dress in outrageous ways; fashion is still a thing in the town of Traumerei. And so is music, although there are few genres and fewer bands, with a more punk rock style emerging recently for the teens. Unlike those living in the luxury of the town, however, The Rebellion must hunt for their own food and water, supplement lightbulbs with flaming torches, settle for comfortable and practical clothing and suffer in silence, as noise echoes greatly in their caves and tunnels. Although you will still find the odd rebellious spirit with a guitar and a voice, belting out a tune that none wish to silence as music is quite the sacred thing... as for weapons, knives and swords are your typical option, as well as the odd bow mainly used by hunters. Guns do not exist, as the only violence conducted is silently done by The Shadow Force, typically with a small dagger dipped in poison."
♥ Life in Traumerei.
"Traumerei's main wilderness is composed of a woodland forest, filled with shrubs and medium sized trees. A variety of birds, such as your typical parrots and birds of prey, make their home in the trees, as well as a multitude of bugs and insects. Cats and dogs are typical pets, although few in numbers, and a few species of harmless and edible freshwater fish can be found in the moat surrounding Hearts Castle, as well as the few streams and rivers leading into it. As there is no ocean in Traumerei, there are no beaches, and many of its residents do not know how to swim, as it has never been a required ability. The largest and most dangerous animals would be a few wolf packs and some form of black bear that roam the woods. Smaller, more harmless creatures, typically hunted for food and furs, are deer, sheep, pigs and rabbits. Animal farming does not exist, apart from the odd pet goat, cow or chickens, and all kills are fresh. All hunting is conducted by Cards from Hearts Castle or skilled hunters trusted by the Castle as food is distributed to each household equally by them. Dragons are also an oddity, sometimes kept as pets by the more dedicated animal lovers, as they are stubborn creatures the size of large dogs who generally avoid human contact."
♣ Nightmares.
"As mentioned, a Nightmare is a being thats sole purpose in life is to kill the Dreamer of their Wonderland and destroy everything it knows - including itself - in the process. Nightmares come in many shapes and forms, ranging from a giant and ferocious dragon to a sweet, mild-mannered little girl. They can change their shape at will to fool and intimidate their Dreamer but, generally, they aren't intelligent enough to do that... however, it is the intelligent ones that prove to be extra dangerous, playing with their Alice rather than just killing them instantly."
♦ The Story of Alice Nightshade and Lewis Carroll.
"The unfortunate tale of Alice Nightshade, the Hatter's newly-turned thirteen year old daughter, and Lewis Carroll, a seventeen year old Channeller with the mind of a creative genius, begins with the tragedy of Alice falling down the rabbit hole. The poor girl was dropped into her Wonderland full of interesting creatures, like a White Rabbit who was also a Hopper, a Cheshire Cat who was a Channeller and a tea drinking Hatter, modeled after her own father, with the strange powers of a Corrupter. Now, you see, both The Hatter and his dear friend Lewis were distraught, as neither could retrieve the young girl from the dangers in her dreams; The Hatter was forbidden from entering any form of Wonderland, ever, and Lewis himself was only able to project his mind into Alice's Wonderland, to watch as the amnesia-stricken girl struggled to find out who she was, where she was and why she was. So he did just that, for days on end, keeping a watchful eye on his best friend's innocent daughter... every day until her Nightmare found her and devoured her, ending the poor girl's short life.
Lewis was devastated. The Hatter was, too... but he hadn't seen how easily his little girl had been tossed aside, like a mere doll, turning limp and whiter than the purest snow. It haunted Lewis for days, even as he tried to comfort The Hatter, who had just lost his last blood family... until Lewis fell into a coma. It took everyone by surprise. It was unheard of, even thought impossible, for a Channeller or a Hopper or a Hatter to fall into a Wonderland of their own. But it happened. And, this time, The Hatter went in there to see his friend, himself... Lewis had been reborn. A wee child born in his Wonderland which he called Earth, full of millions, if not billions, of people. Lewis Carroll managed to overcome his Nightmare all on his own and continued living in his Wonderland until old age withered his original body in Traumerei and all connections to Earth were lost. The Hatter was devastated for a while, but, soon learned to move on... and yet, in honor of Alice and his good friend Lewis, Hoppers are now referred to as White Rabbits, Channellers Cheshire Cats, Corrupters Mad Hatters and, most importantly, each and every Dreamer is an Alice..."
"If there are any questions, please, do not hesitate to shoot me a message with your inquiries! I hope I have provided enough information on this fantasy world of mine for you to successfully create your characters and enter Traumerei or its many Wonderlands for yourself...!"
But seriously, don't steal this character in any give way. I will be deeply saddened, because I like his personality so much and put so much effort into making him that it would it simply heart-breaking to know that someone would steal all this hard work. Think of how you would feel if you take a long time and lots of mind-power to create something and suddenly someone outright takes it away. Wouldn't you be mad? Infuriated? Angered? Wouldn't you want your author's rights? If no, then you either have no moral or no sense of rights and ownership. You have my pity. However, if you do, I ask you not to steal my characters and everything connected to them.
