The Dreamstone - The Story part 1

The Land of Nightmares and the Land of Dreams
Our story starts as we are introduced to Zordrak, Lord of Nightmares, who dwells beneath the Black Mountain of Viltheed in the Land of Nightmares. He is hatching a plot to send nightmares all over the world. Then, we travel through the Mist of Limbo to the Land of Dreams, where the Noops live. From his castle on a hill, the Dreammaker sends dreams out each night, using the Dreamstone.

The fearsome Zordrak

Off to work
Rufus on his way to work Rufus the Noop is off to his job at the candle factory. Poor Rufus has a knack of losing jobs; this is his third one in as many weeks. He simply likes daydreaming too much! Rufus turns up late at the candle factory, and is scolded by his friend Amberley, who works there too. He tries hard to concentrate on his work, Amberley advises Rufus but soon he is daydreaming again, imagining himself first as a clown and then a musketeer. The candlemaker, Mr Wacks, finally loses his temper and fires him. Rufus is disheartened, and feels sure there isn't a job he could do. But then Amberley suggests he should go to work for the old Dreammaker, and Rufus decides to give it a go.

Making a dream Rufus and the Dreammaker
The Dreammaker welcomes Rufus and shows him around the laboratory; he demonstrates how special bubbles full of different ingredients are mixed to make a dream. Then, he takes Rufus into the tower room and shows him the Dreamstone. The Dreammaker tells him about Zordrak, and how the Dreamstone repels his nightmares. Rufus thinks he will be able to help the Dreammaker send dreams, but it turns out his first duty is washing dreambottles!

Dreambubbles What are the ingredients of a dream?

Laughter
Sunshine
Music
...and a dash of birdsong!

Whirlyped Launch Frizz and Nug volunteer for duty
From the tranquility of the Land of Dreams, we go once again to Viltheed, where Sergeant Blob is briefing a crack squad of Urpney troops about the perilous "Operation Dreamstone". Two Urpneys named Frizz and Nug are slower than the others to flee in terror, and so unwittingly volunteer for the mission. They all report to Zordrak, who warns them they will be turned into stone if they fail. They launch the Whirlyped, a fearsome flying machine, which will take them through the Mist of Limbo to the Land of Dreams.

The Dreamstone is stolen
Here it is - the Dreamstone Rufus is washing dream bottles, when Amberley arrives to deliver the Dreammaker's candles. After showing off the vats of sunshine, music, laughter and birdsong, Rufus takes Amberley up the tower to show her the Dreamstone, although the Dreammaker warned him to keep it secret. The Whirlyped approaches. The Urpneys fly off with Amberley and the Stone While Amberley admires the Dreamstone, the Urpneys crash in through a window, and snatch it. There is a chase to the Whirlyped; the Urpneys escape with the Dreamstone. Amberley, who was pursuing them, climbs aboard the Whirlyped and is taken away. The Dreammaker expresses his disappointment at Rufus's carelessness, and warns him that this could mean the end of pleasant dreams forever. Rufus sets off to Viltheed, determined to retrieve both the stone and his best friend.

Will Rufus succeed? Find out in Part Two