Shared Dreamstate
A shared dreamstate occurs when multiple minds are joined into one, through psionic means, and experience a synchronized dream. This can be performed by skilled psions, and can be facilitated by certain Imaskari technologies.
How It Works
In a shared dreamstate, multiple minds are linked by some psionic means, then their brainwave patterns are coaxes into sychronicity. They are all lowered into an ideal REM state.
At any given time, only one person is the Dreamer, and all others are visitors in his or her mind. The Dreamer maintains control of the Dream. Any visitors are free to explore only as the Dreamer permits. If they wish, they can pit their will against the Dreamer's to try to take control of the dream.
Extraction
If a shared dreamstate is forcibly imposed upon another, it is possible to fool the subject into believing that they are dreaming normally, and no visitors are present. However, if the subject maintain's control, they can easily expel the visitors. Thus, the usual tactic is for one of the lucid dreamers to maintain control while allowing the subject to believe they are in control, but denying them the crucial power to alter the rules of the simulation.
This can be a difficult process, as first it requires mastery of the subtle art of lucid dreaming, on a level so sophisticated that one can create a dream as fast as the subject imagines it, too fast for he or she to notice that it is not responding to his or her direct will. The lucid dreamer can make changes, be must be sure not to make the dream too unbelievable for the subject, or his or her subconscious will begin to rebel, protecting the subject and possibly taking over the dream.
If all goes well, the subject may reveal crucial information subconsciously through the metaphor and symbolism of the dream.
