WORLDS OF POSSIBILITY...
Catalyst's setting is a multiverse made of Realms and the Dreaming that binds them together. While time and space will flux within parts of the dream, it is agreed upon that an hour in the dream world is equivalent to around twelve minutes Realm Time. When a Dreamwalker goes to sleep, their consciousness is transported into the lucid dream where they take on a new physical form very similar to their waking self. Some cultures have stories of the dreamworld or know of its existence while others have no idea what is going on when they first arrive. Over the years, ideas and species from one universe have become fantasy tales or children's stories to other worlds. Inhabitants may seem familiar to one another, perfect manifestations of their legends, while others are completely alien in all but name or appearance.
Most species have special abilities or powers that they have adapted from their environment, but in the dream world these gifts do not function. In Zygaxia, magic is prevalent, elves can see long distances, and dwarves are impossible to knock over. Werewolves roam the streets of Angolian cities in Victoriana and machines have souls. The Survivors of World War E have access to advanced technology and animal-like mutations. Aliens from Planet X come in a myriad of shapes and sizes that boggle the mind. In the dreamworld, you have to relearn these abilities as you adapt to a new environment. Take this into consideration when choosing the race you want to roleplay. Remember that they are often completely different than humans in body and especially in mind.
Being Human: A Note on Playing Earthlings Outside of Mundania
When choosing your character's species, you may find that the best way to experience the Dreaming is to play a generic human from one of the Realms besides Mundania. After all, this species comes to us naturally and being human takes care of the heavy lifting if you're new to roleplaying or not interested in the other native races of a realm. Playing human doesn't require you to use heavy make-up or buy expensive prosthetics and you might be able to reuse or re-purpose costuming you already own. Some realms may restrict this choice due to their nature or humanity's role in the story.
When choosing your character's species, you may find that the best way to experience the Dreaming is to play a generic human from one of the Realms besides Mundania. After all, this species comes to us naturally and being human takes care of the heavy lifting if you're new to roleplaying or not interested in the other native races of a realm. Playing human doesn't require you to use heavy make-up or buy expensive prosthetics and you might be able to reuse or re-purpose costuming you already own. Some realms may restrict this choice due to their nature or humanity's role in the story.