Nightmaren

Nightmarens are the inhabitants of Nightopia, in the NiGHTS series.

Types

Nightmarens come in different levels which indicate their overall strength level. The Nightmaren leader is Wizeman the Wicked, god and creator of the lesser levels.

First-level Nightmarens

First-level Nightmarens are the strongest and most intelligent soldiers, purposely designed by Wizeman to be his right hand men. They possess superior strength, flight and the ability to paraloop. They are given persona masks as a symbol of their loyalty to Wizeman, something that Reala adheres to in NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams, but NiGHTS abandons as a sign of their rebellion. Jackle was intended to be a First-level alongside Reala and NiGHTS but Wizeman mentions something going wrong, showing First-levels are difficult for him to create. Notably they have wills of their own, independant from Wizeman which allows NiGHTS to rebel.

Second-level Nightmarens

Second-level Nightmarens are less powerful than First-levels, but are still considerably more powerful and intelligent than Third-level Nightmarens. Second-level Nightmarens are capable of creating worlds of their own. They were tasked with leading Third-levels into the Nightopias, and to attempt to subdue and retrieve NiGHTS for Wizeman. All Second-level Nightmarens have the ability to fly with the exception of Queen Bella.

Third-level Nightmarens

Third-level Nightmarens are less powerful and intelligent than Second-levels, but are more numerous and more violent. They're tasked with gathering Ideyas after invading a Nightopia. Third-levels come in many shapes and sizes.

Characters

The following characters are Nightmarens.

Wizeman the Wicked - God, creator of the lesser levels
NiGHTS - First level
Reala - First level
Jackle - Second level (failed First level)
Puffy - Second level
Clawz - Second level
Gillwing - Second level
Gulpo - Second level
Donbalon - Second level
Chamelan - Second level
Cerberus - Second level
Girania - Second level
Bomamba - Second level
Queen Bella - Second level

Trivia

When defeated, Third-level Nightmarens will turn into orbs that can be collected by NiGHTS. However, if these collide with a Nightopian, they will lay an egg which hatches into a bizarre cross-breed species known as a Mepian which will contain both Nightopian and body parts of the Nightmaren the orb came from.
The Second level Nightmarens from NiGHTS into Dreams team up with the Deadly Six in Sonic Lost World as part of the NiGHTMARE Zone DLC. The teams are as follows:
- Puffy teams up with Zazz, replacing his Mecha Moon.
- Wizeman the Wicked's hand replaces Zomom's totem platforms.
- Gulpo teams up with Master Zik, replacing his giant fruit.
- Clawz teams up with Zeena, replacing her snowmen. His mouse fireworks join in too.
- Jackle teams up with Zor replacing his owl.
- Gillwing is ridden by Zavok, replacing his mecha dragon.
The First level Nightmarens NiGHTS and Reala appear as playable characters in Sega Superstars Tennis.
NiGHTS and Reala also appear as 'playable characters' in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, in which they both transform themselves into the vehicles and let a Nightopian and Goodle(a Third-level Nightmaren) race them. This makes Goodle the only Nightmaren outside of NiGHTS and Reala to be playable in any game.
- Puffy, Gillwing and Wizeman the Wicked also make trackside appearances on each lap of Dream Valley in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. Third-level Nightmarens included are Shleeps and Kircles. A Hollow appears as a painting in the Puffy mansion section as well.
NiGHTS, Reala, Wizeman, Puffy, Jackle, Gulp, Gillwing, Clawz, Kircles and Shleeps also appear in Sonic Pinball Party on the NiGHTS table.