The Stranger's Dream is accessed via the pile of history books that turns up on The Bastion during the Story. Just below the core in the middle.
I did this in New Game+ at level 10.
Drinks;
Squirt Cider
Mender Mead
Hearty Punch
Bastion Bourbon
Werewhiskey
Black Rye
Whale Ale
Bull Brandy
Lifewine
Leechade
Weapons;
Galleon Mortar / upgrades = L/R/R/R/R
Brusher's Pike / upgrades = L/L/L/L/L
Trapper's Snare
This level is the bitch of the bunch. The hardest thing in the game to beat. You have to be level ten, with fully upgraded weapons to stand a chance. That's why I did it after my normal and score attack playthroughs because in New Game+ you get more upgrade parts.
If you're careful (ie - take out everything from distance, roll out of trouble, use your shield and hide behind scenery whenever possible) then most of the levels will be pretty easy.
Attack from distance. Use the mortar for almost everything. The pike is perfect for close encounters and also is effective on armoured enemies like those jumping pricks, the bull things and also the plants that close up. You'll be getting some health back for each attack so with some creatures just mash the pike at them and hope to get away with enough health to carry on.
The real sticking points are levels 11 (remaining) where you have archers with poisoned bows (hide behind scenary when you aim you mortar and roll when you aren't), 7 (remaining) where a bastard ninja guy attacks you (this guy is a prick, roll away from him and try to pick him off with your mortar) and the final level (one archer, one ninja and one those underground things that follows you around).
I saved all my black tonics for the final level. I tried it with the 'Turret Surprise' and ate a bag of dicks on it. So then I tried a few others. Ultimately the 'Trapper Snare' did the best job. I was still within one hit of losing the level but I managed it. Just!
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