{ final countdown }

[dreamposts]

FINAL COUNTDOWN

It's almost time to take down that Story Eater once and for all. The call to arms and preparations for the upcoming battle are made throughout town and to the fae in the Wildlands. Even the dragons are assisting.

More details on everything can be found here. PART II WILL GO UP ON THE 15TH. This log is just to provide a less tense and more relaxed opportunity for activity, particularly for those who may not be interested in the other log. We will request any thread submissions for certain prompts during AC and TDM threads will count. For more information, refer to the Game Notes.

Dream board prompts can also be used in this log.

I. FIELD WORK

In the fields just outside of the Observatory, several have been cleared and sectioned off for training. Training dummies, walled off areas, magical barriers—everything in place to help those who wish to use it to hone in their skill.

A. Dreamotion Training. With the upcoming battle heavily dependent on dreamotion, there are many who are skilled with various dreamotion techniques to help teach those still learning. Anyone is welcome to volunteer or learn from others.

B. Power of Nightmares. While it may seem dubious, there is no doubt that nightmare energy is part of dreamotion energy as a whole. There is also evidence even among the populace that it's possible to wield nightmare energy safely if with the right state of mind and practice. Only those who are strong of mind and have experienced nightmare energy, even becoming a noctaere, will be allowed to train but others are free to watch and observe. There are targets and training exercises for individuals to focus on using nightmare energy similar to how one uses dreamotion. The only clear difference is the effect and harnessing more negative emotions to produce tangible results, such as attacks, weapons, objects, barriers.

🤺 Mini Noctaere. Of course, there are occasional slip ups and small noctaere may spawn. Fortunately they are easily destroyed, and those observing can join in to help. Or maybe someone might want to try to control their little noctaere creations. Born of their own nightmare energy, it's not impossible as long as the creator can keep a strong mind and not fall into the nightmare insead.

👺 More Noctaere Problems. While it's true that nightmare energy can be more potent and destructive, it comes at a great risk to the user. Some are more strong willed while others succumb to the source of their nightmares, and this means on occasion someone will lose their mind and run the risk of the turning. Fortunately, there are a lot of experienced people around to help, and some even say it's "great practice" for those who will likely see others start to turn. Use this as a chance to bring the afflicted individual back before they turn—and if they do turn, purify them. (Note: this situation will also be available in Part II; this is just an option for those who want to do something like this but in a more controlled setting or may not be participating in Part II.)

C. Target Practice. Those who volunteer will be given a device that looks similar to a handheld RC controller with a control stick and several buttons for inputs. Several…creative painted wooden interpretations of the Story Eater are scattered about the large fields and there are several large mirror lenses that can be operated. WIth the controller, figure out how to turn the mirror and launch the laser beam that will obliterate the target. Caution, these are very difficult and harder to move than they look. They can be either very sensitive and swing easily or require a lot of effort to move. Even the aim can suddenly go off wildly. But with each iteration, it will improve to keep at it! And try not to hit someone else!

D. Crystal Moles. Crystals are needed from the underground caves beneath the town to help bolster the larger one, and while the caves are safe from predators, there are moles that will try to hinder their efforts: dirt suddenly falling from the ceiling into unsuspecting eyes, stealing collected crystals, the ground suddenly disappearing as holes appear at their feet, sending them falling to another level and needing to climb their way up. The moles will snicker and heckle, but perhaps with some coaxing and offering dreamotion to help them see, the moles could be pulled to be allies instead of pranksters.

E. Charging the Crystal. With the crystals in hand, now they need to be charged with various emotions, both positive and negative. One just needs to hold it in their hands and focus on an emotion for it to be absorbed. The crystaltei, crystalline creatures that had appeared with the crystal a while back, will take the crystals back to have it absorbed… But they might need a little help and they can be a little finicky about it.

✨ The green sprite needs to be complimented constantly for it to get to the crystal, or else it will feel jealous over the others and sit down without moving, or worse, try to steal the other crystals.
🐬 The pink liopleurodon gets distracted by either being too happy or too sad, and thus needs a gentle reminder or some cheering up to get it moving.
🐦 The orange phoenix will cling to those who are express their love and will follow them, but around those who are hateful it will suddenly peck at them.
🦄 When the silver kirin is more white, it will prance along without much issue, wanting to get the crystals in! But if starts turning black, it's feeling despair over the upcoming battle and starts turning into goop, requiring some hopeful words to get it back up and going.
🦀 The blue crab will constantly hide in its shell whenever someone new approaches (basically, everyone) and will guard the crystal like its life depends on it. Acts of trust will allow the crab to let others help it along, especially since scuttling on the ground can take a while…
🐳 The purple whale will float through the air calmly…but occasionally it will throw huge fits and splash freezing cold water at everyone. Calm it down to get it moving again.
🐲 The yellow dragon will charge right to the crystal…until it suffers an extreme case of fear and insecurity, curling up into a ball and refusing to budge. Telling it stories of grand adventures and heroes will get it back up.

II. FORTIFY THE TOWN

Reverein is also undergoing its own fortifications as it's very likely the Story Eater and its minions will try to attack the town despite attempts to keep it on the moon. Better to be safe than sorry! Efforts are being made to create special barriers, enchantments, bunkers, and gathering foods and supplies for use.

A. Morale Boost. While some holiday cultures from different worlds are similar or even the same, some are vastly different. But they all want to help boost morale so no matter what season or holiday they represent, they offer everyone a chance to decorate the town with special decor that will make even the grumpiest of people smile and work hard.

🍬 Sugar Rush. With all the candy and baked goods going around, there is actual sugar in the air, and one quick inhale will make anyone overly energetic and childlike. May or may not be useful to stay up long hours.
🍭 Spicy Spirit. Candy canes are hanging everywhere, but instead of making one feel sweet, they are made of special spices and being around them will instead charge up one's fighting spirit, making them grab the nearest, largest cane to challenge anyone to a duel. And if a cane is not around, they'll use whatever they can find!
👻 Spooked. There are a lot of ghostly charms, pumpkins, and talismans that are meant to keep away frightening thoughts and invoke bravery, but instead there's too much of them and the inverse is happening. Crippled with fear over the silliest things, these need to be taken down before one is able to do anything!

B. Bolster Defenses…with Sand? Sandman has dumped a giant pile of sand to use to build walls and barriers. This sand is magically bolstered to help resist nightmare energy and once enough water and dreamotion is poured into it, will be as strong as concrete. Of course the tools given are…less than ideal as they are all shaped like sand castle toys, but while it starts small, they'll expand and grow. Some folks may even get distracted and start making sandcastles and other sculptures, all of which could also (maybe) be useful. Just watch out for the cheese wheel! It's strong enough to plow through unfinished works or at least cause structural damage! (reference to dream board quest)

C. Sled Runs. To help quickly gather supplies, different styles of sleds have been constructed with just as varying steeds, from reindeer to dogs to bison to bears to reptiles. Flying carpets are also employed. To prepare for the eventual fallout, certain items are requested to be gathered:

🌹 Poppy Field. By either using special breathing masks or dreamotion, the poppies from this field must be carefully gathered and collected in special sacks. They still produce the sleep effect, so care must be taken to not succumb to slumber!
🍐 Emergency harvest. While it's still too early, farmers are afraid of their fields getting destroyed. To not waste what is available, all crops must be harvested and stored. The emoji fruit dream board task can be used here.
🌳 Cursed wood. A lot of wood is needed and fortunately the Wildlands has plenty. With the Ents helping, chopping down trees and taking what's needed is made easier, however some have accidentally ventured into some cursed woods. Now there are haunted trees that are casting curses and rotting the nearby wood supply. Destroy them by chopping or burning them so the curse doesn't spread! They will curse people, making them feel ill and weak with the potential to petrify if not taken away and cured (available in town).
🏁 Racing. Of course, races occur fairly frequently as sleds are being tested out to ensure their speed and sturdiness. Either join in or watch out as anything can turn into a track, even in the skies!

Comments

[morsecodes]

[WHOOPS HE MADE IT WORSE, DIDN'T HE??]

-- Really? So you do like it? [duh you idiot, of course she likes it. He's just not really good with people and emotions and especially girls!!!]

I thought--- when you seem upset-- [He takes a deep breath, before he rubs the back of his head.]

I'm...not really good with people. Shocking, I know. Someone as amazing as me, right? People are...complicated. Machines aren't, they're so much easier. [trailing off topic again, whoops.]

Anyway. I've never had a lot of friends, let alone ones that really get what I've been through, so I, uh-- I wanted to do something special for you.

[azuresong]

I wasn't upset, I promise. [ She assures him, gripping hold of the handle a bit tighter than before. ]

Before meeting my friends back home... I didn't have anyone either. So we both know what it's like to be alone. [ She pauses, fully gazing at him in his eyes now with a smile. ] ... But now I'm not alone anymore. I have all of my friends, and the wonderful people I've met here! I... even have you too, Leo.

[ Lyria giggles softly despite the tears that threatened to overflow, but she forces them back again. ]

So thank you again... for everything!

[morsecodes]

[Leo's face feels warm as Lyria gazes up at him with that smile of hers. Gods, she's so cute when she's happy--

But he dispels the thought quickly, grinning back at her. Phew, he's just relieved she really does like it.]

Yeah! You definitely have me, chica! [And he has his friends he holds dear back home. Some of them are here too, but he's really grateful for the people he's met here. Especially for Lyria.]

Oh! And this little guy still needs a name! [He held the butterfly back out to her, watching it flutter away from him and back to her shoulder.] I've been calling him "Merry", 'cause mariposa means butterfly in Spanish, but feel free to name him whatever you like!

[azuresong]

[ Chica? There were so many strange words that she's never heard of that Leo uses, but maybe it's just a nickname? She smiles through her confusion, and giggles regardless. If anything it sounded cute...!! ]

I think Merry is a wonderful name! I'd love to keep it! [ She watches as the butterfly lands on her shoulder, still in utter awe by its creation. ]

Mariposa... I've never heard that word, either! You seem to have so much knowledge, Leo! It's incredible!

[morsecodes]

[At least he hasn't tried calling her mamasita yet.]

Yeah, go for it! It's for you, after all. Whatever makes you happy! [But it does make Leo extremely happy that she seems to like it so much. He worked so hard to bring that smile to her face.]

Oh! Yeah, probably not. Spanish is another language in my world. My mom's family is from a country that speaks it, so she taught it to me growing up. [he's a little sad as he says it, mostly because he misses his mom. Nothing Lyria isn't already aware of. He's glad he learned it, though. It feels like he gets to keep a part of her with him. Same with the Morse Code she taught him too.]