songerein | { lingering distortions }

Entry tags:

{ lingering distortions }

LINGERING DISTORTIONS

Everything might have wrapped up for the Story Eater, but there are still some lingering effects persisting throughout the world. Notably, for new dreamers that enter the world may find themselves coming in via their nightmares and creating a pocket distortion (optional).

More details on everything can be found here and here. As a reminder, events double as our TDMs and information can be found here. Any outside characters participating in the log are canonly logged as appearing in Songerein in June and will remain in Songerein from the IC date of June 9 to 30. TDM only characters can only thread within this log. Anyone who apps in and is accepted will have their character count June as their first time in the game without any disruption, so all content will carry over. Those who do not apply will disappear which should not seem too unusual, however players in game can choose to retcon and pretend a character was never there to begin with if it would be easier; or even think their presence was just a dream.

IMPORTANT! All outside characters MUST have "TDM" in their subject line, even if you might not app. This will help people differentiate those who are already in the game and those who are not.

TDM threads are required for samples. Refer to the Game Info for general information and feel free to toss any questions here. Reserves will open June 24 and Applications will open on July 1. Our application cycles are bi-monthly so the next cycle after won't be until September.

TDM Toplevel Link Directory (click to view, updated 06/17)

Avatar: The Last Airbender - Aang
Avatar: The Last Airbender - Toph Beifong
Avatar: The Legend of Korra - Korra
Devil May Cry - Lady
Devil Survivor - Naoya
Fate/Grand Order - Ereshkigal
Final Fantasy VII - Sephiroth
Final Fantasy XIV - Aymeric de Borel
Final Fantasy XIV - Estinien Varlineau
Final Fantasy XIV - Hephaistos
Frozen - Hans Westergaard
Genshin Impact - Ei (Raiden Shogun)
Guild Wars - Aglovan (OC)
I Was a Teenage Exocolonist - Solanaceae
Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Revali
Kingdom Hearts - Axel/Lea
Persona 4 - Kanji Tatsumi
Okami - Amaterasu
Silmarillion, The - Maedhros
Trigun Stampede - Vash the Stampede
Vampire Knight - Ichiru Kiryuu
Vampire Knight - Zero Kiryuu
World Ends with You, The - Tosai "Fret" Furesawa

We will request any thread submissions for certain prompts during AC and TDM threads will count. For more information, refer to the Game Notes.

I. WRECKAGE AND RUIN

The Story Eater has been defeated, and with that, a trail of disorder is left in its wake. Patches of nightmare energy still linger about the town and its immediate surroundings, causing danger to still be ever-present. While the stability of the dream world is still maintained, dreamwalkers can help maintain it by aiding others (and maybe even themselves), as well as dealing with the formations that begin to spring up in the coming weeks.

A. Nightmare Pocket Distortions. These small, isolated, tangible dreamscapes are appearing here and there everywhere, especially around town. They are usually caused by an individual having nightmares, but they can sometimes appear around large pockets of nightmare energy. They are easily identifiable by the large shroud of black mist that appears, trapping anything and anyone inside a small area, usually around the size of a small house. However inside the mist the space may feel smaller or larger, and they cannot exit on their own easily. The content of the space can also range from silly and benign, to horrific.

🌫️ Trapped Within. Those inside the nightmare may either be fully immersed in what they see, or they may realize it's a nightmare and be more aware of their surroundings. Regardless, they must deal with what they see. Perhaps dealing with the "source" of the nightmare will help break through and close it off.
🤝Outside Help. Those who happen to encounter a pocket nightmare distortion will be able to freely enter, though they should use dreamotion to keep their wits or else they may become immersed into the nightmare and it will be more difficult to escape.
🌌 Closing the Pockets. The best way to close a pocket nightmare is using dreamotion, which can also be used from the outside without ever entering. In addition, there is a special tool being offered by those who hail from the "nightmare side of things," calling back to when the Nightmare Troupe appeared in Halloween and those who helped during the Story Eater battle. The tool is a portable vacuum backpack that will suck in all the nightmare energy and clear most of it up. It seems suspicious, but given its effectiveness and dire need, there isn't much choice.

B. Displaced Fairy Tales. One side effect caused by the Storyteller's connection between the Realm of Stories and Songerein are dimensional "blips" and "tears" that cause actional fictional characters and creatures appearing within the town of Reverein. These are not copies but the original versions, which is why they need to return to their book ASAP! Especially when a lot of them are causing problems for everyone else. Note: any classic fictional fairy tale character is allowed (even a generic version of one) so long as it's from a work from pre-1920. Characters original to comic book, movies, video games, and other "modern" works are not allowed since they are more likely to be apped in.

🛑Find and Catch the Character. Fortunately, the characters and creatures are easy to spot—they will have some version of a large book icon (📕) floating over their heads. They will also likely be behaving erratically and behaving like their original self. Some may prefer staying in Songerein, but if they want to do that, they need to return to their story first.
📖 Find and Enter the Book. Once caught, head over to the Tree of Stories to try and find their book. The book icon over their head will help give a clue on what it looks like and will even have the title appear on the front. Of course this isn't easy, either, as the book is on the run (flying, sliding around, hiding in other shelves) and also needs to be caught. To enter the book, one just needs to hold onto the character and dreamwalk in.
👻 Clear Out Noctaere. Once inside, there will be some noctaere lingering inside the story that need to be cleared out. Fortunately there aren't too many and while some may take on appearance as corrupted monsters, others might take the form of the main villain or antagonist—and said villain or antagonist isn't liking that, especially if they are they one being returned. Regardless, the noctaere will be easy to find as other characters of the story will be fighting against it. Once defeated, a special quill feather will drop which will allow the storybook character to enter Songerein through their dreams one day.

C. WISP Anonymous. Those who had turned into a wisp, either before or during the Story Eater battle, have formed a group to share in their experience as most suffered trauma from it. Volunteers are welcome to assist the members.

🧘Yoga Meditation. Because of the lingering emotional distress, meditation is used to help calm those who have been put in distress over the recent happenings with the Story Eater. Instructors—fae and other dreamwalker volunteers alike—say that it promotes calmness and relaxes the mind. However, there are some who need external help clearing their mind as distress causes a nightmare spike. These spikes can create Nightmare Pocket Distortions or cause small noctaere creatures to swarm into the yoga session. Be sure to calm them back down before this happens. Or deal with the noctaere or pocket distortion should things escalate.
💥 Rage Against. Those who choose the more aggressive route to deal with their distress are invited to a tent littered with accoutrements of all kinds. Ranging from glass instruments to furniture in disrepair, those who enter can release their anger in the enclosed space. Safety gear will be provided upon entering the establishment. Those who prefer to release their excess energy in a less violent setting can also participate boxing or martial art classes with provided fake straw targets. Though originally meant for boxing, participants can use any number of weapons of their choosing to help them through the process. Just try not to injure the staff and volunteers.
💨 Escapees. Regardless of which WISP activity you choose, there are others who get cold feet and try to run away from in the middle of activity. Whether it be to hide in fear or running off to find noctaere to fight, their levels of distress may cause more trouble than they realize in their volatile state. Bring them back before anything happens to them!

D. Dragon Help. The dragon island Dragefjell also suffered damage, but they are also offering some respite for those who might need it.

♨️ Hot Springs. The water within the hot spring have some healing properties, so those who have either emotional or physical wounds are welcome to a free visit to the springs to relax. A monkey or two may accompany you in the baths but they're mostly harmless.
🐛 Pest Control. The damage sustained by the castle has called forth pests in the form of vibrantly colored caterpillars that seem to be attracted to the lingering dreamotion emitted from the formerly housed Dreamcatcher. Help rid the dragons of the pests by using dreamotion to attract them out of the castle grounds and then catch with special dreamotion powered nets. Stronger emotions will definitely make the task much easier! However, be careful: if the caterpillar is killed or seriously injured, it will emit a noxious gas that will cause one to hallucinate and leave them stunned.
🐲 Calming Greens. To aid with the fight and to defend their home, some dragons tapped into their feral instincts, letting loose on the Story Eater and its minions. Even if the danger has passed, some of these dragons have yet to revert back to their cognizant selves, causing chaos and more damage to the castle and its surroundings. Help calm them by finding a purple bamboo-like plant that can be found by the edges of the hot springs and snapping it close to the dragon. The plant is said to have calming properties that can soothe the dragon and bring it back to its senses.

II. AROUND TOWN

There is no lack of help that is needed around town. Whether it be repairing broken structures or bolstering a sense of community, there is sure to be something for everyone to do.

A. Reconstruction. While it wasn't a complete disaster, there is still a lot of damage left to deal with from the battle.

🧱 Building Blocks. Small, special ~~LEGOs~~ bricks that interlock with one another called "dream blocks" can be used to create smaller models of a damaged area or building and with dreamotion can expand to fit perfectly into place—or remodel the building to the new design completely. Very handy—except some people, especially children, see them as toys so there are some unintentional renovations occurring that may need to be fixed.
🎨 A New Coat of Paint. Similarly, a special spray gun with special paint can be used to cover entire building walls quickly…however the spray zone is quite large and the sprayer itself a bit unwieldy to use, so the paint will occasionally hit unintended targets—like people.
🌴 Planting Fields. The fields outside of town were especially ruined, so after clearing it of debris, special seeds are given to plant. Most are normal, however some seeds are immediately sprouting into giant crops and need to be quickly harvested and uprooted before it takes over the entire area.
🏠 From Memories. Naminé's powers had gone out of control during the battle and currently many houses and buildings have transformed to reflect a place from the memories within the owner's or whoever was closest to it. Being around these affected places will also cause others to reminisce about old places from home. Some may actually want to keep the look, but others may want to change it. If not using the opportunity for a full reno, using dreamotion with the memory of how it looked before will revert it back.

B. Potluck. Everyone is invited to a potluck hosted by the Reverein citizens as thanks for defending the town. A large bonfire will be erected during one of the cooler days and picnic tables and blankets will be laid out around the plaza. Anyone could bring whatever food they wish to share for a night of merriment and thanksgiving.

C. Babysitting Tapirs. After the Story Eater was defeated and the nightmare energy levels went down, the eggs from the Flower Festival have hatched to reveal them to be baby tapirs. These weren't the only baby tapirs to appear—other baby tapirs appeared as a result of all the excess nightmare energy and thus many little baby tapirs can be found roaming around town. They're cute, but they can be a handful.

🍴 Nightmare Snacks. As dreameaters, the tapirs enjoy eating dreams, especially nightmares. And these babies are hungry. While the nightmare pockets might seem tasty, they're too much for these little babies. Prevent them from getting too close (or eating too much) and create little snacks made from nightmare energy for them to chow down on instead. Maybe those nightmare filled canisters from the vacuum packs could be used as a source?
🎶 Dreamy Lullabies. All babies need naps and these tapirs are no exception. Left awake for too long and they will get cranky. Tuck them in somewhere warm and sing them a little lullaby while using dreamotion. That should soothe them sleep! (Should.)
🎈 Playtime. When not eating or sleeping, the little baby tapirs will be wanting to play—a lot. Whether it's flying around with reckless abandon or coercing others to play hide-and-seek or some other game, it'll take a lot of energy to keep up with these little ones. Especially when they decide to go into…
☁ Dreams. Even as babies the tapirs can enter dreams freely. However, they still need to learn their abilities so they don't usually know what they're doing—and can get lost! Oh no! Find the baby within dreams before something happens. Some clues will be visible bite marks around parts of a dream and the sound of sniffling and crying for the ones upset.

D. Commemoration Wall. Those who follow Beat's instructions or those passing by the north side of the markets will find a large tarp hanging by an empty wall that reads COMMEMORATION WALL HERE. Paints in cans, brushes, spray paint, and other art materials have been provided for everyone to use, as well as some scaffolding and ladders to get to the hard-to-reach places. People are even encouraged to use dreamotion to help shape their vision onto the wall if they so choose. Artist or not, everyone is encouraged to contribute something to the wall, to commemorate their victory against the world's tireless foe or to remember those who have since left, no matter how big or small it may be.

Food and refreshments have also been provided care of Dreambucks for anyone who may need a break from the festivities. Others are also welcome to bring their own food to share if they so choose.

III. WELCOME TO HYRULE

The nightmare energy generated by the Story Eater has been dispatched, but small pockets remain in the form of the Malice generated by the Calamity Ganon nightmare. As the Malice continues to collect—potentially fueled by Link and Zelda themselves—it begins to affect the surroundings with what can best be described as a partial dreamshift: changes come and go, noticed by some and not by others. These changes may be small at first, but become bigger and more difficult to avoid over time.

A. Malice. This reddish-purple gooey substance began appearing during the final battle with the Story Eater, and while most effects from the battle have disappeared, this one seems to have stubbornly stuck around. Touching the Malice can increase feelings of negativity, and prolonged exposure can have devastating effects, including making characters aggressive and eager to fight.

B. Lost Woods. Visitors to the Wildlands will find the area shrouded in a fine mist, making it nearly impossible to navigate the woods. Adding to the disorienting effect, you can sometimes hear the far-off sound of childlike laughter, or faint flute music in the distance… Didn’t you already pass that tree a few minutes ago?

🍃 Korok puzzles. You may occasionally come across strange curiosities: flowers that disappear as soon as you touch them, metal blocks that look like they’re part of a pattern, pinwheels and moving targets. Interact with these puzzles, and you might find a hidden child of the forest. “Ya-ha-ha!” The seed they give you smells a little funny, though.

C. Strange Plants. Unusual plants have begun to sprout all around Reverein. Curious dreamers will find that these plants can have some very surprising effects, such as:

🌱 Magic Bean Sprouts. When planted, they grow into large leafy platforms that begin to hover when stepped on and will fly a person to a new place, potentially high off the ground and unreachable by other means.
🌙 Blue Nightshade. When eaten or stepped on, this blue flower (which glows at night) will quiet a person’s footsteps. Ingesting a large quantity of the flower could render someone unable to talk.
🏃‍♂️ Swift Violet. Will increase a person’s speed—make sure you watch where you’re going!
🍄 Mushrooms. These fascinating fungi can cause a wide range of effects, such as sleep, confusion, temporary animal transformation, glowing/glittering, feeling hotter or colder, and any number of other things.

D. Monsters. The deadly creatures summoned during the Story Eater battle might have disappeared, but Hyrule is not without its own dangers. Bokoblins, Keese, Chuchus, and Octoroks can be found anywhere in Reverein during this time; at night, one might be taken by surprise by a skeletal Stalfos. Unlucky adventurers may stumble upon a small Guardian Scout, or find themselves facing down the deadly laser of a Guardian Stalker.

E. Fairy Blessings. Small fairies can be found floating around Reverein, and congregate in groups around fountains and other bodies of water. These fairies will offer dreamers a range of effects, from healing to cleansing nightmare energy to temporary abilities and more. You could try to catch one in a jar to keep for later, but why would you do something so mean?

F. It’s Dangerous to Go Alone. As the week goes by, these strange phenomena only become more pronounced.

🔮 Visions of Hyrule. You open the door to your home, or a shop, or…anywhere, really, but instead of a familiar location, you find yourself in…a throne room? All across Reverein, small pockets of another world are superimposing themselves over familiar locations. The fountain in the Plaza definitely seems bigger, and is decorated with a strange new statue. A new shop that sells masks has appeared and it’s all the rage. Was there always an active volcano here?
🩹 Items. Characters may find that their ordinary, everyday items have transformed in some way—normal boots become Pegasus Boots, giving you the ability to run faster. Perhaps your clock now has the ability to stop time for a moment, or your coat has become a Magic Cape that can turn you invisible for a moment. These are examples, but not the limit on what is possible.
🎵 Musical effects. Those who play instruments might find their music is accompanied by strange effects, like generating a cool breeze, changing the weather, turning day to night, or even calling animals to you. Whistle a certain tune and you may find yourself very popular with horses.
📜 Side quests. It seems like everywhere you look, someone needs help with something. All around town, people are asking for help with minor (or maybe major) tasks. A cook is missing a key ingredient for a recipe and needs you to fetch it. A mailman needs your help delivering letters. A little girl needs you to rescue her cat from a tree. In return for these good deeds, dreamwalkers will receive gratitude crystals.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He's stumbled into the place easily enough - but getting out is proving to be significantly more of a challenge. He's wondering on the potential magical properties of the place when he hears, impossibly, a familiar voice.]

...Toph?

[He peers into the mist, spirits suddenly lifting. If Toph Beifong is here, well.]

[That's immediate reason for more optimism.]

Where are you?

[Which is a stupid thing to ask, he realizes, but it's the best he can think of - she'll respond, and he can maybe locate her.]

[ What is it with Aang and finding Toph in strange magical spirit forests? She knows someone's there before she hears it, and Aang's in for a surprise when she stomps on the ground, sending a slab of the earth below his feet up and forwards to send him right into the spot in front of her. Gracefully or ungracefully, depending on how much he was expecting it. ]

Right here. Duh. What are you doing here!?

[ Also a dumb question, given she's not sure what she's doing here either. But there's some great relief to meeting someone she recognizes that she isn't showing. ]

Edited 2023-06-13 05:35 (UTC)

[In some universes, very different from his own, people never expect men in red robes. In this particular universe, or this other particular universe perhaps, one never expects Toph Beifong. His feet go out from under him as he grips the slab, gritting his teeth as he slides to a stop right by her.]

[With an arched eyebrow and shaking his head, smiling faintly, he stands up.]

Oh, right. How silly of me to ask.

[Rock dust is brushed away with a sigh.]

And it looks like the exact same thing as you: being lost.

[ What can she say, you never see her coming.

There's a quiet smile on her face, even if he let her have that prank. That calm tone of his is surprisingly reassuring, even if she doesn't show it. ]

This doesn't feel like normal forests. The ground twists and moves beneath me... even I'm going in circles. It shouldn't be possible.

[ Her hands rest on her hips, turning to face Aang with a more casual smile. A familiar voice is good. ]

Sounds like your kind of deal right? Mister 'spirit world diplomat'.

[He looks around, nodding in agreement out of habit, even though she can't see that.]

It's like it's alive, sort of. So it might be. Maybe we can feel our way through.

Hmm...

[ A thought occurs, rare as ever. ]

Have you got your glider? Why not fly up and take a look? The ground here is a bit fuzzy... I guess.

[ She could shoot them both up on a pillar, but then, that wouldn't do her much good would it? ]

[He's got it, in the bundle strapped to his back - but with those shifting mists...]

Not sure I'd be able to see much of the way. Or keep track of you once I'm up.

Wait, you mean you can't...?

[Usually her sense of the ground, and the certainty of direction it gives her, is unerring.]

[ Her eyes roll, letting out a huff. ]

I tried leaving already. The ground changes as I walk. It's not supposed to do that you know. Makes it hard to feel what's around too.

[ Between the nightmare and this, her impressions of dreamland aren't great so far. ]

I could always send you up on a pillar... Can't get lost then.

No, it's really not.

[He considers the options, nodding.]

And a pillar will give me a good launch, at least. Right, let's go for it.

Fine, at least I can do some practice while I'm here. Think fast twinkletoes.

[ She stomps down and and swoops, arms swinging around her back and then curving to face her palms up, lifting in a smooth motion as if pushing a shelf in the air up.

There's a heavy crack, and the ground beneath Aang shoots up beneath him in a circular platform, nice and fast, and high, to give him a boost.

Thoom! ]

[This, at least, he can predict a bit - they've done this enough times, bracing a bit before launching upwards, unfolding himself as the pillar reaches its apex, his staff flashing open into its glider form and...]

[He's airborne again, starting a slow circle. The joy of the moment is tempered by the larger problem at hand - that fog is thick, shifting, almost like something alive...but perhaps - just perhaps - he sees something like a path...]

[ As the pillar shoots up her head raises, following the motion until she feels Aang lift off... And the rock descends back into the ground, practically replacing everything as it was without a hint of change.

Talk about a wait. She's just tapping her foot impatiently, arms crossed over her chest. She can't tell where he is until he lands, waiting for those telltale footfalls. ]

Anything?!

[ Her voice calls out, hoping he can hear. ]

[It'll be a few moments before he swoops back in, pattering to a stop near to her, the glider transforming back into a staff.]

That fog is thick! It's like it's moving to block me from seeing, but...I think I saw a way forward.

Looks as thick as any other fog to me.

[ Hah- But her head nods after a moment, motioning him on. ]

Lead the way then, I've been in here way too long!

[ As much as Toph enjoys ominous haunted forests, she's also starting to get hungry and hasn't noticed a single bit of food around. ]

[A little snrk sort of sound comes from him. Toph's sense of humour took a while to get used to, but once you did...you missed it when it wasn't around. He strikes out, staff across his shoulders.]

So just how long have you been here, then?

[ And Toph follows along easily, hands tucked up behind her head in a casual walking pace. ]

In this forest? I don't know... Feels like forever!

[ Probably only a couple hours, but how's she meant to count that. ]

Did you just stumble in or something?

[He chuckles a bit.]

Yeah, pretty much. I was walking around, getting my bearings, and...bam, forest.

[ Toph lets out a small laugh, nodding along as she steps through the fog. Not that it really gets noticed by her, just the faint sense of moisture in the air. ]

Haha, yeah, that's kindof how it was. And it's hard for a forest to sneak up on me!

Have you seen the others yet?

[He let out a small sigh at that.]

I've seen Zuko and Iroh. And...Azula. But that's all, so far.

[If anything makes him more grateful for Toph's presence, it's knowing that at least one of his core friends is here with him.]

Oh... Right. I heard she was around. Hard to get rid of, isn't she?

[ She just shrugs and moves on, following whatever direction Aang is headed. ]

I'm glad at least three of you are here, though. It's nice to know someone. Kinda strange place isn't it?

Like a skin rash!

[Said with false jollity, punching the air.]

But yeah, familiar faces help with a...very strange place.

Or a familiar voice.

[ One of her usual addendums. ]

What were you doing before you got into this weird forest anyway?

[And as ever, one of the ones taken to heart. One thing will remain true for many decades to come - when Toph Beifong speaks, the wise listen.]

Cranefish Town.

[Said a bit slowly, since this one definitely had involved her.]

Your father had asked for help...?

[He's taking no chances, staying vague just in case - he doesn't want to create memories that aren't there, even as ghostly suggestions.]

[ Toph freezes on the spot. ]

You talked to my... What!? Why?

[ It clearly doesn't ring a bill, better think fast twinkle toes. ]

[Well, great, things aren't lining up temporally. That's...well hopefully only a minor inconvenience.]

It's a long story. What's the last thing you remember? I think we come from...different points in time.

3 - Fancy meeting a Toph in this TDM!

OH hey twinkle toes!!!

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