songerein | { summer beach episode 2023 }

SUMMER BEACH EPISODE

Thanks to the Dreamsortium's aggressive advertising in town and around the Wildlands, the Forever Dreams resort's grand opening is a bustling and lively one with both dreamers and local fae alike coming by. Even the dragons from Dragefjell are coming down to enjoy luxurious sunbathing.

Just remember, only the first night is free! After that, one must either pay or help fulfill some "odd jobs" around the resort for the Dreamsortium.

More details on everything can be found here.

I. FOREVER DREAMS RESORT

A. Resort Amenities. Everyone will have a room to stay in, though there are also camping options for those who might want to stay outdoors.

🧑‍🍳Outdoor Dining. There are outdoor kitchen patios that are available for guests who would like to prepare their own food, however while the resort will provide with some ingredients, guests will have to bring their own. Perfect for those who try their hand at fishing and want to enjoy their catch. Just beware of the sea gulls that will try to pilfer anything left unattended.
♨️Spa and Massage. Need a break? Relax those sore muscles? The resort boasts only the best and have a special spa for those who can gather and relax with a drink and snack. They have also hired friendly dragons and orcs who specialize in providing the best massage possible.
🦀 Crab Shuffleboard. There are some shuffleboard courts setup that are said to be more unusual than normal, which is quickly revealed by the usual round "discs" used for play. The discs work well enough regardless…until at some point legs appear to reveal they are strange little crabs! They are sturdy little ones so some consider their traveling as part of the game, but others might want to catch them. (Note, they are not normal crabs and are Karka hatchlings.)

B. Animal Control. Unfortunately the construction agitated and displaced a few of the local creatures in the area, and while most have just moved on, others are less willing to leave their original habitats. Some are making it work, while others are hostile. Perhaps creating a newer, better habitat will make them more willing? Or figure out ways to coexist.

🐍Sea Snakes. Completely harmless, these aquatic snakes would nest in the tall seaweed that grows near the beach by the resort. Most of them were able to be relocated in other places, but there are some patches that haven't been moved because of their nests. By now the eggs have hatched, but the babies are still hiding out. Help move them to a safer location!
🦦Seaweed Otters. The otters prefer the clams that can be found in the shallows which is why they can be found lounging about. They're cute and friendly, but also mischievous, stealing other food and toys from beach goers. Although relatively harmless, it's dangerous for them. Good news, the same types of clams can be found further down. Catch the otters and guide them towards the new location. Alternatively, have them try different foods from other areas of the beach to encourage them to move elsewhere.
🦉Pineapple Owls. Pineapples are popular to serve, but harvesting them has been difficult. There are some owls that are dive bombing those who try. It doesn't help their eggs look like small pineapples! Help locate the affected trees to mark them and find empty trees to safely harvest from.
🦀Karka. KARKA ROOOOOLLL. Appearing by the coves on the edge of the Wasteland, these giant, monstrous creatures have a tough outer shell that is difficult to penetrate and requires using a special acidic solvent that somehow the Dreamsortium are able to prepare quickly. They appear to be very agitated and while they mostly stay where they are, some will come close to the resort to attack. Maybe returning some of those "little crabs" from the shuffleboard courts would help…

C. Beach Fun. There are some casual fun beachside activities that everyone can partake in! For those who didn't bring their own, towels and beach chairs are available to rent.

🤿Snorkeling. Grab your gear and do some snorkeling in the clear shallows around the resort! Might make a new finny friend or two.
🐚 Shell Collecting. There are a number of beautiful shells, and they say the large conch shells will whisper a dreamy tune that could help one sleep. There are also contests and requests to collect certain shells.
🏐 Games. Various games are set up, such as beach volleyball, watermelon smashing, water balloons and water guns, and the return of the fruit slicer, where one must slice a barrage of fruit with only dreamotion.
🍈Melon Dodgeball. A new game that's becoming an explosive hit is a dodgeball game using special melons. These melons are sensitive to the temperament and dreamotion of the players, so the more tense and energetic they are, the more likely they will explode and splatter their target instead. Still counts as out!
🐢 Boating. The turtle shell boats are back! Toting large clams shells big enough for two people, these giant sea turtles will happily pull people for either a relaxing cruise, or a fast paced ride through the water. Small sailboats are also available to rent.

D. Special Businesses. Some of the local businesses are putting up stalls on the beach!

🍷 At Day's End.Two days a week during the month of July, At Day's End will have a booth available at the beach resort! The bar and winery's offerings include a number of fine drinks and cocktails designed with summer in mind, such as: the Champagne-like Dew of the Ether; the luck-changing, naturally cold Azure Omen; the floral and sweet Divine Retribution, available with or without alcohol; and the minty and light fruit punch, Dawn in the Wildlands. Other drinks will also be available at the beach stall, though in limited quantities compared to the town's location.

Much like the services provided to patrons of the establishment proper, van Zieks will be available to provide cooling through his personal dreamotion abilities, though in exchange for passing out pamphlets or helping him serve drinks. He can't do anything about sunburns, though, you're on your own there.

🌸Wild Harvest. There is nothing unusual about the Wild Harvest's stall, and at a glance, it is exactly as you'd expect. There are flowers for the taking, set decoratively inside a vase beside a stack of fliers for any new dreamers who don't know about the establishment yet. A list of names that seems to be a sign-up for something called You Be the Chef also sits in front of whichever staff member may be running the booth, and if asked, they'll happily speak about the contest.

There is a grill set up with sticks of freshly grilled kebabs, also for the taking to sample, and nearby, a wooden-looking slide of sorts has been set up. Those who have visited the Harvest in recent weeks will know this is for the nagashi somen, or flowing noodles, for anyone who'd like to "catch" them. Chopsticks are provided, as well as the complementary dipping sauce.

In addition, as a dessert, there is also a station set up with cups of shaved ice for passersby to create their own Summer Dreams. Various toppings, condensed milk, slices of fruit and fruity syrups are provided. Even emoji-fruit with positive emotions are used! And if patrons are unable to infuse their sample with their own positive dreamotion, the staff is more than happy to assist.

II. ATLANTIS

At some point during the grand opening, some merfolk will surface and wave at the beachgoers. With reassurance from the Dreamsortium, anyone who wishes to visit the underwater city Atlantis may do so and will be given a special potion that will allow them to transform into some kind of merfolk or aquatic creature. They can last for several hours and will automatically bring them back to the surface before it wears out. Enjoy~ And beware the sirens.

A. Around Atlantis. The city is vast at the bottom of the ocean with so many things to see and do, with numerous shops opening their doors and the locals curious to meet their land based neighbors. So much so, perhaps another visit will be in order. For now, here are some highlights, and for those less inclined to try the potion, they could try and figure out a different way down there. Surely someone with enough dreamotion talents can come up with an idea?

🎣 Jellyfish Hunting. A favorite game of the Atlantians, there are special schools of jellyfish that swim around the city that come in a total of five different colors: blue, pink, yellow, green, and orange. If one catches at least one of each jellyfish, a small chest of jewels will be given as a prize. The jellyfish are friendly and harmless, though they might still try to sting out of defense.
🍴 Look at this Stuff. A young mermaid has been watching the "landdwellers" for a while now and has started to create her own collection of items only found on land. She asks any visitor she encounters whether they have or could find some trinket to add to her collection.
✨ Glowing Coral. The city is filled with beautiful, large coral patches and large reef gardens, especially just outside the city. Of particular note are special coral that sing, and one particular group of merfolk request some help in harvesting these to be used for everyday purposes in the city. Visitors are welcome to gather some for themselves—with careful moderation of course. As long as they are cut properly and kept in sea water, the coral will continue to thrive and potentially grow.

B. Temple of Saudade and Hiraeth. An ancient temple that is partially submerged just outside of Atlantis, and there is an indiscernible melody or song that can be heard faintly throughout the temple. The merfolk are still excavating it to find what all is within it, but it's a difficult endeavor due to the effects of the temple. It has a large amount of dreamotion energy and there are certain areas where people can become trapped in an illusory vision of a memory or unrealized dream with a very strong emotional tie to the individual. This will make the individual more emotionally reactive and must be calmed and talked out of their illusion. If the emotion is strong enough, whatever the character is seeing or wishing to be real will form.

C. Sirens. While not targeting the visitors swimming through Atlantis, there are sirens and other hostile fae that dwell in the ocean depths that don't take too kindly to the visitors. Stray too far from the safety of Atlantis or drift too deep into the shadows and they may appear to either harass or downright attack. Their songs are not as effective while someone is in merfolk/aquatic creature form, but they do have some effect to at least try and lure them for attention. Those who are afflicted with nightmares or have more nightmare energy will also be more susceptible.

❄️ Christmas Carols!? One siren in particular may be familiar to those from around Christmas. Called "Sirenia Caviary," she is one of the more "friendlier" sirens, but her voice wails through the waters as she is suffering from writer's block. Help her come up with new Christmas songs and the sirens may look more favorably on everyone.
🍌 Treasured Bananas. One reason why the sirens are hostile towards outsiders is due to a recent "plunder" of their precious chest of bananas. Seasalted Bananas are a delicacy and hard to come by since bananas are not found underwater. Bring some bananas to the sirens and their mood may improve.
♻️ Underwater Cleanup. Another reason for the sirens' hostility is the amount of trash and litter that has accrued both during the construction of the resort and the large influx of visitors thanks to it. While it wouldn't be enough to make them as friendly as their Atlantian cousins, clearing out some of that trash would at least make them less inclined to attack and chase upon sight. The collector in Atlantis might also find some use out of the items.

D. Thieves. There are some suspicious individuals (pirates) that appear around Atlantis trying to steal various treasures and items from the city and from the temple. Try to stop and catch them–but even if they are caught, they somehow escape. There is always an odd "click" and "buzz" sound before they disappear in black smoke that has a hint of nightmare energy in them…

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

When there was new magical events going on, you can bet Stolas was first in line to take part. A potion that turned you into a merfolk? That he had to see. Still feeling a bit banged up from returning back from his little jaunt back home, he wondered how it would effect his limbs. ~~Via was going to be so pissed to find out that he had slipped out of the treehouse again to go exploring when he should be resting. Hopefully she would understand...~~

Drinking the potion turned the goetia into a bioluminescent beta fish, his tail glittering like a million stars. The pain he felt in his wounded leg was all but gone. Must be the magic that transformed him. It took a bit to get used to his new found fins but he took to the sea like a fish to water. He head heard from the mermaids that there was a temple filled with song and once he found his footing, er, fins? He made his way to the temple. If it turned out to be safe, and Via didn't ground his ass, he thought it might me a good place for the pair of them to visit.

What he didn't expect to find was Dante with.... Lady? Something about the scene didn't feel right with the image of the woman being spectral and the far off look in his friend's eyes. Oh no, that couldn't be good.

Swimming over to the hunter, Stolas placed a hand on his shoulder. "Dante, can you hear me? Where are you?"

Dante, thankfully, is present and fine. Physically. The owl's hand meets his shoulder and he greets his friend with his usual smirk. "Right here, big bird. Found Lady along the way; of course, she didn't wanna listen to me, so now, I gotta look after her. Don't tell her I said that."

"I'm right here, Dante." The apparition of Lady pointed out, giving him another playful shove and looking around the immediate area.

All the while, Dante's expression gives way to a more genuine smile as she turns away. "She's great, isn't she? Nothing keeps her down if she can help it."

Oh, oh no... The goetia was very familiar with illusion magic and this one was particularly strong. His friend's heart must be breaking if this is what he was manifesting. This was rather a sticky situation of wanting to help but not wanting to shatter an already splintered heart.

"Oh Dante..." Stolas glanced between him and the phantom, not removing his hand in fear he might swim away. "Yes, Lady is great. Was great. I know you miss her but think about it... would she want to put you in harms way?"

"She's just adventurous." Dante waves a hand. "And between you and me? I think she likes when I'm protective of her. Too tough to say it out loud, but some things can be said without words. Besides...she understands she needs to be careful."

There's a wistful look in his eyes, the pride showing as she investigates a few inscriptions along the temple walls.

"We've got an addition to the family on the way. And I want you and Blitzø to be part of their life."

Excuse me, what? Stolas' eyes fluttered at Dante trying to process what he just heard. Was this really a thing that happened or was this a product of what his heart wanted? ~~And when did his best friend lose his V-card? Where was the hot goss? He should have been the first one he called.~~ But the implication tore at his heart. As a father, he knew the joy a child brought. And Dante was chasing shadows.

"Dante I..." The thought died on his tongue. This was so gut wrenching... "... I would love to be there for your child if any of this was real. I think the songs are the source of this trance you're in. We have to get you away or I too might start to see things."

"What, before anything happens? We just got here." He seems confused for a moment, but shakes it off when giving the owl a pat on the side.

"I know you're worried, but...you know Lady and I will protect you, right? Might not be an official bodyguard job, but she's not gonna charge you later. Lady! We're not charging Stolas for this, right?"

"Nope. You're all clear, big bird." She doesn't turn to face the two men, but does offer a thumbs up.

"Dante, please listen to me." Stolas fluttered his tail to get directly in front of the man to stare directly into his eyes, placing both hands firmly on his shoulder.

There was no way he was letting him follow that creature into the temple. What if it was leading him into a trap? Or having him swim in circles until the potion wore off and he drowned? Dante had been there for him when he was fighting his own demons. It was time he returned the favor.

"You trust me, don't you?" The owl pleaded. "I may not have your combat skills or be handy with a gun but I know magic. I've studied it all my life. It's what I was born to do. My purpose. This is magic. An illusion. I will not let you swim off with that apparition."

The uncertainty wipes away everything else on Dante's face. He does trust Stolas. A lot. The two have talked about a lot all this time, helped each other open up, glimpse into each others' problems and resolve them as much as they can within the dream. His eyes are on Stolas as he speaks, the disbelief creeping in as he glances towards Lady, who shoots them both a smile.

"But...she's right there. Always has been. Right? She came back and...uhh..." He can't fill in the blanks between her brief return and the time now. Stolas is starting to get through to him.

"...And now we're checking out an old temple. A simple job, cause...she didn't wanna stay home all the time, but we don't want her in...you know. Too much danger..."

The owl's face screws watching his friend cling to this illusion. With all the lovely things that Reverein could provided the dreamers, there was always the nightmares to balance things out. Gripping tighter to Dante's shoulders, he urged him to look his way.

"Do you not remember when you stepped into my nightmare, see the visions of my past? Those too felt real to me. Or when we were attacked by the Story Eater? A little more physical I must admit, but they weren't real." Stolas raised a hand as it glowed with magic causing the water around them to swirl as images of Lady were projected all around them. "I can create illusions too. Are these all real?"

Dante looks into Stolas' eyes as he explains, his wishes betrayed by his own expression. Enough of him knows this isn't real, enough of him knows it's a comfortable lie, but it's the one chance he has to see Lady again. Sassy, caring, one of the greatest friends and most important people in his life. He struggles to find words, trying several times to start a sentence and going nowhere.

And the first complete sentence that comes together isn't his.

"Dante." The illusion of Lady speaks up, heaving a sigh that comes with letting your guard down.

"Just...go with him, okay? You're embarrassing yourself right now."

{ summer beach episode 2023 }

Temple of Lost Time

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