{ halloween }

[dreamposts]

HALLOWEEN

Another Halloween has arrived in Reverein, and the Nightmare Troupe returns from their mysterious origins to help transform the carnival grounds to fit the season. They've added a new feature attraction: The Labyrinth, where everyone just runs around to fight spooky baddies for candy, prizes, and flex one's combat abilities in dreamotion. It's all in good fun, of course!

More details on everything can be found 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 October and will remain in Songerein from the IC date of October 25th, just before the event ICly begins. TDM only characters can only thread within this log. Anyone who apps in and is accepted will have their character count October 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 October 25th and Applications will open on November 1st. Our application cycles are bi-monthly so the next cycle after won't be until January.

TDM Toplevel Link Directory (click to view)

Bokurano - Jun Ushiro
Cookie Run Kingdom - Black Raisin Cookie
Dead by Daylight - Zarina Kassir
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves - Edgin Darvis
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves - Xenk Yendar
Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core - Genesis Rhapsodos
Final Fantasy XIV - Emet-Selch
Final Fantasy XIV - Hermes
Final Fantasy XV - Somnus Lucis Caelum
Full Metal Alchemist - Alphonse Elric
Genshin Impact - Ei
Genshin Impact - Nahida
Great Ace Attorney, The - Iris Wilson
Hey Arnold! - Helga G. Pataki
Hi-Fi Rush - Chai
Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - Zelda
Noragami - Yato
Original - Astralin Turnont
Touhou - Maribel Hearn

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. CARNIVAL

II. LABYRINTH

COMMENTS

I. CARNIVAL

While the carnival grounds still have the standard fare of attractions themed up for Halloween, there are a few new ones popping up thanks to the Nightmare Troupe. Some are similar to what appeared last year, but with a different look to them. Some, perhaps, more terrifying than before.

A. Personalized Costumes. All throughout Reverein boutiques and tailors are in full swing to create costumes for those who wish to wear, either by renting or buying. However, for those who are a bit adverse, the fairy godmothers are out and about ready to employ their fashion magic to grant anyone and everyone a special Halloween costume, just for them! There might be the slight side effect that the wearer may behave like the costume itself, but it's just a temporary phase.

B. Vampring Frights. The vamprings are still out and about, nibbling on nightmares. But now they are also appearing outside of dreams, deciding that a bit of fear could make as good of a snack or meal as any other. Only the ones that are truly hungry will appear, so a little purple blob will bounce and latch onto any part of their target's body they can reach (though they particularly like the top of the head). Those who are bitten in this manner won't try to bite others, fortunately. Instead, they will become something like a "Vampring minion" and try to invoke fear and scare others. (For more information and use the original version of the Vampring, read here.)

C. Monster Swaps. Small monsters will roam the carnival grounds and will swap bodies with random people to go around pulling pranks and tricks in the person's body. The person is now trapped in the monster's body, but has access to the monster's trickster, spooky abilities as well (ie, players can make this up). To return to normal, they must find their original body and bite it. Otherwise, they will have to wait for the monster to get bored and return to switch them back.

D. Carnival Fare. Here are a few of the general games and attractions available for carnival goers to enjoy.

🔫 Zombie Shooter. Ride through a rickety car through a building and shoot the "zombies" that pop up with bright green paintball guns. While most are cardboard, there are a few volunteers that dress for the occasion. Don't mind their pain as they get hit, they're fine.
👻 Spooky Stories. Instead of a fire, there is a boiling cauldron set up where people can gather around and try to conjure up their spookiest story. The steam over the cauldron will change and twist to try and illustrate the story as it goes, and should it proof particularly scary, a manifestation of the terror will crawl out of it to terrorize everyone for a little bit before disappearing.
🍏 Poisoned Apples. Special caramel covered green apples are handed out throughout the carnival. One bite will inflict one or more of the following effects: floating, dizzy, sugar rush, creepy, frightful. (Players are free to be creative and come up with additional effects!)
🧹 Broom Carousel. The horses have been replaced with different styles of witch brooms, letting everyone have a safe experience of flying on a broom. Until the brooms suddenly fly out of the carousel and into the carnival. Hang on or stop that broom!
🎃 Pumpkin Carving Challenge. Pumpkins can be found all over the grounds, and there is a challenge to carve them with dreamotion and light a special candle in them. Doing so will bring the pumpkin to life and behave like whatever expression or drawing carved on them. Whether they behave nicely is a different matter. Blowing out the candle will stop the pumpkin.

E. House of Mirrors. The House of Mirrors will have new mirrors installed that have new special effects…many making everyone inside feel not quite themselves.

🎭 Jekyll and Hyde. A black framed mirror where the opposite version of the viewer appears to taunt them.
💅 Narcissism. A gold framed mirror where one will see the best version of themselves and will stand stuck in front of it admiring themselves. They will need to be forcibly dragged away…else they may get stuck on the mirror.
🛌 Dream or Nightmare? A silver framed mirror that will reflect either a good dream or a nightmare that's on the viewer's mind. It will be a strong image, so strong that the viewer may be tempted to dreamwalk into the mirror, either to be a part of it or to destroy it. Some help may be required to help them either accomplish their goal or pull them out.
🪞 Mirror Version. Sometimes, a "mirror version" of the viewer may reach out to switch places, trapping the original inside the mirror while the mirror version goes out to cause some chaos. The trapped person can only traverse through mirrors, and can only be freed if the mirrored version is shoved back into any mirror. One way to tell a mirror version apart is that they will randomly reflect things off their body.

F. Haunted Ryokan. A haunted Japanese styled inn is the theme for this year's "haunted house." On the outside, it looks invitingly eerie, with life-sized traditional Japanese dolls as their hosts and guides. They hope their new patrons will enjoy their stay…forever.

🏮 Peony Lantern. At first a beautiful woman will appear holding a lantern and take a person's hand to lead them through the narrow halls lit by floating lanterns. But whenever they pass under a lantern, the woman's form changes into a skeleton. Once they are noticed, they will screech and chase them through the hallways and rooms to the next location, but if left alone it will quietly lead them without issue.
🛁 Bathhouse. Somehow they get to the bathing area where the steam rises thick around them. Without warning a ghostly figure of a long-haired drowned woman will crawl out and chase with a bloody knife. Fish spirits will also fly out to impede them, but they could be used to smack the woman instead. Should someone slip in the water, they'll feel hands grab at them, trying to pull them under…
🪦 Graveyard. Past the courtyard is a graveyard where all manner of Japanese inspired ghosts and demons roam. A special paper talisman is available, and once powered with positive dreamotion it will create a shikigami that will help ward off and defend against the ghosts. But it must have constant dreamotion poured into it, so should it ever go out, the ghosts and demons will suddenly rush into chase.
🐕 Shiba Statues. Should anyone be having a truly terrible time, special little shiba inu statues will trot in to dispel the "evils" and give the visitor some much needed comfort and respite. They will even guide them to the exit if needed. Those who manage to pass through on their own will also meet the shiba inu statues and have a chance to play with them as if in congratulations.

II. LABYRINTH

A big structure now occupies the area just beyond the Fairgrounds. Towering stone walls hide complex pathways inside, and it turns out its express purpose is not to get people lost, but for a little bit of exploration. There is no entrance/exit, just a special circular teleportation pad that will take them inside and there is no end goal. It's not difficult to get out once inside, but the winding paths encourage visitors to check behind corners for treats because there's a lot of treats AND tricks!

A. Halloween Creatures. The labyrinth is populated with silly creatures held together by craft glue and duct tape both dreamotion and nightmare. These creatures will attack on sight, but subdue them and reap the rewards: candy and silly toys! It's all for fun, after all.

🦴 Skeletons. Their bones are made of rubber and most physical attacks will bounce off them. Have to get in close to blast with dreamotion!
🕷 Glow-In-The-Dark Plastic Spiders. Will shoot sticky licorice webbing that will trip up and trap any caught in it. Have to eat through it to get out, and the flavor could either be red or black.
🔺 Candy Corn Golems. Chuck giant pieces of candy corn that are delicious, but hurt! Golems will melt under intense heat.

B. Mysterious Doors. Sometimes, you may find a door at one of the dead ends. Knock, and most of the time a kindly old lady (where did she come from? Don't worry about it–) will present you with special trick-or-treat bags. The other times, a swarm of genuinely sinister nightmare creatures will come pouring out. Oops! Try again next time! Here are some of the items the old lady will give and their effects (they can be taken home after the event):

🧙 Witch's Hat. The hat will automatically fly on top of the person's head and will allow them to cast silly hexes of misfortune on their targets.
🧹 Witch's Broom. Can fly at fast speeds for a few minutes at a time. Only goes up to three feet in the air.
🤓 Plastic Fangs. These fangs will fit themselves in the person's mouth and will allow them to bite any candy corn golem or sticky spider licorice webbing with ease. And normal foods, too.
🕸 Spray Can of Licorice Webbing. Releases a spray of licorice webbing similar to the ones used by the plastic spiders.
🧻 Roll of Toilet Paper. Exactly as it says.
🍫 Nougat Center. A delicious treat that will temporarily boost one's stats dreamotion abilities.

C. Beware of Steve. If you're very unlucky, you may hear an ominous clatter in the distance... The low rumble of a revving chainsaw... Those who spend lots of time in the labyrinth will know soon enough–those are noises that mean you need to run. Because STEVE, THE 20-FOOT-TALL CHAINSAW-WIELDING SKELETON, takes no hostages, and he's out for blood!!! He will continue chasing people until fought, and anything goes with this foe. While dreamotion attacks will work, using the items given by the old lady in the doors will inflict greater damage. Anyone who is "killed" by Steve will be knocked out of the Labyrinth unharmed.


D. Grand High Viscount of Candy Corn. On the other end of giant "horrors" is a giant golem made of candy corn with a large top hat that may appear out of one of the doors. Its main attack, besides trying to punch and pummel, is spewing sticky candy goop that will trap anyone caught in it. It'll wear off, but until then, any caught in it will at first feel very energetic and attack more quickly before becoming sluggish and unable to do much, as if they suffered an extreme sugar crash.

I. CARNIVAL

II. LABYRINTH

COMMENTS

Comments

[crystalized_hope]

It's all in the past now. I prefer not to linger on such things if it is avoidable. That said, you and I had a truce of sorts in your previous visit here. I will act if you step out of line as necessary, but I also prefer not to tiptoe around each other. We're likely to run into each other every now and then, after all.

[They even had some normal conversations, believe it or not. Though, those were few and far in between.]

Well, it's not surprising you wouldn't know. It was a recent discovery before returning here from the time I remember. The long and short of it is that it is another source of energy, much like aether. Though, unlike aether, it is dictated by intense emotions over anything else. Much like dreamotion. But thankfully for us, it doesn't have the same side affects as it had back home.

Dreamotion is still a very important thing to learn how to harness, though.

[snapoutofit]

[The threat almost made him laugh, but if he was truthful, the Exarch could be a problem. There were things Emet-Selch didn’t completely understand about him, and that void could open him to miscalculations if he allowed it. After all, this little cat had figured out how to swap bodies, even if they were his own, and Emet-Selch wasn’t certain what other little friends he had here.

It was far easier to find the vulnerabilities in armor if one was up close and studying it.]

I will take your boldly made threat of violence under advisement. But I am sure that we can have an amicable relationship, Exarch.

[Dynamis, however? Why hadn’t he heard of this this energy source? And dreamotion was like this? If the Exarch was telling him that it was important to harness, then it was safe to assume that he already was aware how to.

That…put Emet-Selch at a disadvantage, didn’t it?]

Are you offering lessons on how to do just that, then? Since we are at a truce, according to your own offering.

[His smile was slow, smug.]

Is aether completely useless here?

[crystalized_hope]

[The laugh would not have been unexpected, to be honest. It had been less of a threat and more of a general stance. It was better to make that clear right away than not to say anything at all. He just gave him a look in response to Emet's bold assumption.]

Now, why would I need to do that? You're powerful enough to figure out something so basic without my help. It wouldn't do any good to undermine your abilities, now would it?

[Sorry, he's not giving you any leeway.]

Aether is more than useless here; it doesn't exist. Dreamotion is basically the substitute for aether here.

[snapoutofit]

[There was a bitterness upon hearing those words. He knew something of the sort had to be the case; the first thing he attempted to do when he arrived was to leave. No rift opened for him, however. Nothing opened for him, except a foolish little house of mirrors and an annoying headache.

But there was nothing in him that would allow to show his failure in front of the Exarch. Attempting to leave, to create, to do anything with his familiar snap of his fingers was not going to happen; those would be experiments that happened in private shadows where no one could see if nothing should come of it.

Instead, Emet-Selch waved a hand and tried to look unbothered by the scope of it all. ] Did you treat me the with the same dismissal when I was here before? Doesn't a truce offer some benefit to both parties?

[There was another wave of his hand, dismissive. Annoyed. Having a peer would certainly help over whatever this situation was, instead of relying onthis.]

You seem well-versed in most of these powers here. Is it fair to assume that you have been here for quite some time? Terrible to be in a place all alone...unless you are not.

[Where was your little Warrior of Light, Exarch?]

[crystalized_hope]

A little sensitive, are you? Mayhaps, but that is one thing I think you're more than capable of picking up without my assistance. Quite quickly, even. I don't think it will take you long to understand and harness the powers of dreamotion. You're a capable man, after all.

[Was that a compliment or dismissive? A little bit of both, really. After all, G'raha believed Emet to be a formidable foe in the past. And if nothing else, he did respect the man's power and intelligence, even if they were at odds for much of the time.]

You would be correct. It has been around two years now. Though, I'm hardly alone. I have friends here with me. Those from Etheirys and other connections made here.

[He would love to see his dear Warrior of Light, but while they aren't here...]

And my wife hails from our world, though I had not known her that well prior to arriving here.

[You heard him. His wife. He has been sheepishly using the term since his wedding, but now there was a sense of pride and confidence in his tone amongst her mention. Maybe it was just because of who he was speaking to that prompted him to be firm in the fact that he was not at all alone.]

[snapoutofit]

[Unsurprising, really. He hardly expected the Exarch to give him any more information than absolutely necessary, if even that much; after all, that was how their interactions had customarily fared. And he agreed that he was a capable man, but the condescension itched under his skin.]

I see your idea of truces are different – or at least, less helpful - than my own.

[But the aid and patronizing was almost immediately forgotten at the mention of time. Two years. The Exarch had been here two years, but he was- how was that possible? They were at the climatic fight? He had been about to win.

Was the Exarch lying? Or-]

Time moves differently then? Or….is it something else?

[Something to do with those other connections, perhaps? He had started to come across those that made little sense, but this place was…not A Source, but a hub, he thought. Some central spot. That didn’t help with the explanation, but he was starting to piece some things together. Albeit with many frustrating gaps between.

But then he heard that comment - his wife - and Emet-Selch raised one eyebrow. That was dangerous information to give up, a weakness that begged for exploitation. But the tone of his pride made Emet-Selch think that this Exarch believed he was telling because he knew he could protect this special person. Or perhaps, she was able to protect herself.

Maybe he simply said it because he didn’t view Emet-Selch as a threat. Hm.]

Well, such a happy occasion. I apologize for not being able to attend the Ceremony of Eternal Bonding, but I was attending to my own matters back home. Perhaps you can send me the registry.

[crystalized_hope]

[Mayhaps that could change in the future? Who knew? It would take some time for them to understand one another to feel comfortable enough to let their walls down completely.]

Time moves much differently here. Some people arrive at different time points. Some return with no memories of having been here in the first place. You are a good example of this. And some return with all their memories intact. I have a lot of newer memories than I had originally come in with.

Judging by the way you're talking, I presume that you come from an earlier point than I do. What you remember has been quite a while for me, even before arriving here.

[Time being a hard concept to grasp was especially true here, but that wasn't exactly new for him even back home.]

You could have had the chance, but you returned back home earlier in the month.

[Not that he specifically expected him to go, anyways. Hythlodaeus was more than happy to attend, and had the two of them not woken up when they had, G'raha suspected Emet would have been dragged along by him regardless. As his date even, quite possibly. But G'raha had no business in that and chose not to mention it. His wife had been more of the matchmaker than he would ever be, after all.

It was possible dangerous information to give out, but G'raha figured what was common knowledge now would prove moot to attempt to hide from Emet. Not when neither he nor Madhuri were exactly secretive about how they felt for each other. Madhuri had become a huge part of his life, if not most of it, after all. And in the end, he knew full well that Madhuri was not a delicate flower. She could more than easily handle her own problems. She was a force of nature on her own. If she needed it, he would not hesitate to be there for her, of course, but perhaps G'raha wasn't the one that Emet had to be careful around?]

But that is something that we have no control over. Your warm wishes will be enough for me.

[snapoutofit]

[If he was behind time from the Exarch, then he was at a disadvantage, a severe one. There were other things Emet-Selch needed to know that clearly was harbored in the knowledge of time: how his plans ended, for example. But the Exarch didn’t seem to carry a rage brought on by the end of the world; Emet-Selch had seen those before.

Had felt it.

And worse yet, ‘quite a while for me’ made it seem there wasn’t a unifying finale end. Perhaps not even the working steps towards one.

He couldn’t keep the frown from his lips. There were details he craved, but if people were leaving and arriving with a lack of memories from this place, what he learned here might not even help him perfect whatever was about to happen.

He needed to think, and he couldn’t do it in this company.

The comment that he could have attended the ceremony but returned home made him arch an eyebrow. There were a million things he wanted to answer, and he knew his silence was telling as he pieced items together, but instead he simply inquired:]

Would I have? Attended, I mean?

[Maybe he could find out something from that at least, who he was before.]

[crystalized_hope]

[If Emet inquired about the things he'd missed, G'raha didn't mind telling him. After all, it wasn't giving any trade secrets. It was merely catching the man up on current content. But considering how sensitive the information may be, he wasn't sure if he'd want to hear it unless Emet himself asked for that knowledge.]

Mayhaps. I do believe you said you would go, though I did not take that as a definitive yes. Though Hythlodaeus was excited to attend, I suspect you would have been enticed to go along with him if he had attended.

[snapoutofit]

[It still felt wrong, not that the Exarch was saying Hythlodaeus' name, but that he acted as though he knew him. There had been new adventures, new chances to interact, things Emet-Selch didn't remember, and he realized he was too tired in this moment to feel bitterness over it. To feel jealousy.

No. There was just sadness. Loneliness. This hollow sensation that still he missed him, ships passing as he was here long after Hythlodaeus' footprints had faded.

And besides, this wasn't the paradise. If there was no aether, then could it even really be Hythlodaeus?]

I am truly starting to doubt that this was "me". [He shoulders slumped a little, the posture showing more than he cared to.]

However, if Hythlodaeus does return, inform me. Consider it part of our truce.