songerein | { frozen nightmare }

Entry tags:

{ frozen nightmare }

FROZEN NIGHTMARE

On the morning after Christmas, December 26th, everyone will awaken to dark clouds that have come in overnight, or how the snow keeps falling and falling and falling throughout the entire day…and the next until it's less snow and now a blizzard of sleet and hail, threatening to freeze over not only Reverein, but to the lands beyond, including Dragefjell, dragon island. Everyone is forced to take shelter inside, and while some dare to go out, it's dangerous.

On the fourth day, before people really start going mad, strange messages written in frost will appear on their windows:

hElp
mAd
qUeEn
Not ominous at all. Nor is how everyone will suddenly fall asleep and awaken in a strange dreamscape, with a young man floating in front of them. Well, what looks like a young man. He's a bit… Fragmented, his entire body made of shards of ice. He will be the one to help explain the situation: his name is Jack Frost, and the Ice Queen has succumbed to some nightmare he can't wake her from. He needs their help to figure out the cause of her nightmares and free her. They must traverse through a strange candy land to reach the ice mountain the Ice Queen is currently in. Unfortunately, he doesn't have enough power left to do more than appear like this, so it's up to the Dreamwalkers to save the day. Again.

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 December and will remain in Songerein from anytime in December. TDM only characters can only thread within this log. Anyone who apps in and is accepted will have their character count December 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 December 25th and Applications will open on January 1st. Our application cycles are bi-monthly so the next cycle after won't be until March.

TDM Toplevel Link Directory (click to view)

Ace Attorney - Simon Keyes
Amazing Digital Circus - Pomni
Final Fantasy XIV - Hermes
Genshin Impact - Furina de Fontaine
Genshin Impact - Nahida
Genshin Impact - Paimon
In Stars and Time - Siffrin
Legend of Zelda: Link Between Worlds - Ravio
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Malon
Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - Fi
Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Mineru
Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Purah
Limbus Company - Dante
Miraculous Ladybug - Gabriel Agreste
Undertale - Frisk

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. REVEREIN

A. Stuck Indoors. Upon waking, anyone who looks out the window will see that everything outside is frozen solid. There was a terrible blizzard the night before, and it left Reverein an icy wonderland. It's beautiful, but freezing cold and potentially deadly. But the real challenge will be trying to prevent cabin fever as the days go on. Perhaps some games over the journals could help stave off boredom. There will also be shelters quickly made for those who need better living arrangements, and various games and food will be provided for those in need as well.

B. Outdoor Help. Due to the sudden nature of the blizzard, not everyone was able to find shelter, especially those who were out in the Wildlands which have also been hit by the blizzard. Those able may need to try and help rescue those caught outside.

⛑️ Rescue efforts. Not everyone made it out of the blizzard safely, either entirely by coincidence or due to sheer stubbornness. These people are stuck outside frozen and need help being taken to safety. Thaw them out and bring them inside!
🐿️ Animal help. There are little critters, too–ones that didn't get back to their own homes in time. Don't overlook the littlest residents of Reverein, because they need help, too.
⛄ Snowman aid. The snowmen that popped up during the previous weeks will help assist those who may need it. For a brief time they can create a little barrier around the individual, stopping some of the cold, and will even hop over to give anyone stuck their own scarves, mittens, and hats should they have any.

C. Delivering Heat. While dreamotion can help keep the hearths warm, there are more efficient ways to keep the heat through fire cores. Orkili has also sent word that they will send heating devices, and the dragons will also make the flight down to help replenish stocks so everyone can stay warm for as long as this mysterious blizzard lasts. Now the question is, how to deliver everything.

🎿 Braving the cold. The most direct way to try and get anywhere is to venture outside, but that can be a risk in itself. Those who try should bundle up! Those who can use either ice dreamotion to control the cold, or fire to help generate heat, will be best suited for this.
🚧 Tunnel system. The gnomes will try to clear some entrances to allow anyone stuck outside or trying to travel around a way to do so safely through the crystal tunnels that sprawl beneath Reverein. However, other creatures have also fled to the warmer caverns so beware. Some are just as frightened and will be harmless, but others will be aggressive for the same reasons.
⛏️ Stuck sandworm. The Orkilins were already working to create a connection between Orkili and Reverein via underground tunnel system. The blizzard has hastened this endeavor, which unfortunately means a rushed job that leads to the sandworm crashing through one of the crystal walls and becoming stuck, with the gnomes not happy. Help dig it out! In the meantime, others can work to deliver the heating devices it carries to those who need it.
🐉 Thawing dragons. Unfortunately, even the mighty dragons will succumb to the might of the blizzard, their wings freezing over as they try to fly down. Since they can't really burn themselves, they'll need someone else to use their dreamotion or some other means to help them out. However, they may be grateful enough to just stay around and help keep things warm with their dragon flame along with the fire cores they carry.

D. Ice Elementals. As the sun sets, a rumble disturbs the quiet of the snow that blankets Reverein. Two enormous ice elementals have appeared on opposite sides of the city, and they are determined to smash their way through the town. They stand five stories tall, icy blocks of fists can send anyone and anything flying, and their frigid breath can leave people encased in ice in seconds. They're tough, but not impossible to take down, especially with a group. Party up and beat these things back!

🔥 Flamethrowers. The Orkilins that arrived to help already had some flamethrowers packed to help get rid of the snow, and they are now allowing those facing the elementals to use it against them. The power will increase by those who are capable of using fire dreamotion.
🧊 Ice against ice. Those who can use ice dreamotion can try to manipulate or control either the ice elementals themselves or their attacks. It will only be a brief time, less than a minute, but even that much might be enough to provide openings!
🦵 Aim for the knees! Due to their towering size, aiming low may serve better than trying to go high. Destroy their legs, and they will topple over. However, they can slowly regenerate, so act fast!

II. CANDYLAND

Welcome to Candyland! Everything here is wintry and sweet, and so is everyone else. Upon awakening in this dreamscape, everyone will find themselves transformed to match. Perhaps drastically changed into a unicorn in any combination of colors and sparkles, or part of the winter landscape as an ice sprite, with forms varying from cute pixies to elegant fairies to blocky ice creatures. Some may find themselves mostly the same, but made out of candy. All abilities can be called upon and new ones based on their form can be developed. But those who usually use weapons may find them changed to match their form and setting. Those who turned into unicorns, well—horns and hooves count as weapons, right?

The Ugly Get-Along sweaters from town will also appear inside, which may make crossing through Candyland and the mountain ahead a bit more…interesting. But everyone must hurry through to reach the Ice Queen.

(Note: Players do not have to strictly follow die rolls and can select specific prompts or locations if they wish, but it is otherwise encouraged for more silliness and fun!)

A. Playing the Game. Traversal through Candyland is akin to a board game with some changes. Dreamwalkers must roll a large gummy die to determine what color square they must move to. (Number corresponds to position on the list, ie 1 = red, 2 = orange, etc). Simple enough, but there's a catch–each color space has an effect, and they are unfortunately at the whims of the board. Only after the effect is enacted can they roll again and keep moving forward. The effects will be strongest on the square and can last for a little while even after moving from the square. (Note: rolls are going to mostly be for the individual character for ease of meeting others on the board, however the die may randomly decide to be used for the group for a few turns.)

🟥 Combat alert! Here come the cherry bats–fight them off!
🟧 People can suddenly hear all unfiltered thoughts and they can't lie about them.
🟨 Oops! The first thing they touch is now stuck to them and can't be removed until either the next yellow square or until the end of the game.
🟩 Time for a little nap. No one's in a hurry, right? Go on, just lie down on that marshmallow bed and close those weary eyes for five minutes. (Or longer.)
🟦 They must eat five random flavors of jelly beans from a jar of every flavor possible. Pick a winner and see how well they do.
🟪 Everyone is suddenly slimed, causing their movements and speech to be sluggish as if in slow motion. This effect will last for a few squares.

B. Special Locations. Sometimes the die will suddenly shake and turn completely pink and change to an eight sided die. Players must now roll again and see which location they will be ported to. Each location will provide some kind of item or bonus that can be helpful for dealing with the frigid threats and dangers of the ice mountain. (IMPORTANT: A character can potentially go through all locations, but they are limited to two items or buffs gained. They can swap what they have as they progress, but they will still only end with two rewards gained from the locations.)

🌳 Gingerbread Plum Trees. Where Plumpy sits eating plums from his gingerbread trees. Help him collect some plums and in return he will let them take a small basket. Give these plums to anyone who is starting to freeze and they will immediately start to thaw.
🍬 Peppermint Forest. A snowy thicket of peppermint candy canes. Mr. Mint will ask those who arrive to help chop down the canes and will let them have one or two to turn into durable weapons to fight against the monsters of the mountain. Mr. Mint will also give them a handful of special peppermints that will help re-energize those who may be sluggish from the cold.
🏰 Licorice Castle. A black and red licorice castle with licorice bats. Help Lord Licorice clear the bats and he will reward with both red and black pieces of licorice. Red will burn for a long time, making it useful as a torch. Black is a risky one to eat due to its taste, but it will help warm one's belly—or give fire breath.
⛰️ Gumdrop Mountains. A shortcut to bring players closer to the mountains. Jolly will help guide them through and tell those who make it to mine all the gum drops they can, as they can be used as destructive explosives that can break through ice and walls.
🥜 Peanut Brittle House. A cottage made of peanut brittle with peanut plants growing outside. Gramma Nutt needs part of her house repaired by using a bucket of peanut butter and smearing chopped nuts over the broken patches. In return, she will give peanut brittle bombs that will explode and make everything sticky.
🍭 Lollipop Woods. A forest of rainbow lollipops resembling trees and easy to get lost in. Guide Princess Lolly out of this confusing forest by finding and following the swirling lollipops. Upon reaching the exit, Lolly will give them a special lollipop wand that will conjure a set of swirling portals that will allow those who go through to cross over short distances.
🍨 Ice Cream Sea. A bubbly ice cream sea where Queen Frostine resides. To pass through, they must build ice cream float boats or else swim through the sticky sea. At least it's tasty, and traversing through either by boat or swim will grant everyone an ice resistance buff that will last for half an hour upon entering the mountain. It has a long cooldown before it activates again.
🍯 Molasses Swamp. A swamp of molasses with brown popsicle plants guarded by Gloppy. Those who end up here will end up having to trudge through the sticky swamp, but collecting some could be useful to help slow or even trap hostile foes in the mountain.

Bonus: Liopleurodon. At random times, a strange creature will appear in the space Dreamwalkers are trying to get onto. It will only move if they can create a candy made of dreamotion and feed it. They have three attempts, and if they fail or the taste is not to its liking, the liopleurodon will knock them with its tail back several spaces or to a random location. If they are successful, however, then it will send them ahead several spaces. (Players will roll again to determine what space or location to use next.)

III. FROZEN MOUNTAIN

Should they manage to reach the end of the board, they will find themselves staring up a giant mountain. From the distance it looked like any other mountain, but closer inspection reveals that it, too, was once made of candy. However, it's all frozen over and instead of sweet, delicious delights, monstrous creatures lurk within its halls…including music that just continuously plays.

Transformations will remain, so this trek may prove challenging to some. Utilize the bonus buffs and items gained from the game to get through!

A. Don't Freeze. Forget about Jack Frost nipping at their noses, the chill from the mountain will constantly threaten to freeze everyone inside. They must work hard to keep warm, using dreamotion, positive thoughts, and other means to do so. Otherwise they risk freezing into a frozen statue and must be dethawed or they'll be kicked out of the dreamscape. Jack Frost will help by trying to drop random items that can be used for warmth: coats, gloves, scarves, blankets, torches, pocket heaters, hot water bottles. Hey, he's an ice spirit he can only do so much.

B. Monsters. There are numerous monsters and aggressive creatures that lurk through the halls of this frigid mountain. Fire is definitely the way to go, but any candy buffs and items received from the Candyland game will also drive them away. They apparently don't like sweets.

❄️ Ice elementals. Coming in all shapes and sizes, they will cast freezing magic and those caught in it will slowly start to freeze up. Gum drop bombs will destroy these quick, with the licorice, plums, and peppermints aiding those frozen. Those who are Ice sprites may be able to sneak past without being noticed.
🐻 Yetis. These large creatures will hurl giant snowballs. Counter with the peanut brittle bombs to hinder their movements. Those who are made of candy will deter yetis as they are not a fan of candy and will run away in fright.
🐐 Five-horned mountain goats. These goats will charge at anything they see and those horns are not something you want to get maimed with. Molasses will be great to slow them down. Those who are unicorns may find themselves with an admirer instead as the goats will find them quite lovely and enchanting.
🐍 Ice snake. One look from these white snakes will instantly freeze any caught in their gaze. The eyes on the ice surface will also cast the curse. Any of the Candyland items will be good against these, especially if they can cover the eyes, or use the lollipop portals to try and skip over them. Plums will be needed to rescue anyone caught. There is no transformation advantage.

C. Ice Mirrors. Made from frozen ice, the mirrors will reflect twisted visions of loss and abandonment. Loved ones suddenly leaving; homes in ruin or desolation; their own reflection in an empty void. Yet rather than despair, there will be a strange feeling of acceptance as the cold begins to wrap around them, as if it's better to be alone than to have things around them. Not only must the affected be pulled back, but the mirrors must be destroyed. Doing so will release a golden colored light that will fill a crystal chalice that will just mysteriously appear and disappear. The more lights captured, the fuller it will get.

🪞 Mirror effects. Those who stare into the ice for too long will be drawn towards it, and should they touch the surface they will begin to freeze over. They must be pulled back and warmed up both physically and convincing them of good things from their lives.
💥 Destroy the mirrors. Break the mirrors in any way possible. Dreamotion and Candyland items, especially gum drop bombs will work.

D. Ice Queen. Those who make it through the mountain halls and the mirrors will find the throne room where the Ice Queen sits. Right in the middle of her chest is a giant shard of glass stained black, the nightmare energy palpable even from the entrance. That's clearly the problem, and the solution? The crystal chalice will appear and Jack's voice will be heard urging them to somehow pour it over that shard. Getting there will, of course, be a challenge as the Queen herself will stir upon hearing Jack's voice and start shrieking like a banshee, creating an ice storm within the room and summoning beasts that must be fought. Physical attacks will be effective, but dreamotion and anything based on positive, warm emotions and ideas will also help, especially to stave off the intense nightmare energy that will be around. The lollipop portals will also be useful in traversing through the room, even if cast in mid-air.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He pays little mind to the candy birds, though he makes no attempt to snapp at them either. Having someone stand on his head, however, does make him pause only to give an indignant snort at the sheer audacity of it.]

This place turned me into a horse!

[He likes horses, he does, he just doesn't wan to be one.]

It's already done away with all semblance of sense!

You won't get anything done if you give in to anger.

[ Maybe he won't feel it, but she gently puts a hand on his horn, trying to be gentle and sympathetic. ]

You've been in this place of dreams far longer than I. You know this won't be forever. You know you've been stronger than this.

[A tremor runs through him at the touch, it could be rage that causes him to shake... or something deeper and much less obvious than anger. For the truth is that he is scared, transformation from elf into something other has very terrible connotations for him. It means deep dungeons and pain beyond measure and having your very soul broken and remade into something darker.

It frustrates him even more that he knows it is not the same and still cannot help but to feel the panic bubbling up inside of him. His pride wont allow him to give voice to it, so he rages instead and don't know how to make himself stop.]

It's unnatural! [He cries.] It makes my spirit itch! It does not recognize this body as mine and wants out!

[ Since she's still touching him, the power of the dreamscape has that rage and panic start to flow into her! She wobbles, falling onto her knees, trying to stay steady. These things were more powerful than she could have thought! ]

Ugh... please! Listen to me! I know I can't even begin to imagine what this is like for you... My dough has barely changed... but that doesn't mean you should face this alone.

Whatever made these changes to us, it won't go away if you lose your head now! I know my size means I can't do much... But I want to help you! You're not in this alone!

[He stills a bit when she stumbles, taking a few deep breaths as he tries to steady himself. She is right. He knows she's right. He needs to pull himself together before he does something stupid and causes either himself or someone else harm in doing so.]

I... I don't know what to do.

[He explains mournfully.]

I know I'm not helping myself with what I'm doing, but I just don't know what else to do...

... Allow mw to try something. I'm still inexperienced with this, but I want to try.

[ She takes a breath, and tries to push back the emotions he gave her with some of her own. What had Hiyori said? Pull on your own experiences? So she focuses on an event that gave her calming relief and clarity.

... Strawberry Crepe Cookie was having nightmares. Dreaming of being alone all over again. But when she woke, Black Raisin Cookie was there for her, smiling kindly and helping her return to sleep. BRC genuinely wanted to help - genuinely cared for the child, even though time ago, SC had attacked her and her village.

It's all right. I'm here. This too shall pass. You're never alone.

Even the little crows sit on his back, trying to copy their mistress. ]

Alright...

[He freezes for a moment when he starts to feel what it is she's trying to do, for a brief second he almost panics when he feels the touch of anothers emotions. But he steels himself for it, reminding himself that this is not Angband and she is not Sauron. She will not rummage through his thoughts, tearing like a jagged knife through them as he had.

The calm and soothing impressions she is sending war with the thought of lying helpless and vulnerable before a being so much greater than himself. One who held not a shred of mercy within him. A sharp, wide smile and yellow eyes shining in the dark as the world erupts in pain.

But there is light in there too, that latches on to the emotions she's sharing with him. He is not alltogether unfamiliar with people doing much the same as her when he was on the verge of losing himself. Cousins and brothers that he loved dearly.

He's not sure how much of his own thoughts and feelings he's leaking as she tries to calm him down, not much he hopes. But even though he is in turmoil her efforts are starting to pay off, as his breathing evens out and he seems less inclined to kick and scream at anything that gives him the slightest reason to do so.]

...Thank you. I think I feel a little better now.

[ She can't see what he's going through, but she can feel sharp stabs right through her chest, and the feeling of being watched by unwelcome eyes. She shudders, but shrugs it off after taking some deep breaths. It'd be a really bad time to give in to panic now, and she's a seasoned warrior. She's not going to let anything defeat her.

So it's with relief that she can sense bits of calm flowing back and forth between the two of them. It's not a cure-all, wasn't meant to be one, but it's still put them in a much better place than they were before. ]

... Good. I knew you could do it. Take some breaths... I will have my crows finish this job, while you recover.

Raisin Crows! Clear a path for us!

[ "Caw, caw, caw!" Five little malt-balls with wings suddenly dart into the air, taking down every bat they see. Much like their mistress, they do know the ways of combat. ]

[Good, he would hate it to know another person would be subjected to those memories. Bad enough that some of the feelings are bleeding over to her, no reason to make things worse by bombarding her with images that would give hardened soldiers nightmares.

He does as she says and takes a few steadying breaths as his emotions start to even out into something that is actually manageble. It's not a perfect calm, but it is good enough.]

I wouldn't have been able to without aid... [He admits.] So you have my thanks for helping me center myself before I did something... inadvisable.

[He's glad to leave the rest of the task to her and the little candy birds. For his emotional upheaval has left him drained and exhausted.]

We must all work together if we're to escape here and return to... whatever this place calls normal.

[ It takes a few extra moments, but the bats are defeated, and return to their mistress. They hover around her, and she leans up to pet them one by one. ]

Excellent work, all of you. Now, stay on alert, in case any more of those pests show up.

That is true... getting things back to normal must be a priority.

[Something his anger and panick had made him forget for a short while.]

Let us hope theres not many of them left. I'll keep my ears and eyes open for them, though.

Mmm. Let's press forward, and try to find an exit.

[ But only after a few steps will our weird-looking heroes find a shadow looming in the corner... only it's not bat-shaped. Rather, it's long and lankily shaped, like a person! ]

... Is someone else here with us?

Yes, let us be away from this place as soon as possible.

[Maedhros curses this forms weaker eyesight, if he'd been in his own form he'd seen that shadow long before now.]

Who goes there? Are you friend or foe?

[He calls out to the figure, drawing himself upp as tall as he can manage.

[ The figure steps out, looking quite jovial.

"Why thank you, good friends! Those pesky things were driving me batty! For all your hard work, you deserve a reward! Here, one for each of you!"

He extends his hand, showing... two pieces of licorice. One black, one red. ]

Oh... I see. You may take your pick first.

[Maedhros sniffs suspiciously on what the strange man is offering them, before cautiously taking the black piece. Not because he particularly like the smell of it, but because he considers it bad form to leave what seems like the lesser offering to someone who has been nothing but kind to him.]

My thanks, good sir.

[He says politely enough, though he keeps a close eye on the man.]

Thank you.

[ So she decides to take the red one, bowing her head respectfully.

The lord of the castle continues to smile, and then gestures to a door that, frankly, BRC wasn't sure was there before...

"Enjoy your game, enjoy your stay, and have a happy holiday!"

BRC sits on Maedhros' head, inspecting her candy. Something about this is different, but she can't quite get what... ]

[Normaly he'd be indignant or offended to carry around another like he was some common beast of burden, but he finds he does not mind her sitting on his head like this. After how stressed and upset he's been it's almost a bit comforting.

He gives a polite nod towards the strange man, though he still keeps a wary eye on him.

He holds his own piece of candy rather delicately between his teeth, not sure what he's supposed to do with it.]

That was odd.

[He remarks, his voice a bit muffled by the candy he holds.]

[ Hearing that muffled voice, BRC hesitates. She's not sure how to approach the subject, but best to get it over with. ]

... Would you like me to hold that for you, until you... um... have... hands again?

Would you?

[He asks gratefully. Carrying it around in his mouth is impractical, to say the least, he'd like to be able to use his teeth to bite if they end up running across something unfriendly.]

Of course. We're allies, after all.

[ With a nod, one of her crows swoops down to take the candy and give it over to BRC. Onward and upward! ]

We must make up for each other's shortcomings. Your lack of limbs, and my... well... literal "short" comings.

Yes. Yes we are.

[He says, and though it might be hard to tell in this form a small smile lights his face as he says it.]

That is true. Though I think being so small could be useful at times.

I can only hope so. I admit, being in a land of giants all this time has been... quite daunting.

[ With everything and anything made to accommodate them, and not the itty bitty. ]

That is understandable, I think. It must feel somewhat disorienting to find yourself in a world that is so much bigger than you're used to.

... Not to mention how constantly they remind you that they find you edible...

[ That's said more under her breath, but clearly audible. ]

...That does seem rather rude of them. I myself do not find sentient creatures very edible myself, no matter what material makes up their bodies.

[More than simply rude, he thinks, and more actively hurtful. His own stomach roils simply at the thought of eating one that he considers a thinking and feeling person]

{ frozen nightmare }

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CW: Vauge mentions of torture. There's nothing graphic, just thought I'd play it safe just in case.

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