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

[WHY IS WORKING WITH FOUR STRONG BUT DELICATE LEGS HARD no wonder horses prefer standing to lying down—

He's managed to at least get his hind legs untwisted and under him to push up, but he hears and feels Tifa in time to stop.]

No, it's fine. [A grimace as he feels the soreness coming.]

Mostly my side... But what about you?

[It's a hell of a good thing he sort of knows how to use them—

But when Tifa looks at him, there's a not-so-subtle red spot on her forehead, made only worse by the contrast with her light blue skin.]

My back... Took a bit of a fall there, but I'll be okay.

[She gives it a little bit of a pat.]

Sorry. I had no idea that the square was gonna knock us back like that. Not until I saw it happen to someone else.

[Pointing several squares down is the man who attempted and failed to get past it, and he's still on the ground groaning and moaning. Why does she feel so guilty right now about it???]

Would've stopped you sooner if I had.

[Not that red spot!!

He clearly looks pensive as he reaches out to try and gently nuzzle her.]

No... I was the one who suggested it without considering such a barrier.

[She scoots a little to be closer to him, her arms coming up to wrap around his neck.]

Well... I thought it would work, too. Guess we both really didn't wanna eat those jellybeans...

[That logic just sort of abandoned them in the moment...]

At least now we know?

[Yeah yeah, she doesn't need to try to find the silver lining in everything, but damn it, she's going to try.]

[Just a sigh as he continues to nuzzle her as best he can.]

I suppose we have no choice but to try again...

... Do you still want me to pick them out?

[She still feels so bad that she let him down and probably almost killed him with the ones she chose!!!]

[A small laugh.]

Can't really do it as I am.

[No hands.]

...We should try them one at a time this time. And... Maybe try a pink?

[WHAT CAN GO WRONG WITH PINK???]

[HOPEFULLY NOTHING??? But she thought the same thing about the reds, and then made him eat the chewy, candied version of a ghost pepper!!!

She wanders back over to the nearest jar and pops open the lid, digging her hand in and around for a pink one. Pastel. A soft colour. Prettier... She definitely avoids that pastel blue because she'd eaten one and she's pretty sure that was the soap flavoured one. Maybe a nice yellow? And a couple others thrown in there.]

How do these look?

Let's... Try one by one this time. And maybe take a smaller bite...

[Which would be easier for her but he'll manage.]

Agreed. Why don't we go sit by the river, too?

[As for her own, she'll pick out all the same colours as him because if he has to suffer through the bad flavours she may have accidentally chosen, then so should she!]

... Just in case we need to wash down the taste.

Not a bad idea.

[He gives her another nuzzle near that spot on her forehead, as if still sorry it happened before they head down towards the river, right at the edge of the blue square.

Once there, his tail swishes as he looks at those jellybeans.]

...Let's get this over with.

[His nudge to her head has her smiling, a silent promise that once this is done they can find someplace to relax for just a little bit before carrying on, and once they're at the river, she sits and pats the space next to her for him to come join her. Closer to the river and all... for both of them.]

So, uh... how do we wanna do this? You sure you can take smaller bites? Is there a better way for me to hold these?

[Still so weird to think about. Should she hold it between her fingers? Should she just keep them in her palm? As she demonstrates. But no way is she putting them on the ground for him to eat off of, so those are his two options.]

The palm is the only way, but...

[Small bite. ...At the point he could just swallow it.

Wait.

He's a unicorn. Equine. He has a huge mouth and throat. He COULD just swallow them couldn't he???]

...I'll take them like pills and drink them down with the milkshake.

You know, I thought about that earlier...

[She stares down at the jellybeans in both her hands held out between them.]

I wondered if maybe the square wouldn't count it, but what's the harm in trying, yeah?

[A little cant of her head as she holds his out a little closer to him, as if inviting him to give it a test.]

I should be able to do it, too, you think? They're small enough.

...If you make it smaller, maybe.

[He doesn't want his wife to choke?? He wouldn't be able to help her if she did, so he's a bit wary of it.]

But it said nothing about how to eat it, just that we had to. But I could try first, see if anything changes.

[She's taken pain medications much bigger than these before, jellybeans are nothing—

But she gives a nervous nod.]

Alright. But if it's still too much, just take a pause and drink, okay?

[Why is she so worried!? Better question: why is she so terrified of jellybeans now!?!? This is less of a dreamscape and more like a nightmare, and the snow comes off of her in droves now, like the heat would any other time with all this anxiety buzzing around her.]

[Seeing and feeling the temperature rising, Eustace leans over to give her an affectionate nuzzle.]

If I don't taste it, it shouldn't be a problem.

[Supposedly. Though now he has to. Consider. Jellybeans first and then drink? Or drink and then jellybean??

...]

Hold out your hand.

[She isn't sure if she's melting, or if she's literally shedding away the snow that makes up this form when he leans in to nuzzle her again, and... is it so strange to want to just lie down and snuggle right up to him right now instead of eating these stupid jellybeans?

Yes, maybe it is, and she snaps back when Eustace's voice reaches her.

She brings her hand right up close to him, her own closing around her selection and holding it close to her chest while she waits with bated breath...]

This good?

Yeah.

[He takes a breath as if to steel himself...

...

And then practically inhales those jellybeans, quickly whuffling them out of Tifa's hand before dunking his muzzle into the river to get a gulpful of the milkshake river and raising his head to then do a rough swallow.

...

........

Ugh.]

Not so bad... But definitely don't let them sit on your tongue for too long.

[It all happens so fast that Tifa has little time to react before he's bringing his head back up out of the river to find her eyes completely wide with surprise, and some anticipation as to whether or not it worked.

And now she's waiting for something to happen... she doesn't know what, but some sort of candied punishment to come down and smite him for not chewing on the jellybeans.]

... Do you feel any different?

[...Uuuh. Hm.]

No, not yet. I could try stepping out, but it might end with the same result even if it did work since we need the dice to move. And I thought it would appear again, but... Maybe it won't until you go?

[Does that make a difference? ... is what she wants to ask, but she chooses to keep her question to herself for now.

As long as he doesn't feel worse or sick or anything, then she'll take that as a good sign.

Still. Why does she feel so nervous again? Clearly it worked for Eustace, so it should for her?]

Mm. Maybe you're right.

[She moves closer to the river and picks her first two jellybeans.]

Can't go as fast as you, so... bottoms up?

[She tosses them into her mouth and immediately dives down for a drink, her face twisted in all sorts of odd ways when she can taste something awful there.]

Eugh!

[She gives them a hard swallow and takes a deep breath before she can gag, tears forming along the edges of her eyes again.]

I don't even know what that was! God...! This is the worst...

[SO FRUSTRATED SHE FEELS LIKE CRYING]

[Immediately he rushes over to gently nuzzle her, wishing he could do more. But he can't. Because he's a HORNED EQUINE WITH HOOVES AND CAN'T HUG OR KISS HIS WIFE FOR COMFORT.]

Maybe try drinking first and then putting in the jellybean...?

[SHE WISHES HE COULD... Whatever that one flavour was (old socks), it was pungent enough that she didn't even need to bite into it to taste it. The other was fine, she thinks, though she's pretty sure she's ruined her poor tastebuds for a while.]

That might be better, yeah.

[She sniffs out of frustration, angry at these stupid jellybeans.]

Or I could just throw them in the river.

[Pouting, Tifa bumps her head against his and prepares herself for the last three. No. She's not going to stall on this any longer.

Dipping her head into the river, she comes back out with a mouthful of milkshake—as much as she can hold—and throws the last three jellybeans in. She swallows, and it is a bit of a struggle, and she fumbles into a coughing fit after, but...]

I did it.

[Her voice is strained, and she's going in for one more drink of the milkshake to help wash them down, but all in all—]

We did it...?

[Oof just watching made him grimace, and one again He wishes he could properly hug her.]

I'll make you something after this is over...

[Heal her poor taste buds. His, too.

But as if to finally confirm they completed the task, the die appears again, ready to be thrown.]

I'll get it this time.

[Or kicked in this case.]

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