{ frozen nightmare }

[dreamposts]

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

II. CANDYLAND

III. MOUNTAIN

COMMENTS

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.

I. REVEREIN

II. CANDYLAND

III. MOUNTAIN

COMMENTS

Comments

[wwtd]

[ perfect gods... for some reason, hiyori colors a bit in her face when she says that.

she doesn't know enough about ereshkigal to call her perfect, either, but she's kind. a bit different, but she supposes that's from being the queen of the underworld. and she gets the feeling she's doing her best at something. being a god?

hiyori definitely goes red that she's favored by the divine. it's so different from what her grandmother said. how their family was cursed because of their ability to see spirits and those of the afterlife. it's a better way to look at it. she clutches both pendants that rest just below her collar with a small smile.

... what does it mean when a human is favored by the divine? ]

K-Kill me?! I, I see. [ sweATS. r-right. nothing to fear now. although she doesn't have any plans to visit the underworld. or yomi. unless this is her way of saying she wants her to? ]

Um, that Capyper inari doesn't have much of an enchantment but... I hope it brings you good fortune. Is there anything you wished for this Christmas?

[queenofkur]

[ She totally has nothing to fear...! They won't kill her. Totally not. Unless Ereshkigal ever goes back to her old self pre-Rin when she was colder, more depressed and far more possessive, then all bets are off. ]

I shall treasure it.

[ She means it. Ereshkigal can count on two fingers the number of gifts she has received, and one of those were her own memories she'd discarded lost! ]

Something I wished for...? [She closes her eyes for a moment then shakes her head. Good books and climbing equipment are the closest thing she'd like that are material possessions, but she has so many already... And finding love, but that's just a dream she's aware will never be fulfilled. It would be unfair to saddle Santa with such an impossible and selfish request!] No. Santa Claus is busy enough at this time of the year. It is my belief she should focus on children first and foremost.

[ There may be many things weird in what the goddess just said, be it the fact she believes Santa Claus is real or that she called the mysterious entity "she." B-But Santa is totally real! She met her and she was very kind, civilization-destroying tendencies asides. ]

[wwtd]

[ please don't go back to that? she's so nice now. a smile tugs at her lips, but she still doesn't think it's much.

not compared to a pendant with such a blessing from a god. this just means hiyori needs to keep an eye out for things ereshkigal might like, though. her gratitude is sweet.

originally, hiyori wanted ereshkigal and yato to meet because they were gods. she has it in her head that gods should be friends and get along. what with yato's experience in yomi, she was hoping that he could forge a better relationship with THIS queen of the dead.

izanami didn't go so well.

yet the more she gets to know the queen of kur, the more she thinks they really WILL get along. once you get past yato's... yatoness. they both believe in santa.

luckily, hiyori is VERY used to weird. it's kind of eresh to believe such a thing. the look on hiyori's face gives her away, eyes softening. the afterlife is always made out to be dark and foreboding, but with a guardian like this she can't imagine it's a bad place. ]

But you still have a wish, right?

[ please tell her??? ]

[queenofkur]

[ A wish... Her smile fades as she thinks about it. She does have a wish, yes. But one so shameful and undignified, just talking of it is sinful in her eyes. Before, she would probably have said she wanted flowers in her Underworld. But her dream of an Underworld filled with flowers isn't that impossible now. Thanks to dreamotion, she may just make it come true.

So that leaves... ]

...

[ She remains silent a moment. She doesn't want to say it, but that would be unfair to Hiyori after she gave her such a wonderful present. ]

... To be free. To live a life of my own in the waking world. To have true hobbies, to see the world with my own eyes, to experience friendship and know love. [She forces a smile.] It is a selfish and unconscionable wish, of course. One I would refuse even if it were offered to me.

[ The dead need a caretaker. The living need someone to keep the dead from swarming the living world. And she doesn't trust anyone else for that job, especially after what happened with Nergal's shadow. ]

[wwtd]

[ as the smile fades from her face, hiyori wonders if she made a mistake asking and her smile fades slightly as well. regardless, she waits for the answer. when she gets it, her heart breaks a little for her.

so gods want those things, too. things that humans have. but she knew that, didn't she? ]

I don't think it's selfish. [ she wrings her hands before clenching them and becoming more sure of her words. ] I think it's normal to want things like that, no matter who or what you are. [ god or human. living or dead.

but ereshkigal does have to be the caretaker of the dead in the waking world. that being said, ]

Why can't you experience those things now? In Reverein? I consider you a friend of mine already.

[queenofkur]

[ She's right. She really should try and experience those things right now, rather than staying secluded at home. Why, even as a Servant back in the waking world, she can experience those things to a limited extent. It will end someday, as will her stay in this world of dreams... But it's more than she could have ever hoped for, more than she should have ever had! So why does it feel so... So insufficient?

... Perhaps it comes from the girl who became her vessel. Humanity's insatiable need for more. That or she is really selfish. ]

I... I do consider you a friend as well.

[ She smiles brightly and nods. For all of her awkwardness and anxiety, Ereshkigal is rather good at hiding it when a really touchy topic hits her hard. So there's nothing wrong with her smile! Well, she's not sparkling--

But one cannot sparkle all the time...! ]

I plan to. There is a lot I would like to experience before returning to the Underworld.

[wwtd]

[ for someone so bright and shiny, she really should come out more.

that ereshkigal considers her a friend as well illuminates her face for a moment, but there's something off about it. lack of sparkles, maybe, yeah. that godly aura. no, that's still there. she smells so pleasant.

that's weird, hiyori, don't think that. ugh. ]

Well, um. What's something you would like to experience today that I can help with? It's Christmas! With all this snow maybe...

[ capyper mission on hold. she has to help eresh now. hiyori reaches and takes her hands with her mittened ones. ]

Have you ever built a snowman or made a snow angel? Or we could try baking! We can make a Christmas cake together for you to share with your other friends [ she must have more than only hiyori as a friend psh ] if you haven't done that. Or we can do all of it.

[queenofkur]

[ It is fortunate her abilities do not include mind reading, or she would have so many questions! Not that she doesn't have many questions anyway. Like why Hiyori so happy being friend with a goddess of death. While Ereshkigal will always pretend it is an honor for anyone to befriend a god as perfect as she is, beneath the facade she thinks herself flawed and unlovable.

No matter. Her other friends... One of them is a talking cookie, she wonders if presenting her with a cake would count as cannibalism? Mhm. Best not to take any chances. ]

A snowman... I met some in the Underworld when Dumuzid brought Santa and Ritsuka to help me against Nergal's shadow.

[ ... It's a long story. It all makes sense within the proper context, really. ]

Real snowmen are not murderous, are they?

[wwtd]

[ hiyori is happy being friends with ereshkigal. not because she's the goddess of death. they helped each other get out of the mirror maze and - maybe, one day - she can help her with her sister feud in return. she likes skulls (a lot) and she has a good heart. flaws don't make someone unlovable, they make them faceted.

but, she wonders, do all gods... secretly want to know love? does yato...?

anyway!!! she also has a talking cookie friend and that isn't the strangest thing she's heard. but it's definitely... up there.

blank face. someone brought santa to fight a shadow?? ]

Eh? [ shakes her head. ]

Murderous?! N-no! [ probably? not?? ] They're... fun to make with friends! It doesn't have to be a snowman. You could always make a snowcat! Or a snowskull.

[queenofkur]

A snowman should be fine then!

[ She just doesn't want to risk bringing about a monstrous snowman into this world... She could easily survive it, but most people couldn't fight for their life if needed!

She kneels and takes some snow in her hand to get started, but... That would be selfish, wouldn't it? It's Christmas. Hiyori has other things to do. Other people to give gifts to. She shouldn't take all of her time. She keeps the snow in hand, but looks up to her with a smile. ]

... But you should come to my house tomorrow to help me make it. [It could take an hour or more with her lack of experience.] You have other friends who await you, do you not? And the God you serve will be sad if he doesn't see you.

[ She knows she would be sad if Ritsuka was here and didn't see her at all on Christmas day! She may not know her god, but she knows he most likely doesn't deserve that. ]

I will still be here tomorrow, you have nothing to fear.

[wwtd]

[ that's okay hiyori will defend everyone. or try her best to...?

as soon as ereshkigal gets started, she sets her bag aside to help. mid-crouch, she stops and blinks a couple of times.

only to flush. blame the chill. under her breath, ] W-we saw each other this morning. [ and she can't be with him ALL the time. sure, she said she wants to be with him longer but her other friends are also important! if they spent every waking moment with each other, they would grow sick of each other. right?

friends she makes here, most certainly, should have some of her time. still, she indeed has a job to do in handing out the rest of these capyper inari until she's empty. it's not like they'll never see each other again. ]

Okay. [ hiyori smiles, holding her bag in front of her with a shy smile. ] I'll come over tomorrow and we can spend some time together, doing whatever you want to do. We can go out for lunch and...

[ PUMPS HER FISTS. ]

We'll make the best snowmen!!