songerein | { when it snows }

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{ when it snows }

WHEN IT SNOWS

All items on this post will last/be available for the entire month! So timey wimey shenanigans are allowed.

More details on everything can be found here. We will request any thread submissions for certain prompts during A.

I. REVEREIN

II. DREAMS

COMMENTS

I. REVEREIN THAWED

After freeing the Ice Queen from the glass shard from her chest and clearing the dreamscape, the blizzard that affected not only Reverein but the Wildlands and beyond finally dissipates and soon everything returns to…mostly normal.

A. Glitter Snow. While the freezing sleet and ice of the blizzard is no more and a more gentle winter has entered Reverein, the fresh new snow that falls is not one one might want to stick their tongue out to try and catch a snowflake. Unless one likes the taste of glitter.

🎉 Good luck getting it out. Perhaps this wouldn't be so bad if the glitter melted like snow, but it does not. It sticks to everything everywhere and while some might like a splash of colors, others may not.
🔮 Dreamglobes. Some fae are passing out empty spherical glasses, suggesting those who are interested to collect some of the glitter snow into them and then set the snowglobe next to their bed before sleeping. Whatever dream they have will be captured into the glass and upon waking will create a physical representation of the dream to create a little special "dreamglobe." Hope it's a good one!
✨ Glitter Collector. There are a number of people and shops that actually want the free glitter and ask for anyone to collect as much as possible. Works well for those trying to clean up and not sure what to do with it. What kind of products will end up coming from them well.

B. Mari Lwyd and Family. Mari Lwyd has finally returned to Reverein, and she's bringing along some family she's found. However, they can be a bit of a handful. Some are friendlier than others while others are going to make full use of this glitter snow with pranks and mischief. But they all just intend to have a good time, something that everyone may be in need of after that blizzard.

💃 Little Pranksters. The young Lwydlings cannot sing or speak, but they love to dance around and make all manner of noise—they also bite if you're being a big fat party pooper in their presence, and are a lot more likely to pull a few harmless pranks than their dear older cousin Mari Lwyd is. Very quick, they have the same vanish-and-leave-you-with-bad-luck if harm is attempted on them. Have a dance off with them, or aid them in pranking those who are being big fat grumps/meanie-butts.
🔥 Bonfire. One of the merry friends looks like a very tall pile of long hair and arms, but with them they seem to be carrying a basket and filling it with sticks and other kindling. This is for giant bonfires! Help gather wood and kindling to make a great bonfire to welcome some warmth in this winter, and aid any lost to not wander in this cold.
🥜 Nurturing Gifts. There appears to be another skull-faced being wandering around with their own 'little one' in tow—and despite the horned and frightening appearance of the larger fur and hyde clad figure there are small gifts to be shared. An act of kindness rewards one with a bundle of magic beans that if nurtured and cared for will bear a great gift come spring. Great.

C. Hot Springs. The dragons are holding an open invitation to anyone who wishes to use their hot springs to warm up after that frigid blizzard. The dragons in particular will be practically living there, so hopefully others can squeeze in a spot. Rooms will be available for anyone who wishes to stay the night, and all amenities will be available: food, recreational games, etc. Just beware of the monkeys that have descended down from the mountain seeking warmth as well. They are prone to stealing things, particularly clothing—and wearing them.

D. Dream Board. This is the perfect time to do many of the Dream Board prompts, and while the full details are on the notes, here is the quick list of what they are:

Dream Board List:

⛄ Snowball Tonics: Transform into massive, different colored snowballs.
🔔 Bell Choir: Grab a bell and play for a concert!
🧣 Never-Ending Scarf: Help untangle the beautifully, extremely long crocheted scarf, dodge cats, and get the whole thing together in one place.
🍻 Keg Brawl: A game where one must carrying a keg of ale from one end of a field of ice to the other while avoiding the other team trying to stop you.
🐶 The Inugami. Help a pair of spirit dogs find each other.
🌠 Falling Stars. Make wishes upon the falling stars before they cause too much damage!

II. SHATTERED DREAMS

Although the Dreamwalkers were successful in removing the strange glass shard in the Ice Queen's chest and ended the nightmare dreamscape that caused the blizzard, the Ice Queen still has yet to awaken. Jack Frost has taken her to Orkili to try and purify her with the pods, yet it only caused an adverse reaction, prompting the Orkilins and Jack Frost to ask for help from the Dreamwalkers once more. Isolated in a separate room where neither dreamotion nor nightmare energy can enter, those who are willing to investigate the Ice Queen's dream will be able to freely dreamwalk, with the warning that she seems sensitive to positive dreamotion so everyone should take caution when using it.

In the meantime, there are some other happenings going around in Orkili, including investigation into some nightmare crystals.

A. Piecing it Together. Those who enter the Ice Queen's dream will find themselves free floating in a dark void with large reflective glass-like shards with blurred, fogged scenes reflecting on their surface. They float aimlessly through the space, and a closer inspection will reveal that these shards can fit together and likely form a larger image. The goal is to now try and put the pieces together, though it's not as easy as it might seem.

🪞 Nightmare manipulation. For whatever reason, those who either have high nightmare resistance or can control nightmare energy will be able to move and be around the shards with very little effect to them.

💥 Too much of a good thing. Because the shards are dark and clearly exude nightmare energy, there will be those who will try to use positive types of dreamotion to purify the shards. Some dreamotion will be safe to use and will help clear up the image on the surface. However, too much focus will have a negative feedback where the dreamers are pushed back with a freezing gale and the shard they are focusing on will crack and break into smaller pieces. Nightmare energy can help mend the cracks, so it's better to try and use both at the same time.

💔 Blurred visions. As the surface of the shards clear up, various scenes of different themes can be seen, both good and bad. Love, heartbreak, hatred, anger, joy, jealousy, loneliness, fulfillment, family, abandonment. Those who experienced the ice mirrors in the previous dreamscape will feel a strong familiarity with these larger shards, except these are clearly towards the Ice Queen herself.

This is where we want players to come up with any scene that the Ice Queen may have experienced that could be reflected on the shard! We'll request submissions and piece together a story based on player input. Don't worry about any contradictions, we'll work it all in one way or another. The only constant is that Jack Frost and the Ice Queen do have a close, romantic relationship, which is why Jack is very worried about her.

B. Unwanted Intruder. While in the dream, a grotesque looking noctaere will appear and try to attack and consume the shards. Should it succeed, the Ice Queen will receive physical damage that everyone will be able to hear and feel inside the dream. The void will contort and turn more like sludge. Attempts to use dreamotion will only worsen it, but those who can control or absorb nightmare energy will take it away from the Ice Queen. How it affects them however, will vary between dizziness to momentary lapse in judgment and may need to leave the dreamscape.

Those monitoring outside the dream will witness the Ice Queen scream and her skin blackening as if charred by fire. Same thing applies here: those who try to use dreamotion to heal her will only worsen it, but those who use nightmare energy to either draw it out into some other container or absorb it themselves will be able to pull it out of the Ice Queen. Those who absorb the nightmare energy will have similar varying effects, from just light dizziness to becoming more irritable and hostile. Attempts to try and directly pull out the nightmare energy otherwise will be unsuccessful—it will only work when the noctaere has consumed a shard and caused the physical side effects.

No one will turn noctaere through this method because not enough nightmare energy will have accumulated.

As for the noctaere, it will sometimes appear outside the dream, and those who encounter it or deliberately try to hunt it down either within or outside the dream will find both dreamotion and nightmare based attacks effective against it. However, it's a very tough and difficult foe, so while it can be damaged, it cannot be defeated at this time. Those who investigated the claw marks from a few months ago will notice it leaves behind the same claw marks. Those who witnessed it will also find it familiar and can safely say it's the same.

I. REVEREIN

II. DREAMS

COMMENTS

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Thank you. Truly.

[As they walk along, Joshua flips to another page in his book, keeping track of the newest one with a finger so he can easily jump back and forth.]

I've been perusing the Archives for a few months now. During my research, I've learned of notable events that occurred before my arrival. Some related to the noctaere, some related to an entity known as the Story Eater, but it seems as though the presence of the latter strengthens the presence of the former.

Is that correct, or have I misread?

[...Hmmmm. Eustace has to think for a few moments about this.]

I suppose that's one way of looking at it.

The Story Eater came from a different realm and already had its own minions that it could create. It used nightmare energy to bolster its creations, and in turn that would spread and strengthen noctaere that were produced as a result. It's due to its actions and creations that nightmare energy was able to spread farther and stronger than it normally would.

[A kind of cause and effect situation.]

[Joshua is silent for a bit, scribbling in his notebook while walking in a way that is far too well-practiced. Once he finishes, he takes a moment to read everything over. His breath has evened out, and the color has returned to his face. All the better, too, because as questions tend to go, the one he’s asked has cascaded into many more.]

Is the increase in nightmare energy a permanent shift in the fabric of this realm, or was it entirely attached to the presence of the Story Eater? Perhaps there is a link between that surge and the difficulties Orkili has faced?

Moreover, have any long-lasting effects on the residents been observed? Those who are attuned to nightmare energy, are they getting stronger, or have there been any adverse consequences? And what about newcomers? Have more manifested with the ability to manipulate nightmares?

[Somewhere in there, he went from asking questions to thinking aloud.]

[Probably at the beginning.]

[Good luck, Eustace.]

[.........]

One question.

[THIS IS HOW HE'S GOING TO DEAL WITH ALL OF THEM.]

[OH COME ON.]

[That’s the look Joshua gives Eustace for just a moment. But it quickly resets once he plays back his volley of questions in his head. He may have been excessive.]

My apologies.

[For what it’s worth, he does look remorseful. At the very least, he’s reflective. Like a safety vest.]

Have you noticed any permanent effects following the Story Eater’s initial strengthening of the noctaere?

[Mhm. Just continues with that even stare before he finally picks a question... And it's quite a question at that. He has to mull this over, brows furrowing in thought as he looks back through the past few months.]

That's... Hard to say, to be honest.

[Thinking back on his initial volley of questions—]

I do believe the noctaere seem to have evolved since then. They can still be dealt with, but they are adapting, with some stronger than others.

I feel there is a shift in how we're all approaching and using nightmare energy as well.

[Joshua's brow furrows with concern. On one hand, he hasn't had to deal with the noctaere's adaptations. Encountering them for the first time as they started to grow stronger may be a benefit, like meeting a rising tide at its level rather than rushing to meet it.]

[Still, if he's learned anything, it's that whispers of change betray swathes of upheaval.]

And Orkili may very well play a large part in that shift.

However, if their capacity for dealing with nostilium is hampered, as well...

[His voice trails off momentarily as he considers the implications, but he recovers.]

...then we need to continue working together with our research. Application. Maintenance.

[A hum of agreement before he eyes him for a moment.]

Have you worked with nostilium prior to this? Or noticed any effects on yourself?

I...

[There's no point in hiding his affliction. Even if it weren't obvious that the noctaere's blast affected Joshua so thoroughly, his hesitation alone gives him away.]

[How could he be so sloppy?]

...I wouldn't say I've worked with nostilium. Not willingly.

[A hand instinctively rises to his chest.]

I know not why, but I am able to absorb the fiends. Not of my own volition.

[Well. He has a little bit of an idea as to why, but that's delving face first into the weeds.]

[Well.

That makes him arch a brow...

...Before he wonders a little.]

Do you mean the entire creature? Or just their energy?

Both.

No, wait.

[Joshua pauses, considering how to most accurately answer the question while not causing any alarm.]

The energy is what I've primarily consumed, although occasionally a piece of the creature is assimilated with it.

[Saying that aloud really drives home that maybe there isn't a good way to explain his 'power'.]

[...No, no it isn't and Eustace's brows just furrow further as he stares at Joshua.]

...I know others have been capable of drawing in nightmare energy, so that part...while can be concerning if not handled properly is not so unusual. Consuming pieces of the creature, however—that I haven't heard.

How is this happening? You said it was it was involuntary.

[Instinctively, Joshua crosses his arms over his chest--right where he's been absorbing all that energy.]

I don't know.

[He shifts in place, weight moving from one leg to another. He should tell Eustace about Ultima. About how he housed a piece of an uncaring god for years to his body's detriment. Something--uncertainty, maybe, of the potential upheaval it could cause--stays the words. It's as if his breath refuses to carry them past his lips.]

[Instead, he looks away and swallows.]

If a noctaere is wounded near me, my body will absorb small, atramentous wisps of it. I know not the extent of how much is flesh and how much is nostilium. I can say with certainty that energy has been the primary culprit.

[He turns his gaze back to Eustace. Whatever unease he'd felt before is still there, but balanced by determination.]

I've been tearing every archive in Reverein apart looking for answers only to find none. Orkili may hold what I seek, but I also cannot stand idly by while that monster runs rampant, terrorizing the Queen and Founder knows how many others.

[Although he tries to hide it, Eustace can recognize those slight tells—he knows something, but whatever it is he doesn't feel up to or trust him enough to share it. Concerning, but also he knows well about keeping information confidential for whatever reason. So he just eyes him, Joshua perhaps sensing Eustace's suspicions, but he won't press on it specifically.]

And given your uncertainty, I take it this isn't something that didn't occur in your world, either.

[Especially if this may be specific to the nightmares and energy of this world, that would make some sense.

Crossing in his arms in thought, he briefly closes his eyes before continuing.]

Have you ever spoken to Vanitas?

[Joshua has learned the art of deception when it comes to the political and, in more dire circumstances, the physical. But those situations always involved alluding enemies or negotiating with aggressive parties. Lying to an ally never sat well with him.]

[He does his best to stave off the guilt that stems from Eustace's gaze. His skills in hiding his intentions included learning how to read others', for better or for worse (usually better, except for when it makes him feel worse).]

Certain magicks could allow for sealing away entities, but never involuntarily.

[That's close enough to the truth.]

[At the mention of someone else, his head quirks to the side.]

No. I am unfamiliar with the name.

In this world, they have something similar to nostilium called "the darkness," and he has been able to draw in nostilium without much issue since it's so similar. I don't know how much it would help, but either him or someone else from his world may have some advice on how to better handle it.

[A small sigh of his own.]

Though he's not the most...easy to work with.

[More of an exasperated statement because that brat—]

As for general handling of nostilium, I can help to some degree, but 76 is another I'd suggest you speak with. He's also adept at using and controlling it.

[There's also...Reaper... But meh don't need to mention him—]

Edited (found a typo /don't mind me/) 2024-02-21 05:05 (UTC)

Then this Vanitas fellow must have some sort of innate affinity towards it, or a resistance.

[Not unlike how the Dominants and some other Bearers can brave the aetherfloods back home. The connection draws a thoughtful hum from Joshua.]

I can withstand an ill temper if it means I may receive the answers I seek. That won't be a problem.

[At least not a problem in the grand scheme of problems he's been facing since what feels like forever. How bratty can this guy be, anyway?]

[He relaxes further at the mention of Eustace's own experience as well as another's. As far as Joshua is concerned, as long as there's knowledge to be gained, there's hope for the future.]

If he is open to it, then I shall seek him out. If... you are open to it as well, I would humbly ask for your help.

[He bows his head.]

Please.

[He just watches Joshua for a moment before he lets out a breath.]

I don't mind helping, so no need for that.

[A small tap to his head, signaling for him to raise it.]

[Let him be proper, Eustace, GOSH.]

[Obediently, Joshua does raise his head, nose scrunched briefly at the unceremoniousness of it all, but otherwise complacent.]

Thank you.

[He meets Eustace's eye again.]

Pray tell me if there is aught I can do for you in return.

[Deal with it, bird boy!!]

Just figure out your situation. That's more important than anything I would need...

[Though he then cants his head slightly before there's a subtle grin.]

But can always come by the café and give us your patronage.

[It's a slight joke. Slight. Maybe partially serious because always good to promote the wife's business—but this is also his attempt to try and lighten the mood a little.]

[Whatever, old man!!!]

[The joke works. It's enough to get Joshua to smile, accompanied by the tiniest puff of a chuckle.]

I did promise your wife and fish to return soon.

I owe the fish a story. Please send my apologies to Lady Tifa for any trouble they may be causing her while they wait.

[WOW WOW HE'S ONLY well okay he's like 30 now i guess......... STILL YOUNGER THAN YOUR BROTHER

But that surprises him.]

The fish?

[...still old, tho]

[Joshua nods, perking up from his previous solemnity.]

Yes, I encountered Lady Tifa out of doors of her establishment during the blizzard. We cleared out the garden together and provided warmth to the pond.

The fish requested a story to turn into a song, but I had to attend to others' must needs at the time. I promised to return.

[listen to your elders

There's a moment before there's recognition in his eyes.]

Now that you mention it, she did mention something like that happened. [There's a small, quiet grin at that.] Then it seems this is a good opportunity to make good on that promise.

I hope I made a positive first impression.

[He sets his shoulders. Joshua may be a bit achy from their run-in with the noctaere (nostilium flood and bruised ego included), but some of that burden has been relieved, thanks to Eustace.]

When we return, I'll make returning a priority.

[One of many, given the escalation of his personal circumstances, but a priority nonetheless.]

[Speaking of--]

Thank you again, Eustace.

You've helped me more than you know.

{ when it snows }

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