songerein | { once upon a fairytale }

Entry tags:

{ once upon a fairytale }

ONCE UPON A FAIRYTALE

One night, a sweet melody fills the air around Reverein, causing everyone to fall into a deep, peaceful sleep, as if trying to soothe all from the stress of the past few months. However, there are those who are completely lulled by the beautiful music, silently slipping out of bed or off the floor or wherever they were sleeping and sleepwalk out of town to disappear into the woods. It will only be in the morning when everyone left will notice them gone.

Fortunately it's not too difficult to follow the trail. The music continues to play and there are music notes floating in the air to guide searchers deep into the Wildlands. When they approach a golden bridge crossing over a large, rainbow river, they are stopped by some local fae who had witnessed the strange changes. They will tell of how the forest has shifted and changed, with new structures and creatures suddenly inside. There is a strong magic over it, and they are wary of entering as those who have gone to investigate have yet to return. There are witnesses who have seen people inside, but they are acting…strange. And dressed strangely, too, with some looking as if they are in costumes. It's not Halloween, so what's going on?

Those brave enough to cross the bridge will find themselves suddenly changed into different clothes or costumes to match a fairytale character. Those who have had previous experiences in various story based dreamscapes may be somewhat familiar to this. It's completely random (ie, player choice) and a piece of sheet music will appear in front with the following words:

Deep within the forest your friends are stuck in play
Dreaming of a different life to live from day to day
Fear not, brave hero, for their lives are in no threat
But until the music ends will this spell continue yet

Find them in their role and play along
Be it through facing evil villains or singing a song
Perhaps you can remind of who they really are
Find pieces of their memories locked in a jar

Good luck to you, dear hero!
You've reached the final verse
Break this spell before the next new moon
Or this spell will be a cUrSe 😈

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 February and will remain in Songerein from the IC date of February 14th (however, the event itself ICly takes place February 25th through March 2nd). TDM only characters can only thread within this log. Anyone who apps in and is accepted will have their character count February 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 February 23rd and Applications will open on March 1st. Our application cycles are bi-monthly so the next cycle after won't be until May.

TDM Toplevel Link Directory (click to view)

Animorphs - Tobias
Final Fantasy VII - Tseng
Final Fantasy XIV - G'raha Tia
Final Fantasy XVI - Clive Rosfield
Granblue Fantasy Re:Link: Rackam
Hazbin Hotel - Husk
Hazbin Hotel - Lucifer Morningstar

We will request any thread submissions for certain prompts during AC and TDM threads will count. For more information, refer to the Game Notes.

"ENCHANTED" FOREST

All characters in the Enchanted Forest will be dressed in some kind of storybook, fairytale role, and they can be as generic or as specific as players want them to be. Heroes, villains, or an odd mix between are allowed.

The following prompts are more like "setting pieces" that players can utilize either for their sleepwalking character or for a general prompt for those helping out to get through. This is a non-exhaustive list and players are encouraged to be creative and add whatever they need. Sleepwalkers can create their own toplevels featuring their own story setup and/or tag into others. Players are also free to use NPCs who are also caught in the curse to help instead.

Finally, all original abilities are gone while in the Forest, including dreamotion. Instead, they will be replaced with abilities and skills based on the role the character is playing. This does mean you can cheat and choose a role that has abilities similar to the character's original set, but if you're willing to try and be completely creative, you can do so. You can be as open or as restrictive as you want, whatever works best for you.

(Note: The Love is in the Air bubbles are also in effect throughout this event. Because of the IC dates, the Dream Board can also be used as prompts as long as they are set before the event occurs.)

A. SLEEPWALKERS

Those affected by the spell will be called "sleepwalkers" and will be found at various parts of the Enchanted Forest that fits their fairytale character's role. They will be dressed as the character, be a protagonist or a villain, and a lot of creative liberties and freedom are allowed. Their role may also be a little strange and mixed up. Perhaps Red Riding Hood is part wolf, or Thumbelina is a fierce warrior princess ready to take down all the "giants."

The "script" and story may also be twisted up, so it will be up to those trying to help them to try and play along to get a hint on how to save them by finding their memories locked in jars, which are hidden somewhere within their vicinity. Once found, it can only be opened by the sleepwalker, and it will help "wake" them up back to their original self. However, this is a temporary measure until the whole spell is broken.

(Note: To help players find your scenario, please comment to this Sleepwalker Scenario Directory thread here.)

B. FIND THE FLUTE

While some are trying to help those affected, others are focused more on the curse and breaking it. There are bubble-like music notes that appear here and there, and popping them will reveal a piece of sheet music that will have a bar or two of lyrics that will give a hint to where the flute may be hiding. It's different for everyone, and sometimes it can be straightforward and sometimes it's not. However, should anyone sing the piece, music notes will appear and form a trail to lead them right to the flute (the notes will visibly reflect how good or poorly it's sung).

There are multiple instances of the flute and it can be found anywhere within the Forest. Sometimes it's easy to see, others will be hidden or guarded by a creature. It could even be in the hands of a sleepwalker. (Note: as mentioned in the Dream Notes, at least 10 different flute instances must be destroyed for the spell to be broken. If we do not receive enough submissions, the curse will continue with a Part Two in March.)

C. DARK WOODS

There are portions of the forest that are visibly darker. Not only is it denser with more trees, but gray clouds hang over it, further blocking sunlight from it. It's so dark in some places it almost feels like night and lanterns or other sources of light will be needed. Beware of the creatures that lurk. Some are friendly, others like to appear with random rhymes and riddles, and then there are the dangerous ones that are feeling a bit hungry. Be careful of the fruit that hang from some trees, as they can either be poisonous or just have a strange effect on those who eat it.

Deep, deep in the dark woods there is a mysterious fog that will quickly disorient anyone who are caught in it. This is known as the haunted section of the woods, so beware of spirits and ghosts that might wander through.

D. BRIDGES

There is a strange amount of bridges scattered around the Forest, and some of them aren't even crossing over any rivers—just empty ditches or even large chasms. The types will also vary, from fancy bricks to wooden bridges suspended by something that isn't very discernable (the ropes disappear into the sky…??). However, they all have one thing in common: trolls. Some are friendly and will let people pass after answering a few questions. Others will require a bribe. And some will force fights and other annoying challenges. Even then, the bridges themselves may be a bit wobbly, especially those wooden ones, or things like goblins may still pop out to try and steal from them. But perhaps some goats will help?

E. COTTAGES

And all other manner of houses, some of which may be made out of food, straw, sticks, or brick instead of wood. Some of these may be empty, others may already have an occupant. There could be people, could be animals; friendly or hostile. Just be careful of the beds—they can be quite comfortable and some may even be drawn to sleep in them…and need a little smooch to awaken. Those tempted by the food may find it delicious, but they may turn into a grumpy bear always complaining about the temperatures of the food and never satisfied. Baking a few goodies may also help those affected nearby.

Watch out for wolves and young, blond girls. They seem to like breaking into these places.

F. SWAMPS

Deeper within the Forest are pockets of swampland that house all manner of dangerous creatures, such as the will-o-wisps that like to lead wanderers astray, and those looking for a trusty steed? Avoid the horses here—they are kelpies that will waste no time in taking them into the murky waters. As it is a favorite spot for witch ingredients, it is more likely for someone to encounter one and suffer some kind of strange curse here, especially those involving animal transformations with frogs as a favorite. Don't forget the ogres—they don't like to be disturbed.

G. CASTLES

There are at least one or two castles deep within the Forest, though they are a lot smaller than their real counterparts. Some are just a single tower that needs to be climbed up to help whoever is trapped up there. While there could be fair damsels that need rescuing, there are also treasures that could be found and taken instead. Or perhaps one wants to conquer the castle instead and be its king or queen. However, like everything else here, there are curses and enchantments everywhere. The cutlery may not be so keen on intruders, and one may feel the need to sing and dance a musical number more often than not.

But of course these have their own guardians, with the dragons being a favored choice. Wizards and other sorcerers are also common tenants, and they will gladly use their magic to expel anyone who tries to get in.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ The only sign that Clive might find it strange that a hawk is talking to him is the slight arching of his brows. Otherwise, this is really not the strangest thing that's ever happened to him. ]

You're welcome.

[ And because he tends to be a man of action rather than words, he just waits quietly while Tobias preens his feathers, though curiosity does seem to get the better of him after a few moments. ]

You are a hawk, aren't you? I don't think I've seen any with markings quite like yours where I'm from.

[He looks up at Clive when he does speak up. There's a small chirp, almost like an affirmative.]

<A red-tailed hawk. Buteo jamaicensis is the scientific name. ... You don't need to know that part, I guess.>

[ Look, Clive doesn't know what that means. Do they even use binomial nomenclature in Valisthea? Maybe, but he's a soldier, not a scholar. He's been a warrior ever since he was a child. Not unlike Tobias, really, though the threats he'd faced were very different. ]

Red-tailed. An apt name. [ A beat. ] I'm Clive.

<... Tobias.>

[He's hesitant to reveal his actual name - he's still suspicious of this place - but... he hasn't seen any suspicious activity yet. That doesn't mean there isn't any, but like... maybe he can let his feathers down, so to speak. A little.]

<You're uh... familiar with hawks, aren't you? And your clothes... some kind of fighter?>

[He's guessing, but it sure looks like some kind of fantasy armor.]

Tobias. Well met.

[ Because why wouldn't a hawk be named Tobias in a place like this? He mulls over the question, how best to respond it, and nods once. ]

There was an aviary, back when I was a boy... my father kept a few hawks and kites, but there were many more owls. We use them to send messages. As for this armor, it's not quite my usual suit, but I am actually a knight.

[ Or he was once, but a Shield of Rosaria is always a Shield as long as he draws breath. ]

<Some other hawks are fine, other species tend to be jerks. And kites are... fine, though I've had to chase a few out of my territory. But... a knight, huh? I've never met a knight.>

[A prince, a general... not a knight. Something to check off his bingo card.]

[There's silence for a moment before he speaks again.]

<I'm... a fighter, too.>

And I've never met a talking hawk before. A day of firsts all around, it seems.

[ He frowns very slightly at Tobias' next statement though. ]

Pray don't take offense, but... you seem very young to have been called to do battle.

[ Just call it his Big Brother instinct kicking in here, but something about the hawk just feels young to him. Like a teenager, perhaps. ]

<That's fair. Not a lot of us, really.>

[Ah. That... is kind of the reaction he's always assumed he'd get. He knows he sounds young. And he could argue that technically he's an 'adult' in hawk terms, but... he's aware that's bull and it'll sound like bull.]

[The response is again silence for a few more seconds before he responds.]

<When your home is under attack and only you and a few others have the strength to stand up to it, what else can you do? Let everyone - including people you care about - get either killed or enslaved? Let your whole... world get destroyed because you're thought of as lesser?>

[He's not sure how much he should say, but... it kind of all comes tumbling out of him.]

<No. I might be young, but I'm not going down without a fight. Maybe a few years ago I would have, but... not anymore. I have people I want to protect. I have a reason to fight.>

[For Elfangor. For Rachel. For the other Animorphs. For the person Taylor could have been. For everyone who was a bullied kid like him who needs a second chance.]

Edited 2024-02-21 02:05 (UTC)

[ Ah yes, Clive can tell he struck a nerve here. ]

I meant no offense. I do not believe you are lesser because you are younger. I was but fifteen when pressed into service; I understand well that one must do one's duty regardless of age. Only... now that I have the benefit of age under my wing, I would wish to spare those who might suffer a similar fate to mine. That is all.

[ And that speech of yours did nothing to lessen the Big Brother instinct, Tobias. You are dangerously close to getting adopted here. ]

<... That's about how old I am. How old I should be. It's... my age gets complicated. ... But there's nothing you can do to spare us. We've seen people we care about be captured. We've killed, over and over and over again. We tell ourselves it doesn't matter because they're the enemy. Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. We've been near death, we've been captured, we've been tortured ->

[His mental voice breaks off and he lets out a harsh cry. He'd be near tears if he could cry, but he can't. He won't.]

<It's... it's a war. These things happen. Especially when we have no one to show us how to fight. We fight the only way we can. We sneak around. We gather what knowledge we can. We become a thorn in their side, irritating them and drawing their resources until they can't manage it anymore. We have to hold out.>

[The Andalite fleet... maybe it'll show up. Maybe it won't. They have to act as if they never will, because better to plan for the long term than use up all their energy in the short term.]

<There's too much at stake.>

[ This conversation has become far more emotionally fraught than Clive could have ever imagined it would be, and he's honestly not sure what to do. Joshua or Jill would be better at this, better at consoling a teenage hawk who is obviously not just a hawk, but they aren't here, so he'll muddle along as best he can, just as he always does.

Slowly lifting his free hand, he strokes the back of his finger very gently against the feathers of Tobias chest, rather than trying to pat his back as he might with a human--it wouldn't do to make him feel trapped. His voice is low and comforting. ]

It's all right. It's all right. And... it's fine if you aren't all right. It does not diminish your courage.

[ Clive shakes his head, and there's a deep, old sort of sadness in his eyes. ]

I understand how it feels. War takes and takes and takes, until you feel like there's naught left inside of you but your very breath, and even that cuts you like a knife. I understand how it feels to lose everything. I understand what it feels like when god himself is against you. Nothing can prepare you, and no words can undo the damage. You do the best you can, all that is within your power, and hope beyond hope that it will be enough in the end, because failure is not an option.

So... weep if you must. If you can. Mourn for yourself and your friends. You have earned that right.

[He doesn't talk about stuff like this. He's the stoic bird-boy, the one with the tragic past that he doesn't reveal and the one who has to kill to eat and is okay with that at least on some level. He shouldn't be telling this guy anything - who knows if there are Controllers around? - but it's so rare that someone actually understands. His voice is a little shaky, with the barest hint of a slightly strained laugh in it.]

<I can't. I can't cry. Birds can't cry. I've tried... a lot. ... But no one... we're all just kids. None of us are older than around fifteen or the equivalent of that. There's no one who can tell us how to fight. And it takes and it takes and I don't know when it's going to stop - if it's going to stop - and our enemies are everywhere.>

[If he were in human morph he'd be breathing hard. As it is he's leaning against his hawk instincts to try to keep himself calm enough to talk.]

<We have to follow people for days at a time to make sure we can trust them. Hell, I don't know if I can trust you. Or anything in this place - I could be hallucinating again. I could be back there.>

[There in the torture device, with Taylor watching over him. He's not sure what's real anymore. If this place is a dream it's just as real as anything he saw there.]

The heart may weep, even if the body cannot. So it was for me for thirteen years after I thought my brother slain.

[ But this isn't about him. It's about this traumatized child, letting him express his rage and his grief. ]

I have no proof I can give that I am worthy of your trust, but I swear on my honor as the First Shield of Rosaria that I shan't harm you. You are free to fly from my hand if you choose.

<... I'm sorry. I... my family's complicated, but even though I can't know what you went through, I get it.>

[Despite everything, he still has the capacity to care. He still has humanity in him, and even as he clings to his hawk instincts he still has to cling desperately to the humanity he has left.]

<... I don't know what a Shield is, or where Rosaria is... but it's okay. I just... you're not trying to kill me despite me talking to you like this, so it's... probably okay. ... It's been a few years that the situation's been like this. That... I've been like this.>

[He shifts uncomfortably, looking away despite his hawk instincts telling him to continue to stare Clive down.]

There is no call for apologies, for you have given no offense. I understand your pain and your grief, in part if not the whole. Come, be at ease.

[ Moving his hand carefully, he directs Tobias to hop up to his shoulder. He's wearing plate armor so it isn't like the hawk's claws will hurt him, but it's also a show of trust, in a way, because a hawk perched on the shoulder certainly could wound a man if he got the notion to do so. ]

I don't know how long I'll be here in this wood, but you can seek me out if you so choose. For now, I mean to explore and try to understand how I came to be here.

[He hops up and finds a comfortable perch. As comfortable as armor can be, but he's not going to complain. He's sat on worse. ... This is absolutely more comfortable than trying to walk on hardwood floor, because there's at least some bits to hang on to.]

<I don't know how to get back home either... it sounds like we're both confused, at least.>

[ Clive nods, grunts an affirmative, and then they're on their way to... wherever. Somewhere. With no knowledge of the world they've found themselves in, there's no real destination in mind. A stream, perhaps, which would likely lead them out, possibly even to a settlement, if there is one. ]

Friend, I know your senses are keener than mine. If you espy flowing water ere I do, please let me know.

<Yeah. It's a pretty good chance to find a place. I think the outskirts of the woods are that way ->

[He points with a wing.]

<Since the animals seem to be tending to travel the other way. Other than the rodents you might expect to see more in a city... I haven't found any fields, so no field mice for me yet.>

[ Nodding once, Clive turns and begins to walk in the direction that Tobias indicates, trusting the hawk's senses to get them somewhere that isn't the middle of a forest. Silence falls between him and Tobias for a time as they go, pushing through the foliage of the woods. ]

The Shields of Rosaria were an order of knights that served the Archduke of Rosaria and his heir, the Dominant of the Phoenix. [ He knows that doesn't explain much, but honestly it would probably end up being more confusing if he tried, but Tobias didn't know what a Shield was an now he does. It's a way to pass the time, at least. ] I began to train almost as soon as I was able to grip a practice sword. I knew that I would never inherit the throne, but I could still serve the duchy by protecting my brother, Joshua, as his Shield.

[ Silence again for a moment as Clive cuts through a thatch of denser undergrowth. ]

We were the sons of the duke, but we... were betrayed. The duchy fell and I was --[ Enslaved. ]--conscripted into the army of the empire we once believed to be our allies. That was nearly twenty years ago, now.

[ Suffice to say, he's led an eventful life. ]

You needn't divulge your secrets to me if you would prefer to keep them close. You were courageous enough to trust me, but I would not ask you to tell me more if it would further vex you to do so.

<... I see. That sounds really rough. I know how it is to be betrayed - to put your trust in someone and then have it ripped away. Not to that degree but...>

[There's a mental sigh as Tobias tries to push thoughts of Taylor from his head. All of what Clive said sounds like a fantasy thing but he's not going to say that. That's rude.]

<I never had brothers or sisters. But I never knew my parents, either. I learned who my father was a lot later in life - he was a great warrior. I was put into the care of people who didn't want me. Who would rather pay attention to their own needs than a - then someone who needed them. So... it sucks. To be thrown into a world that doesn't care about you and doesn't care if you live or die.>

It was my mother. [ He says it almost as an afterthought. His mother was the one who had betrayed them, sold them out to the Empire, gotten his father killed. ] But I always knew she never loved me, so there was no trust lost between us. I don't know if that makes it better or worse, but that's the truth of it.

[ And yeah, all of what Clive said would definitely sound like something out of a fantasy to a kid from a sci-fi story. To Clive, it's just business as usual. ]

I'm afraid there's no advice I can offer you that would be helpful, my friend, but these things that happened to you, they were not your fault. You deserved to be cared for, to know you were loved. Every child does.

<I barely remember my mother. But my aunt and uncle that I got put with... neither of them loved me. They made that clear. ... But you find the people who care about you. You find the people who will fight with you and fight for you.>

[He deserves to be cared for? He's not sure about that. Maybe other people do, but not him.]

<It's been a while since any adult cared about me. The last one was...> A teacher, but... <A mentor, of sorts. But that was years ago.>

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

{ once upon a fairytale }

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject