{ once upon a fairytale }

[dreamposts]

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.

Comments

Gina Lestrade | In-Game Character | OTA

[lestray]

A. What's the Nekomata? [Pre-Event]

[Time for some detective work - especially to get her mind off of recent departures. And so Gina Lestrade hits the streets with her excitable dog Toby, in search of the mysterious cat spirit. But they're not having much luck so far.]

C'mon now, Toby. It's a cat wot we're lookin' for. Ain't dogs s'posed to be the best at nabbin' 'em? [She gently asks Toby while ruffling his fur. The dog responds by simply yipping. But there is a sound of a bell somewhere nearby...]

B. The Adventures of Robbing Hood [Event: Sleepwalking]

[Gina is among those who fell to the music's spell and ended up walking into the forest. Now she's shifted into someone a bit different! A charismatic and adventurous sheriff who steals taxes from the poor... She is Robbing Hood!

While exploring the forest, some arrows may fly by. Instead of actual arrowheads, these ones unleash colorful clouds of smoke. Gina stands there, wearing a green tunic with a hood pulled up over her head, while she has a bow drawn with a boxing glove-tipped arrow loaded.]

Oi, you there! I'm 'ere to collect, so give me wot you got!

[Either she's cornered your character or some helpless NPC. No matter what, she's not exactly herself right now!

Or find her during her downtime at her lair deep within the forest, counting her gold while wondering about recruiting more followers.]

C. Wildcard

[Feel free to come up with an alternate prompt or hit me up for plotting!]

B

[herlockian]

[After the experience she'd already had in the forest, looking for Gina was a welcome priority to the only thing she would have had left to focus on. But even with what happened near the end of that, it did give her a rough idea of what to expect with the missing people.

Without additional help, Gina was not as easy to locate as Ryunosuke had been. Iris had been turned into a woodsman, not a hunter, so her natural skills of logic and deduction were all that were left to her. At least those were exceptional in the first place. And it turned out an axe had multiple ways in which it was useful!

She freezes almost instantly when the arrows pass her. In spite of the shock of the obvious attack, the colorful smoke is a welcome sight to Iris. She pulls back the hood of her own oversized cloak for a better look.]

Ginny!

[It slips out due to habit. She already witnessed how hard it was to get Ryunosuke to remember anything, so she has little expectation that Gina will know who she is, and probably won't recognize her own (nick)name either. Unfortunately, this leaves Iris in the dark on just about anything else that's going on with her.]

Erm, what are you collecting, exactly?

[lestray]

[There's no sign of recognition as Gina stares down her latest target. There is hesitation, though, and she lowers her bow for the moment as she looks towards the axe-wielding child. There was a brief eyebrow raise at the name the kid called out, but she decides not to address it.]

Ain't it obvious? I'm collectin' taxes, o' course. Money... gold. Anyone passin' through owes it.

[She steps closer while sizing up the situation.]

Do you even got enough on you? Where's your parents at? [Now that's probably where they payday is!]</small<

[herlockian]

[You just had to bring up her parents right now, didn't you? Iris probably could've handled this brilliantly from here on, but kick her when she's down, why don'cha? She pales a bit at the question and clearly grows uncomfortable.]

M...my parents...?

[Sholmes had left here before she even arrived. The others were dead. Her mother, the man she spent two years believing to be her father, and now she knows her birth father was the first to pass away. And in life, he was...complicated. To put it mildly.

Iris is hesitating a suspiciously long amount of time and she knows it. Really, she's an author. The truth about that didn't matter here! She can do this!]

...Well, they–

[She puts on her best sad, sympathy-inducing face.]

they died. And I was left all alone with nothing but this axe! I've been trying to survive in the forest since then...

[Starting with the truth and then making things more interesting was usually the way to go, in her storytelling experience.]

[lestray]

[If there's anything that can melt the heart of this cold vigilante, it's... that. She can't stay antagonistic at a face like that!]

Oi... They- they're... dead...?

[She frowns and shakes her head.]

Sorry. That's a real shame. A kid like you shouldn't be stuck on yer own. [Axe or no axe!]

Tell you what! Why don't you join me? We'll take some taxes together, an' I'll let you keep a cut of it! [She supposes she can invest a little bit in charity. But only for this kid!]

[herlockian]

[Well, at least her personality is a bit more recognizable than Runo's was! From what she's already witnessed, going along with them to some degree seemed to help things move forward.

She nods sadly at Gina's question. At least it's not necessary for her to put on much of an act in this regard. Iris knows she can't dwell on that right now, not that she wants to in the first place.]

That's very...uh...thoughtful of you. I wouldn't want to be an imposition if there's not much money. [It's very good Sholmes can't hear her right now.] But, is this how you typically get them?

[lestray]

Don't you worry 'bout that. Thanks to me work, I got the royal coffers filled!

[She dismisses her concern with a wave of her hand and a proud smile.]

Yeah, I usually gotta do it this way. The locals are tight wiv the pennies that ain't rightfully theirs. Someone like me 'ad to step up to collect all the taxes that're owed!

[herlockian]

[This is a very surreal scene for Iris. She's used to Gina saying things with generally good intentions, be they actually legal or not. But she's definitely recognising this story, and her historical knowledge of taxation in England has her doubtful of what Gina actually means.

But, this is her best friend. She can help her more easily if she's not against her.]

Oh, how awful! It's not right for people to be so greedy. Of course you had to!

[Iris tilts her head, making a show out of her thinking.]

I just wondered if something more subtle might be a better approach. But, you're the expert!

[lestray]

'Course I'm the expert 'ere. I'm the one an' only Robbin' 'Ood!

[She grins smugly while she adjusts the string on her bow.]

It's the best way of makin' sure they ain't hidin't nuffin'. When you're afraid of someone comin' after you, you give 'em everytin' you got. That's the best way to get these taxes where they belong! [Still, she watches her thinking.] You think you know a different way to go about things?

A

[cawpatrol]

[ Not only is there the sound of a bell, there's the sound of birds cawing right after it...?That's when it happens - a flurry of small, nearly raisin-sized crows fluttering in the wind as they chase after the sound of the bell! ]

Corner it off! Don't let it escape!

[ And something almost as small is hopping right after them! ]

[lestray]

[As the bell rang in her head - it rang a bell for Gina. That's supposed to be associated with the cat, isn't it? Then she sees these other tiny beings in pursuit, and she gives chase with Toby.]

Oi! You... you lot after that ghosty cat too? Don't tell me it did sometin' to you to make you all so small...! [She engages conversation with carrying out her pursuit!]

[cawpatrol]

We've always been this height! You're the ones who are giants!

[ Hop, hop, hop, and something lands on Toby, taking him for a ride... It's a person the size of a Cookie! Or... actually a Cookie herself? ]

[lestray]

I ain't a giant! I'm perfectly normal sized!

[Well, at least she likes that more than being considered short. But still! Toby accepts his new rider while moving in pursuit of their quarry. Gina doesn't mind herself, though she double-takes at the rider in question.]

If you was always like that, 'ow come you look like a sweet on top of that?

[cawpatrol]

This is how everyone in my world looks! Are you here to question me, or are you trying to capture that creature?

[ Honestly, Gina, what ever could be distracting you so much? ]

[lestray]

I wanna catch the cat, yeah! I just can't 'elp it if you bein' around raises more questions. I thought that cat mighta placed a curse on ya or somewhat!

[But no, apparently she just is that way. Gina feels like she's seen weirder during her time in this world, but she struggles to come up with something weirder than this specific situation.]

[cawpatrol]

Listen, if we capture this beast, you can ask me anything you want afterwards, and I promise I'll give you the whole truth. Agreed?

[ Not like she'd ever lie to begin with, but maybe this'll help move things along. ]

[lestray]

Sounds good to me!

[She nods firmly! She's refocused herself on the chase now anyway. Their target is easily outpacing them! She notices the cat dart in the alley.]

Quick, that way! We can't lose it! [Gina turns, with Toby at her heels, to head right into the alley! But the cat might have lost them.]

i'm still cackling about "robbing hood"

[discourtesies]

[The continued efforts to break the sleepwalker's curse have been... aggravatingly slow. Even for those momentarily freed from their mental compulsions, it seems the effect isn't permanent... at least until they destroy the source of this spell, hopefully. Still, that doesn't mean the effort isn't worthwhile, given how dangerous the sleepwalkers can apparently be. He's heard of a number of attacks by now.

So van Zieks, in the shape of a princely wolf-man, finally manages to track down Gina sometime after the initial foray where he spent most of the day in an unpleasant anxiety for various reasons. Today, though—it's... something nearing a relief to see her in one piece, at least, even if she appears to be muttering something to herself while sorting through her ill-gotten gains. Despite the potential for aggression, he doesn't hesitate in his approach.]

I thought you had moved past your... "party tricks," Miss Lestrade.

I'm glad it robbed a few laughs

[lestray]

[In her little lair, Gina goes through her coins, somewhat pleased with her haul. But it could have been more. There could always be more!

Her thoughts are interrupted as her lair is intruded upon. She turns towards him with a wary eye, her bow at her side.]

I think you got the wrong place. Ain't no kind of party goin' on 'ere. Just some righteous tax collectin', yeah? [She looks over her guest, and she can't help but notice his regal appearance.] Now who are you?

[discourtesies]

Righteous, you say? If this collecting is truly by the power of official authority, then why have you hidden yourself away like a thieving rat?

[... why did he start arguing immediately? It's like he sees a falsehood and he's a dog with a bone. Oh well.]

My identity would likely mean little to you. You might say I am... on a quest to retrieve something valuable.

[lestray]

'Ow dare you! [She faces him with a glare, flustered to have been called out like that.] I'm the sheriff of these 'ere parts! I- I'm just doin' it like this to keep away from the real thievin' rats!

[But she is interested by the rest of what he has to say. Something valuable?]

So wot is it you're lookin' for, eh? [She wonders if it's something she can take for herself, to add to her treasurey!]

[discourtesies]

[Dubiously:]

Hmm.

[Well, if nothing else, she's still very much herself in the sense that she's ready to jump to the defensive. Either way, it seems he's caught her attention.

He's starting to get an idea, though. He found something interesting on his person in his travels through this forest, though he has no real idea what to do with it—or rather, he had no idea until now. If greed is the sin of her curse... from his coat, he pulls out a large, glowing feather, glimmering almost as if made of flame.]

A bird of gold... if this is to be believed.

[lestray]

[He had her attention. Now he has her interest!

She quickly approaches him for a better look at that feather! It looks valuable alright... Could it be some goose that lays the golden eggs?!]

A- a bird o' gold?! You ain't just pullin' me leg, are you? If it's for real, I'd 'elp you 'unt it down. An' you can still keep some o' the profits!

[discourtesies]

How generous.

[Gina can look all she likes, although van Zieks is cautious not to let her do any more than that. He can't give up his trump card of sorts that easily. Who knows what this thing might be able to do, anyway? He has yet to see if it possesses any traits other than what's evident in its appearance.]

My—brother spoke to me of it, before he disappeared. I imagine he seeks what we would need to locate it as we speak, though I'm afraid he's not the sort to share.

[Hm. ... that will do. Reasons to direct her to the jars and flutes are solidifying.]

Though its feathers alone would fetch a fine price, would they not?

[lestray]

[She is tempted to try to snatch it, but she realizes there's little point to it. He has a solid hold on it, and he looks strong enough that she doubts she could overpower him. And on top of that, there's the potential for More.

Gina answers his question with a smile.]

Absolutely they would. Just one look at 'em tells me that! Anytin' from a bird like that 'as got to bring in some big money. You know where we can find any more o' those feathers at least, or are we gonna 'ave to 'ave a talk with your brother?