songerein | { 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

Anya is happy that she is able to get the results she is looking for in getting her singing to have the nekomata to relax a bit, “Oh gee, thank you so much, Iris. I greatly appreciate it a lot.”

“Oh yeah, tell it a good story. I suppose that even cat spirits like being told stories too. Right, now which one do you think that we should tell to the cat spirit?” Anya begins to wonder what kind of stories she and Iris can tell to the nekomata, “Should we do for a love story or something a little different?”

Iris puts a finger to her forehead, looking much like Sholmes whenever he was deep in thought. "I typically write mysteries, but given the time of year, perhaps a love story would be better?" As a ten year old from Victorian England, Valentine's Day wasn't something she actually celebrated, but it's purveyed much more strongly around here than it ever seemed to in London.

"I'm not very accustomed to making romance the main focus of a story. Do you know a good one it might like? Or perhaps we could come up with something together!"

“I think that we can take turns telling the love story and see where it could go from there,” Anya suggests to her.

She does have an experience in telling stories through the plays she and her siblings used to tell and being an Aspect at one point, but she wouldn’t mind taking turns with Iris in making up a love story as they go along. The more spontaneous the story is told the better, right?

“Perhaps I can go first with the premise and you can continue on from what I last left out and we can take turns until we reach the ending.”

"Yes, that sounds like fun!" Iris replies. "And maybe we could just..."

She trails off as she bends down and grabs some of the toilet paper, wrapping it more tightly around the sleeping spirit. After a few moments she straightens again. "That should hopefully keep it here while we tell the story!" Iris's interference seems to have bothered the nekomata, and it begins stirring.

“Okay, here goes nothing,” Anya takes the moment to think of a good story premise (but not too long of course) when she is able to come up with a good one to tell to the nekomata.

“Right. A long time ago, there lived a lonely prince who yearns to find love beyond the standards among the royal and noble circles he is familiar with for his entire life. Many princesses have come from far and wide to impress him and win his heart but he never seemed to have any luck in finding a bride among them. So one day he begs his parents, the king and queen, to let him travel across the kingdom to find a bride by himself.”

With a quick mental note to herself that this was not going to be a story about Sholmes, Iris continues almost immediately.

"Politics being what they were, his parents were forced to forbade his request. But the next day, his father took him aside and told him they would allow his search so long as it was done in secret, because such a public refusal of the other princesses could lead to war. On the condition that the public was never aware of his hunt, if he could prove he'd brought back his true love, no one would be able to object to the marriage."

“So without any time to waste, the prince goes to prepare himself to embark on his journey and set out to find his true love outside his kingdom without risking any possible chances of his adventures being made public. He did took all the measures to ensure that he would safely go around the world and prevent anyone who is willing to get him into so much trouble. After these preparations have been made, the time has come for him to head out to the open world and begin his quest in secret as soon as dawn arrives.”

“The king and queen claimed to the people of the land on the day of the trip’s start that the prince was going off on a long trip to explore the world and gain knowledge and experience from it as a cover so no one would try to expose its true intentions and cause so much trouble with the other kingdoms.”

"One of the preparations he had made was a disguise which was crafted by...the court's wizard." It wasn't easy for her to turn off her real world author brain, especially since disguises came up in her stories about Sholmes fairly often. "His princely handsomeness was masked into a rather average-looking, everyday commoner. This was to ensure that only his true love would fall in love with him.

"So the unrecognizable prince set off on his horse out into the kingdom. He found that even without restrictions, it was difficult to find the woman he would love. The daughters of noble families were too superficial, and the poor ladies had too much work to do to want to pay attention to such an unremarkable man for very long."

“Early on he also found out that his travels weren’t without their own fair share of struggles and obstacles,” Anya continues, “As he begins to set out on his quest to find his true love, he learned that most of the people were either too busy with work or didn’t seem to think twice to help him whenever he asks for help other than where he can stay for a few nights or where to find food, water and other supplies. He also finds being alone in the world can be tough at times as he truly misses his parents and people very much as he keeps on traveling.

“Yet the prince still persists on his quest, hoping to find someone out there who would love him for who he is inside rather than his appearance or his royal titles. For weeks he search high and low, praying that there is at least one noble maiden who would come to appreciate him and will accept him for who he is. It seems like it was almost becoming harder to find the right woman each day until one day when he stumbles upon an old modest looking cottage near a seaside village he had passed by earlier to stock up on supplies. Curious to see who could be living in this particular cottage, he knocks on the door, hoping that its resident can help him out with directions to his next destination.”

{ once upon a fairytale }

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