songerein | { mirror mirror }

MIRROR MIRROR

With the sleepwalking curse over, everyone will have some time to rest and recuperate—until Jack Frost comes barging in with news of a clue on how to help his beloved Ice Queen who still remains asleep. The clue was the mirror shard that was in her chest, and there are theories that it may have been a fragment of a much stronger, powerful mirror she had been given some time ago. Problem is, he can't find it nor can he remember who gave it to her. He does, however, have a magic incantation that will allow people to enter mirrors and hopefully find a trace. Unfortunately, this horrendously backfires and we have mirror chaos instead. Dammit, Jack.

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

I. REVEREIN

II. MIRROR WORLD

COMMENTS

I. REVEREIN

It all begins in Reverein, where there's a strange shift in the air upon Jack's attempt to cast the spell. But instead of affecting just one mirror, it reflects off the surface and spreads out to the entire town, hitting every reflective surface instead. Ripples can be seen before the surfaces still, but it's too late. Every reflective surface—glass, mirror, window—is under a different effect because of the botched spell.

And some are being unwittingly pulled into them.

Fortunately It is possible to communicate and even watch people from the other side of the mirror, but it's only through certain mirrors and at certain times. It also will be temporary, so while one mirror might work one time, it may not work again.

A. Strange Reflections. While some mirrors may still reflect proper images, many will have…unusual changes.

🪞 You are what you see. Whether it's an odd hairstyle, change in skin color, or style of clothing in the reflection, suddenly the viewer will look exactly like what's reflected. The most extreme is a different form entirely.
🏡 Glimpses of home. Everyone will have a rare glimpse of their home world, and these can be instances from the past, present, or even a limited future. They are just reflections and cannot be interacted with, and future reflections may be blurry to prevent the person from seeing too much. For those who have memory issues, such visions will also be blurry, but perhaps they can help stir some things…
🔮 Most desired. Mirrors that have a bit of a pink hue to them will reflect the viewer's most desired "thing." It could be an object, person, place, or even a general idea. However, if not careful the viewer may become trapped in a trance and will need to be removed or smash the mirror.

B. Clone Wars. Mirrors that do not show any kind of reflection are to be quickly taken away and covered as it will begin to create duplicates in Reverein of what is reflected within it. Yes, even people, and they will be very obviously fake: wrong colors, different voices, odd behavior, etc. and will usually be harmless. These "clones" will continue to appear and multiply until the mirror has been covered, and will need to either be destroyed or captured and shoved into the mirror, where it will lose its "no reflection" status and become a proper mirror again…only for them to appear on the other side in Mirror World.

C. Mirrorsnatched. A mirror with a black rim has the chance of absorbing a significant personality trait or memory of the one looking into it, and when this happens, the person will walk away feeling very muddle-headed and off. The mirror will "keep" this part of the person and someone from the Mirror World side must find their essence and "shove" it back out onto any mirror surface so that the original owner can break the mirror and retrieve it. The downside of this method is that breaking a mirror means one less mirror those on the Mirror side can use, so they need to choose carefully.

D. The Unknown. Appearing in both the Mirror World and Reverein will be a strange mirror masked, black cloaked figure called "The Unknown." It traverses through the mirrors and through the walls, seeking those with happy reflections and will try to corrupt them with nightmares. People on both sides of the mirrors will be able to confront and try to stop the Unknown, though beware its chocolate attacks.

II. MIRROR WORLD

Everything in this "Mirror World" is, in a word, chaotic. Imagine an AI-generated monstrosity based off of Picasso, Escher, and Dr. Seuss, where everything seems to be upside down, backwards, colors everywhere and nowhere, and everything feels so fragmented that one step feels like walking towards the edge of a cliff. In a way it's nightmarish in an unusual sense, and those inside can feel that touch of "madness" that seeps through the cold air.

Beware the strange creatures in the Mirror World. They are grotesque monstrosities, many of them looking as if they were stitched together from different parts. Fortunately they are susceptible to weapons and dreamotion and those inside the Mirror World will find they are able to use different abilities, especially those with reflective properties.

A. Fragment of their old self. In order to get out of the Mirror World, those inside will need to catch a small fragment of themselves that has escaped and is running around. This fragment is actually a piece of their old self prior to arriving in Songerein. For some, this self may not be so different, but for long-time residents, they may seem a lot more different. To make things more interesting, this self can be from any point of the character's past. It just has to be a version of the character from before entering Songerein. This version will also appear "homesick" and "want" to return to their original home, regardless if the character actually feels that way. Thus the fragment will seek out mirrors that will reflect anything of their home world. Shattering these mirrors will weaken the fragment until it can be caught. But that's only half the challenge. If the fragment is injured, the original will also feel the damage but to a lesser degree. If the fragment is destroyed, then the original will be "knocked out" for a few seconds before a new fragment appears. However, this fragment will be much more distorted and worse than the one before.

B. Distorted Memories. At random points while traversing, characters may come across strange pockets of the world that they will feel drawn to. Following said instinct will lead them to a shifted landscape that will reflect images of home from different points in time (past, present, maybe even future) as if they've just walked right into it, but just like everything else, they are distorted. The changes can be as subtle as the wrong color of clothes, having too many limbs, to something major like the sky now being the ground. The only way out will either be destroying the anomalies or correcting them, and they will be rewarded with a mirror shard that will aid in their escape.

C. Warped Sense of Self. The longer a person stays within the Mirror World, the less "coherent" they will feel, and sometimes sound. Their memories will slowly become more disjointed, their personality feeling a bit "off", and they may even forget who they are or where they are from. Even their physical selves will start to twist and change, starting with something subtle (e.g. eye color) and then growing more drastic as time goes on (where did those extra fingers come from? Or why are they suddenly much shorter?) Finding those reflections of home will help with these anomalies, but those weak of heart be warned: the distortions may only exacerbate the issue and make them believe that they are the truth instead. Help anyone who might be caught in fixing these so that they can recover.

D. Finding an exit. To leave the world, those inside must find a mirror that will connect back to Reverein, and those on the other side can also try to help by posing as "anchors" for those inside to recognize. Otherwise, there are many mirrors in the Mirror World that will lead to different places within Songerein—presumably. However, perhaps due to the magic or needing something else, they will be unable to pass through any mirrors that are not connected to Reverein. This is where players have the fun opportunity to make up whatever kind of location or place the characters may see reflected on the mirrors. They could be existing locations in the game, or new ones that could be explored in the future. One unique place we can mention will be reflections of a city covered in night.

Only upon finding a mirror that leads back to Reverein, but they will also need help from the outside. Someone from within Reverein must also be there to physically reach in and pull them out—while hopefully not accidentally be pulled in themselves.

I. REVEREIN

II. MIRROR WORLD

COMMENTS

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He takes the treats and offers one to the puppy, who gnaws on it for a moment and then nudges it out of the way. Too sleepy!]

I don't... know if I'll take them home. I don't know how to take care of animals that aren't... mounts of some kind.

[Or really anything that isn't a whelk.]

Or I haven't had a chance to, at least.

[Hmmm.]

It would be better if you only started with one if you did regardless, however... If you really are interested, you could come to the café and learn. You at least have been around animals so that's a better start than most who adopt pets.

Oh! That's a really good idea. ... I've been helping my friend Joshua with his chocobo chick, too. But he's... more like a horse or a whelk than a dog or a cat.

[Speaking of dogs, the one in his arms yawns and closes its eyes. Sleepy time...]

[The pup in his arms was whining for a little bit, but with the treat and Eustace quietly and calmly petting it, it's found some security in the erune's arms and sits while watching, not quite ready for sleep!]

Joshua has a chocobo chick?

[...Hm.]

The only real difference is that smaller animals like these need a bit more personal care. Regular baths, worm and flea treatments, prepare their meals. But every animal is different, too. Some may prefer being next to you, others may need more vigorous exercise and play.

I see. Alder seems to want to follow people around, but the whelk I rode didn't really like people in general. But most of the 'animals' I've met have been monsters, not... pets. ... I kind of wish I could keep some of them, but I don't think they'd be happy with people.

[Anyway.]

But this little one seems to just want comfort. Which I'm happy to give him, as much as I can.

[Mon...sters. Well he supposes that's...possible, but Ryu, no—

He watches him for a moment.]

There's also the concept of "fostering" pets. This means you help look after a pet in your home until they can be properly adopted.

I... oh! And then I could help a lot of them, right?

[Please say yes, Eustace. He wants to help all the babies!]

[A wry grin.]

Yes, so long as you're responsible about it.

And you'll show me how, right?

[He needs tutoring, okay?]

Of course. It's why I think if you come by the café you'll be able to get some better experience. With the increase in animals, we could use the extra hands, too.

I'll have to do that! ... I'm usually just wandering around during the day. I don't... really have a job...

[Does he need one?]

[...Ah.]

With the way this world works, having a job is more for one's personal interest than a necessity.

[Bartering, able to find resources on one's own—it's really more like a rural country town where everyone just helps each other out than seeking corporate profits, so it's more relaxing in that regard.]

That's true. I know some people have jobs and they like them but I've... mostly just done odd jobs and monster killing for money and things to barter. Even in the world I came from.

[The puppy yawns, snuggling into him. Ryu smiles down at it.]

I like it here. It's a good place with good people.

[A small nod in understanding.]

I was the same. It's only because of Tifa I have more of a "steady job" now. [A soft breath of laughter as he scratches the ears of the pup in his arms.] But I still take on the odd jobs, particularly hunting.

You should do what you feel comfortable with, especially since it is easier to make do here.

When the weather gets a little warmer I'm going to start fishing again. People seemed to be willing to trade fish for goods, and I like fishing a lot.

[Maybe if he got a cat he could feed it from what he catches...]

That's not a bad idea. Been awhile since I've been fishing myself.

The river has a lot of different fish that I haven't seen before. And the ones that I've found don't... have the same healing or combat abilities as the ones I'm used to. But they're still tasty!

Just avoid the singing ones...

The singing ones? Why?

Noisy and annoying.

[SHOULD BE ENOUGH RIGHT—]

They're not dangerous or anything, but they'll sing about anything about you.

Oh. ... Why do they do that? And what if there's not much about you?

[He's just a baby -]

It's just how they are and they'll find something.

{ mirror mirror }

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