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songerein2024-06-15 02:52 am
dreamposts) wrote in songerein2024-06-15 02:52 am
Entry tags:
- !event,
- -tdm,
- anastasia romanova,
- barok van zieks,
- black raisin cookie,
- cid highwind,
- eustace,
- ferran gallagher,
- flowey,
- frisk,
- gabriel agreste,
- gina lestrade,
- helga pataki,
- hermes,
- iris wilson,
- isabela madrigal,
- joshua rosfield,
- kratos aurion,
- link (oot),
- maedhros,
- mammon,
- martel yggdrasill,
- naoya,
- portgas d. ace,
- rachel berenson,
- rufus shinra,
- ryu,
- satan,
- sheik (zelda),
- tifa lockhart,
- tobias,
- zelda (botw)
{ nightmare bleed: world fragments }
NIGHTMARE BLEED: WORLD FRAGMENTS
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 June and will remain in Songerein from the IC date of June 14th. TDM only characters can only thread within this log. Anyone who apps in and is accepted will have their character count June 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 June 24th and Applications will open on July 1st. Our application cycles are bi-monthly so the next cycle after won't be until September.
We will request any thread submissions for certain prompts during AC and TDM threads will count. For more information, refer to the Game Notes.
I. CORRUPTION
It all begins when there is a call for help by the local tapirs. Ever since the final battle against the Story Eater last summer, some tapirs that over indulged themselves on the nostilium never recovered and in fact disappeared somewhere. It turns out they drifted to other worlds, and while they were able to do so already, the amount of nostilium has affected the tethers connecting worlds to Songerein and the dream realm as a whole, causing something of a "nightmare feedback." More dangerously, these tapirs are insatiable, seeking nightmares to feed on and are deliberately corrupting dreams to turn into nightmares.
This nightmare feedback through the tethers means while the original worlds are not seeing much of an effect—yet—Songerein and the rest of the dream realm is. Bits and pieces of these worlds are appearing in Songerein and need to be sealed before it's too late.
A. Safe Place. While most of Songerein is covered with patches of different worlds bleeding in, there is one place that's managed to escape: Dragefjell, the floating island home to the dragons. The massive dreamcatcher found within the strange castle that had been discovered last year immediately released a bright, white light and created a powerful barrier protecting it from the nostilium spreading throughout the world. Along with support from the dragons' own magic, they are quick to offer aid to those suffering below, flying down to grab anyone they could to bring them back to the island.
🩹 Medical aid. Those who suffer any physical injuries will be treated both through traditional and magical means. There are many dragons who specialize in healing magic that will be able to provide greater healing, but they are reserving these abilities for those grievously injured.
♨️ Purifying Springs. The hot springs are available to help purify those who have been affected by nostilium. Although not as strong as the pods, it still helps those who are on the "low" to "medium" scale. Some are even bottling the water so that it can be converted into some kind of spray to try and help purify areas affected.
🐉 Dragon Transport. After the initial flurry of rescues, more efficient means to transport larger groups are constructed. Gondolas carried by the dragons are made and volunteers can assist in finding and bringing people on board. Assistance is also request to help protect the dragons as the days pass so that they do not succumb to the growing effects of nostilium.
B. Corrupted Tapirs: These tapirs have changed entirely, the excess nostilium turning them into unrecognizable shadowy figures that will take on the form of one's worst nightmare to try and instigate more fear and terror. They continue to seek out nostilium out of anyone, sleeping or awake, and will appear outside of dreams to do just that.
🕊️ Purification. Many will try to purify the tapirs, but they must be subdued first. Once the corrupted tapir is down, pure dreamotion can be channeled into them to try and purify the effects of the nostilium. Other methods that have been discovered can also be used to try and reduce the corruption.
🛏️ Orkili Pods. The Orkilins will have brought their purification pods from the city to try and help purify not only anyone who has succumbed to the rampant nostilium, but also for the tapirs. If they can be subdued enough, they can be tossed into the pod to try and help purify them. However, if they still have too much the pod will overload and break.
💀 Eradication. Some tapirs are so far gone there is no saving them. They must be completely destroyed by using any offensive attack type dreamotion possible. Special "bombs" constructed from pure dreamotion can be made and used against them. Although extreme, it may be kinder to put them out of their misery, and those that are destroyed will whisper words of gratitude before disappearing…
C. Nightmare Battles. With both worlds bleeding into Songerein and the spike of nostilium spreading everywhere, noctaere and other nightmarish creatures from these bleeds are running rampant. They are aggressive with two different types. One type will just feed on pure destruction and will try to attack and destroy anything in its way. The other will try to invoke more fear and nightmares so they can feed off the nostilium and grow stronger that way. They need to be handled regardless and dreamotion is key.
🌚 Noctaere. Rather than be killed, those who overwhelmed by these creatures will be corrupted and turn into noctaere themselves. How weak or powerful the corruption is will be up to players. Note: It is possible to save the effects for next month for our second part, or even have the effects last into the next month. Anyone who turns into a noctaere and continues into July willy (hopefully) be saved in July.
👤 Slenderman. He's baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack. And he is angrier than ever. Like before, the Slenderman will prove to be a formidable foe, utilizing itsnoodletendril like appendages to trap and capture anyone who has the misfortune to cross its path. Those who are caught will remain trapped inside it in a dark abyss-like cage but can be rescued by those who are able to simply make any cuts to reveal the person inside. Those within can try to escape using dreamotion, but the longer they are captive, the weaker they become as their energy is drained.
👥 The Unknown. The Unknown from the Mirror World has returned, but for some strange reason it is trying to capture noctaere and nightmares in a grotesque, black mirror. However, those who are captured will find themselves in a strange place where all the nostilium is extracted to create a "nightmare version" of themselves. They are then pulled back out of the mirror and returned to normal free of most of the nostilium that once afflicted them, and after the Unknown stares at them it will disappear for its next target. While some may think it is helping, those who actually go through the experience are left feeling strange and wary. After all…what will happen to that nightmare copy that was created? Should people help the Unknown? Or stop it?
D. World Fragments. Technically any canon could be found somewhere in Songerein, especially since the NPCs that live in Reverein are also from different worlds, but in Reverein and surrounding areas specifically, it will be mainly current canons represented in game and any guest character canons participating in the event. While players can create specific toplevels, we also request small blurbs to be added to our Canon World Fragments directory thread so that other players can reference and include them in their own threads. There is the option to include a link to your toplevel as well. For those who need a refresher on how this portion works:
🌎 World Fragment. A fragment of their world will appear somewhere around Reverein. It's most likely in the town, but it could be out in the Wildlands. The fragments will be no bigger than a 2-block square. These fragments can be a specific place or a mashed up amalgamation of places to represent that world, and it can include nightmare versions of people and creatures. While they mostly stay within the fragment area, some may escape to add to the havoc and chaos.
🧎 Conductor. To seal world fragment and contain its spread, natives from that world can serve as "conductors" and absorb the nostilium in the area into themselves. This does mean they run the risk of turning noctaere, but they can be assisted by others to help keep them purified. They also have the risk of falling into a coma-like sleep while still absorbing the nostilium.
🫙 Nostilium Absorbers. The Orkilins will deploy numerous containment devices to help try and absorb nostilium so that it's not just the individual. These devices can work directly on the fragment area or on the conductor to try and help keep them stable. However, these are not strong enough to work on their own and will need to be constantly changed out, especially if they are damaged.
📚 Fairytale Fragments. Because Songerein had such deep ties to the fairy tale realm, it is not surprising that there are nightmare fragments of fairy tales scattered among the different worlds. These bleeds will be as if someone took inspiration from the Grimm brothers and then made it more goth horror. Any fairytale, myth, legend, folklore, and story can be stumbled upon and will need to be purified like any other place. Some may even encounter the original heroes or villains of the story trying to serve as conductors to seal the fragment.
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[Opening his eyes takes far too much effort. When he finally manages, his vision is blurred, but he's able to make enough sense of it to see Ryu laying at his feet. He moves to stand to his feet, but the sudden coughs that wrack his body and leave the taste of copper in his mouth and on his lips force him back down.]
[But he has a job to do. He has to be the big brother. He has to make sure Ryu is okay. He has to make sure he knows there is nothing to apologize for.]
[If he had more presence of mind, he'd realize the incredible level of projection he's showcasing. As matters stand, he's barely able to process maneuvering himself off his throne. He manages eventually. Somehow. He lands on his hands and knees and crawls over to Ryu's prone form. His body refuses to listen to more than the very basic of commands, but he makes it through enough where he can place a hand on Ryu's chilly forehead.]
Don't you... dare apologize...
[Joshua coughs again, staining his chin and the nook of his sleeve scarlet. The nostilium's damage is done, and there's no amount of healing that will change that. Only purification.]
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If I had... maybe you wouldn't... hurt so much...
[It's his job to take care of those he cares for - especially the ones who he's singled out to protect. But he can't deny the warmth is nice - he snuggles in closer and wraps his arms around Joshua.]
[If they're both cold, then they can warm up by being together.]
You need help. I... let's get you out of here. Someone - someone will know what to do. How to fix this.
[He tries to struggle to his feet but he can barely lift his body. He's not used to dealing with nostilium, and the excess amount in his system is already doing its damage. His hair is a shade lighter than usual, but he hasn't noticed.]
Maybe... maybe after we rest...
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[Joshua does his best to remain upright. He drags Ryu along, careful not to jostle his adoptive brother too much, so that the demigod's grasp isn't broken. Eventually, he's able to sit up against the front of the throne, where he can lean his head back so it can rest against its seat. Like he'd done sometimes as a child, glancing up at his father.]
[How he wishes for his father's guidance now. To hear his voice. To absorb any and all advice left unsaid. He had painfully little time with the great Elwin Rosfield, brutally slain because Joshua couldn't follow a simple command to flee.]
[Joshua's shoulders begin to quake as he fights back tears. The cough that erupts instead, although not welcome, proves as good a cover as any. The last thing he wants to do is worry Ryu further. He wipes at his mouth with his free arm so he doesn't accidentally smear his ailing friend with blood.]
You should be seen first. I'm used to the exposure. You aren't.
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Only if you promise you'll get looked at.
[He tilts his head slightly and looks up with bleary eyes. He's so tired... but he has to keep going.]
Tell me... what this place is? Was this... was this your home? ... If you don't want to though, I... understand.
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[Another lance strikes his heart. This time, it isn't the work of nostilium, but thoughts of his brother.]
[He gives Ryu a quick squeeze, noting the color of his hair. Odd. He can only assume it's a side effect, and he'll treat it as such: by saying everything and anything necessary to make sure Ryu gets the help he needs.]
[Thankfully, it doesn't have to be with any lies.]
I promise. Neither of us are in any state to fight, therefore we haven't a choice.
[That was meant to be lighthearted, but what was supposed to be a gentle chuckle turns into another cough. Sickly and frail while sitting in the castle, unable to go outside.]
[It's the worst kind of nostalgia, although it gives him a starting point to answer Ryu's question.]
This is the Throne Room in Rosalith Castle. I lived here until I was ten. Until aught went awry.
[Joshua weakly lifts his free arm so it can point at one of the splendrous red and white banners hanging from a wall.]
That is the symbol of my country, Rosaria. And this...
[He lowers his arm and bends it so that it touches the massive, but minimalistic, chair they're leaning against.]
...this is my father's throne. The one I was meant to ascend to.
no subject
I... I see. I thought it might be something like that... it looked a little like the castle in Wyndia.
[Where Cray was held. Where he was blamed for so many things - things he realizes now were put on him to prevent others from taking blame. But he can't let those bad experiences taint what he sees from his brother.]
You would have been good at it. ... You're kind and reasonable. Not always something seen in a leader -
[He breaks off into a hacking cough, covering his face with his arm. It's - it's fine. One or two drops of blood are a small price to pay.]
Mm. ... If only our lives were so simple. So... normal. ... Sometimes I wonder what it would be like. To be a normal person, I mean. ... But I like having the power to help people, so it's a tough choice... and I am what I am.
We can't let... the bad things in the past break us. It's not a matter of strength or resolve... it's more like... accepting things. Even... if we don't like them.
[He lets out a long sigh - they're nice words, but hard to live up to. Even he has regrets...]
I'm... sorry, Joshua. For all that you've lost. You deserved a happier life.
no subject
[Joshua briefly tries to call upon his healing magic to provide some of the same relief Ryu brought prior, but the Phoenix cannot fully heed his call. He can still feel its presence, and thus does not panic, but to know it's been weakened so thoroughly is cause for concern. The great Firebird is his primary defense against the effects of nostilium. Without it...]
[He swallows. No. He will not turn. Not now. Not when so many rely on him, one of the most important laying wounded against his torso.]
[Ryu's words call for his attention, so he provides it, marked by a thoughtful hum that breaks into a wry huff.]
There is naught that I deserve, Ryu.
Rather, I cannot allow myself to see my life in such a way. As you've said, this is the hand I have been dealt. The hand you have been dealt.
[Joshua pauses for a couple of seconds so he can breathe. Speaking shouldn't cause him so much fatigue, but here they are. He clears his throat and hopes the smell of blood doesn't escape his breath.]
We bring good with what we have. Normalcy may escape us, peace may as well, but we can find happiness in what we accomplish with the tools at our disposal. Acceptance is one such tool.
[Yet here he is, able to accept everything about his life except the newest loss of his family and friends. That wound is fresh and keeps reopening. Sitting against the throne in the beautiful castle which he called home is but another dagger, brought by the knowledge that despite what the scenery may say, he will not his his brother's voice calling for him from the nearby halls.]
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Yes, true. ... But we don't need to accept being hurt. And I think... I think right now we should both get treatment.
[His chest feels awful - he feels like he needs to cough again but he's not sure it's a good idea.]
I know we're both tired... but we can't help anyone if we don't help ourselves...
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[This piece of his world seems to have stabilized, at least for now. Briefly, Joshua wonders if it will remain a permanent fixture. Then, he wonders if he would even want it to. A reminder of his home that, when Jill first arrived, he'd vehemently said he wanted to wait to return to (at least for his dream self). Now that he's regained and lost his connections to it, he wonders if it would be better to never have another reminder again.]
[So he peels away from his father's throne (as much as it hurts his heart to do so), holding Ryu's weight as he does so they're both sitting upright on their own.]
We'll rise to our feet together. On three.
One, two...
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Slowly, now. This isn't... this isn't something we can rush. Even if it hurts.
[In many senses of the word... but he's got to try to help.]
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[A wry chuff at the rhymes of history, however personal.]
I know, Ryu. Slow. Steady.
[Joshua says it gently. He's never told Ryu about how deep his sickness ran back home. About how stumbling from one point to another is rote to him, even after months of its dormant necessity.]
[At least this time he's in a position where he can lift some of the (literal) weight. Joshua bolsters Ryu against his heaving torso and presses onward.]
Sometimes a song helps. To keep the rhythm of one's steps.
[He pauses as one of those brilliant scarlet banners flaps overhead. Will I ever see it again? he wonders. He can always request one, he knows, but he would have to live through this latest trial for it to come to fruition--and he's found himself in further doubt about such things.]
Have I... ever taught you... the Rosarian anthem?
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I don't... know all that many songs... just a few fishing tunes and... a couple of folk songs.
[He's never really examined why - it's just not something that's ever occurred to him to look into. Another aspect of a normal person's life that he never even considered...]
I'd hear people... playing in the marketplaces sometimes... but not really... listened to it. And I don't think I know... what a national anthem is...
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[All the better to provide a distraction.]
[Joshua readjust his grip so that he can hold more of Ryu's weight. Satisfied that neither of them are going to collapse, he takes a step forward, takes as deep a breath as his taxed lungs will allow, and begins to softly sing, footfalls following in tandem.]
Follow me, boy, o'er the rolling green meadows...
[Step.]
Follow the flames and arise from the shadows...
[Another step, faulty this time, but he stays the path.]
Hear... the Rosarian voices... outring,
[But this version of Rosaria is empty. Joshua's people and family are gone. He is the only one left.]
[The thought hits hard, and he can't help the hitches in his breath, but he keeps going. Ryu needs him to.]
F-Fanned by the firebird's life-giving wings!
[He tries to hold back his tears, but their ferocious tenacity makes it impossible. It doesn't matter. Onwards, and another step.]
Oh, on the wind borne...
[Step. They're well out of the castle now.]
O'er the great... land of Storm.
[There's more to the ducal anthem, and Joshua wants little more than to see it to completion, but another wet cough makes it difficult. He has to pick carrying no small part of Ryu's weight and continuing with he lyrics.]
[He chooses the more important of the two. Ryu's safe departure from this fragment means far more.]
no subject
[When he starts coughing he gives Joshua a gentle squeeze. It's okay, he's here.]
Th... thank you. You're... you can tell me the rest later. One of the songs I know...
A swarm of bees in May is worth a load of hay... a-a swarm of bees in June i-is worth a silver spoon...
[He shakes a little bit but keeps his feet moving. He has to, for both of their sakes.]
A swarm of bees in July i-is not worth a fly.
[It's less a song and more of a nursery rhyme, but it's enough to keep him going at a slightly faster pace.]
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[They've made it decently far into the castle gardens. Enough where the nostilium is no longer a threat.]
[Joshua stops and lowers them both into the flowers.]
A moment to catch our bearings. Then we continue forthwith.
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We're okay. We're going to be okay. I... I promise you. We're going to make it.
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[He may have had them before, but when surrounded by the scent of the castle's flowers with a chance to bask in the pleasant Rosarian weather of his youth, it's hard to feel anything but hopeful. He closes his eyes and breathes in deep, fighting the edge of a cough.]
Thank you, Ryu.