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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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[His first instinct is to throw up a barrier. A simple affair, even if the situation itself isn't. He taps into the pool of this world's aether equivalent that he knows is present inside his very being--]
[--and receives nothing in return.]
[This isn't new. Not entirely. He's been having trouble with his magic for a little bit, now, but at least he was always able to tap into it. Briefly, he surmises that this latest bout of absorption could have a role to play, but there isn't time to entertain thoughts and theories.]
[There's barely enough time to brace himself against the way his head cracks against the wall and stars suddenly flash across his vision. Barely enough time to try to push against Ryu, only to cry out when those claws cut into him.]
Aaagh!
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[Mortals... mortals have done this. This is one of them. It's their fault - it's their fault that he hurts so much. If he'd been summoned right then maybe he wouldn't feel like this. He's in the right - he has to be.]
[His head tilts and a low growl escapes him. There's nothing but burning red and blue where his eyes should be. Whatever sense he might have had is gone right now, lost in the animal instinct to feed and retaliate against an enemy.]
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[Stars. Stars again. This time they explode as another one of Ryu's blows connect. Instinct managed to kick in so that Joshua turns his head appropriately to mitigate damage, but he can still hear the rip of a claw catching hair and skin both. He clenches his jaw, but he can't hold back the pained grunt that seems to tense his whole body.]
[He wants to call out to Clive, but he knows he won't receive an answer.]
[Somehow, the answer he got from this adoptive brother, delivered with blood seeping down Joshua's face and a gaping wound now staining his tunic, hurts less than that fact.]
[He calls out again to the Phoenix, instead. Ever-present, despite their now tenuous connection mired by a dark fog. With the present danger quite literally staring him down and ice cold pressure ensuring that to take a breath proved more of a struggle than it already was, it crawls its way to the forefront of Joshua's psyche where the two can work together as one. As they always have.]
[Joshua's eyes flash blue, sclera darkening as fiery feathers wrap their way around him. Slowly.]
[It'll have to do.]
[He grabs Ryu's hand, trying to lift him away, magicks needing yet another moment to manifest.]
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[But there's no recognition. It's as if Ryu has fallen into a deep slumber and all that's left is a raging being capable of destruction. He tenses for a moment as if preparing for a larger attack - thankfully it doesn't seem to have much access to Ryu's skills and spells for the moment.]
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[He didn't have much strength left in him to begin with, and now with both his wounds and the Phoenix's power sapping away his energy, Joshua knows this won't be a long fight.]
[Either Ryu wakes up...]
[...or Joshua dies.]
[Whether he manages to knock Ryu to the ground or not, his plea is still the same.]
I know you're in there! You are no monster!
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Josh... ua...
[His voice is hoarse and garbled, as if he's talking around a mouthful of marbles. His body twitches and he raises a hand towards the other's face.]
Help... me...
[His hand trembles and drops to the ground, his eyes sliding closed. The energy around him starts to fade, but there's still a thin haze hovering around him, especially around his chest.]
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[Neither Fate nor the stubbornness of a Rosfield will allow it.]
I'm here. Hold on, Ryu.
[Brotherly instinct drives him to place a hand on the dragon's forehead with what he hopes is a comforting warmth.]
[Then, Joshua surveys the nostilium. Where it's centered. How it travels. Obvious as the paths are, he has to make sure to get it right. Dear family hangs in the balance.]
[Semi-primed, he should be able to handle the magnitude of absorption it will take to pull Ryu free. Should. Regardless of how uncertain he may feel, he still has to try, and this chance may be his only.]
[Holding a hand over Ryu's chest, Joshua concentrates. He concentrates and opens himself to the dark energy, willing it to join with the storm already brewing inside of him. It hurts--as it always does--but so does everything else. The burning of his physical injuries counteracts the ice-cold of the nostilium.]
[In the back of his mind, there's a delighted hiss that cuts through his and Phoenix's slowly deteriorating harmony.]
Open your eyes. Fight. You can do it.
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[He feels too weak, but he grabs onto Joshua's arm.]
You're... hurting yourself...
[He can feel it pulling away, unwrapping from the half-soul he has. There's more space there for something to get in because something is supposed to be there. The dark to his light. The cold to his heat. It feels like it's trying to get its clutches into his body and stay there, but the light is dragging it out.]
Don't - don't do this...
[Tears form in his eyes as he looks up blearily at his brother. His head throbs in pain and his whole body feels weaker and weaker. He's not sure what to do, but he tries to pull some of the energy away from Joshua again.]
You held... your own world's darkness. Don't... don't take mine on, too...
[His breathing is slow and labored, each inhale sending a sharp spike of pain through his body. Everything hurts... everything's so cold...]
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[He pauses.]
[What would Clive do?]
[...He would take on the burden all on his own. Just as Joshua confronted him over back home. He always held his brother in high esteem, despite those flaws, even going as far as to blind himself to them so that he could continue to nearly worship the paragon he's made of the elder Rosfield.]
[But he isn't his brother. Joshua has his own path to tread. His own mistakes to make and learn from.]
[He holds the energy in place, ready to take it on once again for both Ryu's sake and the sake of neutralizing this shard, but effectively pausing its flow so that the younger of the two of them can make his choice.]
[Joshua won't be able to hold it for long. His body is already broken, and once the Phoenix's power withdraws, he'll have to contend with wounds allowed to bleed once more.]
[So he injects as much authority as he can into his voice, reverberating with the strength of his Eikon.]
...If you wish that I relent, then show you can fight it.
Prove to me you will not give in, Ryu.
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[He lets out a cry, pushing away from Joshua. In a blink his form is gone, replaced by a large creature that pushes up against the ceiling of the space. It stares Joshua down, its presence enough that it probably feels... not too dissimilar to an eikon. It tilts its head and huffs.]
[Is this proof enough?]
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[Dragons... Joshua thinks to himself wryly, but with warmth and pride towards this dragon in particular, Always so dramatic.]
[He smiles, tired. Worn. Fading.]
If that is your answer, then I yield.
[True to his word, he relinquishes his hold on the nostilium. Slowly, lest he overwhelm his brother, regardless of the form he takes.]
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Thankfully not as much as Dion, but then again Joshua hasn't met Fou-Lu.][The dragon seems to shudder as it absorbs the energy, its skin lightening by a few shades. He'll have to figure out why that is when he's more able to contain himself. But in this form the energy only serves to bolster him, and there's a slowly growing pressure that builds and builds as he's fed more energy until -]
[He turns and blasts the wall with a huge beam of energy, sending stone crumbling and boring a hole that goes straight out of the building and bores at an angle deep into the earth. It's fine, it's not like this place is staying. Probably.]
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DRAGONS, MAN...][Joshua watches the impressive display. He knows Ryu will fight. He knows Ryu won't allow that darkness to win.]
[Phoenix's power sputters as Joshua's fatigue spikes. His feathers recede, and the fiery glow dissipates. He coughs and it paints the ground red.]
[Still, he manages to lift his head so he continue to keep tabs on this dragon who's grown so much in their time together.]
You can do it...! Finish it off, Ryu.
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[Joshua, who only wants good things for him.]
[The energy starts to fade, and while it doesn't feel good he's able to keep himself steady. He coughs a little bit at the cold feeling in his chest, but it's... he's fine. The place around them is as silent as a tomb once again, and Ryu takes in a few deep breaths.]
Josh... ua? Joshua... I'm sorry...
[Tears brim in his eyes as he searches for things in his bag. He's still got... there!]
[The herb he shoves into Joshua's hand is wilted, but it should still work...]
H - here. It'll help... it'll help you heal...
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[Then, Joshua chuckles softly--mistake, those gashes burn even more because of it--before he chews it with a grimace.]
I... absolutely abhor vegetables.
[This is what you should be apologizing for, Ryu. Not cutting him open, but for feeding him something green.]
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I'm... I'm sorry. I just - it was the first thing I could think of. I... I don't think I have enough magic to heal you right now.
... We should... we should get you somewhere where you can heal.
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[The herb does its job. Joshua is far from any shape to do anything more than hobble, if that, but much to his morbid surprise, he won't be dying today.]
[He glances at Ryu with a shaky smile flooded with respect.]
[Is this what Clive feels like? he wonders. His heart hurts to think about his brother, here so briefly and gone so sudden, but Ryu was right all those days ago. He still has family. Brothers made not through blood, but self-built bonds.]
You did well.
I'm--[he coughs again] ...I'm proud of you.
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[He looks away, face starting to burn a little bit.]
I'm just glad you're alive.
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I’ve had worse.
[He'll leave out the part about how Ryu isn’t the first brother to tear his body up.]
You overcame it in the end. That is enough.
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[He sighs, but he's probably right.]
... I'm just glad you're safe. C... come on.
[He starts limping towards the exit. It's... it's fine.]
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[Joshua takes the gentle chiding in stride--limp, more like--as he joins Ryu. He wraps an around his ow middle to brace against his injuries, placing the other around the dragon's shoulders.]
We both will be once we've cleared these walls.
Then to a pod with you.
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All right, all right.
[He'll do what needs to be done. He's done enough of that over the past year...]
You too, though. You took in a lot here and in your own world's piece.
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I... may need the clinic this time.
[Which he also follows with:]
For more than my injuries. Do not chastise yourself.
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[He isn't going to fight Joshua on this - he probably does need it for the injuries. The other... he'll ask about later.]
I'll get you there. We'll be okay.
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[He gently bumps Ryu, both playfully and to help move them along.]
Because you won't allow otherwise.