{ worldhopping }

[dreamposts]

WORLD HOPPING

Nostilium and noctaere have spread to other worlds, and while the "waking" side of the worlds are so far safe, their dream realms are slowly deteriorating and will eventually affect everyone through their dreams. As the only ones aware of this danger, dreamwalkers from Songerein must traverse through the different realms to these other worlds, joining others who have similar dreamwalking abilities of their own—as well as the other local people who have stumbled into their world's dream realm while asleep. And within these dream realms, the tethers that connect all these worlds to the dream world are visible and in danger of breaking.

It's all hands on deck to prevent a catastrophic disaster!

More details on everything can be found here. Because we are in endgame, all events are open to anyone outside the game! Feel free to tag in or start new threads as we march on towards the end!

I. WORLDSCAPES

II. THE VOID

COMMENTS

I. WORLDSCAPES

Nightmare crystals are scattered throughout the worldscapes and need to be destroyed. If left unchecked, these crystals will transform into vicious noctaere that will wreak havoc on the dreams of everyone in that world. Already some will have "hatched" into powerful noctaere. The tapirs of Songerein and the two dream goddesses, Sylvani and Nitiri, are preparing for their own countermeasures to help clean up this mess, but they need time, so it's up to everyone to deal with these crystals. Just be careful that the nightmare crystal doesn't take over the dreamer instead…

A. Worldscapes. Most dream realms of other worlds will be a mirror image of their waking world counterparts. However, there could be distortions that make them appear completely different, particularly worlds that have suffered more damage through the invading nostilium and nightmares afflicting them. As people enter these worlds, they will find themselves adapting to the setting of the world in either small or major ways. It could be as simple as a wardrobe change or a full transformation of some kind. While other canon worlds will be the highlight, all other worlds are available, so we have included some general genres that players can also use. These are a very basic baseline, so be as creative as you wish!

🌎 Canon worlds. Worlds based off of any canon world. Whatever setting and canon mechanics will apply. Players will need to write up a brief blurb in their toplevels if they wish to "open" their canon world for others to come to!
🧙‍♂️ Fantasy. Are there dragons, monsters, castles, magic, and medieval wars waging in this world? Will the inhabitants be able to understand what is going on or will they be too lost and confused to properly help?
🌌 Sci-fi. In worlds where advanced technology and "alien" lifeforms exist, the dream realms here may seem too futuristic for some and exciting for others. But perhaps such advancements may be useful when dealing with the crystals and noctaere.
🕵️‍♂️ Mystery. From needing to solve puzzles, to murders and crimes, or even some other unsolved situation, these worlds seem to be less "expansive" and can be isolated to a specific location, such as a house, the woods, or even a train.
🧭 Adventure. Venturing through temples, abandoned buildings, and finding some treasure or artifact will be some of the major themes here. Given the broad nature of this genre, it can cross over with some of the others.
🧟‍♂️ Horror. One might think the nostilium wouldn't affect worlds of this nature too much, but there is such a thing as too much of a bad thing. It will also make it more difficult to find the nightmare crystals as well as mistake natives for noctaere, so be careful.
🦸‍♂️ Superhero. Welcome to the world of comic book superheroes, where the world not only looks as if it is a comic book itself, but everyone is now a superhero. Maybe teaming up with the super villains will help—or maybe they will be trying to take the nightmare crystals for themselves.

B. Purification. It is possible to purify and transform the nightmare crystals into dreamotion ones, but it requires a large amount of dreamotion and chipping it down. The same is true for the noctaere that are spawning in these worldscapes. The most potent way to purify them is focusing on a cherished memory that will manifest into a tangible representation that can be used or wielded by anyone. An alternative, but far riskier method is absorbing the nostilium and either containing it or manifesting the captured nostilium into another entity to be destroyed. Those who choose to contain the absorbed nostilium will need to be able to control it or risk it overwhelming them.

C. World Tethers. While in the worldscapes, everyone will be able to see large ribbons of light that pass through the skies. Some are iridescent with light, shimmering colors, and some are darker—not necessarily black, but in the darker spectrum. These are the tethers connecting worlds to the dream realm. Most are just visible in the distance, but some are crashing right through the ground, and these impact zones have cracks that are creating holes where uncontrolled amounts of either dreamotion or nostilum is pouring into the world. Which one it is depends on which type is smashing through the ground. To correct the tether's path and "pull it out" from the ground, the opposite type is needed.

🔨 Brute force. The simplest way to push the tethers is by using raw dreamotion and nostilium, and this can be done through any method. Even creating objects made of dreamotion or nostilium to move the tether will work.
💎 Nightmare and Purified Crystals. Using the crystals and chasing the noctaere into the tethers is also a valid tactic but be warned—this method is unstable and it runs the risk of unbalancing the tethers too quickly. Too much of one or the other will cause the worldscape to become unstable and risk pushing everyone out, or worse: into another worldscape entirely. Wouldn't want to get lost or trapped in an endless cycle!
💫 Instability. Should a tether be too unstable, the area around will not only deteriorate but also distort in such a way that those who enter will see not a reflection of the current world, but a warped space reflecting the world depending on the type of tether. If dreamotion, then it will be overly positive and perhaps too ideal, too good to be true. If nostilium, then it's a horrific nightmare.

D. Trapped in a Dream. Due to the influx of dreamotion and nostilium now leaking out from the dream realms into the real world, there is a high chance that people may become trapped in their dreams, especially really good dreams. Dreams of better days, of being with lost long loved ones, hopes and futures unrealized. This is actually quite dangerous as it will make the dreamer vulnerable to nightmare crystals and noctaere. They will be attracted to these types of dreams and try to invade the dream, perhaps in hopes of turning it into a nightmare. Find those trapped in dreams by looking for individuals who are "asleep" within the dream realm and protect them, fighting off any noctaere and clearing out any nightmare crystals that appear. Entering the dream to try and wake them out of it is also an option, but it may be difficult to convince those who truly wish to remain in their dream, so brute force may be necessary.

E. Awakened. Those who visit their home world may be tested as they will also have a chance to wake up briefly with all their memories intact. This will essentially serve as an opportunity for canon updating for those who may wish to do so, or it can just be a brief window for a character to see home again after however long they've been in Songerein. Others may also be able to very briefly exist in the world, but only if they remain in contact with the native character and cannot be seen by anyone else. It would be as if they are a ghost following along and can only interact with the character they are following. Still, it may be a fun way to show friends each other's worlds. Eventually they will be pulled back into the dream and a symbolic memento of their home will appear along with them. It could be personal or it could be something representative of the world. This memento will also be useful and give the character a power boost to strengthen their abilities while in dream worlds.

II. THE VOID

There is one particular world that has been affected by the wayward tethers, and that is a place called The Void from the animated series, Gumball. In this world where everything floats freely and feels as if one is inside a broken TV screen made of static, "mistakes" are pulled in and exist with no way out. They can be from altered designs from their original counterparts, to early concepts, creatures and figures who have disappeared or been forgotten, failed vehicles and constructs, broken parts, etc. Normally this only affects the world of Gumball, but a tether has pierced through it and has allowed errors and aberrations from other worlds to be pulled in—and it is also where Berot Sau has run to to further his cause.

While the Void works to contain all these mistakes and errors of its own world, the influx of other canon worlds has made the Void even more volatile and hostile. Mechanisms have been activated to try and hunt down and destroy these errors, and that includes the tether that's left a huge hole in it, exposing it. Not only that, the errors from within the Void are trying to escape, and that's not good.

Dreamwalkers must take care while in this world as the Void will see them as entities that should not belong and will try to get rid of them while also trying to seal that crack. They may find themselves bound to another and must work together to get through.

A. Error Correction. Not only must Dreamwalkers try to repair the tether and move it out of the void, they must get rid of the errors before something happens with the Void and to prevent Berot Sau from causing further chaos.

🧵 Moving the Tether. The tether is running right through the Void and has fortunately not been "poisoned" with nostilium—yet. However, there are nightmare crystals and nightmare creatures continuously crashing into it, which puts it at risk. To move the tether, first defend it from these and use the same methods as the above section to push it out of the void.
☠️ Destroy the "mistakes." While the errors and mistakes from Gumball are fine to exist in the Void, those from other worlds cannot. They will glow a strange red and will be recognizable to those from the world they come from. As entities that should not exist, they must be destroyed…but they may try to convince anyone else otherwise. Surely they have a right to exist somewhere…right?
⏸Pause. One unique ability dreamwalkers will discover they have while in the Void is the ability to pause, or effectively stop time, a small area around them and anything they touch. This only lasts for a few seconds and is inconsistent, but it could be useful. Just bear in mind that others within the Void can utilize the same skill.
🩹 Seal the Void. As the tether is pushed out, the Void will try to seal the cracks but will need some assistance. Find the gaps and use whatever object and dreamotion to seal it off.

B. Golden Eggs. Scattered throughout the Void are golden eggs that will "hatch" or break easily when in contact with someone. The eggs will either A) produce a special bonus effect that will bolster one's dreamotion abilities or B) affect the individual in a "cartoonish" way, either through physical changes or even switching bodies with the person they are with. These golden eggs are also important as they hold important puzzle pieces that must be collected. What they are used for, no one is sure, but they glow golden and can be used to escape the Void at the very least.

C. Berot Sau. The one behind this madness, he hides within this Void and will utilize all the "errors" of the worlds that have entered to defend himself and perpetuate the nightmares, inserting nightmare crystals directly into the aberrations within the Void to then try and force them back out into other worlds. When confronted, he will consume a nightmare crystal and gain a "mech-like armor" of nightmare crystals. Somehow he's managing to stay sane, but it will be only time until he loses it completely.

🥚 Throw eggs. If anyone is able to grab the eggs before they break, or is able to knock them directly to Berot Sau, there will be two results: 1) a blast of dreamotion that can weaken the armor; 2) a sticky goop that will slow his movements. Additional negative, cartoonish effects may also come into play.
⁉️ Glitched out. Perhaps due to the unusual circumstances surrounding them and the Void, there are times when Berot Sau's suit seems to "glitch" and malfunction. It may suddenly take on the appearance or ability of the "mistakes" that exist in the Void. This can either be an advantage for him, but it can also be a disadvantage if it's a comical change.
👥 My enemy is your enemy. Some of the villainous entities that exist in the Void may not take too kindly to Berot Sau trying to take the spotlight. The Void is also on alert and will also try to attack him. While taking care to not get in the crossfire, try to lure these creatures and figures so they can (unintentionally) help. Just be careful that they don't absorb the nightmare crystals that surround Berot Sau.
🤖 Nightmare crystal armor. Nightmare crystals will periodically form which Berot Sau will try to continuously absorb. They can either be destroyed or absorbed and used by a dreamwalker instead. There is a chance that one may gain a similar "mech armor" for a limited time and be able to rush in and land a few punches (or missiles) against him.

I. WORLDSCAPES

II. THE VOID

COMMENTS

Comments

Azula | Avatar: The Last Airbender

[itstillhurt]

I. And every time I wonder if the world is right,

[She closes her eyes, focuses on the dream lantern, gets ready to return to her world, and...

She doesn't remember how she got there. For some reason that nags at her, that feels... important. But she dismisses it. They're waiting for her, after all. There on the beaches at Ember Island. Her mother. Zuko. Nanashi. Shealtiel. Mai and Ty Lee. She expects judgment, scathing criticism, hostility, suspicion- but Zuko just beckons her over, face lighting up with that ridiculous smile that she's so rarely seen, and she forgets why she ever expected anything else- of course they're happy to see her. Why wouldn't they be?

Anybody who enters her dreamscape will see something extremely alien to anybody who knows Azula- she seems relaxed. Laughing. In the middle of a social gathering, and genuinely enjoying it without a trace of hesitation or reservation. She's never looked this happy in all her time in Reverein. It's a shame somebody's going to have to ruin it.]

IIa. But then, a lot of nice things turn bad out there...

[This time, it worked. She remembers herself, she remembers where she is. She's back. After two years, she's back in her own world, back home.

She remembers this place. This night. Running through the forest, tears in her eyes, trying to escape the confusing press of emotions... it feels like a lifetime ago now, but the rush of memory it brings back is overwhelming.

The Forgetful Valley. Insects and small creatures with markings like faces flee at her presence. And somewhere in the distance, she hears-

"Azula! Azula, come back!"

... him.

She visibly freezes, forgetting entirely that she might not have come back to her world alone. After a moment, she behind a tree for a moment to try to regain her composure. It seems to be a losing battle. Maybe remind her to focus? There's a job to do, after all...]

IIb. I've seen a lot of what the world can do.

[She's also willing to join others to hunt down crystals in their world. She won't be much for conversation, but she'll be-

Well, for Azula it's downright polite, really. Not that that's ever been a high bar, but she seems sincerely willing to help out anybody who asks for it.]

(OOC: I'm down to throw Azula at anything here. Your canon, her canon, supernatural mystery, superheroes, somewhere completely unexpected, you name it. Go nuts, make her life weird. Let's have some fun.)

III. Wildcard!

(OOC: Don't see anything you like? Got something specific in mind? Just hoping for last-minute CR and wanting to talk about it? Feel free to hit me up on the game discord or DM me on this account- or you can add me on plurk at yonfellow. Sure, it's last-minute, but that don't bother me none!)

I - Time to Ruin Azula's Dreamscape

[empyreancatastrophe]

[Joshua's gaze sweeps over the happy scene. People he doesn’t recognize––strangers to him––are gathered, their laughter and conversation floating on the breeze. It's clear that this isn’t his world, but there's at least one (somewhat) familiar face that he can rely on as something to help him orient himself.]

[He takes a tentative step forward, his feet sinking into the soft sand. The warmth of the sun, the saltiness of the sea, the sense of peace––it's nice, like a warm cloak that fits just right. Almost too right. Right in a way that makes his presence feel invasive.]

[There's an odd inversion here. Where right feels wrong, and vice versa.]

[Joshua approaches Azula, dipping his head in defense to any faces he comes across.]

Am I intruding?

[itstillhurt]

[She blinks in surprise when she hears that, turning to stare at the newcomer.

Something dark flashes in her expression, her body tensing slightly. Shealtiel rests a hand on her shoulder in concern.

"Azula, is everything okay?"

The contact immediately relaxes her, and she waves a hand dismissively]

Don't be ridiculous. It's not a private beach, you can go where you like.

iia

[rokubro]

[If only he know what to remind her of. Instead, she's just going to a tap on the shoulder from behind.]

Azula? That's you, right?

[AND OBLIVIOUS TO WHATEVER SHE'S FEELING RIGHT NOW he'll get there. He's just, you know, kind of confused how he got here.]

[itstillhurt]

[The tap on her shoulder immediately sparks a panic in her- how had he caught up already? What would she tell him? Would he remember what they'd been through? Or- worse, what if he didn't Could she tell him? What would she say? What would he even believe?

She spins around, body tensing not with violence but with the urge to run.]

Zuko, ple-

[... wait.

Wait, wait. What? What? What?]

... you're not Zuko.

[Mild understatement. What was he doing here?]

Joshua Rosfield | Final Fantasy XVI

[empyreancatastrophe]

[WILDCARD-ISH] – An Epilogue and a Prelude

[Thanks to the efforts of everyone who knocked his ass around like a pinball took very good care to cure Joshua of his Interesting Noctaere Situation, our dumbass prince has been brought back in Nightmare City, where he spends the next week recuperating—and is back to his completely normal (for a certain definition of normal) self.]

[This may just be the Calm Before the Next Storm, but it’s well earned.]

[Chances are good he’s been sleeping for a few days if-slash-when your character shows up to visit him. In fact, he’s probably been knocked out cold since his dreamscape shattered. That said, he’ll be a bit groggy, but he’ll greet them with a smile nonetheless. When he speaks, his voice is quieter than usual, edged with a dry rasp.]

To what do I owe the pleasure?

---

I-E. Hide, Hideaway

[Joshua never expected to be back here in the Hideaway. He’s standing in front of his belongings, right where he’d left them. Moss’ Journal lays open before him. The sky outside rumbles with the ugly purple of Primogenesis. The air is crisp, otherwise, sharpened by the water that surrounds his brother’s monument to rebellion.]

[His brother… Clive is out there, somewhere. No doubt preparing for the battle to come. Can he face him? Can he face Jill? After what he’s done in response to their absence, can he look them in the eye?]

[And then there’s someone else. Someone who makes his heart ache when he thinks of her.]

[…And there’s someone else here, too, it seems.]

[Joshau turns to face whoever happens to have shown up beside him.]

…Welcome to Valisthea. I offer my apologies in advance.

---

II-C. Null and Void

[Joshua looks different. Thankfully, he stands there sans a concerningly pulsing lesion on his chest, his skin isn’t marred by a web of dark veins, he’s donning his normal attire, and his eyes glitter sapphire amidst the black sclera, but he’s different. This, his nightmare form, is a ‘gift’ left behind by the noctaere that once possessed him. The noctaere that was in turn a ‘gift’ from the man he’s hunting now.]

[The way he carries himself is a stark contrast to his usual gentle—bordering on demure—poise. Joshua may not be a warrior, but the way his eyes lock onto Berot’s figure off on the horizon betray a ruthlessness that, as much as he’d like to blame it on the effect of nostilium, he can’t deny is part of him.]

[Joshua’s wings stretch behind him as he adjusts his gloves and then the bag hanging from his back. It’s not full of eggs, but he has a few ready to go.]

[He tilts his head in his companion’s direction.]

I don’t intend on allowing him to escape. I trust that won’t be a problem.

[There’s a sharpness to his tone that makes his intentions clear: if Berot isn’t apprehended, then Joshua is going to make sure he dies.]

---

[ACTUAL WILDCARD]

[Want to do something completely different? Let me know via PM or write something up and I'll go along with it!]

Wildcard

[amnesiadragon]

Because I was worried about you.

[He walks over towards Joshua and sits on the edge of the bed.]

You're looking a lot better today. ... I'm glad you're awake and safe.

[empyreancatastrophe]

[As Ryu approaches, Joshua relaxes whatever formality he'd previously forced into his posture. He then shifts to allow his friend ample room to sit. It may be difficult to offer appropriate hospitality in his state, but he'll do what he can.]

I would be neither if it were not for your and everyone else's efforts.

Thank you.

I-E

[crouching_sin]

Impressive.

[Naoya sidesteps a slightly rotting plank and looks up. It’s clear that there’s a crisis - but he’s not got complete context for it. Even still, he can guess. He looks back at Joshua and makes a guess.]

Ultima?

[empyreancatastrophe]

[Joshua keeps an eye on Naoya, more to make sure he doesn't knock into any surprises or disappear into any nooks, never to be seen again.]

[He's silent at first at the sound of that name, but then he sighs.]

Yes.

The sky has borne the wounds of Primogenesis for more than a fortnight now. The people of Waloed, one of the countries on our sister continent, call it the Arche.

The harbinger of the end of the world.

EPILOGUE

[itstillhurt]

Well, I have to say, you look simply dreadful.

[This is how she opts to introduce herself into the room, though there's no real bite in it. She doesn't actually answer his question.]

Anastasia Romanova | Anastasia (1997)

[grandduchess_anya]

Purification
Goodness! There are so many corrupted crystals in here. We should do something about it.

(Anya gasps to her pets as she sees tons of nightmare crystals sprouting up in the residential area. She has been very tired after she has to stop nocteare!Joshua from going berserk some time ago and she didn’t expect to witness this many crystals showing up. However she fears that they might have a dark effect over Songerein and the universe as a whole.

Pooka whimpers in concern as he tries to sniff one nightmare crystal out of worry with Mashka. Anya quickly drags both of them away in a hurry and she tries to purify the crystals with a lot of dreamotion energy as possible. And yet with so many of them all over, she pretty much needs some help to stop the crystals from taking over.)

A Not So Once Upon a December
(For as long as she knows since her wild journey has begun, Anya has been missing home for the longest time even with the friendships and memories she has made. It just so happens when she closes her eyes, she finds herself back in 1926 Paris which caught her by surprise, her memories from Songerein still intact.

If somebody has been brought into her world, one may find that Anya is dressed in a messed up golden yellow gown instead of her usual modest clothing, Pooka & Mashka checking on an unconscious man on the ground, and they can see that they are on a beautiful but slightly damaged Beaux-Arts bridge with most of its Art Nouveau statues of cherubs, nymphs and horses intact. From a far you can see Les Invalides, the Grand Palais, and the famous Eiffel Tower.

When she senses that somebody else is in her world, she turns to them and speaks to them in a concerned tone.)

Oh hello. I’m afraid that the current state of this bridge might be your first introduction to Paris. I can explain everything myself.

Get Golden Egged, Berot!
(When she arrives at the Void, she is very much in shock upon seeing the wildness of the realm. Still the threat he possesses is very much high so she decides to find a way to stop the guy from manipulating it further. While in there, she soon stumbles upon some strange golden eggs and, as soon as she grabs them, she tries to throw an egg him with them out of spite.

When one of the golden eggs hit his armor, it produces a blast of dreamotion, damaging the armor by a good bit. She is amazed to see how useful the eggs can so she proceeds to throw the eggs at him as fast as she could. If you happen to see her doing this, feel free to join her in the mecha egging spree.)

Isabela Madrigal | Encanto

[senorita_perfecta]

Pushing the Tethers with Force
(Isabela has seen the ribbons coming from the sky and even noticed the cracks they made on the ground. She could see seeping dreamotion pouring out and begin to fill the air. Despite her initial struggles in using nostilium abilities, she has since gotten the hang of it and she is trying to stop the dreamotion outpouring with nostilium energy as much as she could.

Although it seems as if she is in a loss for words if somebody happens to be nearby and seeing her being very busy keeping the excess dreamotion in check. Regardless if you’re new to Songerein or have known her for a long time, all forms of help are practically appreciated at this time.)

A Brief Homecoming
(She never thought that she would return home this early. And yet she is brought back home in the encanto as if nothing major has happened while she has been away.

One could see the mountains surrounding the town, the homes mostly in tans and beiges with some colorful homes sprinkling within, lust rainforests and a pass leading to a river are also found in there too. Casita stood there in its rebuilt state, waving its shutters at you if you happen to be nearby. Isabela could see her family going about their day: her parents, her Abuela, her siblings, uncles, aunt and cousins. They are all there, unaware of what could possibly happen to their world.

While she is longly looking back at her family from a far distance, she soon discovers that she is not alone as she turns around to find somebody right behind her and begins to talk to them.)

Hi, I didn’t notice that you’re also here. This happens to be my hometown and the people being busy doing tasks around town, that’s actually my family. They’re a very busy bunch.

Welcome to the Void
(Isa sure looks slightly different when she arrives at the Void. Her dress looks more pink with a horizontal line of flowers adorning it & her normal hazel eyes looking more green, and honestly she doesn’t know what to make it of. During her search for Berot Sau, she gets to see plenty of Void mistakes but they seem to be more at home here so she doesn’t want to bother them at all.

It doesn’t take long for her to recognize early on however that the mistakes not native to the Void are starting to pop up and she could see them glowing red as a warning sign to watch out for. Isa is horrified to find some of them taking the form of hooded sword wielding figures (the same folks who killed her grandfather) and a crazed version of her Uncle Bruno that most of the encanto folks initially had coming towards her and she will try to warn whoever comes across her of the danger ahead.)

Hey! Those hooded folks running around with swords and a mad man pretending to be my uncle? I don’t think that they are supposed to be here. Maybe we try to stop them before they begin to have some negative effect on this place.

Eustace | Granblue Fantasy

[flamekthunder]

⊗ i. worldscapes: tethers

[Whether in his world or in another, Eustace's focus will be on the tethers and trying to push them back. And so far, one effective way for him to do so is to just shoot a large, concentrated blast of dreamotion or nostilium, depending what's required.

a) Charging up. If there's anyone around, they may hear and feel the electricity buzzing around the air as Eustace kneels, his rifle, Flamek, glowing and crackling from the gathering energy.]

Either stand back or keep those noctaere off me. Need another minute to fully charge up.

[And there will be some nightmare crystals and noctaere approaching, as if attracted to the energy Eustace is gathering into his weapon.

b) Just a little more! Even after he manages to fire off a large blast, that doesn't mean that will be the end unless his shot was the last one needed. Still it's close, so—]

We need to combine our attacks.

[Combo time!!]

⊗ ii. worldscapes: what makes the sky blue

[Should anyone enter the worldscape from Eustace's world, they will find themselves first floating in the middle of an expansive sky before suddenly dropping towards the floating islands scattered far below. But worry not—a large airship will appear to catch them, so although it might be a rough landing on the deck, better than hitting ground or worse—falling into the deep crimson below.

In any case, Eustace will approach anyone who manages to land on the airship and hold out a hand.]

...This is the Grandcypher. It will be flying to different places within this worldscape, but you'll be safe.

[So if anyone just wants a pleasant airship ride, this is the place! Even Eustace will lean over the railing to stare down at the scenery beneath him. Chaotic and distorted some areas may be, but it's been...a very long time since he's seen it, so he feels a little melancholic. However...

b) Vyrn? At some point, a strange orange figure will pass by in a blur, nostilium oozing from its aura.

"Aaah, finally!! With this I'll be the strongest in the world, bwahahahah!!!"

...

Anyway, Eustace is just going to shoot it, but this is going to be one tough foe.]

⊗ iii. the void

[In the Void, Eustace will help a little around, but his main focus will be with Berot Sau. Something of a bit of a personal vendetta, he'll be joining the battle. However—]

—!? What—

[At some point he'll gain some of that crystal armor, but it takes on a form more similar to an automagod of his world, one that he can only imagine what Flamek may have been had it awakened like the others.

Well. Don't mind his clunky movements because what in the actual hell is this, but as he kind of floats and spins around in the Void space, he'll also raise the laser rifle-like weapon in his hand and fires. Just try and stay clear!!

...Or—]

Tsk, can't keep steady...!

[Help him stay still because this rolling and spinning around is kind of. Ridiculous.]

⊗ wildcard catchall

[Feel free to contact me via PM or laenavesse to plot or discuss more if needed!]

[starshower]

[Once they were able to find their bearings on the Grand Cypher after being tossed into what felt like an endless sky, Tifa takes his place by his side aboard the deck of the airship. This isn't the first time that she has been up here, but being in a dreamscape created by him and standing on the deck of the real thing are incredibly different. For one, this wind is real. As tangible as the world itself is. It was always a dream to be able to visit his world, but never did she think that dream would actually become a reality.

Yet, here she is.

And after taking in the sights and sounds and feel of everything, she finally turns to him and catches that look on his face. That melancholy reflected there that she immediately picks up on.

Her hand slides across the rail, her pinky bumping his hand first before she takes it in full, threading their fingers together. She watches as her ring shimmers in the light.]

... You feeling okay?

Mirai Akarui | Original (Now with Deerington CRAU flavor)

[fatedmahou]

Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire;

[It had been some time now. Though Mirai couldn't begin to explain what to feel at this moment. None of the memories she had made here came back with her when she returned not to her own home, but to a completely different world that was feeding off her own. And then there was the time she spent in Deerington. All the memories came flooding in during her time here, and some fairly recent to her. Waking up somewhere outside, she rose with a sharp gasp. Trying to catch her breath, she was shaking, hands trembling as she examined them. Quickly checking her wrist for a significant burn, she saw nothing there. No, her body was in pristine shape. Perhaps better than she'd seen it in years. No cuts or bruises. Everything was in tip-top shape, despite being subjected to endless horrors in her time at Deerington. Not all of it was bad though. She had made some good friends and valuable memories.

But that hardly mattered right now. Right now, she was so confused as to why she was still alive right now, wearing the last thing she wore before arriving here. And came that fear that had crept into her mind, settling in over the months she was at Deerington. Her health declining was not a product of Deerington's usual fuckery, but something internal all that time. She should be dead right now so why...? All this time, she was dying it was something tied to her own body. But why? If she was alive and well now, what was there to say that it wouldn't happen again?

Finally taking notice of where she was, some of it seemed familiar, but things were most definitely different. Getting to her feet, she wandered around looking for anyone to get some answers from. What happened here? What was going on? How long had she been away for? After some time, she beelined for the closest person.]

Excuse me? What's going on? What have I missed?

If You Love It, Let It Go;

[After getting the gist of what was happening, Mirai found herself at a crossroads. It was clear she needed to offer her help, but now knowing that her death was a result of pushing herself too hard with magic, she was hesitant. Surely she should be better about her magic use, but she couldn't just sit there and do nothing either. Not when things were this dire. She set out to the different worldscapes, preparing herself for anything to destroy the nightmare crystals that were still not hatched. It had been some time since she'd last used dreamotion, but taking care of noctaere wasn't too difficult.

While she was very much interested in finding out more about these dream realms, there were more important things to worry about right now. Adapting to the world setting hadn't been too much of a challenge when she kept the previous dreamscapes she'd dealt with in the distant past in mind. That was until she stumbled into an all too familiar place. Melandrach. She froze for a moment, taking it all in. Buildings were destroyed and plundered for any resources. The distinct lack of greenery, as if the ground beneath her cried out for life. Abandoned transport and -- every so often -- bodies that had likely been there for a while. More importantly, creatures. Some small and some big, but all of them in various shadowy forms. The creatures she had known as "cadavers."

Deep down, she knew there was nothing more she could do for her home now. It was likely just a recap of the calm before the storm, so to speak. Though, you could hardly use that term in a place that was already deemed unsavable. Frozen in place, it was a wonder the cadavers had not taken notice of her yet. She couldn't bring herself to believe that it wasn't just Deerington's influence causing this after what she had been to, but the sickness she felt and the pain... Her Overdrive side effects were very much still in effect.

Focus. All she had to do was to destroy the nightmare crystal and go. There was nothing else for her to do here and yet... Despite noticing the crystal immediately, a thought crossed her mind. Slumping down to the ground...]

Maybe it's better this way? Maybe... Maybe it won't matter if the noctaere take it over? It's not like it matters anymore.

[Obviously taking no notice of anyone else who may be around, the horrible feeling of letting go of her home brought tears to her eyes. But she knew as well as anyone else now that nothing she could do would save her home anyway. Mirai might need some help on this one.]

Sweet Dreams;

[There is a good chance that had no one come and destroyed the nightmare crystal they would instead find Mirai fast asleep in an otherwise dangerous locale. Except she doesn't seem too troubled by that. In fact, in her dream, she was at home with her parents. The world around her was filled with life and people went about their daily business as if nothing was wrong at all. The colors were so bright and the magic in the air was palpable. A younger Mirai could be found in the garden, helping her father harvest vegetables with the use of her magic. Happily offering her father the fresh product with a bright smile, he gently ruffled her hair. Or perhaps could be found helping her mother make dinner, standing on a step stool to help cut vegetables and do other prep work.

It was all a stark difference compared the harsh reality of her world. Full of life and love. More importantly, full of smiles. Those noctaere and cadavers were not likely to let this go unnoticed for long, but good luck convincing Mirai that this was simply a dream.]

Wildcard;

[OOC: Pick your poison. You can find out more about Mirai's world setting here if you would like more details, but Mirai will be coming back with a different set of memories (on top of her time here at Songerein previously.) Just as a TL;DR, Mirai will be coming from Deerington's first endgame. Originally, I thought to use that when I first came here with her, but figured that wouldn't fit Song's setting. At the end of Deerington, over the last few months, she started to get more frail and eventually died due to the overuse of magic that caused her death due to Overdrive.

The short of it is that she has no filter to turn off the mana usage that has caused other Magi in her world and her world itself to die due to the overuse. So Mirai's perspective will be coming from this realization about herself. Feel free to ask any questions about her world or condition.]

let it go

[noblegarnet]

[It had already been something of a struggle to maintain a nightmare form, but it had seemed worthwhile. But then he'd—woken up, almost—reconnected to his world, his true self, and the level of corruption he still suffered from. Suffice to say it's left him worse off now, even though he's "returned" to his dreamwalking self; the dark cracks that were just marks on his skin before are now covered with red crystal as if they've broken through the skin, a larger piece jutting out of his back like the petals of a flower.

But he's still himself, somehow. He has enough control for now, even if he feels like he's on a precipice. He just has to keep moving, so that's what he does, propelled forward via the crystal shards floating over his back in the shape of moth wings.

He sees a world that looks dead, decaying, haunted. It reminds him of something—of someone whose pink head of hair he sees sinking as she falls to her knees.

Could it be—]

Mirai—?

[After so long? How? But it doesn't matter. He rushes forward, hand outstretched. If anything should approach to attack her, he'll meet it first.]

Mirai...!

Alisaie Leveilleur | FFXIV | Possible post Endwalker spoilers.

[leveillpier]

I.T H E | V O I D

[ A. ERROR CORRECTION ]

[ What a strange feeling to find herself dreamwalking again after so long. Having woken up with foggy memories and uncertainties of what had happened prior, Alisaie found herself not adventuring with her fellow companions, but in a bizarre dreamscape of disjointed pieces of debris and broken foreign technology. A slow brow rose from her, as she put her hand on her rapier.

Something about this place felt very off-putting. It is a lot different from how she remembered this dreamscape and dreamwalking in general. Something was making the hairs on her back stand up and a slight hint of anxiety.

However, from the corner of her eye, she sees something glowing red, something familiar that almost screams for it to be destroyed. The air around her became more serious as the knuckles gripping her weapon were turning white. She’s praying that she doesn’t need to destroy them but her gut feeling was telling her that they shouldn’t exist here. Entities of the First, the Sin Eaters. ]

[ B. GOLDEN EGGS ]

[ Beyond encountering the Sin Eaters, Alisaie’s on another journey, one of which still led her into the deeper part of this Void. She raised a brown when she noticed the golden glow from the corner of her eyes. She’s read a few published literature on golden eggs. How intriguing that they appeared right at the corner of her eyes. She makes her way closer to the golden eggs to inspect and look at them in more detail. There’s no touching or feeling of its surface yet, just inspection and caution in case something happens (like exploding or breaking eggs.)

Maybe someone would like to help her investigate the anomalies before she takes action like she did when she was inspecting those crystals with Mikleo a time ago. She certainly missed the back and forth with the water seraph among other things. ]

II. W I L D C AR D

[ ooc: feel free to choose any of the other prompts or hit me up on discord: Tarei or plurk: kagaminokakera. Alisaie is from Post Endwalker patches, so there may be sprinkles of spoilers. Please let me know if you do not want spoilers for Post Endwalker patches. Otherwise, hello a little birdie told me the game was ending soon, so I thought slide in here and poke the game for one last hurrah. Miss ya’ll ;W; ]

Endwalker spoilers onward very likely

[aunitedeorzea]

[Alphinaud was stumbling through the disjointed worlds, looking for something familiar... Someone. Anything. But instead, none of this helped him pinpoint where he was exactly. After some time, he noticed golden eggs. Some hatched and some still in pristine condition. Curiosity said to investigate, but he thought better of it before he found out just what he was dealing with. It didn't take much longer to spy a familiar red silhouette. He stopped momentarily, eyes fixated on the figure.]

Alisaie...?

[Picking up his pace, he hurried over to her, reaching for her shoulder. Sorry, Alisaie. No warning. He knows better than anyone else it was not ideal to take her by surprise, but he was just so relieved to see his sister.]

Alisaie! Thank the Twelve! You're okay!

[Stop what you're doing, because he's looking you over for any possible injuries. You're all in one piece... mostly. He seems mostly calm on the outside, but she would be able to tell better than anyone. The panic that he felt was clear in his expression. He wasn't sure what to expect when it was their time to give the Warrior of Light a way to the end. He just knew he went together with his sister, so wherever they ended up, they could figure things out. Or not. He fully expected to simply blink out of existence. Reaching for her hands, his grip was tighter than normal.]

I'm so glad. I thought...

["I'd never see you again." Words he couldn't verbalize as he had to remind himself to breath.]

Nevermind, it's nothing. [She was there and that's all that mattered.]

A - hit me with them spoilers as you like

[discourtesies]

[Alisaie's white-on-red color scheme isn't difficult to pick out amongst the static of the broken world, even if Barok's focus is largely on hunting down this apparent villain and defending against the threats that emerge. His initial note of her appearance doesn't bring him to speak to her immediately, however; he simply wonders momentarily at the fact that he hadn't seen her for a considerable while.

But it's only a matter of time before he spots her reaction and the approaching winged figures. Judging by that grip of hers, there's something personal to the recognition.]

You're familiar with them?

[Interestingly, the abilities Barok is utilizing to full effect in their fight can't be said to be of light in the slightest—for all he fights for justice and protection, the powers of the grim reaper and the living dead leave a markedly dark aura around him when he uses them. Perhaps that will be a boon when fighting such luminous beings.]

Ferran 🔸 Original

[noblegarnet]

I.C 🔸 Tethers

[Ferran had considered carefully what he could do with nostilium.

Theoretically, he had no issue with the idea. Dark magic was just as potent and potentially helpful as its lighter counterpart, he knew intimately. But there were dangers that came along with it: ones he wasn't truly certain he could manage without being more trouble than it was worth. It was enough of a struggle dealing with the chaos energy that always threatened to eat him away from the inside; could he really handle wielding nightmares in a way that didn't make things worse?

In some ways, he was grateful that the lingering nightmare energy he could never truly rid himself of only haunted him with the specter of his guardian, rather than transforming him. For a long time, he didn't know if that was a balance he wanted to upset.

But he can tell—this is it, isn't it? Everything is coming to a head. And so... as the chaos spreads, he faces his fears and embraces the darkness once more. Dreamotion never would have given him anything like his Fae form; everything about that experience solidly remained in his nightmares, and so it's only through nostilium that he's able to conjure mothlike wings made of floating red crystal pieces.

They're useful to reach the tethers with, that's for certain. And the blessings and curses that come along with them are as effective as ever to aid his allies and fend off their enemies.

The tethers need repairing, though. He has to do his part, so he's quick to fly to anyone who looks like they're struggling with that, whether it needs light or dark energy.]

I'll take over! Watch my back!

I.E 🔸 Awakened

[When Ferran wakes, it doesn't matter that the memories remain. The curse forced into him keeps him from thinking of anything but his guardian's orders—his approval.]

[Even if someone comes along for the ride, nothing changes in the way that he follows Onyx to a rooftop above an abandoned city square to seek their next fight—to the small group of costumed teens patrolling the night for the threat the two have promised to bring. Standing above, before sending his ward to engage with the others, the man speaks—

Ferran.]

Hmm?

[I don’t need protection.

The young man’s lips part, turning his smirk into a proper smile.]

Yes, sir.

[Rogue Garnet, wild-eyed and eager, descends to the street to the apparent surprise of his friends; the last they saw him, he was horribly injured, but now he stands before them apparently none the worse for wear. He wastes no time, though his initial assault is with words towards the tall young man in green.]

Oh, you were worried about me? That's a surprise, given how close you came to killing me.

[Guilt crumples Emerald's face as his hands grip his staff tightly.

You know we never meant to—

Ferran's tone is one of overplayed sympathy and understanding that quickly turns cruel as he shrugs:]

I know. You never mean to do a lot of things. That's why all you ever manage to do is run and hide, to the point your baby sister has to do all your fighting for you.

[Don't you dare talk to him like that! comes the vehement reply from a curly-haired girl in yellow, Citrine. Garnet simply laughs and summons his silver sword.]

I'll stop when he can prove me wrong!

[Voice raised with aggression, he leaps towards Emerald with deadly speed, and a battle begins despite the hesitance of Ferran's friends. Still, they aren't going down so easily, and they outnumber him five to one; Onyx remains at his perch on the building nearby, watching silently.]

[Surely something needs to be done here—even if it's only a distraction.]

II.C 🔸 Berot Sau

[It was too much. Returning to that state, his mind muddled by Onyx's dark influence and his own conflicted feelings, was more than enough to make him lose control of the nostilium he'd tapped into. The black cracks that always remained on his face and wrists burst with veins of crystal, petals of garnet emerging over his heart and through the other side.

It hurt, to say the least. But he's still himself. He's not noctaere—not yet, not when it's almost over. He can't let himself turn when the enemy is so close, just on the other side of the portal to that forsaken void. Still trembling, he flies through, red eyes focused on the end goal.

The static is almost reminiscent of the inside of his head, always buzzing with something wild and unwanted. It doesn't take him long to hone in on the one behind all of this.]

This ends here...

[At first, he'll do his best to lure any other aggressive sorts towards Berot Sau, whether they're truly on his side or not. But eventually he'll join the fray himself, a silver bow appearing in his hand.]

tethers

[inheritedearth]

[Aerith had taken to dreamotion almost as though it were second nature back when she had first arrived— directing it wasn't so different from the way she had learned to listen to and make use of the planet's own energy, that same sensitivity to life and what sustained it allowing her to tap into this world's powers of the heart, but even with all the aid she had been able to lend others through dreamotion throughout the last year, the tethers are proving to be something of a challenge.

She looks up from where she stands, struggling to channel dreamotion into a tether to grant it enough stability to move, something that's becoming increasingly more difficult as another wave of nightmare creatures begins to close in. She's not equipped to do this on her own— but thankfully, it looks like she won't have to.]

Be careful! There's something wrong with this one, it's fighting back!

[Even as she warns him, she seizes her staff from where she'd left it on the ground beside her, turning on her heel and fixing a hardened gaze on the incoming cluster of enemies.]

Give it a shot, I'll fend them off!

🌷🌠 closed to tifa lockhart

[inheritedearth]

[When the opportunity to dreamwalk to other worlds arises, there's no doubt in Aerith's mind as to where she'll go first. Each and every one of these worlds needs help, needs to be defended against noctaere and nostilium, but even as she's remained uncertain about whether or not she wishes to wake up and leave Reverein for good, there is a sense of duty and responsibility towards the protection of her own world that remains, that tugs at her to point her in the right direction.

It's a charge that has been passed down to her through generations, even if she doesn't know quite what to do. Maybe it will come to her in the moment when the time comes, maybe their world will find itself on a different path altogether, but right now, it needs defending. That, she can do— but she's not going to do it alone.

She has more than one friend she could ask for aid, but when the time comes, she knows exactly who she wants by her side. Tifa is there with her when she passes from Reverein into what she believes to be their home world, but when they arrive, it's nowhere she recognizes.

It's a village she doesn't know, snow as far as the eye can see, sitting heavily on rooftops and trees alike, the scent of pine in the air. If it weren't a dream realm, it would be terribly cold, she thinks, but the temperature is oddly mild even as the snow crunches beneath their feet.

She's still holding onto Tifa's hand as she furrows her brow slightly, looking up towards the sky, clearer than she remembers seeing it when they had at last stepped out from under the plate.]

The sky... is this really our world? Did we take a wrong turn?

[It almost seems too quiet, too peaceful.]

sorry for the wait 😭

[starshower]

[Tifa, for the most part, has avoided thinking of home. After returning and coming back turned into an ordeal that she would much rather not relive for a while, but when Aerith had asked her to go along with her, how was she supposed to say no? She couldn't, no matter how much she wished to avoid it. So, here she is, holding onto Aerith's hand as they cross through.

The snow is a bit startling, to say the least. She was expecting to walk into the Temple, or hell, even Midgar again, but the village that they stand in is one that she doesn't recognize. She has a few guesses, though...]

I don't know.

[Her fingers tighten around Aerith's, and she pulls the other girl a little closer as the eeriness of the peace and quiet starts to set into her bones.]

... Are we up north, maybe?

Gina Lestrade | OTA

[lestray]

A. Tether or Not

[Welcome to London, circa 1900. Or some dream approximation of it, at least. One that's currently filled with nightmares. Gina's come here to get to the bottom of the nightmares plaguing her world, and other Dreamers are very welcome to join her. They may or may not end up in Victorian fashions in the process! There are several places of interest...]

i. Baker Street: The Final Return of...

[While seeking out the world's tether and other nightmares to extinguish, Gina has found herself visiting old haunts. One of them is a certain suite located on Baker Street - home to the legendary detective, Herlock Sholmes. She might not admit it, but she might be hoping to see that ridiculous detective once more...

But what she finds inside is a mess. Well, Sholmes's living room was always a mess of random items, but now it's in a different way! All the various objects are flying around the room like they're possessed. Several nightmare crystals are scattered about, and one of them has morphed into a noctaere. A particularly disturbing one! A giant mass of melted chocolate that vaguely resembles some uncanny valley version of the detective who's supposed to be living here.]

N-no... It can't be...!

[Chocolate Sholmes, her original Songerein foe reborn once more, rampages about the room. Gina steels herself as she tries to think about how to take on this ultimate opponent. ...Perhaps, in a place like this, it's time to make some deductions....]

ii. The Old Bailey: Balance for All

[Eventually, Gina locates the tether. It seems to be running through the Old Bailey, London's greatest courthouse. She rushes in and straight into the court chamber that she's been in a number of times in the past.

But as she enters, she quickly meets one surprise as she sees the color of the tether. She expected to deal with nostilium, but the tether is instead shimmering with blindly bright colors. Images of pure white unicorns fly around it while it tunnels into the ground. In the background, the scales of justice are out of balance, with a bright white flame weighing down the 'Not Guilty' side. Gina stares at the tether, dumbfounded.]

W-wot... Wot is goin' on...?

[She was ready to try unleashing her dreamotion. But can she tap into nightmare energy instead? She never did master a controlled nightmare form... but this may be the time...]

B. I Dream of Gina

[Gina's run herself ragged trying to solve as many problems as she can, both in her own world's dream realm as well as those of other worlds. So it's only a matter of time until someone might find that Gina's passed out within one of those dream realms. What could she be dreaming of? Well...

Scotland Yard. Gina Lestrade, looking a little older and somehow taller, is clad in sharp attire with a green jacket. She's sipping some tea and looking over some documents while addressing a group of diligent bobbies.]

Ever since I shaped you boys up, things've been runnin' smoothly. We got 'omes for everyone on the streets, and we've been goin' around savin' every world we can. We did real good wiv 'yrule! The princess should be joinin' us later at Iris's tea party. And things're just about wrapped up in wotever Joshua's world is called, yeah? Plus all the work we 'ad to do where Beat comes from... I'm glad 'Oddo and Sooze moved back 'ere to 'elp out with everytin' too. Good job all around, everyone!

[She grins proudly, while the bobbies all salute. She's so glad she's made them into the opposite of the pigs she used to loathe! After a moment, there's another voice that addresses her from a seat in the corner of the room.

"It's all thanks to you, goin' above and beyond my teachings. Couldn't be prouder."

The speaker is an older-looking chap with grayed hair who is tending to a cone of fish and chips. The two share a sincere smile, while tears of joy form in Gina's eyes. Things couldn't be better...]

C. UnaVoidable

[Once Gina's back to her senses, there's one more thing to see through. The villain who messed with Joshua Rosfield and has been causing all this chaos... Berot Sau.

And she's managed to find his hideout here. The mysterious and incomprehensible Void. With help from her trusty dog Toby, she sniffs out his trail and starts trying to pursue him! Armed with several golden eggs she's found along the way, she begins her chase.]

You ain't gettin' away!!

D. Wildcard

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