songerein | { worldhopping }

Entry tags:

!event

{ worldhopping }

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[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.

[He did take a peek at the blacksmith, but one look from that man was enough to send even Naoya on his way.]

But not one you're going to let get away with it. I expect you're preparing to assault it? If you - oh, of course. You can fly.

[Phoenix and all.]

... This place. These people. What... are they, to you?

We are. Very soon, in fact. I was preparing my equipment when I fell into the sleep that would bring me to Songerein.

[Which leads into Naoya's other question.]

Everyone here calls themselves the Cursebreakers. While I am not entirely a member of the group, mine own has made an alliance with them.

Given that my brother is their leader, it felt appropriate.

'Cursebreakers'.

[He can't help but smile slightly at that. Sounds like his kind of people.]

But yes, that makes sense. What sorts of curses do they break?

[That's going to take some explanation, and Joshua sets his shoulders in preparation.]

When Bearers and Dominants use our magicks, we manipulate the aether in our surroundings. However, this comes at great cost. As time passes, our bodies begin to petrify––a 'curse', if you will––accelerated by overuse of our abilities. The slow death of our land, the Blight, mirrors this phenomenon as we drain it of its aether through the use of crystals.

Because Bearers are enslaved, their magical acumen is abused to the point where they die from this curse. Ergo, it would make sense that Bearers who wish to be free would wish to break it. That is my brother's purpose: to unshackle us from our reliance upon magic so that we may all live free in a world that is fighting to survive.

... I see.

[So no more magic. It's not... an unreasonable dream. He can definitely imagine a world without magic, because so many people in his world think it is one - or thought it, at least.]

Have you found any solutions to it thus far? Or has that taken a sideline to the larger threat at the moment?

The solution and the threat are intertwined.

Clive has been destroying the Mothercrystals, which have been draining Valisthea's aether. Their erasure ensures that the land will be saved, and that magic will ultimately fade away.

The Mothercrystals and Ultima share some sort of connection, but I've not enough concrete information to provide conjecture.

What is most important is that Ultima is destroyed along with Origin, so that we may achieve our freedom.

I see.

[So not useful to him, in the end. That said... there's still a fondness for Joshua. Maybe it's not quite the same as his fondness for Kazuya, but he's still... hm.]

I don't expect it will be an easy fight. Dramatic final battles never are. ... But I do hope you find the future you seek.

Thank you.

[He feels that Naoya is genuine with that wish--the man is too invested in his own freedom not to understand--but there's still something off. However, Joshua can't place what, so he leaves it be.]

We're under no false impression that the battle will be easy, but we're as prepared as we can be.

I wish I could show you my home under more favorable circumstances. It's quite beautiful.

I understand. I wish I could show you my own. Right now it's... somewhat in chaos.

[He nods and lets his expression harden slightly.]

Still... it's not a place I want to return to. And the Kazuya here won't be there when I wake up.

[He still hasn't found an answer he can use. And he hasn't gotten his fill of being close to Abel.]

Chaos is an unfortunate common denominator between many of our worlds, it seems.

[Maybe it's the chaos that produces such unique and gifted individuals. There's something to be said about those merits, although there's also an argument to be made about whether or not they're worth it.]

Have you considered staying in the dream realm?

I have. ... But it would bring me no closer to my goal if I were to sleep forever.

[It's the other kind of 'sleeping forever' he wants.]

I have to go back. If for no other reason than to stop my Kazuya from doing something that would never be able to be taken back.

[Joshua shakes his head.]

Your waking self should continue to perform his actions as if naught was different. At least, that is how I understand the process.

[That's what he hopes he's heard. Otherwise, that will complicate his own decision further.]

Either way, I have things i need to do. I simply... want to accomplish my goals.

[He needs to find an answer.]

Even so... staying here is tempting. But only if Kazuya stays as well.

If nothing else, it's something to speak to him about.

I'm sure he misses his friends, and that alone may be his deciding factor, but it is worth a conversation.

[It hurts to consider that they'll likely all be separated, but Joshua understands. After all that's occurred, he's learned to make peace (mostly) with that fact.]

Yes, it's probably something like that. ... I understand, of course. And in truth he's not 'my' Kazuya, even if he's still Kazuya. The one I return to won't have had the same experiences. He might not believe me if I even tell him what happened.

... I have to turn him from his path somehow.

And which path is that, if I may ask?

The one where he followed God and became His little Messiah. I know he thinks that 'siding with the enemy' is the way to keep people safe, but it's just going to end up with more people hurt in the end.

A simple choice can make all the difference in the world. Mine chose poorly.

[He can definitely see why Naoya wouldn't be keen on that Kazuya's decision. Not knowing the full circumstances, Joshua can't make any judgments of his own.]

Regardless of the consequences of that choice, I trust Kazuya will handle them with aplomb.

However, I understand why you wouldn't wish to witness the world that will follow suit.

... He will handle it the best he can. I don't want to see him choose a 'bad ending'.

[The fact that Naoya has refrained from the video game analogies for the most part is impressive. He's trying.]

That said... mm. Perhaps you're rubbing off on me, but I do know I have a responsibility to try to set him on the right track. And as much as I don't care for other people in general... I should do what I can to make sure the world doesn't remain in such a state before I find a way to break my curse.

[Joshua is quiet for a few moments before he smiles.]

I'm sure your world will thank you for your consideration.

It won't. But I'm used to that. I don't expect to be thanked for anything, ever.

[Not when so much blame is assigned to him for so many things, even things he wasn't responsible for.]

How very mature of you.

[There's a dryness to Joshua's words that hints towards his understanding that Naoya's hands are tied in regards to the amount of gratitude he's due to receive.]

I apologize that my world provides little refuge from such troubles.

It’s fine. … I wanted to see it. I want to know your context.

[It’s difficult to put a finger on why, but…]

You’re… a puzzle that I’ve never quite been able to figure out, but that’s not a bad thing.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

{ worldhopping }

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