songerein | { lindwormeo and juliet }

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{ lindwormeo and juliet }

LINDWORMEO & JULIET

It is the third dreamshift, and when everyone rouses and becomes aware of their situation, they find themselves dressed in Verona, a gothic city where night reigns everlasting and violence lurks around every corner. Not because of crime, but because of the two main families, the Montagues and the Capulets, everlasting feud. Fights break out almost every other minute and peace is hard sought after. However, peace is perhaps on the table, for the Capulets are hosting a grand masquerade in a gesture of truce. But it's difficult when one of Montague's sons is cursed as a Lindworm, one of the key reasons why there is a feud to begin with.

"But that's not really all that important," a voice echoes around them. It's a voice different from the tapirs that they've grown accustomed to, and after another moment it chimes in again. "Up here my fair little dreamwalkers."

And lo, high above in the permanent night sky is a moon so full and bright that it almost feels as if it could swallow them whole. After learning about the Story Eater's actions against Songerein's moon, the appearance of a face would certainly alarm many. But then the face seems to recede before it changes into a full person holding a quill and manuscript.

"Greetings! I am William Shakespeare and you are now within my own dream, a dreamscape I believe you call it. My works can be found in many places and in many worlds. Yet that accursed Story Eater has been devouring my masterpieces! I must now pen them all over again, but one of its minions is invading my mind and altering everything and I refuse to become a brainless puppet like Marlowe. I have isolated it within this place of my own design based off of Romeo and Juliet. However it seems after my reading of the Lindworm King, my visions have been affected a bit, but no matter. A playwright must find inspiration where he can!

But it is now up to you to see this play through completion. Doing so will help those outside draw out the fiend through the accumulated dreamotion energy, and if you could give it a few stabs that will help as well. Not all of you need to partake in my play, and I have already chosen my leading actors and actresses. You should find a brief copy of the script on your person, but you may act however you wish. However, I should warn you—this is a tragedy, so deaths are expected. But fear not, you will leave this dreamscape perhaps a bit tired, but unharmed. It's all a dream after all.

Now that should cover it. I look forward to seeing how everyone's tragic romances will play out. It may give me material for my next masterpiece!"

And just as suddenly as he had appeared, Shakespeare disappears from the moon, leaving it to loom brightly over the otherwise dark city.

I. GENERAL PROMPTS

Reminder that those cast as Romeo and Juliet can participate in most of these prompts, but the timing would be set early on before they move onto their designated scenes.

A. Family Feud. Everyone in Verona is randomly split in allegiance between the Montagues and the Capulets, and whenever they meet there is some kind of tension. It could be violent, hostile, passive, petty, or even attraction. Surely Romeo and Juliet aren't the only ones who can love across the aisle. If not pit against each other to fight or exchange snide comments, opposing parties can also work together to deal with Erasers posing as creepy looking family members/soldiers/knights/etc.

» BONUS: TO ARMS. A city-wide family feud makes for good business if you’re in the weapons-and-armor trade. Gather materials to help smithies in creating armor and weapons.

B. Masquerade. Almost as if it's the opening act, everyone, both Montagues and Capulets are to attend a masquerade held within the Capulet's ballroom. It's a momentary "truce," and though tension between the families is still rampant, everyone is welcome to wear the finest clothing they can imagine and to partake in the festivities. The masquerade itself is in the ballroom, but there are also gardens and large terraces that guests can go to if they want some fresh air.

» BONUS: PREPARATIONS. Any good party requires a lot of preparation, and all of Verona is abuzz with activity leading up to the big night. Tailors need help getting fabric, jewels, and other baubles to create the finest dresses. Caterers need quality ingredients for the food that will be prepared and served. Someone needs to step up and be the band for the night. There are plenty of ways in which Dreamwalkers can help make the masquerade a success!

C. EXTRA SCENES. There are a few specific "scenes" featuring key characters from the original play. Whether taken voluntarily or "beckoned" by Shakespeare, those who participate will have a little "essence" of the original character. No full personality change, but they might feel certain impulses or find it easier to slip into the role. Note: anyone can fill in the roles of "Romeo" and "Juliet" for the Paris scenes; it is not exclusive to those who signed up for Romeo and Juliet.

PARIS V. JULIET. Paris meets and dances with Juliet, taking a fancy with her. With his arrogance believing he can win over the Capulet princess, throughout the night he attempts to woo Juliet, either in the ballroom or the gardens just outside. Juliet must not be swayed! (Or maybe a little swayed, but try not go totally off-book here). Juliet can shut down Paris however they want. (This scene happens during or immediately after the "Masquerade", but before the Balcony scene.)
PARIS V. ROMEO. Paris bullies his younger brother about the Lindworm curse on a near-constant basis. And to add insult to injury, after meeting Juliet he’s decided that he wants Juliet for himself. Obviously, Romeo is not about to let his stupid mean brother steal the love of his life! They’re going to have to fight this one out, either with words or via fisticuffs. (This scene happens during or immediately after the "Masquerade" but before the "Balcony" scene.)
BENVOLIO'S ATTEMPTS. Benvolio is trying to find a cure for Romeo's curse, and after some research in the library he finds something! Good cousin that he is, he puts the theory to the test immediately. Unfortunately, his attempt backfires and he gets turned into a lindworm (fully or partially) instead. The poor guy is now out of sorts, and he needs protection so that someone doesn't mistake him for some monster and kill him. At least the transformation is only temporary.
TYBALT V. MERCUTIO. The infamous duel. Considering how much their families hate each other, the inciting incident can be just about anything. The original story has Tybalt goading Mercutio into a duel by calling Romeo a villain, Tybalt killing Mercutio, and Romeo killing Tybalt. But no one’s enforcing the particulars very closely here, so players are free to proceed with the fight any way they please. (If this fight does end in one or more deaths, please refer to the event details on how death works within the dreamscape.)

D. Love is a Battlefield. As if there wasn’t enough drama to deal with, a large, winged noctaere can be found throughout the dreamscape firing arrows at the residents, turning them into Erasers. It can summon smaller winged noctaere to fight for it, and if a dreamwalker gets hit by the arrows, they will slowly turn into a lindworm that is full of hate. It's difficult to combat the boss itself, but it can be weakened by defeating its minions and those hit by its arrows. Love of any form will be a powerful counter that will hit the boss as well.

» BONUS: ROSE COLLECTION. In the forests are white and red roses that are hidden under logs and stones. They will sparkle a bit to make them look different than other flowers. They must be collected before the Erasers can get to them. A white rose fed to a lindworm will return them back to normal. Eating a red rose will allow characters to turn into a pink, heart covered lindworm for ten minutes to fly up and try to combat against the winged noctaere or the Erasers.

II. ROMEO AND JULIET'S OBJECTIVES

The following objectives are locked to those who signed up for Romeo and Juliet. Please refer to the notes for all the stipulations and effects characters will experience as the tragic couple. Final reminder that the characters will be aware of the tragic ending as well as reassurance that they will awaken unharmed at the end of their final scene.

Click for objectives.

A. Love at First Sight. Time to get your party-crashing pants on, Romeo, because there is a masquerade that you are not invited to but are attending anyway. Who doesn’t love a good party? If you wear a mask, no one will know it’s you! Here Romeo and Juliet have the opportunity to meet and flirt and make goo-goo eyes at each other. And if they really want to get into the spirit of things, they can go into a laborious metaphor about how holding hands is super hot but kissing is way hotter. (Yes, really.) At this point Romeo's curse is only a partial transformation, something along the lines of scales down one side of his body.

B. Balcony Scene. The time for light flirting is over–this is where Romeo and Juliet get to declare their undying love for each other. Romeo really needs to work it as his brother, Paris, has also made moves on Juliet. There’s some strangeness in the dreamscape at this point that seems to have mistaken Shakespeare for musical theater, so the loving couple must sing their love for one another. With that spirit in mind, the moment should be suitably big and dramatic! Immediately after this scene is when Romeo and Juliet get married, so there’s no reason not to put it all out there. Shakespeare will lend a "helping hand" in giving them knowledge of the lyrics to sing, though they are free to create their own song and freestyle it. (Players can use existing songs or make it up as they go.)

C. Elope. Being the very mature and intelligent lovers that they are, Romeo and Juliet decide to get married after knowing each other for a whole day. Time to get to the chapel, meet with the Friar, and exchange vows. Shakespear will lend a helping hand by providing wedding attire fitting for those who are cast in their role. That's right, every Juliet will have their own special bridal dress, isn't he so considerate? And then it’s time to do whatever it is that newlyweds do, if that's what they are into. Otherwise, Romeo and Juliet will need to return home to prepare for their future.

D. Runaways. Juliet learns that she is being forced to marry Romeo's brother, Paris, which is a problem because she’s already married and also she doesn’t like that other guy anyway. In a major divergence from the source material, Romeo and Juliet decide to make a run for it instead of that whole poisoning-yourself business. It’s just a better idea all around. The goal is to get out of town undetected, which means that this is a stealth mission. Romeo and Juliet must follow a path and avoid getting caught. Whatever it takes to get past the guards and would-be snitches that would turn you in!

E. Find the Cure. Even after making it out so far, fate is against them. At this point Romeo's curse is advancing, so they need to look for the cure. Just outside of town they encounter a very trustworthy set of three witches who provide a list of items for them to retrieve and mix into a potion: rainbow mushroom, feather of a dove, three snails, and lavender. No one said this was going to taste good. However, while it will work temporarily, only Juliet is told that the final ingredient must be the blood of his lover. It's a cryptic message, however they do not specify how the blood is taken. Do they mean just a few drops? Or her life?

F. Tragic Ending. Upon learning of the young couple's running away, the Capulets have declared war with knights out hunting to kill Romeo and bring back Juliet. They are soon found and no matter what they do, death will await them. But how? Players can direct this however they want. Did the soldiers catch them? Did they decide that the whole double-suicide poison thing was a good idea after all? Does one tragically sacrifice themself to save the other? Does Romeo go full Lindworm and eat Juliet? The possibilities are endless. At this point Romeo is capable of turning into a full lindworm if he's taken the cure without Juliet's blood. If he drinks the cure with Juliet's blood, then he will revert to a normal human (teenager) with no extra powers.

[Mod Note: Details on this event can be found here and we request all thread submissions to be made here.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A. Masquerade; In the Gardens

[Despite the invitation, as someone who has been aligned with the Montagues for this production, Ira feels a little out of place at the party. Granted that could also be because he's a little on the anti-social side, but regardless Ira retreats to the garden. It's quieter out here, though the sounds of either preparation or party can be heard and while Ira feels like he shouldn't go too far, maybe it's worth exploring.

He finds himself among a rose garden off to the side, admiring a topiary bush when he notices a small treasure chest tucked off to the side. He wanders over, and with a flash, summons his keyblade to give it a tap. Didn't someone say they were searching for jewels earlier? It's probably a good thing he came outside.]

Have you seen any other chests like this?

B. The Lindworm in the Library

[This was an unexpected development.

And another reminder that really, Ira does not know a lot about dreamscapes and is going to need to learn. He had been curious about the library anyway, but unaware that stepping into it would pull him into a role of sorts. Compelled by Benvolio to research a cure, Ira now finds himself a lindworm. And hiding under table, but he's not sure how long that's going to last.

And so he sends out a message over the crystals.]

HELP!

C. I Must Confess, I Love Drama

[Transformations and treasure hunting aside, Ira is also keeping an eye out for Erasers and Nocturea while they are in the dreamscape. As a Keyblade Master, he's pretty sensitive to Darkness and other similar disturbances and is starting to get the hang of forcing out the creatures.

Enough that he's starting to notice the big boss flying around. Though, how to draw it out?]

D. Wildcard

[feel free to start something new or hit me up at

urbaninja

[It's a shame that their journals didn't come into dreamverses with them, or else Toge could have at least attempted to communicate better with Ira. Instead, he has to rely on his limited vocabulary to try and figure out the desperate situation Ira has found himself in.]

Mustard leaf??

[Was Ira okay?? Was he being attacked??]

[Although, in Ira's present condition, writing might be a little difficult. Claws and all that.]

The library. Please.

[It sounds like he really needs the help. Well, Toge isn't going to let him sit and wait around.]

Salmon!

[He will hurry on over to the library as fast as he can! But once he gets there, he... doesn't see Ira right away. Huh... He frowns, looking around.]

Kombu..?

[There's a sound of clattering from a nearby table. Ira speaks, but his voice is perhaps a little raspier.]

Toge, is that you? Please, don't be alarmed.

Mustard leaf?

[That's Ira! But he sounds different... But as he rounds towards the table, he frowns... and then sees something underneath the table. His eyes widen and he takes a step back.]

Mentaiko..!

[A hand is hovering over his zipper, ready to pull down his collar. What the heck is that?? Where's Ira??]

[It's not Ira's best look, as a large, blue Lindwurm. He scrambles back in a slight panic, before bumping his head on the table and looking less than graceful.]

Toge, it's alright! It's me. It's Ira...I messed up with some of the research.

[Toge takes a step back, and actually does pull his collar down, ready to use his voice if need be... but then he pauses. Wait... was that Ira's voice?]

...Ira?

[So shocked, the other's name slips from his mouth. He stares at the giant Lindwurm for a moment, before he zips his collar back up.]

Mustard leaf?

My attempt at research did not go well. It seems to have had an adverse effect.

[And now, he's a little stuck. In more ways than one.]

I'm alright otherwise.

Ikura, mentaiko.

[Toge is relieved that he's ok, but holy shit Ira. Holy shit. Taking a few slow steps forward, he reaches for his notebook and crouches down near Ira, taking a couple seconds to scribble out a few words before offering it to the newly-transformed lindworm.]

I can see why you needed help, holy shit.

What do you need me to do?

[There's a sound that's probably a laugh from Ira. Yeah, that about sums it up.]

I need a find a cure. But not the one from the book on the table.

That's the one that got me into this state.

Though I may have knocked it off somewhere.

[There is a chunk of the library that's in disarray from Ira's transformation, and consequent hiding.]

[Toge peeks up at the table, and... yeah. He doesn't see any books on the table, he just sees a messy pile of books that's been tossed to the floor. Whoops... Well, if there's a cure in here somewhere, Toge will do his best to find it. He turns to Ira and nods, holding out a peace sign.]

Tuna mayo.

[Leave it to him!]

Thank you, Toge.

[Ira definitely won't forget this.]

Let me know if you need help. I think I was starting to understand the basics.

Salmon.

[So, Toge is going to go and take a look at all the books here. Which... woof, there's a lot here. It might take him a while to sort through these books to find something useful for Ira. Hope he doesn't mind the wait.]

[There's not much he can do really, aside from the odd shift to try and make himself more comfortable.]

Is there anyone else in the library? I admit I hid out of instinct but I wouldn't mind finding somewhere else to settle.

[Toge is shuffling through some books when he hears Ira's question. He looks up, taking a quick glance around the library before replying.]

Bonito flakes.

[No, it looks like the library itself is empty. Perhaps everyone was chased out, or occupied elsewhere. But if Ira wanted to come out, he could.]

[Slowly, and slightly awkwardly, Ira gets out from under the table. It's a weird form to be in, slithering on the floor like this and he's not entirely sure how to use his arms? as well. He's longer than he'd expected he'd be, and blue in cover. He coils up into a relaxed position.]

How is it going?

[Dang, Ira looks weird. He'd be more weirded out, except one of his best friends is literally an anthropomorphic panda. So other than a weird look from Toge, he doesn't really mock or point or anything like that.]

[Toge offers a shrug, holding up a couple of books.]

Salted cod roe.

[Look at all these books! It's a lot to go through! But he does pause, grabbing at a couple books that he had purposely left open and slides them over to Ira, pointing at specific parts in the books.]

Tuna, tuna.

[This verse here seemed promising? But he's also not sure if it's what Ira was looking for.]

[It's weirdness all over. Ira isn't used to moving in this body, and the awkwardness has kept him from the books. He doesn't want to damage them with his claws after all. They're in a library.

Stil, he examines the verse, gently handling the book to check if it was one he was using before.]

It sounds similar to the one I was looking at before. That one had a red cover if you can find it.

[And then he can start comparing them.]

[It's kinda funny, seeing this big giant dragon-lizard handling a book so carefully. But he nods. A book with a red cover? He's sure he seen one somewhere...]

Salmon.

[Give him a little bit to look. It'll probably take several minutes, but eventually, Toge will emerge from the pile of books, a red tome in his hand.]

Tuna, tuna!

[Some things are just part of a person no matter what they are. Ira looks up at Toge's exclamation and nods.]

Yes, that was it! Just, be careful. The spell that caused this is in there as well.

It wouldn't do for both of us to be stuck.

Salmon, salmon.

[He's got it, he won't repeat that spell. But looking at it and a few of the other fallen tomes, Toge notices a few other passages that are similar in nature to the spell in the book Ira had tried. One was a complete copy of the spell, with just a few components that were different. Gathering these books up in his hands, he brings them over to Ira, pointing them out.]

Salted cod roe. Tuna, tuna.

[Claws, Ira has come to realize, make everything difficult. He wants to reach, to grab a pencil and start making notes, the things he usually does when faced with a problem like this. All he can really do is look and it's frustrating.]

I see. I'm starting to think I was too hasty in my actions. This is a little more complex than I first thought.

Ira | OTA

The Lindwurm in the Library

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in the gardens

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