songerein | { lindwormeo and juliet }

Entry tags:

{ 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

[Could she not have avoided all of this? She would like to think so. From the very beginning of it all, she found herself under the thumb of the Capulet household, which somehow seemed suiting, given who she is and the way things are back in Alexandria under Brahne's rule. The back and forth bickering between houses, however...

It sounds like court politicking to her. Almost something she's too familiar with and perhaps as a general, it seems that Beatrix has had her hand in far too many sociopolitical pies to consider herself blind to how nobility runs and works. This may be but a dreamscape, but there's frightful reality to it. She is more associated with it than she'd like to be.]

01. Masquerade - Paper Faces on Parade [Inside]

[For many reasons, Beatrix has begrudgingly chosen to adjust her appearance based on the situation at hand. Much of this is to make it easier to keep on things as they happen. She doesn't have the intentions of getting involved herself with the little feud going on, but if she can stop things from getting out of hand, that seems like the necessary way to go.

The downside is that being in disguise means she isn't able to be quite as commandeering or intimidating as she normally carries herself to be. As a result, she's had to issue disinterest in dancing attempts and attempt to lose herself by tables of glasses and white and red wine.

She lifts a hand to press it carefully and hesitantly to the forearm of her nearest immediate companion in an attempt to weave her way around them.]

Excuse me.

[Is all she seems to have to say. Beatrix is a woman on a mission. A mission to avoid every single dance she can manage to avoid.]

02. Masquerade - Every Face a Different Shade [Outside]

[The air inside is stifling. Too many people. Too many whispered notes of 'Montague-this' and 'Capulet-that.' It's supposed to be a truce, but Beatrix knows better. Such animosities do not simply just go away. Eyes become more prying. Ears listen harder and further for compromising conversation. This is all a ruse. It must be. She can't believe it would be any other way.

And she needs some breaths away from it all, which is precisely how she winds up outside in the brisk air.

When she's made certain she's on her own, a hand in her skirts to help her pick up the pace, she makes way for the place that seems closest to familiarity—the gardens. Her other hand carefully draws off her mask and she sucks in a deep breath to compose herself. A militant life has always suited her better. The parties and soirees, galas, and social butterflying about is exhausting.

Faced with the bloom of a flower, she lifts a hand to cup it with a tenderness not often seen by Alexandria's general, and certainly not something she'd display so openly. Without a doubt, she misses her home with every beat of her heart. Perhaps it's simply never seemed as prominent as it does in the present.]

03. Love is a Battlefield

[Beatrix would love to say she was born to be on the front lines and that may be true, at least in accordance with Brahne's path to conquest. In the presence of the noctaere, this is hardly any different. All she can think about is how they failed to take down the bear. This must go differently. As such, she's prepared herself.

Roses of white and red are tucked into the braids of her hair, still leftover from the whole disguise scenario. Their use, she can only speculate, but based on appearance, and based on observation, they may very well come in handy. With Save the Queen in one hand, she's offering over a white rose with the other.]

Take this. It may prove practical should things worsen.

[How charitable of her.]

04. Wildcard

[The above not striking you? Let's do something different. Feel free to send me a PM, contact me via discord (if you have it), or PP at ofthesky.]

[Beatrix and Diluc have been assigned kin all of the dreamscape, but it's not until they both decide to step outside of their roles to confront the noctaere that they have any sort of meaningful interaction. As far as Diluc's concerned, that's better; a fight like this one is a more comfortable environment for them both.

As such, he accepts the flower and tucks it into the pouch on his belt.]

Thank you.

[With that, he draws his own sword--a large, two-handed claymore.]

We'll need to cut through its minions before we can get to the creature itself. I'm ready when you are.

[Once he stashes it away, Beatrix brings her other hand to the first, still lingering on Save the Queen. She hears him plainly. Nothing can ever be easy, can it. She at least has a better understanding of how her skills work in this place at this time. She's no expert, but it's better than the first time Diluc got caught with her.]

Heard.

[She acknowledges easily enough before she manages to continue.]

Pick a side to approach from. Two targets are more difficult to watch than one.

[Diluc, too, has improved in his dreamotion capabilities. It also helps that this is to be a fight and not a series of frustratingly obtuse puzzles. Fights are much more straightforward, even in dreams.]

Noted. I'll take the left.

[He glances over to her, automatically deferring to her as their ad-hoc commander. He hasn't led anyone in that capacity in over four years. He doesn't know much about her, but he knows that she's used to leading in situations such as these.]

At your word.

[She nods as she begins to strafe across the ground. Minions first. That's the way of it. It's hardly different from other like things that she's done in the past of this magnitude.]

Divide and conquer.

[She offers him a little dip of her chin, lifting one hand to indicate to make his approach. Whether he chooses to be subtle about it or as reckless hardly seems to matter. He may be military of a sort, but she understands that everyone with a weapon has a distinct style. If anything, he seems more like her and that is almost a little more strange.]

If you have magic, I would consider using it. Provided you have figured out how to in these situations. Let us take out the front line and then adjust our focus.

[And she isn't going to say it, but she'll keep an eye on him. If something happened where he needs her help, she'll make sure that she's there.]

[When acting on his own, Diluc tends to charge in full speed ahead and handle the consequences as they happen. He's not about to do that here--even if his status as a knight is former, he still remembers enough of how fighting in cooperation is supposed to work. He respects Beatrix too much to jeopardize her safety because of his own ego.

With one last nod to acknowledge her advice to use magic, he makes his approach from the left, strafing slowly until he gets the attention of one of the smaller, winged creatures that are between them. From there, he engages in earnest, calling forth a dark, cold flame that encompasses his sword before he swings it. He's been practicing his dreamotion magic quite a bit in recent weeks, and it shows here.

As he fights, he makes sure to maintain enough awareness of Beatrix's position and condition. He wont say it either, but he has her back same as she has his.]

Beatrix | OTA

WE ARE YOUNG, HEARTACHE TO HEARTACHE (love is a battlefield)

I can't believe this. lol

no subject

no subject

no subject

01

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

02

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Love is a Battlefield

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject