songerein | { test drive #04

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{ test drive #04 - march 2022 }

✵ TEST DRIVE MEME: MARCH ✵
A reminder that our Test Drive Memes double as an Intro Log and threads can be carried over in-game, which means all content is forward dated to the first week of the app month. They are also required for samples. Refer to the Game Info for general information and feel free to toss any TDM related questions here. Reserves are open and Applications open on March 1st. Our application cycles are bi-monthly so the next cycle won't be until May.

I. WELCOME TO SONGEREIN

Upon "arriving" into Songerein, everyone is understandably confused. The first thought would be they must be in a dream, which makes sense since the last thing they might remember doing is falling asleep or losing some form of consciousness or awareness before opening their eyes and finding themselves in the Plaza of some strange town they've never seen before. But there are a lot of other people around, some that may look familiar but others so strange that it would be impossible for their own imagination to dream up. And they're all just as confused. Fortunately, a red tapir-like creature appears and introduces itself as Solei, one of the "keepers" of this place. It offers some explanation before letting everyone explore their new "home." [Reminder: Other people aside from the characters will also appear to act as filler NPCs so keep in mind that new groups are at least double the size. Players are also free to be creative and come up with any kind of creature or animal their characters might encounter. The only limitations are they must be small to medium in size and not be overly aggressive as the creatures within the town are mostly passive, just wary of the new arrivals.]

A. Magic Journals. Everyone will find a journal stylized just for them on their person somewhere and it's the primary means of communication with everyone. The only limitation is that it's text only, but images can be magically imprinted on the page from the writer's mind. Might as well give it a whirl and see who all is out there.

B. Dreamotion Abilities. Although everyone maintains most of their original abilities while in Songerein, they are also capable of using special abilities based on dreamotion energy. From having their emotions affecting the environment to utilizing new abilities entirely, it's probably something that they should start familiarizing fairly quickly. Especially since all the emotional surprise and confusion may already be affecting things, such as random glass shattering or cracks forming at one's feet.

C. Exploring Town. The town of Reverein is small but still sizable, so walking around and to see what all there is might be a good idea. The town has become more populated over time, but it's still relatively empty with many buildings still unoccupied and some still in disrepair and about to collapse in on itself. There are a few small fae and small wild critters who have made a few nests so just watch your step—or head. Some could venture out to the farmlands and beyond, but having someone more experienced may be wise.

D. Dreambucks Cafe. As a way to welcome their new inhabitants as well as give them a nice, cool refreshment after all the work they will be doing, the tapirs will call everyone's attention to a certain cafe back at the Plaza. Called Dreambucks, it's a quaint little cafe staffed by friendly tea fairies and primarily serves tea and small cakes. Their teas and foods are quite special as the flavor will influence one's emotions and dreams—but in a good way! There are no harmful side effects and they are usually positive. Bolstering one's spirit; calming or relaxing nerves. The tea fairies want everyone to enjoy their time. Anyone can pick whichever table they want to take a break and meet some people. Or take a peek at what someone might be dreaming thanks to the teas.

There are three different types of teas available:

Strawberries and Cream Tea. A sweet and flavorful tea that can provide soft, friendly feelings or have one acting especially sweet towards a friend. Or perhaps even towards a stranger who seems to need a little sweetness in their life.

Black Pomegranate Tea. A few sips of this will invoke melancholy over past loves. However, it doesn't need to be people—it could be anything at all: people, places, things, interests.

Coffee with White Chocolate Raspberry Cream. These bold and strong flavors will cause one to perform grand acts of affection (romantic or platonic) for anyone they see.

Although it doesn't always happen, sometimes the tea will be a strong enough influence that it will make the drinker daydream for a bit. Anyone nearby may notice their dream crystal lantern flicker and catch a brief glimpse of the daydream on it. Or perhaps those who want to try out their dream crystal lanterns are deliberately trying to see if their dreams are captured. Only daydreams influenced by the tea can be caught and even then it's just a brief glimpse, but it's still an interesting way to see how the dream crystal lanterns work.

Note: There is no currency in the world and everything served is free at this time. However it might not be immediately obvious and the fairies won't mind if customers repay in some way, be it helping out via cleaning and serving, giving gifts such as flowers or fruits, or something else.

II. LOCAL PROMPTS

Although Valentine's may be over, there is still plenty of that "romance" in the air, especially with all the leftovers from the month. But it's not all hearts and rainbows.

A. Candy Roses. Candy roses are all the rage right now and once again confectioners are competing against each other in creating the best ones. This has led to many being handed out as samples. What makes them so special? The flavors will influence one's emotions on the positive, "loving" spectrum. However, some will have a softer, subtle effect while others may be more exaggerated.

Red. Red candy roses will induce ardent love towards the person within their vicinity. It causes them to immediately grab their hand and declare their love for all to hear.
Pink. Pink candy roses will cause the eater to be filled with so much joy they start frolicking with flowers everywhere around them, to the point that flowers will appear in their food, drink, whatever they touch.
White. White candy roses will cause the eater to be very honest about their feelings…about anything that comes to mind or they see. Positive or negative, they can only tell the truth. Some may be able to control it, but the impulse will be very strong.
Purple. Purple candy roses are a mystery flavor that will have a random emotional effect on the eater. They could be joyous, they could be so overwhelmed with passion they become depressed, they could become angry and possessive…it's a toss up wildcard.

All effects will last from ten minutes to half an hour.

B. Orc Chocolate Sculptor. As if not to be outdone by the candy roses, an area around the Central Plaza has been cleared away for a large orc who performs and creates magnificent sculptures made from pure chocolate. From buildings to animals to people, to making replicas of real food, to making large and miniature models of Reverein's streets, this orc can do it all. And he is inviting others to join in. All the tools and chocolate are provided, and should anyone be successful in their creation, it has the chance of becoming animated through dreamotion energy. It could behave as a result of the sculptor's emotions, or someone could try to channel dreamotion energy to make it move. Of course, things can get messy…watch out for chocolate being flung from some kids who snuck in!

C. Eris Arrows. No one knows where they came from, but winged, cherub-like creatures have appeared and are firing arrows at everyone. However, these have orange feathers and anyone struck by them will transform into a lindworm filled with anger and hate for the first thing they see. Clearly this isn't a good thing, and fortunately there are some love arrows still around that will help negate the effect. Otherwise, one will have to try and subdue them and push a lot of positive "love" dreamotion energy on them (can be platonic or romantic). It is also possible to take out the anti-cupids, but as they seem to be a form of noctaere, only dreamotion abilities will make significant damage to them. Similar to those turned into a lindworm, the love arows can also be used against them, as well as any other concentration of "love."

III. DREAMSCAPE TUTORIAL

To help everyone understand their dreamwalking abilities, the tapirs will ask anyone who is willing to gather around the Dream Swings in the Central Plaza. There anyone is invited to sit in the chairs or hammocks and focus on their dream crystal lanterns to enter a special dreamscape made just for them. Those watching might find the sight of everyone suddenly turning into a colorful ball of light and disappearing alarming, but that's just the normal process of entering a dream. When someone leaves the dream, they will briefly reappear as that light before returning to their original form. The theme for this dreamscape is Three Little Pigs in Candyland. For this dreamscape exercise, the tapirs have created a fascinating environment that is basically Candyland. It's a good thing this is all a dream so that anyone who has a sweet tooth can eat to their heart's content and not get a cavity. However, even if this is a dream made of candy, there are still some threats to the dreamwalkers…especially since they will be turned into either pigs or wolves. Free exploration is allowed, but there are a couple of "objectives" or "exercises" they should try to work on their dreamotion abilities.

A. Three Little Pigs. As a fun twist to the dreamscape, dreamwalkers may be turned into anthropomorphic pigs. They can walk on their hind legs, use their forelegs as arms, speak, wear clothes if they feel comfortable about…but they are otherwise very much a pig and will not be able to transform out. They can add to their appearance, such as adding wings, horns, hair—anything that might help bring back some of their individual characteristic. They don't have to work together, but the main "plotline" of this story is to build houses to withstand the big bad wolves.

B. Big Bad Wolves. The other option for dreamwalkers is they may be turned into anthropomorphic wolves. Like the pigs, they can walk on their hind legs, use their forelegs as arms, speak, wear clothes, etc, but they will look more wolf than "person." Their goal is to destroy the houses…by eating them, although they will find they have a powerful set of lungs that will allow them to try and blow them down. Of course, those who want to help the pigs instead are allowed. Might even be a good idea considering what else is out there.

C. Candy Houses. The pigs are to build the strongest house as possible, but they can only use one type of the following material: pixy stix (straw), licorice (sticks), and jolly ranchers (bricks). Other materials such as icing, gum, and other things can be used, and dreamotion energy will be key in helping to strengthen and decorate them, but it must be made with one type of building material. Or cheat, who is actually paying attention—

D. Evil Hansel and Gretel. Although the "Big Bad Wolves" are supposed to the main antagonists, noctaere in the form of Hansel and Gretel appear and try to not only eat the houses, but also will try to turn the dreamwalkers into candy…to later consume. That would be bad, so perhaps teamwork between the pigs and the wolves will be necessary to beat them back. Fortunately they aren't too difficult to eliminate, and upon defeat they will burst into sprinkles.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Zidane only know one eater and their name is Quina... which is absolutely terrifying. Oh well, he nods, glad to maybe have cleared something up. Heck, lots of people come here and ask why the journal.]

[Oh right, if he's going to mention the nightmares, best to clear that up.]

That's both too frequent and not frequent enough. They'll mainly stick to dreamscapes so you don't have to contend with them if you don't want, but the problem is the noctaere. They can slip out of nightmares and cause issues if the monsters around don't, but it's not often. And you might wanna keep in mind your magic outside of the dreamscape will take a little more effort to use.

[There's a great deal of clearing up to be done, yes. But with every clarification comes a multitude of unvoiced questions and a need for specifics. He'll simply have to put in the effort to follow all of these separate threads on his own time and then reach his own conclusions, his own first-hand accounts. As tedious as it is, he's learned over the past few millennia that sometimes if one wants something done properly, one must do it alone.]

So that explains it. I've rather noticed a difference in the aether here. Or, rather a complete lack of it in the traditional sense. It's weak at best.

Given that, I'm not surprised to hear that these dreamscapes would behave differently.

[Which all points to the simple fact that he must master the use of dreamotion as swiftly as possible. No rest for the weary, it seems.]

[That... and Zidane's not good with remembering all the detail sometimes if he's not too interested.]

The dreamscapes can be pretty cool. Just keep in mind others can enter them. Also, they might show up on the dream crystal you got so, even if they don't enter, they'll still see it.

[Which is something that's pretty important to know in particular. Maybe he should've started somewhere with that.]

[Emet-Selch frowns at this.]

Are you implying that others may be able to enter my dreams, or even simply view them at their leisure, as if it were some play unfolding for all to see?

[Potentially useful if such is the case, but also no thank you. Even in a world where virtually all were blessed with the gift and the power to see and know, it was generally frowned upon to use such methods invasively. Besides, there are some things, some visions and states of affairs one might like to keep to oneself.]

Yeah, pretty much. It's a good thing you have some control over them now, huh?

[Because even he has some dreams and things he'd rather not share. Though, it's funny because he's planning on sharing a dream soon.]

Yes, I suppose that is all rather convenient.

[Oh, if only Emet-Selch knew what things he would be unwittingly sharing with the world, and just as well, if he had any idea what knowledge has already been revealed to them about his future actions... Well, perhaps it wouldn't change all that much after all.]

Now, was there something else you needed? Surely you don't expect me to repeat the same trick again.

[And rather unfortunate, but someone standing near him might pop into those dreams. No name's were going to be given, but they do have a tail, pony tail and otherwise.]

Hm? Oh, nope!

[And he continues to stand there, looking around with a smile... Yup, nothing out of the ordinary.]

[Well he doesn't very well trust that. Far too innocently spoken. He'll ignore that inkling - for now, and instead offer a dismissive wave of a hand.]

Yes, well, I thank you the information. And good luck with your idea gathering. You could certainly do worse than watching what sculptures the townsfolk come up with.

Oh, are we done talking? Haha, okay, I'll see you around...

[Though, Zidane doesn't move as he looks up at the man again, tilting his head. His eyes narrow as he thinks, tail swinging as he tosses something around in his head and shifts his weight onto one leg.]

... man, did I already use all of them for Eustace? I didn't use Grumpy yet so that might have to do. Or Grampy, hehe~

[He heard that you know. Emet-Selch had just turned to leave, but now he swivels back on his heel, slowly, like a little wind-up doll. He regards this boy again, highly unamused.]

Oh? I didn't think we were yet well-acquainted enough to resort to affectionate pet names.

Hey, I don't know your name since we didn't formally introduce ourselves, so Grampy it is.

[Because Old Man, Pops, and so on are already in use, and he's definitely like a grumpy old man.]

Yes, and an oversight which I'm half-inclined to rectify immediately.
You are...?

[That's Great-Grampy to you, you little monkey. And like the finest of wines, Emet-Selch only improves with age.]

[Probably.]

[Ah, wine... let's not talk about that. More interesting for people other than him.]

[Also, intros would not stop the re-emergence of his nickname later.]

The name's Zidane. And you are?

[Too refined for your tastes, Zidane?]

[And such a pity. Do refrain from using it within earshot of a certain purple gremlin, won't you? He'd rather not have such an uncreative alias gain traction with his more mischief-minded peer.]

You may call me Emet-Selch.

[Even if not technically a name, it's what he'll be most likely to answer to. He won't find "Grampy" to be quite so effective.]

[... No promises once he finds out they know each other.]

'May'? Oh, so... what, it's a title or something?

[Because if he can call him that, it doesn't sound like his actual name. And don't worry, he'll make Grampy effective... one way or another.]

[A tragedy in the making.]

[But my, this boy is being fickle. He shrugs.]

Well you did ask for a formal introduction, did you not? It is both a name and an office. You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who calls me by any other.

[Well, except for the few people whom he introduced himself to as Solus zos Galvus, but they'll learn the truth soon enough. Oh, and Hythlodaeus. Fortunately he has his companion trained to never use his given name in public spaces.]

Edited 2022-03-04 19:26 (UTC)

Name and office? Huh, if you're cool with that.

[He'll shrug too, but then nod.]

But alright, nice to meet you! And see you around! So far, I haven't seen any dragons so I might sculpt one. Maybe see if I can have it breathe out flower petals.

[Sounds more festive and safer than his original hot chocolate idea.]

Why wouldn't I be "cool" with it? It's who I am. And I daresay it's far more fitting than the silly little nickname you'd so like to foist upon me.

[Keep trying all you like, he'll never accept it. Although, yes, that does sound far more benign than liquidizing the chocolate until it reaches scalding hot temperatures. That would be pure foolishness.]

Well then, I shall leave you to your work. Perhaps a flower-breathing dragon will be enough to keep the children entertained for a time.

[He shrugs slowly and turns again to saunter away with a lazy wave of his hand.]

Good luck.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

{ test drive #04 - march 2022 }

Someone use Sleep 3

Please.

It's that or Sleeping Weed

That sounds far less pleasant.

Don't worry, they can turn it into a potion

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