songerein | { test drive #01

Entry tags:

-tdm

{ test drive #01 - august 2021 }

✵ TEST DRIVE MEME ✵
Reminder that our Test Drive Memes double as an Intro Log and threads can be carried over in-game. 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 open on August 25th and Applications open on September 1st. Our application cycles are bi-monthly so the next cycle won't be until November.

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 the initial group is 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 is empty of any other people and it's relatively safe aside from most of the buildings looking like they're about to collapse in on itself, but 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 anyone who gets too close to the Wildlands will encounter a tapir who will tell them to go back for now. Be warned if anyone tries to ignore and push past them.

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:

Rainy Morning. After drinking this tea, one might feel a little melancholic or nostalgic for something from their past. They might even have a short little daydream of a distant memory.

Summer Afternoon. This tea will make anyone feel more vigorous and joyful. So much so they might start shining like the summer sun itself! Any dreams influenced by the tea will be one of a happy occasion or a hopeful dream.

Autumn Evening. Brewed with special strong, herbal spices, this tea has a bit more of a kick to it, but it's also warm and is great for calming nerves while giving just enough of a confidence boost to get through whatever difficulties lie ahead. The dreams influenced by this tea will reflect when the drinker has been their bravest.

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. HOME IMPROVEMENTS

The entire town is in need of a massive fixer upper, but one of the first areas everyone will likely want to start is the residential area to figure out their new homes. Instead of houses, most of the homes are in the trees. Be it a treehouse or carved into the tree itself, various dwellings can be found. Unfortunately, there are some unwanted guests making a mess of things, so they will need to be cleared out.

A. Pest Control. One of the worst offenders are giant bugs of varying size of type with the biggest about the size of a large dog. Some are actually quite friendly and can be shooed or coaxed away to the forests just outside of town. Or who knows, someone might befriend them and make them into a new pet or house helper. The giant beetles could make for some interesting guard...bugs. Some, however, are more hostile as they find the fruits, leaves, flowers, and wood of the trees delicious. The biggest threats are the giant termites so they must definitely be eradicated or removed.

B. A Little Pruning. The trees themselves are a little...testy in large part of the bugs that have been chowing down on them. After the bugs are cleared they will calm down and become more passive, but until then everyone will also have to beware of wild swinging branches, rotten fruit falling, and roots suddenly springing up from the ground. Another way to appease the trees is cutting out some of the old, rotten wood and giving the trees some pruning, especially any vines that are choking some to death. Positive dreamotion energy will also help revitalize the area.

C. Tidying Up. Once the area is clear, the new residents can start cleaning up and repairing the different houses there. From repairing walkways connecting the trees, to the stairs and ladders that lead up to the treehouses, to decluttering and repairing the buildings, there's a plethora of work that needs to be done.

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 Spooky Forest and it first starts in a pumpkin patch before moving to a dark, fog filled forest.

A. Suddenly Pumpkins. The moment anyone enters the dream they will find themselves in a fenced in pumpkin patch and turned into a pumpkin. Since anything can happen while dreamwalking, the first exercise is to try and change back to their original form or have fun and just roll around as pumpkins. They can even try to change the pumpkin form, such as changing the size, the shape, color. Just watch out for the mice. They are feeling very artistic and will try to scribble whatever on any pumpkin around, but otherwise are harmless and easily scared off. The marker will remain even when turned to the normal, but should be easy enough to remove, right? The only way to leave the patch is to turn back to normal.

B. Festive Candy Hunt. At some point the tapirs come in and ask the dreamwalkers to try and change the spooky forest into something a little more festive. They are given free rein to change the environment in how they see fit. Of course, this means the dreamwalkers need to figure out how to focus their energy and imagination to make those changes. Perhaps starting small by adding decorations or changing the colors of the leaves is a good starting place. But there may be some difficulty as some rogue candy is messing things up and getting in the way. Capable of movement, they will dash, roll, and even fly to evade capture. They will also try and defend themselves using special "attacks" based on what they are. Chocolate will make melted chocolate puddles, taffy will make sticky traps, bubble gum will try and encase people in a sticky bubble—might want to avoid the giant jawbreaker as it's more of a bodybreaker. Fortunately once caught, the candy will change to its more normal form. Maybe altering the environment could work to their advantage. If successful in either decorating or catching the candy, there will be some kind of reward later.

C. A Little Frightening. While traversing through the forests, any small, minor kind of fear will manifest and chase them around. For example if one is afraid of spiders, a small group or one large spider will suddenly appear. If one hates cleaning, a bunch of brooms and brushes will start harassing them. It's not enough to induce full blown nightmares, and no one can actually be harmed, but it's enough to give anyone a fright and need help getting rid of them. Thinking of more pleasant ideas that counter the fears, like fluffy clouds or cute plushies, can help disperse them. If the fears worsen instead, a small noctaere will form. The tapirs warn that they are creaturn born from nightmare energy, and if too many appear and grow bigger the dreamscape could turn into a nightmare. So what a great opportunity for the dreamwalkers to test out their new dreamotion abilities! Especially since their original abilities aren't even useful while dreaming. The noctaere are quite weak, so a few hits can easily disperse them, but there might be a few that will take a bit more teamwork. This is especially so since everyone's abilities will be weak as well.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Now when it comes to Vanitas, it's ironic that the thing that he fears the most comes from himself. Or, rather, it is what the Unversed represent - his broken nature. Now of course he can't control them, as they aren't connected to him. Though they don't look quite right either, but that might be an explanation for a different time!

Since, after all, someone else seems to be struggling just a little. Maybe not struggling, but confused. Now Vanitas likes to be high so he's sitting in a tree ( ignoring the fact that he, too, seems to struggle with this newfound energy that is supposed to be the source of any abilities that they have ), observing. ]

Well that was effective.

[Hearing the voice, Eustace's gaze snaps up to the figure in the tree. T'ch. Sensing others within a dream is a lot different than in the "real" world, so he had been completely unaware that someone else had been nearby. He'll have to work on that... But for now he turns his attention back onto the marshmallow covered noctaere and raises his gun to try again.

This time the result is a bit more satisfactory with a bullet firing from the gun and hitting the noctaere squarely in the side. Of course the...bullet was more like a paintball bullet and there's green paint splattered everywhere. With a small little shriek it disappears, successfully eliminated.

With the threat taken care of, he now turns to look up at the boy.]

It was unexpected, but it still seems to have some effect against them.

[Not that he's...pleased by the how, but this will be a lot of trial and error, clearly.]

[ Vanitas gives a few slow claps. Maybe even a very fake sounded "oooh!" as if he's awed by the display. ]

As long as it works, I suppose. In the end that's what matters, right?

[ Now he hasn't actually tried his Keyblade. It really only serves to augment his magical abilities anyway. It, within itself, isn't the source of Vanitas' power. ]

Now that you've defeated the poor, terrifying creature... Are you heading out or looking for more?

...

[He just ignores the fake admiration and actually debates on if he should bother answering. But given the circumstances, he can't be an aloof lone wolf forever here.]

More. Although small, they're still a threat to the dream and I could use the practice.

[ Isn't that how it is? These strange situations forcing people that would prefer to be by themselves to interact with people? Vanitas just figures it's inevitable at this point so why bother fighting it?

Maybe this place will have more capable people. Who knows. ]

Now there's a question... It's a "threat" in what sense? All things have a beginning and all eventually have an end. How do we know that we're delaying what might be a natural progression?

Given that these creatures are supposedly born of nightmares and are hostile in nature, I would perceive that as a "threat" to an otherwise peaceful environment designed for our benefit to learn about working in this world.

And who is to say destroying them is not part of the "natural progression"?

Or that, too, is also a part of the design. There are always going to be positive forces and negative ones that have existed from the very start.

[ Vanitas shrugs. ]

We are the foreign presence here, not they. So our interference is far from "natural."

From how I understood, everyone is a foreign presence. We're just the last to arrive.

Though who knows what's "natural" or not about this place.

I was speaking about these little nightmare creatures.

[ Though he has no idea if any "person" that's here could be a native or not. The last place he was, it was pretty easy to tell which was which! It still... Strikes him as odd. In a way. ]

[...Hm. If he's understanding correctly, then in some ways it's not a bad point. If it's the nature of the noctaere to invade dreams or attach themselves to anything that causes nightmares, even born from them, then technically they're not at fault.]

Perhaps to some degree, but it's the tapirs who created this dream and warned us about them. In that regard, they are the unwanted intruders.

[ Unwanted intruders. Yeah... Vanitas wouldn't know anything about that, right? Just because they are not desired here that makes them intrusive? ]

Only because they deem it so. Which would imply their word is actually truthworthy.

[ And Vanitas isn't going to just toss himself out there like that. ]

[He eyes him for a moment.]

And you don't think so.

[Fair assessment, so he's not really sounding like he's arguing for or against.]

Oh I most certainly don't think so. Who would be foolish enough for that, hmmm?

[ He's not going to believe anything without proof. Without evidence. People lie. They cheat. They are cruel and they manipulate. Vanitas hasn't forgotten this. ]

[Hm.]

There's nothing wrong with being cautious and I admit I am also not wholly sure what I can trust. However there is some truth that this is clearly not our world, and dream or not we need to understand what we can do and what threats there are.

[....Hmm.]

I do find it curious that you seem to be defending the noctaere, even when they've clearly proven to be hostile and attack others.

[ Vanitas makes a shocked face. Hands on his cheeks in awe included. ]

Not our world? Are you serious? I had no idea!

[ He drops his hands and his features become more neutral again. ]

No, this place is not any of our worlds. This doesn't even seem to be similar to the dream realm that I had passed through once upon a time. There are others that are more accustomed to passing through dreams. Maybe you should seek them out. All of this is just a matter of finding out what rules govern this world. Then adapting.

[ The question of the Noctaere though... Well that's something that has Vaanitas almost scoffing. Finding it curious that he should defend them uh. ]

As for our little friends... I wouldn't call it defending. However -

[ Vanitas lifts his arms in something of a shrug, Darkness taking a moment to swirl around him. Red eyes soon start to peek open, the Darkness forming the start of a couple of Floods. ]

Like attracts like.

[Eustace just listens... His main concern had been that some Primal Beast had managed to cast a wide illusion on everyone, but the discrepancies were too great for it to be one. But to know there were other dream realms... That would be something he needed to check into. More information, relative or not, never hurts.

When Vanitas lifts his arm and the Darkness swirls around it, there's just a slight arch of the brow.]

...I see.

[Yet he doesn't really change his stance, just studying him. If the kid wanted to pose as a threat he could have done so earlier or even now. So he just assumes that while he could pose as a problem, right now he's just showing off.]

Then maybe you'll have better chance in keeping them away.

[ All of those things are, unfortunately and disgustingly true. If Vantias really had any intentions of causing harm right now, he would have. There's really no point in it, right? It would just be doing it for the sake of nothing else to do and a waste of time and effort.

Still, the comment makes him scoff. He shakes looks the couple of Floods and they go running off. Who knows where they will end up or what problems they will cause. ]

Now who says that I would be interested in doing that?

I did say "maybe."

[Just an idle shrug.]

I'm not here to tell anyone what to do. Whether you just sit around and watch, help, or cause problems—it only becomes my business if it bothers me or those who can't help themselves.

But I prefer peace and quiet...so it would be better if I don't have to deal with troublesome things.

Before I might have wanted to cause problems. Watch the worlds burn and so on and so forth. However that is ultimately problematic and causes too many headaches.

[ In other words, he really isn't interested in drawing attention to himself anyway. Not to the point where it could make things difficult to just exist. So there's no need to worry too much about Vanitas "causing problems." ]

Though I do have a word of advice.

[Just gives him a silent look to continue.]

You say that you prefer peace and quiet. That you don't want to be involved in troublesome things.

[ Admirable, in a way. To want to stay out of things. ]

I can guarantee you that this isn't going to happen. You will be pulled into things so you should just prepare yourself for that.

[Eustace just looks at him before he snorts.]

No, I already know that. However I can still limit anything unnecessary, either by avoiding or getting rid of the disruption itself.

[ Van's lip quirks slightly. ]

Oh you can limit it... Doesn't mean it will exactly work that way.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

{ test drive #01 - august 2021 }

III-b

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