songerein | { Saving Oz }

Entry tags:

{ Saving Oz }

SAVING OZ

After a month of increasingly windy weather, it all comes to a head when a giant book appears right above the town of Reverein. It opens its pages facing the town and a large tornado emerges, descending down to cover the entire town. Miraculously, no buildings are destroyed, but the entire population is sucked up into the air and into the pages of the book. It's a wild, twisting ride until everyone crash lands into a strange city all in emerald green. The tapirs make their usual rare appearance and look around before gasping, "Oh! It's the Emerald City from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz! Looks like a mess though… And so do you!"

As pointed out, everyone will find themselves dressed or transformed into some semblance of one of the five main characters: Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Woodman (Tinman), and the Cowardly Lion. They could be wearing authentic costumes, have an almost complete appearance change, partial transformation, and anywhere in-between. While they are mostly stuck in whichever "role" they've been initially cast in, they can temporarily change if a different role would work better. They gain additional abilities fitting of the character, such as the Scarecrow unable to bleed as they are now made of straw, the Tinman always wearing or made of some kind of metallic armor, the Lion have wind blasting roars and the strength of a real lion, Toto able to become a real dog, and Dorothy has their charisma stat shot up through the roof. Everyone will be able to use their dreamotion and original abilities as well, so they can be even more creative. While there are no complete personality changes, some may feel some "adjustments" to fit their role at times. Some roles will be more effective for certain tasks and objectives, and they will receive additional buff bonuses to help clear it.

With the help of local citizens who have formed their own rebel force, everyone must now help push back the nightmare force that has taken over this story and lure out the mysterious new "Wizard" that is the source of all this chaos. If they can fill a giant emerald with positive dreams and launch it at the "Wizard," then it'll be a mission success.

For any questions, refer to the Game Notes and comment there.

I. HELPING THE CITY

Emerald City is a mess, but not lost. The rebel force has a base set up to help direct everyone and serves as the main camp for aid and rest. There's plenty to do, and now that they have "Dorothy and her friends" again, they may be able to win back their proud city. Oh, if only they could find the Princess Ozma...

A. Porcelain Rubble. Aside from the usual physical destruction, large portions of the city have turned into porcelain and broken apart. A special glue is available and becomes more potent with dreamotion infused into it, and as soon as pieces are glued back together the structure will return to its original form. However, there is a risk of someone turning into porcelain the longer they remain in the area and will need to be glued back together if broken (fortunately no one can die, just lie helplessly in pieces). Perhaps those who are cast as Toto can help sniff out trapped individuals, while the Scarecrow's straw would make for excellent padding for those broken pieces.

B. Statued. Many citizens have been turned into statues, scattered all over the city and outside the walls. They need to be moved to safety first before a cure can be used as it takes time to fully work. Special sleighs fashioned after the Gump are available to help carry any statued citizen to safety; just be careful when driving it as they are very unpredictable. Once in a safe spot, a few drops of the potion will start the curing process. The many witches that cursed everyone to begin with are still out and about, ready to turn anyone unaware into statues. Strangely, the spell bounces off metal, so those cast as the Tinman will be great in offering support and could even try and reflect the spell back onto the witches to turn them to statues instead.

C. Into the Poppy Field. The dangerous poppy field known for its ability to lull any who are flesh and blood to sleep until their dying days has been inching closer towards the city, perhaps drawn by the nightmare energy flowing out from it. To make matters worse, they now can move their roots and leaves to try and ensnare people. A special plant killer diffuser has been developed, but it requires anyone cast as Dorothy, the Lion, or Toto to take the diffuser and run into the field as deep as they can before they succumb to the pollen, which will activate the diffuser. Either the Tinman or the Scarecrow must then make their way through to fetch them. Those who volunteered to run in can use their ability to dreamwalk and appear as a little wisp to help guide their would be rescuer to their slumbering body, even give them some help with the snares. (Mod: for threading purposes, characters can either partner up as the sleeper and rescuer, or both can be rescuing an NPC that served as the role of sleeper instead).

D. First Aid. For any who prefer to stay out of combat and help the wounded and scared, the base camp is stocked with medical supplies, food, and other necessities to help weather out the attack. They do need to be resupplied, however, so those more daring to venture either into the city or outside the walls to get items should take someone capable of defending just in case. Some places include an orchard of lunch pail trees that grow fully stocked lunch pails filled with various foods. Lions will be great at climbing them while Scarecrows can shoo away annoying crows. Another is gathering wood in a cursed forest where the trees have become Fighting Trees. The Tinman's ax is lethal against them and will chop through them easily.

E. Yellow Brick Road. The famous golden yellow brick road has been broken apart and needs to be repaired so additional support from neighboring areas can come in. Because it's a magical road, it needs to be fixed in a magical way—which is reliving the whimsical, iconic, song and dance of Dorothy and her friends. The Munchkins have created special silver shoes that anyone of the cast can wear and it has the magic to inform the wearer how the musical rendition goes. It will also "help" their movements to skip and dance along the broken spaces. Should they be successful, the broken and missing bricks will be repaired and the road will start to shine. So partner up, link arms, and belt out those vocal chords because they're off to see the Wizard!

II. FIGHTING FOES

There are numerous enemies attacking the city, but while some are original to the story, many are abnormal creations or noctasers, the unholy union of noctaere and the Story Eater's minions, Erasers. Of course the Story Eater would have a hand in this! But with the advantages gained by the roles, they can be defeated.

A. Wheeling Monkeys. The Wheelers and the Winged Monkeys have been ensorceled and are creating havoc within the city. However, instead of violence their actions are more…goofy. They're throwing rotten eggs, colored water balloons, creamed pies, and other strange pranks to hinder everyone's movements. They're relatively easy to capture and even prank back. The more aggressive ones, however, are actually noctasers and will need to be destroyed via dreamotion. Those cast as Dorothy will be able to distinguish those who are original to the book and the disguised noctasers as well as inflict extra damage to weaken the noctasers. Everyone in the cast is strong against noctasers.

» BONUS: THE GOLDEN CAP. The Winged Monkeys were once free but after the Golden Cap was ripped apart to steal its magic and now many are once again enslaved. Dorothy can convince the originals to join their side, if they have some Golden Cap fragments that appear when a noctaser is defeated. The more noctasers defeated, the more fragments collected and the more Wheelers and Winged Monkeys will join their side!

B. Meeeelllttiiiinng! Those witches are causing the most problems, and they are abnormal creations that need to go. Because they were fashioned after the Wicked Witch, they are weak to water, especially dreamotion infused water. The trick is actually getting to them as they are often found flying high above. There are numerous small hot air balloons that can be used to fly up and to either hose the witches or dump giant buckets of water, both tools already attached to the balloon basket. Just be careful because it just takes one giant tear to pop the balloon and send everyone into a crazy spinning crash to the ground. Having a Tinman to help deflect spells off their armor will be a great help.

III. SWEET DREAMS

The Projector of Dreams has been set up and several beds with the magical headsets are available to those who wish to volunteer and produce positive dreams that will be used against the Wizard. These dreams will be funneled into a giant emerald that will be launched from a cannon at the Wizard once lured out.

A. Positive Dreams. To help the Projector, positive dreams are needed. These dreams will briefly be projected onto the emerald so those nearby monitoring things may catch a glimpse of the dream. Perhaps those who are dreaming will have theirs be more interactive to try and get others in and create a stronger positive experience.

B. Luring out the Wizard. The Wizard is holed up in the Throne Room of the castle and needs to be lured out before the dream infused emerald can be hurtled into it. The methods to do so might seem a bit unorthodox, but it will work and may give a hint on who the "Wizard" really is. Everyone is told to play various children's games within the Emerald City's castle. Tea parties, hide and seek, tag, games—whatever they can think of. As they play, a strange shadow that looks like a young princess will emerge to either watch or join in. Players can either incorporate the shadow playing or just focus on their characters, but the shadow will always be happy and laughing. The goal is to produce happy, positive fun feelings, so there are no dangers. Unless someone wants to throw in a noctaser or something to spice things up.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Upon arrival in Oz, Aerith's transformation is minimal but noticeable for a distinct reason; in addition to the costume, she now has two braids in her hair, trailing all the way down to her hips. ]

💐 tell me what you need, oh, you look so free ( porcelain rubble )

[ It is no sooner than her arrival that Aerith finds herself volunteering to look for survivors. A rebellion paving the way for her is hardly new to the woman, and so she slips into her "role" quite easily. Whether you've been asked to join her on her adventure, or volunteered yourself, you, too, shall find yourself in the wake of the destruction. In some way, the whole scene has turned from mere destruction to something sepulchrous. Far from stolid, Aerith makes her way carefully along the paved, dented road.

She had lead the way. Whether it was because she was always like this, or being cast as Dorothy had changed her into a leader is not something that is on her mind, but also not impossible. Aerith, at length, turns her head around, looking over her shoulder. As she moves, so do her long, brown braids. The spill over her shoulder, down her back like twin snakes. ]

Think we'll find Princess Ozma out here?

💐 the way you use your body, baby ( wheeling monkeys )

[ This may be her first real rodeo in Songerein, but Aerith takes to it like a bird takes to the sky. The city needs healing, it truly does, and while she thinks she could help out by handling some first aid, she doesn't think it's the real place for it. What calls to her is combat, and with the Arcane Scepter in her hand, she knows she's got this down pat. The sky darkens— not with storm clouds or the promise of another tornado, but with the looming threat of flying monkeys. A cluster of them encircle her and her clean up partner, but her green gaze is darting all around.

Her sights settle on one particular monkey, whose mere presence is damning. There's no tells about it, it is a gut feeling but it feels like it's being whispered to her: This one. Her lips pinch in a tight line before she responds. Aerith doesn't even look back to her battle companion: She readies a burst of Tempest from the Arcane Scepter. ]

You... You don't belong in this story.

[ It zips through the in a blinding white, and scorches a mark along the flying monkey. ]

That one!

💐 c'mon and work it for me. ( positive dreams )

[ The woman who settles into bed this time is cast in the role of Dorothy: A brunette with green eyes and a disarming smile. Those that recognize her are surely unsurprised by her agreeing to this plan, eagerly, and settling in for a nap. Once she's down for rest, though, it happens easily.

As slumber lingers over her, not quite taking her, Aerith tries to dredge up a memory. Something positive, something positive... What comes to mind is fresh memories, things that make her happy. The garden, you might think, or the church? No, no. Something fun, something playful, something more true to yourself, something built on honest displays of selfhood, of true beauty...

You find yourself before a building somewhere. There is cobblestone beneath your shoes, and the road is strewn with garbage. It feels like a back alley entrance, though it's far too attention grabbing for that. There are lights overhead in a cacophony of rainbow colors: Blue, pink, red, purple, and they drape everyone around you. There's a few people in civvie clothing hanging around, none of them particularly familiar looking. A nervous man in the back, talking to a woman who regards him calmly, someone dressed in ostentatious fashion merely passing through on their way to their true destination, but there is one familiar face.

Aerith stares back at you, then clasps her hands together, as if pleading. She is dressed in red, an expensive looking, feminine gown with a long, cheeky split along her leg that reaches her thighs. Her hair is decorated with red ribbon and flowers, and upon her neck and arms are stars. Bracelets, anklets, necklaces: Her jewelry has a very specific theming. ]

C'mon! Don't you want to save Tifa?

💐 don't let 'em get you down. ( wildcard )

[ none of these tickle your fancy? feel free to toss me a wildcard! bring your own prompt, hit me with something we've plotted! aerith's been cast as dorothy, so i'd love to have her do the prompt into the poppy field, and am considering having her statue'd too. i also have an interest in having her do the yellow brick road dance. if you'd like to plot with me, please hit me up here, or PP me @ hagclub.

the last prompt is replicating the honeybee inn segment of ffvii remake. if you have something specific you'd like to do in that setting, let me know! otherwise, your character has also been cast as cloud strife. dance your emotions out! have fun with it! ]

Edited 2022-08-14 04:28 (UTC)

[ i'll be dropping my closed starters under this comment! please don't reply to it. let me know via one of the aforementioned contact avenues if you'd like a personalized starter! ]

[ In Trahearne's eyes, all of the monkeys look the same. If it weren't for the mark, he would have almost immediately lost sight of it, overwhelmed and frightened by the sheer number of enemies in his heightened state of bewilderment and cowardice. But his new partner is counting on him--he needs to get his act together.

He lifts his own scepter, ready to cast a spell at the marked target, when doubt overcomes him. He has no reason to doubt the woman, yet here he is. ]

What makes you so sure?!

[ Any attack would cull their numbers, which is a good thing. Yet now with a specific target, he's afraid of missing. Best procrastinate by asking unnecessary questions. ]

[ The swarm of aggressive monkeys is crying out for blood or recompense. Could be the same thing in their books, she supposes, gaze narrow and focused. It is a fair question he poses, but Aerith's focus stays solely on the marked beast that has been singled out. It thrashes in the air, furious at it's damnation, the singed far a mark that will herald it's end. Her grip on the scepter tights, knuckles blooming white.

Finally, she turns to look at him, expression softer and braids swaying in the wind. It feels like the monkeys could whip them up into the sky with the way their wings beat quickly and angrily. A loosely held fist raises to her chest, and Aerith speaks in a measured tone, conviction in her words. ]

It's all... wrong. Everything about it feels wrong.

[ It is not supposed to be here. ]

[ Trahearne glances over at her, studying her briefly. He squints in the wind, holding an arm up to shield his face. It's a fearsome situation, one he's certain his lack of courage would have prevented him from participating in just hours earlier. And for a moment, he wonders why he's even here in the first place, but the conviction in her tone is a good reminder that they are here to do a job.

It really isn't an answer, but things have been completely out of sorts and nonsensical since arriving in the city. The stranger is a fellow dreamwalker--best he can do is trust her. ]

I suppose that's a good enough reason.

[ Especially with nightmares in play.

He doesn't give his answer much breathing room as he thrusts his off-hand, holding his focus forward. When he sees that the dark hand is much too slow to keep up with the creature's momentum, he takes a half a step forward with a swoop of his other hand--thorned vines shoot from his arm, entangling the marked beast.

For a second, surprise colors his expression. He got it! ]

Now!

Edited (dont mind my html......) 2022-08-16 07:12 (UTC)

[ His aim is true, and his strike is heavy. The vines ensnaring the monkey are tight and she looks back to her leafy companion with a thankful nod. Their mark has slowed down enough, but when she looks at into the storm surrounding them, she can't help but think Man, just a little more slowing down would be great... ] Coming right up.

[ It's a lot of noise to hear ears that goes quiet, silenced under the weight of her focus. She shifts her weight to one foot, and then reaches out: nothing happens, unsurprisingly. A flying monkey even makes a noise, like a car puttering out. With a huff, she tries again— this time, it holds: the monkey is sliced in h... a quarter. It's sliced in a quarter, only to leave a chunk of something gold in it's wake. ]

Phew. Thanks, Eustace. [ Breathing out, she turns back to Trahearne, and pumps one fist. Mission accomplished— until a monkey tosses a pie right between them. ]

Whoops— no time to relax. That's another way to tell...

[ Aerith's gaze zones in on the crowd of monkeys again. It feels like they're trying to... get her attention? It's hard to say... Almost like they also know that whatever that is shouldn't be there. Must be strange for them, too. ]

The ones that belong here aren't looking to hurt us. [ What's a bunch of whipped cream going to do, after all? ] Ready for another?

[ She's locked on one already, scepter still in hand. Can't do this alone, after all. ]

Edited (HMMM) 2022-08-17 21:45 (UTC)

IT IS OKAY. i comprehended it

pactmarshal - 2022-08-18 13:12 (UTC) - Expand

aerith gainsborough 💐 final fantasy vii r 💐 dorothy

CLOSED STARTERS

monkeys!

no subject

no subject

blease dont mind how incomprehensible that last tag was? my god

porcelain rubble

no subject

no subject

no subject

positive dreams ⭐

no subject

no subject

no subject

wheeling monkeys

no subject

no subject

no subject

positive dreams. I'm sorry, I had to... I will leave it up to you if dream!Aerith recognizes her ;D

no subject

no subject

no subject

Wheeling Monkeys

no subject

no subject