songerein | { test drive #02

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{ test drive #02 - november 2021 }

✵ TEST DRIVE MEME: NOVEMBER ✵
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. Note: the TDM timeframe is the start of November, after the Halloween events. Refer to the Game Info for general information and feel free to toss any TDM related questions here. Reserves are open and Applications will open on November 1st. The next application cycle won't be until March, 2022.

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. 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.]

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 filled in a bit, but it's still larger than the current population and 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...just be careful.

D. Dreambucks Café. There is a certain quaint little café back in the Plaza that is known for its refreshing and unique teas and drinks. Called Dreambucks, it's 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:

Caramel Delight. A caramel flavored tea with a few spices to add a little warmth to the taste. Just a few sips will make anyone want to find the nearest fireplace, grab a blanket, and settle in as they reminisce on happier moments.

Cranberry Cheer. A strong, flavorful cold juice that will renew one's vigor by leaps and bounds. ...And also make one leap and bound away through their day. Drinking this will inspire one to spread good tidings and festive feelings, be it left over from Halloween or some other seasonal festivity they may be familiar with. General good will to all is also an option.

Hazelnut Hot Chocolate. This warm drink can be topped with moon and star shaped marshmallows and is a perfect alternative for those who may prefer a more mellow drink. A drink of this will develop a want to share stories from nostalgic memories to riveting adventures to chilling horrors—whatever may be on their one or feel creative to make up.

Although it doesn't always happen, sometimes the drinks 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. CANDY CHAOS

Despite the dramatic events that occurred during the dreamscape and the after effects still waiting to be seen, some good things happened as a result of the Halloween festivities. Looking ahead to other holidays, a few people are trying their hand in making candies. After all, they all can't rely on the fae for everything and with new resources at their disposal, there's no excuse now.

A. Candy Mining. One morning a few friendly gnomes that dwell beneath the town pop up and announce that one of the caves has changed from normal rock crystals to candy rock crystals. More strangely, once mined they change color and flavor depending on the person's emotions or their last dream is at the time the candy rock crystal is removed. Ready to create something new, various candy makers send out requests for various "flavors" to experiment. People are welcome to try and create their own kind of candy or other crafts with the new candy rock crystals as well. However, the gnomes will warn that the candy rock crystals may explode if anyone who had strong nightmares or extreme emotions touch them, even after they are extracted. So take care!

B. Cotton Candy Sheep. A new type of sheep has been discovered (or introduced? Who is to say—) roaming just outside of the farmlands and it appears their wool is made out of cotton candy. While one might be wary of eating straight off the animal, it is said the wool is not only delicious, but could actually be used in clothing if processed correctly. Of course, that still needs to be tested so who knows if it's true. For now, some would like to herd them to the corrals, however they are fast and flighty creatures, capable of hopping several tens of feet into the air and float away. The best way to lure them is to create hard candy wind chimes as they are not only attracted to the sound, but also the taste. The sweeter and crunchier, the better.

C. Trick Candy. Halloween may be over, but the idea of using candy for silly pranks is eternal. One day there will be full "joke" shops around, but for now candy will be the focus. A contest is being held for anyone to not only learn how to make candy, but devise ways for them to turn into fun pranks. Turning one's tongue a different color is too basic, how about something that could change the entire body? Or hair if that's too difficult. Those not part of the creative process will also be exposed to the end products—and failures. Some taffy rope that's decided to slither around and tie people together, a giant jawbreaker expanding to the size of a large boulder rolling down the streets, people taste testing bubble gum now floating in the air—the possibilities are endless.

III. DREAMSCAPE TUTORIAL: HAUNTED TOY HOUSE

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 Haunted Toy House with everyone stuck in a life sized doll house filled with cursed toys.

A. Feeling a bit stiff. Upon entering the dreamscape, some dreamwalkers may find themselves looking a bit like a cursed toy, so hopefully no one mistakes them as an enemy. The form can vary from a wooden doll to a plush toy and always with some kind of corruption or missing piece. A truly ghastly appearance that would scare any child and spawn nightmares. While in this form, dreamwalkers may find their abilities a bit altered to fit the form.

B. House Traps. There are numerous rooms in this strange house, and some might even feel they are in a piece of Escher artwork instead with stairs going here and there and upside down. With it being a dreamscape, the concept of gravity is certainly otherworldly here. While some rooms are harmless, others are filled with traps. Spikes shooting down from ceilings; doors sealed shut as the walls close in; floors turning into black goop or disappearing completely. It's a giant maze and one has to wonder if that giant exit sign is real or another trap (it's another trap). Best way to disarm the traps and obstacles is using one's imagination and test out those dreamotion abilities.

C. Corrupt Toys. Inhabiting the house are several toys ready to pounce on their new "visitors." Fortunately they can be beaten back easily and can be "purified" to return to their original state. All it requires is a nice "injection" of positive dreamotion energy, though how that can happen varies. A healing spell, a smack from a weapon created from positive feelings, encouraging words—the toys just feel lonely and abandoned. Playing with them may also help turn them into allies. The more toys "purified," the less corrupt the house will be in turn. However, if more become corrupted instead, things will turn into even more of a dangerous nightmare and noctaere may start appearing.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[...This reads more like a report, not actually a message toward anyone.]

Pardon. Was this meant to be read by everyone?

[ Samus did not expect words to appear. She'd been under the impression that this was just a paper journal, and not much else. Seeing other words appear had surprised her, enough that she needed a moment to register it. But once she did, it became a little clearer why everyone had woken up beside one of these.

The purpose was becoming a little clearer. ]

No.
I assume you're writing this in your own journal, correct?

[Hm. He's going to assume they're new, considering what they wrote prior and now their question. Interesting to note that there seems to be an influx of new arrivals to this world when it's been relatively quiet for a month or so.]

I am. I suppose I don't need to say much about what the journals are actually used for.

It sounded like you deal with problems regularly.

[ Limited network capabilities or some kind. Not technological though, as far as she could tell. Perhaps some kind of mystic origin? She'd certainly seen stranger things, given Chozo technology could often appear to look like magic. She'd have to look into how these journals were connected. ]

I'm starting to get the idea. Networking tool of some kind.
And yes, I do. I'm a bounty hunter.

~~[ Or at least, Nintendo's definition of a bounty hunter. ]~~

Edited 2021-10-27 14:39 (UTC)

Bounty hunter. [...He doesn't have very positive experience with those in a similar business.]

Something you wanted to do, or not by choice? If you don't mind me asking.

[ Being asked if she had a choice in the matter was a bit of a red flag there. She could definitely guess whoever this was, didn't seem to have the highest regard for the profession. Understandable, it could be dirty. She tried to be better than that though. ]

It keeps the lights on. I'm also good at it. Enough that I can afford to pick my own jobs.

[ She was trying to be reassuring. It was... an attempt. ]

I see. An impressive reputation to have that privilege.

[A pause]

My apologizes, I'm in no position to judge another's profession when there are "demons and gods" being brought into this world. Doesn't really matter what we did before in the end.

[ The compliment was noted. But more importantly than that, was the following comment. Samus couldn't help but be curious what their profession was. But she kept that curiosity at bay. She needed to know more about this place before she could bother with anything else.

Besides, that "demons and gods" comment was a lot more pressing. ]

Demons and gods. Literal? Or figurative?

[ She wasn't so foolish as to believe they couldn't be real. One didn't explore so many hostile environments and fight so many monstrosities without realizing that the galaxy was vast, wide, and held many secrets that couldn't be explained. All one could do was adapt. ]

Both. There are really both kinds here. [Fun times]

[ Literal and figurative demons and gods. Samus had more experience with the latter than the former. She'll investigate once she gets her bearings. ]

Noted. Thank you for telling me.
Do you know how I arrived here? Or do you know where "here" is?

Well, most arrived while they're asleep. I was thrown into this world from another. I couldn't tell you where "here" is though. Maybe it only exist while there are those who can dream.

[It sound silly, but he's come to learn that anything goes when you're sent into other worlds.]

It seems being here doesn't affect what is happening to you in the waking world though.

[ It sure did sound silly. But given all the gaps in her memory, and the incredulous claims about deities, she was willing to hear out some kind of metaphysical explanation, if it held water. ]

To clarify: you're saying I'm asleep right now?

Yes. At least, I have not been led to believe otherwise. Many of us haven't been in this world for very long, so there's still much we don't know.

[ There was a moment where Samus paused, thinking about what to write. Yes, under normal circumstances, this was pretty difficult to swallow. But again, she wasn't a fool. The universe was vast and mysterious. And if she could find a planet split into two different planes of existence, then stranger things still could exist.

But there was always a constant with these situations. They didn't start from nothing. Something had to be moving things forward, whether it was a person or some intangible force.

Samus was careful as she wrote the next sentence: ]

Is there a purpose to this world?

Have you seen the state of the town? [It's habitable yes, but there's definitely room for improvement.]

I'm not sure what will happen when we restore this world, but that seems to be the goal. Also, something more pressing, there's a dangerous creature from another world I was residing in that escaped into this one. We haven't been able to locate it's whereabouts, but it's something worth knowing.

[ They don't know the purpose, only the goal it seems. I need to investigate further, but that can come later. First, this creature. ]

What can you tell me about it?

We call it the Story Eater. As you can guess from the name, it consumes stories. Before this world, I was pulled into a Realm of Stories, where we were working to restore what was destroyed by it. It seem we had weaken it enough that it opened a sort of gateway into this world and now hiding somewhere within it.

Rather elusive creature, seeing as we haven't been able to fully take it down. It prefers to use it's own minions, Erasers as we call them instead of fighting directly. Relatively easy creatures to defeat, but capable of transforming to blend in with the locale.

[ The metaphysical aspect of this creature made Samus narrow her eyes. She wasn't sure how something could sustain itself with stories, but for now, she would operate under the assumption that this was all true. She could investigate its nature when it wasn't an immediate threat. Its ability to create minions was of special note to Samus.

Creatures that could transform into local fauna to mask their presence. That was abundantly familiar to her. ]

Is it an immediate threat? Or an ongoing problem?
Either way, keep me posted. I have experience in this field.

Ongoing. We've had sightings of Erasers, but no indication of where it could be hiding in this world yet.

[There's a moment's pause, but then Kazuma writes something that appears to be an entry date]

If you look up that date, there was a broadcast made by Ryotaro Dojima with all the information you'll need.

[ "It has the ability to slip into people's dreams and manipulate them." That made Samus narrow her eyes. There was one hot button in particular that Samus didn't like to have pressed. And it was the thought of being kept in the dark, of being made to follow orders, of being manipulated. She was not a tool. She was not a follower. She was a protector, and she would not. Be. Manipulated. ]

Thank you for this information. Please keep me informed.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

{ test drive #02 - november 2021 }

Sender: Kazuma

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