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

[ “Cursed” is quite accurate, and “house” is also probably accurate, but “fun”? Maybe not so much. Thoma has been going in circles for what feels like hours, and no matter how many different doors he goes through, he always ends up right back in the same room.

If there’s some trick to this place, he’s yet to figure it out, and even his usually high spirits are flagging.

He’s just thinking of taking a break, maybe finding someplace to sit down and re-think his options, when a voice sounds from above him. ]

Whoa!! How’d you get up there?

[ she sure doesn't have an answer for that!! because, from alisaie's perspective, he's the one hanging upside-down like a bat. ]

I could ask the same of you.

[ she says, a little testily, because she CRANKY right now!! alisaie points behind her. ]

I just came through that door, the same door I've been through, oh, at least ten times now.

[ This is a pretty weird way to hold a conversation! Thoma’s neck is going to start to hurt before long. Surely there’s got to be a way to get them both on even footing.

Thankfully, he’s not bothered by her frustration - it’s perfectly understandable. He’s frustrated, himself. ]

You too, huh? I’ve been through this same room at least a dozen times. There’s got to be some way out of here. Maybe we just need a different perspective!

[ It is a dollhouse and a dream, so perhaps a bit of childish thinking will get them somewhere. He looks up at the room she’s in, casting around for something that might look like a clue. ]

Oh, I can see a reflection of a door in that mirror over there. Might be worth it to give that a try?

[ he sure is a chipper young man, despite being stuck in this funhouse from hell. alisaie thought dreamwalking would be fun, which upon further thought she realizes was a foolish idea. her dreams are generally bizarre at best, and only sometimes pleasant, so the idea that a dreamscape would be rainbows an unicorns was rather a naive one. she has never dreamed about a funhouse, to be sure, but she's certainly had those running-but-getting-nowhere sort of nightmares.

not so dissimilar from this. ]

A different perspective?

[ alisaie follows the line of his gaze toward the reflection - it seems to be on a plane adjacent to both of them, easy enough to reach. alisaie hops up into the air and.. floats! swimming through the air toward the landing where the mirror sits. ]

Well, it's worth a try.

[ He wasn’t sure if she could reach it from where she was, but then she just up and defies gravity more than she already was! ]

Whoa!

[ Dream logic really is something, isn’t it? He’s used to strange things happening to a degree – life in Teyvat is hardly boring – but this all this dreamotion stuff is completely new and exciting to him. He’s always been interested in tales of the supernatural and now he’s living it. ]

Should I join you?

[ Surely if she can float, so can he! ]

I don't see why not.

[ getting used to dream logic has been a difficult thing for alisaie to wrap her very practical mind around, but she has ever been one to jump into new and strange things feet first, so! she figured out the floating thing ten chambers ago.

turning to face him fully, alisaie plants a hand on her hip. ]

Well, then? Don't keep me waiting.

[ Even understanding dream logic will only get one so far, since the rules are always changing. Frustrating as it was, Thoma came to accept that the door really was leading him back into the same room over and over, but putting an extra dimension of travel into play hadn’t occurred to him until he saw Alisaie on the ceiling. ]

Right!

[ Always one to jump in with both feet, Thoma leaps up and… keeps floating! He mimics the swimming motions he saw her use earlier and eventually makes his way up to her. ]

You know, this is a pretty good contender for weirdest dream I’ve ever had, but it’s also kind of fun!

[ there he goes! alisaie smiles and waves him over as he floats toward her, until he's on his feet beside her, nicely landed. impressive!! ]

Lovely job.

[ he took to it without even hesitating! alisaie can appreciate that sort of reckless gumption. ]

Now then, shall we try it?

[ It takes him a second to orient himself as upside-down becomes right-side-up, but after a brief moment of dizziness, he seems to be good to go. ]

Thanks! Let’s go!

[ He reaches towards the mirror, as if he means to grab the doorknob reflected there, but instead his hand goes right through the glass. He casts a surprised look back at Alisaie, and then shrugs as if to say "yolo" and steps through. Hopefully they don’t end up back in the same room yet again. ]

[ welp, a mirror doorknob not being real is hardly the most unbelievable thing she's encountered today, so she simply shrugs right back, before he's suddenly just yeeting himself right through the door.

once again.. she appreciates this initiative!! not to be outdone, however, alisaie grins and starts forward. ]

Hey, wait!

[ she charges right through the mirror, smacking right into his back on the other side. ]

[ Sure, he’d hopped right through, but what he finds in the next room is enough to make him stop short. He grunts a little when Alisaie collides with him, and moves to the side to give her some space. He doesn’t proceed further, however.

Why? Well, because they’ve found themselves in a large, circular room, and at its center is… a new friend.

A glance behind him confirms that the doorway is gone, and a wall of light blocks the passage on the far side of the room. Welp. ]

So, uh. How are you in a fight?

[ ah.

hm.

alisaie does not see it at first, because she's too busy scrambling out from behind him, but when at last she lays her gaze upon the horrifying doll, her eyes widen, and she starts. ]

Gods, what a nightmare!

[ yet somehow reminiscent.. the warrior definitely told her stories about the antitower, but that was in the days before trusts, and her memories on it are hazy. anyway, in a flurry of light her rapier and crystal focus appear in her hands, ready and waiting. ]

Well, I'm good if you are.

[ "Nightmare" seems pretty apt to him. Still, he's relieved to see that she's ready to hold her own. With a nod, he summons a spear of soft yellow-orange light into his waiting hands. ]

Let's go. The sooner we get through this the sooner we can get out of here.

[ He's had his fill of creepy dollhouses for quite a while to come, thank you very much. ]

You certainly don't need to tell me twice.

[ for the words have hardly left her mouth when alisaie is charging, sweeping in to swipe at the doll's legs with her rapier, her blade biting deep, before she's leaping back and around to its side, thrusting at its feet, attempting to knock it off balance.

then just as quickly as she dove in, alisaie backflips neatly away from a heavy swipe of the doll's arm as it makes to strike her. she's like a little flea, bouncing around the arena with speed and precision, and once she's lands she brings both rapier and focus together into a staff, aether whipping at her feet as she begins to charge a potent verfire. ]

Hope you like it hot!

[ In his time in this dream realm, Thoma can’t quite find a pattern to when his usual abilities work and when they don’t. Sometimes, when instinct has him reaching for his Vision, nothing happens. Other times, the flames come when he calls.

This seems to be one of the latter moments. While he’s busy being impressed with Alisaie’s show of acrobatics, the doll is none too happy about it. One massive, ball-jointed arm makes a swing for her as she’s channeling her spell. Thoma reacts by calling on the power of his Vision, and an orb of translucent red-orange light springs up around Alisaie to block the blow. ]

No you don’t!

[ It really doesn’t like that and swings for Thoma instead. But it's unsteady on its feet still, and he ducks under the blow and jams his spear up into the doll’s elbow joint. ]

[ hey now, that's a handy little trick there! alisaie can turret all she wants now, thanks for the shield bruh. as this is her first time in the dreamscape, she is still quite unaware that powers can be finicky in this space; perhaps that is exactly why she is able to use them. nevertheless, for the moment, at least, everything is going smoothly! ]

Many thanks!

[ she says through a grin, while launching the fireball, catching the doll in the same elbow joint that thoma had aimed for, and through their combined effort it blows the arm straight off from the elbow down, where it clatters to the floor. without hesitation, alisaie dualcasts her verthunder, the black lightning leaping from her focus and connecting with the doll's face, dazing it. ]

Is that all you've got, then?

[ alisaie is clearly having a good time.. ]

[ Not only can she turret, but the shield helps dps-- which is to say, that a gout of flame bursts from the shield to follow each of her attacks, adding insult to injury.

Thoma pulls his spear away when she blasts the doll's arm off, but he knows better now than to stand there and gawp. He's already moving, even as he shouts, ]

Nice shot!

[ With the doll dazed, Thoma moves in close, flame dancing on the end of his weapon as he twirls it deftly in his hands. He goes for one of the doll's knees, finding a spot that Alisaie had previously weakened and digging the end of his spear in deep. ]

[ EXTRA DPS SHIELD, friendship with the warrior of light ended, thoma is now her best friend. ]

I could say the same for you!

[ they're already working quite well as a team - he moves without hesitation, and alisaie is happy to follow his lead, so they strike the same areas and cripple the great abomination with relative ease.

meaning, of course, that when she channels her next veraero, the subsequent blast of wind serves to cave in the doll's kneecap. the thing shrieks and begins to stumble - ]

Look out!

Whoa!

[ There's only one person Thoma knows who can wield multiple elements, and though he knows that the rules of Teyvat don't apply here, it's still startling to see.

And now there's a giant doll that's about to fall on him.

He leaps back, turning tail to bolt out of the way. It looks like he won't make it for a second, but he jams the end of his spear into the floor to basically vault the rest of the way to get clear. ]

That was close, haha!

[ yeah imagine his surprise when he finds out she can wield like.. all the elements. red magery sure is fun that way! and also convenient! she would be an op genshin character, no having to switch out teams to activate different elemental puzzles.

anyway she breathes a sigh of relief when he hops out of the way, even if it was by the skin of his teeth. calcabrina isn't done with them, however - it's still very much alive. not unlike the black knight, 'tis only a flesh wound. with a terrible, high pitched cry it lifts its head and snaps it toward alisaie, its eyes aglow with a red light that.. sure does petrify her. ]

Oh -

[ is all she's able to eke out before she's frozen solidly in place, halfway through her speedily dualcast verstone. ]

[ Oh-?

Thoma is still recovering from that close call, so he misses that attack entirely, only catching that flash of light as it happens in his periphery. He turns to find his new ally quite frozen in place.

With only one functional leg and one arm to speak of, the giant doll half-crawls towards its frozen prey in a truly disturbing fashion. ]

Hey!

[ This, punctuated by a solid thunk as a flaming spear of light slams into the side of Calcabrina's head. Thoma, who had put his whole body behind the throw, lands lightly on the balls of his feet, summoning his weapon back into his hand. Well, now he has the doll's attention, for better or worse.

Worse, apparently, because its eyes are sure glowing again. ]

[ hmm, being unable to close her eyes or blink, alisaie has no choice but to simply.. watch the crippled doll crawl toward her; she'll sure think of that in the middle of the night while she's all alone in her treehouse. it's fine. at least she's not as easily spooked as alphinaud.

she also has a great view of thoma's smooth moves, even if she can't compliment him on them, petrified though she is.

it does not last much longer, however, and soon enough she can feel her body beginning to soften and limber up again. as the doll's eyes begin to glow, the petrification status falls off of her debuff bar, and her loaded verstone attack finishes, cracking the side of calcabrina's head, caving in one of its glowing eyes and sending the petrification beam hopefully off course.

it's just looking more terrifying by the moment, now.. ]

No more of that, thank you!

[ The beam does go wide, though Thoma had squeezed his eyes shut against it anyway. When his body does not freeze in place, he cracks one eye open to see--

Oh. Oh gods. It really is more horrifying the more they manage to beat it up. ]

Ah! This dream is gonna give me actual nightmares at this rate.

[ Which means they should probably just put the poor thing out of its misery. It can barely move and is half-blind as it is. He looks over at Alisaie and jerks his head at the doll, flames already beginning to wreathe their way around his weapon - shall they strike together? ]

You and I both..

[ anyway, you mean it's time for an ALL OUT ATTACK?? alisaie doesn't persona but she knows how to give a good beatdown.

so she nods sharply, and without hesitation dives in for her melee combo, which i don't have to describe to you because you know red mage just fine - she strikes hard at the neck of the thing, dancing aside when it clumsily reaches for her with its one remaining arm, before backflipping neatly out and calling down a powerful verholy in a flurry of spiraling columns of light.

get it's ass, thoma!! ]

[ Thoma, once again, spares a second to be impressed, but he dives right in after her a moment later, not wanting to squander their chance to finish this once and for all! His moves are nowhere as flashy as hers, but they are accompanied by plenty of flames and the emotional power imbued into his weapon.

Alisaie flips away to deliver the final blow, and, in the same moment, a wreath of flame bursts out from where Thoma stands. Calcabrina gives a truly terrifying shriek as she is finished off – and when the light and fire have subsided, there in the middle of the floor sits a pair of dolls in matching blue and red dresses. They seem perfectly peaceful in contrast to their giant counterpart.

The light at the other end of the room also dissipates, leaving the way out open for them. ]

Whew! That was sure something.

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adelphoi - 2021-11-25 06:12 (UTC) - Expand

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{ test drive #02 - november 2021 }

dreamscape!

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