songerein | { haunted carnival | test drive #08

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{ haunted carnival | test drive #08 - october 2022 }

HAUNTED CARNIVAL

Full details on everything can be found here, but an important reminder that this event log doubles as our Test Drive Meme and information can be found in this section.

This means any outside characters participating in the log are canonly logged as appearing in Songerein in October and will remain in Songerein from the IC date of October 25 through 31 (this log is forward dated to the 25th). However, outside characters can only thread within this log, so for those seriously considering the game, you are welcome to use non-festival prompts for your toplevels. Anyone who apps in and is accepted will have their character count October as their first time in the game without any disruption, so all content will carry over. Those who do not apply will disappear which should not seem too unusual as people randomly disappear already, however players in game can choose to retcon and pretend a character was never there to begin with if it would be easier; or even think their presence was just a dream.

IMPORTANT! All outside characters MUST have "TDM" in their subject line, even if you might not app. This will help people differentiate those who are already in the game and those who are not.

TDM threads are required for samples. Refer to the Game Info for general information and feel free to toss any questions here. Reserves will open Tuesday, October 25th and Applications will open on November 1st. Our application cycles are bi-monthly so the next cycle after won't be until January.

TDM Toplevel Link Directory (click to view; updated 10/28)

American McGee's Alice - Alice Liddell
Avatar: The Last Airbender - Azula
BlazBlue - Noel Vermillion
Case Study of Vanitas - Vanitas
Dangan Ronpa - Chiaki Nanami
Devil May Cry - Lady
Final Fantasy VII - Cloud Strife
Genshin Impact - Albedo
Genshin Impact - Eula Lawrence
Genshin Impact - Kaeya
Genshin Impact - Razor
Great Ace Attorney - Ryunosuke Naruhodo
Helluva Boss - Blitzø
Helluva Boss - Octavia
Jujutsu Kaisen - Fushiguro Megumi
Kaze Hikaru - Okita Souji
Library of Ruina - Angela
Mikagura School Suite - Yuto Akama
My Hero Academia - Bakugo Katsuki
Octopath Traveler - Ophilia
Original Character - Kate Galloway (Jigoku CRAU)
Original Character - Marie Daenthelm
Original Character - Pauline Bonheur
Persona 3 - Ken Amada
Promare - Lio Fotia
Shadow Hearts: Covenant - Yuri Hyuga
Tales of Berseria - Magilou
Tales of Berseria - Rokurou Rangetsu
Tales of Berseria - Velvet Crowe
Tales of Hearts - Chalcedony Akerman
Tales of Hearts - Hisui Hearts (Aefenglom CRAU)
Tales of the Rays - Baldr
Touken Ranbu - Hizen Tadahiro
Touken Ranbu - Ichimonji Norimune
Transformers IDW - Soundwave
Your Wings and Mine - Shealtiel

I. CARNIVAL FUN

The moment a guest enters the carnival grounds, there is a high chance (read: optional) they will find themselves changed in some way to fit the spooky, haunted atmosphere. Instead of just wearing a vampire costume, the character will actually turn into one. Of course, how much of a transformation varies between complete to partial changes. It should be noted that this is only a cosmetic and ability change—no matter what someone changes into, they won't have any personality changes…unless one of the carnival attendants cast a small enchantment to make it so. Of course this is by chance as well (read: optional).

A. Haunted Food. While there is some standard fare carnival food around, the Haunted Carnival has some unique items with even more interesting effects:

Caramel Apples: Tart green apples dipped in caramel and decorated with chocolate to look like they’re covered in spiders and spider webs. Eating one of these will have the dreamer feeling crafty and industrious, just like spiders themselves often are. Also, the idea of eating bugs (or even other spiders?!) suddenly seems strangely appealing…
Cherry Blood Popcorn: Popcorn drenched in cherry syrup and decorated with candy bones. The combination of sugar and dreamotion energy leaves the eater feeling giddy and cheerful, somewhat in contrast to the gruesome appearance of the treat itself.
Funnel "Brain" Cakes: Funnel cakes colored to look like brains when served. Comes in regular or zombie brain varieties. Eating one makes you feel lethargic and hungry, like the only thing that matters is your next snack fix, but you’re not willing to do much more than shamble toward it.
Mummies in a Blanket: Small hot dogs wrapped in biscuit dough and decorated to look like mummies. After eating this, you may or may not want to wrap yourself into a blanket and take a nap—ideally somewhere dark and spooky.

B. FUN AND GAMES. Mixed in with the food vendors are several booths advertising a variety of carnival games, including but not limited to the ones below.. The prizes you win may or may not be cursed. Best of luck!

NERF Gun Shooting Gallery: Use dreamotion to shoot foam darts from a gun at various ghostly and ghouly targets lined up on a platform. Advanced players may want to try their hand at making the guns shoot other objects. Water? Fire? Glitter bombs? The only limit is one’s imagination.
Ring Toss: A series of witch hats are lined up, and the objective is to toss rings on the hats for points. Did something just peek up from under one of the hats? It’s probably nothing to worry about.
Potion Bottles: A variation of the milk bottles game wherein you throw balls to knock over flasks and beakers filled with strangely-colored liquid. In most cases, the spilled potion is totally harmless. Once in a while, however, it may have some interesting effects on the player and/or the booth itself.
Slime Pit: There’s a giant pit of slime with a sign next to it: prizes within for those willing to get a bit messy! Said prizes range from giant candy bars to random silly toys to skeletal limbs…? Oh that belongs to the skeleton having fun in the pit, they might want it back.

II. ATTRACTIONS

A. Hall of Mirrors. A classic maze of mirrors that are usually filled with special effects to make one's reflection look distorted. In the beginning the distortions are more humorous, making one look super skinny or extremely curvy. However, the deeper one goes, the reflections begin to look a bit…strange. The mirrors begin to reflect the "worst" side of an individual, but in a more embarrassing manner. When they first wake up in the morning, having a bad hair day, dressed poorly, being lazy on the couch—mostly benign things that would be embarrassing to show others. But there are some that may reveal one's darker self they wish to hide from others and are forced to face—especially when the reflections will step out and follow the original until the end of the maze. They won't do anything, just follow silently like a shadow, but even that may be taxing for anyone, especially if others see. The reflection must either be pushed back into an empty mirror, or it will disappear on its own when exiting the building.

B. Wild Carousel. The creatures on this carousel are not just colorful painted steeds but are more frightening in nature and looking more undead than living. Skeletal horses, direwolves, fanged deer with bloody horns. What makes this ride truly terrifying, however, is that the creatures are alive, restrained only by the pole stuck through them. But there are times when they manage to break free, causing havoc as they run through the park. The only good news is they don't attack, instead aiming for the carnival food as if hungry. Either hang on or help capture them back!

C. Cirque du Souleil. Near the center of the carnival is a large circus tent, and it boasts a variety of shows that are death defying, terrorific, and guaranteed to make everyone scream in fright and awe. The usual acts are available to see: acrobatics, musical performances, theatrical skits, and using ghostly steeds to ride through the large arena. But what makes this circus unique is that all the performers are capable of separating their soul from their physical body, similar to astral projecting or dreamwalking outside of dreams and being visible to all. And now they're asking for volunteer pairs to either participate in a more simple act such as an acrobatic stunt on the swings or tight rope…or eat a special candy that will allow them to have an out of body experience via dreamwalking outside. The only "flaw" is their dreamwalking form will tend to float up to the top of the tent, so their partner who hasn't eaten the candy has to tether them via dreamotion to get through some simple obstacles. No worries, the professionals will help return the soul if they get lost.

D. Spinning Bumper Cups. A combination of the classic bumper cars and spinning cups rides, this attraction has its riders in skull shaped bumper cars that will randomly spin. Riders have the ability to fire off "pumpkin bombs" at the others, which will splatter pumpkin goop to slow down their car. It will also make the car spin for a few rotations. Dreamotion will also help boost the speed, stabilize a spinning car faster, and make the pumpkin bombs more explosive. Just be careful—the barrier around the arena is made of bones and therefore quite brittle. It's not unusual to see a car spin out and lose control driving through the carnival grounds. Stop the runaway car and bring it back! Or shoot people with pumpkin bombs.

E. Ferris Wheel. Ah, the ferris wheel, a gentle ride that elevates one high in the air to allow them to see the sights below, in this case the entire carnival grounds and the surrounding areas like the bordering forests, the Observatory, and the edge of Reverein. However, as with everything in this carnival, the ride is not always so gentle. There are times when the entire ride accelerates to a faster pace, causing the (fortunately) enclosed cabins to rock dangerously as it rotates around. There are times when it keeps going, not letting anyone off until three rotations. And then there are times when the top half of the cabin disappears, exposing the riders to the cooler winds. Fortunately handle bars will appear they can hold onto, but no seat belts. Enjoy the view?

F. Other Rides. There are plenty of rides and attractions at the carnival, too many to list all of them here. A roller coaster, tower drop, gravitron, bungee jumps, pendulum ship—whatever one might think exists, it's there in all its twisted nightmare glory. One thing they all have in common is the more fear and thrill and screams generated, the faster they go. Just hope the ride doesn't stall and get stuck…

III. HAUNTING CLUES

Although the main purpose for these prompts is to find the clues, anyone is free to use them for general use and not focus on getting the clue. For those who do participate, we'll be asking for thread during our Activity Check! Those who are TDMing regardless of application can also have their threads counted by commenting to this thread and following the directions.

#1. Haunted Dollhouse. There is a special building called the Haunted Dollhouse. It's similar to a haunted house, however this attraction is filled with moving porcelain dolls that will try to scare and chase those who enter (it's quite likely some members of the newly added Porcelain Town have volunteered to help). Sometimes, those who enter are cursed into a doll and are now vulnerable. They are also not always able to move on their own will. This is not great as sometimes the dolls kind of…malfunction and will actually become aggressive. The weapons they wield are also not props, so that's a problem. However, they are small and can only inflict minor wounds and can be easily taken out.

The main clue here is "Villains!' I shrieked. 'Dissemble no more! I admit the deed! Tear up the planks! Here, here! It is the beating of his hideous heart!" To help both those who have turned into dolls as well as get the clue, everyone has to find the right place where some candied hearts are hidden. Fortunately the "blood trail" (it's raspberry syrup) will help lead them to the right place.

#2. Abandoned House. A little away from the main attractions there is a run down house surrounded by trees…and a lot of ravens. A raven with red eyes will guide those who dare or wish to face a lost loved one to the house. Inside it's just filled with faceless busts and empty paintings, but soon they are filled with the images of those lost ones. It could be a person, pet, thing, but they are there, just staring. Only the eyes and mouths move, and what the person hears are their insecurities and fears related to how they lost whatever they see. Anyone else will either see the original blanks or their own personalized images.

The main clue is "And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting // On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door // Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning // Shall be lifted – nevermore". To get out of this house, they have to first look for the bust that has the red eyed raven on it. This will be tricky as there will be many ravens with different colored eyes. Once they do, there will be a small picture frame. They must manifest one or more of the images they are seeing and capture it into the frame. This is simply done by waving it like a net, but the manifestation can move around. This can be as easy or difficult as a player wants, and how affected the character is from what they see and hear can also be a factor. The more affected they are, the easier it is to manifest but difficult to capture. The less affected, it will be more difficult to manifest as they have to tap into that raw fear, but will be easier to capture.

#3. Hay Bale Maze. Just outside of the circus tent is a large hay bale maze with the hay…looking as if it's seen much better days. It's filled with spooks that like to jump scare maze goers or bodiless limbs that reach out to grab, but aside from that it's harmless. Except for one particular figure.

The main clue is "Who dares?" he demanded hoarsely of the courtiers who stood near him --"who dares insult us with this blasphemous mockery? Seize him and unmask him --that we may know whom we have to hang at sunrise, from the battlements!" There is a red clad figure wearing a skull mask. He will randomly bust through the hay walls and engage maze goers into a fight. Those who are incapable will flee in terror while the figure will chase, which will be a pretty good clue as to where he is. Once engaged, any weapon and dreamotion can be used at their disposal and the challenge is to just simply best him in a fight (not to the death). Striking the figure even once will earn a victory and the skull mask will be granted.

#4. Musical Catacombs. For a bit more lighthearted fun, there is an underground catacombs that is filled with tombs. Some of them have actual skeletons and ghosts sleeping in them, but they won't harm anyone if bothered. Just be a bit cranky, maybe throw a bone. At someone's head. Down here it's quite lively, filled with music, dancing, and a lot of alcohol. Minors will only get sparkling juice.

The main clue is "'Ha! ha! ha! — he! he! he! — a very good joke, indeed — an excellent jest. We will have many a rich laugh about it at the palazzo — he! he! he! — over our wine — he! he! he!' // 'The Amontillado!' I said." One of the games is a dancing game where the tombs will light up a certain color and participants have to properly hit the correct corresponding floor panel (basically a music rhythm/DDR themed game). Should they make a perfect score, one of the tombs will open and have a crusty wine bottle in it. It has competitor and co-op mode.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Rob wandered down here expecting it to be the opposite of what was going on. He didn't just turn around and leave, though. He'd been to a party back in the day, so it wasn't as though he hated this kind of atmosphere.

But whoever was behind shoving in Eustace had also grabbed Rob at random, and now he's staring down at the arrows with derision. The comment doesn't help his mood any, either.]

Hey, I haven't played this in years, you can't expect me to be an expert just like that! It's not like this is a button-masher!

[Oh good they can be grumpy about this together.]

Neither have I, nor am I going to pretend to be good at this. I just don't want to waste time.

[Yep, he's fully aware this is not something he has experience with and thus holds no high expectations. Of course he'll still do his best, but there are other places his skills would be better suited for.

But well, they can't really talk much more as the music is starting to cue up. Except it looks like it's a tutorial/practice round! Oh joy, they get to at least learn the mechanics first. Stomp stomp, Rob, and put your heart and soul into it! Or not.]

Then unless you're fine with failing, you're probably not gonna—

[Oh, it is a tutorial. That shuts him up since theoretically it gives him a chance to learn and for Rob to brush up.

And he's definitely not putting much heart into it. Just frowning as he focuses and moves only his feet to the assigned spaces.]

It's only gonna get worse from here, though.

I know...

[Just a click of his tongue as a misty "screen" appears before them to select what to do next. A few options:

2 PLAYER
> CO-OP
> CHALLENGE

MODE
> EASY
> HARD
> EXTREME

> CONTINUE TO MUSIC SELECTION

Can't anything thing be easy? Just put on the music already—]

Pick one.

Well Easy is probably the less insane choice if we're both rusty at this. If...this even matters...

[He goes from crossed arms to pointing at the screen with a villainous smile.]

And of course it should be Challenge Mode! Co-op is just for—

[After a moment of silence, both his arm and his expression drop.]

Actually I have no idea how co-op works in this.

[He'll select Easy because he has no complaints about that. He also doesn't care which Mode, but he does look at Rob with an arch of the brow. ...Hm, fair question.]

I assume we have to time it together to get the score as opposed to us working individually. But I don't care which way—do you still want Challenge?

I mean, if how well this ends up scoring matters, Co-op is probably smarter.

[Nemesis mode activating again.]

But Challenge Mode will allow us to truly prove who has the most skills!

[...at dancing while following arrows.]

[...]

I'm choosing Co-op.

[EXECUTIVE DECISION, though Rob could try to stop him by choosing Challenge first instead—]

[He'd been raising his arms to clench and point them like a good villain, so yeah, you beat him there, Eustace.]

What the— Hey, I was posing!

[With a sigh, he drops them to his side and tries to get back into his regular cranky teen mode.]

So what, you said you think we have to be in time together for this to not be an embarrassing failure?

[And hitting Random for their music selection.]

At least somewhat in sync. It doesn't really do much to give directions... We'll see.

[And the music is kicking in so time to be like butterflies and dance—]

[Some oldie from the 90s, huh?]

I guess as long as we manage to follow what they show us, we'll...accomplish whatever we're trying to do here...

[Rob is giving it his full effort at least! But even though it's on Easy mode, the faces he's making and comically over-the-top gestures show he's still being pushed a bit.]

[Eustace is similar, although his movements are stiff since he really isn't much of a dance person. He's more focused on hitting the tiles in time rather than keeping an appropriate rhythm. Although his eyes are in front, he sometimes catches Rob's antics and it's...well it's something. For the audience, it's quite the contrast, basically seeing one dancer moving around wildly while the other is like a robot with minimal movements. And whenever Eustace misses there's just the smallest click of his tongue.

Once it's over the scores start to tally..... And their overall score is a B.

...

Not sure how to feel about that—

Should Rob look, Eustace will have a serious, almost dour expression as he seems to glare at the letter.]

[Rob could shrug it off, himself. He's still not entirely sure why he was dragged into doing this in the first place, and it's not a horrible result when he hasn't played in 5 years.

But he glances over and does see a very familiar expression. He's pretty sure he's made it hundreds of times with all of his failed plans.

Finally Rob shrugs.]

That's what happens when you're not used to it. It might get better if we kept playing, but you said you were only doing it once.

[Honestly he's not attempting to use reverse psychology or sarcasm or any of that. Just stating a fact.]

[Eustace knows.

He knows.....

He also knows this shouldn't bother him....

He himself said he was only going to do this once...]

One more time.

[Goddammit curse his driven nature to succeed—]

[Rob tried and failed at something 563 times, he's not gonna criticize wanting to try again.]

Oh, seriously?

[But he can give a little snicker! He should have known, video games just do that to people.]

Fine, I'll do it again too. But we really have to focus if you wanna get a better score! If it's the same song it should be the same steps at least.

...Doing the same one would be the wiser choice.

[Going to hit REPLAY and the music starts to kick up again.]

Just do your best.

[He honestly won't fault Rob... He's a bit more focused on his own personal score. ...Though he would like them to score higher than a B, which means if he can get a higher score maybe he can carry them a little higher?? Maybe?? Well whatever IT'S GO TIME.

And there may be a little bit of crackling of electricity around Eustace as he becomes more determined and focused on this.]

That's my line.

[It's a good thing Rob's been slacking on his dreamotion practice or there could be a total short out. His static is moving more quickly, though.

Rob has his teeth out biting his lower lip and is trying to keep his eye locked on the screen. He's a bit less erratic this time, but seems to be stomping more. Maybe he's worried his foot that's just an outline isn't registering properly or something, even though it usually functions normally in spite of that appearance.]

Careful on the jumps!

[They are making such a complimentary image to this song, huh?]

[A hum in response before he recognizes the next sequence. They both had stumbled a bit on this part...]

Watch the next few steps—they'll be coming in fast.

[What beautiful butterflies—

But Eustace is definitely more focused, and his movements are a little less stiff as he actually lets the music and rhythm help him a bit. Still not completely natural, but it's better compared to before.]

Right, right!

[He says it quickly to stay focused on the screen. He's not sure why he cares. Maybe it's a pride thing. Or his history of almost pure failure that has him set on this going right. He also has past experience with this type of game and being shown up by someone new to it would be pretty embarrassing.]

—my samurai...

[...not as embarrassing as realizing you're quietly singing along, though. But if he let shame instantly stop him, he wouldn't even be here!]

[Eustace won't mind him singing along. ...It is, admittedly, a bit of a catchy tune. And while they won't get a perfect score, they do seem to be doing better, the bystanders cheering them on until at least they finish and get their score.

And it's....!]

...AA?

[What the heck kind of score is that?? He has no clue.]

Uh, hold on...

[The other things he can think of "AA" meaning definitely don't apply. And it's been years since he's played something in the genre, plus he had a bought of amnesia in there.]

I thiiink that's the "almost perfect" score? The scoring system is just trying to appease the sort of people who are offended by Fs because they think you can't fail if you tried or whatever. So they set the bar too low to get an A.

[Eustace just stares at him. What. He followed the first part but then what.]

So you're saying there's a score higher than this.

[Sorry, he's used to being pessimistic. And to being on a sitcom.]

Yeah, pretty sure. I think I remember there being a three As score, at least.

...At least.

[...

Well. As much as it's...a little. Irksome to not get a ~perfect~ score, he went into this knowing it would be nigh impossible without actual practice and he's not that invested. ...He just didn't like the B. More importantly—]

Was our score enough to get the item?

[Depending how close that is will determine if he think it worth to try again or not. AND THE ANSWER IS...~~you can decide!!!~~]

Edited 2022-11-28 08:57 (UTC)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

{ haunted carnival | test drive #08 - october 2022 }

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