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

Alright then. I ain't jumpin' to a conclusion like you, but if I think about this rationally...

[She looks over for the nearest reflective surface, finding a cracked mirror nearby.]

So I ain't a dog, I know that much. Can't be a cat either. Almost makes me think o' some kinda little animal... Definitely not a mouse or nuffin' like that. You already got that covered, an' I don't look a lick like ya. But woe else could I be now...? Maybe I'm a fox! ...One wot's pale instead of red for some reason!

[Hand on his round little chin, Ryunosuke listens to Gina work through her logic, but he can't help but look fairly dubious about her conclusion by the end.]

...Don't foxes usually have large pointy ears, though...?

[He'd hold his hands up to demonstrate, but, one, he's not sure he can reach over his head like that with these stubby arms, and two, he doesn't have fingers to mimic the shape with anyway. So he just kind of gestures vaguely towards where they should be.]

...And a tail. I think your standard fox would have at least one big bushy tail.

[She gets the message, as she knows what fox ears are supposed to look like. And she deflates at how quickly her theory is destroyed, forgetting how merciless she was about Ryunosuke's own guess.]

...Right, yeah. You're right on both counts. It woulda been nice to be a fox, alright?? [She huffs.] Alright then, I'm back where I started! It's gotta be sometin' small and furry... maybe like a mouse, but not quite. Especially wivout the big ol' ears. [She spares a glance towards Chuunosuke's ears.]

Am I some kinda shrew...? I dunno, it don't sound quite right...

[Yes, well. He thinks it would've been nice have been turned into something more dignified than a mouse, but we can't always get what we want, now can we?

They could keep guessing at this, and it IS a mystery that is going to haunt him if they don't solve it. But with neither of them being any closer to a correct answer, Ryunosuke is starting to feel like maybe they're getting a bit distracted from the actual problem here?]

...Well, your zoological identity aside, I'd like to point out that neither of us are supposed to be tiny stuffed animals in the first place? How are we supposed to change back!?

[It is good that he stopped her from getting caught up in pondering this all day.]

It's gotta 'ave to do wiv this scavenger 'unt. I came 'ere to look for sometin' important. I bet wot 'appened to us is s'posed to add to the challenge. A bunch o' dolls would be lot less of a problem if we were up to normal sizes...

[They might still be scary, but Gina won't admit to that.]

So if we find wot we're s'posed to find here, maybe that'll be wot turns us back!

A... A scavenger hunt?!

[He's a lover of puzzles and games himself, but this method of adding on some challenge is taking it just a bit too far, in his opinion? Anyway, he must have missed the notice about this particular activity... At least Gina seems to be better informed than he is.

He sighs, focusing up.]

Good grief... Alright then. Seeing as it's the only explanation we have for our condition at the moment... Were you given a list of clues to work from or anything?

Yeah. It's a strange one, but it's about gatherin' things that'll 'elp get rid o' some nasty nightmarey cove wot's been causin' trouble in these parts.

[She taps her little chin in thought.]

I only got one clue. It was a strange bunch o' sentences wot talked about tearin' up some planks an' findin' a 'eart that was still workin'. Figurin' it out is... it's an ongoin' thing. [She admits with a shrug.]

...A working heart. As... As in the organ?

[He scrunches his nose in apparent disgust, ears ticking back slightly as he says it. Aside from being distastefully gory, what use could something like that possibly have in fighting a nightmare?]

[She folds her arms with a huff. This isn't potentially scary, not at all!]

Cor, calm down, won't ya? I'm sure it ain't the real thing. It's probably some kind strange dream thing. The clue just talked about it still beatin'. ...And not lookin' too pretty.

...Well. That's not too surprising... I mean, a literal heart wouldn't exactly look 'pretty', would it?

[It's a lump of flesh that does nothing but pump blood, Gina. Dream construct or not.]

[Gina makes a face at him.]

Ugh! Don't make me picture it, 'Oddo! That's disgustin'! [She shakes her head and waves a hand.]

Point is, whatever it is, we gotta find it! I dunno if we'll get to people again unless we can get this done.

[You're the one who brought it up first, Gina!]

R-right. Sorry...

[He's putting on his serious thinking face now, tapping his chin idly.]

...What was it you said just before about tearing up planks?

[Details, details.]

That would be the other part o' the clue. The 'ole clue, it sounded like someone admittin' to sometin' and sayin' to tear up the planks. It sounds like that 'eart is underneath 'em, beatin' away.

[She frowns thoughtfully, wishing she had a coin she could fiddle with in this tiny form.]

I reckon that means it's under the floor somewhere, but I ain't got a clue where to look. I ain't 'eard a single thing soundin' like a beatin' of a 'eart anywhere neither.

[Well, it's not the first time he's heard of stuff being hidden under the floorboards, of course...

If only they had Mr. Sholmes' skin print seeking gun.]

I see a bigger problem: even if we can find this heart... How on Earth are we supposed to go pulling up any planks when we're stuck like this? [He gestures between the both of them.] I'm fairly sure most standard floorboards are going to be bigger than we are, and we don't even have any fingers to pries them up with!

Is that all you're worried about, 'Oddo? [Gina shakes her head and waves her little hand around dismissively.]

Ya shouldn't, 'cause we'll manage it just fine. I'm already runnin' through a few ideas of 'ow we could get it done. All we need's sometin' wot we can stick between the cracks to pry it up, simple as that. [She's sure it will absolutely be as simple and effortless as she imagines.]

Let's worry about findin' the right spot first. Then the rest should be easy!

[Yeah, he's not quite so convinced it'll be that easy, but. If that's what they need to do to get back to normal... No point in standing around nay-saying.]

Right. Well... You're the Inspector. Any idea whereabouts we should start?

You're right about that, 'Oddo, I am the Inspector 'round 'ere! [She proclaims that proudly, posing with her hands on her sides. And then it's time to get to business. She starts moving in one direction.]

Well I ain't got no leads on that, but I was 'eadin' in this direction before I met you. There wasn't nuffin' were I first checked, so it's gotta be someplace thereabouts! [A beat, and she glances back towards Ryunosuke.] Just watch out for killer dolls, yeah?

[Well... It is nice to see her taking such pride in her work.

But at that last comment, he can't help but snark a bit:]

Wait. First you said they were evil dolls, now you're saying they're... K... KILLER dolls as well!? Ugh...

[He KNEW he shouldn't have come in here :( ]

They sure don't seem friendly. That's the long an' short of it!

[She shakes her head while moving along. It is amusing to see Ryunosuke sweat like this, but it's also making her feel a little uneasy about the dools herself.]

Just keep yerself alert, alright? We just gotta find wot we're lookin' for before they find us.

[And yet, there's some kind of noise. It's like the rapid pitter-pattering of tiny feet, gradually growing closer...]

Oh, oh believe me! I'm plenty alert--!

[He breaks off, ears picking up on the ominous approaching sound, as he swivels to face the direction it's coming from with one uneasy paw on his little sword.]

D-d-did you hear that!?

Wha...?

[She turns back as well. It takes a little longer for her smaller eyes to pick up the noise, but the source soon becomes visible. Several shapes appear framed in the darkness of the area they came from. Dolls. Their feet moving rapidly like wind-up toys designed for running. Gina lets out a startled noise and tugs urgently at Ryunosuke's arm.]

Scarper!! Run as fast as ya can, an' don't look back!!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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

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