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

[dreamposts]

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.

Comments

[b_a_n_g]

"But he said more than expected about his carnival, and while there were plenty of questions, it seems like we might be able to obtain answers easier with a bit of pressure and asking the right questions," he remarked. Of course, he wasn't going to ask now, not with the pair of them on their second official date. He'd forego his usual curiosity to have answers to spend time with 76.

He and Jack had an advantage with all of their combat training that not even whatever this game was going to require of them would stop how well they could do. And there was definitely a familiarity with a firing range and doing it close to 76. A little dreamotion and things got even more interesting.

"As if we need more stuffed animals in the place. You've been collecting so many already," he reminded, not that he would deny that he did have a vested interest in getting 76 a gift. He might complain, but he was still very much into doing this full on.

His next shot should be indication enough as black smoky tentacles emerged from the bolt to smash through other targets around it. He experienced a small ripple of encouragement from within, basking in the sensation.

[steadypulse]

"Probably said exactly what he wanted to say, too- so we only got as much as he already planned," and that was that; at least it was what 76 was going to leave it at. He'd been moving around the edges to eavesdrop enough since this place arrived and... it didn't hurt to focus on something more personal for once in his life. Right? Easy as it could be to fall into that habit again it just wasn't good for him, was it.

At least there were plenty of targets, which meant they could make a good competition out of this carnival game. Dreamotion a nice spice and a little practice like this didn't hurt either. Make a show of it and enjoy something strangely familiar.

His nose wrinkled behind his mask. "At least their just from the flower festival," even if there were still some games that stuck around after. Would something of this carnival remain in someway, too? That was a thought. "Think you'll add to it for once?" It was a playful and competitive jab, a bit of that warmth hanging to his voice.

That next hit target of 76's froze solid once the NERF dart hit, only to explode in something of an electrical smash that took out a few close to it. There was a little chill he could feel to his joints, but it soon warmed over as if nothing there.

[b_a_n_g]

"Oh I have no doubt about that. I would definitely enjoy a chance to interrogate him personally, but we're on a date so I'll hold off the urging," he replied with a smirk behind his mask. The amusement could still be heard in his voice, even if he expected that the plan wouldn't go into motion anyway. His attention was on Jack.

He didn't use his dreamotion often, conserving it even if he knew some of what he could do. His personal abilities - his curse - was always enough to get him through and so far, there seemed to be higher risks using dreamotion than not.

"How many of them have you acquired and given away to other people anyway?" He knew Jack was a giver, rarely keeping something for himself. He growled at the challenge. "I haven't competed seriously for paltry toys in decades." Not since his son had been young and thought having a chance to compete against him. That had gone as well as expected. "But if you want me to win you one, so be it."

His next shot was in a more open area that they hadn't been targeting, landing squarely in the throat of the target. He invested more dreamotion so that black tentacles swung out and carved through numerous targets in the same area. There was a soft chattering sound of teeth on teeth, a brief emerging of a wolf-like being before it pulled back into the shadows that dissipated from the destruction.

[steadypulse]

"Not a bad date so far at that," given it was only their second 'official' date at that. Was glad that Gabriel was enjoying himself, and not just because it was one of his favorite holidays and months that was more than just the backdrop of said date. Was a strange bit of a thrill having it so out in the open and public like this, the costumes a good excuse and reason for it.

A shoulder shrugged, lining up aim for another group slowly- "Other than the two I gave to you? Maybe a few," since outside of those two prizes he hadn't really been playing with the aim of winning; more for the fun of playing the games. The ones he'd given away had certainly brought a few smiles, especially to a few kids that hadn't had luck go their way. "Won't hear me saying no to you winning me a prize."

One shot when a little lower than he'd been aiming for, hitting in-between two and only knock them over. A few stray bits of ice froze the tops and bottoms of a few, along with singing a few other targets around there. Not enough of a hit to do more than cause them to wobble unsteadily, but never fall.

Must've been a heavier bolt than he'd meant for it to be.

[b_a_n_g]

"True enough. We aren't generally that big on public appearances together," he remarked. It was more of a defensive strategy on his part, not wanting to be associating with 76 alone in case anyone got any ideas in their head about their association. That was changing, and he warmed to the idea of being seen together; after all, no one would be stupid enough to mess with them both, would they?

"You're turning into a stuffed animal hoarder," he accused in his Reyes-playful way, just enough cut that most would consider it an insult. Jack knew him too well he liked to think. "You're getting soft, Jack, but fine, I'll win you one. It will be my most romantic gesture yet." He sound amused by it.

He fired another, honing his ability for maximum close range damage, which had always been a specialty of his. He eased into the use of his powers, getting a feel for them even as it was tainted by the subtle interference of his noctaere. He still made a t'sking noise when Jack's bolt didn't bring down targets though.

"Don't go shooting blanks on me..."

[steadypulse]

"We aren't, no." 76 could agree on that, they definitely had been mindful of it, and even kept rather terse when they were seen together- "It's not bad, though," being together like this and just enjoying themselves. Not making a big show of it outside of how Reaper's hard work turned out with the costumes. Was going to enjoy every second of this that he could, because who knew when they may do something like this again.

Eyes rolled, and there was a chuckle just under his breath. "Careful, may end up getting enough to bury you underneath a pile of them," a pause, and no doubt Reaper would hear that grin™ carried in his voice, "All gotten with you in mind." A playful sort of threat with winning prizes for Reyes, yes. "So very romantic, got my heart all a'flutter."

The NERF gun was looked at, checking it over as eyes squinted behind the mask; that had felt off, but there was no visible thing he could see to have caused it—

"I'm not that old yet."

—Taking aim once again after shoulders rolled, and there was a blue flame that engulfed the dark once it fired; electricity crackling around it as it hit the middle of a mummy, causing it to freeze and shatter apart with enough impact from the intense cold and heat to take out a few others around it. Much better.