dreamposts: (Default)
dreamposts ([personal profile] dreamposts) wrote in [community profile] songerein2022-12-16 01:00 pm

{ gingerbread town | test drive #09 - december 2022 }




GINGERBREAD TOWN


On Tuesday the 27th, with no warning whatsoever, everyone will awaken and find the entire town transformed into gingerbread and candy, from peppermint candy cane trees, to gumdrop bushes, to chocolate brick roads. They will also find themselves changed into one of the following forms: gingerbread figures, nutcrackers, or wooden figurines. It's a complete transformation—no costumes or partials this time! Although they can move and use most of their abilities, it's a bit hampered when it's also discovered that everything has shrunk down a bit in size. Not only that, but there is an indestructible magiglass dome over the town to prevent anyone from breaking in—or out. So if there is anyone who happened to be out of town at the time, they will not be changed and will be stuck outside. The Tree of Stories, the Observatory, and the Carnival park are excluded from the change and remain normal.

Fortunately a pair of gingerbread twins named "Hansel" and "Gretel" as well as the tapirs are there to help explain what happened. The town has been cursed by the witch who inhabited that suspicious house from the Dream Board, and everyone needs to band together to do two things to break out of curse: 1) gather enough dreamotion music notes to charge up the golden chocolate bell hanging at the Plaza and 2) break into the gingerbread house and destroy the witch.

————— ⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱ —————

More 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 December and will remain in Songerein from the IC date of December 27 through 31. TDM only characters can only thread within this log. Anyone who apps in and is accepted will have their character count December 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 Sunday, December 25th and Applications will open on January 1st. Our application cycles are bi-monthly so the next cycle after won't be until March.

TDM Toplevel Link Directory (click to view; updated 12/30)

Adventure Time - Finn the Human
Adventure Time - Jake the Dog
Ai: The Somnium Files - Mizuki Okiura
Bleach - Riruka Dokugamine
Bunjou Stray Dogs - Ryunosuke Akutagawa
Chainsaw Man - Denji
Don't Starve Together - Wendy Carter
Fallout 3 - The Lone Wanderer
Final Fantasy XIII-2 - Noel Kreiss
Final Fantasy XIV - Y'shtola Rhul
Fire Emblem: Three Houses - Bernadetta von Varley
Forgotten Realms - Jarlaxle Baenre
Friends at the Table: COUNTER/Weight - Cassander Timaeus Berenice
Genshin Impact - Amber
Genshin Impact - Scaramouche
Granblue Fantasy - Lyria
Heroes of Olympus - Leo Valdez
Kingdom Hearts - Demyx
Kingdom Hearts - Riku
Persona 5 Strikers - Zenkichi Hasegawa
Pokemon Scarlet/Violet - Penny
Rage of Bahamut - Amira
Shadow Game Series - Enne Salta
South Park - Kenny McCormick
Spark the Electric Jester 1 & 3 - Spark
Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion - Agent 8
Tales of Zestiria - Sorey
Undertale - Flowey


THREAD SUBMISSIONS WILL BE IMPORTANT TO DETERMINE HOW THIS EVENT ENDS FOR JANUARY! We will request them during AC and TDM threads will count. For more information, refer to the Game Notes.



I. IN TOWN



There is a lot to process with everything changed and the appearance of Hansel and Gretel, but by now most people are used to needing to roll up their sleeves and get through the tasks needed to succeed. The giant bell at the Plaza helps serve as a reminder of what they need to do and many will be anxiously watching as the musical notes slowly gather into it. To gather enough notes for the bell, everyone will need to work together and utilize their current forms. Note: all prompts can be done by anyone, however some forms have an advantage over others. Musical notes will automatically appear and go to the bell when the objective is achieved. The gumdrops are also trapped in town and will still pull their "mistletoe" mischief.

A. Woodstock. Those turned into a wooden figure will find they have the least amount of changes appearance wise…but their legs and feet are stuck together, forcing them to hop and slide around. Fortunately they can control their movements and after some adjusting they will find it's not too strenuous to be hopping around everywhere. It can be tough to get up if they fall over, though.

  1. Caroling. What better way to gain notes than making some? With movement a bit limited, singing and playing simple instruments may be the easiest way to help. The catch is the music must be filled with hopeful, cheerful dreamotion strong enough to form those notes, and the instruments can also be a problem. First they have to be found, and then some instruments may try to play music on their own—and it's not always the right genre.

  2. Snowmen Mayhem. Snowmen can be found all over town, most of them built before the town changed. Now they are coming to life, wearing big, giant frowns as they slowly shamble around and chuck snowballs at everyone they see. Melting them or using physical force only makes them reform back into snowmen. The only way to stop them is to participate in the snowball fight until that frown turns into a smile to release a note! People could even just have a snowball fight around them and it would please the snowmen. Perhaps they just wanted to have fun, too…?

B. Gingerbread Run. Those made of gingerbread will find they are quite fast and even have the urge to run for whatever reason. However, although sturdy enough, they are still fragile and can break easily. Fortunately they can quickly repair themselves with an extra bit of dough and icing, but water is the greatest weakness. A few drops or even a brief dousing won't hurt them too badly (maybe make their icing a little runny), but they can't swim and submerged in water too long will make them very mushy.

  1. Obstacle Course Marathon. Some streets are sectioned off to have a simple marathon for those who just can't help but feel restless and want to run, and notes can be released throughout the course. More like a cross country track, there are numerous "checkpoints" participants must pass through while shouting the famous line, "Run, run as fast as you can, you can't catch me I'm the gingerbread man!" Each checkpoint mimics the story of "The Gingerbread Man."

    1. Avoid the "old ladies" swinging candy canes (non gingerbreads can take this role to help)
    2. Outrun the plush pups and kittens (or just stay and play with them, also valid)
    3. Climb up and over the makeshift marshmallow chocolate wall (don't let it melt!)
    4. Use the "foxboat" (swan boats altered to look like foxes) to peddle across the river (don't sink!)
    5. Dash through the finish line

    Since it's designed as a group marathon, participants are encouraged to help each other. More notes gained, the better!

  2. The Chase is On! Those who were not turned into gingerbread figures will feel a strange urge to chase those who are. They may be fully aware, or they may desire just a nibble of that delectable baked good. While punching the chasers in the face to try and knock some sense into them will be an option, those who are gingerbread will similarly have the urge to run, run, run! Passing over any type of water, including puddles, will end it. This chase can be long or short, and at the end of it whether the gingerbread is caught or escapes, a musical note will play and fly to the bell, freeing the two from the weird curse…until it happens again.

C. Nutcrackin' Around. Nutcrackers have a sturdier build compared to the general wooden population, with powerful jaws and already armed with a weapon—even if it might feel more like a toy. Their movements might feel a bit stiff, but they have their strength to make up for it.

  1. Get Crackin'. Built to crack nuts, it's no surprise that Nutcrackers are assigned to crack through as many nuts and hard candies to try and find some notes hidden within. They have to go to the farm fields to find the right trees to harvest from, and anyone can assist in this. If they listen carefully, they might be able to hear the note ringing inside as a hint. But they also need to be careful—some nuts are actually cursed and once cracked open will cause the individual to brandish their weapons (or whatever they have on hand) to attack those nearby. Unfortunately there's no tell, so it's truly luck of the draw. Shove a jawbreaker in their mouth and they'll be back to normal. With a slightly damaged jaw, maybe.

  2. Mouse Infestation. Large, toy wind-up mice are causing havoc around town. Although they are just oversized toys and don't attack, they're crashing into buildings and chasing people. Anyone can try to catch and slow them down, but a Nutcracker is the only one capable of inflicting enough damage to break the gears inside and stop it for good. Doing so will release a note.

D. Candy Monsters. While the town is mostly safe, nightmare energy is seeping in from everyone's initial fears and chaos and absorbed into all the candy and delicious goods that make up the town. It makes them come to life to turn into aggressive and sometimes cute monsters made out of candy. Fortunately, they are not too difficult to fend off even with everyone changed into different forms, and dreamotion abilities are in full effect. Other creative ways to defeat them like dumping boiling water or freezing them can also be used.


II. TRAIN CARS



All aboard the Dreamer Express! The toy train has a simple track that circles around the town with the main station right at the Plaza. Anyone can hop on to either enjoy the ride or help get those notes.

A. Past, Present, Future. There are three particular cars that Hansel and Gretel will encourage most to go through because the notes in these cars will be the strongest. When going through either of the "Past," "Present," or "Future" cars, everyone will have a "Scrooge" experience and walk through either a happy or difficult memory or made up simulation of that set time period. The primary theme for each one is something that the individual can learn or reflect on. The experience can be done solo or with a partner. If with a partner, only one simulation will be active, but the other person's could begin after the first ends. Sometimes the memories will be passive like watching a movie and will only stimulate emotional reactions. However, the stronger the memory, the more realistic it will become, to the point that one will live through it all and must face and interact with whatever is there to get through. Once they reach the exit, the note will be granted.

B Unboxing. Most of the train cars are either passenger cars or boxcars filled with presents. A lot of presents. Guess where a lot of notes are hidden. While opening presents seems like a simple task, it can be tricky when some gifts are actually mimics that will pull unsuspecting individuals inside of them instead. Fortunately they are not too difficult to beat up and free the trapped prisoner.

C. Hot! Hot! Ooh, We Got It! There is a special car that's only purpose is to serve hot chocolate…as a musical number. Witness or perhaps even participate as servers dance around with extremely hot chocolate and somehow not spill a drop—or maybe someone gets scalded by an unfortunate spill. But when it's all done, anyone can enjoy some different flavors that can last for quite a while (ie as long as you want it) :

  1. Regular chocolate: Makes the drinker nostalgic, particularly for something in their childhood.
  2. Peppermint: Gives the drinker a spark of inspiration to work on something creative.
  3. Caramel: Gives the drinker extra energy, making them unable to stay still without doing something.
  4. Raspberry: Makes the drinker want to get back to nature by finding an outdoor activity to do.
  5. Spicy (chili powder and cinnamon): Makes the drinker feel more amorous than usual.



III. WITCH'S HOUSE



Getting the notes is just one half of the equation. To completely beat the curse, the witch behind this needs to be defeated. But it won't be easy with everyone transformed and the witch quite powerful. The gingerbread house has a lot of traps inside, from sticky paper to snapping mouse traps to licorice that try to tie them down.

A. Breaking into the Gingerbread House. The witch's gingerbread house will be the biggest piece compared to everything else. The original defense mechanisms are in place and people can get sucked inside like before, however there is no easy way out. A little stealth can help gain an advantage especially as the battle begins by those who enter first.

B. Escape Routes. While some may try to let themselves get caught to get inside faster, having an escape route would be prudent. Since they are smaller in size, it'll be easier to sneak around the house and try to carve a piece out of it to make a hole, or maybe something from the windows or chimney. Multiple routes would be ideal, just be careful not to get caught!

C. Fighting the "Witch." For those expecting some creepy old woman, they will be in for a surprise. The "witch" is actually the oven itself, moving and operating as if it were alive. Rather, perhaps the oven is what the original witch of Hansel and Gretel has become as an eerie cackling can be heard when the doors open and fire flickers out. Regardless, despite its form the "witch" will be a difficult foe to defeat due to its sheer size and everyone still in smaller forms. Restrain it, try to douse the flames, but another effective way to stop it is to just fill its mouth with anything that can go inside, from candy and baked goods, to pots and pans. The more it consumes, the slower it moves. Time to over stuff the oven.

judoflipped: (Default)

[personal profile] judoflipped 2022-12-19 07:53 pm (UTC)(link)
[cutlery...that might be better. he picks up some abandoned cutlery and tested it for a moment -- it was a whole lot lighter than the cheese grater had been. he steps back, bracing himself, before he throws a fork right into the oven's mouth.

at least this makes the oven slow a bit, and he picks up another utensil and throws it.]


Take that!!

[though he doesn't feel like it's doing a whole lot of good...

he glances over at Amber.]


If...I use water, and I fall apart, will you help me put myself back together again?

[he's already got a couple of icing spots in his shoulders and legs where he's not been careful enough around his favorite element.]
ectoherbology: (They said you could save her)

[personal profile] ectoherbology 2022-12-19 07:53 pm (UTC)(link)
I understand. I've gone mad before as well.

[It made for quite a sight - Wendy far too calm while she was getting yanked around and was somewhat wedged on the stabby end, especially while she tried to tug back and forth to get the bayonet out of Della's hands. As panicked as the duck was, Wendy was utterly calm.]

I have the luxury they didn't - I'm made of wood at the moment.
wasteland_101: (Bring on the raiders)

[personal profile] wasteland_101 2022-12-19 07:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Is bitch the best you can come up with?

[Angel was grinning as she looked up at Blitzø. She grabbed another bit of monster and crunched down. She stood up and shrugged a bit.]

I've been called worse on first meeting. I guess being a toy soldier is better than a cookie. You do look delicious though.
senorita_perfecta: (Disturbed)

In Town

[personal profile] senorita_perfecta 2022-12-19 07:59 pm (UTC)(link)
(Luckily for Leo, a wooden figurine is hopping by and throwing lots of snowballs at the evil snow people very furiously and Isabela is not in a good mood either. She really hates that she is all wood and her legs are pretty much useless for nearly anything.

Of course, a snowman decides to add into her annoyance by throwing a snowball the size of a giant walnut at her face so hard it almost knocks her off. Isabela in turn responds back by summoning strong winds to knock them off to the ground.)


Agh! These snowmen, they are so annoying to deal with.
lestray: (thinking)

I

[personal profile] lestray 2022-12-19 08:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[This nutcracker is somewhat puzzled by the sight of the younger girl talking to a ghost-like cookie. It can't be an actual ghost, could it? Considering she's holding it, maybe it was originally just a really big doll.][She inquires hesitantly.]
judoflipped: (Default)

[personal profile] judoflipped 2022-12-19 08:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[he glances over at Abigail, curious, but thinking he'll get to that eventually.

especially when the girl speaks again, he has to take a moment to blink.

what]


I...

[rubbing his face...]

Would you know this from personal experience? [wait.] Don't answer that. I wasn't being serious, you know.
lestray: (wot is goin on)

Sweet Tooth

[personal profile] lestray 2022-12-19 08:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[Listen. Gina Gets it. This place is a tasty-looking wonderland! But at the same time, this Cockney nutcracker is still cautious enough to be concerned when someone actually goes for the mailbox!]

Oi! You sure you should takin' a lick o' that?
senorita_perfecta: (Confused)

Train Car to the Past

[personal profile] senorita_perfecta 2022-12-19 08:07 pm (UTC)(link)
(Now Isabela didn’t mean to pry into another person’s life by being inside the train car when the simulation happened, but somehow she couldn’t help feeling sorry for young Dorian as he faces his stern relatives. Brothers perhaps?

Anyway, a part of her does sink as it almost felt like having Abuela yelling at her and her sisters out of misplaced anger after she saw the state of her look following her breaking away from an image she didn’t want to be and her reconciliation with Mirabel. She slowly approaches Dorain to see what is going on and ask him about this scene personally, hoping that she won’t scare him right away.)
unbrokenoaths: (6)

[personal profile] unbrokenoaths 2022-12-19 08:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[...Ah. Ix's group did get all the pun-inclined, didn't they? Baldr's expression is blank for a stunned moment. But only a moment. He peers in the box he's just opened, finding it empty of notes, and pops back up to shoot a smile her way.]

You're quite right. I can see we'll need to... fine-tune our approach.
grandduchess_anya: (Talking)

A

[personal profile] grandduchess_anya 2022-12-19 08:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey, be careful with where you’re throwing gingerbread parts at. You might get anyone hurt by accident.

(Cue one concerned gingerbread Grand Duchess chugging by after narrowly escaping similar crowds like the one Jake had just encountered. Anya avoids a huge pile of snow in front of her while she gets to where Jake is at.)

Try tossing gumdrops and marshmallows instead, it might work due to their softness.
ectoherbology: (Absorbed)

[personal profile] ectoherbology 2022-12-19 08:28 pm (UTC)(link)
I've tasted ectoplasm, that's all.

[She shrugs!]

As mister Higgsbury says... all senses can be important in the pursuit of understanding.
helluvaboss: (Yeah I know you want me)

[personal profile] helluvaboss 2022-12-19 08:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, no, I was saying 'bitch' in that kind of 'hey bitch how're you' way, if I wanted to break out the nasty words I'd come up with something special like "anal fissure".

[He laughs at her tearing stuff up. The lady reminds him of his employee, actually, she and Millie would get along.]

Name's Blitz, the "o" is silent.
helluvaboss: (Meow meow)

[personal profile] helluvaboss 2022-12-19 08:34 pm (UTC)(link)
That's right, stuff it RIGHT where the sun don't shine!

[Not that Blitzø sees any other pipes he can plug up yet, but that's fine - for now he picks up the duty of collecting stuff, tossing it to Anya for her to chuck in. He even gets into juggling some of it - he wasn't some insanely good juggler, but he definitely did know how to do it, and it was a little fun twist on being the baton passer rather than the one stuffing the oven full.]

See any pipes along the side sticking out human-lady?
wasteland_101: (Consider this...)

[personal profile] wasteland_101 2022-12-19 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm Angel. These things are a hell of a lot easier to kill than the things back home. Taste better too.

[Living in a nuclear apocalypse sucks. The food tastes nasty. Candy is a lot better.]

Living in a nuclear wasteland usually means I'm the snack.
excursions: (pic#16105384)

[personal profile] excursions 2022-12-19 08:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[Enne moves her arms forward to try to make sure Mizuki doesn't fall, and looks relieved when it doesn't. she actually smiles a little at her comment, and nods.]

It is. But we have to deal with it as it comes until we find the witch.

[a beat.]

We can...stick together to find her, if you'd like.

[she's always available to adopt girls]
unbrokenoaths: (1)

[personal profile] unbrokenoaths 2022-12-19 08:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[Baldr takes that in for a thoughtful moment, finally meeting her gaze with a smile.]

It's a shame I have no ability to make illusions. My words won't do it justice, I'm afraid. But I'm happy to share what I can recall. [He gestures a little at the seat nearest to her and tilts his head.] May I join you?
unbrokenoaths: (9)

[personal profile] unbrokenoaths 2022-12-19 08:42 pm (UTC)(link)
I believed our opponents were the snowmen--

[But all's fair in love and snow-war, he supposes. Baldr hops back with a laugh, punching the nearer snowball to deflect it. This is going to get rough on his icing very quickly, he's afraid.

Which absolutely doesn't stop him from scooping up a handful of snow to return fire.]
excursions: (pic#16105378)

[personal profile] excursions 2022-12-19 08:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[her skin crawls a little -- not because of Noel, but because they used to say that with her when she shot her gun too. her stomach lurches as she thinks about how good her aim was -- how scarily accurate her aim was...

and now she can't use it anymore.

she blinks, forcing her emotions down so they won't show on her face, and gives Noel a small smile. but the moment where she doesn't pay attention is the moment that a snowball hits her square in the face.]


Oh mu--

[she cuts herself off, biting her tongue so she doesn't say anything too improper, and throws the snowball angrily that she'd been forming in her hands before huffing.

at least she hadn't fallen over that time, but in her anger she'd missed the snowman.]


Irritating things--

[she mutters this as she forms another snowball...]
excursions: (pic#16105379)

[personal profile] excursions 2022-12-19 08:46 pm (UTC)(link)
It's okay. I was just wondering...if they were for others or not.

[she looks around the room, considering.]

But they could also have notes in them, couldn't they?

[that was the question.]

We need to find some more notes...
ectoherbology: (Roseate)

looks like html ate some dialogue so I'll run with 'she didn't hear'! c:

[personal profile] ectoherbology 2022-12-19 08:46 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oops, she'd gotten quite distracted, hadn't she? Wendy blinked in surprise, turning to look at the stranger - a nut cracker. Good thing she wasn't clad in a shell and was only metaphorically nutty.]

Pardon?
helluvaboss: (Bored)

[personal profile] helluvaboss 2022-12-19 08:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Post apocalypse shit, huh? Probably doing yourself a favor waiting out dying, if there's a mass dying then Hell's gonna purge a shit ton of sinners to make room. After that you can die and enjoy some good Wrath-ring-grown coffee.
excursions: (pic#16105378)

[personal profile] excursions 2022-12-19 08:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[somehow, Enne smells cookie as Susato flies by, and looks down at the girl when she comes inching over.]

Your feet...they're crumbling...are you okay?

[at least the diversion is enough to get her to be distracted, and she pushes herself up.

that's when she remembers that Susato had been asking about her, too.]


Ah, I'm fine. Just...new at this.

[she gives Susato her most professional, nonchalant smile. she's definitely not bothered at all!! noooo...]
wasteland_101: (Sarcasm I have it)

[personal profile] wasteland_101 2022-12-19 08:52 pm (UTC)(link)
That happened about 200 years ago. Give or take a few years. It's hard to keep track of time.

Dying hurts. Or getting close to it hurts like fuck.
grandduchess_anya: (Smug)

[personal profile] grandduchess_anya 2022-12-19 08:54 pm (UTC)(link)
I may have seen some of those sticking out pipes a while ago so we can add that to the list of locations to throw stuff at too.

(Luckily, Anya is able to find one of them in clear view before proceeding to throw a candy cane at said pipe to see if that can work too. And that candy cane is able to slip into the pipe without any problems much to Anya’s sheer amusement.)

Wow! That is a quick hit to the pipe. We can throw more candy canes on the remaining pipes so the oven is going to have a hard time chasing everyone down while we stuff more things up on the oven mouth.
judoflipped: (Default)

train car

[personal profile] judoflipped 2022-12-19 08:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[Percy had had some hot chocolate, so he was already Thinking when he came across Leo's scene. he watches, even though he knows he probably shouldn't -- he had thought that it was too private to be an accidental spectator for something like that.

but there was something about her that made him think about his mother...]


...Don't get lost in it.

[his voice is almost a croak, because it hits him just how much he misses Sally Jackson in that moment. he'd been away from her before, sure -- but the fact that he couldn't get to her at all made him feel sick in a way he hadn't felt in a long time.]

It's a memory, right?