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.

threebetrayals: (Oh?)

[personal profile] threebetrayals 2022-12-20 02:26 am (UTC)(link)
[...honestly? Not the worst idea. And Childe is usually competent enough that it's not going bother him to work with the guy.

He nods.]


Fine by me. Who caused this anyway?
unbrokenoaths: (1)

[personal profile] unbrokenoaths 2022-12-20 02:36 am (UTC)(link)
Those, yes.

[His expression lights up with a little excitement, too. It's not that no one here recognizes the familiar trappings of his home, but there's always that spark of camaraderie when he meets another.]

Well, I admit I did sample some of it as I went. It's really not the same before they're cooked, though. She would laugh at me and tell me the skewers would be crooked if I kept at it.
sermom: (28)

[personal profile] sermom 2022-12-20 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
I would! [He doesn't say it accusingly, but she still raises her voice in a defensive manner, as if to prove him wrong anyway. After a second she realizes her error and ducks down, voice quieting again.] I would. I'm not strong at all, but I want to protect him... he's all I got.
luciing: (pic#14093472)

[personal profile] luciing 2022-12-20 03:00 am (UTC)(link)
[ Sacrificing for others or having others sacrifice for oneself is never easy, but it is something that must be accepted. Somnus remains unfazed by her little outburst, not taking offense. When it seems she's settled, he speaks again. ]

Then let him choose. [ This time, the (attempt at) a gentle tone he used before carries more weight to it, a wall against her protest. A rare wisdom a child can express is knowing when something is beyond them. While frustrating, it demonstrates one acknowledging their limits-- not an easy thing to do for someone so young. (Or old, for that matter.)

It only takes a few steps to cross the room towards her, and when he's close enough, he lowers him, crouching to be at her level. ]


Only when you are ready to protect him in turn, ...rise.
grandduchess_anya: (Happy)

[personal profile] grandduchess_anya 2022-12-20 03:04 am (UTC)(link)
Great work over there. Now let’s stuff this metal beast up with lots of stuff.

(She has to admit that this guy knows exactly what he is doing and that she can commend very well. And with no time to waste, Anya proceeds to chuck every pot, pan, pastry and candy she could find at the mouth of the witch oven.

The giant oven could feel stuff being thrown into its mouth so fast that it couldn’t keep up with Anya’s throwing quickly enough. She is just throwing stuff one at a time in a breakneck speed.)
laity: (01)

[personal profile] laity 2022-12-20 03:05 am (UTC)(link)
[ GAH!!! ]

I promise I w-wont!?!

[ Who is killing children around here!? Ky looks around to see if there might be someone else threatening this poor little girl but no, its just him. He slowly raises his hands, trying to feel around for a toy or something to offer this girl without taking his eyes off her. ]

To raise arms against a child is the highest breach of virtue. I swear this blade is not for you or anyone like you. I could not call myself a king if I acted such.

[ Which is Ky speak for ARE YOU OKAY!?! ]
senorita_perfecta: (Miracle at Work)

[personal profile] senorita_perfecta 2022-12-20 03:14 am (UTC)(link)
Oh gee thank you. I could definitely use some help because my legs are currently stuck together right now.

(Isabela might need some time to get up so she could fight back easily without laying down on the ground. While she may have a body of gingerbread, she could still get wet. As she is getting up from that stumble, she is amazed to see Leo throwing a snowball sized fireball at one snowman and it melting as the result.)

Wow, that is some amazing fire skill you got. Guess that these guys just can’t take the heat that easily.
consider8: (Challenge)

[personal profile] consider8 2022-12-20 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
[It's an interesting question which calls to mind the dangers of the Salmonids. In their society, they fought to eat their enemy or, if they fall, they were to be eaten by their enemies. They even used cooking implements to aid in their consumption.]

[It wasn't as audacious as it seemed.]


...I'd say a two. If they didn't want to be eaten then they wouldn't have been so delicious!
laity: (06)

ii-a

[personal profile] laity 2022-12-20 03:39 am (UTC)(link)
Ah, its quite all right young man.

[ Riku and Ky are around the same height, so Ky doesn't so much loom behind the younger man as much as just...stare curiously around his shoulder at the now closed door. Strange. He didn't know the interior of trains could be so expansive. Was this new magic? ]

Will you not follow him?

[ That was quite the door slam! Riku looks very stressed, Ky crosses his arms with a look of concern. ]
multidisciplinary: paid commission - do not take! (🌱 083)

zelda | legend of zelda: breath of the wild | oops all trains

[personal profile] multidisciplinary 2022-12-20 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
II-A (Past) (a cute, heartwarming memory)

You step inside the train car... only to step right outside into a snowy courtyard square. A magnificent fountain, drained and dry for winter, stands in the center of a bustling town square. A large crowd of townsfolk are all gathered around a tent hung with the regalia of the Hyrulean royal family, underneath which sit the King, Queen, and little Princess of Hyrule. Crates upon crates of wrapped gifts surround the royal family, who are handing them out to the townspeople who approach them. Most of the adults are lining up to speak with and receive gifts from the King and Queen, while most of the children are lining up for the Princess.

You join the line to see the Princess. Maybe you're a kid and you can tell that's where you're supposed to go. Maybe you're an adult and you feel a strange pull, like a string tied around your heart, toward the Princess. Maybe it's something else entirely. Whatever the reason, you eventually end up in front of the five year old Princess Zelda, dressed in her warmest winter gown. She holds out to you a gift, simply wrapped and stamped with the crest of the royal family in wax.

"May the blessings of the Goddess shine upon you this season," she chimes with a smile.


II-A (Future) (an intense, suspenseful glimpse into the future)
(Loosely based on the 2019 BOTW2 trailer)

The inside of this train car is pitch black. It's filled with the kind of darkness that is so absolute, you feel it in the air—thick and soupy, stifling you and muffling the sounds around you. All you hear is your own heartbeat. Does it hasten with fear as you stand in the dark? Or does it remain steady, a testament to your bravery?

Somewhere beyond the limits of your sight, a match strikes and a torch blazes to life, pushing back that heavy darkness. From the depths steps Zelda, holding the torch in one hand. She looks the same as does in Songerein, except that her hair has been cut short.

She fixes you with a worried look. "What are you doing, wandering off like that? You're the one who insisted we stick close together."


(OOC: Feel free to tag in brackets if you want o/)
judicialassistant: (shock glance)

[personal profile] judicialassistant 2022-12-20 03:51 am (UTC)(link)
Ah--the presents, correct? [ Since most of the train cars are filled with them, they're hard to avoid. ] Some of them were fake. It's rather cruel, really.

But um, as long as we got some notes out of it... [ Right? ]
monoceroscaeli: <user name="optimisty"> (143)

[personal profile] monoceroscaeli 2022-12-20 03:58 am (UTC)(link)
[He spreads his hands, because he's not entirely sure how this all happened, and he's had to go off of what he was told when he woke up this way.]

Some sort of strange entity showed up not too long ago. I heard a couple of rumors of people getting sucked into a gingerbread house, but shortly getting kicked out of it. Now, it seems whatever was in there is the one responsible for the curse. I'm not entire sure what exactly is in there, but there's no way it'll stand up to the might of two Harbingers.

[He's already starting to get pumped to go in and kill whatever is in there, and it's plain on his face.]

But first things first. You've got to master your new body. I've got an idea for that.

[The look on his face doesn't suggest anything good, though...]
lestray: (got to be kidding)

[personal profile] lestray 2022-12-20 04:04 am (UTC)(link)
[What was that giggle! Gina almost looks startled for a moment.]

Least she's enjoyin' it. [She offers that much, while trying to piece together the word 'incorporeal'. Does it just mean 'ghost'...?]

...Come to think of it, why don't we go an' introduce ourselves. I'm Gina Lestrade!
adorabrawler: (pic#16120002)

[personal profile] adorabrawler 2022-12-20 04:05 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah. As far as I understand it, anyway.

[ Her response doesn't come entirely confidently. ]

I don't really get what they're supposed to be or how they help, but as long as it means going back to normal, I guess.
lestray: (thinking)

[personal profile] lestray 2022-12-20 04:07 am (UTC)(link)
I didn't think candy could go bad! But that thing... I think it wants to prove me wrong!

[She's armed with her own nutcracker bayonet, though she's hesitant about rushing into battle.]
iracorn: (Default)

i-c

[personal profile] iracorn 2022-12-20 04:09 am (UTC)(link)
[This is a bit awkward.

Ira has been cast in the form of a wooden figure, but further to that, in his dreamwalker form as a Unicorn. His body is a cream colour with his mane and tail a light blue. He's been trying to adjust his shape but this world seems to be preventing that.

Still, he can answer Riku's inquiry well enough.]


I believe they may be possessed by Nightmares. They are more common in this realm than Heartless.
perfalmost: (tired)

[personal profile] perfalmost 2022-12-20 04:09 am (UTC)(link)
[Well! Magilou drops the present she's holding and kicks it aside, first of all. Then she heads over to the other guy.]

You look like you've gone a little off-beat...

[She may not know this guy, but she figures she might as well help him... although as she comes closer, another ribbon reaches out for her ankle!]
consider8: (Ponder)

[personal profile] consider8 2022-12-20 04:12 am (UTC)(link)
[She's looking over to the other girl and offers a brief nod.]

Maybe one of us should go for help. Things could get sticky.
lestray: (pout)

[personal profile] lestray 2022-12-20 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
It's already lookin' very sticky to me. [She winces at the sight of the candy mass.] I get wot ya mean, o' course. You can go on ahead. As for me...

[She steels herself, reading her bayonet-popgun.]

...I'll be the 'elp for now. [With that, she starts advancing to march towards the monster!]
judicialassistant: (deduction dance)

[personal profile] judicialassistant 2022-12-20 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
It has to do with the large bell in the Plaza, I think. Though I haven't visited the cars that are supposed to hold the strongest notes either, to help with that... Something about the... the past, present and future?

[ Susato speaks in a slight mumble toward the end, as if trying to remember something she'd heard. ]
perfalmost: (got it!)

[personal profile] perfalmost 2022-12-20 04:18 am (UTC)(link)
[Magilou is quickly making her way towards the chocolate wall! And she notices it starting to melt around that familiar-looking cookie.]

If you're not careful, you're going to end up way below instead! [She chimes while looking for a less-melted part of the wall to try scaling... while also keeping on eye on her fellow gingerbread in case of any hilarious embarrassment!]
perfalmost: (neutral)

[personal profile] perfalmost 2022-12-20 04:21 am (UTC)(link)
[She was definitely regretting this train more than ever now. She thought she'd be able to zip through any cars like this without anyone seeing anything, but... here they are. At least Rokurou's someone who already knows the basics anyway, but she moreso hates her child self being seen.

Magilou brushes it off with a gingerbread shrug.]


Why can't Velvet be here instead? I want to see if she can gobble up a memory Melchior! [Although really she wants No One to be here.]
consider8: (Confidence)

[personal profile] consider8 2022-12-20 04:25 am (UTC)(link)
[Hmn! It was good to see that the hesitation seemed to be sizing up the enemy and not fear. The octo girl cookie raises her icing gun over the shoulder and steps up behind Gina.]

[Looks like someone else is going to have to call for help.]
adorabrawler: (pic#16120421)

[personal profile] adorabrawler 2022-12-20 04:26 am (UTC)(link)
The past, present...

[ Likewise, Mizuki trails off thoughtfully. ]

Are there ghosts in there?

[ har. ]
judicialassistant: ([fa] thinky)

[personal profile] judicialassistant 2022-12-20 04:31 am (UTC)(link)
[ UNFORTUNATELY......Susato takes the question completely seriously. Anything is possible if you can dream it up. She speaks in a slight laugh, trying to keep things lighthearted: ]

If there are, they will probably look like cookies and toy soldiers.

[ A beat.

...... ]


We could find out.