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.

itstillhurt: (pic#15817859)

[personal profile] itstillhurt 2022-12-21 03:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[She rolls her eyes at the terrible joke, but the goading otherwise seems to fall flat.]

You're a pastry. I'll try to contain my envy.
lestray: (head down)

[personal profile] lestray 2022-12-21 03:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh. I... I'm sorry. [She says with sympathy. Even though she suspected it, it still packs a punch to hear her being described as no longer alive.

She still feels a bit awkward, though. What do you say in response to that? 'I'm sorry for your loss' doesn't feel like it quite fits right when the person in question is right there.]


S-sorry that she... that she ain't alive no more. [Gina tries to adjust her hat, as much as she can in nutcracker form.] So she's a... a g-g-ghost, is she?
ectoherbology: (Hahaha bloody bloody bloody)

[personal profile] ectoherbology 2022-12-21 03:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[There's a bit of a pause, a slightly uncomfortable one, but a small smile crosses Wendy's face.]

Are you afraid of ghosts?
helluvaboss: (Fingerguns)

[personal profile] helluvaboss 2022-12-21 03:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Wrong! I'm made with sugar and molasses, not shortening. So I'm more of a cookie.
godskey: (058)

[personal profile] godskey 2022-12-21 03:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[ And so they tumble, with Amria falling upon her back. Bits of her gingerbread form crumble off with the impact, scattering across the ground like pebbles, and her string-gummy hair fans out behind her. Candy and desserts always make a mess when they fall.

As for how she's handling another woman having collided and fallen ontop of her, it doesn't appear Amira's taken the shove and fall as an offense. Neither is she hurt, nor does she see this stranger as a threat. Amira purses her lips to blow out a long, gummy lock from the center of her face.

And then she blinks. ]


Your eyes... [ She's unbothered by their fall, the gumdrop, and everything else. Instead, curiosity shines within her own as she peers up at her. ] They are the color of honey.
luciing: (pic#14189110)

[personal profile] luciing 2022-12-21 03:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He nods in response. ]
starshower: (temp 187)

[personal profile] starshower 2022-12-21 03:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[She's mumbling again, waving him off as the dogs' barks grow more aggressive and desperate, and she's about to roll over and go back to sleep when she's caught off guard by his shouting, and the frightened way that he calls to her. Slowly, Tifa opens her eyes, her brow meant to crinkle with a sleepy frown. She's ready to tell him to go see what they want so that he can come back to bed with her, but as her vision very slowly corrects itself...

...

....

Why does Eustace look so strange? And why are the dogs—

Wait. Why are the dogs running around like that?

Her brain snaps awake then, and Tifa lifts herself up on the bed to take a better look around. First at each of the dogs, and then they stop on Eustace, and she lets out a startled noise.]


Eustace!? What... happened to you!?

[WHY DOES EVERYONE LOOK LIKE COOKIES!?!?!???

Her eyes begin to dart around the room.]


And the dogs... And the house!?

[Why are the bedsheets made of... what is that? Rainbow sour candy strips!? Never mind EVERYTHING ELSE???]
lestray: (stunned)

[personal profile] lestray 2022-12-21 03:53 pm (UTC)(link)
I- I ain't afraid of 'em!

[She responds defensively, while taking a step back.]

Just... n-never met one before is all.
ectoherbology: (Snow day)

[personal profile] ectoherbology 2022-12-21 03:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[Wendy covers her mouth briefly to chuckle, before she had her expression back under control.]

Abigail won't hurt you. Unless you try to hurt me, that is. She's still just my sister.
luciing: (pic#14227455)

[personal profile] luciing 2022-12-21 04:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Another tragic memory plays within the traincar. It seems that this dreamworld remains cruel to those it summons, making them relieve (and reveal to others) their most vulnerable moments.

All throughout the scene, Somnus had been watching with an impassive, stony expression, one borne from centuries of being naught but a hollowed, armored figure. Yet as Alisaie calls for them to move forward, her tone is off. He glances sidelong at her profile as they walk.

Moving forward is the only way to proceed, yes; but this traincar, and they must search for the magical notes that would free the town of its candy-curse. By her expression, and how the memory continues to play, it seems as if merely "moving forward" is not the key to finding a note.

Thus he calls for them to stop. ]


Hold, maiden.
herewardbound: (a n g e r y)

[personal profile] herewardbound 2022-12-21 04:19 pm (UTC)(link)
You know, it was the damnedest thing.

Several of the confectionary creatures were already backing away, sufficiently cowed by the display to reconsider preying on the candy-cane-swinging psycho over there-

But a lone gingerbread child? Hiding, looking perfectly harmless?

That was fair game.

A sheep made of chocolate rolls and candy floss approached the source of the noise, baring jaws that were entirely too sharp, that didn't belong on something that should've been such a cute holiday decoration-

"Son of a bitch- Persona!" It was almost comical, watching a gingerbread man rip off a mask and summon a wispy, ethereal figure made of cotton candy. Something inherently silly about a bearded man in a captain's coat with a massive, curved sword springing from nothing, made entirely of spun sugar and looking as though it could be dispersed by a stiff breeze-

But the black fire of Eiga was a lot less comical, burning the boy's attacker to nothing before it could even get close.

"Hate this fucking place- you! Are you fine!"
leveillpier: <user name="kagaminokakera"> (EW19)

[personal profile] leveillpier 2022-12-21 04:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Alisaie knew better than that walking away never solved anything to begin with.

When Somnus stopped her, she paused her steps. They had to find the note and he was right about that. How long could she interact with this memory until it became numb?

There's a deep sigh from her as she turned to him. She may not know him too well, but they've interacted enough for her to understand that there is a reason why he asked for her to stop. ]


Aye, what is it?

[ For the note, she was might have a idea where they need go. Whether it's the correct approach or not, Alisaie isn't sure. ]
consider8: (Computing)

[personal profile] consider8 2022-12-21 04:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[Hmn...]

[She supposes the girl had shared a bit of her story that Eight could reciprocate.]


We--my people--have been prohibited from going to the surface, and for 100 years we have kept true to that treaty. Barring an... occasional expedition to monitor the land above our home. [Scouting and raiding parties.]

Chocolate would only become available when someone was especially foolish and left it unattended in our territory. And we would share it among my dome if we got any.

What is being used as garnish is more chocolate than I had seen in my life. At least, before coming to the surface.
luciing: (pic#14093479)

[personal profile] luciing 2022-12-21 04:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[ They are distant from where the woman perished, transformed, and flown off. Somnus' footsteps leave shallow marks on the sand as he pivots to face her. ]

This is your past, is it not?

[ He looks off to the side, head tilting to scale up a dune. His survey turns to where the scene occurred, and where the young, pale boy still stands. This is not merely a dream-- they cannot simply break from it and awaken. Within the loop, they must find a definitive resolution, and Alisaie is the key.

He looks back at her. ]


To what end does it lead?
consider8: (Agent 8)

[personal profile] consider8 2022-12-21 05:18 pm (UTC)(link)
["Nice!" Eight thinks. It is definitely going to feel that one! The monster doesn't look too pleased with its frozen assets.]

[Eight herself is going to follow up the attack with one of her own, as it passes its attention toward the wooden soldier, Eight will turn on her cookie heel toward it. One moment she's a gingerbread cookie, and the next moment she's an icing octopus propelling herself at the candy monster's face. She shifts back into a cookie, icing gun sploting confectionery glaze into the monsters eyes!]


Try to topple it!!
consider8: (Alarmed)

[personal profile] consider8 2022-12-21 05:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[Yeah, the octo girl cookie is staring at the wooden Della.]

...I would think that my opponent is deranged and would do whatever I could to keep my distance and take them down before they did worse to me.
herewardbound: (Default)

[personal profile] herewardbound 2022-12-21 05:34 pm (UTC)(link)
His expression... softened, slightly. He sighed. "It's bullshit. Everybody says that 'kindness' is a virtue, and they think of themselves as 'good people'. And every single one of them except a rare fucking few are liars."

It was a lesson he'd learned early, unfortunately. Nobody ever cared. Not enough to do anything about it. "... 'It can't be helped'. I got so... fucking sick of hearing that. Every time I ever complained about anything. Any time I needed something other than the bare goddamn minimum. Any time I asked my god damn social worker for help or needed to change- 'It can't be helped'. Nothing to be done. Fucking liars. They just didn't want to. Because that would be a change to their oh-so-precious routine."

Like it would've killed them to offer an eight-year-old whose mother had just died the slightest fucking ounce of empathy.
ectoherbology: (Death comes for us)

[personal profile] ectoherbology 2022-12-21 05:43 pm (UTC)(link)
"It's cruel, and unfair... it would hurt less if they were honest and just said they don't know what to do," she agreed, voice level and low. There was a moment of silence... a moment where Wendy felt it was most respectful to mourn for this poor child. "It makes the sincere kindness... difficult... to believe in. But that sincere kindness will persist, the way seedlings persist through the frost of winter and bloom in spring in spite of the way the frost will come for them all over again. Flowers worth treasuring..."
lestray: (messing with)

[personal profile] lestray 2022-12-21 05:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Glad to 'ear it. ...Not that I was worried about that or nuffin', 'cause like I said, I ain't afraid!

[A slightly forced smile. At least this particular ghost can only feel so intimidating when she's an adorable cooking.]

So it's business as usual for you two. Just one o' you is in a different form is all.
lestray: (salute)

[personal profile] lestray 2022-12-21 06:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[Whoa! Gina's stunned for a moment as she watches her ally in action! Did she just turn into some kind of squid?! But she doesn't let that distract her. She remains on task and takes in the shapeshifting cookie's suggestion.]

On it!! [With that, she rusues on up while shooting some ice bullets at its legs and feet to impair its movement further and make the next part easier. Once she's close enough, she props her bayonet under an icy patch of its foot and tries using it as a lever to tip it over!]
ectoherbology: (Death comes for us)

[personal profile] ectoherbology 2022-12-21 06:02 pm (UTC)(link)
...

[Well, she wouldn't say that. But the pause only lasts so long.]

It is nice to be able to hear my sister again. To play, a little like we used to.
unbrokenoaths: (6)

[personal profile] unbrokenoaths 2022-12-21 06:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes. You could say we're comrades, of a sort.

[Baldr is a knight, not a saint. He eyes that unguarded stance and then...

The snowball he lobs at Rokurou's chest is more in the spirit of a playful inquiry than a war declaration. Honest.]
itstillhurt: (pic#15817929)

[personal profile] itstillhurt 2022-12-21 06:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[The snowballs are irritating, particularly since her attempts to melt the snowmen were so stunningly ineffective.

Despite her wooden form- and lack of separate, movable legs- she's able to nimbly hop away from the snowy onslaught and duck behind a tree to safety, leaving Ken to his own devices. It's fine, he can probably keep up, he actually has legs.]


I'm not certain who finds this fun.
unbrokenoaths: (1)

[personal profile] unbrokenoaths 2022-12-21 06:24 pm (UTC)(link)
I hope it's not quite as dire as that. Though we might shortly become its dinner--

[Is that better? He's never been eaten before, give a guy a comparison metric here. But since the ribbons aren't giving him much result, he spins and smacks the box very firmly with one sword instead.]
unbrokenoaths: (5)

[personal profile] unbrokenoaths 2022-12-21 06:30 pm (UTC)(link)
And if that isn't what they would have chosen themselves?

[Baldr knows what's coming before the memory advances that little bit, but he still winces visibly as the image of Baldr rises and strikes at Legretta's back. Those memories are still fresh, and he knows very well how his body was used.]

No, forgive me. This isn't something you should trouble yourself with. ...It's a very fitting answer, for you.