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.

perfalmost: (dislike)

[personal profile] perfalmost 2022-12-23 12:29 am (UTC)(link)
That's the issue, isn't it? After all, getting eaten and ceasing to live do kinda tend to go hand in hand...!

[Although as she gets closer, she does get a glimpse at the inside that she's being reeled towards.]

...Unless it's... really just a box.

[As the box is smacked, that does loosen the ribbons' hold a bit. Enough that Gina frees her gingerbread ankle!]
perfalmost: (got it!)

[personal profile] perfalmost 2022-12-23 12:34 am (UTC)(link)
Wow, I'm really drawing in a following! In multiple scenes of the word~!

[She chimes as she continues fleeing. Looking up ahead, she sees some strange old ladies swinging candy canes around.]

Alright then, feast your eyes on this! For my proudest feat yet, I will make fools of the elderly!

[With that, she races forward! And with a practiced grace, she does a flip or two while leaping over the canes!]</smalL.
perfalmost: (unimpressed)

[personal profile] perfalmost 2022-12-23 12:36 am (UTC)(link)
[She lets out a weary sigh.]

I feel like you're breaking some unspoken guideline of the group by asking anything related to feelings! Of- of course I'm alright. It's something I've already lived before, and in a whole different life at that! And now here I am, alive and well and also a cookie for some reason, and - where is that darn exit?!
perfalmost: (hey there)

[personal profile] perfalmost 2022-12-23 12:41 am (UTC)(link)
Speak for yourself- whoa!

[She stops and does a little spin before heading over by the smaller fallen cookie.]

You're really not good at this. Here...

[She picks up the fallen arm and holds it out to her.]

Need a hand?
unbrokenoaths: (2)

[personal profile] unbrokenoaths 2022-12-23 12:44 am (UTC)(link)
[ Baldr can't help it. He lets out a laugh at the sight of the snowball splattering gloriously on its target, although he fully suspects he'll be paying for it soon. ]

That may be a generous way of looking at it... [ It's not like Shigure doesn't leave him on read too. ] But, of course. After we conclude our battle, that is.

[ Blissfully oblivious to what kind of misunderstandings he's planted seeds for, Baldr makes a sliding dash behind the nearest snowman for cover. ]
unbrokenoaths: (9)

[personal profile] unbrokenoaths 2022-12-23 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
I don't see why it shouldn't. A memory is no less treasured because it's new. Only clearer to recall. [ The smile he directs down at his hot chocolate is contemplative for a moment before he takes a sip. ] What sort of dance was it?
perfalmost: (you shall not pass)

[personal profile] perfalmost 2022-12-23 12:53 am (UTC)(link)
Don't be so sure about that! You know what they say, pride and chocolate go before a fall.

[She chimes that while quickly trying to climb up the chocolatey wall! He might have too much of a head start, but darned if she isn't going to give it a try! In fact, why not show off the results of her dreamotion practice with a little bit of friendly sabotage? She focuses!]

Is it hot, or is it just me? Crown Fire! [With that, she sends out a burst of fire towards the center of the wall to speed up the melting!]
luciing: (pic#14093476)

[personal profile] luciing 2022-12-23 12:59 am (UTC)(link)
[ Noting that "Halric" must be the young, stone-white boy left behind, he briefly questions the nature of what affliction he suffers, but Somnus saves his question for later. They must continue.

As for Alisaie... He has seen her hope manifest first-hand, that of her causing a lantern to lift from her palm upon the beach. Although he knows her not to be without hope, no one is infallible when walking down their path. She is allowed moments to both falter and, more importantly, to pause-- now that she is afforded it in this timeless realm.

...And from how another warrior appears to fight alongside her, she is not alone. That is enough. No sacrifice is for naught.

He steps away from her, gesturing with his arm. ]
Lead. You would best know where the note may be.
lestray: (ave a look)

[personal profile] lestray 2022-12-23 12:59 am (UTC)(link)
I appreciate that. Right then, I got me 'opes on nuffin' too bad goin' down, but this place is full o' surprises. I can walk wiv ya while we get a lay of the land.
godskey: (080)

[personal profile] godskey 2022-12-23 01:05 am (UTC)(link)
...A folk dance.

[ Her reply, initially quiet, strengths when she speaks up again. Her voice warms at the memory, and the tips of her fingers drum lightly upon her mug. ]

There were guitars and singing, a lot of turns... And it was easy to learn. [ That, or maybe she has a knack for learning things quickly. ] Did you know dancing could so such fun?
godskey: (pic#16125146)

[personal profile] godskey 2022-12-23 01:09 am (UTC)(link)
[ She blinks at him, eyes widening to that of saucers, and then quickly whips her head back to look at the trio once more. Then her gaze snaps back to him. ]

...Are they your family?
godskey: (pic#16097361)

[personal profile] godskey 2022-12-23 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
[ Honey-eyed, golden, amber, sunsets... they remind of something. A field? A field, and this woman's eyes are similar to one of the colors of the flowers that were found in that field, Amira is almost certain of it. They were beautiful flowers. They are beautiful eyes.

Puzzlement washes across her expression as her eyes widen, but bittersweetness, then ache overtakes the light in her eyes. Lost in her thoughts as she gazes at the stranger, she doesn't catch the question. Caught up in her own little world, instead she whispers, ]


...Where are you from?

[ Ah, yes, pinned on the ground with a woman on top of you is exactly how you're supposed to have this conversation. Especially as a gumdrop continues to mew fuwa-fuwa in the background. ]
ectoherbology: (Doused)

[personal profile] ectoherbology 2022-12-23 01:26 am (UTC)(link)
It'll be useful in getting me used to hopping around.

[A little annoying, admittedly! Abigail laughed at her, earning a stinkeye in her direction.]
starshower: (temp 183)

[personal profile] starshower 2022-12-23 01:38 am (UTC)(link)
[Small white spots appear in her eyes to convey the twinkle of worry as she looks him over before she's turning to the corgis. All seven of them, and quietly, she mutters under her breath—]

Which one's Idris...

[He seems to have heard that because the smallest of the cookie dogs barks up from the floor next to the bed before hopping up to sniff at Tifa... but her eyes are back on Eustace again, watching him as he...

Oh... Dear god...

The pink circles on her cheeks grow bigger and she shuffles back so that the candy is covering her up more properly when she realizes... ARE THEY NAKED? Do gingerbread cookies wear clothes? Or do they just wear icing!? She opens her mouth to ask, but she's far too embarrassed to say it out loud—especially in front of the dogs—and he's already grabbed his cloak anyway.

Still, she's going to try getting up anyway and... maybe get dressed? She doesn't know... and honestly? She's a little afraid of the state her clothes are going to be in when she opens the closet, if the taffy around Eustace's shoulders is any indication. It's a bit of a struggle to get out of bed, all while keeping the sugar close. She has to scoot off carefully, and the Rhonnie, Bri, and Aerona have stepped in to help (don't look, boys!!) but even with their nudges, it's not easy.

She's going to try and stand anyway when she gets there... but like Eustace, she wobbles, the stiffness in her limbs surprising.]


Ah... [She catches herself with a hand on the wall for support. But before Eustace leaves, she calls out after him.] Please be careful...!

[As she looks with dread to the closet......]
pactmarshal: (brewing storm)

► closed to nier.

[personal profile] pactmarshal 2022-12-23 01:43 am (UTC)(link)
[ To wake up one morning and suddenly find himself a stiff nutcracker is not welcome. Nor are any of the sudden changes to the town that greet him. Trahearne feels his plans for the day crumble, and for a brief moment, he feels frustration filling his chest.

But no, actually. A shift like this means a problem that needs solving, and what better distraction than that?

And so he quickly fills himself in on the situation, what needs to be done. He devotes his whole being to this task, to saving Reverein from this, quite frankly, absurd curse.

This is how he finds himself standing on the train platform beside Nier. His jaw would be set, his expression blank yet vaguely determined if it were not for the total transformation his face has gone through. He simply looks like a toy. Perhaps that's for the better.

When he sees the sign "Future" above the doors that pull up before him, he almost wants to laugh. This is just his luck. What could possibly be waiting for him in there?

He turns to Nier. ]


After you.
consider8: (Computing)

[personal profile] consider8 2022-12-23 01:46 am (UTC)(link)
It's a good idea. The last time I did that I almost got blended.

[As in, with a blender. It's a long story.]

[She considers the second part, counting on her fingers.]


What time is it?
consider8: (Examine)

[personal profile] consider8 2022-12-23 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
[What's wrong with being a fish-octopus-tentacle thing? This is the first she ever heard anyone speak so disparagingly.]

[Still, the display of irritation did a lot to sooth her feelings that she wouldn't be on the menu. As a cookie that seemed even more likely! She'll follow up beside the duck toy soldier. Eight herself has an icing gun and is doing what she can to slow them down, setting down flows of icing on the monsters' feet to slow them down.]
consider8: (Dou8t)

[personal profile] consider8 2022-12-23 01:57 am (UTC)(link)
[Good! That's the way! There's no time to celebrate though, because the monster would be quick to rise to its feet if given the chance.]

[Reforming into a kid cookie, she takes her gun and fires a large glob at monster's wrists, which quickly solidifies to the ground. As she dashes for the legs, her eyes looks over to Gina's.]


Your gun freezes, right? Hit its head and try to strike at it with the butt of your gun! We need to take it out!!
flamekthunder: (ϟ 144)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2022-12-23 02:50 am (UTC)(link)
I should say the same to you.

[He looks back at her with the same worry before glancing at the dogs with her. They just bark and hop up, letting him know it'll be okay.

...Come to think of it, if these are the corgis... Where are Eria and Clover?

That answer comes immediately when he opens the door and a black blur rushes past him into the room and the entire hallway leading towards the living room is covered in white frosted icing???

...

Sigh.

As if trekking through snow, he carefully makes his way through where he finds a white cookie Eria throwing a tantrum and covering everything in frosting.

...

This is gonna take a bit.]
Edited 2022-12-23 04:30 (UTC)
judicialassistant: (deduction dance)

[personal profile] judicialassistant 2022-12-23 03:09 am (UTC)(link)
...Hmm. It is rather cruel, but I think for them, it is the entertainment value of watching us prance about without spilling a drop. So... That's enough prancing for me, I suppose.

......

[ She looks about, and eventually stops someone who is dancing and serving like she had been a moment ago, and asks for a peppermint chocolate. ]
burnttoashes: (Ashes)

:D

[personal profile] burnttoashes 2022-12-23 03:18 am (UTC)(link)
Kidnapped from your timeline?

[Nuadha's frown deepens even further. That certainly sounds like exoflection, but the next part would seem to belie that much.]

And you were able to return to your world after that?
judicialassistant: (follow me!)

[personal profile] judicialassistant 2022-12-23 03:19 am (UTC)(link)
[ Bread......

Stay focused, Susato, you know what she meant. As she stares up, perhaps waiting for another scene to start (or however this car is supposed to work), her expression actually softens at Gina's answer. ]


Yes... Yes, of course. He did give me his blessing, after all, but I... Sometimes I wonder.
lestray: (thinking)

[personal profile] lestray 2022-12-23 03:28 am (UTC)(link)
[She doesn't think of the girl's movement until she calls attention to it. Right, those doll legs do look like they're fused together, don't they... Not exactly made for walking!]

Right then. ...An' 'ere I thought it was bad enough that movin' around felt stiff for me. [Now she can feel lucky that her legs remained separate!] Well, I'll 'elp ya out there for sure!
lestray: (salute)

[personal profile] lestray 2022-12-23 03:30 am (UTC)(link)
Right now it does! [She gives the quick answer, because there's no time to try explaining the dreamotion that Gina herself sometimes has trouble wrapping her head around. So she springs into action, as fast as her wooden legs can carry her.]

Right then!! So all's I gotta do is get it in the bread, eh? Just leave it to me now!!

[She makes her way towards that candy noggin, firing some more ice to freeze the area... and then smashing the bayonet right into it!]
monoceroscaeli: <user name="optimisty"> (85)

[personal profile] monoceroscaeli 2022-12-23 03:34 am (UTC)(link)
Aw, you're no fun.

[The thought had not actually crossed his mind, because he'd hit his own house, but now he wishes he would have picked a different spot.

He'll continue to fire at Scaramouche, yelling mild taunts at him and using all the different kinds of shots he has to challenge his Harbinger companion, but no whale! When he's satisfied with the Sixth's progress, he stops, smiling happily at him.]


Bravo! You dodged all of them, no matter what I threw at you. Well, how do you feel now? Think you've got your new body mastered?