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.

discourtesies: (you)

[personal profile] discourtesies 2022-12-28 07:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[Running away, is it? Barok has had his fair share of that, in his own ways.]

I cannot say my own pursuit of the truth was untainted before I received similar aid.

[The youths these days... all the way back to the victorian era?? It makes a man proud to witness, sometimes, and humbled at others. In order to further the task at hand, however, he does finally turn to a question.]

What was that reason?
mansbestend: (pic#16105563)

[personal profile] mansbestend 2022-12-28 07:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Different rules... shit. He's gonna have some trouble with nightmares and stuff here, he thought. But he'd have to see one to be able to make that call. Most things fell to chainsaw blades, though.

"Yeah. There's a devil for everything, even sea cucumbers. But stuff that people aren't scared of make for weak little shit demons, so part-timers or high school kids make a job out of killin' 'em. Big things like guns? They make huge bastards. Bigger fear makes stronger devils, so America's where the Gun Devil liked to hang out. You couldn't really get a gun at all in Japan without dumpin' some serious cash, and the news even stopped talking about 'em. They thought it'd keep it from comin' over or whatever."

...And that worked about as well as anyone with two brain cells wagered. He idly scratched at his chest, and took down more of his tea.

"But if you kill 'em, they go back to Hell. Kill 'em in Hell, they pop up on Earth. So that's a massive pain in the ass too for us Devil Hunters."
helluvaboss: (Hmmmm)

[personal profile] helluvaboss 2022-12-28 07:42 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well that's kinda stupid, huh. If they're only strong because humans are afraid of them, but they keep eating humans, what're they gonna do when humans finally go extinct?" Blitzø shrugged. "Better hope humans have a better afterlife I guess, that all sounds shitty as fuck. My home's just full of regular murder and shit, cannibals are still freaks. Though I guess it's not technically cannibalism if I ate a regular mortal, but there's no fuckin' way they taste good, and that's still fuckin' weird..."
Edited 2022-12-28 19:43 (UTC)
discourtesies: (out)

[personal profile] discourtesies 2022-12-28 07:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[Van Zieks lets out a brief hum of acknowledgement. Gina's shame is clear, though he finds no severe fault in how she had to live. Not all crimes are the same; pickpockets like her simply did what they had to, and only few were harmed in the process.

There is an element here that's separate from all that, though—one of connection. They had something of a community.]


Did you remain in contact with them? [Did they stay friends?]
flamekthunder: (ϟ 145)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2022-12-28 08:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[His ears actually pin back briefly at her yelling, but there is something of a wry grin as he looks at her.]

Yes, just earlier this month actually.

...I know it's hard to believe.
azuresong: ((*´▽`*))

[personal profile] azuresong 2022-12-28 08:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Hard to believe!? Oh no, not at all!! [ She continues jumping, the look of pure joy written all over her face. ]

You are wonderful, Eustace! I am so happy for you! [ She's giggling now, and finally moving her eyes away from the "ring" to scan the area around them. ]

Who is it!? Are they here!? Ooooh... I really wanna meet them!
mansbestend: (Default)

[personal profile] mansbestend 2022-12-28 08:10 pm (UTC)(link)
He scowled a bit in thought and looked up. What would happen when humans are gone? Would demons get less powerful?

"Huh. Maybe they'll each other instead, I dunno. I'll be dead way before any of that."

He paused, looked at the mug he was drinking from. He lifted it to his lips but had a bite. With a snap, it came away and was crunchy.

Nice. Dude who runs the place won't need to wash any dishes.
blue_eyed_obsession: (🛰 ¢σмєвα¢к кιηg)

[personal profile] blue_eyed_obsession 2022-12-28 08:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[Trust him, he knows. Kaiba doesn't have much of a sweet tooth either, so becoming the tallest gingerbread cookie is bizarre to him in more ways than one.]

[Giving the other man another glance over... the setup is too difficult to pass up]

I would think you'd be used to that at your age.
Edited 2022-12-28 20:43 (UTC)
helluvaboss: (Yeah I know you want me)

[personal profile] helluvaboss 2022-12-28 08:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Blitzø planned on finishing his drink first, honestly. He just looked at Denji and grinned, sipping his tea. Oh yeah, this was gonna be really hilarious. Akechi and Moxxie might even bond a little bit from dealing with this kid, who was clearly three crayons short of a lightbulb. That'd help them find that common ground they needed. "So you were a sad homeless kid?"
mansbestend: (pic#16105566)

[personal profile] mansbestend 2022-12-28 08:57 pm (UTC)(link)
If only mugs were made of some kind of candy, because this one was actually pretty great. He had another bite of his now-empty mug as he thought about the question.

Eventually, he shrugged. "...I had Pochita. I had some rough days, but I dunno if I was sad more than I was hungry. But as long as I had him, being hungry didn't matter much, either."

Denji paused, then took the chocolate spoon from the tray and used the soft cocoa to draw on the tray, forming a very simple shape with big round eyes and an odd protrusion for a nose.

"He's... kind of like a dog, but not. He was a devil I found once, and we've been pals since."
helluvaboss: (Yoooou're pretty hot)

[personal profile] helluvaboss 2022-12-28 09:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Leaning over the tray to watch the chocolate being used to draw, Blitzø smiled. While the dog was kinda weird, it wasn't that strange of an idea. "Nothing like the love of an animal to help you through the toughest times," Blitzø agreed, beaming happily as he leaned back and reminisced. Thankfully, there were at least a few lovely memories back then. "I was in charge of brushing the horses and mucking their stalls when I was little. They always worked way harder than anyone else in the circus. Always happy to see ya, if you showed up and gave them some popcorn that the guests threw out instead of finishing. I never got to have my own animal, but animals are great."
mansbestend: (pic#16105569)

[personal profile] mansbestend 2022-12-28 09:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"Animals don't care about how dirty you get or if ya smell bad, or if a shitty day just ended. They're just happy to see you."

Another shrug. "But... horses, huh? Can people in Hell buy horses? They're probably all fiery and wild up there, too."
helluvaboss: (So PROUD)

[personal profile] helluvaboss 2022-12-28 09:18 pm (UTC)(link)
"Horses are the BEST! There's so many different breeds, but they're all just AWESOME. If you befriend one you're friends for LIFE, they'll ride with you and run wild and free! Other circus animals are usually fuckin' miserable to be there, but the horses wanna get to know ya, they like learning all kinds of tricks and they like showing off. They totally get it," Blitzø rambled, starry-eyed - in fact, some star-shaped sprinkles were 'dripping' from his painted-on eyes. "Whether they're in the stable to stay with ya or running out in the wild all free, horses are just fucking great."
mansbestend: (pic#16105563)

[personal profile] mansbestend 2022-12-28 09:26 pm (UTC)(link)
He's never seen anyone so ride-or-die for something like this. This guy really likes horses.

"...If it's any help, I've never met a Horse Devil. He'd probably be small and chilled out enough for you to ride; maybe make a pact with him so you get horse powers."
helluvaboss: (I LOVE HORSE)

[personal profile] helluvaboss 2022-12-28 09:55 pm (UTC)(link)
"I would SO be best friends with the Horse Devil!!" Blitzo clapped his hands over his cheeks, ecstatic at the idea. "Who even cares about the horse powers! I just wanna run WILD AND FREE with them!"
whatsamada: (Unchained)

[personal profile] whatsamada 2022-12-28 10:10 pm (UTC)(link)
There was a pause. Then there was a long pause. And then there was an even longer pause.

"...Should I be worried about what kind of world you are from?"
mansbestend: (pic#16105572)

[personal profile] mansbestend 2022-12-28 10:28 pm (UTC)(link)
He grinned. "Okay. If I meet him I'll give him your number or something. Damn, you're really into horses."

He set the rest of his mug down in its sorry state.

"Some devils work with humans, offer up partnerships in exchange for stuff. I can see the Horse Devil being cool with people, like the Fox Devil. She only give you the real shit if you're hot. Otherwise you get to use a tail or a paw." He frowned in thought. Would he get to use her head? Aki could, and he was okay-looking, Denji guessed. For an nag.
666_hellhound_aesthetic: "You know why." (Default)

[personal profile] 666_hellhound_aesthetic 2022-12-28 10:34 pm (UTC)(link)
"Urgh..." she wished her ears could wilt to express her dissatisfaction, "Well. Appreciated for the thought anyhow... can pin that one for later."

"Right now?" Loona turned her gaze around the panicked village in all of its gumdrop delight. It was enough to give a guy with false teeth cavities from the most sickly sweet candy cane swirls and frosting addorning the gingerbread buildings.

But unlike most times Loona was unhappy with the latest look of the village, this time, she wasn't the only one despairing at the new changes. People everywhere were lamenting the forced changes and their twisted forms. Confusion and chaos were on the high, but yet? Loona just couldn't feel it, "Gotta admit I got no fucking clue what to do here apart from just smash the shit out of these mice things."

"Don't suppose you've got any bright ideas or news to share over the radio waves on this whole shitshow?"
666_hellhound_aesthetic: "You know, I can do shit too." (pic#15901975)

[personal profile] 666_hellhound_aesthetic 2022-12-28 10:43 pm (UTC)(link)
"...wait. Everything here got turned into toys?"

An idea brewed in Loona's head that she began to ponder, snirking only slightly at the mental image of her being let loose on this old hag, "Damn, you beat me to the punchline of shoving her own broom up her asshole."

"But... yeah... if we're working with toys... where do we find us the island of misfit fuckup toys that get rejected...?"

She wasn't about to reveal just yet what she was thinking, but, she kind of hoped her adoptive dad would get an inkling what was coming next.
starshower: (temp 237)

[personal profile] starshower 2022-12-28 10:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[Tifa is right there to catch Lyria when she rolls out—or she tries to, anyway. With the dogs still wrestling with the box, it's a bit troubling to find a good spot to make sure she doesn't tumble too hard on the ground.]

Take care of the box.

[The order is given to the dogs who happily obey, and between the two of them, that mimic's life is incredibly short-lived as they begin to tear it to shreds, pulling on it and ripping it and dragging it away. Meanwhile, Tifa looks over the girl for any injuries that she could have sustained as a... Ah, a wooden figurine...? She'll hold onto her as best as she can with her stubby gingerbread hands to help steady her.]

Are you alright? You're not hurt, are you?
lonelysmiles: The greatest show: reality! (Showman)

[personal profile] lonelysmiles 2022-12-28 11:01 pm (UTC)(link)
"Just one from when I first arrived in Hell." Alastor took a few steps forward. "When in doubt..." He turned and swept a hand out to gesture to the massive gingerbread house lording over the town. "...find the biggest target you can and work your way down from there!"
helluvaboss: (WOOOOO)

[personal profile] helluvaboss 2022-12-28 11:11 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ooh, ooh, that is so SMART!" Blitzø gasped, bouncing a little. "Finding all the fucked up toys that kill the shit outta little kids! That's TOTALLY gotta be a thing around here, right?? Let's go find some fucking LAWN DARTS!"
helluvaboss: (Dreamworks Face)

[personal profile] helluvaboss 2022-12-28 11:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"Hah! Sounds like a fuckin' fox to me, honestly. Sinners that end up down there and end up foxy are such fucking pretentious sluts," Blitzø laughed, amused at the idea. "They get along with the succubitches crowd the best, even if they can't go down to the Lust ring."
666_hellhound_aesthetic: "So goddamn cringe." (pic#15901970)

Timeskip?

[personal profile] 666_hellhound_aesthetic 2022-12-28 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
"...you're totally gonna end up with a lawn dart through your head before this day ends, ain't you Blitzø?"

She snirked and shook her head, well, at least he got the idea... and all the better then as she clapped hands greedily, "Oh fuck yeah, find us all those Gilbert kids kits... molten lead, glass blowing shit, for real uranium chemistry kits..."

"Oh yeah, we can find us some sweet stocking stuffers to shit on this bitch's shortbread."
flamekthunder: (ϟ 003)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2022-12-28 11:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[He continues to hold the piece steady, again wondering how this all is even working... But it fits and he pulls it back a little more before taking a lot.

...

Is it strange to find her so adorable right now?]


Cute.

[A light smile as he sees her "flushed" cheeks before he moves around to her back so he can try to fasten the back of her dress.]

Are yellow and blue gum drops fine?

[Totally no signicance in those colors nope. Not sending a message or anything nope.]