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.

divaricate: berks @ dw (multiverse ● au!smile)

[personal profile] divaricate 2023-01-02 12:02 am (UTC)(link)
I've never met another Wanda, or a Wendy, for that matter. [ She smiles slightly. ] Was the other Wanda a witch too?

[ look, it just feels like every Wanda in a story or something is a witch. And then there's her to help prove it in reality. ]
flamekthunder: (ϟ 002)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2023-01-02 12:08 am (UTC)(link)
[Even if they were warned about what they would experience, the change in surroundings is unnerving, regardless of how calm and peaceful it is right now. But perhaps it is so, with their belongings in plain view, that makes it more discomforting. He can't help but be wary, wondering what they will see.]

It... Looks like our home, but in a different place.

[Why did they have to be gingerbread the want to keep a hold on her hand is high, but they can't...really...!!]

If this is the future... I suppose this is ours. But where—

[As if on cue, the sound of many dogs and voices can be heard outside. Most recognizable, but then there are smaller, higher pitched squeals of laughter that confuses him, and he glances at Tifa.]
ectoherbology: (Harvest)

[personal profile] ectoherbology 2023-01-02 12:13 am (UTC)(link)
That would be Miss Wickerbottom... miss Wanda has experimented with controlling time.
refire: (89)

[personal profile] refire 2023-01-02 12:15 am (UTC)(link)
You sound confident.

[Alphen can dodge it easily enough but he's preparing for another attack. He doesn't think that he should let his guard down.]

Come at me again! I think you can do better than that!
lonelysmiles: (Seriously Though...)

[personal profile] lonelysmiles 2023-01-02 12:59 am (UTC)(link)
Why would he think that?

[Alastor glances at Anya before pausing.]

Ah, apologies. There weren't many details that came out of Russia following the revolution, and my curiosity can override any sense of manners.
lonelysmiles: (After All...)

[personal profile] lonelysmiles 2023-01-02 01:00 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, the world I was originally born was quite mundane. Though before I was here, I was in Hell."
heseesonlyher: (pic#15175210)

[personal profile] heseesonlyher 2023-01-02 01:03 am (UTC)(link)
[...

Somehow, Nier is not exactly surprised by this discovery. Of course he's thought it a possibility. That he would walk in and find nothing on the other side, because that's exactly what he is back home at this point. Nothing. He doesn't exist. There is no Nier. No name. No man. No history. As far as the world is concerned, there never is, never was, and never will be a Nier.

Greeted by the darkness, he can only settle in his thoughts for several long moments. It's not until he hears Trahearne that he starts.]


To be fair, I wasn't expecting much.

[And then, maybe it seems a little uncharacteristic of him, but Nier laughs. It feels heavier in the darkness, however. Maybe that's just his way of coping with the truth of things. What else can he do? Laughing seems like the only way to deal with it all.]

But I guess I was a little curious. Now we know.

[Because it hasn't occurred to him that this could be Trahearne's future.]
grandduchess_anya: (Contemplation)

[personal profile] grandduchess_anya 2023-01-02 01:16 am (UTC)(link)
My family realized that he was more of a trouble to keep around than of any help. Originally, he was brought in to help my brother with his illness situation since the doctors weren’t able to find a way o cure it or make it less burdensome, but my parents eventually saw right through him and severed ties with him in hopes to keep safe us.
lonelysmiles: (Chatting)

[personal profile] lonelysmiles 2023-01-02 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
What I'm hearing is that he was a fraud who took advantage of your brother's illness. Is that right?
divaricate: berks @ dw (WANDAVISION ● 444)

[personal profile] divaricate 2023-01-02 01:21 am (UTC)(link)
Time? [ Her eyebrows lift. Sounds like a time stone situation. ] She didn't do it with a stone, did she? There were these stones, more like gems really, in my world that each had a special force tied to it. One was time.
ectoherbology: (I suppose)

[personal profile] ectoherbology 2023-01-02 01:25 am (UTC)(link)
No. None of the strange stones we've discovered affect time. Wanda is able to control it with the clocks she's designed.
herewardbound: (Default)

[personal profile] herewardbound 2023-01-02 01:27 am (UTC)(link)
His expression softened, listening to the girl's words. "I didn't know that, actually. I suppose I might, under certain points of view, qualify as a spirit caught between worlds."
ectoherbology: (Victorian)

[personal profile] ectoherbology 2023-01-02 01:31 am (UTC)(link)
"Then you and my sister are not so different. I promise I will help you on your journey to find peace," she pledged. It was an easy pledge to make. "If you are not ready for your future... we can look instead at what the train wishes to show me."
iracorn: (Default)

[personal profile] iracorn 2023-01-02 02:08 am (UTC)(link)
[Sora has told him a few things. And there's still a lot about the future, for lack of a better term, that Ira has questions about. But one thing that isn't in question is the care Sora has for his friends.]

He is. And last I saw, he was well.

[Of course, it's easy to lose track in this world, especially when it changes like this. But there's no reason to assume Sora is in danger in any way.]
starshower: (temp 265)

[personal profile] starshower 2023-01-02 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
[The footsteps and the voices—their voices—grow louder, the footsteps coming up to the door, and Tifa takes several paces back as if to make room for whatever is about to happen.

"What did I say about running?"

It's her own voice that calls from the other side, and there's a choir of barks and a child's laughter as well as the frantic pounding of small feet.

The door clicks, and the first to rush into the house are the corgis, all of them not gingerbread like she was expecting. Many of them are older now, but among the seven that she recognizes instantly, there are two more that she doesn't remember. Puppies, perhaps?

After the dogs, a young boy darts in after them, laughing. He looks no older than four or five years old with black hair, red eyes to match his mother, and a pair of black ears atop his head like his father. Following him is the vision of Tifa, slightly older now, and she carries a small bundle wrapped in a pink blanket in her arms... And Eustace will bring up the rear.]


This is our... [She's so stunned that she chokes on the word as it catches in her throat as her hand taps against Eustace's when she reaches for it out of instinct.] Family...?
Edited 2023-01-02 02:43 (UTC)
perfalmost: (got it!)

[personal profile] perfalmost 2023-01-02 03:17 am (UTC)(link)
[Does her smirk grow right after that twitch happens?]

You know, I like the way you think. Never do more work than you have to. That should be one of the rules to live life by! [The gingerbread twirls around.] There's plenty of others exploring this train, too. I'm sure they could handle our leftovers! I guess that's the end of this little misadventure. Whoever you are!

[She hasn't thought of a fitting nickname to use for the guy yet. He's not as easy to read as most!]
flamekthunder: (ϟ 041)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2023-01-02 03:20 am (UTC)(link)
[Eustace himself is frozen when he sees the sight, immediately recognizing the pair of children from the petal he had caught from the tree during the Flower Festival, a time that felt so long ago. His eyes stare heavily at the young before they go to the bundle in Tifa's arms, his heart rate racing—before he's brought back by the touch of Tifa's hand against his and her own stunned voice.]

It's... It's like the petal...

[He can barely make out the words himself, still flummoxed by it all. He had no idea what they would see here, but this... It should be a happy sight, but it just brings a more painful, bittersweet feeling instead.

Because this future...

...

It's not... Can it even be possible...?]
notyournhaama: (10)

Apologies. Life exploded for the holidays.

[personal profile] notyournhaama 2023-01-02 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
"I see 6 more on the way. Small groups. I know not how many others could be summoned. If my thoughts are correct, these monsters are made of candy. A combination of fire spells and either wind or ice should melt and shatter them rather quickly," she suggested, looking around.

The one that she had fireballed had melted, sticking to the ground a bit. She quickly blasted it with an ice spell and readied another fireball for one of the approaching groups. She hoped to stop them in their tracks before they even got to them.

"At least in these forms we still have our magics," She said, a sly little smirk on her face as she let loose the spell.
notyournhaama: (04)

[personal profile] notyournhaama 2023-01-02 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
"They can't be endless. There has to be something that is either creating them or where they're coming from," She said as she readied another spell. She hoped to at least stop these things in their tracks so that others could destroy them, so quick fire spells were what she would go with for now.
lemiserable: (11)

[personal profile] lemiserable 2023-01-02 03:58 am (UTC)(link)
[The sound of the mouse struggling before it stops moving entirely as the gears come to a halt is music to Wolf's ears.]

Good work!

[He removes his own bayonet from the beast's stomach.]

Guess we have time for introductions now. For the time being, you can call me Wolf.

[Cause that's his codename, but also he wants first impressions to be Cool.]
lemiserable: (7)

[personal profile] lemiserable 2023-01-02 04:01 am (UTC)(link)
[He had experience with far worse Yakuza threats. He could take on teenagers being awful at him. Besides the Phantom Thieves had gotten him ready to take on that abuse too.]

Hey! I moved a few feet...as in my legs moved twice maybe.

[Come to think about it, he doesn't need goading, he is his own joke.]
unbrokenoaths: (9)

[personal profile] unbrokenoaths 2023-01-02 04:01 am (UTC)(link)
[Baldr blinks once to take that in. And then his smile warms, possibly ominously.]

Oh! Not in the least. I meant that it would be more practical to obtain notes elsewhere, if these aren't needed. Since we're both gingerbread, I'm certain we could finish that marathon course in a... snap?

[The pun might be a stretch, but it's delivered with his most persuasive tone. Less work, rather than more work? Not on his watch.]
lemiserable: (3)

[personal profile] lemiserable 2023-01-02 04:02 am (UTC)(link)
Well uh, you seem to be walking a lot better than me...any tips?

[He tries to get a foot forward but dangles like he's about to fall down.]
starshower: (temp 201)

[personal profile] starshower 2023-01-02 04:23 am (UTC)(link)
The petal...?

[It clicks as soon as she says it, and the memory comes pouring back to the forefront of her mind. It was the same night he had that dream of the wolves, and he had shown it to her. It was faded back then, but clear enough that Tifa could get a clear picture of what it once clearly depicted.

An image of her and Eustace together, the dogs running circles around their feet, a young boy walking alongside them... and a smaller bundle wrapped securely in Tifa's arms that was unmistakably a young baby.

Tifa looks at him, and then at the scene again, catching just as her vision self sits at the table with a tired sigh, and she clutches the baby closer, folding the blanket back so that she can get a better look at the face, and it gives the two of them a glimpse too. White hair, and as she blinks her eyes open, she has bright blue eyes, white ears...

Her chest flutters and tightens, and she's not sure quite yet how to register everything.]


Eustace, she looks like... She looks like you...
strawberryredgrave: (What'd ya say?)

[personal profile] strawberryredgrave 2023-01-02 04:26 am (UTC)(link)
(Survival? Hounds? Dante rubs the back of his head. Sheesh, what the Hell have these two been through...?)

You, uhh...you had to survive in the wilderness or something?