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.

monolike: (where is my oscar)

[personal profile] monolike 2023-01-18 03:57 am (UTC)(link)
I'll be eighteen soon! I think, [taps his chin,] I'm pretty sure my birthday hasn't passed yet. Though would that matter in a place like this?
perfalmost: (magikazam!)

[personal profile] perfalmost 2023-01-18 05:11 am (UTC)(link)
Oh yes, it would be quite beak-coming of her!

[She chimes. And then she puts on a mysterious grin.]

Oh, that's the thing! [She twirls around before facing him again.] I have all kinds of specialties. Magikazam! [With that, a flock of chocolate birds appear in a flash of light and fly away!]
rokubro: (‡ 013)

[personal profile] rokubro 2023-01-18 05:47 am (UTC)(link)
Hey, I'd hope I've at least improved from what you see now. It may look good, but I'm cringing at the mistakes I made back there.

[Of course, he knows that's not what she means. And his eyes, while following his younger self, has drifted to a different part of the clearing.]
rokubro: (‡ 006)

[personal profile] rokubro 2023-01-18 05:49 am (UTC)(link)
That's a lot different from how it was in my...day? Time? [WOW SAYING "BACK IN MY DAY" MAKES HIM SOUND SO OLD.]

Eizen loved learning about people and the world. Too bad he's not around, you two would probably hit it off pretty well. Would do a lot better at explaining things, too, heh.
sermom: (85)

[personal profile] sermom 2023-01-18 05:54 am (UTC)(link)
[And she......... has not thought about birthdays here, because what even is the calendar compared to the time when she left home. She's been here a while now though, so maybe now is time to start thinking about it.]

It matters if it's important to you. Though I admit I don't know if people really age here, either.
rokubro: (Default)

[personal profile] rokubro 2023-01-18 05:55 am (UTC)(link)
[Whooooooa. He can't help but be a bit surprised by that, watching first how their blades hit at the same time and then at Kainé suddenly next to him. It's not the move itself that surprises him, but it her being the one to do it.

However he can't let that distract too much, especially as the impact of both their blades send the monster staggering before swinging one of its large, ungainly jawbreaker chain arms at them. Quickly he has to jump back.]


Heh, not bad! But it still won't be enough!

[Time to cut this giant candy golem down to a few bite-sized pieces!]
rokubro: (‡ 033)

[personal profile] rokubro 2023-01-18 05:56 am (UTC)(link)
Still don't want to try laying down in an oven?
unbrokenoaths: (9)

[personal profile] unbrokenoaths 2023-01-18 07:17 am (UTC)(link)
I'm beginning to wonder if I should be concerned by how much you want to cook me, Rokurou-san.

[...Maybe he should. Maybe it would be warm and nice.]
unbrokenoaths: (7)

[personal profile] unbrokenoaths 2023-01-18 07:31 am (UTC)(link)
[More food... Baldr watches the chocolate birds with wistfulness despite the food literally everywhere, applauding once they fly away.]

Ah! So you and Velvet-san are indeed birds of a feather.

[He hasn't seen the dove act in all its glory yet. He has no idea.]
strawberryredgrave: (Oh well.)

[personal profile] strawberryredgrave 2023-01-18 08:32 am (UTC)(link)
Dante's dealt with demons who move that fast before. Can be annoying, but he can adapt. For once, someone like that's on his side, so he doesn't have to out-speed a speedster. Instead, he gets to take a moment and watch Spark work his magic. He's handling Nevan quite well, actually. Better than most people usually do. Most people don't delete enemies with her like Spark just did.

"You've done this before. I'm impressed."

Even if he's about to get completely shown up by his new ally, he'll still mix up his own flair where he can. His sword, now shaped and adorned like a Christmas tree, is hurled forward to cut through more of the mice. Or maybe bonk them hard enough that they go unconscious, the whole thing might've toned down his toolkit for the holidays. Doesn't stop Dante from leaping up into the air to shoot a few more gumdrops down on the opposing rats to then land on his blade as it embeds itself into the side of a building.
systemofadowny: (The Hand That Feeds)

[personal profile] systemofadowny 2023-01-18 08:43 am (UTC)(link)
(At least he's honest about it. Though, if he's already causing trouble and murdering gumdrops with a...oh Satan, he licked that thing down to a fine point, didn't he? He really did.There's a moment of disbelief Octavia needs to process while the scene unfolds in front of her, a moment where the truth confirms her suspicions with such intensity that the answer is still a surprise.

He's a himbo. A bonified himbo.

But then the glops of sugar decide to become a horror film and might be trying to asphyxiate him? Kinda cool, if she's being honest? But also terrifying. She'd rather not leave him to such a sweet and cruel fate, so long cookie talons snap together and spark the pyromancy she's directing towards them. The heat should hopefully drive them off before she burns him.
)
perfalmost: (gestures)

[personal profile] perfalmost 2023-01-18 02:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[She just gives a non-committal shrug.]

Eh, it's more like we're just winging it. But you'll have to come to one of my shows if you want to see more of what my magic's made of!
mansbestend: (pic#16105562)

[personal profile] mansbestend 2023-01-18 02:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[In the flesh, baby!

But speaking of, he's going to get only mildly crispier from the heat as the gumdrops shout their disappointment at the fiery application to their candy flesh. His screams of horror turn to half-hearted screams of confusion...???]


AAAAHHhhhyyyyyyou're some kinda witch or somethin'!?

[That was COOL! He swatted the gumdrops further away.]

Shit, I'm stickin' with you! I stab, you burn! What do these things want, anyway!?
azuresong: ((´△`))

[personal profile] azuresong 2023-01-18 03:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[ .... how did you know something like that would work against her!!

Upon hearing his words, Lyria instantly jerks her head back up to face him, face full of shock.
]

Huh!? Oh no, I would love to stay with you! Can I, can I please!?
pactmarshal: (bring on the orrians)

[personal profile] pactmarshal 2023-01-18 03:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Hearing it said aloud out of the other man's mouth hurts. Many times has Trahearne thought the same for himself, but...he really does have no future, does he? There is nothing left for him.

Slowly, the optimistic side of him withers. What good is the here and now if there is no brighter future to work towards? ]


I suppose we do have something of the same.

[ His stiff limbs feel heavy. He doesn't like this. Maybe Nier doesn't want an apology, but he isn't going to take it back. He'd shake his head if he could. ]

I am dead, Nier.
heseesonlyher: (pic#15175216)

[personal profile] heseesonlyher 2023-01-18 03:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[Nier has certainly imagined it to be something like that. Maybe he's grown desensitised too his own situation. He doesn't seem particularly broken up about it and that is likely because he's the one who made that choice. He suspects—]

Gonna guess you didn't pick that for yourself.

[They may be similar in that neither has a future to return to, but how they've gotten there is not a parallel. Nier wouldn't wish it on anyone. If they had to have it, however, it would be better to have the freedom to make that choice. Not to have it yanked away from them.]

I'm sorry. You deserve better. How I feel about it won't change what's happened, but it's not something I'd want others to go through.
lestray: (shock)

[personal profile] lestray 2023-01-18 04:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[She just sits there and listens. And tries to wrap her head around it. His story's now reaching a part that seems to depart from reality. The kind of thing that should only be possible here in this world. A chance to come back? A game?

Still, she tries to accept it so she can still follow along. Trying to look towards Beat and offer him support, even though it's hard right now.]


A- a game that... brings ya back...? [It's unbelievable. But it's an idea that comes with an inkling of hope. The idea of the dead coming back in general is like an unbelievable dream. And if means Beat didn't have to be dead anymore, that would be even better.]

Wait, wot - wot d'ya mean she didn't make it? Ya can't... not make it when you're already...! [Already dead is what she's trying to say, but she's not quite sure how to phrase it. It's generally a Lot to wrap her head around.]
judicialassistant: (glare)

[personal profile] judicialassistant 2023-01-18 06:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[ In the following moment, Susato in the vision moves to throw the book as far as she can. You can almost feel the weight as she pulls back to wind up for the toss, but she is stopped by a boy a little older than her, with black hair and an equally dark uniform.

From the looks of it, it looks like she's being scolded, though it seems more like a security video without any sound. ]
skyglider: (the hopeless)

[personal profile] skyglider 2023-01-18 06:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[Link smiles faintly at the mention of Beat's sister. He's never met her, but she serves as a continued reminder that Beat is not alone. That he has had someone in his corner.]

Your sister is wise.

[That is to say, those are words he agrees with wholeheartedly. Not everyone has a grand purpose that they dedicate their lives to. Why should they? Is a person's value contingent on whether they have a dream? What if it doesn't work out? He and Princess Zelda had devoted their lives to the duty that was expected of them, and they failed to live up to it. What does that say about them?

He exhales at the nudge, a breath just shy of a laugh. Before coming to this place, he wouldn't have been able to understand that feeling at all, except maybe through association; he had been present on many occasions where the King had scolded Princess Zelda for pursuing her own interests instead of her duty, but he had never had other interests to pursue at all. In Songerein, he's been given an opportunity he might never have had otherwise: a chance to see what it's like to be someone else. Not a chosen hero or a Champion or the bearer of the Master Sword, but himself. Just himself. It's given him a much different perspective -- broader, more understanding.

He nudges back with his gingerbread elbow.]
What's wrong with skateboarding? Is there something else you're meant to be doing?
judicialassistant: (hips 2)

[personal profile] judicialassistant 2023-01-18 08:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Susato is reeling from the experience. She is definitely wincing, expecting the worst, but it's hard to be angry when you're terrified. The pain she'd been expecting is simply not there, however, feeling much like last year's Halloween carnival when she became a plush doll and had her arm sliced—which means she can probably expect a pretty nasty scar. ]

It—It's alright! It, It doesn't hurt... But this means I am down to one arm to fend against the snowmen until it grows back.

This witch's curse is...!

[ That probably deserved a curse word. Susato doesn't curse however, and a snowball to her head saves her from the trouble. ]
flamekthunder: (ϟ 128)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2023-01-18 09:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[He looks at her with uncertainty and is that...that sadness...?? Except it only lasts briefly before there's a twinkle in his blue gumdrop eyes and he grins.]

If that's what you want.
whatsamada: (Miss Murder)

[personal profile] whatsamada 2023-01-18 10:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[And all Ken could do was mumble to himself once more before he sat back up. Again, there was nothing wrong with what was happening but....]

I know but this just keeps being embarrassing.
judoflipped: (Default)

[personal profile] judoflipped 2023-01-18 10:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[Percy rubs the side of his head, and nods.]

Well...you know who I am, so that makes it easier for me. Nice to meet you...again?

[even though he doesn't remember meeting him, but maybe future Percy does?

that gets too weird if he thinks about it too long.]


Good to know there's another big bad, too.
itstillhurt: (pic#15818570)

Listen, this time of year I 100% get it. Also I'm backtag-friendly on principle. Or try to be.

[personal profile] itstillhurt 2023-01-18 10:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[Azula actually spent a good portion of the time Velvet was fighting the oven contemplating that very question- how to stand up without individual legs, or proper joints?

By the time Velvet makes her way over, she's figured out an idea, and she responds to Velvet's question by sort of hopping upward and using jets of fire from her hand to propel herself upright.]


Don't worry about me, keep it locked down.

[As soon as she sees the flames beginning to melt through the sugary icing, she whips her hands upward, forcing the fire back into its mouth, then spreads them downward to extinguish the flames again.]
morsecodes: icon by judoflipped (pic#16136841)

[personal profile] morsecodes 2023-01-18 11:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Grow back? Does that sort of thing happen around here?? [Some pretty weird stuff had happened since he got here but that was on a new level. Says the guy that literally died and was planning on reviving himself with a potion back home--]

-- Weird thought. Since you're all...cookie, do y'think icing could fix it? [HE'S PROBABLY INSANE TO THINK IT and honestly he has no idea where to get icing to do anything. He just doesn't like not being able to fix this mistake but maybe he can.

But then the snowball smacks Susato in the face and he scoops up a ball of snow himself and launches it back angrily.]


Can you give us like one minute!? Vete a la verga.