songerein | { gingerbread town | test drive #09

Entry tags:

{ 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.

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.
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.

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!
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.

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.
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) :

Regular chocolate: Makes the drinker nostalgic, particularly for something in their childhood.
Peppermint: Gives the drinker a spark of inspiration to work on something creative.
Caramel: Gives the drinker extra energy, making them unable to stay still without doing something.
Raspberry: Makes the drinker want to get back to nature by finding an outdoor activity to do.
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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

((OOC: Alastor has been transformed into a novelty nutcracker modeled off of this doodle by Vivziepop. Yes, including the shiny red nose.))

In Town - Caroling

Admittedly, it took a little bit of practice to get the trick of hopping everywhere, but Alastor was having a ball. It was almost like that time he'd been turned into a pumpkin back when he'd first arrived only he still had hands!

The little lights on his larger-than-usual antlers twinkled as he bopped along, projecting music to sing along with: various bits of jazzy Christmas tunes with quite a bit of electro swing and other more modern jazz stylings mixed in there. (Who would've imagined a demon having so much Christmas cheer, eh?)

In Town - Mouse Infestation

Alastor hopped energetically towards one of the mechanical mice, jaws opened wide with a gleam in his eye. It was almost like the toy mouse was deliberately trying to run away.

Once he got close enough, he pounced as well as the form allowed. Apologies for any psychic damage caused by watching him chomp down on the thing.

Train Cars - Past

" -- signing off on this very merry Christmas!"

The voice was Alastor's but it wasn't Alastor speaking. Instead, it was a young man of mixed descent in his early thirties that looked very much like him that spoke. He stepped out of the sound booth as Shep Fields and his orchestra filled the otherwise dead air, exchanging brief Christmas greetings with the next radio host that was taking over.

The currently-nutcracker Alastor looked on as the human he'd once been exchanged pleasantries with his coworkers as he slowly made his way towards the exit. He glanced to one side, seeing a forgotten newspaper with the date December 25, 1932.

"...Oh. It's my last Christmas."

Witch's House - Fighting the "Witch"

"Well, this is unexpected. I suppose this answers what happened to the witch after Hansel and Gretel got through with her! Ha!"

Alastor grinned up towards the cackling oven, hopping backwards to avoid a few embers. (Really, this wooden nutcracker body was easy kindling.)

He summoned his microphone staff, twirling it back and forth between his hands.

"It might be best to cool things down before the icing on the cookies starts to melt."

Wildcard
Got something you want to thread with Alastor? Throw it his way!

Angel paused her own music when she heard something a bit more fun (And cutting off Elvis in the process).

She wasn't used to seeing this much celebrating going on around her. This was becoming a lost holiday outside of the Vaults. Still, she was enjoying herself and began to dance to the best she could with legs that were stuck together.

Hello there, fellow nutcracker!

Alastor bounced on over, the music likely getting a bit louder to the newcomer's ears in the process given he was the source of the music. He grabbed her hands with his and started pulling her into a hopping dance as he cheerily sang along with the upbeat version of "Jingle Bells".

He wouldn't be holding on very tightly so she could escape if she wished. He just didn't always obey others' personal space.

She didn't mind being grabbed. She was used to having her space invaded. At least he wasn't trying to kill her. Well, not yet at least.

Alastor just had to deal with the fact that she couldn't dance very well.

As the song came to a close, Alastor bowed to her.

"Thank you for the wonderful dance, sweetheart!"

Well, this got a lot more complicated than he thought. Now that he was a gingerbread boy, he couldn't get anywhere near the oven should he get burnt. On the other hand, he could easily try to use his powers to take down said "witch". That said, he gave a look at Alastor before looking at his surroundings.

"But that's the problem, I don't think there is anything here that could stop the oven! Is there any water or milk?"

Alastor hummed in thought, casting his gaze about. "None that I can see. And I'm not sure my shadow friends can snuff out those flames."

The little dears didn't deserve to get burnt like that.

"However, melting does give me a bit of an idea." He saw all the goodies lying around, waiting to be eaten by those with sweeter tastes than his. "Sugar burns quickly but it could leave a sticky enough mess to choke the rest of the flames."

As much as Ken wanted to ask what these "shadow friends" were, that had to wait. Until then, he immediately started to look around for any candy around. Looking at all the peppermints, he quickly started to throw it at said oven.

"You really think that will work? It might melt but we really would need a lot of it!"

He said before continuing to look around for anymore candy. "But you seem more knowledge about this, is there any type of candy I should be looking for?" Because he really doesn't want to get burnt here....!

"We're in a giant gingerbread house in the middle of a candy town. I'd say we've got plenty of ammunition."

Alastor snapped his fingers, summoning a rather large chunk of chocolate from what looked like a cuckoo clock shingle to them. He then hurled it into the furnace.

"It's not the first time I've dealt with a wood stove! Just the first I've dealt with where I was the wood! Ha!"

"Doesn't mean that is a good thing!"

He said before attempting to shove a bunch of other candy lurking around into the stove. Even with him trying to stay far away, he could already see the stove struggling a bit with the various melted sweets in its mouth.

"Hey, I think it's so mad, it's fuming...!" Did he mean to make that pun? No, no, he didn't.

"Let it blow smoke!" Alastor chirped breezily. "Take a closer look!"

Molten sugar was starting to coat a section of one of the logs, the flames briefly flaring up before getting choked out.

Alastor gave another snap of his fingers, this time summoning several fat gumdrops from various places on the wall. They hovered for a moment, wreathed in a glowing red aura, before he flicked his wrist to send them hurling into the angry oven-witch's mouth to start covering more of the already-affected log.

Trying his best to get a better look, he could see how all the sugar was starting to coat the logs. Looking back at Molten and then back at their opponent, all he could do was stare in awe at how confident he was.

"With the way you're going, it is a matter of time before the flames go out!" That said, he looked at the various items giving a slight chuckle. "That's kind of impressive you know what to do."

"Like I said before, my dear, this isn't the first wood stove I've had to deal with. I learned to cook on less lively versions!"

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?"

"Oh, the world I was originally born was quite mundane. Though before I was here, I was in Hell."

It was then, at that moment, Ken momentarily forgot what he was doing. Instead, he found himself staring the person before him with big wide eyes. While he shouldn't be surprised that there were different people from different worlds out there, he couldn't help it.

"...What?"

That's it, that's all you're getting.

"Before I was here, I was in Hell," Alastor repeated, smile widening. "Do you need me to repeat myself again?"

"No, no you don't. I just never thought I would mean anyone from hell and especially in a place like this."

With that, he shook his head. It seems that it would be something he'll have to talk to him later. Right now, he needed to get the task done Again, shoving as much candy as he could to the stove, he gave a look at the other person.

"....I'm guessing you can't simply burn the stove, can you?" Because devils obviously can use fire, right?

Alastor gave the young gingerbread man a bemused smile.

"That's a cast iron stove, my dear. It'd take a massive amount of energy to turn the heat up high enough to melt it. Honestly, heating it up would likely just annoy it...or allow it to turn the heat back on us."

"Good point. Or how about enough to melt as much candy as we can fit into the stove? I think you would do a lot better than Kala-Nemi."

He gave a pause. "...All I can do are light or lightening on it which probably wouldn't do much."

"Now that I can do!"

Don't ask how his grin widened despite his mouth being made of wood.

With that, all Ken could do was take a step back. Raising an eyebrow or two, he gave a small frown before feeling a sense of dread coming his way.

"....How worried should I be about your flames?"

"I assure you I've been wielding fire magic for decades. So long as you don't deliberately step into the line of fire, you'll be fine."

"If you say so..."

And yet, Ken was having doubts in his mind. However, as his attention went back to the oven, it was clear that she was starting to choke on the candy. Slowly, the flames were dying down.

"But I have to admit, it makes me wonder how old you are."

"Including when I was alive?"

He idly tossed a fireball back and forth between his hands as he hummed in thought. (Largely to watch the gingerbread man squirm.)

"About a hundred and twenty, I'd say."

{ gingerbread town | test drive #09 - december 2022 }

Alastor | Hazbin Hotel

Caroling!

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Fighting the "witch"

Sorry for the delay! Got really sick there

No worries, I was busy myself!

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