songerein | { gingerbread town | test drive #09

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

[Baldr startles a little, uncharacteristically inattentive to his surroundings, and shoots Kor a troubled look. He can't seem to smooth his expression into his usual ready smile.]

Kor-san... My apologies for the unsightly display.

[Which clearly touched something personal. Ordinarily he would ease off the topic, but this time he can't help but press.]

Unfortunately, things aren't always so simple. Would you say that any one life is worth more than others?

Ahh--

[Ahh, there's a philosophical question Kor's had to tangle with before. The value of one life versus the value of all lives. Giving up one person to save many... But it's one he knows how to answer. He's not sure if it's the right answer, but it is his answer.]

Even if it could save the world, I'd never be able to sacrifice someone to do it. Even if they're just one person, their life's precious too.

And if that isn't what they would have chosen themselves?

[Baldr knows what's coming before the memory advances that little bit, but he still winces visibly as the image of Baldr rises and strikes at Legretta's back. Those memories are still fresh, and he knows very well how his body was used.]

No, forgive me. This isn't something you should trouble yourself with. ...It's a very fitting answer, for you.

[Kor shakes his head at Baldr.]

I don't know what's happening here, but... I believe there's always another way.

[It's a confusing scene to Kor that's playing out, but he's certain Baldr has his reasons, judging by how he's acting now. And if Kor knew those reasons, well... He could certain empathize.]

Even if that person believes it's their only choice, I... just can't accept throwing away someone's life like that. That's not the Somatic way!

"Somatic"... Your ability to see into others' hearts. I wonder if it's that that makes your perspective so unique.

[Even at what Baldr takes to be Kor's age, Nuadha had been more grounded. Hadn't he? Certainly he'd sacrificed lives for the greater good before. Baldr had failed to stop him then, and now... had he managed to lead Nuadha into a wrong decision of a different kind?

He closes his eyes and raises his hand to his temple, pressing to try to order his thoughts. The memory shifts, to the crystalline maze of something like a Spiria Nexus.]

I wonder what the other way would have been. If I could have freed myself...

[Kor recognizes the scenery change, with it greatly resembling that of a Spiria Nexus. But even if it was a Spiria Nexus, this was no Spiria Link, not this time. It was just a memory of some sort, right?

But even if it wasn't a Spiria Link, it didn't change Kor's methodology. He didn't have to Spiria Link to help somebody having a bad time.]

Maybe there was another way, but... You can't change the past.

[Kor closes his eyes, mulling over his word choice here briefly.]

But you can always change your future. No matter what happened in the past, you're here, now, and you have a life worth living. [His friends taught him that.]

[There's something unavoidably selfish about allowing himself to be told that, isn't there? Baldr has always wanted to live. Deeply, fiercely, unfairly.

Yet this time it wasn't by his own doing. He frowns in thought as the memory replays the moment of Nuadha's appearance, the not-Baldr challenging him to a fight. As Kor says... it's too late to change anything here. And if he wants to understand Nuadha's actions, he won't find the answer by pressing Kor.]

You're right, of course. How strange. I've said as much to other people, but it's somehow...

[He redirects his glance to Kor, finally finding a smile again, slightly wry though it may be.]

If I could change the future, it would be enough. If I could save everyone... I suppose you're too kind a person to tell me that a goal like that is simply arrogance on my part?

[Kor offers Baldr a sympathetic smile. The desire to save everyone is a sentiment he understands very well. Something he badly wishes he could do with all his spiria.]

My friends would say it's naïve to have a goal like that.

[He's used to being told he's naive and childish in his ways of thinking, overly idealistic in his views of people and the world. But he's also been told that's part of his charm. So why should he change his ways? It's what makes him who he is.]

But I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting that. It's just not something you can do all on your own.

Edited 2022-12-31 01:51 (UTC)

[Baldr's expression shifts midway, an instant of surprise flickering over his face before he smooths the look away again. To think he could do it all himself would truly have been arrogance. Wouldn't it? He'd never intended...]

Of course. That would be... more than foolish. No one person could carry that alone.

[Like Woden had tried to during the war. And hadn't he scolded him at the time for just that? It wasn't quite the same thing, of course. But...]

...You've given me a great deal to think about. Thank you, Kor-san.

You're welcome?

[He sounds a little confused. He doesn't think he did all that much here. Baldr seemed to already have the answers he needed. Kor just gave him a little nudge in the right direction.]

I'm glad I could help.

[Kor is giving him much, much too much credit for common sense. And probably for his follow-through as soon as he's away from this memory car and peer pressure to be reasonable about things.]

You have a talent for it. Is there something I could do in return?

Mmm... For me?

[Is there something Baldr could do for Kor? No, not really. Kor wasn't in the Somatic field of work to get people to owe him favors. He's just a do-gooder.]

No. But maybe instead you could find a way to pass it onto somebody else? You're finding your way in life, but lots of people out there are still looking for theirs.

Haha... I admit, I'm a little envious. I wish I could have had your certainty, at your age.

[But he's not looking to the past now, after Kor's advice. He studies the image of the spiria nexus as Nuadha vanishes again and the scene fades, leaving behind a single note. Honestly... maybe he already knew what he needed to do. But it might help, to picture Kor being disappointed if he fails to follow through this time.]

Yes, of course. Beginning with these cars. I think it's best I make certain no one else ventured into one of these alone.

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

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject