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

[dreamposts]

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.

Comments

[luciing]

[ He recognizes her, of course, even if he does not give her any indication that he does. Instead, he turns his head, pivoting to acknowledge her hobble-- and, perhaps, first mistaking it for an injury rather than part of the candy-town curse. He, too, is nothing more than a toy soldier. Fitting, that even though he no longer appears in a steel and iron suit, he's but a tool.

She is from a more modern era, like the Chosen. Stars within the walls of Crown City, too, had been difficult to see. Similarly, the prince had been enchanted by the wash of nebulae across the sky when he finally set off on his journey... Now there are no stars in Lucis' sky, and there will be none until the Prophecy is fulfilled. Somnus has not seen them in quite some time, too.

All of these thoughts, together, bring a bell of somberness to his undertone. ] Behold. [ Somnus steps to the side, gesturing with his arm. No youth should have to go without seeing the stars, and it seems he's at peace to share. ] Let us not waste this opportunity to walk beneath them.

[feale]

[ The somberness of his stature, his words, are not lost on her. She may not understand the full depth of their meaning, but in her own way she knows from where such a feeling may have come; after all, she carries her own at times, albeit one that is masked in the same way her face is right now, hidden behind a warm, cheerful smile. Behind the magic of the curse, that part remains true, even though her body is oddly stiff and uncomfortable.

There's a part of her that wants to ask, that wants to see if she can help him somehow, the way so many others have helped her— but at the same time, she feels it isn't her business. And so for now at least she remains silent on the topic, instead offering him that same cheery smile, the one that masks the discomfort or the pain, depending on the day. ]

You don't mind sharing? Thank you so much...! They're really lovely.

[ Not that she can exactly walk well; as with her approach, it's something of a hobble as she starts making her way along under the stars, her eyes trained on them the whole time.

Although there is one more curiosity at the back of her mind, something less serious than the worries about his severity... ]

Um... I'm so sorry if this is rude, but... You talk differently to a lot of people here.

[ As if he's from a story book or something. ]

[luciing]

[ And canonically, he still ocassionally uses "thy"s and "thou"s--

Their candy/toy-cursed forms are unpleasant, allowing for little movement while encouraging imbalance in one's steps. Hearing her approach in an awkward hobble, he turns to face her. Back in her dream, she had a nimbleness of a dancer, one clearly visible with each step she took. What mockery this curse makes of her.

Of course, he offers his arm. ] We are from different realms... and different ages, maiden.

[ The Chosen King would make better company for her, that is for certain. ] But we may both appreciate the night.

[feale]

[ It's as she thought, then. After all, she figured, such a storybook-like demeanor can only come from someone whose time is long past— although his comment that they are from different realms serves to remind her that that is not necessarily true, either. Hasn't she herself met people whose now seems to her to be long ago?

It's unbelievably confusing.

He, however, seems patient to her mind at least, and she reaches to take the offered arm, her shyness maybe not as clear as usual what with the stiffness of her movements, but there nonetheless. She feels in part like she ought to match his formality... but while she's unfailingly polite, her social graces are nowhere near on par with his, it seems. ]

I'd, um. I'd be honored...!

[luciing]

[ There must be a purpose to this memory, one that reveals the “note”. There is naught to do but begin to walk with her at an aimless pace.

The field is seemingly endless, with stars melting into the sea of flowers at the horizon. Logically it cannot be a limitless realm, for they have not passed through another car, yet here they continue to travel.

Somnus keeps his eyes above and focused upon the stars, not below at the sylleblossoms beneath his feet. If this is indeed a memory and not some sort of vision, then it is from long, long ago…

He scarcely remembers it. Was there someone here, in this field? Or is it only the magnificence of the stars that had been so striking as to ingrain their image into his subconscious? ]

These stars must be different from the ones you know of.

[feale]

[ Admittedly, for her part she hasn't given a lot of thought yet to the note that will likely be within this train car— nor has she considered the fact that it is more than just a manifestation, but a memory of its other occupant. She's not lacking in intelligence, but sometimes the wonders of this world can be somewhat overwhelming, even for someone who comes from a world full of wonders of its own. She keeps telling herself that she'll get used to it... but it hasn't happened yet. And who knows— maybe that's not a bad thing.

The stars are likely different, but she's not one who can read them or navigate by their light, and so it's hard to tell the specifics, enough that the differences may have been lost on her if not for his drawing attention to them. Rather, her attention keeps wandering to the flowers at her feet, which are entirely unlike anything she's seen in her world.

It's for that reason that when he does speak, she finds a quizzical smile on her lips, curiosity lighting up her face once more. ]

Um... yes, I think so. And not just the stars... there's, um... there are a lot of things that are different. Like these flowers, too...

[luciing]

[ As if in response to her attention turning to them, the flowers themselves rustle, and the field gently undulates like waves within the shallows. The petals are bright, seemingly able to catch the magnificent starlight itself and hold their own glow.

He knows this garden. Where was it? ] Sylleblossoms…

[ He volunteers, at last pausing to look down at one of them spouting next to his feet. ] Blue ones signify a heart that does not give up. But these ones of pearl… [ His pale lips part, then press together in a tight, thin line.

It seems he doesn’t recall their meaning. ]

[feale]

[ She's quick to notice the look on his face and understands it in the same moment, a gentle smile on her lips as she tightens the link of their arms, as if to somehow comfort. After all, she understands lost memories perhaps better than most would, and so she feels her heart go out to him. ]

They're beautiful— I'm sure the blue ones would be too, but these ones... um, I think they catch the moonlight perfectly.

[ If he doesn't remember, she thinks, perhaps they can make their own meaning... at least for now. Her head tilts as they walk, a thoughtful expression crossing her young features. ]

Where I'm from, blue flowers... um, they mean trust, I think. Loyalty. [ Which, she thinks, is something unending— something that doesn't give up. ] And white are usually innocence... So maybe these ones can be, um... "a heart that is pure". At least for right now?

[luciing]

[ He pauses, giving her a sidelong glance as she elaborates on the color of blue flowers. ] Perhaps. [ The sylleblossoms' meaning, that of being of both zeal and sincerity, is not unlike the definition of loyalty. But a "heart that is pure" for ones of white? This speculation itself suddenly strikes him that, in all of his years of white sylleblossoms being at the palace, he never asked--

He never asked the one who planted them there in the first place.

....None had known that the very flowers she grew would also be used for her funeral.

He turns his head again, looking forward. ] They may also symbolize death.