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

[It can grow back... Right?? Or maybe if they stick him in an oven with some fresh dough and bake it—

Still, it is true it was a bit unintended so there's a small laugh.]

Heh, guess I got a bit exciting.

[And while he's a bit apologetic—it's clear he isn't too much so. It would be different if Baldr was a normal person, but since he's a fighter? Psh, he can take it a worthy scar earned through battle something something.

But of course, this isn't the time to get too comfortable! As the return volley arrives, Rokurou moves quickly, his own natural agility helping to improve his otherwise stiff movements. But he still has compensate for his nutcracker form, some snowballs glancing or hitting him in the arm when he raises to block.

It's those sparkly ones he pays more attention to, not wanting to risk getting hit by something that could prove more powerful due to dreamotion. And in return, he'll be lobbing several more snowballs at Baldr, this time keeping more control over his emotions so that they won't randomly transform. However, there's still that desire to win, so some balls will fly faster as they are carried by the winds of his fighting spirit!!

Or something cheesy Tales-y like that. Who knows maybe they can make an arte out of it—]

[Baldr is very good-natured. He likes Shigure, and therefore Rokurou, quite well. He bears no grudge.

He is not, bless him, by any means going to let Rokurou stick him in an oven. Some things are just tempting fate.]

I'll take that as a compliment—

[Between the two of them, the output is a veritable blizzard of snowballs. Baldr may be adding fuel to the metaphorical fire with a little push from his wind artes here and there, whipping things in every which direction. They're well on their way to an excellent snow-themed dual mystic.

Unfortunately (fortunately?) there are far too many for him to dodge like this too. He takes his lumps with cheerful laughter, even the unexpectedly fast snowballs that send his too-light body tumbling into the nearby snow drifts. Definitely unfortunately, his cookie limbs are getting a little bit less responsive as he gets soggier from the snow.]

Hm... regrettably, I believe we'll have to finish this soon.

[Look you never know. Use some strong feelings and dreamotion fire and maybe Baldr could be even stronger and faster! The ultimate gingerbread swordsman!!

No?

Anyway, Rokurou is also having fun, and he is surely a snow splattered mess. Which of course he doesn't feel, made of wood or not. But seeing Baldr looking a bit more...flimsy than before, he'll take a moment to brush off some of the snow as he looks over at the snowmen. Looks like they have smiles and have stopped throwing for now so mission success!]

I think we can call it a draw now. Looks like you could use a nice bake in the oven.

[Is it still a no— No, he's just kidding. Unless—]

[ Well, Baldr always knew he was built for diplomacy. He glances at those happy snowmen as he tries to dust snow and smeared icing off himself.

Rokurou... is that a joke. It's so hard to tell when he's joking. ]

My apologies for the shameful display. I trust you're aware of the old adage about re-tempering a dull sword?

[ It says "don't stick soggy gingerbread men in the oven, they might snap." ...Or, close enough, anyway. ]

Perhaps we'd best let the sun do its work and see. Otherwise, I'm not certain I can promise you a proper rematch once we're returned to our normal selves.

[He just laughs.]

Fair enough. It really is a mystery to how our bodies are working, huh?

[And off they walk~]

So. Tell me more about how you knew my brother. Were you with the Abbey and with Artorius, too?

Edited 2023-01-10 02:58 (UTC)

I do wish they explained a bit more about that.

[But, speaking of explanations, he does remember what he owes Rokurou. He shakes his head and gives a little frown.]

The opposite, rather. I believe one of the reasons Shigure-san joined up with us was the opportunity to fight Artorius himself. ...Perhaps it's clearer if I explain from the beginning. My world is similar to this one, made up of pieces. It may be more accurate to say I know "one possibility" of your brother, taken from a specific point in time.

[To that he frowns.]

...Huh. That's a little hard to believe, but given this place, guess I have to. That explains why I've never heard or seen you before.

[Baldr gives a little nod in return.]

I'm afraid it's a bit one-sided that way. Not that I'm well-acquainted with the "you" in Tir Na Nog. It's a pleasure to meet you properly, Rokurou-san. I'm Baldr, knight of Bifrost.

[So there's also a version of himself there, too? Man, this is kind of wild to think about—but he ends up finding it more interesting than disconcerting, so in the end he just grins.]

Heh, not sure how similar I am over there, but likewise.

[Regardless of Baldr's affiliation with his brother, he's clearly a skilled swordsman and he wouldn't let his prejudice against his brother affect his opinion on the man. Well, no, the only thing he would take from it was that if Shigure deemed him suitable to work with, then the man is definitely worth being around.

For a fight—]

But if you caught the attention of my brother, I'll be curious to see your true skills. You know, when we're not like cursed and all.

[At least there's only one Rokurou, and Baldr missed the multi-Velvet saga so he doesn't need to relay that particular oddity.]

I'd be pleased to take you up on that. I can assure you I'm not usually so fragile.

[He smiles wryly and waves one gingerbread arm, eyeing its current amount of floppiness. Maybe he's getting less soggy... He's glad nothing broke, anyway. Being used to battle is one thing, but dealing with your own fallen limbs looking so edible is a moral weight he's not prepared to tackle.]

And as pleasant as the break has been, I'm afraid my skills will be growing dull with disuse if this continues for too long.

Still don't want to try laying down in an oven?

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.]

Given that I'm a daemon and eating others to gain strength is kind of a thing, you probably should.

[But then he just laughs.]

Just kidding, not my style. Should go find a warm place inside, though.

What a relief. Then I don't have to tell you that I'd give you quite a stomachache.

[ Baldr laughs too, giving a little nod of acknowledgment. ]

Likely for the best. I'll look forward to meeting again when we're both more ourselves.

Likewise. See you around, Baldr. Don't let anyone else catch and eat you.

[Ha ha ha ha ha.]

{ 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

no subject

no subject