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

Sorey... Nope, doesn't ring a bell. [Not that he knew every Exorcist to begin with, but if this guy is the next Shepherd it would stand to reason he must be strong enough to make a name of himself.]

Rokurou Rangetsu.

A last name? Were you a nobleman? [Should he be using the past tense??? Is that offensive to hellions to imply that their mortal lives are gone? how is he supposed to know hellion etiquette]

[What.]

No way, but my family served one for generations. Well, before I killed him.

[Just a loose grin.]

In fairness he had it coming and our debt has long been repaid.

[...well. It's not like hearing Rokurou has killed someone makes him happy, but he'd be a hypocrite if he condemned him for it without even knowing the circumstances. Not to mention the kind of company he keeps-

Kept.] I see. Sorry, I don't meet a lot of people with surnames. But I don't get around much, either.

So. ...our worlds are obviously connected somehow.

Seems that way. You're a Shepherd and you know about malevolence. You call me a hellion, but we're called daemons where I'm from.

[Huuum.]

Well, might as well continue. Ever heard of Artorius? Or malakhim? Empyreans?

[Just spitting out big terms that he thinks a Shepherd would know about.]

The Empyreans, of course. The five seraphim lords, over which presides Maotelus. [Who Sorey is currently hosting sort of, don't mind that] But the others...I don't think so.

Malakhim, is that a plural form? [Because it sounds like seraphim, and if Sorey's understanding of linguistics hasn't collapsed in the past few days, then he thinks those words may also be related.]

[His brows raise in recognition at Maotelus...but that only confirms this guy is from after Laphicet ascended to that position.]

Yeah, singular would be malak.

[....Hold up.]

Seraphim lords? They were called the malak lords... Are we talking about the same thing then? [Just...different terms?] The malak are spiritual beings that were once used by exorcists.

[Oh that is not a good word. That is not a nice word, used by exorcists. A little pebble of discomfort forms in the pit of Sorey's gut at how casually Rokurou is able to say something like that...like it's common knowledge.]

I- Historically, as far as we know, Shepherds form pacts with seraphim and work together to quell malevolence. How do exorcists do that? [If they 'use' seraphim- or malakhim, whatever the term is- that doesn't sound like synergy.]

[....Wow. Did this kid live under a rock? He can't help but furrow his brows as he stares at Sorey confused.]

Historically? You make it sound like this happened a long time ago when it was just, what, two? Three years ago? It's only just recently that the malakhim finally had the choice to decide whether they wanted to join up and armatize with the remaining exorcists. Wasn't really much "working together" before then, either, unless that's a new way to say "coerce."

[...Man this guy is really reminding him of Eleanor...]

No, it's not. Even if I wanted to, only my Prime Lord knows how to make pacts with other people. [like what in the FUCK my g

But, at least that clears things up. Or, Sorey's starting to think it does.] You said before there's only been one Shepherd. But by my time there have been hundreds, as far back as a thousand years.

[Blink.

Say what now—

But as he stares at Sorey as if he sprouted three new heads, things do start to make a bit more sense.

Slowly Rokurou points to Sorey.]

So...you—[And then he points to himself.]—and me... Are from completely different eras?

[...

It sounds so insane...but it fits and he's seriously contemplating it. Especially when he considers Velvet...]

I...think so. The oldest name in our history that I can think of even kind of associated with the Shepherd legend is King Claudin. [Gets out his copy of the Celestial Record, with all his notes.] I don't know of anything written or otherwise that mentions this 'Artorius' at all, but there have been a lot of Shepherds who remain unnamed.

Claudin, huh... Yeah he was one, too, now that you mentioned it. Funny how there's nothing about Artorious, though.

[Did they really strike his name out from all the history books.]

Given what he did, guess not so surprised. Have to bury that one if they don't want to ruin the "legacy."

[...Hmm.]

What about Melchior? Or Prince Percival? Though I guess in the future he'd become king.

[Okay, Sorey is now burning with questions. This Artorius figure did something that meant he had to be 'buried' to protect the Shepherd legacy?]

Prince Percival, no, but there aren't a ton of records that date back that far. Most everything we know about our past is inferred from findings in ruins. [Snaps fingers and points,] we do have some ruins that are named for Melchior, but if there was any script inside that detailed that person's life, it's gone now. I wouldn't have even known Melchior was a person and not a place, or another concept.

[Slowly but surely, Sorey is getting more excited than nervous as he talks to Rokurou. There's been no violence or even strong hostility, so maybe this really is just- the chance of a lifetime. A walking, talking figure of ancient history! If he knows about Claudin then he's definitely not from as far back as the Temperance of Avarost, so...Era of Asgard, maybe?

Sorey is maybe not aware that a grin is spreading slowly across his face as he gazes at Rokurou with open adoration.]

[Rokurou had been deep thinking about all this. Could this guy really be in some distant future? But how far can he be when the stuff from his time is practically unknown? Well, not that it matters in the long run. He's a daemon now so in theory he could possibly be alive, but he figures he's more likely to die in battle long before then...

...

.......???

It's around this time when he notices the look Sorey is giving him. Uh huh.]

...You're really excited about this, huh?

-!! [oops] Sorry! Am I being really obvious?

Very.

[But Rokurou just looks amused.]

I guess it's not everyday you meet someone from the distant future or past.

Not really. Some seraphim- malakhim, I guess?- are old but they don't really like to talk about the past. Or they don't know much about human society and tend to avoid it.

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.

Eizen- [Has Rokurou ever seen the mention of a name completely obliterate someone's smile so quickly?]

Eizen's...your friend?

[...

WELL.

THAT'S NEW FOR SURE.]

Uh....yeeeeah—well, I don't know about friend. More like a fun rival.

[They're friends. They will just never admit it.]

But we traveled and fought together...why? You know or heard of him?

[SHIIIIIIIIIT......

Sorey rubs his hands over his face, covers his mouth for a moment. He still hasn't quite been able to get the sound of Edna's frantic sobbing out of his head, and now this. He'd been hoping- he'd wished, maybe, that everything here could just be something entirely different and he could take his time, but-

Rokurou is looking at him expectantly. ...what if he blames him because of Eizen? Attacks him? Sorey's unarmed and half-bound besides, and while usually Sorey wouldn't let that stop him from telling the truth, he doesn't know what'll happen to everyone if he's killed in here. What'll happen to Maotelus if he's killed.]

Yes. [He can't lie. ...but he can't say anything yet, not yet. He has to be sure first...maybe figure out how to at least defend himself so he can escape. Now is- it's too dangerous. Mikleo would say the same thing but Sorey can't rely on him here, and shouldn't rely on him forever.] ...but I can't tell you everything. Yet. I think- I think it would be ideal if we could have a longer talk once all this is settled and done with. We probably have a lot more in common than we first thought.

[Rokurou stares at him for a moment. He can sense the fear, the uncertainty...

....

So he just slowly opens his mouth and for a moment he starts to say something else but then there's a light grin instead.]

Sure. But just so you're not panicking over there, I can pretty much guess what happened. It wasn't really a closed secret to us, even back then.

And if it is what I'm thinking... Yeah. Maybe hearing it over a drink might not be too bad. I have a few more questions for you, too, anyway.

[Like how he knows Maotelus...and how he's doing there in the future.]

Oh. Um. [Rubs the back of his neck.] I'm only seventeen, so I don't think I'm allowed to drink yet.

Aaah, c'mon, it's a dream world. Could probably try something light, maybe a soft cider.

[But he just grins, clearly not really trying to push him.]

But it's fine, I'll drink it all for you.

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

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

time for me to pretend like i remember all of toz's random factoids

/frantically double checking self with google-

/desperately loading the tales of fandom wiki

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

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)