songerein_ooc | { dream notes: #18

DREAM NOTES #18: FEBRUARY 1, 2023

We somehow survived January /wheeze. And now onto February! THIS WILL BE OUR LAST OPEN TDM UNTIL JUNE. Apps will be open for March and closed in May. They will re-open in July.

CALENDAR

Here is our current schedule for the month:

2/01: New Mod Notes, Plot With Me Meme

2/03: Semiannual State of the Game

2/05: EMP/ATP

2/14: Event/TDM

2/22: Reserves Open

2/26-28: Activity Check

3/01: Apps open

3/03: Final apps due, begin processing apps

3/04~05: Player Intro, Open Log, Cr Meme

3/29-31: Activity Check

DREAM TREND: This month's dream trends may involve any of the following themes: romantic themes, longing for those (or things) most loved, risque dreams at an all time high

WEATHER: It would normally be on the colder side, but it's going to be warmer due to the current Shards plot. Even after it concludes, the temperature will still be warm with all the heat that will be going on. If anything, one should be wary of little hearts bouncing off everyone, along with storm clouds from those who are not feeling so loving. Is spring coming early!?

OTHER NOTES: N/A

Due to the Crystal Shards plot with Asura, the weather is still unusually warm. A log for the plot is already up so for those who signed up, good luck!

In case you missed it, we have done a lot of changes and overhauls for the game pages! Refer to the earlier Dream Notes for some of the changes. Also important to note, the new ways of using the Regain Bauble for hiatuses and canon updates can be ICly discovered by characters at any time. It's not so obvious, but the information can be found at the Wishing Well.

ACTIVITY CHECK RESULTS

Congratulations to everyone who commented on our Activity Check! The following characters were removed from the game:

Loona |

666_hellhound_aesthetic
Noel Vermillion |

bulletic
Sumire Yoshizawa |

feale
Moxxie |

imp_resario
Ryuunosuke Akutagawa |

kurohato
Shigeru Miyata |

mysophobic
Millie |

ninefunerals
Hythlodaeus |

nomoresharks
Angela |

post_script
Kaeya Alberich |

whatsthehurry

If anyone was swept because they missed AC, you can reapply in the next cycle. Just fair warning, we will notice if this happens more than once and we may not allow immediate reapplication the next time.

This puts our player population to 71/75, which means our new player reserve/apps slots are at a maximum 4. However, since we're raising the cap to 90 before our big close, the number of open slots as of now is 19.

IMPORTANT!! February is a shorter month with only 28 days instead of the usual 30-31. Please remember this when it comes around time to post to the AC.

APP SCHEDULE

As we've mentioned before and at the top, March will be our last public app cycle until July as we are closing the May cycle. This is in part due to us at near cap and so we can push through the final Story Eater events without too much disruption. So the schedule will look like this:

March: OPEN to all
April: No TDM (current players can use the event for new characters)
May: CLOSED to public, open to current players
June: TDM open to all
July: OPEN to all

Because the game will be closed for 4 months, we are raising the cap to 90 to cover for the natural drops that will occur in that timeframe. And also because we have like 4 slots open. So if you know anyone who has been interested in the game, let them know.

After that, however, if we keep bumping close to the cap, we'll have to consider closing our app cycles more often. We'll see how things go after July, but if the trend continues then prospective players should be aware that our apps may close for a cycle and there won't be any further warning.

This only applies to new players. Current players will be able to apply for new characters even if apps are closed to the public. You'll be able to TDM your characters via the events held in that timeframe and submit apps in the usual time period. Reserves will be more of a formality and just to let us know how many, if any, will be brought in.

TDM = EVENT

Since we have this officially written in the Game Info, this will be the last time we have a formal note about the TDM in our Game Notes! From now on you can assume that the events and TDM will overlap. Should it ever change, then we'll make an announcement.

The event will have both an IC and OOC date of February 14th. Yep, it's all going up on Valentine's Day!. Which kind of works anyway with February being a shorter month. There will be other things available, so be sure to read the event section for details. Format will be the same as previous ones where we'll include a link directory of all TDM specific toplevels.

WORLD UPDATES

Be it new NPCs, creatures, places, or some other discovery or creation, the world of Songerein continues to grow! For official lists and information, refer to the World Directory and Bestiary. So here are a few things as a result of the Dream Board and other submissions:

Places:

The Wild Harvest serves various western and eastern style earth-based street food dishes. A special menu is rotated every month. Wild Harvest's specials for the month are:
- Bun Sum: Dim Sum-style sampler spread of Eastern cuisine available in Reverein, ranging from appetizers to strawberry sweets, and three types of tea (patrons' choice). Meant for 2.
- Rosé Pasta: A rich and creamy tomato sauce simmered with vegetables, onions, and your choice of meat (or none); served over macaroni or spaghetti.
- Cookie Skillet à la Mode: A large cookie served hot in a pan for two, cooled with your choice of ice cream. Topped with heart-shaped sprinkles and drizzled with chocolate, caramel, or both.
- Destiny's Embrace: An upgrade to a drink introduced over the summer with the appearance of paopu fruit. A sharable, sangria-style blend of lemonade, various fruits (including paopu) and optional alcohol of your choice. Those you share it with will remain a part of your life, no matter what.
This month at the Harvest, the Christmas tree is gone, and the decor sees a lot more red, white, and pink. It is in the curtains, the blankets (it's still cold!), and decorative rows of paper cranes, creating an atmosphere full of love and togetherness. Seating arrangements for two make a return in the garden, but there are still plenty of tables available for those who prefer to eat alone, or are a part of a large group.

Upon each table, there is a special origami heart per seat, which anyone is free to take home as a token of their visit.

Happy Valentine's day!
Updating Phantom's music studio: It also offers basic healing dreamotion magic lessons hosted most Saturday afternoons.
Hot & Heavy: A waterside forge that doubles as Leo Valdez's home. The main level boasts the forge and workshop itself, including a waterwheel, where all sorts of weapons, armor, and you name it can be built. Currently is open for commissions. Above the workshop is a small loft that is used as a personal living space.

Other:

Eustace made a post about seeking ways to find permanent residence in Song, and this is going to part of a long, very long extended plot/quest thing. OOC sign-ups will remain open for a while! But may do some re-organization to help keep track of things.
All of the crystal shards that had been recovered for the dream board quest have mysteriously gone missing as if they simply evaporated into thin air.
Increased nightmare energies in Reverein due to Alphen's Noctaere influence.
Kisara and Somnus tackled that mysterious crystal quest and dropped some off for study. Kisara is also talking with Dohalim about revisiting for more.
Angel has been recruiting people to help host a drag night at the cabaret. Not just members but vendors as well to help out with food, costumes, and refreshments. He plans on it happening in February as a Valentine's celebration. Still looking for more people to help out!
Basic dreamotion healing magic lessons are offered at the Music Studio every Saturday evening! Everyone is free to drop by to learn, teach, or just to hang out.
Word on the street is that G'raha and Madhuri have set a wedding date for the end of March... that's just around the corner! Are they nervous? No, not at all. Don't be silly.
Ferran has made some decisions. Throughout the month of February, people might spot a tall shadow made of nightmare energy around Reverein and the surrounding area, but before they can really make note of anything else, it will disappear from sight.

ELECTRICITY IN TOWN

As power is slowly being added to Reverein since the discovery of the elecrystals a few months ago, a growing effort to supply it to everyone is truly felt over the course of this month. Homes and establishments have begun being "raided" by groups of gnomes. These gnomes come in all shapes and sizes, each one adorned with brightly colored mushroom caps as hats.

They come into homes and establishments, working on setting up whatever is needed to get power running within. While seemingly helpful, they are adamant about getting their tasks done, regardless of one’s convenience. Happen to be in the middle of a bath? Too bad, the gnomes are here! Working through the busy lunch hour rush at your restaurant? Try not to trip on the gnomes that are milling about.

We're designating a Dream Board quest in regards to these overly helpful gnomes. But overall by the end of the month, basic electricity will be available to all current residences and businesses. It will at least be enough to provide light and decent heating and cooling. Just be careful—it's still a new system and it will be affected by dreamotion. Those who have an affinity with electricity will be able to help strengthen it, but can also risk causing power surges. Those with temperamental dispositions may also cause some fluctuations in power. Occasional power outages are to be expected especially because of dreamotion having potential sway, and efforts will be made to figure out a way to stabilize it. For now, the gnomes will request everyone to just be careful and if they notice any peculiarities or even methods to help improve the system to let them know so they can document.

BOOK STATUS

After tallying up all the threads submitted through the AC, we have a decently strong book that is going to be purifying this Story Eater like crazy. Here are the final point totals:

Purifying and Healing (Goldilocks): 20 (21 total, 1 failed)
External Defense (Three Little Pigs): 6 (7 total, 1 failed)
Internal Defense (Humpty Dumpty): 7 (all passed)

What this means is should the Story Eater be successfully contained in the book, it will undergo an intense healing and purifying process that will hopefully abate some of that anger and vitriol it's been harboring for so long. Perhaps…it might even turn into something…?

The internal defense will mean that the Story Eater may inflict some damage inside the book, but it will be strong enough to endure. It may need an extra boost, either before the book is used or after the Story Eater is sealed.

The external defense, however… Is a bit less than ideal. It'll withstand a decent amount of damage, however any prolonged attempts to break the book or the seal will weaken the book, and while low, there is a risk of it breaking and freeing the Story Eater before it is time. It's still possible to up its defense before and after, but it'll be a little difficult. Originally the book is to be sent to the Realm of Stories once the Story Eater is inside, but if things remain the same then it may need to be kept somewhere else where it could be adequately protected.

It's still a little early, so time will tell what will happen.

EVENT SIDE A: MASQUERADE

The event has "two parts" but it will be on the same log. We have it separated on the notes to make it easier to digest.

Last year we had a masquerade inside the Lindwormeo and Juliet event. This year we will once again have a masquerade, but this time it's a lot more lighthearted and more accessible. And of course, it will have a fairy tale theme with it—Cinderella. However, because this is doubling as a TDM and the IC date will be Valentine's Day, February 14th, we're having an Around the Town section that will encompass prompts that will span the rest of the month (ie, February 15 through 28). This should also help provide content for those who aren't feeling up to dancing and partying around. This second portion has its details in the next section. For now, here's the general outline for the upcoming masquerade:

An invitation. Throughout the first two weeks of February, little young gryphons will be flying down into town with special black envelope embossed with twin gold moons and a mask on the cover. It reads:
Greetings all Dreamers,

A certain Holiday known as "Valentine's" to some is approaching, and for Dragons it falls during our own Season of Courtship. On the Night of the Fourteenth, the Twin Moons will be at their peak and Dreamotion Energy will reach its Zenith. We invite Everyone to join Us in a special Masquerade both in celebrating this Season of Courtship and our continued relations with each other.

Transportation, food, masks, and clothing will be provided for those in need.

That's right, the dragons have invited everyone to special evening masquerade and participation is voluntary! However, for those who want to participate but need their characters shoved in, there is a forced mechanic available.
The castle. The location will be in a special castle that seems to grow in brilliance and have a high amount of dreamotion energy during this time frame. In fact, it only really "appears" when the twin moons are at their peak and are overlapped to look like one giant mega moon. The dragons don't really know why, but they've been using this particular castle for quite some time so it's known to be safe. Of course, we wouldn't be mentioning this castle if it was just any ordinary castle… But more hints will be dropped when the log goes up, and the castle's mystery will continue in March. For now, just know it's a cool castle.
Pegasi, Pumpkin Carriages, and Fairy Godmothers. To those who choose to go, they will be able to ride on white pumpkin carriages pulled by flying horses driven by coachmice. For those who would not participate, these very same coachmice will drag people into the carriage and fly them up there, anyway. So feel free to use and blame the mice for your character's attendance. Dresses can be bought and made in town (those boutiques are going to be in a frenzy trying to make the most elegant or outlandish outfits), however if anyone is out of luck or perhaps want to embellish their outfit more (or just need it changed because what is that fashion sense), fairy godmothers wait at the castle ready to razzle dazzle up all guests to make them feel they are truly part of a royal ball. The fairy godmothers may also add extra accessories to help obscure the character's true identity.
Masks. Masks can be of any design and will be created by the fairy godmothers. No matter how recognizable a character would otherwise be, whether through physical characteristics or voice, with the mask on no one will be able to tell the identity unless the character reveals themselves. Even if their tail should be recognizable, somehow it will draw a blank in the other person's mind instead. However, it is possible for someone to piece together who it is once the conversation starts, so players may want to indicate how difficult it would be for their character to be recognized.
"Glass Slipper" Brooches. The true highlight of the masquerade are these special brooches that every guest will wear and will serve for a special social matching game:
- Designed as a pair of shoes, everyone will wear one half of the pair on their person, usually around the collar or on the chest.
- Multiple copies of the other half will be in a large bowl from which anyone can grab as many as they wish. While focusing on this half, a path will form leading straight to the other person.
- From there they can dance, converse, or whatever else within the castle, but the general goal is to meet others and form some kind of connection. It could be brief or it could last the night (and beyond); a new connection or deepening an old one; a new friendship or budding romance—or it could spin the other way and a negative connection could be created instead.
- Regardless, the brooches worn by the characters will absorb the dreamotion energy formed between them. The brooch that was used to lead to the person will also glow in intensity depending on the kind of bond made. The person who holds it can keep it as a way to find the person again later after the masquerade if they so choose. Perhaps they found their Cinderella…!? Otherwise it can just be tossed back into the bowl.
- Because there are multiple copies, no one has to wait to find the same one.
Of course people can meet each other without needing to use the brooches, this is just another fun way to do so.
Usual Amenities. Aside from the ballroom, other parts of the castle will be accessible, such as lounge rooms on the lower floor, terraces and balconies on the second level, and the gardens just outside. By request there will definitely be special flower shenanigans here (who likes the good ol' pollen effect). Most of the other parts of the castle will be sealed off, either guarded by dragons or have a magical barrier that will automatically send those who try to go through back to the entrance. But there will be chances to explore more in March, so for now, everyone must focus on the party! Note: The "Candy Kisses" from the second part of the event will also be available as well as other fun food and drinks, ho ho ho.
Midnight Curfew. Just like Cinderella, everyone will have to leave at the stroke of midnight. Anyone left around the castle will be ushered and shooed away, if not outright poofed back down to town. However as a gift, everyone can keep their new outfits and masks with the enchantment remaining. Who knows, that mask could come in handy. Those who want to keep that special half of the brooch will also have it with them and it will help guide them to that person again back in town.

All in all, there will be about 3 or 4 prompts in this section, something like 1) carriage rides and/or some other activity to do around the castle (so it's not just dancing); 2) castle gardens; 3) dancing and other ballroom related activities; 4) designated glass slipper prompt. Maybe I'll throw another who knows—

EVENT SIDE B: AROUND TOWN

This is the "Part 2" of the event! As mentioned before, the prompts will be on the same log as we don't want to confuse TDM players and divide attention. Players can also use these prompts outside of the log and in their own logs if they wish.

Mask Up. Attracted by the masquerade, some enchanted masks have found their way to town and are now finding their way onto people, be it by tricking their victims to be put on or just forcibly latching themselves on. Depending on the type of mask, the wearer will behave based on a festive, dramatic emotion and the dreamotion that is projected will be stronger. For example, angry emotions will cause tremors and cracks on the ground, happiness could blind people or will cause confetti to fly everywhere, while sad ones will cause clouds and drizzling rain to appear overhead. The only way to remove it is to somehow make the other person feel the opposite of whatever emotion the mask is using. Once the mask’s emotion is countered and stabilized, it could be removed or even fall off if the countering emotion is strong enough. Masks can also be captured and collected before they attach to someone.
Special Messages. Throughout the month, Valentine's are being delivered to people all over town. Some are even receiving some from the fae and dragons who live outside… Perhaps some caution should be had from those. Regardless, while the messages are brimming with both platonic and romantic (and questionable) love, the messengers are a bit… Well they need help.
1. Insightful Mockingbirds. Special mockingbirds are flying around and perch on random shoulders. They have the ability to "read" a person's thoughts and repeat them out loud. Without warning. Hope there aren't any secrets because that bird is going to make it public, especially if it's an observation or thought—good or bad—about another person. Good luck shooing it away, too—it'll stick around for a while because it might enjoy sowing this bit of chaos.
2. Arrow Delivery. The group from last year have decided to use their prank arrows for good and start a business in delivering special Valentine's messages via arrow. A "shot to the heart" in the less literal sense this time! While some of their archers are skilled, others are…less so. Some are hitting a bit too close to comfort or way off the mark. Some messages are going to the wrong person entirely. Help avoid, retrieve, or even deliver these messages around town.
Candy Kisses. A special assortment of flat bottomed, tear shaped chocolates are currently selling like hotcakes and can be found practically everywhere. Their main selling point is they come in different colors and each color has a special effect that will make the eater want to kiss the person near them in a certain way. White wrapped chocolates will be more chaste and platonic on the hand; pink ones for a friendly kiss on the cheek; red for the amorous lips. Then the other colors add a certain feeling to it: green for a more possessive vibe; blue for wistful, almost reluctant; purple for shy, fluttery kisses; and gold to boost confidence. Some people are deliberately swapping the wrappers around, so be careful! (Side note: these will make an appearance at the Masquerade as well fufu.)
Bleeding Hearts Return. It's Valentine's, yet Cupid is nowhere to be seen. That is because he's still corrupted from last year and now he's thirsting for love, any love. Using the Bleeding Hearts from last year, Cupid is using them to gather all that jealous, possessive love, but of course that's going to make it worse. We're not tackling Cupid here, but the main goal will be helping those who are afflicted by the Bleeding Hearts and purifying them via dreamotion instead of just destroying them. Purifying the Bleeding Hearts with pure love—romantic, platonic, familial, reminders of how they are loved and cared for by others—will help Cupid. Of course this could backfire and make the person feel worse, so be careful! A clear sign they are affected is hearts appearing in their eyes. (Side note: technically the Bleeding Hearts can start creeping around early in the month, but it won't be until post-Valentine's that they become more active and enter their victims.)

And that's it!

LOOKING AHEAD

We've been needing to put this Story Eater guy to bed for a while—and the time has come. Over the next four months, the events will be focused on that final drive to lock this bad boy into a book where it can finally be contained and stop wrecking stories. So there will be a bit more action than we're used to, but we're going to try and balance so it's not too much. Unless you guys want a lot of action; we can work with that.

Of course, events won't be solely focused on the Story Eater—we have Flower Festival planned for April. But between May and June we'll have the final big event(s) with hopefully some downtime for players to be able to do their own thing. After that, we'll have the new "arc" in expanding and exploring this fun dream world.

A more definitive road map will be posted in the State of the Game later this week!

DREAM BOARD

How the Dream Board works:

This is all optional, the quests are just extra content for players and while they can sometimes relate to upcoming or current events, they're just kind of "filler" stuff. Some will be set out in Songerein proper while others may involve dreams.
The Dream Board can be found at the Plaza and quests will automatically appear on it like a bulletin board. Some will also appear in the journals. Anyone can accept them and rewards automatically generated upon completion of the task. It's a dream world, it's full of magic, it just knows.
Quests can be done as many times as a character would do them and rewards will be delivered to the character upon completion.
If you have any questions, comment to the designated subthread.

ID	QUEST	REWARD
201	Neighborhood Pests. There have been from pests that have gotten into the food supply, leaving vendors stumped and asking for help to catch this vermin. Though witness accounts vary in their description of the vermin, it remains consistent that the culprits seem to be a rodent-like creature in the form of chinchompas. Dreamers are free to use whatever means they deem necessary to catch these creatures or create measures to keep them away from the village. But watch out! There is a very small chance that the chinchompa may explode in a shower of crystalline glitter once touched.	A basket of assorted fruits and veggies as thanks
202	Cupid Pranks. A sculptor has created several small cupid statues, however their exuberance and energy has brought the statues to life. Now the "cupids" are appearing in random places around time, posing as normal statues before firing toy arrows at random individuals. The arrows will cause the person hit to feel one of two ways towards the closest nearest them: A) hostile or B) amorous. The effect will wear off, but these statues need to be removed and either destroyed or turned back to normal before it gets out of hand!	Voucher for free sculpture
203	Singing Flower Valentine's. There are special singing flowers out in the Wildlands near the Old Cliffs high up on the rocky ridges. Someone has requested a large amount and we need help gathering them! You should be able to hear them, just watch out for the wildlife out there. Mod note: The flowers will be singing earworm inducing songs and tunes, so enjoy.	Singing flower seeds and free bouquet of your choice
204	Gnoble Workers. Throughout the month, the gnomes have been hard at work with the various installations to bring power to the village. However, after completing work in various areas, there have been reports of faint voices and knocking that could be heard in the walls and under the floorboards. This strange activity only seemed to have started after the gnomes have left. Upon further investigation, you may find a small gnome that was trapped in some crack or hole that was patched up after their installation. A little help would be nice.	A decrease in (non)paranormal activity and an addition of one new gnome friend.
205	Chocolate Hearts. Legend says that if you rip out the heart of a chocolate golem and share it with your love, the bonds between the two of you will be everlasting. Some even say it will bind your hearts together so you'll never be apart ❤️Are you brave enough to hunt one for your love~? Even if not, there are a few people who will pay a pretty penny for one 💰 Mod note: The legend is completely bogus and will just give anyone who actually eats the chocolate heart (which will taste like rotten cacao beans) all heartburn and bad dreams of being chased by candy. Might spark a chocolate golem uprising in the future depending how many are hunted.	A hot night covered in chocolate with your love ❤️❤️ Several gems if sold

END NOTES

I sleep.

If you have any questions, feel free to comment directly to this post!

{ dream notes: #18 - february 1, 2023 }

EVENT QUESTIONS