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dreamposts ([personal profile] dreamposts) wrote in [community profile] songerein2024-07-19 02:36 am

{ nightmare city }




NIGHTMARE CITY


On a fine, dreary day while Reverein is still experiencing the chaotic aftermath of worlds bleeding into Songerein, a familiar top hat, long tailed coat wearing figure will appear in the center plaza. Dubbed "The Ringmaster," he calls out to everyone a friendly greeting, and while a bit wary, those who remember him and his crew who hosted the first Halloween carnival and subsequent iterations gather around to listen to what he has to say.

With a heartfelt plea, he asks assistance from the Dreamwalkers to help aid his brethren, "Nightmarians" who are suffering from nightmares of their own. Residing in a city dominated by nostilium, they are creatures and figures who thrive off it and are able to live without issue, but the recent influx has affected even them. In return for receiving aid, they will help absorb the excess nostilium and seal remaining world fragments.

Meanwhile, the tapirs have another mission for those who would prefer staying behind in the city, and that is to start repairing the tethers.

More details on everything can be found here. Because we are in endgame, all events are open to anyone outside the game! Feel free to tag in or start new threads as we march on towards the end!



I. REVEREIN


Those who decide to stay behind will find the tapirs appearing in and out around the town. There are still a few corrupted tapirs that need healing as well as some that need help recovering, however the more important task is finding the tethers and repairing them. Doing so will help stabilize the connections between Songerein and every other world and stop the world fragments from bleeding further in.

A. Moon Crystals. It was a bit of an accident, really. Those in the Observatory were doing their own research to try and determine the connection between Songerein and other worlds, and one topic of interest was the dream world's moons, a medium the Story Eater employed to traverse between worlds. While debating if the twin moons still maintained those connections, somehow the giant floating crystal activated and fired a giant beam of dreamotion right into the moons, which also just so happened to have aligned right on top of each other and right above Reverein. While no physical damage was detected, as in there are no visible giant holes, light falls from the moons and are revealed to be "moon crystals," crystal shards made from the moon and infused with pure dreamotion.
โœจ Crystal Collection. While most of the shards are small, those viewing through the telescope notice there are quite large ones that could cause some damage. Quick, collect the ones that have fallen and try and break up the larger pieces before they put a hole through someone's roof!
๐ŸŒ™ New purifiers. The amount of dreamotion in these crystals is significant and could help with the remaining world fragments and nostilium that continues to bleed into the world. While they could just be scattered around like seeds, the Orkilins will be quick to fashion a device that could help amplify and focus the dreamotion into the area. Now they just need those areas to be cleared out of noctaere so they can be set into the ground and activated.
๐Ÿ’Š Tapir Medicine. When crushed, these crystals can be used as potent medicine for tapirs who are still corrupted or recovering, either as a pill or even dissolved into a drink. However, the trick is administering said medicine and will require someone to hold down the medicine adverse dream eater. Perhaps offering it with a snack conjured by some nostilium will help.


B. Tethers. By now everyone knows about the tethers that connect the worlds to Songerein, however, no one really knew what they were. They seemed to be this intangible pathway that could not be seen or touched. However, the tapirs have discovered that due to the current circumstances, the tethers are taking physical form in this world. They're still not sure what's happening, so time to investigate!
๐Ÿ”ฎ World Object Fragments. Within world fragments, strange broken pieces of some kind of object can be found scattered around. They have a distinctive sparkle and shine to them, drawing anyone to them. Collect the pieces, and if successfully able to put it all together, it will take the form of a symbolic object of that world. Perhaps those from that world fragment will be able to recognize it and explain what it is.
๐Ÿ“” Dream storytelling. With these new objects, the tapirs will inform everyone that those from those world fragments should try and create a simple dreamscape based somewhere in their world, perhaps an important or popular place, and tell stories about their world in general. Although they can share personal stories, ones about the world in general will work better. Others not from the world can ask questions to try and learn about the world. These dreamscapes and stories will help strengthen the object.
๐ŸŒ™ Moon Crystals. If there isn't anyone nearby for a particular world fragment, using the moon crystals will work just as well. Crush it into dust and let the object absorb it while walking around the area while imagining what kind of world the place is trying to represent.


C. Nightmarians. As promised, residents from Nightmare City, the Nightmarians, will enter Reverein to assist in absorbing excess nostilium and serve as conduits to seal off world fragments. However, their initial appearance may startle and confuse the natives as they are creatures that tend to have more "nightmarish" appearance. Try not to attack them! In addition, they will need someone to help them when the nostilium becomes too much by channeling dreamotion into them when needed.

D. Mysterious sightings. Reverein has been abuzz with eerie occurrences over the past two nights following the tail end of the eruption of nostilium and the appearance of world fragments. Witnesses have reported sightings of a strange, humanoid creature wandering the streets under the cover of darkness. Descriptions are vague but some claim to have found fiery red feathers in its wake, along with ominous claw marks etched into the alley walls. In addition to this enigmatic figure, there have also been sightings of a large wolf roaming the area. Despite the unsettling nature of these events, no attacks or injuries have been reported from either the creature or the wolf.

Those who have investigated a slew of recent interrelated occurrences may notice a few things about this creatureโ€™s description and the timing of its appearance. Even if not, thanks to their efforts, related professionals in Nightmare City will have a wealth of information to help with dealing with this matter, should it be brought to them (literally and figuratively). Those looking to investigate can also use this toplevel for additional information and responses.



II. NIGHTMARE CITY


For those willing to venture to Nightmare City, a special gateway is erected in the Central Plaza where anyone will be able to enter and leave freely, and will remain for as long as needed. Passing through the gateway may feel strange at first, a sharp chill that seems to overwhelm the senses before it is replaced by a rush of heat as they step into the center of a much larger city square. Tall buildings tower around them with neon lights blinking in and out from windows and signs. Music, chatter, and other sounds fill the air as all sorts of "nightmarish" creatures walk or fly past—demons, monsters, ghouls, masked figures, all from horror based worlds. But rather than dreary, it's lively with laughter mixing in with those ghastly screams. Those from modern cities may liken the city as one of the larger populated metropolises. However while it is busy, there is a tension, and as soon as the Dreamwalkers start to appear many will rush in not to attack, but to plead desperately for their help.

A. Nightmare Medicine. With help from the Orkilins and dragons, a special type of remedy can be made that can be consumed or thrown at the affected Nightmarians. It is made by a mix of dreamotion and nostilium, which must be channeled together. It might still be too difficult for one person to do both at the same time, so they suggest one person focuses on nostilium and another with dreamotion. This is why they need the Dreamwalkers as the Nightmarians can help provide nostilium. The moon crystals from Reverein can also be used here, though only a small amount is needed so be careful when measuring!

B. Dreamwalking. Right away requests for Dreamwalkers to enter nightmares is called upon, but somehow the nightmares are so terrifying to the Nightmarians they can't even properly explain what they see. Bracing for the worst, what the Dreamwalkers find will surprise them.
๐Ÿ˜บ Cuteness Overload. In some dreams, the dreamer is surrounded by a plethora of cute things: cute animals, cute aesthetics, cute colors—even the Dreamwalker and the dreamer are "cutified." Big eyes, sparkles, even the sun has a cute laughing face. This has left the dreamer hunched over in sheer terror while kittens and puppies paw and purr around them. Help the poor Nightmarian by somehow ridding the dream of all this cute.
โ˜• Domestic living. Some may find a dream where one is just chilling on the couch and enjoying a cup of coffee and watching TV relaxing. For a Nightmarian, it's pure hell. They feel trapped, unable to break through the cycle, and they feel their sense of self being drained away, Even the colors are starting to fade. Time to spice up their life, perhaps even shock or scare them back to their old self.
๐Ÿ”จ Dream wreckers. One way to try and break the Nightmarian out of their stupor is to destroy and "horrorfy" the dream as much as possible. Whatever could terrify the Dreamer may be a sweet dream to the Nightmarian, so this could be good practice for someone who may want to try and twist and use nostilium actively for a good purpose.
๐Ÿšช Open door. If the Dreamwalker is unable to handle the situation on their own, creating a rift into the dream so that an awaiting Nightmarian can assist is another option. To create a rift, they have to conjure a weapon and use enough nostilium to break through and create a tear in the space. The job isn't over even when the Nightmarian arrives. The Dreamwalker will need to still assist them so they aren't scared off by the contents or worse, fall into the "nightmare" themselves.


C. Nightmare Forms. For those who want practice or need help controlling their nostilium, there are a number of experts willing to teach the way of the nightmare, both in and out of dreams. This will require a lot of mental strength and fortunately if someone loses control, they are in a place that will help them. This also includes learning to take on a controlled nightmare form. What that form will be will vary, but as Dreamwalkers will be facing nightmares and their vices, it could incorporate the seven deadly sins.
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Strength in Sin. It may sound strange, but instead of trying to face one's fear, Nightmarians will ask Dreamwalkers to think of what their worst vice is. Do they have anger issues? Prideful? Lazy? Gluttonous? Envious? Lustful? Covetous? Because nostilium is also formed by negative emotions, it is easier to try and focus on a negative aspect of oneself than trying to grapple with something more emotional based on fear. By focusing on a negative trait instead, they can lean into that vice and turn it into a source of power and strength. Thus in this exercise, whatever powers they exhibit will reflect that particular trait.

๐Ÿ˜ˆ Nightmare Form. The next step will be trying to transform into a unique form born from nostilium. Those who have turned into noctaere before or have transformed in some way will naturally lean into that form. But they can also try and learn something different, one based off their vice. This form may actually be more stable and offer them more control. What look will they have in this form?

๐ŸŽฏ Target practice. Whether in a dreamscape or out in a designated practice zone, participants can go through various exercises and use targets and dummies to help focus, channel, and release nostilium into a controlled force no different than when utilizing dreamotion. Some may use spells and abilities similar to what they know, however with nostilium it will be changed in some way. Different element, different color, curse or hex-like effects, etc.—how it manifests will be unique to the individual. Weapons are treated similar.

๐Ÿคบ Sparring practice.It's also possible to try and spar against someone, whether it's two nostilium users or one using nostilium and the other using dreamotion. There will be experts supervising and will intervene if someone loses control, so do not worry and push to the limits. These exercises will benefit both nostilium and dreamotion users as they navigate using and countering nostilium.

๐Ÿชž Worst Nightmare. After going through the different exercises, those who want to try go further and harness the powers and force born from their nightmares have the chance to take a partner and be launched into a nightmarescape based on their worst nightmares. They will remain lucid, but they will feel the effects of the nightmare more keenly than usual. But if they are able to "defeat" their nightmare and take control of the nostilium and emotions created by it, they will be able to strengthen their powers and their nightmare form.


D. Capture the Cute. There are cute creatures terrorizing the Nightmarians. Capture them and either bring them back to Reverein so they can be used to combat the noctaere there, or destroy them.





starshower: (temp 143)

[personal profile] starshower 2024-08-09 03:54 am (UTC)(link)
I'm notโ€”!

[She turns just slightly, and that was a dangerous move, because it makes her ear brush right up against his lips, his hot breath tickling along the edges of it at the same time his hands find her sides.]

This is just gonna make things worse...

[Her voice is already a bit wispy and breathless, and her hands have instinctively moved to rest over his, but she continues to keep her gaze on the trees in front of them, and that heat billows, the flowers in the trees slowly fading from blue to a deep blood-red.]
flamekthunder: (ฯŸ 113)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2024-08-09 04:19 am (UTC)(link)
[Now...

...

He does have to remember that they're in someone else's dream, and he doesn't want to do too much in this attempt to provoke more of her negative emotions. That and as much as he's teasing her, maybe it wouldn't be such a good idea to try and invoke "lust" here. So he just quietly laughs and softens a bit as he brings his arms around her.]


Maybe. But this really might be enough. Last I saw the Nightmarian it seemed to be enjoying the storm.

And your forest... ...Isn't too terrible for them. It's better than a lush forest filled with cute animals.
starshower: (temp 115)

[personal profile] starshower 2024-08-09 04:25 am (UTC)(link)
[Her hands slip away when his arms wrap around her, and he won't see it, but he will probably hear that slight gasp of protest when he stops. He was justโ€”]

Well, we might as well finish what we started.
flamekthunder: (ฯŸ 156)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2024-08-09 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
And how should we do that? Given that you seem to be having some "problems."

[Already another starflower is blooming in front of them...]
starshower: (temp 110)

[personal profile] starshower 2024-08-09 04:44 am (UTC)(link)
[She closes her eyes, her hands sliding up to rest over top of his.]

Only because you're distracting me.

[But she makes no effort to push him away and instead, she tugs his wrists so that he squeezes his arms around her.]
flamekthunder: (ฯŸ 146)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2024-08-09 04:50 am (UTC)(link)
I'm just standing here.

[But as he hugs her closer, he does try to focus back on the task at hand. They have a nice storm pouring down and a dark forest...along with wild fires that has driven away and destroyed most of the "cuter" inhabitants of this place.]

What about a black fog? That could obscure the trees a bit more.
starshower: (temp 027)

[personal profile] starshower 2024-08-09 05:26 am (UTC)(link)
[They both know he is not just standing there! But she isn't really complaining either. And honestly, those scales of his do wonders to help chill her overheating skin.]

Hmm. Between us? We could make a fog.

[She threads her fingers through his, and tries to guide them back to where they were.]
flamekthunder: (ฯŸ 201)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2024-08-09 01:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[He'll let her guide them and hum a little.]

Sure it will be fog and not steam?
starshower: (temp 078)

[personal profile] starshower 2024-08-09 02:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[She gives him a chiding hum.]

Yes. I'm sure...

[No, she's not. Especially as she idly guides his hands over her stomach, and she can feel the coolness of the scales through the fabric of her clothes.]

You do the cold, and I do the hot?
flamekthunder: (ฯŸ 113)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2024-08-09 02:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[He is definitely doubtful but he will still try, anyway.]

All right. Ready?
starshower: (temp 244)

[personal profile] starshower 2024-08-09 02:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Wait.

[Tifa suddenly whirls around in his arms so that her own can wrap around him, locking him in place at last.]

Okay. Now I'm ready.
flamekthunder: (ฯŸ 125)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2024-08-09 03:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[He just stares down at her with a slightly arched brow.]

I'm really doubting it's going to be fog.
starshower: (temp 044)

[personal profile] starshower 2024-08-09 03:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[She lifts a hand to press a finger to his lips, as if to hush him.]

We haven't even started yet.

[But he will feel that familiar buzz of warmth spreading, and she's just going to ignore that it does feel more like steam and less like a fog. But with his cold, it should work, right?]
flamekthunder: (ฯŸ 156)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2024-08-09 10:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[He just gives her a look before he quietly laughs and releases his nostilium to create that cold chill to go against her heat. And yes, it does feel like steam at first... But it does seem to darken up into more of a black fog, at least for now.]
starshower: (temp 075)

[personal profile] starshower 2024-08-09 10:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[She closes her eyes, not wanting to get any more distracted than she has already been, and lets that heat spread and reach further outward, and once the cooler air starts to settle in, captured beneath the hotter air, it starts to cloud, the briskness touching her cheek and forcing her to blink her eyes open.

She grins up at him, somewhat proud.]


See?
flamekthunder: (ฯŸ 052)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2024-08-09 10:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[And the moment she opens her eyes, he's going to lean in close with a mischievous smirk.]

Will it last?
starshower: (temp 113)

[personal profile] starshower 2024-08-09 10:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oh, his face is much closer than she thought he was going to be, and her cheeks, although darkened like the night sky, flush with colour. More like glow. And her eyes flit away from him for a moment as she gathers herself, but her arms tighten.]

I... think so...

[Through her long lashes, she peeks up at Eustace.]

As long as you can maintain the cold down here.

[Because boy, is she warm.......]
flamekthunder: (ฯŸ 045)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2024-08-10 12:23 am (UTC)(link)
Shouldn't be a problem.

[He'll even tease her a bit, letting that cold seep through his fingertips through the claws that graze over the back of her spine...]
starshower: (temp 143)

[personal profile] starshower 2024-08-10 01:02 am (UTC)(link)
[She tries to remain perfectly unfazed by the touch, tries to pretend that she doesn't feel it when his claws lightly run up her spine, but he'll feel her tensing against his body, and perhaps even under his fingertips as well, when that cold brushes over her back. Her lashes flutter, eyes shutting for a moment...]

What are you doing?
flamekthunder: (ฯŸ 077)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2024-08-10 02:13 am (UTC)(link)
Maintaining the cold.

[Said "oh so innocently."]
starshower: (temp 219)

[personal profile] starshower 2024-08-10 02:32 am (UTC)(link)
Mm...

[Her body arches almost too naturally, both into him and the warmth of him and into the cold at her back.]

You know that the cold can be dangerous sometimes, yeah?
flamekthunder: (ฯŸ 048)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2024-08-10 02:36 am (UTC)(link)
No.

[A mischievous smile.]

Why don't you tell me?
starshower: (temp 271)

[personal profile] starshower 2024-08-10 02:57 am (UTC)(link)
Well, when it's too much...

[Another shiver spears through her.]

It can cause all kinds of problems.

[Her eyes flit to his chest, then to his lips, then back up, her breath coming out in little puffs of air. Said problems include her heat trying to fight back against the cold, and starflowers blooming at their feet. It starts with a few, and then a dozen, and then two...]
flamekthunder: (ฯŸ 111)

[personal profile] flamekthunder 2024-08-10 03:35 am (UTC)(link)
[He can see those starflowers blooming from his periphery and he chuckles quietly as he moves in closer so that his lips can brush against hers.]

What kind of problems?
starshower: (temp 300)

[personal profile] starshower 2024-08-10 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
[She can't help but smile when his lips are close, exhaling with a tiny laugh. How tempting it is to catch his lips, but she holds fast against that urge for now.]

Well, for starters... Slower heartrate, reaction time, and lowered temperatures...

[Her fingers trail up his back, heat sparking there that burrows beneath his skin.]

But that's fine.

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