undyingcourt | january tdm/event post

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january tdm/event post

JANUARY TDM - WINTER DREAMS

Welcome to the Undying Court's January Test Drive Meme! This post also functions as the January Event for existing characters, and continues the Winter Season, led by the Blue Court.

New characters may handwave or backdate the previous season's arrival prompt should they wish to, but you may otherwise assume they've been here the whole time! Additionally, all TDM threads can be taken as in-game canon if desired. And remember that apps open February 3-7, with invites opening on January 28, and reserves not long after!

Note that this post will contain: violence, enthrallment, torture, slavery, horror and potentially sexual content. Dreams come in many forms, after all.

This event also features another chance for characters to submit Regains, so make sure to submit after you've posted your top-level or reply to someone else's dream. For characters both new and old, feel free to brush up on the Premise, Vampire Powers, and head over to the FAQ/Game Info page if you have any questions!

Note that this event will be occurring throughout the month of January and into February, so characters are free to forward-date as desired!
For new characters please format your Top-level in this format: Character Name | Canon | Court | Youngblood/Novice | TDM
For existing characters please format your Top-level in this format: Character Name | Court | Youngblood/Novice
If you have any questions specific to the event, ask them in the Plotting Post Q&A section!

Top-Level Directory:

ONCE UPON A DREAM

A quiet falls over the Castle as a new day begins to break. As with every morning, this is a time when vampires must retreat to avoid the rays of the sun, pulling heavy curtains around their beds and windows to block out any light. However, this particular morning is abnormally quiet as the whole of the Castle seems to fall asleep all at once, and all together. After this enchanted sleep, and for the the next thirty days, the Castle's residents will start to experience strange phenomena within their dreams.

During this period, dreams become more vivid, so realistic it feels like the dreamer is awake. Dreamers can pass into each other's dreams without meaning to. Some of these dreams are in fact memories--either those from the lives the characters have lived in the Castle and the outlying lands, or the strange memories they've begun to gain back.

But be careful! For what starts as a regular memory might start to warp into something new. If you're lucky, it'll be something positive, like a dream of a home you've always wanted. But if you're unlucky, the memory might twist and turn into a nightmare, catching you in it and turning your worst fears against you.

Each nightfall, everyone will wake and return to normal. Or at least, most people will.

[Note: Any current characters who participate in the dream event by creating a top level or tagging someone else at least once in this prompt may be rewarded with a free impactful memory, which may be used in the dreamscape. Don't forget to submit for your Regains!]

A NIGHTMARISH CURSE

It turns out that not everyone wakes up. Those who stay in nightmares for too long may find themselves cursed, and unable to wake up. At first, the curse appears no different from regular sleep. But a few hours in the victim will start screaming uncontrollably. No touch will wake them, no amount of calling their name will break the spell. After too long, the victim will start to bleed, slowly at first, and then more and more as they remain afflicted. A victim left unattended will bleed out and die.

The Council works quickly to step in. Kashire (who is looking rather frayed this season) delivers the news that there's no need to panic, but everyone will need to do their part in locating and curing victims. In fact, the youngbloods seem to be taking this as the perfect opportunity for a teaching moment, and students are expected to try and find a cure with the skills that match their Court. Novices and youngbloods alike are encouraged to try and help lift the curse from anyone they can. (Get creative! Blood heals many wounds...) Any victims that have progressed too far will need to be seen to by Revar.

The nightmare curse, however, can spread quickly. Anyone who enters the nightmare of a victim will fall victim to the curse. Additionally, any attempt to reach out to the mind of a curse victim will also spread the curse. With the combined efforts of the students and teachers, the curse can be completely put out. But it will take time and care to ensure everyone is found in time, and cured safely.

ANYWAY, WINTER GAMES!

But a few curses aren't going to stop the Blue Court from making sure everyone has a good time. The days might be short, and weighed down by the threats of nightmares, but winter has hit Castle Courtsheart in full force, and the long nights and snow-covered grounds make for an excellent backdrop to the Inter-Court Winter Games!

There isn't really a reward for the winning house besides bragging rights and maybe a trophy that doubles as a chalice, but youngbloods and novices alike are invited to join in the festivities and compete against one another in the spirit of glory and the chance to lord over your Court's superiority. Even Council members and mature vampires of each court seem to enjoy cheering on their respective teams from the stands. Everything is fine! Forget your troubles and go play in the snow.

What kind of sports do vampires play? Feel free to get creative, but here are some examples:

Thrall-Curling: Since vampiric strength proves to be a little too much for this sport otherwise, teams of novices (or youngbloods) of the same Court can team up to gently compel their thralls to play the thrilling sport of curling. Coax that stone across the ice with care, and take out the opposing team! Or, well, the thralls will do that, assuming they're guided well. Try not to break them. (The thralls, that is.)

Figure skating: Practicing your pirouettes? For a vampire, a quadruple-axel is hardly worth breaking a sweat over. Favored for its beauty and almost seductive grace, the figure skating competition will be scored and judged by a multi-court panel. Participants might get extra points for incorporating bladework and masking into their sets, so these performances are sure to wow the judges.

Ice Hockey: Yes, the high-contact sport transcends time and space, but vampires don't need silly things like helmets or padded safety gear. Don your court's colors and hit the ice to toss the puck around and score as many points against the opposing team as you can before the time runs out. Violence is encouraged! Everyone likes to see a bit of blood on the ice this time of year. (Shadowstepping is considered cheating, but only if you get caught.)

And more! Snowball fighting may not be a sport, but there's no better time to enjoy the outdoors and stretch those growing fangs and muscles than the dead of winter. So whether you're cheering on your Court or watching from the sidelines, there's something here for everyone. Just because the castle is full of the the undead doesn't mean they can't have a little winter fun.

CLASS NOTES

Other notable happenings for the early winter season include:

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and maybe it's time to find or make gifts for that special blood claim in your life. This season blood jewelry is the hot ticket item. These are pieces made from precious metal and glass, which hold the blood of a vampire in them. Carry a lover's blood to show how much you love them, or carry your own to force down the throat of your enemies so you can influence them.

Whispers around school start to say that Black Court lost a novice this month. Not murder this time! He simply unmade himself trying to mistwalk. Eh, these things happen.

As a result of a tie in last month's pumpkin carving contest, members of the Black and Red Courts will find small packages outside their doors. They are gifted silver letter openers, with the handle inlaid with pumpkins and leaves, and a note from Revar with a little drawing of a pumpkin and their signature. How nice!

Lady Whisperfangs is quiet for now, but her time is yet to come... This month's check-in will have a field to submit gossip about your characters! Vampires do so love their drama.

Once again, characters are free to talk to the NPCs as well: Revar & Kashire. For any questions regarding this month's prompts, please comment in the Plotting Post. For general game questions, please check the FAQ/Game Info. In the meantime, remember to submit your Regains for this month's free reward, and keep an eye out for our AC Check-in next week, starting on January 25-31.

The new year has brought us plenty of thirsty vampires, so we're glad you're here to share them with you!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

a nightmarish curse

[Figures that when Norton finally stops being a hermit and ventures out of his work to socialize, things have gone to shite. A curse, huh? Norton has little experience with such things, but at least he knows some human-style first aid, and can coach the novices on what they can do to help if they're dealing with a novice who hasn't fully transformed yet.]

Keep a cool head on you, so you can observe and not miss a thing. Tune out the screaming-- trust me, it's worse for me than it is for you. [That last comment was delivered rather sardonically, his smile crooked... Though it wasn't even a genuine smile anyway.] But if you're that concerned... Put something in their mouth, make sure it depresses the tongue and keeps the fangs away. There are worse awakenings than realising your tongue is gone, but it would still be unpleasant.

[Then he leans over the body of the cursed vampire, though keeps his hands to himself.]

What's their status again? Novice? Youngblood? [Guess who wasn't paying attention. Is he really a teacher here?]

anyway, winter games! (betting on players)

[Sod curses, apparently. Some of the Blue Court's inclinations are not his style, but at least they got this thing right. Perhaps playing in the snow is a bit too childish, and some of the games are just downright ludicrous (thrall-curling? really? stars above!) but at least someone's being entertained...

And, hey, if there's a competition, there's sure to be gambling, right? If not, then there should be.

Norton takes a spot beside a fellow spectator of the hockey game, to strike up a casual (for now) conversation.]

Eh, all of them look to be in good shape, but it's the nature of vampires, isn't it? Who're you rooting for, in any case? It doesn't need to be your own Court, really. [Bit funny, coming from a man with his own Court's colours.]

anyway, winter games! (snowball fights)

[What was that about playing in the snow being a little too childish?

Well, fuck that. Sometimes you just have the impulse. An unlucky someone might just get a snowball to the chest. Or the head. Or even the face, if Norton can get a good angle in.

And when caught? He gives that crooked little grin, complete with a hint of fang.]

What, afraid of a little snowball? [Norton crouches down to mold another one, keeping eye contact all the while.] Don't know how to dodge or block?

wildcard
[bring your own prompt! feel free to send me a pm first if you'd like to plan it out before writing.]

[hey, Norton's chosen to settle himself down next to somebody who'd thrown a coat over her silver team uniform to keep the chill away until her next match. Hazel's certainly not going to judge anyone for leaning into the aesthetic of the event even if their heart isn't in it.]

You think so? Guess it seems that way if you haven't been watching them warm up.

[who's she to ruin somebody's pure experience of the sport, though? for the moment she keeps her thoughts to herself and merely shrugs.]

Gold's got better odds, but watching them clinch it over and over's kind of boring. Might be funny to pull for Red for a change of pace.

[He's just trying to make conversation... damn, and to think he's bad at socializing.

Whatever. Doesn't matter in the long run.]

If someone just tosses dirt at those holier-than-thou fops, I'm happy. Best if a team does shove their faces in it, but it might not be Blue to do that. [He knows his Court fairly well, he's the one unripe fruit in a basket full of sweetness.]

I dunno, they're all about a good time, aren't they? Somebody's gotta be into that kind of shit around here.

[statistically, sure, but what are the odds that any of those theoretical people are playing on the Blue team right? there's a lot of more pressing parties that are likely claiming the court's attentions presently.]

Revelry just means they want to party, doesn't instantly mean they want to put in the effort to do more than that. [Honestly? He's rather sure that he's one of the few non-lazy people amongst Blue. Not lazy when it comes to physical exertion, that is. They do hunt out of fun or necessity... Though sometimes Norton has to wonder.

Then he shakes his head.]

No, my money's on Black. You never no what they have up their sleeves.

[low motivation, hm? Hazel wouldn't say it, but she'd be thinking to herself that perhaps Edith had no idea what a dangerous gamble it was to insert her into the Blue court. her little 'protege' was already disinterested in fulfilling her task, but to imagine that malcontent surrounded by even greater levels of apathy...]

Hm? Black? [she'd make a derisive sound.] Nah, no way they'll skewer politics like that and fucking stomp anyone. Those fucks don't know how to be rough without fucking killing someone.

Exactly my point. With that sort of thing in mind, their opponents would be too busy trying to find ways of preserving themselves over winning a little game that doesn't even have prizes.

[Which is another reason why he didn't bother playing himself. No reward, just eventual humiliation and wet clothing? That will be a pass from him.]

If someone does bleed... That's not the Blue Court's problem.

( Unusual for Lamorak, who's typically keen on seeming not all that serious, he seemed to divert quite a bit of attention into the whole matter of curses. He tends to keep a pretense of keeping honest with Norton (a "pretense," because he hardly seems honest, despite his stated intent), but during the start of all that - well, he'd made quite a poor showing when he did try to help, which seems in line with his unrewarded eagerness in the previous Silver Court classes on aid and healing. Help in his own way? Oh, he'd love to - and maybe he'd have benefited from Norton's advice, to actually learn from the whole ordeal. But he seemed to slink into the shadows like an injured dog, nursing his shame.

He makes his return when there are matters of levity, like these winter games. Thank the gods (or is it Founders for him now?) there's this new stage that asks no expectation. Everyone loves games - Lamorak most of all.

He leans back on his palm as Norton takes a seat beside him, his grin curling wider on his face. He tends to be a little more polite with Norton - though, Lamorak, as he is, unerringly shines through. )

Oh? And display disloyalty toward my own Court? I'd worry it might count against me.

( A faint laugh escapes his lips. Honestly, with how petty some teachers could be, it wasn't an unrealistic possibility. Maybe some Blue Court professor will take off marks because he bet for an opponent! Sports hooliganism is real and can hurt you.

Anyway, he proceeds to say: )

... But there are some Black Court players I've seen who interest me. No posturing, no pretense... ( A lazy, half-sweeping gesture toward the field as one such Courtier enacts a brutal tackle to their team's benefit. Rest in pieces (again) to the other guy. ) ... only execution.

( Literally and figuratively. )

And who has your favor? If it's not Black, should we make it a competition?

( Is there much point in a gamble between Maker and Novice? Probably not. But Lamorak rarely ever minds if there's not much of a point to things. )

You're only saying that because I once declared for that Court, didn't you? [Or because the ever-pragmatic Norton would have bet on Black, too. Either way, his tone clearly says cunning little shit.

He crosses his arms over his chest, turning back to the game of hockey that was looking less like a game and more like a brawl.]

What are you willing to bet?

( Lamorak only smiles with some mischief in answer - yeah, you got him. Honestly, he does quite like Blue Court's style, so it's not a terrible loyalty to posture toward - but much of it is posturing. )

I wonder. There's not much I wouldn't gamble, but...

( He says that with the sort of implication of all the obvious things are sort boring to bet, aren't they? He can't offer much else but his time and his service - but they can do better than that.

He lets his head tilt against a shoulder, his earring glistening sharp in what lighting there is about the audience's seats. )

... Have you been dream walking much? ( He says like it's a hobby, and not some alarming affliction going on. ) It doesn't seem all nonsense. There are secrets here and there that some wouldn't like getting out. Some might just be worth knowing.

( Using other people's secrets as chips? Just maybe. )

Hmm.

[Dealing in secrets is the Blue Court's style, even if Lamorak is neither old enough nor established enough for majority of what the Court knows, even if it's Norton's responsibility to teach him. Bit by bit.]

Depends on when. Are we talking about in the recent past, or in general? [What's going on in his novice's head, he wonders.

Norton's mouth twists in thought. He doesn't dreamwalk often, and he has a lot of self-preservation instinct... though he's been forced to do so lately, as a teacher in this school. He's just lucky he didn't get trapped in someone's nightmare when the curse evolved into something dangerous.]

Not knowing is part of what makes it a gamble, isn't it?

( One could bet jewelry and coin - but who's to say it's not gold-coated copper; cheap-made metal? There's never any guarantee something's a bet really worth your while until it's in your hands. Lamorak enjoys such surprise - most uncertainty. )

And what might you bet, should you find yourself keen?

[Appealing to Norton's greed has always and forever been a good strategy for anyone looking to get something out of him. He knows this, he knows that Lamorak knows this. So he has to wonder what his novice will be offering.

And what he himself could offer, when he's already bargained a good deal out of their initial deal.]

Hmm. [He crosses his arms.] How are you faring with shapeshifting?

[It seems a bit of a strange question, but he has Thoughts.]

norton campbell | identity v | blue court | youngblood | tdm

winter games

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hockey!

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nightmarish curse

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aaand a winter games (betting)

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