undyingcourt | 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

[He’s not wrong. Daria’s thirst for blood is ravenous at the worst of time, peckish at best. She knew that. She knew that very well about herself.

Eyeing the gentleman again, his eye was replaced with a glass fake and his stance was ever so strong, he was defending his very spirit. Even if this dream showcased taking a deal that could very well destroy him. It might yet. But yet, there was something inside of her that had been sparking lately. After seeing her own dreams tear her apart, she wondered why she cared so much about her life as a vampire being like it was.

It was enough questioning that led her to look at Wyll with a glance that, at the very least, seemed like it acknowledged his words.]

Yet you don’t know me, or what I’ve done. You don’t even have a name.

For all you know, I was a worse monster alive than I am undead.

[She kept her distance still but she craned her neck forward and showcased her teeth.]

I made my choices, just like you did. I’m not free of consequence for that either. All I have are the fangs and the hunger. But I’m still me, living out my decisions.

You've yet to attack me, while I am injured. I can say this earns you some credit, at least for now.

[ This is a dream though, so it's hard for him to be sure. In reality, if his face were bleeding like this, would a vampire try to bite him? Would the blood drive them mad? He'd never had the chance to find out. ]

I suppose only time will tell.

[ He straightens up, gripping the handle on the blade at his waist -- for reassurance, not for an attack. ]

I know better than to paint all your kind with the same brush. After all, if I survive the year in this place, I'll have to count myself among you.

Oooh, lucky me.

[A small bow of her head. In what? Respect? Acknowledgment? Who knew? This boy was young in his journey, eager and malleable. Surely the lowest of vampires could mold him if they tried that hard.

Would he remain a man of honor or something else? Maybe he could be both?]

Don’t sound too excited about joining. I’m just your biology and literature teacher in this school. I just happen to not give a royal rat’s ass what the rest of the courts think.

What you do with your time here really is up to you, in the way end of the day.

[ He would love to be both, only time will tell... But for now he can only pick himself up and move forward. ]

Oh, believe me. I am not looking forward to it.

[ He shakes his head, the horror of his future is not lost on him. If he thinks about it too long, he may just scream. He wipes the blood from his face and smiles, an almost charming thing. ]

But what choice do I have? If my god would have me see this through, then I must. I can do more good in this world alive than dead, even were I to become undying.

That's the spirit.

[Did she mean that? Maybe. So many noble and naïve souls that enter the courts become something else. Daria didn't have anything to believe him other than his word. He at least stood more proudly than some. Also, he had the sense to realize now he really had no choice. He wasn't TOO proud. Thinking he could fight the urges through, what, strength? Importance? Other foolish things the walking and talking all have in common.]

I look forward to seeing what you make of that. I'm Daria Barksdale, of the Silver Court. Though my, and others, last name means nothing anymore.

[ Pride is a sin. Well, maybe not to the Blade, but still. Wyll is strong without being boastful, and he's survived some of the worst he hopes this world has to offer. He'd rather not find out if he's wrong. ]

I have been told that names matter far less here than in most places.

[ Lineage was about blood, not actual bloodlines, right? Wyll isn't totally sure, but he's learned enough to pick up a book or two and try to figure things out. ]

I am Wyll Guardacuervo. Er, potentially of the Red Court. Though I believe that remains to be seen.

Everyone's lucky I didn't keep to my namesake.

[Because her family was filled with corrupt political monsters who cared about nothing but money and titles. Not even of their child who wasn't as beautiful and naturally suave as the youngest, who would've married into more connections happily.

She took care of monsters quite well, if Daria could say so herself.]

Whichever court you go to doesn't matter much to me, personally. Just make sure you keep that head on straight, that could be the first thing you would lose.

...Barksdale?

[ Her namesake? He is confused, though perhaps it's a language thing. ~~English~~ The language spoken here isn't his first. ]

I've heard as much -- the change happens slowly, so it can be easy to lose track of one's morals. I hope to overcome that compulsion, though.

[ But will he? That remains to be seen. ]

january tdm/event post

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