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

[ It is hard. That's the test!! ]

I do not disagree.

[ He pats Enrico on the shoulder, a gesture meant for comfort and sympathy. Wyll knows how horrible vampires can be, don't worry. He just thinks they're worse for being beasts than anything else.

That pat quickly turns to a playful shove, though. He chuckles, unable and unwilling to hide the smile that forms upon his face. ]

I-I never said such a thing! And whether it was a proposition or not hardly matters, as it was declined. [ Obviously. ] Perhaps the dead of winter awakens the... hungers of the flesh within their cold, dead hearts?

[ He is mostly joking, but also he's not wrong? ]

[Sometimes he's not a fan of these tests, actually!!!!

The shoulder pat is taken nicely at least and he seems to calm down somewhat at it and take solace in the bit of contact from someone he actually trusts in this place. Vampires are creatures after all and far worse than any wolf he has ever encountered. More akin to devils, if anything, but that's a conversation for another time entirely.

Particularly as he's being shoved and is immediately leaning over to shoulder check him gently in turn with an indignant huff. How dare you!!!!]

I know you never said such a thing, it was a joke! [Nor can he hide in the amusement in his tone, they're honestly ridiculous.] At least you still have that much intact considering this place seems so keen on ripping away any virtue we may extol. [... Well, he has heard some sayings about the winter.] Perhaps so. If I recall correctly, there is some kind of saying or... understanding? something of that sort about there being little else for people to do during the coldest parts of the year.

[ Too bad!!! The Blade says the tests are unending!! Still, their gods are not so heartless as to leave them suffering here alone. That they found each other still is a testament to someone's will, surely. ]

Forgive me, brother, I forgot your sense of humor had such a sharpened edge to it. You'd make a fine brother of the Blade, if you ever wished for a change!

[ But that's a clear joke and an empty offer -- more because he wouldn't really insult Enrico by offering him to "switch teams" so to speak. It's more about the pun, you can't pray to the Blade and not make puns about it. ]

Indeed, holding onto to virtue may prove a taller order than even surviving with our necks intact. But remain strong we must, Enrico. I believe that together, we will survive this yet.

[Surely! Because he would be having a much harder time handling this without someone else around that he's familiar with and also understands the trials and tribulations of what all of this brings.]

I'm fairly certain my God would smite me down were I to ever entertain such an idea. [He's joking, clearly, but he does at least respect the Blade and their teachings, or what he knows of it, same thing with a different name, more or less. It's much easier to think of things that way.]

Hopefully so. There is many a temptation and sinner amongst us, tempting us at every twist and turn whether they know what they do or not. It's rather unnerving but so to will we come through this fire and trial strong and better than we were before.

[ Wyll chuckles, patting his shoulder once more. It's all in good fun to tease one another, this is definitely the kind of teasing that would get cold stares were those words to come from anyone else. ]

As you say, there is no trial we cannot overcome. Though our fate would see us join the vipers in their den, our Becoming need not cast a blight upon our souls.

[ At least the Blade doesn't have any rules about being undead? Probably because that's not a thing where he's from. Like. At all. ]

The strength we gain may aid us in helping those who cannot help themselves. This is my hope... that we might find a ray of light of within this darkness.

[Exactly. While he might stare down anyone else for joking with him like this, Wyll gets a special pass for understanding exactly what all of this means. Though he does roll his eyes with a bit of a smile as his shoulder is patted. All in good fun, of course.]

That was precisely what I was thinking, in regards to all of this. If were are to become effectively immortal and difficult to kill and with stronger resistances than humans, then that would mean we could help those far easier than before, no? More effectively and not be bound by the limitations of the human body and what it can and cannot tolerate.

[ Bro, it's all good bro. We are bros. Brothers in metaphorical christ. ]

Indeed, it is the best we can hope for. While I understand this transformation comes with certain changes and desires, we are both well-versed in the kind of discipline it takes to overcome them. With any luck, we shall be able to bring some good into this world, that is all we can ask for.

[ He nudges him again playfully. ]

Though I would be aggrieved if I were to do this alone, I must admit. If we must be among wolves, then it's better to do so with a brother.

[Totally bros and staying six feet apart because we're just bros, totally.]

Perhaps there is a positive in it, given we really have no choice in the matter but to adapt and survive. If we wish to not become mindless husks as others who have failed before us have. [He'd rather not be a thrall, thank you very much.

Though he nudges him back, though he absolutely does not have the same physical force Wyll does by any stretch of the imagination.]

It does make maintaining one's values and morals far easier with someone to lean upon if it becomes too tiring to the mind. Though I do wonder how you will ever survive with the Court they threw you to.

[ Yeah bro that's how bros are, six feet apart not looking down past the eyeline, just bros being bros (false.) ]

Yes, the threat of death is ever-looming... in all honesty, I would say 'I don't know how everyone does it,' but I imagine they simply move forward as best they can. It avails us not to dwell on that which lies outside of our power.

[ That's what happens when your god is the manifestation of swordplay, you gotta get fit to stay in their good graces! Still, talk of his Court brings warmth to Wyll's cheeks. Red Court is... well. ]

Your concern is appreciated, my friend. I have... somewhat thankfully avoided the notice of some of their wilder members thus far, but we shall see how things progress. At the very least, it is the court of blades -- I cannot help but be grateful for that. I know it is no mere coincidence.

[ The Blade is watching and the Blade knows he can do it! ]

january tdm/event post

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