TEST DRIVE: JANUARY

[empevents]

— TEST DRIVE: JANUARY —

Welcome to empatheias' test drive meme. This test drive is to help interested players test their characters in the game's environment. We've included a few prompts that incorporate specific elements of the game, though you'll find all of them have a lot of leeway for players to get as creative as necessary. Before diving in, here are a few things we'd like to remind everyone about the game in general:

• Date reminders. Reserves open Sunday, December 25 and Applications (Canon | OC) open Sunday, January 1st.
  
  
• OC Reminder! Just a quick reminder that original characters are allowed. Those interested can also use the test drive. OCs do not need to be reserved.
  
  
• Emotions are key! Empatheias' premise focuses on how anyone's emotions can affect their environment, be it big or small. While not every emotion will cause a reaction, significant ones definitely will. How much effect a character will have will ultimately be up to you, the player. Also, while we're giving a lot of leeway for the test drive, keep in mind that there will be some limits in the actual game.
  
  
• Everyone has an amulet. All characters have a unique amulet that is specialized for them. It will contain all of their emotion drops and it serves as the network device. Remember, communication is telepathic. Otherwise, it works basically the same.
  
  
• Assume the character is already in the game. Because "OMG WHERE AM I IS THIS REAL LIFE" threads aren't going to be very helpful in this test drive! Plus those are going to happen in-game, anyway. So to make things easier, just assume that they've been around at least a week or so. Still learning the ropes, but not a complete "first day" experience.
  
  
• First or third person allowed. Your threads can be in either first or third, but we'd advise being flexible about it. Remember, these threads can also be used in your application for samples! Reminder: We only require one sample and it can be done in either format. We have also made a change to our sample requirements, so look over the Applications page!

Now with that out of the way, here are some prompts you guys can work from!


PROMPTS

• Prompt A: How about giving the emotions a try?

• Prompt B: Refer to the Task Board and choose a task your character may be interested in taking up. For this prompt, you could have your character ask for help, already be in the middle of the job, or react to it in some way. Perhaps they were an unfortunate victim or want to create a job countering an existing one. You could even have a prompt making a job request. Creating jobs for the purpose of the test drive is absolutely doable.

• Prompt C: How about giving the amulets a go? Start a telepathic conversation and see how it works. Remember, the amulets are sending out the owner's thoughts so might want to be careful about how the stream of consciousness goes...

• Prompt D: Isn’t it supposed to be frozen and snowy this time of year? Normally, yes! And the fact that lately the sun has been out and the temperatures have been rising to almost early spring temperatures certainly… is strange. Has pollution ruined the environment of Empatheias beyond repair?! No! Of course not. While concerning at first, the unseasonably warm weather is because of the extreme amounts of positive emotions running through the population of Empatheias. While this early thaw might be nice, it’s not exactly expected and comes with some unfortunate side effects other than a pleasant afternoon in the sun.

1. There’s been several snowfalls, and the ones at night are especially prone to staying for a while only to melt away as the days go on. This has caused a few problems, especially during the daytime. Large piles of mushy snow will slide off of the high angled roofs of the city, and wet, mushy snow is way worse than normal snow. Ice patches on the sidewalks are even more frequent and dangerous, so careful where you step.
   
   
2. Homes and sidewalks aren’t the only thing suffering from this fluctuating weather. The roads too, are becoming dangerous. This means only one thing! Any idle hands are given shovels and bags of salt and are put to work handling the iced over roads. Just watch out for any skidding carriages and wagons as you work!
   
   
3. Draining water is creating a problem in the slums as well. Many volunteers are being deployed to the lower sides of the slums to help direct water with the use of dunamis or more traditional ways such as sand bag piles and other obstructions. The buildings themselves are also suffering from the cold moisture and ice that form under the awnings. Careful not to get spiked if one falls.

• Prompt E: This year for Selenium more intimate get togethers are happening throughout the city alongside the regular practices. Smaller gatherings around warm fires to stave off the colder nights are the stage, and small delicately sweet snacks accompany refreshing drinks for those who decide to camp around the fire for a few hours. But it wouldn’t be Selenium if they weren’t honoring the dead, so of course that takes center stage.

1. Those who have gathered around the fire are, at one point or another encouraged to get up and share a story about a love one they’ve lost. It can be a happy or sad memory, or anything in between. Of course, there is no obligation. Perhaps your character is chosen to go next? Or is there a lull between storytelling where you get to talk to the neighbor seated next to you?
   
   
2. Instead of being sold, these simple bracelets are given to those who volunteer a memory to go inside them. Fashioned from leather, a golden hued metal and copper, the bracelets’ centerpieces are elaborate containers with a glass top to display the tiny fragment of memory petal inside. The petal, once a part of a larger one has been infused with a warm memory of a loved one at request of whoever managed to obtain a bracelet. Though most memories are of those past, in this case those who are alive or separated from the bracelet’s creator can also be depicted. What image appears on yours?
   

• Prompt F: There have been reports of "ghostly activity" occurring around the various cemeteries and graveyards in all three main cities. Most have been harmless, but others have caused some alarm and help is needed.

1. A few of these incidents are harmless pranks by the local and foreign kids teaming up with one another. Moving flowers and gifts, making strange sounds or running past as shadowy figures. Help find these kids and put them in their place! Or maybe it's you who is part of the pranking.
   
   
2. While the world does not have traditional ghosts, those of the dead can leave residual emotions that can take on a ghostly form. They can wander about and act out on the emotions left behind. Anger, grief, joy, regret—anything is possible. While they cannot directly harm anyone, they can still directly cause damage through their own emotions, not to mention the emotional damage from those who witness them. For now they remain near their graves. Help keep them there and disperse the lingering emotions to put them at rest.

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include blueberries and/or chipmunks.

For your threads, put the Character Name and the Canon in the subject line to help readily identify them. You're also welcome to use more than one prompt for respondents to choose from. If you have any questions or want to brush up on the game information, refer to the Game Information entry. Otherwise, tag around and have fun!

Comments

Squall Leonhart | Final Fantasy VIII

[innermonologues]

A.)

[ He's only been here for a few days, but he's already having a hard time growing accustomed to this world. All these emotions, voices, it's all too much. He was growing irritated and with no where to fight, it made keeping his control even more difficult.

at the edge of town, one might notice a giant ice pillar shooting up into the sky. ]


B.)

[ He's been hearing a lot of complaints about this strange ice cream, but honestly, he doesn't find it too bad.

Squall was leaning against the front of the building eating a cone of the super hot and spicy stuff. He was supposed to be advertising and taste testing, but it seems the only thing he was really interested in was the tasting part. His usual chilly aura actually seemed pretty light at the moment. ]

C.)

STOP. TALKING. IN. MY. HEAD. Just stop. Your voices are loud, annoying. I can't even think. So stop.

[ And that has been a friendly message from your annoyed teen sponsor. ]

A

[spiritedafey]

[Well, consider Maya intrigued. The ice pillar in the sky has caught her attention, and being the Ace Detective she is, she goes out to investigate. She's wrapped herself up in a coat and scarf to trudge across town to the outskirts of the city.

When she arrives, she spies the brunette boy beneath the pillar, and she steps up to him, almost a little too cheerfully, although shivering.]

Hey, chill out! The last thing we need is more ice around here!

[innermonologues]

[ Did she just. Did she really just.


Squall just turns his head. He was sweating and panting softly, taking his aggression out on, well nothing, but that's besides the point. He gives her a look of disbelief and irritation all in one. ]

Did she really just make a cold joke? I can't believe this.

[spiritedafey]

[SHE DID. Hello, this is Maya Fey.

She eyes him carefully, noting the irritation on his face. Maya places her hands on her hips, and raises her scolding voice at him.]

No need for such a cold shoulder! I'm only trying to help!

[innermonologues]

[ Oh god. She did it again.

His thoughts were getting a little louder now. He just can't believe she is seriously making cold puns at a time like this. Nope. Nope he's out.]

This girl is crazy.

[ He turned his head away and reached out for his jacket he threw to the ground earlier. ]

[spiritedafey]

[Ok fine, she'll be a little bit more serious now.]

That's only going to make the ice pillar thing worse, you know.

A

[oathkeeper]

[Well that's for sure a giant pillar of ice shooting up into the sky. Someone's having a bad day.

Curious, and because he's an Enforcer (Team Emotional Damage Control Go!) Sora heads over.

When he sees who it is his jaw practically drops as he gapes at 'Leon'.]

Leon?! Is that you?!

[Hope 'Leon' doesn't mind a sixteen year old kid running at him at full force and hugging him around the torso.]

Leon!!

[innermonologues]

[ 'Leon' minds a little because they are closer in age, and what is this even?! ]

What the--hell?!

[ He stumbles forward a little, but easily catches himself as he tries to grab onto Sora. ]

[oathkeeper]

[Sora squeezes him tightly and laughs out happily. He's missed Leon so much and he wanted to hear stories from home. So without even checking he starts to ramble.]

I can't believe you're here! What's the last thing that happened to you before you got here? Are Aerith and Yuffie with you?

[Sora really shouldn't assume this is Leon... He made that mistake twice already with Cloud and Tifa. But this is LEON.]

[innermonologues]

[ This kid ( he thinks while only being like a year older ) has quite the grip on him, and he was too exhausted after using up so much emotions to create this fun little ice pillar danger zone to actually yank him off.

He just groans loudly and holds his hand to his face. He may not be Leon, but his actions are a little similar. ]

What are you even talking about?

[oathkeeper]

Huh? What do you mean?

[Sora does feel a little sting of uncertainty at that, the light around Sora crackling. Sudden flashbacks of Cloud and Tifa.

He quickly lets go of Squall and rubs the back of his head.]

You're... Leon. Right? I'm Sora, you remember me....?

a

[schmisse]

[ weiss's emotions usually end up being in the cold scheme of things. everything turns into ice whether she's happy or not. so when an ice pillar shoots up into the sky like that, some people look at her as if she was the one who-- ]

I didn't do anything!

[innermonologues]

[ There was a moment of silence before another one shoots up into the sky, and another, but it seems the more they shoot up, the smaller they become.

Whoever was causing this emotional ice freeze was running out of steam. ]

[schmisse]

[ oh my god and YET, people are still looking at her. ]

I said it wasn't me this time!

[ though with how angry people are blaming her for it, ice starts to cover the streets. be careful of your step! you might just slip! ]

[innermonologues]

[ It was definitely getting a lot cooler all around. This probably wasn't good... he was now realizing.

At least he was a little calmer now for the time being, but now he had the problem of ice forming near his feet. Maybe his anger caused a chain reaction in someone else? Hell if he knew, but he should probably check it out before his boots get frozen to the ground. Slowly he leaves his icy wonderland and starts following the ice trail. ]

[schmisse]

[ weiss is busy talking to some people and arguing with them that it wasn't her fault, so squall will evidently notice that there's someone who isn't being affected by all the ice around the streets, now.

when she turns and spots squall approaching, though, she can't help but say out loud: ]

You... You're blaming me for all that too, aren't you?

B! B B B B B

[strangevisions]

Heeeeeeeeeeeey Squall! Whatcha doin'? Isn't it a little cold to be eating ice cream?

[Selphie isn't participating in the whole taste testing thing, but it's P R E T T Y rare to see the commander in such a, uh, good mood. It must be really fantastic icecream, honestly.]

aaaaaaaaaaah selphieeeeeee

[innermonologues]

It's never too cold when you're hungry.

[ He gives her a glance before extending his hand and booping her nose with the ice cream. ]

8)

[strangevisions]

[If she had ever expected that from Squall she might have ALMOST thought to keep out of arms reach, but alas. Now she has a very cold nose. Selphie leaps back with a yelp, one hand clapping over her face as she fixes Squall with a wide eyed, surprised expression.]

Heeeeeeey! What was that for!? [she's already lifting a hand to wipe the treat off of her nose because hey, it's COLD! But at least it was only a cute little boop rather than anything worse.] Give me that! I'll show you!

[She might seem mad at first, but there's mischief in her eyes.]

<3333

[innermonologues]

You think I'm that gullible? I know better than to willingly give you ammo.

[strangevisions]

[selphie's nose wrinkles as a pout fixes on her face. Of course he wouldn't fall for something so blatant... hm. Quickly, she jumps forward and grabs for the ice cream with both hands.]

Then I'll just take it!! [She laughs as she tries her best to steal it from him. She has a plan B, but this seems like more fun to her.]

C

[likepawpaw]

Now, now, ya need to calm down. You think yelli' in our heads makes it any better?

[ Because seriously, she's starting t wonder if she's getting a headache from this or not. ]

[innermonologues]

It only seems fair. Eye for an Eye or so they say.

[ Sorry, she might have met someone to match Noct's moodiness. ]

[likepawpaw]

An eye for an eye, ey? But I'm innocent, y'know.

[ She'll just have to somehow smooth that out of him. ]

[innermonologues]

An unfortunate casualty.