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

[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?

[innermonologues]

[ He gives her a good long stare before looking off to the side. So it seems he got her in trouble or something... this was kind of embarrassing. ]

Why would I blame you for something I did?

[schmisse]

So it was you!

[ she points at him rather rudely, very much accusing him of what he... already admitted in doing... ]

Everyone's been blaming me!

[innermonologues]

[ He just gives her an irritated look at first. Honestly it's not really even directed at her. He's just frustrated with everything right now. He doesn't say anything back to her and instead starts to walk past her, all the while dropping his jacket over her head. ]

Look. Leave her alone. If you want to be pissed yell at me. And you might want to do that fast, because I'm having a really bad day.

[schmisse]

[ well, aren't you responsible, squall? weiss follows him, arms folded, and just as annoyed. ]

Yeah! You should all learn not to blame someone right away, either! Just because my emotions always turn things into ice... really.

[ the crowd disperses after that, though, at least. so that's something. ]

[innermonologues]

[ When they seem to be gone for the most part, Squall sighs and rubs the back of his neck. ]

Sorry. I thought... I was far enough away that no one would notice me.

[schmisse]

It's difficult not to notice giant pillars like those, you know.

[ there are barely any knives in her words now that the people have gone. weiss feels calmer now. ]

[innermonologues]

[ ... He glances back at the chaos he created and then back to her. He snorts softly. ]

Point taken.

[schmisse]

So are you done with your... [ she flaps her hand once. ] whatever that was?

[innermonologues]

Yeah.

[ He looked a little more embarrassed than he wanted to admit. He was just... so frustrated with everything. How else was he supposed to let it out, right? ]

I think I'm warn out.

[schmisse]

You need some anger management counseling sessions.

[ just saying. ]

[innermonologues]

I'm pretty sure the ice I created isn't the only ice around here.

[ he gives her a glance with a hint of a playful look. ]

[schmisse]

Please, that was all your fault, too! I got angry because people were mistaking me for you!

[ so... still your fault, squall. but she doesn't seem to be taking it very seriously. ]

[innermonologues]

Uh-huh. Of course, princess.

[ He's not... really sure why that nickname slipped out, but welp. It's out now. He shoves his hands in his pockets, he doesnt even seem to be bothered by the cold.]

[schmisse]

Excuse me?!

[ it's... almost true, but SHE'S STILL OFFENDED. ]

[innermonologues]

Sorry, it slipped out. You reminded me of... a friend.

[schmisse]

When you say it with such disdain, it isn't very friendly.

[innermonologues]

Sorry I'm kind of new to this whole.

[ How should he put it. ]

friendship thing. and teasing thing. so.

[schmisse]

Well, so am I.

And we're not even friends yet.

[ squall pls??? ]

[innermonologues]

Even after bonding over lack of emotional control?

[ He glances at her before tossing his jacket over his shoulder. ]

[schmisse]

Did you just say I don't have control?

[ uh oh, it's getting cold again. ]

[innermonologues]

You're going to freeze yourself to the ground at this rate.