TEST DRIVE: MARCH

[empevents]

— TEST DRIVE: MARCH —

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 Tuesday, February 23nd and Applications (Canon | OC) open Tuesday, March 1st.
  
  
• OC Reminder! Just a quick reminder that original characters are currently 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: Fireworks are a common source of entertainment for the island, and each year the equipment and technology used get more advaanced—and more dangerous. This year they're trying to contain the explosive emotional power from the easily angered by using a new device based off the Tree of Memories petals. Except the "device" includes the explosive powder for the fireworks. You can only imagine how disasterous that could be. YOUR OPTIONS:

1. Someone is deliberately provoking you to try and make you mad.
   
2. Someone else has blown their top and the device (and nearby fireworks) are exploding.
   
3. General firework and explosives mayhem.

Note: Calm emotions will help diffuse the situation, but you might want some water or something else to help douse both the literal and metaphorical flames.

• Prompt E: The spring season of Zephyras is on its way, so there's a lot less snow these days. To make the most of it, a lot of the local children have built as many snowmen and snow creatures as they can. Some adults have also taken to it, some actually treating it like some kind of competition. The resulting creations range from the standard to the incredible. Behemoth, monstrous creatures with gaping jaws and horns, majestic unicorns with ice sculpted wings and horns, lifelike human sculptures in various poses. Normally all of these would be considered works of it, but when you're in a world where emotions can sometimes give things a mind of their own...well. Creativity isn't the only way to "breathe life" into them.

1. Emotions can affect these snow sculptures in various way. Those that trend on the happier side will cause the snow creations to move and frolic around in place, perhaps even try to "play" with those around them. Those that trend on the negative, however, will give the opposite, especially anything that could make them more angry and violent.
   
   
2. A few people have caught onto this and have actually created a snowmen army! Using "stock" made snowmen, at least ten from each side slide and wobble around, chucking snowballs and rocks at one another for pure snow destruction. Hopefully you don't get caught in the middle of it.

• Prompt F: Have you ever ridden on a hover board? Or a flying motorcycle? Well if you haven't, you get to be one of many to try out a new design set to come out by the summer months of Eurus. Of course, they are still in development, so expect some hiccups and stalls. Even more, to help with fuel and power efficiency issues, the engineers have created a system that would help absorb and channel the user's emotions into the machine. Now, it's supposed to only take the energy from emotions and not actually be affected by what kind is given. In theory, even a sad person could power their new flying vehicle! However, that's a kink that still needs to be hammered out, so the test vehicles are still prone to emotional effects just like everything else. Angry emotions will have fire bursting from the exhaust, giving it a super huge boost in speed and power, but lack of control. Joy and excitement are also good boosters, but prepare to have a trail of stardust that could blow back in your face. Some other side effects are: rust, engine stall, decreased acceleration, suddenly flying upside down. Oh yeah, these don't have seat belts. But you get a helmet and a parachute! Good luck.

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include empty barrel and/or chickens.

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

LAFS

[itellyourstory]

[ She's surprisingly not as cold as she might look, but she's had many years of wet-hemmed winters in her life, so it's not a strange experience and that might be most of why she can stand it.

She turns when he clears his throat, and while his voice is not precisely familiar, his face is - especially when paired with his accent ]

Monsieur Lafayette! [ she beams at him and bobs a curtsey ] I'm fine, really, just a bit damp.

[ Gosh, does he even age? He looks like he could've come straight from her wedding! ]

[fightingfrenchman]

[Well, only a few years removed from it, anyway! He's certainly wearing his Major-General's uniform, in any case, and that should likely be a hint. Regardless, he steps a little closer, pondering the wisdom of pulling her into a hug.]

If you are certain, then. Have you only just arrived as well?

[itellyourstory]

[ She would be fine with that, you are her darling pen pal ]

I have! I must admit I wasn't expecting to see anyone I recognized here, much less you. You look so young, Gilbert!

[fightingfrenchman]

[He blinks a little, startled at her choice of words, but -- it's been a few days, he's more used to Hamilton being older now. It only makes sense that his wife would be the same.]

Ah -- well, it is a very strange place, as you will no doubt see. [There's a pause.] Do I? I could have sworn I look as I did yesterday. [That is, twenty-three.]

[itellyourstory]

[ Someone tell this woman about the whole age fuckery, please ]

Well, as I did not see you yesterday, I'm sure I couldn't say. [ smile ] How are Adrienne and the children?

[fightingfrenchman]

[He's getting to it, or he will be in a moment, though he looks slightly perplexed at the question.] Adrienne is fine, as far as I am aware, as are Georges and Anastasie. [At least he hopes they are. It's been a while since he's been back home.]

A moment, before anything else: this place can be strange, madame, and forgive me if this sounds odd, but what year was it, when you were at home?

[itellyourstory]

That is good to hear.

[ That list (and his puzzlement) is already an indication that something's not right. No Virginie? He was always so proud of his youngest in his letters, why would he leave her out, unless...

Well, she's not really sure, but something's up. ]

The year? 1804, of course.

[fightingfrenchman]

Ah! [There it is, and he nods, satisfied. Granted, he'd mostly figured it out already, he may not know Eliza terribly well from his perspective, but he knows enough to see she's older than the one he knows.]

That is it, then, you see, for me it is 1781. Was? [He shrugs that off, giving her another smile.] I have just come from Yorktown.

[itellyourstory]

[ Her mouth opens in a little "O" of surprise ]

That would, I expect, explain both your youth and the neglect of your youngest in speaking of your family. [ She lets out a deep breath, giving this some consideration ] Well. This is... quite unexpected. This place is even more confusing than I initially thought.

[fightingfrenchman]

I did warn you, madame. [The smile is a little gentler, now.] Oui, it is. I cannot say I mind it so much, if it brings us closer to others who --maybe not are at home.

[itellyourstory]

"Are not at home", I think, dear.

[ it's a casual, familiar correction - one that speaks to the relationship that Eliza is used to, even if Lafayette isn't. She flushes slightly when that fact sinks in and she flutters a hand helplessly ]

Monsieur, I apologize, that was very rude of me.

[fightingfrenchman]

[He blinks a little -- he's used to that, certainly, from Alexander, and hearing it from Eliza is rather endearing. It's clear no offense is taken, and he waves off the apology cheerfully.]

It is fine, madame, do not fret! My words got ahead of me, I think.

You know what I mean, oui? As -- well, Laurens is here. [Among others. But he's kind of testing the waters, here, to see if she's found Alexander yet.]

[itellyourstory]

[ Laurens is here, Lafayette is much younger than he should be. It's basically impossible for a faint but insistent hope to spring up in her chest.

The air just around her takes on a faint golden sheen, though she doesn't notice it. ]

I suppose... Perhaps there are others familiar to me that have found their way here, aside from yourself and colonel Laurens?

[ She shouldn't expect anything but... but oh The thought of her Alexander being here... ]

[fightingfrenchman]

[There's a small smile, and a brief nod.] Such as your husband, yes? He is here, though I do not know his whereabouts at the moment.

He will be as glad as you are, I think, to see you.

[itellyourstory]

[ She clasps her hands to her chest, beaming brightly, and the golden sheen around her brightens to little golden motes floating around her, comfortable warmth radiating from her ]

I don't know if that's possible, monsieur, considering the joy I feel at even the prospect of seeing him again.

[fightingfrenchman]

[Ahaha aww, Eliza, you're adorable, and he can't help but laugh a little. It's gentle, though!]

I do not know, madame, I have seen him get very ...euh, ...enchanté at the thought of you. [Smitten. He means smitten, twitterpated, he can't quite think of the word though.] Once he even forgot the password back into camp.