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

[moreequal]

[Jefferson scratches his beard with one hand, nodding because that's actually useful information. So people stay here for a long while, but eventually go home. He needs to figure out this 'never left' business, but if it's true it'll actually work in his favor.

Can't leave America without a president after all.]

Do not touch them, darlin'. Don't wanna lose those pretty fingers. [He grins at her.]

So I noticed you're making them kind of sleepy.

[onerous]

[She glances at him and then away, embarrassed, and rubs her hands together to warm them.]

Ah... Yeah. Supposedly this place reacts to emotions-- If someone gets angry, something might catch fire, or there's a little earthquake. Things like that.

I'm... not very emotional. But that manifests itself here too-- People and animals seem to get calmer when I'm around. [She shrugs.] That's what I've been told, anyhow. Maybe it's just my personality; animals can be good judges of things like that, right?

Either way, this is a strange place. You have to be able to adapt to a variety of situations and ideas if you're going to survive here. [Yuri tilts her head and there's a hint of a smile] But, if you're here, that probably isn't a problem. I don't think they--whoever they are--would bring someone here who'd fall apart so easily.

[moreequal]

[Whoever they are. He doesn't like how that sounds. That sounds like an unknown, and he's never dealt well with those. But it's fine, he has time. And freaking out about it won't help anyone.]

You're right, of course. I'm not the kind to break down over something just because I don't know the answer to it yet. But it is interesting that your emotions- or lack thereof? Though you seem hardly emotionless- would cause creatures to be calmer.

Would that work on me, too?

[onerous]

I suppose it's more that I don't... express emotions as easily as other people. Some people get angry quickly, which I guess is why they might be more likely to make things explode. Those that build up to it might be more inclined towards the earthquakes, which can build up as well.

[A logical hypothesis, though she doesn't have any proof.] ...At least, that's my theory. Because I'm much more calmer than most, in most situations, I guess this place has to do something with it and that's how it's chosen to manifest how I... emote. [For lack of a better word.

His question startles her, clearly, and she looks up in surprise.] I'm... not sure, honestly. Did you want to test it...? [Yuri looks a tad apprehensive, but she holds out a hand for him. Though usually it just rolls off of her in waves or some kind of calming aura of sorts, direct contact might be the quickest way to find out.]

[moreequal]

[Explosions. Earthquakes. That's interesting and Jefferson commits the information to memory, just in case it can be useful later. He also glances at the glittering unicorns, wondering what does that exactly say about the way he expresses his emotions. In a flashy way, for show, maybe?]

I'd love to to test it. [And he reaches to shake her hand, wrapping his fingers around her wrist. He' not a fan of physical contact with people he just met, but he can wash his hands later. It's fine.]