TEST DRIVE: OCTOBER

[empevents]

— TEST DRIVE: OCTOBER —

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 Saturday, September 24 and Applications (Canon | OC) open Saturday, October 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: The increased exposure to Shaarnathian culture has prompted many in Verens to attempt to pick up on the discipline of Dunamis. The interest has become something of a popular trend, resulting in small businesses focusing around teaching the skill to those who are interested. Unfortunately, this doesn’t often go well for those who have lived on Empatheias for most of their life and relied so heavily on technology instead. In the seedier and more dubious schools this sometimes winds up disastrous, or outrageous in weird and interesting ways.

One particularly seedy school seems to take to the hands off approach, leaving their students alone to practice in an outside arena full of gourds of all sorts and sizes. Some also seem like they’ve gone quite rotten, resulting in a strange pungent odor. This goes about as well as expected when a particularly … enthusiastic … and poorly trained student manages to implode every last one into a glorious mess that rockets high into the sky.

Now half the shopping district is covered in various states of rotting gourd, and absolutely no one is happy about it. Nothing is spared, shops, stalls, and worst of all, the shoppers. Perhaps you’re one of the unfortunate victims of this mess, or you’re ready to help start the stinky cleanup.


• Prompt E: Someone is setting up a maze in the cornfield for kids and has run into an infestation that needs to be taken care of, but the bugs must be tackled in pairs because they're tricky bastards. They're a new species that not only releases a type of gas that makes one feel sluggish and apathetic, but they also "feed" off emotions. They're otherwise harmless, but it does make capture difficult. Since the use of pesticide is prohibited, the current tactic is for one person to act as "bait" while the other is armed with a special gun that shoots out a special paralyzing webbing. However, the shooter must stay hidden, and keep their emotions unnoticeable, or the bug will catch wind and will flee. After capture, they're thrown off the island. They're like roaches, no one wants them. In fact they also look like roaches. Still unwanted. Other tactics could be employed, but keep in mind that the farmers would like their crop to come out unharmed. Any damage incurred will come out of your pocket.


• Prompt F: A new acting troupe have established themselves in Verens, with a few new aspiring actors from Shaarnath. Through the use of Dunamis, the plays have become more lively and interactive. Most have welcomed them, but there are some groups who adhere to the "classic" way of acting, which can cause some tension.

• The troupe are advertising themselves on various street corners and parks, all dressed in bright, colorful clothing! But instead of a regular play, they are beckoning others to join them in various impromptu acts. Action, comedy, romance, tragedy—anything goes! So what do you say, care to join? You can even pull in or shove the person next to you forward instead. Remember to put some feeling into it! Bonus: The scene may require some dunamis for prop work. Try it out!
  
  
• Perhaps you're one of the people siding with the classic actors. Or maybe you just don't like plays in general. There's a bucket of tomatoes just waiting to be thrown. Even better, the angrier you are, the more rotten and sour the fruit will be.

Feel free to combine the scenarios and add whatever you'd like.


• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include peanut butter and/or jelly.

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

Soo-Won | Akatsuki no Yona

[birdbrainemperor]

[A]

[Soo-Won thought it... best to not stick around Verens or Shaarnath much considering who all was there. The emotions between them were too volatile and they could end up causing so much damage to the surrounding area. That wasn't including the damage they did to each other mostly emotional but with the man in question, Soo-Won could very much end up dead. Something he couldn't allow to happen so he made the choice to leave - to travel the world and collect whatever information he possibly could.

In order to accomplish that he must be prepared. He didn't have much in the way of items when he came through, a tea cup with liquid long since thrown out along with the clothes on his back were his only worldly possessions. Soo-Won didn't even have a sword. What he did have was a falcon and what little money he's managed to make in the last week since his arrival.

Which is what drew him to the market on this particular day. Today he was buying a few supplies he would need in orer to go on this journey around the world. It's something he does with a smile, the space around him was bright and sunny but there was a cool wind that came with him as he moved. Flowers seem to wilt as he drew closer to them but didn't completely die off - it was the only sign that there was anything wrong.

After purchasing a few items, the shopkeeper asks him if there's anything else she can do for him.]

Can you tell me where your best tea is grown? I would like to visit there for myself.

[That is not how traveling is done, Soo-Won.]

[E]

[Somehow he'd been roped into this task before leaving. While he was curious about the bugs, Soo-Won had absolutely no experience with the odd weapons. He had come merely intending to watch but was now handed the gun. Being skilled in schooling his emotions wasn't really the problem and he was certain that if he could figure out how the gun worked then he wouldn't miss his intended target.

What he does take issue with is the disposal method. It's one thing to want to rid themselves of the emotion-eating creatures and another to toss them to the world below.]

If we simply throw them off, won't they cause problems for the people living down below? How is this fixing the problem? It might work for the people up here but it causes one for others. Getting rid of them entirely would be for the best.

A.

[applecrisp]

[ Apple stood right behind him, pretty much countering his cool air with her bright and sunny smile. She knew it was rude to eaves drop, but she couldn't help but hear his question to the shop keeper. ]

Oh, are you a fan of tea as well?

[birdbrainemperor]

[He's not all that surprised to see her standing there behind him. Soo-Won could practically feel her cheer balancing out the negative effects he was putting off. Even the fact that she's eavesdropping doesn't particularly bother him either. Not as if he was talking about secret plans or anything.]

I most certainly am! Back home there was a woman who always sent me the most wonderful tea. Unfortunately she isn't here so I need to seek out someone capable of putting together such delicious flavors.

[applecrisp]

This person must have been very important to you, to do such a generous thing like that. And she even knew your exact taste. That's rather romantic~!

[birdbrainemperor]

[That makes Soo-Won laugh and he shakes his head.] It's not like that. She's the wife of one of my generals and we merely have a shared interest in tea flavors.

[applecrisp]

O-oh! How embarrassing, I am so sorry for just assuming like that.

[birdbrainemperor]

It's all right. Anyone could have made the mistake without knowing much about either of us.

[applecrisp]

She must be very fond of you though. I can see why. I'm already charmed!

[birdbrainemperor]

[Ah well, it's good to see that everyone in Verens hasn't been warned away from the king of Kouka.] You are very kind to say that.

[He bows a little.] My name is Soo-Won. Have you found any tea that you're particularly fond of here? Perhaps something that you might not be able to find back home?

[applecrisp]

[ She gives him a curtsy right back and giggles. ] I have found a few different kinds, and it made me miss home a little. I have a friend back home who knows everything there is to know about tea. I thought she'd definitely enjoy new kinds.

A

[becomeashield]

[Poor flowers.

Zeno is also at the market doing his shopping and passes by the same stand, looking for chamomile and maybe some jasmine tea. He feels like checking what the king of Kouka is up to these days, and he decides to approach in the most stealthy, revolutionary way possible.

He steps back a bit and then makes a run for it until he runs into the boy. Genius!

Now at the floor, Zeno rubs the place on his shoulder plates where he made contact with Soo-won. Not that it'll hurt for long, but you know.]

Ouch, ouch. Whoops, sorry!

[birdbrainemperor]

[The flowers will survive his passing.

As for the approach, that is the most subtle way of getting someone's attention. He doesn't even have the opportunity to get out of the way or grab hold of the other to prevent him from falling so it's with wide eyes that he looks down towards Zeno after being run into.

Soo-Won knows who the other is... to a point. He knows enough to know that this is one of Yona and Hak's new traveling companion. They'd crossed paths back in Kouka not too long ago from his point of view.

His ribs where Zeno ran himself into sting but it's a pain that will pass. Really, Soo-Won should keep his interactions with Yona's group to a minimum but instead of making a hasty retreat he holds out a hand in a silent offer to help Zeno to his feet.]

Are you all right?

[becomeashield]

[The thing about this place is never to be certain of the timeline of each person. Zeno might be a perfect stranger to Soo-Won, or he could remember him as that guy chaperoning Yona back at the Water Tribe, or maybe something different altogether from beyond Zeno's point. He's not going to pretend not to know the young king in any case. And he's not going to be hostile despite being a cause of grief for his friends. Cautiously friendly. Not too casual, not too formal.

He smiles and takes the kid's hand and help.]

Thanks, Zeno's fine! [He casually dusts the back of his coat and pants once he's up.] Oh, it's that mister from Sensui, isn't it? Dunno if you remember me or know who I am since we didn't talk.

E.

[thegreatpain]

Trust me, I am about as thrilled as you seem to be. Tossing a matter elsewhere doesn't get rid of the problem it just causes more problems.

[ His arms were folded and he wore serious look on his face as he looked around. ]

But how does one get rid of what refuses to leave? Magic will only get us so far, and boxing them up will give them time to multiply.

[birdbrainemperor]

If caging them and simply throwing them off the island doesn't take care of the problem, then why not find some remote location to take them? Some place where humans aren't settled where they will have a hard time getting back to Verens or Shaarnath.

[The gun is tucked against his chest as he slips his hands into the opposite sleeves of his robe.]

I'd hate to resort to killing them outright just yet but allowing them to feed in such a populated area will only increase exponentially their numbers. If we relocate them to some place far away we decrease their chance of breeding too quickly and give ourselves an opportunity to explore other solutions by buying us time.

[thegreatpain]

Then your plan... should we lure them out and with this... strange weapon contain them for now until we can find a place far enough away? Hmm... It does seem more helpful than just tossing them down carelessly.

[birdbrainemperor]

It may be all we can do to truly ensure they're not a pest for the people below at this moment. Should it become a problem in the future, we may have to trim their numbers down.

[He's not sure how many there are lurking in the field but so far they don't seem to be swarming everywhere in Verens yet. Or even if there are others who will agree to this line of problem solving except for his current partner

But for now they have another decision to make. Soo-Won smiles cheerfully at the other man.] So, would you prefer to be the bait or shoot them down?

[thegreatpain]

[ Shinou looks back at the younger man with an amused look on his face. Already walking toward the field as if he decided he'd become the bait.]

I think the real question should be who trusts the other more to use the weapon correctly.

[birdbrainemperor]

[That makes him laugh lightly, following a few steps so that he can slip between the rows of corn in order to hide.]

My aim isn't terrible but I've never handled a weapon like this one before. Thankfully it's non-lethal.

[He adjusts his grip on the gun so that it's somewhat comfortable.]

[thegreatpain]

Then I hope your mind doesn't wander elsewhere young one.

[ There was a playful hint in his voice. He was serious about getting rid of these bugs, but life wasn't as much fun if you kept a serious face all the time. ]

Tell me when you're ready. At my age you carry a lot of emotions around.

[birdbrainemperor]

["Young one". Hahaha, he might only be 18 but that's not extremely young.] Don't worry about that, I'm focused on the task at hand.

[Soo-Won isn't all about serious faces, half the time people think he's very odd for an emperor or misjudge him from the start.]

You'll have to forgive me if I'm wrong but you don't seem much older than I am.

[After slipping between the stalks, he crouches down and lifts the gun - ready to fire at a moment's notice.]

Whenever you're ready.

A

[herpath]

[Yona had been coming home from her job in the cafe when she'd decided to pick up a few things. Zeno had suggested she buy a type of beer that they sold at one of the stalls for Hak and she was rather exited to do so ... Until she heard a very familiar voice.

Her whole body tensed up as the dulcet tones of her former friend and crush came floating through the air and the ground around her began to turn to clay. Soo-Won was here? Since when? She was sure she hadn't seen him among the new arrivals from the months before. It had to have been recent. What was she supposed to do? She gripped the sun pendant that hung around her neck tightly, frozen in place.]

[birdbrainemperor]

[If Soo-Won has been here a long time, he is much better at keeping his presence a secret than her and Hak. Of course he isn't going around helping villages and towns. Not yet anyway. He needs more information before he can simply attempt to make things better for one single location.

The shopkeeper is excitedly telling him all about the location where her most favorite tea leaves are grown and it's only when she's done does Soo-Won turn away from her with an apology on his lips only to have it ended halfway through. Whatever charming smile he'd been giving to the lady is gone as he faces with Yona It always seems to be like this. The pair of them crossing paths suddenly and without warning - one reason he'd intended to leave Verens behind. Of course he wants to see the state of the world with his own eyes but this too is one of his main reasons.

He realizes they're just both standing there in the middle of the market, staring at each other. Her emotions so clearly displayed as the ground crumbles beneath her feet while his aren't so visible, the air itself is colder as if promising to sweep in thunder clouds.] Yona.

[herpath]

[The chill in the wind seems to shake her from her frozen status. They're not in Kouka anymore and this is a place where she's managed to make a home; a place where she and Hak don't have to run and fear the people who cared for them and raised them from the time they were children.

She takes a shallow breath as she wills the ground around her feet to stop turning to clay before answering.]

W-when did you arrive?

[The words are hard, but she's trying. She's trying to put up a wall between her emotions and the effects they could cause on this world. After everything that's happened to them they don't deserve her emotions running rampant over Soo-Won.]

A

[originalryokuryuu]

Because seeing where tea is grown is the most important thing when you're in a different world.

[ He wasn't even looking at the stranger as he started saying it, he was dropping by to buy some tea to have for when he had guests over. Some of them preferred tea over alcohol (though he didn't get why) and he was almost out.

Now that he looks at the guy though... he's got a very familiar fashion going on. Was he from Kouka too? From the other guys' time? Or some other time? ]