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

[happydreamed]

[A tiny nod, almost imperceptible. Kantera tries to put on a smile again, but it still doesn't seem quite right.]

...Father, do you suppose that we deserve to be here?

[There is so much he has to feel guilty over, but if he could just tackle a tiny piece of it, perhaps he wouldn't be so easily distracted.]

[incremated]

[ dogma breathes in, slowly, his eyes closed. this felt... oddly familiar, like a creeping sensation over his scalp, some kind of warning--

he takes a moment to choose his words carefully. ]

Kantera, my faith compels me to believe that God and Goddess plan for us and around us, regardless of whether we 'deserve' to be here or not. Guilt is one step taken to assist them in their plans, and you cannot allow questions like that to distract you from that purpose.

[ ...a cough ]

On a much more personal note, however. I genuinely believe us worthy, yes. Sins are not absolutes.

[happydreamed]

...I thought you might say something of that sort.

[Kantera's voice is a little lighter.

He's faithless, at least when it comes to the God and Goddess Dogma speaks of. But just hearing that Dogma personally believes that they deserve to be here is... nice, in its own way.]

Let me try that teacup once more. If it breaks, I shall give up for the day.

[incremated]

[ EXHALES. mood diffusion successful. good job dogma u did it.

he places the cup in the tray and pours out a cold serving of tea. it's probably getting a little strong, now, having sat for this long. ]

Don't go pushing yourself, doctor, or you'll sleep through all of next week.

[happydreamed]

Would that be so bad?

[Nonetheless, he focuses on the cup again, and this time allows his thoughts to wander naturally. Dogma worries too much, and he's always been that way (by a certain definition of 'always' - he doesn't linger there), but that's one of his best qualities. Really, he's lucky to be in the same place as someone he knows...

Steam starts to rise from the teacup.]

[incremated]

[ if kantera would care to look up at the exact moment the spell's success becomes evident, he might see the corners of dogma's mouth rise just barely upward. maybe. perhaps it was a trick of the steam. ]

Congratulations. It seems you have a nice cup of tea waiting for you.

[happydreamed]

[Dogma, smiling? The very thought is absurd.]

I couldn't have done it without your guidance. [Kantera picks the cup up by the handle and blows on it. A little too hot, there.] Will you not stay awhile?

[incremated]

I'm sure you would have succeeded without me eventually.

[ dogma looks briefly to the sky, considering the time, then nods. ]

I've no business to attend to this afternoon. I'll appreciate your hospitality.

[happydreamed]

Wonderful. I'll prepare you another cup of tea - normally.

[That's the more reliable method, so it's better for a guest.]

[incremated]

Thankyou. A little milder, if you don't mind.

[ he sets his bible away from any teacups, just in case. ]

[happydreamed]

As you wish.

[Tea's always been stronger in Dragons' Peak - Kantera's used to everyone else liking it milder now.

Back inside. It doesn't take long to prepare a nice cup of mild tea for Dogma, which Kantera sets in front of him when he returns.]

Please enjoy.

[incremated]

[ he keeps his sleeves between his palms and the teacup, as a buffer for the heat, and blows on it before taking a sip. ]

You seem to have settled comfortably.

[happydreamed]

I suppose so - it isn't my first time moving. Though my move to our town was much less sudden than all this.

[The differences between Dragons' Peak and Nameless Town are almost as drastic as those between Nameless Town and Verens.]

[incremated]

Oh, of course. Forgive me for having that slip my mind, doctor. It's truly hard to recall a time you weren't with us in town.

[ dogma's more than a little homesick, so just gonna. swerve and avoid the whole sudden world shift thing ]

[happydreamed]

Is that so? I think perhaps I should be flattered.

[That he seems so essential... no, a better word would be natural. A natural part of Nameless Town.]

[incremated]

Not at all. Nameless Town is as much your true home as it is mine, as long as you wish it to be.

[ sips his tea ]

This place may be bigger and... stranger, but I'm sure it will come to appreciate you just as much as we did.

[happydreamed]

For all your grumpy exterior, you can be quite charming when you feel the need to be, Father.

[Not that he's complaining. It's nice to feel appreciated.]

[incremated]

[ this comment earns you a bashful glance away, kantera. seems like tsun runs in the family, even if cody was the major recipient. ]

S-such a quality is generally required for my line of duty! That said, do not think it insincere. I mean every word.

[happydreamed]

[That's adorable, goodness.]

Oh, of course not. I know you better than to suppose you would stoop to mere flattery. At least, I certainly hope so.

[incremated]

I would not dream of it. You seem the type who would be able to easily see through such things, regardless of who was speaking, in any case.

[ he peers at kantera over the rim of his teacup. ]

Do you... miss our home, doctor?

[happydreamed]

Mm... Now and then. I do so like the quiet, and the hustle and bustle of a city suits me very little.

[incremated]

I have to agree on that last point. We are much more suited to life in smaller communities.

Though, perhaps this means we should treat this as a gift from God. A chance to become more worldly... in every sense.

[happydreamed]

Is there any hardship you couldn't view as a gift, Dogma?

[It's said with amusement. Kantera does like that part about him.]

[incremated]

[ dogma opens his mouth to retort, but nothing comes out for a long moment, so. he closes it again.

then, quietly- ]

There are many things- trials of needless hardship, of pain, of falsehood. I am not so optimistic as to ignore those.

[happydreamed]

[That's an interesting answer, and even more interesting in the way it was delivered. Kantera considers his response for a moment.]

Have you suffered from any of those yourself?

I'm no priest, and I'm not the best to confess to, I understand... but we are friends.