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

C

[hadthehighground]

There was at least one other person here who had the same memory, but from a different perspective. A memory that was still painful, but sometimes eclipsed by others. Regardless, he picks up on it easily through the amulet.

At first Obi-Wan is stunned, and then he feels that grief the comes with such a memory. But then realization hits him. If this was coming to him, then the owner of such memory had to be here. In this place. Alive.

A mixture of emotions course through him as the Jedi tries to figure out how to best approach this. Should he call out to her or go find her first? He elects for the former since such private and traumatic memories are best not for public display. So he reaches out to her through the amulet. She would feel. A warm tenderness and underlying joy would pass through along with his words.

Satine. It's all right now. You're safe.

[paxmandoa]

There is a warmth that cradles her thoughts, there is a calm that soothes the panic that has been rising in her breast at the memories of her own death. And a voice, familiar to her, as if he never left her side.

Obi Wan?

She remembers his hand upon her cheek, clinging to his armor as if it could keep her from fading. What had he done after? She knew nothing of her people, her sister, her world. She knew nothing of his fate.

And what of you, Obi Wan?

[hadthehighground]

Yes, my dear.

There's a feeling of fondness as well. It was so good to hear her voice again. A part of him had blamed himself for her death. After all Darth Maul had killed her out of revenge on him.

I'm well, though I would like to see you. Do you know where you are?

Obi-Wan would do his best to answer her questions, but it would be best to have this conversation in person.

[paxmandoa]

A whisp of a smile comes to her lips, her fingertips pressing against the skin of her face as he eases her. He's calm, this strange connection that they share, and he eases her like cool water over a blistering burn.

Dear, is it, now? I certainly must be dreaming, for that is not the Obi Wan I know.

But she can tease or chastise him later. She wants to see his face again. Wants to know what became of him. She knows, of course, that this is not the world after death, but another entire. As if she had been snatched from the Force itself and reborn.

I'm not sure. Perhaps, if I share my surroundings with you through this... connection.

And share she does, the bench that she still clings to, the pathway lined with trees unfamiliar to her. But it certainly is a park of some sort, of that she is certain.

[hadthehighground]

I recall calling you that a few times.

He's teasing lightly, but it's not untrue. He had said that after he rescued her, before they got caught.

When she shares the image of her location though, there's definite recognition.

Oh, yes, I know that area. I trust you'll wait for me?

[paxmandoa]

Perhaps he had. There must have been at least once, maybe twice. But their interactions in previous months had been overshadowed by their fighting, two sides of one war that ravaged the galaxy. He was a Jedi, called to be commander at the front lines. And she, a queen of peace, who tried to keep her people from being invaded.

But how well had that truly worked?

She doesn't mean to release that thought to him, but the connection is new and strange and she doesn't quite know how it works. Instead she pictures Maul standing in her throne room. She pictures Vizsla at his side. Her people had been invaded by monsters who wore Mandolorian armor...

Of course I'll wait for you, my dearest Obi Wan

Her thumb worries over the stone all the same, her other hand curling at the edge of the bench. She is alive. And she has a second chance. Perhaps that is what she should focus on.

[hadthehighground]

Though she couldn't see it, he grimaced a little at the words and images that flashed through the connection. But his calm remained steady, for her sake. Her next words draining a smile.

I'll be there shortly.

And he was a man of his word. It took him a few minutes, but not long. Heaven forbid he keep his Duchess waiting. He knew the area, he'd meditated there a few times even. Thus finding his way had not been hard. The dashing Jedi Knight with his sweeping robes soon coming into view. Following his senses and able to pinpoint where Satine was located, and heading right for her.

[paxmandoa]

It wouldn't be long until he arrived. Despite any aggravations the two of them might have had, the Duchess knew that Obi Wan was ever reliable. And this time is no different. It is naught but a few moments until she sees a figure approach, his brown robes sweeping behind him like a bird in flight.

Slowly, she rises, still wearing her own tattered dress from Mandalore. From the throne room. She tucks a lock of her mussed hair behind an ear, steadies herself and drops the pendant from her grasp. It swings from her neck like a pendulum as she takes a hesitant step forward.

Then another. And another, until she's racing to fling her arms around his neck, embracing him tightly.

"Your hair's gotten grey." She doesn't let go of him. "How many years has it been for you, Obi Wan?"

[hadthehighground]

Upon seeing her, Obi-Wan eyes lit up. Though that quickly turned to surprise as she came running and flung herself at him. The Jedi caught her easily, a bit stunned but no less happy. While before he might have gently pried her off him, this time was different. Instead he gently returned her embrace, holding her to him as if he could hardly believe this was real.

The plants around them suddenly started to grow and flourish from the hope and joy the man exuded. Flowers budding and blooming as they basked in the positivity of their reunion.

He chuckled lightly at her observation, a warm smile gracing his worn features.

"About two years now."

A very eventful two years.

[paxmandoa]

Satine doesn't notice the flowers or the plants growing all around them. She is too concerned with the texture of his robe, the grey of his hair. It had only been two years, and still he looked so much older.

Worry began to grow in her chest as she gripped at his shoulders, gently taking a step back to look him in the face. It was odd, she must admit, that he returned her embrace. But this Obi Wan was two years older than when she had...

Phantom hands grip tightly at her throat, dragging her forward. A hum of a red blade piercing her back. She grips tight, until a surge of what feels like static comes from her hands, shocking them both.

She steps back from his grasp instantly, trying to smooth her hair, trying not to touch him.

"Forgive me, I'm... still acclimating to this world and the new challenges it brings..."

[hadthehighground]

He can feel her distress, but when he doesn't expect is the sudden static shock. Jumping back at the same time she does, he's a little startled, but shakes his head.

"Don't worry, these sorts of things happen all the time here."

Far more often than he cared for admittedly.

"Speaking of which, you'll want to learn how to control your thoughts and feelings. Your memories were being broadcasted by your amulet."

[paxmandoa]

"Learn to control my thoughts and feelings?" She echoes, raising a brow.
"You make it sound like I'm to be a padawan under your tutelage."

But perhaps she was. She had been plucked from the Force itself and brought here, she manifested powers that should only be used by force wielders. And if her thoughts were being broadcast...

Color tinges her cheeks, but she keeps her head high, her voice even.
"... Then I thank you for reaching out, Obi Wan."

[hadthehighground]

He raised a brow and stroked his beard thoughtfully at that.

"Well, I suppose that's true in a way," he said with some amusement. "Though fortunately you won't need the Force for that. There's a method called Dunamis and I can teach you."

It actually wasn't all that different from using the Force either. The only thing you had to use your emotions rather than suppress them.

[paxmandoa]

A smile curls on her lips at that, some of the tension easing from her. He would be a wonderful teacher, wouldn't he? She had seen his lineage in action- Anakin, Asohka both, passionate young Jedi that reminded her of Obi Wan in his youth.

She steps forward again, reaches out to cup his cheek with her hand. No sparks, not this time, and relief floods through her.
"Well, I do suppose I have much to learn from you, my dearest Obi Wan."

She pauses, then smiles again, intent on teasing him.
"Merely don't expect me to call you Master Kenobi."