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empatheias_ooc2016-09-18 12:53 pm
empevents) wrote in empatheias_ooc2016-09-18 12:53 pm
Entry tags:
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!
• 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.
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.
• 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!
no subject
But our mission isn't finished. [It's hard to look resolute when your body isn't listening to you at the moment, but she tries.] I don't think these bugs will actually attack, so I'm still perfectly viable bait, even like this. Especially like this this.
no subject
Still, he could definitely appreciate her resolve on getting the job done.]
...Alright. let's show these stupid bugs what we're made of, then!
no subject
[She could move around just enough to see what was going on, and the stalks bean to sway once more.] They're not wasting any time. There's a slight breeze from the south, so you might want to adjust your shot to account for it. [And sure enough, a few more of the nasty bugs made their appearance. They almost looked... confused? to see her lying on the ground.]
no subject
[He'd taken his position up again, observing the insects. It was almost amazing how quickly they'd returned, given what had just happened mere moments ago. But he wasn't about to question it. They'd returned, and that is what counted.
Taking another shot, the web goes sailing through the air. The wind kicks up again, almost as if to try and taunt them. But thanks to Alisha's warning, he was able to adjust and account for it, using that wind to guide the web perfectly to its target. It lands on the bugs, successfully trapping them!]
Got 'em!
no subject
Oh, thank goodness.[For the moment, she heard nothing else rustling the plants around them, though even the slightest breeze caught her attention immediately.]I wonder how many of them there are, though?
no subject
[He pauses, stopping to pull the slip of paper containing details on their job. Although it didn't have specifics, it surely must have had some information on just what they're up against.
Once he sees that information, he freezes, his shock permeating through the mental link.]
You, uhh... You didn't make plans with anyone tonight, right? Because we might be at this a while...
[Infestation, indeed...]
no subject
And I was hoping it was time to head back to down for a celebratory dinner. [She bit her lower lip as an idea came to her. It wouldn't be pleasant, not by a long shot. But...] How fast do you think you can fire that webbing?
no subject
[His stomach chimes in, and Alisha'll hear a faint growl nearby.]
no subject
[If they're feeding on emotions, then it only makes sense the stronger she felt, the bigger lure she'd make. So she closed her mind and remembered Guriel. The village, the storm, the chaos...]
[All around her, the stalks nearest to Alisha started to move away, not via wind but as though some invisible force was pushing them away. One plant near her foot turned jet black. Alisha started to shake, almost as though she was in pain. It took longer for the bugs to show up this time, and not all at once, but maybe this risk was paying off?]
no subject
He wasn't sure which was worse right now in this moment. The almost suffocating aura that Alisha had begun to give off with her emotions, or the presence the bugs were creating as they began to assemble. ...Definitely the latter. As they started to multiply, even Kor, with his superb emotional control, was starting to feel their effects. He shakes his head, as if to shake off their influence, and focuses up, taking his aim. More and more bugs were appearing. Whatever Alisha was feeling right now... It sure as hell was working on these things.
The number of bugs that had appeared were concentrated to the point that they almost looked like a solid mass instead of numerous bugs. And that was good enough to Kor that it was time to begin. He takes aim, pointing the gun as close to Alisha's position as possible, which the bugs were converging on. Placing his finger on the trigger, he pushes it as quickly as he possibly can, shifting the gun away from Alisha as he does so. In doing so, he ends up creating a wall of webbing that sails through the air, intent on landing on the waves of insects and trapping them once and for all. Here's hoping he gets them all! ...And that he doesn't accidentally graze Alisha in the process.]
no subject
[That could be a problem. Normally she'd feel confident dodging or deflecting any webs that came close to her, but she still didn't trust her ability to stand, and she wasn't armed or even carrying so much as a shield.]
[She turned to her side and saw one of the already captured bugs close by. Very close. As in, within arm's reach.]
[Before it could even react, she swung her arm outward and snagged hold of its exoskeleton, never more thankful for her gauntlets and gloves than now. The bug made an excellent shield as a few strands of the webbing drifted just a little too close. It wasn't picture perfect form by any stretch(in fact, it probably looked more like ungraceful flailing around), but it did the job.]
I think maybe we got all of them. At least, I hope we did.
no subject
[Kor emerges from his hiding spot and walks over to Alisha, wiping the sweat off his brow. That was way too close for comfort.]
I'd say that's a job well done, wouldn't you?
[He grins widely to her, offering her a hand up.]`
no subject
I don't think anyone would argue that point. And best of all, the maze is now safe for people to enjoy.
[She took his hand and pulled herself to her feet. Now standing, her legs felt mostly back to normal, though it took a few steps(and one near tumble) for her to get her balance.]
Your shooting was magnificent.
no subject
When she praises his shooting, a blush forms on his face.]
Heheh... You think so? It wasn't as amazing as that improvised bug shield of yours! I thought for sure you might get hit by the webs again, but you were two steps ahead of it!
no subject
[She flashed a sheepish grin.] While I'm best with my lance, I was trained to use any potential weapon I might find on the battlefield if necessary. I think it was more instinct than anything, though. We worked rather well as a team, if I may say so.
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Thanks! I've got a list of people I like to turn to for help with jobs, so I'm glad to have one more person I can add to that list now! [He meets her sheepish grin with one of his own.]
no subject
It would be my pleasure to assist you in any way I can. To be honest, it felt good to get out and help others in need. And the last thing I want to do is become a burden to anyone else. I just hope the next one doesn't involve bugs and webs.