TEST DRIVE: NOVEMBER

[empevents]

— TEST DRIVE: NOVEMBER —

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, October 25 and Applications (Canon | OC) open Tuesday, November 1st.
  
  
• OC Reminder! Just a quick reminder that original characters are 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 Boreas Harvest Festival is fast approaching, and the farmers are trying hard to work through the bleak weather conditions to get their crops in before they go bad from all the apathy. All hands on deck—but there may be too many unwanted hands roaming around.

1. Scarecrows. The scarecrows that have been set up as a festive reminder of the time of year have unfortunately come under the influence of some errant strong emotions from the farm hands that work in the fields. Unfortunately that includes trying to ward off anyone who enters the fields with pitchforks and is one of them carrying a torch? Maybe if they can be convinced that you are trustworthy they will calm down.
   
   
2. Invading rabbits. There are ton of rabbits ravaging the carrot patches. They're easily frightened, but some are more tenacious than others. Beware of the white rabbit with red eyes.
   
   
3. Save the crops! Several batches are already starting to spoil! The only thing that can save them is dumping as much positive emotions into them. Joy of good food, hope for a bountiful meal, love of eating—whatever will work. Just be careful. Too much and those things might grow and explode…

• Prompt E: Aiada, the Arehtei of appreciation and jealousy, has sent a personal request for those who are interested. There is a small island just beneath Empatheias that she has been cultivating over the many centuries. She wishes to contribute to the Harvest Festival with some seeds and spores. However, the recent atmosphere has also reached down there, and now it's all a mess! Giant mushrooms replaced the trees and there's slime and mold everywhere. The cure? Aside from getting a lot of heavy duty cleaners and pushing it off, appreciation will go a long way to help.

1. Goop brigade. Grab that bucket and shovel and clear the goop out! Just be careful not to have too much get on you—jealousy might take over.
   
   
2. Appreciation balls. To help hasten the effort, Aiada has given several tubs filled with light, green orbs. Once channeled with enough appreciation, they can be used as mini-grenades to help explode and wash the area with more positive energy. Those caught in the blast won't be harmed. If anything, they'll just be very thankful.
   
   
3. Watch the ledges. Careful, it's a fairly small island and the goop and slime has made things slick. If you fall… That's not a good way to go, let's just say that.

• Prompt F: Various parties are interested in the emotion shards scattered all over Thera. But this time around, the focus is on the medical laboratory as the equipment and potential research there is also of interest. For three days those who volunteer are sent back to try and gather as much as possible—but of course this won't be easy.

1. Skeletal Scientists. The remains of the scientists who once worked in these rooms are still lurking, ready to protect their work. Fortunately they're relatively weak nerds, so not too difficult to dispatch. Just be careful.
   
   
2. Flying equipment. The various medical equipment has also taken life, scalpels and needles flying everywhere and stethoscopes ready to strangle.
   
   
3. Questionable liquid. Most of the easy shards have already been taken, leaving the more difficult to retrieve ones left. In particular they're found in strange, dark pink liquid. It's mostly harmless—except that upon contact intense waves of grief and suffering will course through. The longer the exposure, the worse it is. So hopefully a bucket full of it doesn't fall on you…

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include feathers and/or confetti.

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

[boredalready]

[They're still bros. Honest. Just... ditch the pink. Embrace your new steampunk life. Lloyd's clothes fit right in, sadly. And considering all the things he knows that Zelos and the Meltokio natives find "Fashionable", that monstrosity Zelos is wearing is definitely the redhead's fault.

But, the change in the air is noticeable, considering the recent weather and Lloyd comes over the clap his friend on the back.]

As tempting as that is, I'm gonna have to pass. I've got work and a date with Colette to pass the time. I don't think that she'd appreciate it if I ditched her for...[he waves his gloved hands at the bikes and groupies] this.

Besides, wasn't it you that said there's nothing scarier than an angry girl?

Re: \o/

[boredalready]

They only get it if you yell at them and then you're just some big jerk in their minds.

[And, obviously this kid's new to this place.]

Well, treats are good. You could also bring in a dog. They don't seem to like those that much.

[Lloyd puts his head in his hand as he thinks.]

There's a guy here who's pretty good with animals. We've got mutual friends, but I think he's busy. Anyway, I overheard him telling someone that carrots aren't really all that good for rabbits. They need stuff like spinach or other greens. We could always try to find some of that and tempt them into cages and then take to the animal shelter.

Of course, we could always set 'em on fire too.

[alley_whoops]

[The old sweet talking trick has literally never worked. For some odd reason, people never seem to take him seriously. Weird, right?

Regardless, Datz has drawn his blade this time and while Dhurke might be focusing on disarming, he's not following his leader's- err- lead. Instead, he's trying to slash the scarecrow's clothes open. If he can just get all the stuffing to fall out, leaving them as sticks with tattered fabric on it, they'll be harmless, right? RIGHT?]

Hah... Can't win 'em all, can I?

[againstdespair]

[Munakata tilts his head for just a moment, having to remind himself about insurance. Insurance, a typical protection in a functional society, was not nearly as prevalent in a despair-torn world.]

Something to keep in mind, I suppose. [He almost hopes insurance companies are not a thing in this world, if simply because involving more people slows things down.] ...Considering we have been standing out here a few minutes and no one has stepped outside to scream at me, I assume they are not home.

[And now another question for the stranger.] Do you have a pen and paper? So I can leave a note.

np! i kinda messed up my formatting too for the top level lmao

[dyedsnow]

"Chisa" is fine.

[She decided to let that remark about rudeness slide, choosing to focus on the other's statements.]

I don't think I've heard of this "Cybertronian" race before, though. You're not making it up, are you?

[Though if it was what she thought it was based on the name, then maybe it wasn't fair of her to get mad at him for addressing her in that manner earlier.]

[dyedsnow]

Mmm, it's fine.

[She visibly calmed at his touch, shaking her head slowly in a reassuring gesture as she struggled to get herself under control once more.

...Or so it would look to others.]

I suppose it hasn't been easy for you either.

[Yukizome managed a feeble smile, still slightly choked up from all the crying.]

I'm guessing... you know. About how I got tainted with despair.

[There was something about Munakata's previous hesitation that told her so, and while she did not know what happened after she died, she did leave a little... surprise for the other, after all.]

[dyedsnow]

[Though Hinata could not see her, Yukizome smiled as well, genuinely thankful for the opportunity to see her beloved students again.]

Maybe we can meet in person some time? Pictures are nice and all, but I'd like to see for myself how much you've grown!

[ephemerous]

[There's just enough light to see a few skeletons scattered around the room, motionless. Some glass containers and other equipment appear to have been shattered in the scuffle, and Nahyuta is standing in the middle of it all, breathing hard with exertion. One of his sleeves is torn, but he's otherwise unharmed.

The voice is enough to stir him from his brief prayer for the departed, and he turns to Trucy.]

I am sorry to have kept you waiting, Miss Wright. Take care to tread carefully.

[Stepping on broken glass is the last thing either of them need right now, not to mention there's a weird substance leaking out of one of the containers. Best not to find out the hard way what that stuff is.]

[ephemerous]

[Probably not. But then, what is the existence of Phoenix and pals if not to get perpetually underpaid?]

I can try a warding sutra to force my way in and keep them at bay. That will give you time to slip inside unnoticed.

[This is either a decent idea or a terrible one, depending on how Maya's faith in the Holy Mother is feeling today. While he waits for her answer, he knocks down the third skeleton, which collapses in a heap on the other two. The skelepile is blocking the path of the rest at least enough to give them a few seconds' breathing room.]

[ephemerous]

[Once they're both in the next room, Nahyuta slams the door shut behind them, wedging a chair against the door handle to stop it from being forced open. It's not perfect, but it should give them enough time without anything getting the jump on them.

Then he looks around the room. It's empty of skeletons, except for one. It's lying motionless on the ground, empty eye sockets staring straight at them.]

...Hmm. We're not alone.

[dyedsnow]

[This time, Yukizome kept her smile plastered on her face, surprising even herself at how it did not waver.

Even as Junko told her to look up a certain event she had a hand in, decidedly not giving her the straight answer she wanted.

Even as Junko shot down the idea of brainwashing the other people on the island, even with the plentiful talents and new blood that Yukizome herself had seen around.

More so when she realized that she didn't really have a place in Junko's plans, considering the disparity between the other's words and the tragedy that was happening to their immediate environment.

It betrayed Junko's words and Yukizome's smile, and Aiada definitely won't be happy about this, but it was not like Yukizome cared about that anyway.

And sure, what Junko said made complete sense, but it didn't mean she had to be happy about it.]

But of course! I'll be sure to watch over you. Reaaaaal closely! So don't screw up either and make your teacher proud, OK?

[Still, she supposed there was no harm playing along even if it was all built on a lie. And strangely enough, it felt right just to say that.

Maybe if she were another person, she would have clung to every word Junko said and took them all at face value, hungrily lapping it all up. But Yukizome wasn't Mukuro, and had a brain of her own.

...Messed up as it was.

She did, however, make a mental note to read up on what happened with Peromei. If anything, it should be an interesting tale to entertain herself with while she figured out her role in this new mess, so to speak.

Junko wasn't the only one who can create her own despair, after all.]

[peacewithouttyranny]

[That's strange.]

You've never heard of us? That's not possible. Unless... [Soundwave is quiet for a few seconds.] Hm, it is entirely possible that you may come from a different version of Earth.[Different version of a planet. That's unheard of. He will have to look into this later.

In any case, he better explain what a cybertronian is.]

No, it is not something I made up. We,Cybertronians, are a race of sentient mechanical beings hailing from the planet Cybertron. An alien lifeform, if you will.

D-2

[lukeim_yurlin]

[Fortunately, it seems like Mega Man won't have to tackle this rabbit removal task on his own for much longer as suddenly...dogs. The excited barking can be heard before the animals actually appear, running around the side of the nearby barn with tails high and tongues lolling out of their mouths. There are three of them, all roughly medium sized and apparently raring and ready to go. Some of more skittish rabbits immediately take off as the cavalry arrives, the dogs not hesitating to pursue them and chase them out out toward the fields.]

[What is less obvious than the three enthusiastic canines is the presence that arrives with them, invisible to most human eyes. For those such as Mega Man, the newcomer is little more than a moving energy signature. One gloved hand steadying his top hat as he slows to a stop at the edge of the carrot patch, Dezel watches as the dogs and rabbits run about before calling out to his stray companions.]

Careful, you lot! Don't hurt those rabbits. Just chase them out!

[Aware that his voice will likely be unheard by the...machine?...nearby, the seraph accesses his amulet to make communication between them possible.]

Looked like you needed a hand... Figured my friends here could help handle things.

[justchords]

Your soul is fine! (apollo might not be khura'inst. hell, he knows next to nothing about the religion aside from the crash course he's gotten over the span of a couple trials. and he knows better than anyone that this isn't the sort of thing you can fix with words. it might not even help give nahyuta a bit of peace. but apollo will be damned if he doesn't at least try.

that's one thing he's learned over his years of seemingly impossible cases. he has to at least try. try to give someone a glimmer of hope, try to find the truth of the matter, try and do everything in his power to help.) You were in the ultimate no-win situation. If you refused, what would Ga'ran have done? She would've killed people, anyway, and even harmed your mother or Rayfa, or even worse. (if not for nahyuta, the rightful queen of khura'in might never have made it back to her throne. that's how apollo views it, and that will never change. nahyuta was protecting his kingdom in silent suffering for years.)

And if that Holy Mother doesn't understand that, then... then... (he stumbles over his words, trying to find a proper way to instill some level of confidence in his family.) I'll... I'll fight her in the Twilight Realm myself if I have to!

(somewhere in his mind, his grief bubbles back up at the thought that it should be dhurke. it should be dhurke trying to raise his son up again, to think better of himself after all that's happened. he wants to burst out into angry, grief stricken tears and just be weak for a moment longer. but he keeps himself tall and steady.)

[lukeim_yurlin]

[Dezel watches in silence, able to feel the positive emotions across the telepathic link. Nodding to himself, he takes another few steps around Pilouette, examining the grass as it ceases wilting and begins to take on a radiant green color once more.]

That's it... The grass around you is looking somewhat better now.

[Not one to let someone else do all the work, Dezel then turns his own focus toward thoughts of not just his favorite foods, but the process of making them. When it comes to positive emotions and being able to make good use of them, he's not typically the guy anyone would really want to turn to...unless food or animals are involved. Then he can actually manage.]

[And manage he does in the moment, focused on the thought of what his kitchen smells like with butter cookies baking in the oven. Of dipping madeleines in chocolate and drizzling strawberry topping over slices of cheesecake. Nearby, some of the sickly looking crops start to perk up again, their proper color returning.]

[unyieldingdragon]

[Datz's actions are only making the situation worse. Where there were only three, now there are two more, rallying to stop Datz from violently slashing into their scarecrow comrades.]

Datz! [They were completely ignoring Dhurke now, seeing Datz as more of a threat. Even if Datz manages to cut one down, it keeps on crawling after him, going for his legs. It was like something straight out of a horror film.] Quit giving them a reason to come after you!

[The humor in his voice was gone, realizing how serious this was getting. He's trying to pull some of them away from Datz, knocking them back with their own weapons.]

[ephemerous]

...Apollo. There is no need to vow such a thing.

[He says it quietly, wanting to avoid getting Apollo even more worked up. The old Nahyuta would have given him a verbal lashing for even thinking of threatening the Holy Mother, but in truth, he isn't angry; he has far more patience for his old friend than that. Really, he's both touched and somehow unsurprised he'd be willing to go to such lengths to protect him once again.

Still, perhaps he shouldn't have said anything, that substance and getting caught up in the moment making him go too far in confiding his own pain. He had, after all, borne it alone these long years, he could continue to do so. But now he has, he feels obligated to explain.]

The Holy Mother's forgiveness is infinite, even to the lowliest of sinners. But it must be earned through action, not taken as a given. So, too, would it would be an insult to those I harmed to never acknowledge my responsibility to them.

[It's not as simple as saying his actions were justified and leaving it at that. Nor is it just a worry about his ultimate fate in the afterlife -- which was never at the forefront of his mind, otherwise he would never have put himself through all that in the first place. He goes on--]

As regent, I cannot be unaccountable like my predecessor. Instead, I must be an example of change and repentance to the people of Khura'in, so that the wounds of the past may be healed.

[ribbonbon]

[At his words, she opens her eyes and look down at the grass around her. Seeing that she's managed to somewhat reverse the poor condition she had put it in, she smiles.]

Oh my God, I did it. Oh my God, like, I really really did it!

[Excited at her little accomplishment, Pilouette can't help but feel pretty pleased with herself. The grass begins recovering a bit faster, even growing just a little taller. It doesn't take a whole lot to sway her mood one way or the other. She notices the crops nearby becoming healthier and watches a bit awed. Since she's still at a distance from them, she figures it must be Dezel's work.]

Wow...! You must really know what you're doing with this kinda thing, huh?

Yessssss \o/

[porte_bonheur]

I could imagine! Wow... I've never actually talked to any surgeons before! It must be a lot of hard work.

[porte_bonheur]

[She's just finished tossing a scarecrow into another group of oncoming scarecrows when she notices how some of the scarecrows begin to advance on Gundam.]

Move out of the way!!

[Quickly, she throws her yo-yo, tying it around his middle so she could pull him over to her, just as the first scarecrow's pitchfork descends upon where the boy had been standing moments before.]

[unyieldingdragon]

Sure. [Though he says that with assurance, it seems to be lacking in his usual wit. His attention was on the door, the barricade was coming undone. It would only be a matter of time before-

Something suddenly grabs a hold of one of the sleeves to his jacket and pulls him back. Good thing he was near the cabinet table to stop himself from falling over entirely. The undead he had taken down were crawling beneath him, latching onto his shoes, grabbing onto whatever they could grab to keep him from following after Nahyuta.]

Um, I'll be with you shortly. [This won't take long, he hopes.]

whoops too late

[partyleader]

[The "It's good to see you," is instinctive but quickly dies before it even reaches her throat. She feels so conflicted. It's awful.

But, though she does it uncertainly, she accepts the bucket and shovel that's been offered to her.]

...Is there anything I should know before I start, or should I just use the shovel?

[Probably wasn't good, but Nanami didn't ask much before she arrived. Oh well.]

he needs people to not die, like that is his only standard at this point

[justchords]

(he would argue the fact that he only punched phoenix because he deserved it, and that even took him by surprise. anyone else, and he is a complete weenie in the face of a fight. he is glad trucy's paying attention to the monsters' behavior, at least, giving a nod in response.) So they'll only pay attention to us if we're examining things. It makes sense, we're probably seen as a threat to their territory.

(he personally doubts their abilities to do much else outside the realm of groan, have a desire for brains, and walk slowly yet terrifyingly toward their victims. maybe they'll be okay if they just power walk away from the creepies. but, in a weird way, talking about how they died makes him think of it like a case. something to focus on aside from dreading doom.) I don't know. Their bodies are too decomposed to be able to pinpoint if they'd been attacked or not. Something might have gone wrong in the lab that ultimately lead to their deaths.

(normally, he'd be quite concerned at trucy's ability to just keep weapons hidden like that, but right now, it's a welcome thing. he gives her a firm nod, and while still worried about the fight ahead of them, it's only a few. a deep calming breath before they burst in guns blazing.) I'm ready. We'll be fine.

A

[partyleader]

[Nanami is still pretty shaken after what she'd been through before her arrival, and seeing a box on fire and broken glass wasn't helping her nerves at all.

But now she knows enough about how things work here with emotions to know what's causing this. And maybe it's a bad idea, but she doesn't want anyone to get injured, so she approaches him.]

Hey, hey. You need to calm down. If you don't, your emotional reactions could hurt somebody.

B

[partyleader]

Oh! [Nanami catches her balance on the side of the wall] Sorry-

[And then she's blinking a lot at what's in front of her.]

Oh... Those are a lot of cats.

[Her fingers twitch a bit, barely noticeable. She doesn't know why, but... Nanami kind of wants to pet one of them. They're... really cute, though...]