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

[romanticlove]

Me too. It must be very lonely, not having very much to do all day while others work. Unless you have a job?

[His head tilts a bit, trying to puzzle it out. She's awfully young, isn't she?]

Hmm. Well, maybe when I am done we can find cookies too. Would that be fun?

[Hopefully it wasn't too forward? He couldn't help but feel worried that he was being too persistent. Surely, to a child like her, a vampire might be frightening. He wished that he had Ai with him to smoothe this sort of thing over. It was strange trying to figure all of this out on his own when for so long it had always been himself and Ai.]

Oh- really? Don't other adults work? [He smiles amicably, knowing she means to refer to his status as a vampire. He thought vampires worked very hard, though it was mostly for their own affairs. His mother had been very hard working in that regard.]

[gardenboxed]

I don't have one yet. [She isn't sure where she would fit in well.] But if something pops up on that board and they don't mind my age, I might try that.

[She can't do some of the missions. But she could do something like chase away bunnies, probably. The invite widens her eyes however, and her cheeks flush. He wants to do something like that... with her?]

I... [Of course it would be fun.] I don't have very much money right now. But I...! If we get some right now, I can pay you back later. [Cookies... <3

Of course she can't help but to smile pleasantly at the prospect. Ren's a vampire, but he's never been scary around her. And she...

Well. She tries not to think of what she saw last back at home. Even the memory is enough to cause her smile to falter after a moment. At least until they move on.]

Oh-- [D...Did she just say something silly? She stumbles over a response, flustered.] I-It's just because Ren-san is... [A vampire.] is from a special heritage. [She's careful not to voice what he is aloud, of course.] Just like Kaname-sama. S-So I always thought that... it would only be important jobs. Like... CEOs. Or important business men.

[seasaltkeys]

Well, it's not like I'm completely alone.

I've made friends here.

[Being here for two years has to count for something.]

[romanticlove]

[Somehow it makes him feel just a slight bit unhappy being compared to Kaname. Granted, he was only just getting to know him, but he didn't want to imagine the impression he had on his mother even from such a young age. In his mind he'd built Kaname up to be someone who had crushed his mother's heart, sacrificing himself as he had. It had been for the good of others but where had that left his mother? And still she'd given up her life for him.

Unconsciously, while he thinks of a good answer, he plays with the chain around his neck that now held the strange trinket he had been given. ]

I'm not the same as Kaname-sama. I want to do things that help people like Yuuki-chan smile.

[Mostly, it was for his mother that he continued this charade. He wanted her to keep living the peaceful life his grandmother had given her.]

Besides. Kaname-sama isn't always nice, you know.

[He pulls a face, not caring if he's saying bad things and would most assuredly be punished if Ai ever got wind of it. ]

Though, I guess I'm not either if I can say things like that.

[He smiles a bit, though the light doesn't quite reach his eyes.]

[bloodyrose]

Just 'Zero' is fine.

[Because, for as much as they are (very much so) strangers, there's still that element of family, right? Or so he's feeling right now. Albeit he already knows that this will feel so incredibly off for likely a long while. Even if Ren were to be sent home again that doesn't mean Zero's memories of him would vanish as well. Although it would be even more so strange to be called by his (their?) last name.]

Sure. Just lead the way.

[As he already is.]

If anything, the task board can keep us busy.

[Which is true. Small talk, though. . . Zero has always been terrible at it. Even more so in this sort of situation.]

[gardenboxed]

[She's always expected Zero to disagree with her on a subject like this. But somehow, she feels surprise hearing it from Ren. For some reason, she had expected him to agree with her, and then to hear him say otherwise, she feels... somewhat defensive of him.

Brows knitting, she holds the boxes within her arms a little more tightly.]

That's not true. [Her heart pounds, saying something that she isn't sure she has the right to say. Will he get angry at her for it?] Kaname-sama is gentle and kind. [She smiles then, a gentle expression as some pleasant memory plays through her mind.] Even though I'm just... a plain girl [human] and there's nothing overly special about me, Kaname-sama saved my life. It's because of Kaname-sama that I'm alive. [Her entire existence today was only preserved because of what he did for her that snowy night in the snow.]

I would do anything for him.

[justchords]

(his expression shifts, losing a hint of that depressive state to something a little more sheepish. but not quite guilty.) Still... I should've had faith in him. Or at least tried to.

(rather than spending his life trying to forget his previous one. nahyuta's words hit close to his heart, at even the thought of being able to tell dhurke his feelings on the last fifteen years of his life. he's at least grateful he's cried all the tears he can today, he'd rather not lose face again.) You... you're really okay with me keeping it?

(apollo wouldn't lie, he still felt its proper place was with nahyuta. his son.)

[ephemerous]

[Nahyuta nods, firmly.] I am. You yourself reminded me it is the tie that binds us together as a family, even when I had almost given up on all Father taught us. It was you who cleared Father's name, and fulfilled his dream.

And... perhaps it is you who needs to keep a piece of our father close to you most of all. [In case he ever doubts Dhurke's love for him again, or anything that Apollo himself is capable of. If he ever misses his family, when he returns back to the States, and feels the kind of despair and loneliness he did before. The badge has come to represent far more to both of them now than its original intention alone, in endless ways that could help Apollo.

Nahyuta raises his hand in the clawed salute of the Defiant Dragons.]

A dragon never yields. Through this mark, the creed is a part of me forever. Let the Dragon's Eye serve you in the same way.

[backstory]

[It's frustrating nonetheless. Surely it's as he says. Along the way, things that were once important have been forgotten. How can they change that in the present, however? In his own village, such matters are handled carefully, and the stories continue to live on. However, is there any hope for the village of Seiryuu? Their hatred and mistrust run deep.

But some day, no matter how Kija doesn't want to think about it, a new Seiryuu will be born. By then perhaps Kija himself will no longer be around, or will be in a state where he cannot make much difference. But someone surely should help the next Seiryuu. And the next Ryokoryuu. It's important that their villages be educated to prevent the future generations from being hurt, too.

With those thoughts in mind, he frowns. The pumpkin beside him seems to have stalled with such heavy thoughts.]

My power is different from yours. [Clearly. There's no doubt that their methods of attack share little similarity. Unlike perhaps with Ryokoryuu. While different, it may be easier to relate in various ways.] I'm not sure if it's possible to help translate the ability to use it effectively and safely with words, or that it would do any good. [Lifting his claw up, he stares at his right hand.] I can only think of it in terms of having confidence in ones self and the desire to protect that which is important.

[He glances back up to Abi then.]

Is it similar?

[backstory]

Zeno is of course different.

[He says it without much thought, but then pauses. Then again, among them all- that is, within his own generation- Zeno is the only one to refer to them by their dragon names. He's never batted an eye at the use of his name, though. It's something to ponder over at the very least.]

I did think to ask Shu-Ten. [There's a small frown, brows furrowing.] He... has preferred less formality. [Despite how it feels strange to Kija to show such a lack of it toward him.]

Within my time, the legend of you and the other dragon warriors is great. It is revered within my village. I have always wondered what it would be like to have the honor of standing in the presence of one of the originals. [To live up to the legacy that they have left behind.] I have great respect and admiration for you all. [Sincerely, truthfully-- despite their sorry state in the moment.] You have each met the sacred dragon gods, and made the decision to take upon you their strength in order to devote your life to your king. It is no small matter. [It takes devotion, bravery and honor.]

It is in thanks to you and the other warriors that fought at your side, that we exist today as we do. [Lifting his hand up, it curls into a fist then, and he smiles while meeting the other's gaze.] I know that there are aspects to this great gift that are painful. But I am humbled and honored to bare the weight of it. And in appreciation to you and the others, I do not wish to be disrespectful. I owe you a debt of gratitude. [Even despite the nagging jealousy that seems to uncharacteristically tug at him in the moment. Somehow, the goop seems to be sliding off him, though, as he speaks.]

I would only speak to you in the manner you find most comfortable. Whether by title, or if you prefer your given name. For the others here, I simply use their names upon request or what seemed most natural.

[heartsome]

I'm sure you have! I mean, Sora and Riku told me about so many they met in so many different worlds. This place is almost like a whole lot of them together.

[Which is almost as good an opportunity, meeting so many people, making so many friends from so many different worlds, even if Kairi couldn't see them for herself the way the boys did.]

[justchords]

(his heart twists in the slightest wince of pain, reminded of the 15 year gap he was without a father. rayfa would be the one to understand him in this situation best, yet she was still able to grow with a father.

there's a wistful smile, flashing back to the brief period of time he was able to spend with his already then departed father. it still stung his heart, maybe it always would, that he was only thought of at the end, that he only had a few rushed days with his father. but nahyuta was right. they had his memory to honor, to help guide them. and in that sense, dhurke never quite left them. not as long as someone breathed life into his creed the way nahyuta does right now.) I'll treasure it. I promise.

(he won't lose dhurke's dream or ideals, certainly not after they've come this far. he stares down at his own hand, the right, without the bangle. maybe he should consider getting his other family on his right hand.) He'd be proud of you, you know. Pronouncing his creed like that.

[seasaltkeys]

There's definitely a lot of people, yeah. A lot of worlds I haven't even heard of either.

[ephemerous]

[Nahyuta clenches his fist shut, and holds it over his heart.] As I am proud to be his son.

[Even if being so has meant a life fraught with hardships, for both of them, because of Dhurke. There's no family he'd rather have, and it gave them everything they needed to save their country from suffering further.]

I hope that, even if it takes time, you will come to feel the same way. [Proud and happy, instead of hurt and grieving. He's sure that's how Dhurke would want to be remembered.]

Ezra Bridger | Star Wars Rebels

[lothrat]

A: Ezra, no

[He shouldn't. He really shouldn't. If Kanan was here, Ezra knows exactly what he'd say if he knew what Ezra was doing. But he can't quite resist the temptation either. After all, how useful could it be to make things crack just by getting angry? If he can figure out how to control the effects... Besides, it's not actually using the Dark Side of the Force since he's not using the Force at all.

Taking a breath, Ezra pushes the fascination away and scowls at the boulder he's picked out. It isn't hard to think of memories to help draw his anger out. The Empire, what they did to his parents, the Inquisitors that kept hunting him...

Something cracks beneath his feet and Ezra swears.]

Damn it!

[Wrong target again.]

D-2: Disney princeess

[It's not cheating if no one's told you if there are any rules. That's Ezra's justification for sitting down in the middle of the carrot patch, legs crossed and eyes closed, as he reaches out, trying to feel the life forms all around him. And hey, if it works, he doesn't see any reason why the farmer would complain. If the rabbits are gone, then they're gone, right?

It's going to be a trick, though, convincing this many animals to get up and leave their favorite source of food. It's going to take a lot of concentration on Ezra's part, and he may be so deeply submerged in the Force, focused on his task, that he fails to notice someone's approach.

Hey, give him a break. It's not like he's a master at this yet.

The real question is, what are you going to do when you find a teenage boy apparently meditating in the middle of a field?]

G: Glitter and mischief

[In a world where emotions can literally manifest visibly, you know what can be fun for a teenage boy with too much time and too little supervision?

Seeing if he can find ways to mimic that effect.

It's taking every bit of his Jedi training to stifle his amusement as he waits, perched in a tree, for someone to pass by underneath. He doesn't want his own emotions tipping anyone off, after all. Sure, it's possible someone might notice the glitter on the ground.

But honestly, who'd consider that interesting enough to note at all?]

Wildcard!

Hit me with your own!

[justchords]

(apollo hesitates, taking in the sight of nahyuta being so much like his father. he'd seen the pose enough times that he's almost positive he sees dhurke's image reflected in nahyuta at this very moment.

moments later, he repeats the motion, hand in a fist over his heart and a bright smile on his face. honoring their father who'd sacrificed so much, even his children, in order to promise them a brighter future.) I am. I'm proud I can say he's my father, too.

(that isn't to say the grudges he's held onto the past years have vanished. but they're certainly not as pronounced in his heart as they once were.)

[ephemerous]

[Apollo's bright grin, and so soon after he'd been distraught, is enough to melt Nahyuta's stoicism away into a smile of his own. He's relieved; maybe he's helped play a small part in quelling Apollo's anger towards Dhurke, even if it will never go away entirely.]

He would be glad to hear that. [As is Nahyuta, now that it might finally give Apollo some peace of mind.] I suppose we'd best be getting back; we've tarried long enough here, hm?

D-2 - Disney Princess Convention!

[hadthehighground]

[This is a sight that Obi-Wan wasn't expecting to come across. He had heard about the rabbit problem as well and came to check it out. What he finds is a child who seems to be meditating, surrounded by rabbits who seem to be paying attention to him.

See if Obi-Wan tried to meditate here, the rabbits wouldn't leave. Attracted by his calming presence. However, he could feel the Force at play here. Which made him all the more curious. So the Jedi quietly and carefully stepped over the rows of carrots and rabbits. Coming up right next to the boy and sitting himself down. Waiting patiently to see if the kid would notice him.]

[lothrat]

[Face screwed up in concentration, Ezra doesn't react to the older man's approach. Neither do the rabbits, other than a few twitches. It almost seems like they're focused on him just as much as he's focused on them.

You want to leave, he tries to push the thought into the Force, tries to communicate the thought to all of them. Obi-Wan might become an unintended victim, too, by virtue of proximity. It's not safe here.

Accompanying a thought is an image of a fyrnock. He's got no idea if these rabbits will even know what one is, but there's really no mistaking the threat of those savage teeth and deadly sharp claws. Several of the rabbits scatter all at once.]

[hadthehighground]

[Fortunately, those strong with the Force were immune to such mind tricks. Obi-Wan himself was a master of them. Thus he went unaffected, and quietly watched to see what the boy would do. He did see the image of the fyrnock though, and watched as many of the rabbits scattered in a panic.

Obi-Wan's brows lifted, certainly impressed with what he just witnessed.]

Well done, young one.

[staredown]

[He noticed, but he hadn't noticed. He cared, but he didn't care.

He accepts the hand mostly to be polite, but tries not to leverage himself against Yona too much.]

The resemblance is so striking, however. [Not just her appearance, but the way she makes him feel. Like he ought to be protecting her.]

I'm sure they will dry. They might smell, but at least they'll dry... but I don't want you to take a chill. You may have gotten the worst of it.

[lothrat]

[Might want to hold off on being too impressed just yet, Obi-Wan. Ezra startles with a yelp at the sudden voice right next to him, all concentration lost, and his head whips around so fast he almost loses his balance while sitting down.]

Wha- How'd you-? Where'd you come from?!

[The remaining rabbits bound away. So much for the connection he'd made.]

[hadthehighground]

[Well he can't expect one so young to be a master yet. So while the boy's surprise is comical, he's not entirely surprised. The Jedi just calmly remaining where he's seated, chuckling lightly.]

Where indeed. It seems you still have much to learn.

[Not really an answer, but certainly an accurate assessment.]

[lothrat]

[It's not an answer, and under other circumstances that dodging might rankle him, especially after being caught off guard, but there's something... Ezra frowns at a nagging sense of familiarity that comes as he really looks at the guy. Something about his face, or his voice...

It takes a moment for it to click. Uncertainty wars with a different kind of surprise, because there's no way. No way.]

Master... Kenobi?

[hadthehighground]

[Now this time he is surprised. He may be very well known among the Jedi of his time, but this young man didn't really look the part of a traditional Jedi. That certainly had him wondering.]

That's right. And you are?