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

Kija | Akatsuki no Yona

[backstory]

[Prompt B]

[With a sigh, Kija frowns unhappily as he stares at the task board. No, no.... bugs definitely no... There aren't any options he's overly content with. Blue eyes shift over the board seriously, a white, claw tipped hand, covered in scales holding his chin in thought.

Out of all the options there is one thing he'd be interested in. The street fights. They have him both intrigued and frowning. A test of strength from one man to another, a spar! Back in his village, he never had someone who he could go all out against. This would be a wonderful opportunity, and he'd be only too happy to compete with others. Only... apparently he isn't allowed.]

There should be sparing for all levels.

[What do they mean people born with a natural strength can't compete... ]

[Prompt E: Watch the ledges]

[There are a number of regrets in the moment. The goop in his hair from a slippery tumble down. Wearing his white robes that could easily become heavy with the weight of the disgusting and uncomfortable slime that has now made their way inside them, too. But even more than the first reasons, is his position now. The fact that he's now dangling over the edge, held only by another's hand.

Heart pounding like thunder within his ears, his claw grasps tight onto the arm that had thankfully reached down and grabbed hold of him before he could entirely tumble down toward the depths below. Now the trick is holding on without causing physical harm to the individual helping him. Flailing around, his opposite hand waves dramatically as he attempts to reach up with that, too]

Up, up, up, pull me up...!

[His life is flashing before his eyes in this very moment! Granny he's so sorry, this is not how a sacred dragon is supposed to go.]


[Prompt F: Skeletal Scientists]

[Maybe the mission isn't easy. But Kija doesn't find it overly difficult, either. While others might find the animated skeletons frightening, Kija has faced much worse. Even just that morning. The memory continues to haunt him, sending a shudder to visibly crawl down his spine. He had moved to put on his boots, when there, right in the middle of the left shoe had been a giant, hairy spider. He turns pale at the memory.

Hands lifting, he slaps his own cheeks. Focus. This is different! All he has to do is find the research.

When he hears a noise within the room ahead, he feels a small rush of excitement. Finally- an opportunity for him to use his claw again! Hand lifting, it expands many time's it's normal height. Lingering at the doorway, he listens a moment for the steady shuffling as it nears. Any second now. Just as it moves to step outside the room, Kija takes it by surprise. His claw flies forward, ready to strike!]

RAH-- [ But the cry cuts short.]

-!?

[Reeling he barely stops himself from sinking claws into actual flesh. Blue eyes grow wide in shocked surprise.]

Ah- [Another person.... ]

F!

[becomeashield]

[And the other person is a familiar face framed in unruly gold-blond hair.]

Eeeeeeh? Be careful, Hakuryuu, careful! If you hadn't stopped and it hadn't been Zeno, things could've been problematic~

[backstory]

Zeno--

[His hand falls. How hadn't he noticed him?]

You... I mistook you for one of the skeletons. [He frowns.] What were you doing? Have you found any of the research?

[becomeashield]

It's okay~

Nope! My usual strategy won't work against them.

E - you wanted both soooo let's start with this one

[supersunny]

[It just so happens that the one person who's managed to grab onto Kija's hand, is one individual who can fly. Literally. Supergirl (because of course she changed before responding to the request) has a tight grip on the man's hand - though both of them being covered in slime does not help and Kara wants to get him back on his feet as soon as possible.

The man's other hand is flailing about wildly which is causing him to slip out of her hold. Thankfully she has experience in this area and the strength to carry around the weight of someone much bigger than her.]

Calm down, sir! There's no need to panic, I'm not going to let you fall. [While Kija is panicking, Kara is completely calm - hoping to pass that sense of calm on to the man dangling off the island.

She reaches out her other hand, not needing it to keep herself anchored to the ground like any other individual might.] Give me your other hand.

Yes good. Kara is perfect and this is perfect.

[backstory]

[It's the sound of his rescuer's voice that captures Kija's attention long enough to pause his panicked swings. Head tilting back, blue eyes glance up to find a woman hovering above him mid-air. Gaze widening in surprise he can only stare a moment.

H...ow...?

Even Jae-Ha cannot legitimately fly through the air unsupported. He can leap to great heights, but that's incredibly different. There's nothing supporting her that Kija can see. She's entirely off the Island. Just as shocking is her ability to support his body weight. He's not nearly as heavy as Hak or Shin-Ah, but for a woman to support him-- he's not light.

The faint color in his cheeks fades with the shock when he can feel his grasp, still slick with slime, begin to slip. Fangs grit, he swings up with his opposite hand to reach for hers. Fingers curling tightly around her outstretched hand, he holds on as firmly as he can. Questions can come after they are safely upon the ground once more.]

I love Kara. She's fun to play!

[supersunny]

[If she didn't already know that the world was a new one, Kara would laugh at the surprise on Kija's face. Not to mention that he is still sort of dangling over an open sky and is slipping from her hold.

So she simply waits as he stares and apparently needs to get over the shock of the fact that she is, indeed flying.

Kara isn't worried about drifting away from the island they were currently lending a hand to clean up. It wouldn't be hard to get back to land there far away from the ledge to prevent any more accidents that would prevent this man from slipping off again. Really, she's most thankful for the fact that the sun on this world is yellow just like the one on Earth otherwise Kara wouldn't have been able to help the way she is.

When his cheeks flush, Kara has the sense to simply smile down at him - hopefully encouraging him while not sending him the wrong signal. That's right, take both of her hands. Once she has both, Kara has no trouble lifting him fully until he's no longer simply dangling, then wraps one her arms securely under his arms to prevent him from slipping from her grasp.]

There we go. [She moves back towards the island slowly, towards an area that's already been cleaned - flying them over the heads of other workers until they reach her intended target. Once Kija has solid ground beneath his feet, she lands next to him.] Safe back on the ground. You should be a little more careful next time, okay?

[Fixes him with a cheery smile.]

B~

[coagmentatio]

[They haven't known one another a super long time, but Aiden has already discovered that he really enjoys hanging out with Kija. They're not what he'd openly call "friends," but... Well, maybe they're getting there? Honestly, he has no clue how friendship works, so he's just going to let the younger man decide what he sees them as.

He folds his arms over his chest, head tilting to the side a bit as he releases a quiet hum-like sound. That's a good question, and he has to wonder if he'd be disqualified since he has what's supposedly called "supernatural" abilities? Well... Hm. Glancing at the slightly shorter man, he can only shrug one shoulder. One hand gestures at his own side as he sighs and casually tosses out his own suggestion.]

Well, if you really want someone to spar with... I guess we can find somewhere? [Actually, he has an even better idea:] Or, why not just start your own sparring group, Kija? I think even people with natural strength or supernatural abilities need the practice, too. Hell, I'm starting to feel a little rusty, myself.

[He rests one hand on his hip.] And... if you want, I could help you get it together.

[backstory]

[Since his arrival, while Kija hasn't been able to appreciate the fact that they've wound up in this strange land, or that the princess has been dragged here too, he doesn't dislike the company at least. Casting a glance over his shoulder, his blue eyes study Aiden for the moment, who stands just behind him to the side. While he isn't a dragon or an original member of the Happy Hungry Bunch, Kija has found it relatively easy to pass the time with Aiden.

Almost at once, it's clear his suggestion resonates with Kija. Straightening, he physically sparkles with enthusiastic excitement, lifting his clawed hand up.]

A spar would be a great idea! [SPAR HIM SPAR HIM]

And if we can find others that wish to practice their skills and spar that would be all the better. [Finally, something that can allow him to test the strength of others and keep his claw in shape, ah yeah!]

YOUR ICON'S KEYWORDS JUST KILLED ME..........................

[coagmentatio]

[To say that he's amused with this reaction (are those sparkles...) would be the understatement of the century.

He finds it impossible to stop the quiet laugh from slipping free. Even with his arms folded over his chest, he manages to lose what "coolness" he had within his demeanor; clearly, even he's excited by this entire idea. He grins just a bit, his clothes brightening in color.] Loser has to do one hundred push-ups with just their left arm!

[Yep. Left. The grin he's giving Kija is a knowing, but also a slightly teasing one.]

Hmmm... Should we make fliers to pass around to people? Or do you think word-of-mouth would be good enough until we figure out how many people might be interested? [He's already pulling out a tiny notepad to make a list of things.] I know someone who'd be really great as a referee. Though, the most important detail is where we could even host something like this...

F

[herpath]

[Yona holds her sword up to block. With both stopping short she blinks at the familiar face. Is it really Kija? After so many months she'd decided it best to not hope for anyone else from their world to come or come back, but here Kija was standing in front of her (never mind almost ripping her in two). She blinks at him, still standing mid-block.]

Kija?

[backstory]

[The shock of nearly striking an unintended target amplifies tenfold when he realizes just who he had almost hit to begin with. Frozen, he stares in dumbfounded shock for a moment as blue eyes take her in. The familiar red hair, and that clear, penetrating gaze, sincere but full of surprise in turn ]

Princess...?

[The princess! He had almost struck the princess. As though burned his claw tears backwards, shrinking back down to it's ordinary height and size. His stomach feels sick to realize he might have hurt her.]

Princess! When did you arrive here!? [Reaching out carefully and oh so gently, his hands fall to either side of her shoulders. He had possessed no idea up until now!] Are you all right? You are not hurt, are you? I am so sorry to have lifted my claw against you!

[SOMEONE PLEASE BURY HIM BENEATH THE GROUND AND END HIS LIFE NOW]

[herpath]

[Solid, that's what she thinks as Kija's hands rest on her shoulders. There's a solid weight there so Kija must really be there. It's a relief to know that and the sun pendant that hangs around her neck flashes brightly as she lowers her sword.]

I've been here a few months already; Zeno's here too. He's been here longer then me though.

[It's as if she's completely forgotten that he almost murdered her with his attack. She hasn't, but she also knows it was an accident. Kija would never hurt an ally.]

Ah, what's the last thing you remember from home?

B!

[festumkept]

[Kazuki is looking over the Task Board as well, as he has fallen into the habit of doing at least every few days. He holds a more steady job, but doesn't mind taking on a post now and again.

The comment has his attention upon the one task he's done before. The sight of the other's right hand doesn't seem to alarm him.]

Maybe. There have been some rather skilled contenders, though, anyway.

[backstory]

I do not doubt it.

[Not that he thinks they would be able to compete very well against his arm. It's not so much arrogance so much as confidence. It would be difficult for someone without some kind of highly skilled ability to counter it.]

The problem is that they would not allow me to compete to test that.

[festumkept]

[He can imagine that being the case, and yet he's curious regardless.]

What is your hand capable of. . .?

[That's it, right?]

E

[staredown]

Shut up, please, and I will.

[Of course Guen's descendant is as reckless as he is. Abi's got both hands gripped around the wrist with the sacred dragon hand, and absolutely no leverage to pull from. This is about the point where he laments not having gotten a physical strength boost from the Blue Dragon, but like hell he'll admit that out loud.]

This is a quandary. I need both hands to pull you up, but I also need to brace myself on something or we'll both fall.

[Calm. He stays calm.]

I hope you know how unbecoming a state we're in for Dragon Warriors.

ABI =O <3

[backstory]

[Right through the heart. It's worse hearing that from one of the original dragon warriors than it would perhaps be from someone else. Neither look refined with one danging from the edge of the Island, and everything else covered in slime.]

I-I will apologize to the dragon gods a hundred fold once I am back up.

[Just pull him back up. If this were reversed, and Abi were the one dangling right now it would have been much easier.]

Are you able to take a step back at all? [If he can manage to get a leg over the edge... but he's dangling too far for such a feat right now.]

<333 KIJA <333

[staredown]

Don't apologize to them, they aren't listening.

[Abi can feel sweat plastering his bangs to his forehead. My but you are a heavy sort, Kija.]

It is very slick here. And my balance is... precarious enough as it is. Perhaps if I could...

[His grip tightens so that Kija's skin would be white even if it there weren't any scales there. And slowly, ever-so-slowly, tries to lower himself to his knees.

The exertion seems to raise the surrounding temperature.]

F - I wasn't going to but then....

[akashingo]

[Thank you, he would rather not get hit by Hakuryuu's claw. Hiryuu has seen what kind of damage it is capable of doing against an enemy. As the claw stops short of actually connecting, the king smiles kindly.

Then proceeds to reach up and pat Kija's head as if saying "well done", however he doesn't voice what he approves of.]

That room is empty, no enemies to fight or research to be found.

[It's nice, getting to see the descendants of his dragons. Certainly Hiryuu never thought that he'd be able to witness such a thing - not in his lifespan. Of course he's also glad to get to see that these dragons admire his own reincarnated self. Yona is quite the lovely young lady and one worthy of having such fearsome strength behind her beliefs.]

We should move on to the next area. You're certain to find something to fight there.

[Hiryuu would lend a sword to the battle should it be needed, though Kija is clearly ready to fight any enemy they may come across.]

YES GOOD!!!!!

[backstory]

[Even when his hand lowers from patting his head and he turns away, Kija remains frozen to the spot. He just raised his claw to King Hiryuu. He almost struck the Red Dragon God with his claw. The horror only competes with the rush of warmth that spreads across his cheeks lightening fast, the air warming around him.

Apologies catch in his throat and his tongue is tied as the king turns around.]

I-- j-just now, King Hiryuu... [He didn't mean to almost strike him. Both blue eyes widen when he mentions their next destination and the area. Moving ahead of him he rushes forward and nods.]

Please allow me. I would not see you be harmed. [Did he come in here without one of them!? H-How reckless. (Coming from Kija)] I will protect you, so please stay behind me.

E

[originalryokuryuu]

[ He already sensed Hakuyuu's presence as he was leaving the room but he didn't expect to suddenly be faced by Hakuryuu's huge-ass claw. He jumps out of the way and sees a Hakuryuu that's not Guen tear the wall another one. ]

The hell, brat!?

[backstory]

[So it is one of the other dragons. Lifting a claw up to his chest, he smiles brightly. To think that he's getting to spend his time among the original dragons. He still has so many questions and things he would like to learn.]

Ryokuryuu Shu-Ten. I have come to lend you my aid. [The most helpful dragon, right?] Have you found anything yet?

E!

[ramblingly]

[There was no easy way to explain this situation, not at all. She was sure that not even her father or brother would fully be able to appreciate the intensity of this goop, the slickness of the ground underneath her heavy boots, and the young man who claimed he was a dragon holding desperately onto her hands as if she were her last lifeline.

...And, in fairness, she probably was.

Glasses annoyingly askew, Pidge grasped at that clawed hand with both of her's and wrapped her legs around the nearest anchor she could find-- be it a tree, a rock, whatever!]

I'm not letting go! [Pidge grumbled, setting her jaw in her frustration as she tried to find some leverage here.] But you're a lot heavier than you look!

[Whether that could be translated as an insult or not was up to debate, but the fact remained that the young man probably had at least a foot on her in height.]

Just...just don't break my hand, all right?! I won't forgive you if you do!

[backstory]

[To be fair, Kija can't imagine he's light. He doesn't look down upon the strength of a woman, but their builds are different. For her to support the weight of an adult man meant she had to already be strong. (He's not heavy, it's just... muscles weighs more than fat....!! Never mind that he possesses less muscle than his fellow dragons and Hak, minus Zeno.)]

I-- [Teeth grit, that demand is much more difficult of a challenge than he'd like to admit.] I will not...! [Excuse you he is a sacred dragon he can do this....! But actually trying to hold tight without breaking her is no easy task.] C-Can you pull up? [He's getting dizzy and sick to his stomach just thinking about the drop beneath him.]