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

aww ;;

[staredown]

[Abi has just enough room to twist out of the way. While he keeps one hand firm around Kija's wrist, the other reaches over and down to grab some other purchase, some of the fabric at his sash. Better weight distribution if he finds himself solely supporting him again.

At this point, Abi thinks Kija will be better served just by him preventing a fall-- having them both pull might put them against each other accidentally, so he tries to hook his legs around the other edge. If he can just keep Kija from tipping--]

Is it too slick for you, Hakuryuu? You're digging in quite deep, I can see that. If you're not in too much pain to start out, you should be able to pull, with me trying to support some of your weight.

[backstory]

[Concentrating a moment he shakes his head. No, he can do it. It just will take a moment. If his hand wasn't already white, the knuckles would strain so. Using his strength, he pulls himself up slowly, until he can awkwardly grasp onto the ledge with his other hand. With a grunt, he pulls himself up enough to lift one leg up onto the slick surface. And as he does so, he allows Abi to pull him the rest of the way up.

It's only until he is up and fully safe from falling over the ledge, that he allows himself to roll over and just lie there a moment. ]

. . . This is the second time I've almost fallen from such a height. [Maybe he doesn't have any luck with heights... how does Jae-Ha do it all the time?] Once more I saw nothing but multiple grannies...

[staredown]

Grannies.

[You must be delirious. Abi tries to use his hand to fan Kija's face. Do not break now, Hakuryuu. The danger has passed. You are safe here.]

You must need water. I don't know if you should drink it or just have it poured over your head to revitalize you, but you must need water.

1/2

[backstory]

I'm better! [He sits up almost immediately. Don't pour any on his head! He's fine. Just jealous over any and all who seem to be clean and dry and who have not fallen over the edge of the Island.]

More than that I would prefer a bath. [It's fine to excuse themselves now, right?]

2/2

[backstory]

Seiryuu-sama. [He turns and bows, chagrined but polite and sincere.] I apologize for the trouble. Thank you for catching me when you did. If you had not been there I would have certainly fallen.

[staredown]

Hakuryuu Kija.

[There's humility, which is a virtue, and there is something else, which Abi does not like to see.

Abi is prideful without being boastful or thinks he is and he is humble without bending the knee to his equals or thinks he is. A few generations removed, yet Kija stands at the princess' side exactly as his forefather did.

This little display probably wouldn't bother him so much from Guen -- except for being so out of character Abi might worry he was ill -- but Kija is so well-bred, so prim and proper, that while Abi can read his intent to be respectful, it still comes across as debasing himself, and Abi will not stand for that from a proud Dragon Warrior.]

If you will not lower yourself like that to Ouryuu, you're not going to do it to me. I will not suffer the insult of being addressed more respectfully than he is, or treated more respectfully than you treat yourself.

[Zeno probably won't take it as an insult, if Abi is being fair, but Abi would on his behalf. No one is allowed to insult the other Dragon Warriors except Abi thank you very much.]

But you are welcome. Please be more careful.

[backstory]

Ah--

[But he is... one of the originals. The original Seiryuu, bestowed with a gift by the gods themselves. And Zeno, is- well. Maybe he can understand what he means. Of course Kija feels his friend is worthy of all of the respect in the world. Even if his demeanor is hardly what one would expect of a dragon warrior.

. . . Perhaps it is a little ironic, too, that Zeno is simultaneously the least formal and yet formal within the group. He doesn't call them by name. Simply by their titles. As for the others, their names aren't used either.]

I apologize. [Once more.] I am used to being informal around Zeno as our comrade. [But he is also Abi's comrade, too.]

Do you prefer Seiryuu Abi. [Lifting his claw up to his chin thoughtfully.] Or perhaps Original Seiryuu? [That could have a nice ring to it? If he prefers his given name, he can use that too. Although it somehow feels disrespectful. Perhaps it is different with Zeno because they had no idea that he was the original to begin with.]

[staredown]

[That's... actually a good question. He has to think about it for a moment.

He hears his real name so little these days. He is used to being Seiryuu-sama to others, even though hearing it from another dragon feels wrong.]

Ouryuu likely encourages you to do that. It's his fault, not yours. [That much he's certain of.]

"Seiryuu Abi" is too long, I know that much. So is "Original Seiryuu."

[backstory]

[He looks a little uncertain then.]

Simpy Seiryuu, then? [But it's strange, since Shin-Ah is the Seiryuu from his own time.] Or would you prefer that I simply use your name? [But he's the honorable first Seiryuu...]

[Becoming a little more confident moving forward, he lifts his claw up to his chest.] You may call me Kija. It must be strange to call me Hakuryuu, when I am not the one you are most familiar with. My companions use my name as well. [Zeno aside.]

[staredown]

However you address Ouryuu and Ryokuryuu is fine.

[Abi looks uncertain, too. His eyes slip from Kija to somewhere far away, and back again. On the one hand, he thinks he might like to hear his name more often... sometimes "Seiryuu" feels a little impersonal. He isn't really a blue dragon god, after all; he just drank its blood and protects Hiryuu in its stead. On the other hand, would it reflect badly on the king if they all started being so casual, so unconscious of their rank? But he isn't sure that was ever important to any of them besides him, anyway.]

If you prefer to be called "Kija," I certainly will. I don't think it's fair for you to speak to me any differently than you do them. I'll ago along with whatever the consensus is.

[Corollary: Should he start calling Zeno and Shu-Ten by their names? Would they like that?]

[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.

[staredown]

[How did loud Guen's direct line end in such a genteel man? Abi is trying not to be more flattered than is his due.]

I probably haven't even done the things you're lauding me for yet.

[He brushes off Kija's praise because the alternative is to bask in it, and how unbecoming is that? But he is very young, especially compared to Shu-Ten now. He hasn't done many great things.

And Kija is kind. "Find most comfortable." What a terrible condition. He is the servant of a great king, a god who graces the mortal plane-- "most comfortable with" isn't something he puts much stock in to anymore, even though the king permits his dragons great familiarity. Other kings would probably behead him if he called them delusional the way he does Hiryuu.]

I still do not want to be differentiated from Ouryuu and Ryokuryuu. [And... almost no one calls him by his name anymore. Surely... surely he can allow himself that one luxury. After all, this is Guen's own blood descendant. Abi would be the most pretentious to demand a formal title from him.]

Very well. I will permit you the use of my given name-- and that alone.

[backstory]

[I-Informal once more. However, he respects that. And he can understand the reasoning behind it, too. Of course he would feel strange were Abi to refer to him with any sort of special title attached to his name.

And part of him is actually glad for this. It means that despite their differences in time, they are all brothers still.]

It is a strange thing, is it not? [It's not that he can read his thoughts. But like Kija, perhaps this situation is similar to what Abi might feel.] In my village, the only people to have used my name had been my parents. And that ended when I was four.

[A very long time ago. And even then, he could barely recall his mother. And as for his father, well, interaction had been scarce.]

The princess was the first one to call me by name in such a long time. It made me happy to hear her say it. And to hear it from the others, too. I am proud to be Hakuryuu. But I am still Kija as well.

[staredown]

[Abi can't even read minds, and he has the special eyes. Kija, how.]

Sometimes that kind of familiarity is inappropriate. [Grabbing some pride to prop himself up with.]

But I suppose, we like it because it's familiar. Who are you, if you aren't your own name?

[backstory]

Well- [He pauses in thought. Some of the green goop has rolled off him, but he's not completely clear. And of course lingering thoughts remain, even if they aren't at the forefront.]

Eventually we are the predecessor. [His father had been called 'Predecessor' after Kija's own birth.] But I prefer my name to that, I think.

[staredown]

[He hadn't expected that answer.]

I think I would, too. If I forget and use your title when it's uncalled for, you will correct me.

[backstory]

I am not offended either way. [However he calls him should be fine. He isn't a rude individual who uses such names as 'White Snake'. Sigh. He's given up arguing on that one though.]

Thank you, though. I am grateful.