empatheias_ooc | TEST DRIVE: NOVEMBER

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!mod,
*test drive

TEST DRIVE: NOVEMBER

— 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.

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.
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.
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.

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.
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.
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.

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.
Flying equipment. The various medical equipment has also taken life, scalpels and needles flying everywhere and stethoscopes ready to strangle.
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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Remaining alert and questioning the out of place is part of a functional survival instinct.

[Five Lords, Dezel. It's glitter, not a godsdamned bear trap.]

And I just got here. Fairly sure you were here ahead of me.

[A beat passes as he glances up again, looking directly in the kid's direction.]

Though I'm starting to think the more interesting part of this is how you can even see me at all...

Can't argue with that, though I have to question how much of a threat you think glitter is.

[He debates for a moment continuing the argument about whether or not Dezel might be the actual culprit behind the glitter. Before he can put it into actual thoughts, though, the stranger distracts him with something completely out of left field. Ezra stares at him like he's crazy, then drops the telepathic conversation in favor of voicing his incredulity out loud.]

Why wouldn't I see you? You're right there. You're not even trying to hide.

Cover yourself with it and then see how long it takes you to get rid of it all.

[Seriously. He was still finding glitter in his jacket pockets like two weeks after, even following multiple attempts to get rid of it all.]

[When Ezra switches over to using his real voice, Dezel does the same, almost completely certain now that he'll be audible.]

I don't usually need to, as how most humans can't perceive me. Makes me wonder how you can.

[There are three options, really, and any of them could be true in this case. Or as far as Dezel knows, anyway.]

[Ezra blinks.]

You're not human?

[Granted, there are plenty of humanoid races out there, so maybe he shouldn't be so surprised. Curious to take a better look now, Ezra drops down from his branch to the ground. His landing is balanced, heedless of the drop, though he looks a little bit scruffy from climbing and hiding in the tree, bits of bark and leaves clinging to his skin.

Up close, it's a lot more obvious that there's something different about Dezel, an almost... translucency to him.]

So, what are you, then?

[The question's a little bit rude, but Ezra's not necessarily the best with tact. But hey, he figures it's fair game since this guy brought it up first.]

Edited 2016-11-19 18:57 (UTC)

[As Ezra jumps down, Dezel reaches up with one hand to adjust his top hat, tipping it back a tad. He watches the youngster carefully, noting that Ezra had no trouble sticking the landing in the slightest. This one's got some strength and agility to him.]

A wind seraph. A kind of spirit.

[As if to drive the point home, the breeze kicks up briefly, swirling around Ezra to remove of the bits of bark and leaves from him.]

That you can see and hear me means at least one of three things... You're not actually human, or you are but we share an alignment with the same Arehtei. Or that you're spiritually resonant. Humans tend to lack the insight needed to see seraphim.

[Ezra stiffens at the very deliberate way that the wind picks the leaf litter from his skin. Being able to move things without touching them is a trait that very few people where he comes from have, and most of the ones Ezra's encountered have had nothing like good intentions.

And let's face it. He doesn't know this guy. He's got no reason to trust him.]

Well, I'm definitely human.

[That's not something all that hard to confirm, and so not much of a concession to admit. The rest, though, is going to be met with hard caution.]

How do you know which alignment you are?

[Reaching beneath his shirt from the collar area, Dezel draws out his amulet - shaped like a dagger and hanging on a thin golden chain. The amulet itself is a deep blood orange in color.]

The color of your amulet crystal is the indicator. Blood orange is the color of Elios, Arehtei of love and hate.

Though if you haven't been here long--[and Dezel guesses from the question about alignment that Ezra is relatively new]--your amulet might not have a definite color just yet.

[Ezra eyes the amulet for a moment, weighing his next action carefully. He can't think of a reason not to, though - not without raising even more suspicion - so he pulls his own amulet out from where he had it tucked in his shirt. The crystal's shaped like a snail shell - like the Jedi Temple on Lothal - and it's almost completely colorless. If there's even a hint of a color that might be periwinkle blue, it's so faint that it could just as easily be a trick of the light.

Dezel's right about him being really new.]

I don't think I have an alignment yet. Maybe it still works if I'm "neutral."

[Again, the breeze brushes over Ezra for a couple of seconds as he takes out his amulet. Though Dezel can see well enough with his eyes, he's come to depend on the wind to tell him what vision alone sometimes cannot. And as someone who values information, he's always on the lookout for more, taking in any details he can to help him analyze everything around him.]

I suppose that's possible, but likely doubtful. I've become visible to people over time here, but never faded out again. You're probably with Elios or you're resonant. Maybe both.

[There's a brief pause while Dezel considers the kid carefully, then:]

What's your name, anyway?

[That's not the Force. At least, he doesn't think that it is. It doesn't feel like it, but something about it still feels intentional, and that raises the hair on the back of Ezra's neck. He almost, almost tries to ward it off, but refrains at the last second. He's not sure he wants this guy knowing what he is.

But does he want him to know who he is? Ezra hesitates before answering the question. On the one hand, it's doubtful he has anything to do with Inquisitors or Sith, but on the other, he doesn't know that for sure.

In the end, he has to go with his gut.]

...I'm Ezra. What about you?

[In a way, the kid's hesitation to answer is admirable. It shows a degree of caution, something Dezel can actually respect just a little. ...though it does make the seraph wonder what Ezra's been through to instill that lesson in him.]

Dezel.

[Never the type for fancy introductions, this one.]

And I was looking for a place to eat the food I just bought, but looks like I'll be handling clean up ahead of that.

[Attention returning to the glitter on the ground (which can't possibly be good for the soil, plants, and possibly even domestic and wild animal life in the area) Dezel stirs up the air currents again, the wind sweeping the offending mess into a small, tight tornado. It then funnels the glitter into a waste bin a short distance away. Doubtful every speck has been handled, but better most than nothing as all.]

[Ezra doesn't quite manage a neutral expression as the last of the glitter disappears with a whirl into the garbage. So much for his glitter-bombing plans. But then, he suspects that's exactly why Dezel just swept it away. He clearly wasn't buying Ezra's protests of innocence.

I'm going to have to be careful around this guy.

Which means as much as he wants to be curious about that wind, he doesn't dare follow along with the Force. No telling what this guy might notice.]

Pretty neat trick. Can all wind seraphs do that?

[Or is there something unique about Dezel, too?]

With varying degrees of success depending on age and experience. Comes from being so deeply connected to the element.

[The glitter dealt with, Dezel walks to the tree trunk, pulling his knapsack off before taking a seat. Part of him doesn't want to stick around at all, maybe find somewhere else to relax and eat his food. At the same time, he's gotten somewhat used to dealing with teenage Otherworlders and has learned that it's in everyone's best interest to one, keep them out of trouble and two, make sure they're well educated on their situation if they're new.]

You hungry, kid?

[He half expects Ezra to continue being wary of him, maybe even worried the food he's got is drugged or worse.]

[Connected to the element... Dezel makes it sound like he's not just using the wind, but like it's part of him. Maybe like how the Force is a part of Ezra. Ezra files that bit of information away.

The question earns a level, slightly suspicious look. Living half his life on the streets has taught him a lot about the kinds of people who tend to offer kids food, and he doesn't know enough about this guy to guess which one he might be.

Still, with the number of times he's gone hungry before, it's hard to ignore an offer of free food either.]

Why? Are you offering?

Edited 2016-11-20 23:56 (UTC)

Wouldn't be asking if I wasn't.

[Opening his knapsack, Dezel pulls out two paper bags and opens them up. One of them is full of various kinds of cookies, the other containing four fairly large sweet rolls - two cinnamon and two caramel apple. Sure, it's definitely not the healthiest food, but Dezel's got something of a sweet tooth.]

Sit down and help yourself if you do. Just don't take more than half. It's a pain in the ass for me to buy food on my own here most of the time so I'd like to enjoy some of what I managed to get.

[The fact that he's offering Ezra his choice of the food goes a fair way to easing his suspicions. Would he really have drugged the whole lot of it, after all? Especially if he was intending to eat some of it, too?

Not that he might not be planning something else, but if his goal is to catch Ezra off guard while his hands are busy with a sticky roll, Ezra feels pretty confident he can teach this guy not to underestimate him.

So with every sense primed and focused on Dezel, Ezra sits down and reaches for the bag with the caramel apple rolls and pulls one out before handing the bag back. He doesn't take a bite, though, waiting for the seraph to go first.]

Why not get someone who can see you to help? Wouldn't that make it easier?

[Dezel gets his gloves off while Ezra sits down and decides what he wants from the bags, then selects one of the cinnamon rolls for himself. Pulling off an outer section of it, the seraph eats it before replying, the food vanishing into him despite the fact that he appears somewhat translucent.]

Sometimes I do, but I'm not always interested in having someone with me. Asking for help can be a pain, too. One of the perks of living with two humans, though... They can handle picking up groceries.

[Tearing off another piece, he makes quick work of it with his sharp teeth. Despite looking like a humanized sheep dog with shark teeth, however, he's not a messy a eater. If anything, he's being careful not to get crumbs everywhere.]

[The joy of fingerless gloves is that Ezra doesn't feel like he has to pull his off anytime he wants to eat. He just has to be careful to hold the roll only by his fingertips, but he probably would have done that anyway. Reassured (and fascinated, if he's honest, watching the food Dezel's eating literally seem to disappear), he finally risks biting into his roll.

Mmm. Okay, totally worth it now. Ezra doesn't answer for a moment, taking the time to slowly chew and savor that first bite. In an odd mirror, he's careful about not wasting crumbs either, though not because of any desire to be neat. It's just a habit born from frugality.]

That's good, at least. That you have people who'll help out that much. It must be hard getting jobs, though, if people can't see you.

[He tries to picture Dezel chasing rabbits with the wind and the farmer just standing there, having no clue what's going on. The image makes the corners of his mouth tug upward into a smile that he quickly hides back in his roll. He shouldn't laugh at what could be a real problem.]

Mn. I always require at least one trusted partner for every Task Board job I take. But being invisible to most people is what helped me land a job with the Enforcers.

[While not keeping an obvious eye on Ezra, Dezel is monitoring the kid through sound and the light breeze that's naturally keeping the air circulating. Meanwhile, he continues working his way through his cinnamon roll, thinking the stop off at the bakery well worth the time and trouble.]

What about you? Seems like you haven't been here long... Got a work situation figured out?

[Ezra shrugs, chewing and swallowing another bite.]

I've just been picking up odd jobs. I'm used to doing that.

[Did it for seven years and some-odd months on Lothal, then another year on the ship with the others - though working on the Ghost was a little bit different. He wasn't usually the one calling the shots.

Finishing off his roll, he takes the time to lick his fingers before eying the bag with the cookies. He still has to wonder what the catch here is, or if Dezel really is one of the altruistic types. Might as well take advantage while he's willing. He reaches into the sack to fish a couple out.]

The Enforcers... They're the ones in charge of keeping people in line, right?

[He's honestly been trying to avoid them. He doesn't have the greatest history with people like that.

If he's one of them...

His caution goes up a notch again.]

At least you're used to it. I've run into some kids here who have no idea how to look after themselves.

[Usually it's an issue of them not knowing how to cook for themselves or perhaps do laundry, but there is that rare case of a kid who's not used to working and isn't sure where to begin.]

Yeah. Dealing with thieves, kidnappers, drug dealers, murderers...whether locals or Otherworlders. Wasn't my first choice for a career, but it pays my share of the bills.

[Though the group has changed since he joined, it also used to provide him with in-depth information about happenings around the city. Moreso than if he'd not talked Lieutenant Fulbright into hiring him.]

[Finishing off his cinnamon rolls, Dezel allows himself a rare moment of questionable manners in licking the fingers on one hand before cleaning them further with a handkerchief from one jacket pocket.]

[Ezra considers that first remark warily, wondering how deeply he should read into it. If Dezel's angle is to make sure Ezra's got someone to look after him, he needs to end that train of thought here and now. The last thing he needs in this place is a babysitter.]

I can take care of myself.

[To emphasize that statement, he finishes his cookies, then pointedly doesn't reach for the bags of treats again. No need to give the seraph the impression that he's starving, unable to feed himself.

But this conversation is getting dangerous in other ways, too. Ezra doesn't fall into most of those criminal categories Dezel just listed off, but he's been a pickpocket and thief in the past. Hasn't had to resort to it in a while, outside of missions against the Empire, and the pettier instances have been discouraged ever since he joined the Ghost crew, but he can't promise himself he won't have to use those talents again.

That means he could very well end up at odds with a man like this.]

What did you used to do before?

[Just a little fishing before he cuts this short. Always a good idea to know as much as you can about the people you might have to deal with.]

[Deciding to save his other sweet roll for later, Dezel takes a couple of cookies from the other bag, biting into one before slipping down further against the tree trunk, free hand coming up to tip his hat a little lower. That will hide his eyes, but no matter. Sound, smell and the wind itself will keep him up to date on what's going on around him.]

Good. One less kid the rest of us have to keep up after.

[Not that Dezel has minded in some cases... He was giving cooking lessons to two teenagers. Well, he still is with one, but the other vanished a couple of months prior. Still, teenagers who can take care of themselves are at least somewhat less troublesome than those who can't. Mostly.]

I was with a mercenary guild for several years and, after that, a group of merchants. With humans at home who still believe seraphim exist, our relationship can be mutually beneficial. They pray to us and leave us offerings, and we ward off hellions and impure spiritual energy.

[Not a babysitter angle after all. Good. Ezra's just fine with that.

A mercenary, huh? He hums neutrally. That might not be a bad thing. Mercenaries tend to operate at least on the grayer side of the law - some more so than others. Dezel might or might not still be a stickler, but if he's willing to not look too closely into Ezra's "home life," then he might also be one of those types willing to be a little bit lenient with minor things. Not something he should count on, but still something to keep in mind.]

Impure spiritual energy? So it's not just wind that you use?

[Of course, Dezel isn't about to disclose everything about himself, either. He has his own closely guarded secrets. And these situations are always knowing how much information to divulge without crossing the line. After all, sometimes information can be more valuable than just about anything else.]

We call it "Malevolence." It has the power to turn humans, seraphim, animals and other things into hellions. Demons, if that term doesn't mean much to you.

[That second question... For Dezel, that's a difficult, dangerous one. Hn. He takes a moment to finish eating one cookie before answering.]

Seraphim by their nature are attuned to the various elements. But if we set up a blessed domain, that can help protect a certain area or group of people. It's common with seraphim that dwell in human built shrines.

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