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empatheias_ooc2016-10-18 02:34 pm
empevents) wrote in empatheias_ooc2016-10-18 02:34 pm
Entry tags:
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!
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include feathers and/or confetti.
• 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!
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[Most schools don't have kids learning how to bend the very fabric of reality with their minds while fighting each other with laser swords, but the concept is still roughly the same. The thought's enough to bring a much-needed smile to Qui-Gon's face.]
As for the other Jedi, I'm sure they'll be more than happy to teach you. I can personally vouch for Obi-Wan and, while I'm sure Luke may feel tentative at first, he'd have his own unique perspective that will prove valuable.
[He won't mention Kylo Ren because really, outside of the whole flirting with the Dark Side thing, the guy could use a heck of a lot more training, himself.]
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What would Kanan say?
He tries to picture his master, tries to picture him being here for this whole conversation, tries to guess what Kanan would think. It's not as easy as he would have thought. Once, maybe, he knows Kanan would have urged him to agree. Hadn't he told Ezra before that he wasn't sure how good a teacher he would be? That that was why he wanted to let Master Luminara teach him? But that was a year ago - a year that they've both spent learning, getting used to each other. A year for their bond as master and apprentice to grow. Would Kanan be so eager now to let anyone else train him?
Listen to the Force, Ezra. What does it say?
The words come in Kanan's voice, calm and clear as if he's there with him right now. Ezra closes his eyes, just trying to listen and feel. The Force is there, all around him, in the air, in the trees, in the ground. Even the withered grass at his feet still stirs with it, some of its color beginning to come back. He can feel it in himself, and in Qui-Gon, the man's presence a bright, warm beacon, solid and encouraging.
And he thinks, for a moment, he can feel a hand on his shoulder.
When he opens his eyes, he doesn't necessarily feel any more or less sure he got an answer. Is that the Force's way of telling him that this is his decision to make? Or is it just that he's not that good at understanding what it has to say? But either way, it's helped settle him enough that he feels like he can answer the first question he asked himself.
What does he want?
I want... knowledge.
Tentatively, he takes a breath.]
I think... Well, if you guys are willing, I could give it a shot?
[He's not going to say he'll try. No need to invite quotes about do or do not, in case Qui-Gon got the same lectures as Kanan.]
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[A gentle wind brushes them both.]
I am happy to hear it.
I could get in touch with both on your behalf if you’d like.
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[It's not that he's afraid to ask himself. It might just be better if Qui-Gon broaches the subject, making it less like Ezra's already gotten his hopes up. Which he hasn't. He knows better.
(He might have anyway, just a little, but watch him deny it to anyone who asks.)]
Let me know what they say, alright? Just... Make sure they don't feel like they have to say yes.
[The last thing he wants is someone feeling obligated to teach him anything. That way just leads to bad feelings.]
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Although something tells me they won't feel pressured.
[Not just because Ezra is a good and promising student, but because Qui-Gon has his ways of persuading other people even without using those infamous Jedi Mind Tricks. He doesn't expect to have to utilize any negotiation techniques, but it helps with the confidence in his tone.]
Now for our first lesson, let us find that brook for a relaxing round of meditation.
[...some of that confidence may have been swapped out for cheekiness with that one.]
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Figures. He should have known he wouldn't be getting out of this.
But even if he hadn't already agreed out of guilt, now he has his own promise, freshly made to Qui-Gon, to at least give being a student a try. He can't exactly try to get out of meditation now.
Dammit. He can't put a finger on how exactly Qui-Gon did it, but somehow he feels manipulated. This won't be the only lesson to include meditation. He's sure of it.
Still, he's not about to go back on his word. Grumbling under his breath, he starts forward again.]
Yes, Master Jinn.
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[Qui-Gon's smile never quite faded, and it reappears in all its glory once more.]
Come now, it isn't a punishment.
It's an... opportunity.
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Opportunity for what? To grow moss?
[That's meant to be sarcastic, but with a sudden, sinking feeling, Ezra realizes that while he's here in Empatheias, that might be literal.]
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[Because it's a sign of a meditation job well done! See? There's a silver lining in everything if you look hard enough!]
[He can hear the gentle trickle of water as they approach. Immediately, the air somehow feels... lighter around Qui-Gon. The flowers certainly seem livelier at the very least. Almost as if this small retreat holds genuine, some may even say innocent, sentimental value to the old Jedi, despite the refined way he carries himself.]
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That's not actually our goal, is it?
[The question is a little bit strained. Because he's not sure he can put it past Qui-Gon to say yes.]
Because if I can't even control my temper enough to break a rock, I'm not sure I can control any of my other emotions enough to do anything else.
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[He lowers himself onto a spongy, moss-covered rock and folds his legs beneath his body, back straight, and hands folded in his lap.]
And that is precisely what meditation will help with, young Padawan.
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Barely.
Maybe not entirely successful.
What has he gotten himself into here?
His own drop to the ground isn't quite as graceful, more the sulky, boneless maneuver that teenagers are all pretty good at doing. Nonetheless, once he's kneeling, he at least makes the effort to close his eyes and sit up.]
Are we meditating on anything specific? Or just...?
[He doesn't want to say emotional control in case Qui-Gon doesn't already have that idea.
(Yeah, he's pretty sure that's a fool's hope.)]
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This is just one of many sessions we'll be having, Ezra.
[So why not try and make it seem less torturous than it actually is?]
Why don't you choose the subject?
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Qui-Gon wasn't going to turn this into an object lesson focused on the mistake Ezra made?
Ezra hesitates, but... Well, if he's really being given the choice...]
Can we focus on home?
[He knows, he knows they're probably too far away to make any kind of contact, but can it really hurt to try?]
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The more narrow the topic one meditates on, the greater the results.
[Which is why you should only focus on one flaw at once. Otherwise, you'd be too frustrated with yourself...]
[...whiiiiich is something Qui-Gon should teach Ezra at one point or another.]
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I've tried that already, though. I've tried just focusing on Kanan, but all I get is nothing. At this point, I'll take whoever I can contact, so being open's a good thing, isn't it?
[There is, of course, a very glaring reason why Kanan might not be responding, but Ezra's doing his best not to think about that right now.]
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[How can he approach this...]
Meditation isn't usually employed as a means of contact between the living. That being the case, I sincerely doubt you will hear Kanan.
What about focusing on what you would say to him should he arrive?
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[Does he even want to ask? What if Qui-Gon says there isn't a way to reach across the galaxies? If there was, wouldn't he have already volunteered that information?
Ezra can feel himself deflating, especially once he remembers that Qui-Gon thinks that time's stopped back where they're from.]
I guess... I just. I already know what the first thing I'm going to ask him is. I'll ask him if he's alright.
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[It's much easier said than done, and Qui-Gon is well aware of that fact. That's why his tone remains gentle as he gazes at the rippling surface of the water in front of them.]
And if you cannot believe that, then quiet your mind. Listen to your instincts and what they tell you.
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It's hard to know what to believe sometimes. Everything's so different here.
[But alright, he's taking a breath now, and letting it slowly out. Release your emotions into the Force, Ezra... Kanan's voice whispers to him.
Stillness. He can do this.
Or at least he can fall silent enough that the only sounds to be heard are the wind in the grass and the water trickling through the stream.]
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[Qui-Gon takes a deep breath to start the process of calming his own mind.]
It's easy to fall prey to doubts based on its unfamiliarity. But remember, you have not changed, and neither have your instincts. We are still surrounded by the Force. We have not lost that connection.
[That's another deep breath he's taking, the fresh air invigorating his body and his mind with his newfound rhythm.]
Focus on what you know to be true.
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He draws in another breath and releases it again, unconsciously matching himself Qui-Gon's rhythm. In and out. Here and now. What does he know?
Not a whole lot, if he's honest. It never feels like he knows enough. But his instincts... His instincts have always guided him. Even before he knew what the Force was, he'd learned to listen to them. What are they telling him now?]
I think... I still feel like I'm connected to our home. Our galaxy. I can't sense it, but... it's still there?
[He hopes that makes sense. It's a hard feeling to describe.]
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As if it were far away on the horizon and visible to your eye, but just out of reach.
[He's encountered that feeling (and related frustration) as well, albeit with a bit more patience and understanding.]
But what's important to remember is that you know it is still there, regardless of whether or not you sense it.
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Yeah, that's it exactly! It's there, I know it is. I just can't prove it.
[He wants to crack his eye open to look at Qui-Gon, but resists.]
You feel it, too?
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[Just as surely as he feels Ezra's relief. Qui-Gon's always happy to be a source of such catharsis or at least to help another person reach it, so he can't help the slight twitch of his lips despite the subject matter. He can feel home, yes, but he knows what awaits him there. An eternity as one with the Force, although exciting in its own right, seemed to dull in comparison to the knowledge of what will happen; that he won't be there to help prevent it.]
Which is why I find it easier to focus on the here and now--on our current reality.
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