empatheias_ooc | TEST DRIVE: DECEMBER

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!mod,
*test drive

TEST DRIVE: DECEMBER

— TEST DRIVE: DECEMBER—

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 Thursday, November 24 and Applications (Canon | OC) open Thursday, December 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 in full swing, but like its previous iterations, things aren’t exactly going as smoothly as they should.

Bouncing bounties. It seems the locals’ anticipation is affecting their products and grange displays—watch out for any excitable fruits and vegetables that might be jumping around! Or maybe you could help catch them and return them to their displays.
Giant pumpkin vines. Some children wanted a really big pumpkin and hoped and danced with all their might, but that led to not only making a huge pumpkin that's now rolling all over the field, but huge vines as well. But they're mischievous things, aiming not to hurt but just pull pranks, like drag people down or hold them up upside-down.
Smells like feet. It seems some people are rushing to ripen their products to their peak—which seems to be pushing them into overripe and even plain-out rotten territory. Not to mention the fact that if the larger vegetables are moved even slightly, they’ll explode and get slimy, gross veggie guts on everyone who’s around…

• Prompt E: A few intrepid jewelers are interested in the jaded water that can be found in the jungle below, so take a trip to the surface with your fellow Otherworlders while the excursion still has funds and check it out! Just be careful; the area’s rife with negativity and bad mojo, among other things…

Plants vs. Everything Else. The vines hanging around are ready to catch on people’s arms and legs, stopping them from continuing ahead… or from going home. This land seems to be mighty possessive after so long of being abandoned and doesn’t want anyone to leave, not again. There’s flowers and giant pitcher plants that’ll do the same thing too, with the latter definitely being more dangerous, seeing as they’re big enough to catch a whole human.
Pools of jade. After a few right turns, there’ll be a wide area of pools waterfalling into each other… or they would be, if they were moving. There’s shards from them scattered near the banks; picking them up will trigger a thought of something you’re jealous of, and if you turn around, chances are the jaded pools are going to be showing glimpses of that, too. If you’re pulled into them, the jade’ll start creeping up on you, so watch out and find something (or someone) to appreciate!

• Prompt F: Stuffed animals have always been popular around the island, especially since they usually respond and move to emotions. The dunamis users of Shaarnath and the perfomancy artists of Theastai would like to combine all three elements to put on a special "puppet" show. But they need volunteers and those willing to learn.

Make those furry butts wiggle! One of the greatest challenges is making the stuffed animals dance in a way that doesn't make them look like creepy possessed dolls. Perfomancy artists will suggest channeling fun, positive emotions and perhaps even try dancing yourself. It's more likely the stuff animal will mimic the movement.
Test of flight. There are a few bird plushies that are to fly around the stage. This can be more difficult to achieve and requires great concentration and a free spirit type personality to succeed. The loftier the hopes and dreamy thoughts one has, the higher they will go. But heavy thoughts will just keep the birds grounded.
Not the stuffing! On a less emotionally driven side, these little plushies will get worn from use. They may even limp and seem as if in pain. A bit of new stuffing, needlework, and perhaps a little kiss on the nose will make it feel better! ...And maybe make you look a little weird, but tender loving care, right?

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include thumbtacks and/or bowling balls.

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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Whatever keeps me occupied.

[His goals were on hold here, and if what he did ended up helping someone? So be it. Search for flutes, protect something being worked on, whatever it ended up being.

Metal talons scraped over stonework, avoiding the bit of tree that melded with the structure.]

[That sound was what he was looking for. Anything. Damn Reaper and his lack of heavy foot falls or something. He also knows he wouldn't have made a sound if he wasn't being open with his location. When Genji does find him, he stays in the dark, arms crossed and watchful, all lights off.]

[Though he speaks, and not through the amulet.]

Is that the trick? Keep you occupied?

I don't enjoy feeling restless.

[Well, he wasn't awfully surprised; don't always get what you want. Isn't hard to tell just where the ninja was either once he spoke, Reaper's head tilted in that direction.

Great.]

It isn't difficult to keep occupied here.

[He's at least keeping his distance and seems to not want to close that distance. His hand isn't at the ready either. He steps out, not lighting up, but out enough to be seen better. There are ways out and he's close to his own. He refuses to be trapped here. Much like he doubts the other will be one to be trapped.]

Is that what drives you back home? Boredom? [and a pause, before speaking with less of a dark tone.] I do not seek a fight with you at the moment. I was only... curious.

[The shadows around them both grow darker for a moment, a sharp chill in the air- Reaper's voice quick and sharp, almost taking that chill into it.] No.

[Yet, as soon as it's out there's a visible forced calm, head tilted and instead looking out towards the city. There was a good view from there as well. The tree of Memories a part of the clock tower and one of the highest points.

It was peaceful.]

... I'm not looking for a fight either. Believe it or not.

[He didn't flinch. Not that one could tell, but behind that face plate he winced. Genji Shimada, as much as you want to mouth off at the other, now really wasn't the time.]

[He lifted his head, watching the shadows darken and lift a bit more once again. He stayed calm though, not at all letting that bother him.]

I do believe it. For now. I like to think you have some form of honor to you. A truce should never be broken.

I'll defend myself if attacked. [Spoken as if he had, because no doubt it would come up somewhere. An incident with McCree throwing a punch at him, and of course the cowboy didn't count himself amongst Overwatch and said it didn't cover him.

Stubborn punk still.]

I don't plan on breaking it. [It was more beneficial to keep it, and not because he was outnumbered.]

[Somewhere inside he wouldn't have minded seeing McCree punch him. Then again he was pretty sure he shouldn't be pleased with that idea. Of anyone punching anyone.]

[That was beside his own mental points.]

[His arms crossed, but he wasn't moving for weapons or advancing, so... no he wasn't planning on attacking the other.]

I can respect that and will respect it. At least until we are home again.

[No one needed to see a grown man crackling with electricity get emotional over a dead man. No one.]

If you keep a habit of coming up high at night you may find yourself coming across me often enough. [A warning? Who knows, but Reaper didn't seem interested in acknowledging the break of a truce once out of this world.

It was only natural. He would go back to what he was doing, his mission, once he could.

IF what was said was true, there'd be no memory of it anyway.]

Was that a warning against it, or are you looking forward to seeing me again?

[There is an almost smug grin under that face plate and it only shows in the tone of his voice.]

Or just having company again in your world high above?

Whichever you'd rather it be, it isn't as if you have to listen to me. Let alone take anything I've said as truth.

[This was almost funny, he still remembered the ball of anger.]

What I said about the amulets is true, however.

[He's taken a new path now. One that leads him to places that show forgiveness and are fueled less by anger and more by thoughtfulness and understanding. Thank you Master.]

[Which isn't to say he doesn't have a temper to him still, but he's much more flexible to that now.]

You have no reason to lie, at the moment, that I know of. I would like to think I can take most of what you have said as the truth. I will not blindly trust it all, of course, but I will take it with caution and interest.

[He said, moving now, slowly, as if testing steps, and coming closer, but only close enough to cross over and look out at the view the other was getting, from the other side of the room, basically.]

I might have to come up top more, however. The view is good. Take that as warning or a heads up.

[The shadows clung more around Reaper, still dark, but there was less of a chill in the air that wasn't due to the season and night. Remaining where he'd planted himself.]

Never blindly trust what anyone tells you, especially not here. They hide details, or simply gloss over them. [Spoken like he was more irritated about details being hidden than anything else.

His head tilted.]

Irritating as the place can be, the views are nice. The thriving cities below aren't bad, either.

[He only noticed the cold in small ways. Generally he's always cold though, so it didn't seem to bother him. He instead planted himself near but not close, peeking outside. The sun had set and the sky was darkening. It was interesting, knowing this was a floating island. It made him wonder if the land below had sun on it still or not.]

What details are they hiding here? [He glanced over at the other, head tilted as if he raised a brow, questioning. Come on Reaper. If you're just going to stand there and be dark and mysterious you can at least be helpful.] I have heard some things, but not a lot.

And when you say they, I take it you mean more then the cities below.

The information that can be found was written by Otherworlders, other people dragged here. They are the ones who leave out details. [Along with some people native to this place, but that was an entirely different matter-] There is a creature here also known as the Reaper. Capable of taking away an emotion, or leaving someone permanently crippled in some way.

There is only a brief mentioning of it, and says nothing of that. [Comes after those who kill was vague. He didn't like it.]

The method of execution is crushing of a person's crystal, and they're willing to use it on Otherworlders. [A slow and torturous death.] Perhaps not important to some, as if it wouldn't matter.

[He turns to watch the other as he speaks.] So we are the problem. [We as in Otherworlders. But then the creature was mentioned. The Reaper. He held back a snort at that, as this sounded serious, but that has to be annoying for the Talon.]

That is rather vague. Would it not be easier to speak with the locals instead of the Otherwolders about this? And what do they consider to be execution worthy? Taking a life so simply is... taxing for most people.

[His hand goes around the crystal tied around his neck. He will need to find a better way to protect it. It's a small dragon wrapped around a ~~possibly~~ green crystal.]

[Metal talons lightly drummed against an arm.] Those who live here know less than what we do, so I've heard. A lost history to war, why the world below is like it is.

[Honestly? When he heard there was some morbid amusement. They way it was described to him reminded Reaper of, well... himself. Somewhat.] Murder. As far as I know, at least. Takes some doing to crush a crystal as well.

[Reaper's own amulet was hidden under his armor.]

Heard about the Arehtei?

[How does one lose that much history yet some new people from another world learn of it? That doesn't seem to fit well. Hmm. He skips most of that to ask:] Did you try crushing your crystal to discover that?

[Of course he would be amused by the name. He wondered how locals reacted when he introduced himself to others. There was a image in his head of the man bowing formally and saying "Hi! My name is Reaper!" And two simply dressed locals jumping and screaming and running away. He had to smile to himself at that image. Yes. That seemed fitting. Huh? Oh, a question.]

Twelve or so beings that the locals seem to celebrate. Gods perhaps?

No. They've a special device for doing it, and I'm not foolish enough to test things like that on myself, or at all. [Well that was... a weirdly amused tone. Wow.

Surprisingly? They were fine with him once they got used to him. There was a nice older woman that babysat his cat whenever he went off somewhere- or Ana did.]

Six, each of the 'represent' two aspects and everything in between. A few attacked the people here when they first appeared, heavily influenced by the negative.

[How's the weather? Oh, the flaming bird is consumed with hate and the angry flying whale tried to kill everyone.]

That is good to know. I would be quite upset if I dropped it and it broke. [But no, in all seriousness, this was all good to hear. And at least a good start for his own research, to see how much Reaper was being truthful. It will be refreshing, in a strange way, to find out he was very honest with him.]

[Also, Reaper has a cat. Some how that wouldn't really surprise him if he found it out.]

So... they are real? Have you seen one yet?

They're a bit tougher than that, Shimada. [Which was one good thing about having to wear them at all.

Reaper leaned against the wall nearest him, arms remaining folded, shadows curling around his boots. There was no reason to be dishonest here.]

I've seen one, Daimonia. Joy and Sorrow. She is one of two of them that still have people on the planet below. A city that survived the war.

[He didn't honestly think a drop would break it, but he did climb to the highest heights when he could, so you never know.]

[He moved to lean on the wall as well, where he was, arms folded and head tilted into the wall, watching the other man still instead of the world beyond.]

If there are still people below, would they not go and get them and bring them here? Or send help from here to below?

[There was a laugh, not exaggerated just.. soft and amused, wheezed as it may have been.]

Their cities are protected. We can actually visit them, I have. There is travel and commerce between those two cities and Verens here. [Who allowed Reaper to travel the cities on the planets surface?

Everyone. Apparently.]

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TEST DRIVE: DECEMBER

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