TEST DRIVE: DECEMBER

[empevents]

— 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.

1. 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.
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. 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…

1. 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.
   
   
2. 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.

1. 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.
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. 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!

Comments

[la_sombra]

[Hell of a story, even if her base impulse was to roll her eyes. If it weren't for her standing with him in this low tech nightmare of a landscape, she'd say some virus was wreaking havoc on her brain. Magic, floating islands, crystals - it's like some fairy tale in the books they gave her a lifetime ago.]

Mierda. Hell of a place to get stuck in.

[Sombra reaches under her jacket at the hip, strokes the crystal she's left tied at her waist. Old habit from childhood, keeping flashy things as close to the skin as she can get them.]

So I guess first things first - best place in the city for ac-CCK.

[She buckles suddenly mid step, something striking her in the back of her knee. However, she wouldn't have made it if she didn't have good reflexes - not as Los Muertos and certainly not part of Talon. Her pistol is out and aimed at the would be attacker.

It's one of the damn vines again and from this distance, a pumpkin that is almost taller than she is. She can't quite help the drop of her expression, disbelief nearly palpable on the air.]

En serio?

[Halfheartedly kicking at the vine, she holsters her gun and gives Reaper a look, as if to challenge whatever disparaging little comment he has ready for her over-reaction. There's another whine of static, quieter and quicker.]

Not. A. Word.

[gr1m]

All the more reason to dig up as much information as possible. [Keep a few steps ahead of anymore who associated themselves with Overwatch, those already there. Be prepared, not trusting the truce very much even now. Best not to, never be caught unaware by any of them.

Not again.

His head tilted just to watch Sombra from the very edge of his vision and just glance over his shoulder for a moment with what was damned likely to be a flat look even under that mask. Looked like those things were still effected then.

One hand held up, and the least Reaper could do was keep amusement out of his voice. So well practiced in that dry tone.]

Could always make a pumpkin pie later.

[la_sombra]

Cállate, you.

[It's petulant, but her mood passes quickly - there's so much to start working on that it's hard to stay pissy. Getting a secure setup was priority, somewhere she could work in relative safety and away from OW and Reaper. Investigating the teams working on the crystals, finding official and black markets (or whatever passed for either, here). Nothing like a challenge get the brain really working.]

So like I was saying, first, I need to know places for acquisitions - markets, some guy. Anybody who can handle something a little more delicado too.

[Broad business mentioned first, as always, before jumping into less pleasant details.]

We got a number of how many from the watch are here? How many are priority?

[gr1m]

[He let it pass without another word, mask hiding anything well enough.]

I know of a few places, people. When we're not walking outside in broad daylight I'll tell you where.

[There were blackmarkets, Reaper had acquainted himself with quite a few names and had been haunting the slums to set up his own places and... well. Maybe there were a few people there who knew not to mess with him.

Didn't hurt he apparently had some vague resemblance to another Reaper of this place with how he moved. Intimidation without trying.]

Currently? Amari and Morrison are here, McCree as well. Priority clear.

[Morrison was already violent and more provoking in such a small place. Amari was on his side.

... McCree was complicated.]

[la_sombra]

Tch. Relajate, it's not like you've been busy enough to start that much trouble.

[Although she promptly changed her tune when Amari and Morrison were mentioned. McCree being clear didn't surprise her, not after that file. She eyed Reaper, with a surprising coolness once he noted them being clear.]

Something happen for those two to get clear, or is it a temporary provision?

[gr1m]

Most just believe me to be an old soldier that dresses dramatically.

[They weren't wrong, but they weren't completely right either. Not like Reaper was going to correct any of them.

He did snort, even if it turned into something of a low and irritated sound.]

Truce. Morrison is the only real worry. He's been trying to provoke severance of it. Amari won't start trouble.

[la_sombra]

Little on the money, Jefe.

[She couldn't help but snicker at that assessment, sobering a bit at the details of the clear. Of the two, the hacker didn't seem shocked at all that of the two, Morrison was the problem. Everything she'd known of the former leader of Overwatch pointed to him being kind of a pendejo - them and cabrons didn't mix at all.

So one problem, one complication and a smart soldier. Check on Amari first, then, since she had the most sense.]

So he tryin' to get attacked or "provoke" like sin testigo no tregua?

[One of those options would make Morrison far stupider than she would like to have to account for. Back home, almost no one knew of her association with Talon - here handling Morrison herself could be an option that wouldn't necessarily hurt if they played it right afterwards.]

Worst case is?

[gr1m]

[They weren't wrong, but he knew damned well just how dramatic it looked. It worked for him, played it up when he needed to.

Shoulders rolled a little, the frost finally more or less no longer there under each step, shadows clinging more closely to him. Something settling for the time being.]

Trying to get attacked, start a fight with me. History aside, I've been the only person here with any involvement with Talon, he's paranoid.

[Sombra knew who he was, and in the long run pretending she didn't between the two of them would do neither of them any good.]

He makes himself a bigger problem, Amari following along. Killing them wouldn't solve it, just cause more problems.

[la_sombra]

[Oh good, Morrison kept his old goody-goody habits. One target, minimal collateral - basically the best thing she could have asked for.]

I could run under my old Colors. Might piss him off a little at first, but it could be worth splitting his focus.

[She tenses as Reaper very nearly reads her mind, sure there are no new plans under the sun but Sombra often likes to be a little less predictable than that.]

Ay. No soy la araña., rather have a friend than a kill any day.

[gr1m]

That? Would be entertaining. Makes a habit of busting them up. Might figure it out eventually we share an employer.

[... Well, someone has been finding various ways to get his kicks, apparently. Can't kill Morrison, might as well get some form of entertainment out of tormenting him.

He was owed something.]

People like us, from other worlds, don't stay dead here. Still experience it, remember it. So I've heard. [As much of a warning that didn't seem like a warning he could give. Don't get in over your head..] Not worth that headache.

[la_sombra]

He might bust them up, but he's got to catch me. And he probably will, but until then it might be good to draw the heat off of you.

[Shrugging, she considered the options. Doubling down on Talon's presence visibly had it's own set of pros and cons, but if Los Muertos could get a hold on more ground level ops, maybe recruit folks - a longer game sure, but might be more profitable. Easier to have an ear to the ground with a literal gang.

The revelation of death in this place gave Sombra pause, likely the longest that he'd ever seen her take. She wasn't squeamish, but it sounded far too close to what he likely had to deal with for her liking.]

Mierda, you can say that again.

[gr1m]

Get a few more connections, another way to pull in funds. We're on no one's payroll here.

[More or less saying it could be a good idea, even if it could go wrong in multiple ways. They were limited here, also in multiple ways that at least could be worked with. He'd worked with far less before, had already been since his time here.

Multiple safe-houses, a few stocked with various things, were good to have in case of an emergency after all.]

Not worth it. [Hey-] A reason the truce with whatever parts of Overwatch show up is beneficial.

[la_sombra]

Got it. I'll get some footwork started.

[It was as much of a clear as she was going to get. She often deferred to him for field work, considering his experience, but she appreciated that he at least tried to treat her like an equal.

So fundraising and research, heavy priority. Simple enough for a baseline objective.]

And I'll play nice with the Watch that shows up, don't worry.