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

[promisetokeep]

[He'd already met pretty interesting girls back in Gotham. One, in particular came to mind...because of course she did...but, yeah, it was fairly safe to say that this girl here was absolutely nothing like her.]

I certainly hope not. I'm not sure I would wish this kind of power on anyone.

We can...turn this off, right? After we've finished talking, of course.

[Uneasy as he was about he whole thing, he still didn't want to be rude.]

[meowbel]

That's a good question, how do we turn it off? Maybe if we think about it, it'll just turn off by itself! It's worth a shot!

[Not that she really wants it to be turned off but....]

[promisetokeep]

I'm not so sure about that. I've been trying, and I can still hear you.

[Although, a moment later, he added:]

...forgive me. I didn't mean to come off as rude. You're trying to help, and I should be more grateful for that.

[meowbel]

Nah, you're not rude! I mean, it would be kind of weird to hear voices all mushed up together in your head when you're not use to it!

Seems like a tough thing for all heroes to go through, doesn't it?

[promisetokeep]

That's very kind of you to say, but I insist I'm...not much of a hero.

[Despite his best (if not always 100% noble) intentions.)

[meowbel]

[Well, that came out of nowhere. With that, she couldn't help but raise an eyebrow or two]

Oh c'mon, I'm pretty sure you are! Maybe not a superhero but there's still lots of other stuff you can do! Like rescuing a kitten from a tree or something!

That's always a crowd favorite!

[promisetokeep]

[Interestingly enough...it was a chuckle she got out of him next.]

I haven't had much chance to yet. If anything, she's the one who keeps rescuing me.

[meowbel]

She, eh? Care to tell me exactly who this 'she' is?

[Bruce, what have you done???]

[promisetokeep]

[The same thing he'd been trying to do for a while. Be completely honest.]

Someone I care for very much. And I wasn't kidding before. She's literally been the one to rescue me almost every time.

We live in a dangerous city.

[meowbel]

Oooooohhhh, I see where this is going at! Just the two of you, all alone in a world filled with monsters and other dangerous things that lurk just around the corner!

Only the both of you can save each other! ....Or else!

[MABEL...!]

[promisetokeep]

[Actually...she wasn't that far off. Believe it or not.]

Not alone. Not completely. Alfred was with us. And...then her mom showed up.

[meowbel]

How romantic! I guess that must mean she's ready to ask you the big question, eh? But did she? Did she, did she, did she?!

[MABEL...!]

[promisetokeep]

[...]

[...okay, now she was far off. Way far off. In fact, Bruce was pretty sure they were talking about two completely different things now.]

What question?

[He wasn't trying to play innocent or cool. He legitimately had no idea what she meant.]

[meowbel]

Asking Alfred if you could be her boyfriend! What else could it be?

[Obviously! A girl doesn't let her mother go see their not really but might as well father figure without some kind of meaning behind it!]

[promisetokeep]

[Interestingly enough...it was actually a little late for that. Or would have been. If Selina wasn't so stubborn. But then, that was one of the many things he liked so much about her.]

She would never ask Alfred something like that. Trust me.

[meowbel]

[When he said that, there was slight hint of disappointment from her. However, that wasn't enough to turn that smile upside down! Instead?]

Oh really? And what makes you say that?

[HMMMMMMMMM, SHE COULDN'T HELP BUT WONDER...!]

[promisetokeep]

Because she still makes a face whenever I so much as say the word "girlfriend"

[Though that doesn't stop him from teasing her about it. Sometimes. When he knows he'll be able to get away with it.]

She said she wants to be just "us".

[meowbel]

I KNEW IT! YOU LOVE HER, DON'T YOU?! I can so hear it from you!

[And Bruce better run while he can. When the topic of love pops up, there's not escaping the clutches of Mabel Pines!]

[promisetokeep]

[THAT WAS...QUITE LOUD. AND BLATANT.]

[She wouldn't be able to see, but on his end, Bruce...stiffened. It wasn't the first time the subject had come up, but it was definitely the first time someone had ever put it in those exact words.]

I...like her. A lot. I've told her as much before.

[meowbel]

[WHEN IT COMES TO LOVE, MABEL KNOWS NO BOUNDS!!

Either way, there was a pause on her end before she responded]

Oh, wait, let me guess! It's a one sided love isn't it?

[How she knows that feeling so well]

[promisetokeep]

[A pause on his end as well followed, before he tentatively replied:]

More like...one and a half.

[Did that even make sense? It was the best way he could describe it; he knew for a *fact* that Selina felt something for him. He was both confident and convinced. The problem was that she was still so reluctant to come out and say as much. So he was left with her roller coaster ride of emotional responses. Cool and distant one minute, and kissing him or coming to him for help the next. He was often left confused, and she seemed to relish in that.]

[meowbel]

[Mabel simply just raised an eyebrow at him. Now this was definitely strange all right! Was this up to the love expert to save the day?]

Then it sounds like she does like you but maybe she's conflicted? Man, this sounds pretty tricky! You seem like a pretty all right guy though.

Wonder why she would just love you and then...just not.

[Hmmmmm...will the power of Mabel show her the way as to why? Looks like she'll just have to keep on guessing!]

[promisetokeep]

[A wince. Mabel, stop using that word!]

She likes me. I know she does. [LIKES, got it? Just...likes. A lot.]. it's just...complicated.

Truthfully, I have every confidence she'd be upset if she found out I was telling other people. The last time I did that, she kind of snapped at me.

[meowbel]

[Sorry, Bruce, she'll use that word all she wants!]

Man, sounds like this girl is really complicated. If she likes you, then she likes you! Why do people always got to make it a lot harder than it is?

[But then again, Mabel was someone who was always rather forward with her feelings...]