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

C

[bloodyrose]

[They crossed paths twice already. While he would rather keep it that way, there's also a part of him who feels he needs to keep an eye on her. Even if his hatred for Kaname Kuran does not, in fact, automatically extend to the rest of his family. Although that may be clear enough with how he certainly doesn't feel that way in regards to Yuuki.

But that's neither here nor there. Ai, for better or worse, is as frustrating as she is a mystery and confusing.

His reply is clinical. Disconnected, if anything else. It's so well controlled that nothing is conveyed through this conversation (if it can even be called that). At the least, though, he has a solid answer.]

There already is the hospital. Other vampires have acquired blood bags there as well. A butcher shop may be another way.

[Zero does have a supply of blood tablets. He's somewhat contemplating sharing, but this is his answer for right now.]

. . .Do realize that our laws back home have no standing, here, either way.

[No matter how much he would prefer, otherwise.]

[aiffection]

[All of this is strange - her mother being younger than her by a couple of years is definitely the oddest of them but Zero is too. Both of them have been a constant presence in her life for as long as she can remember and now there's a distance that Ai dislikes very much. Maybe it's a good thing where Zero is concerned though. Ai will be able to truly move on and forget about the feelings she has for him if their contact is limited.

Probably.

At least he doesn't immediately despise her for being related to Kaname and is willing to overlook what her last name might be. It would be a lot more difficult if he had hated her instantly upon learning of her lineage.

She does dislike the fact that they are essentially nothing more than pureblood and hunter to each other because he was always so much more to Ai. A father-figure, a playmate, a crush but never anything like this. Yet she doesn't attempt to get closer so she plays her part and is quite formal and distant in return.]

I wasn't certain if they would allow vampires to acquire blood from their supply just so they could consume it. [Or what their response might be.] As for a butcher shop, I will look into it.

[He can keep his blood tablets. Though if anything Ai would simply use them so that she could create more.]

For as long as I'm here in this world our laws will stand, Kiryuu-san. Perhaps only for the vampires who come from our world but I believe they should be upheld no matter what world we might find ourselves in. [Ai will fight any pureblood who may try to change this.] I hope I can count on your help in making sure everyone behaves properly.

[Ai may not be the oldest vampire from their world to ever show up here but she would not like to go up against Zero for any reason. This is what her mother would want too. Though it isn't as though she can control what vampires from other worlds may do.]

[bloodyrose]

[(Well now you know.) He could say, but there's no real reason for him to add on to that.]

Try talking to anyone else here. There are those of royal standings, and those who seem to believe that they're the most entitled, due to how things usually are with them where they're from. Plenty of others, as well. I'll agree that if any other vampires from our world show that I'll monitor them, and act as necessary. Others from elsewhere, though. . . they won't care what you have to say. While some may find it intriguing, too, you being a pureblood vampire otherwise means nothing.

[His position as a hunter- and a well respected one (although that's sans any dissent against him) also isn't anything special.

He's silent for a few moments before deciding to add something else. Something different, which he feels a little undecided with.]

I want you to keep an eye on Yuuki. . . or, to continue to. I don't understand why I feel I can trust you a little, and with her— [she's not the same as other purebloods, however in an even more different way than Yuuki is.] but even so. However, try even a single thing against her, and I won't hesitate. But I'm sure you're very well aware of that. Just as much as there are countless things that she absolutely must not be informed of. She hadn't even known I was a hunter when we first arrived.