TEST DRIVE: JANUARY

[empevents]

— TEST DRIVE: JANUARY —

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 Sunday, December 25 and Applications (Canon | OC) open Sunday, January 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: Isn’t it supposed to be frozen and snowy this time of year? Normally, yes! And the fact that lately the sun has been out and the temperatures have been rising to almost early spring temperatures certainly… is strange. Has pollution ruined the environment of Empatheias beyond repair?! No! Of course not. While concerning at first, the unseasonably warm weather is because of the extreme amounts of positive emotions running through the population of Empatheias. While this early thaw might be nice, it’s not exactly expected and comes with some unfortunate side effects other than a pleasant afternoon in the sun.

1. There’s been several snowfalls, and the ones at night are especially prone to staying for a while only to melt away as the days go on. This has caused a few problems, especially during the daytime. Large piles of mushy snow will slide off of the high angled roofs of the city, and wet, mushy snow is way worse than normal snow. Ice patches on the sidewalks are even more frequent and dangerous, so careful where you step.
   
   
2. Homes and sidewalks aren’t the only thing suffering from this fluctuating weather. The roads too, are becoming dangerous. This means only one thing! Any idle hands are given shovels and bags of salt and are put to work handling the iced over roads. Just watch out for any skidding carriages and wagons as you work!
   
   
3. Draining water is creating a problem in the slums as well. Many volunteers are being deployed to the lower sides of the slums to help direct water with the use of dunamis or more traditional ways such as sand bag piles and other obstructions. The buildings themselves are also suffering from the cold moisture and ice that form under the awnings. Careful not to get spiked if one falls.

• Prompt E: This year for Selenium more intimate get togethers are happening throughout the city alongside the regular practices. Smaller gatherings around warm fires to stave off the colder nights are the stage, and small delicately sweet snacks accompany refreshing drinks for those who decide to camp around the fire for a few hours. But it wouldn’t be Selenium if they weren’t honoring the dead, so of course that takes center stage.

1. Those who have gathered around the fire are, at one point or another encouraged to get up and share a story about a love one they’ve lost. It can be a happy or sad memory, or anything in between. Of course, there is no obligation. Perhaps your character is chosen to go next? Or is there a lull between storytelling where you get to talk to the neighbor seated next to you?
   
   
2. Instead of being sold, these simple bracelets are given to those who volunteer a memory to go inside them. Fashioned from leather, a golden hued metal and copper, the bracelets’ centerpieces are elaborate containers with a glass top to display the tiny fragment of memory petal inside. The petal, once a part of a larger one has been infused with a warm memory of a loved one at request of whoever managed to obtain a bracelet. Though most memories are of those past, in this case those who are alive or separated from the bracelet’s creator can also be depicted. What image appears on yours?
   

• Prompt F: There have been reports of "ghostly activity" occurring around the various cemeteries and graveyards in all three main cities. Most have been harmless, but others have caused some alarm and help is needed.

1. A few of these incidents are harmless pranks by the local and foreign kids teaming up with one another. Moving flowers and gifts, making strange sounds or running past as shadowy figures. Help find these kids and put them in their place! Or maybe it's you who is part of the pranking.
   
   
2. While the world does not have traditional ghosts, those of the dead can leave residual emotions that can take on a ghostly form. They can wander about and act out on the emotions left behind. Anger, grief, joy, regret—anything is possible. While they cannot directly harm anyone, they can still directly cause damage through their own emotions, not to mention the emotional damage from those who witness them. For now they remain near their graves. Help keep them there and disperse the lingering emotions to put them at rest.

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include blueberries and/or chipmunks.

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

[schmisse]

Just don't summon those ice pillars, alright?

[innermonologues]

No worries. Just me and my weapon.

[schmisse]

I'm not worried.

Not anymore, anyway.

[innermonologues]

We will see....

[schmisse]

Are you done with your fit?

[innermonologues]

Working off some steam, but yes.

[schmisse]

So, what's bothering you?

[innermonologues]

I haven't been able to figure out how to control this amulet, so I just keep tuning into everyone. It's getting frustrating that I can't hear my own thoughts. It's frustrating that ice keeps following me every emotion I seem to give off. I haven't been able to blow off any steam for a week... I just. Needed a moment.

[schmisse]

Did you consider reading about Dunamis? That could help, you know.

[innermonologues]

I'd have to go to the center for that stuff, right? I don't... I'm not exactly a people person.

[schmisse]

Join the party.

[ a pause, as she thinks of a joke. ]

Actually, don't.

[innermonologues]

[ ... Snorts. ]

That would be one hell of a party.

[schmisse]

Have you... I don't know, considered not thinking too much? You can think to yourself, of course, but if you do it in such an intense way... well, we'll hear all of it.

Nobody wants that.

[innermonologues]

That's easier said than done. I usually keep to myself, think to myself...

[schmisse]

Maybe you should think in a... I don't know. [ she shrugs her shoulders before folding her arms again. ] Less intense way.

Don't put too much feeling in your thoughts.

[innermonologues]

I... should be okay now. I'm just exhausted now.

[schmisse]

After all that? I would be, too.

[innermonologues]

Who knew being emotional could take so much out of you.

[ There was a small twitch to his lips. Heis attempt at a joke. ]

[schmisse]

It does that. I know the feeling.

[innermonologues]

[ he glances at the ground for a moment before looking back to her. ]

Sorry... for the blame again.

[schmisse]

You know, I bet it's going to happen again. Just say sorry when you've controlled your emotions.

[innermonologues]

You know. It's kind of funny... I hadn't expected anyone else to be associated with ice.

[schmisse]

I'm not really associated with anything. [ she's in denial. ] My emotions just turn out that way, even when I'm happy.

[innermonologues]

Same here. Though for me maybe it makes sense... the GF.

[ He pauses before glancing at her and then to the ground as he tries to draw into the ice a vague shape of an ice woman. ]

Guardian force, that I've always felt more comfortable with was Shiva. She controls ice.

[schmisse]

A Guardian Force... so you're protected by someone? A higher being?