TEST DRIVE: FEBRUARY

[empevents]

— TEST DRIVE: FEBRUARY—

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 Wednesday, January 25 and Applications (Canon | OC) open Wednesday, 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: Over two years ago, the ill fated Red String of Fate toy made its debut. At the time it seemed like a solid idea, but as it turned out… it didn’t exactly work as advertised. People found themselves tied together with entirely incompatible people instead of the proclaimed “emotionally compatible” and to top it off, personal, influential and private telepathic communication came out drenched in sap and overly lovey-dovey overtones. It was, without a doubt, one of the company’s least successful product launches ever. And you would think that they would have learned. However, they decided to try again, and… well. It wasn’t exactly all that well thought out the second time around. But third time’s the charm, right? Wrong. Even if this time, it’s in the form of rings that will draw two people together in a “matched pair” rather than a string.

1. There’s not really anything wrong with believing in true love, but trying to formulate a product that can detect someone’s ideal mate is innately flawed. Which only means that no matter how many times the product is adjusted, it’s just not going to work. Those who wind up with the product shoved onto their fingers (by a sales rep or through actually purchasing the product) will find themselves, once again, pulled by an unseen force to the nearest person they are “compatible with”. Same height, same hair color, whatever. It’s not exactly discriminatory. …Unfortunately as poor a match as they may be, the two cannot be separated until they share a meaningful embrace. So settle in, you might be together for a while.


2. In certain pairs, normal conversation is often unintentionally made amorous, simply from inflection in voice, or perhaps a heightened affectionate emotion. Or, on the flip side, anger and aggression is increased ten fold, but it’s kind of 50-50 as to what effect will take place, all dependant on which hand they wear the ring. Left, romance, Right? Anger.

• Prompt E: The inexplicably cavernous sewers of Verens are no place for a sane individual, but here you are anyway—dropped there by some horrible emotional shift that made an entire section of street vanish and then reappear above your heads as if nothing had happened. You and the poor fool you’ve been dumped down here with need to find your way to the access tunnels and climb out, or perhaps go the other way and swim out through the Lake Niras outflow. Or just smash your way out, if you’re feeling destructive. But your own emotions will work against you, as you struggle against the terrible scent, the darkness, and the entirely-justified questioning of why your life has taken this horrible turn.

1. There’s something odd about the way the water and sewage is sloshing around your ankles, almost as if it’s rising. But wait, that can’t possibly be a pair of eyes you see under the oil slick surface… could it? You’ve heard rumors about all sorts of beasties down here but surely your mind is just playing tricks on you.


2. Remember that part about emotions turning against you? Maybe you’ve been trapped down here way too long with someone who’s just not living up to your expectations, or you’ve got something else on your minds—but the smell around you certainly seems to be growing thicker, the scent growing harder and harder to ignore. The water and grossness at your feet also seems to be growing thicker almost as though it’s curing like cement. The cause? Negative emotions. But are they yours or the person you’re stuck here with? Perhaps you should work through those post haste…


3. Escape! You’ve made it out, but not without a great amount of effort on both you and your partner’s parts. Did you manage to find a way out through the access tunnels? Or perhaps you really did travel through all that much to the Lake Niras outflow… whatever it is, You’re certainly stinky, and possibly tired and cranky too.

• Prompt F: Some bandits went and stole another airship, only this time the Enforcers are prepared with a few of their own. Join in for some intense air battles. Just don't make the ship explode—they'd like it back in one piece please. Unless you're actually on the bandit team, in which case you probably want to blow up the Enforcer ship.

1. What's an airship fight without some on deck action? Either the bandits are swinging over to the ship you're on, or maybe you're swinging over there. Whatever the case, it's a full on brawl. Just watch out—those bandits are well-armed with some interesting firearms and weapons. If hit, one of the following emotions will start to take over your senses: unquestionable rage, debilitating fear and panic, and sleepiness. Needless to say, these effects will hinder one's ability to fight.


2. Can you fly or are you okay with climbing up the full height of your airship? Then grab a few sleep and apathy grenades and throw them at the bandits. Just be careful not to accidentally hit your allies. Otherwise they will be the ones feeling sleepy and want to give up. Also watch out for flying nets and bullets. Those bandits will definitely try to bring you down.


3. While the enforcers are trying to maintain the integrity of the stolen ship, the bandits feel no such need to hold back and are freely unloading their weapons onto the Enforcer's ships, forcing them to defend themselves. Other than decapacitating the bandit behind the weapon, it's also possible to overload it with intense emotions. Explode it with rage or clog it with happy, loving flowers.

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include bubblegum and/or toadstools.

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

[magicpanchira]

Yep! I'm only just learning how to skate right now... you can take lessons with me, Polly! It's really fun! I knew you'd agree, you're the best!

[ Look at how happy you've made her, Apollo. She grins and throws her arms around the poor man in a big hug, ignoring his expression. ]

No, no. I'm not ready for a crazy dangerous mission yet... he's gotta teach me the ropes first! But soon the time will come! All the weirdo emotion monsters better watch out!

[ Letting go of him, she demonstrates by karate kicking at the air a few times and very nearly tipping herself over at one point. ]

--I need a little practice, but I'll get there!

sorry for long tag ;o;

[eventuallea]

[ At the question, there’s a low scoff, dry and humorless, but accompanied by a helpless sort of lopsided grin. ]

Been here just long enough to know I can't leave.

[ Or at least, his usual method of travel -- his corridors -- don’t take him anywhere outside of this place. Which doesn’t make sense, given that he’d used one to get here; and now it won’t let him leave. ]

See? Look. [ His steps pause and an arm extends, palm-forward. On cue, a dark portal materializes from out of nowhere, perhaps a familiar sight to the blond. But, just as quickly as it had appeared, it flickers, shudders, and disintegrates back into the thin air from whence it came. ]

Broken with a capital ‘B’. [ His arms fold over his chest. ] Looks like you're stuck with me for a while.

[ It would lead him to believe that he’s trapped inside some elaborate, or maybe a glitched data rendering, except this place isn’t anything like Twilight Town; and the Roxas he’s met here actually remembers him.

The Roxas he’d last seen wasn’t his Roxas. He’d repeated his best friend’s name with a question mark, not a trace of recognition in his features; an angry, embittered remnant, petulantly throwing his keyblade and demanding answers Axel couldn’t give. That Roxas had left him feeling lonely and sad -- even without a heart -- the sunsets they used to enjoy together dull and drab, uninteresting; the salty sweetness of their favorite treat lost on his tongue.

Could all of that have been avoided?

No sense in thinking on it now. His steps pick back up where they’d stalled, silent for moments. ]

To think we’d meet again in a place like this... [ Axel muses aloud absently, looking down to that field of errant golden spikes for a couple strides. ]

So, how long have you been here? [ He counters, then playfully adds-- ] Did I keep you waiting?

[mother_of_monsters]

I don't know them personally but yes, there seems to be many others able to access this hive-mind.

Are you looking for someone specifically?

[mother_of_monsters]

[Kay nods, more to himself than anyone else and says nothing. It's almost an instinctive reaction for him to apologize to avoid possible trouble but Thace really sounds like it's not needed.]

Me neither. But sometimes the universe has a way to balance things out. The pain you cause will come back to you, same with the good things. That's what Masha used to tell me, until the day he was killed.

[So maybe that's a theory that shoudl be taken with a grain of salt.]

It's easier not to questions things, I suppose. There are none so blind as those who will not see. What about you, Thace? Did you question your uprising?

[It's an honest question, pure curiosity on Dray's tone and no trace of ill intend.]

One? How long does your people live?

Powers test everyone's character, many people desires it. It can't be helped.

[gotyourselfapilot]

You should try exploring the city. The welcome center does have a board that has tasks that pays in their currency. There's always that too. There's plenty of things, just have to give them a try.

[Bodhi will find out eventually that whatever someone learns here they can't take back with them anyway. The only thing they can do is work together here or try to at least. Poe wants to keep the peace and try to ignore differences. Until the other side choices to be not civil anymore. He would even help the city everyone lives in. Because there are people like Bodhi who would be going back to nothing. To an end. Here he could start new or however he wanted.]

If is pretty big, but if they were brave enough and passionate, I'm sure they accomplished their task. No matter the risk.

[Becasue certain risks were worth taking no matter what.]

It's nice to meet you Bodhi.

You notice very little differences. You may not know it at first. But depending on the emotion being good or bad can cause an effect. Each emotional effect is different from person to person. Also better to show in person.

lol

[buildingcastles]

A vital part of our galaxy. Right. [What?]

Are we even in the same galaxy?

[But even if the answer is a little weird, Christian does grin when Qui-Gon adds in the next part.]

I guess that was a little obvious, huh? Thanks. It's not that I think the job looks dangerous or anything. I just think the company might be fun.

[Right? Totally fun. Who doesn't go spider collecting with strangers? They're like bros already.]

[snowheretogo]

[Kyouka narrows her eyes at the box, uncertainty settling somewhere down in her stomach. She hasn't been in this world for a long time, and she has no idea what a saint cloth is, but... That box belongs to him, and it's clearly not in the state it should be in. Uncertainty grows into foreboding the longer she looks at it, but she elects not to say anything else about it yet.]

I've heard there were strange things happening in the city, but... [Nothing like this, is what she intends to say, but then- did something just move? Kyouka narrows her eyes, hand going to her blade.] Something's down here with us. [Because she's been what she is for too long to not recognize a predator sneaking in for the kill. No one in the Port Mafia, not even a less "experienced" former member like her, would be caught unaware by something so obviously hunting them.] You should stay on your guard.

[Her eyes are sharp, glinting dangerously.] But if someone or something attacks, I'll eliminate them.

[She won't let anyone get hurt if she can stop it. Not anymore.]

[snowheretogo]

...It's fine. [Her face is redder, though, realizing what this means.] It seems that what we were both told is true, though.

[The steam is definitely getting more noticeable. She doesn't let too much show on her face besides the blush, but Kyouka wants to sink into the floor.]

We'll have to embrace each other to get out of this.

He's a cat person, what can I say.

[toweroflearning]

[Markets. He loves them. This one is less-- urban than Wall Market, but there certainly is a lot to see here!
Well, observe. That sounds much more-- dignified. Appropriate.
Scientific.
In fact, there's so much to see that he misses one thing until he's almost on top of it.
Which seems ridiculous because the thing in question is a large-- man. A large purple man.

Well, a humanoid with cat ears.
Who is showing him a pack of chewing gum.]

Gum? Ah, it's chewing gum. For chewing-- but not for eating.
Does that make sense?

[dyingworld]

With a girl like you? Not so much.

[He's not necessarily flirting. But the whole shtick is to act lovey-dovey, right? So he'll play it up to break the weird spell.

He takes her hand and gives her a twirl before moving to pull her close.]

Tell me a little about yourself.

[catmmander]

[He nods toward the man, appreciative of the prompt and polite reply. The people here are mostly forthcoming. It can be odd, but he's coming to accept it.]

A gum for chewing, I see.

[He sees. Sort of. Not entirely. He turns the item over in his hands, carefully.]

That does make sense, thank you. But what is the purpose of chewing it?

[catmmander]

[Among the Galra, apologies are rare. He doesn't see the need for them, except in cases of true offense, so he's being polite, in his way.]

That's not one of my beliefs. Wouldn't that be a kind of fairness? A delayed justice.

[Thace does take it with a grain of salt. Good isn't always rewarded, as bad isn't always punished. Thace doesn't expect that his good actions will come back to him, although he hopes they'll have a beneficial result for others in the future. Still, there's no point in arguing about a belief like that. It can't be proven or disproven.]

I did question what I was taught to believe.

[He answers the question as simply as it was asked.]

Yes, a single tyrant. Our lifespans aren't normally so long. He extended his life unnaturally.

[He's enjoying calling Zarkon a tyrant aloud more than he would have expected. Or not aloud, exactly, since this is telepathy, but it amounts to the same thing. He smiles faintly, and the shift in his feelings sends a brief image of him smiling along with his words.]

True, it's a test of character. Most people fail it.

[But a test would be meaningless if it were easy to pass—what exactly would it be testing, in that case?]

[mother_of_monsters]

[Queen Eidions like Dray are usually gentle by nature. It's an issue on its own.]

It is. The only issue is you are going to live enough to actually see it happen. The universe is a bit slow in that regard.

[Slow and petty, he had discovered.]

did they punish you for it? [He won't ask further is Thace doesn't want to talk about the issue but he is concerned.]

I wasn't so wrong when I confused you with gods. In my world, no one can live that long, not even with the use of dark magic. That tyrant must be really powerful.

[Dray always thought it was important to call things by their right names, it makes them more real. He's not fond of pretenses.]

That only makes it more meaningful when someone passes it. I have yet to find someone who did that.

[catmmander]

Still, I think that good can come only with enough hard work, and even that might not lead to success.

[The universe is not out to help anyone, as far as he's concerned. It's a vast, cold place. People have to help themselves. Thace believes in the power of determination and effort, and he believes people can make a difference. but he's also well aware of how efforts can fail and even the best of plans can be upset.]

Punish? You could say that.

[Thace's mildly pleased moment passes quickly, and the very brief image of himself that he'd transmitted flickers out, leaving only his voice once more.]

He's nothing like a god.

[There's a slight sharpness in his tone as he speaks of Zarkon again.]

I know those who have passed.

[On that point, he's a little more optimistic.]

[mother_of_monsters]

Maybe not always but it's worth to try and have faith.

[Dray isn't used to seeing images, that's not the hive-mind worked in his world but interesting than they have the ability here. His own mental image shows him looking way, ears dropping.]

Are you injured now? Do you need help?

I believe you.

[That last bit, though, it gives Drays some faith.]

I am glad you do. We could use more of those around here.

[helloyoungatlas]

I'm a Changeling. [He finally corrects him before he finds a split in the path in the sewers, looking down each side. Only to see darkness down either side.]

It has it's uses. But in order to function while most people are awake, human form is best.

[Walter glances over at him.]

And I'm a principal, not an actor. [Well, he was a history teacher, and the last title he held was "principal"... And back home, he wasn't sure where he was going. Both literally and metaphorically.

But those were just details.]

Now. We need to decide which way to go.

Ah hello again! c: Oh gosh you're too sweet, thank you ;;

[helloyoungatlas]

[Strickler stops and glances over his shoulder at his companion. A thick brow perches itself on his small forehead. Ah, humans and their attitudes. Well, he could only assume he was human. The Changeling walks past him and kneels down beside the fallen abnormal croc.

The air around Strickler was a little irritated, a small tremor as his amulet sways and glows softly, but it soon relaxes as Walter focuses on pulling the knife out from the monster.]

What does it matter? You're alive, are you not? [The knife slides out along bone and muscle, in one hard tug. He twirls the knife in his hand, flicking off the blood before he places it back inside the "plumage" of his cloak.]

definitely 8) and thank you!

[nonfamilial]

[ kisa's smile is a little ray of sunshine. he's glad she doesn't seem as upset anymore, at least in this moment— because of this, the air seems to glow with his returned smile. ]

Hehe.

[ he looks back and forth at their surroundings, tapping his chin in thought. surely, if they were to maneuver a bit more, they might discover some answers... ]

So! Do you wanna try to find the others? Explore a lil'?

[furrytailprince]

The soft voice causes Ariel's ears to pick up again. He shouldn't get so worked up over the confusion of a little girl. He's probably scaring her worse this way. What sort of leader acts like that?

"Never mind, it's fine. This place is called Verens. Unfortunately, I can't tell you how you got here. So far I haven't found anyone who can explain it."

[toweroflearning]

[Articulate. Doesn't seem to be a construct (like his own Cait)-- or is a very good one. But no.
No, this person is-- a person.

With some interesting physiognomy.

He smiles. Always nice to have his help appreciated.]

Ah, well, some kinds of gum are meant to freshen your breath, or might have a flavor you like-- usually there will be a picture on the package of whatever it's meant to taste like. But people chew gum for a few different reasons-- maybe because they have nervous energy or dry mouths or an oral fixation, to name a few!

[With a restrained chuckle at his own joke, he puts out his hand.]

Reeve. Reeve Tuesti.

[furrytailprince]

Ariel grinned when he saw the spiders finally getting over their interest in him in favor of fresh food. They're much easier to convince than animals with more complex thought processes.

"Maybe they intend to make some sort of display."

Princess Allura | Voltron: Legendary Defender

[heartofalioness]

B – ST0207

[Even without the generous reward offered, Allura would’ve taken Samantha’s request in a heartbeat. Considering her own still-too-fresh losses, she’d do anything to keep someone else from feeling the same. Hopefully the poor girl’s mother could still be found.

And it’s that hope and her warrior’s calm that Allura tries to focus on as they make their way through the swamp rather than her pangs of grief, so that the sky stays clear and bright and the moon’s glow strengthens just a little bit more, all the better for her and her company to see by. Her crossbow is pointed to the soggy ground trying to suck at her sturdy knee-high boots. It’s no bayard or blaster, but the weapon’s been serving her well so far. When she speaks, it’s not quite a whisper, but still softly spoken, in case there are things here that are sensitive to noise.]

I can’t say I know much about these Farlyne Swamps, do you? What should we be expecting?


D-1

[As much of a warrior princess as she is, Allura does like nice things. Especially jewelry. Which is why the salesman at the little RSoF kiosk in the square pegs her as an easy target-- I mean, potential customer.

“Excuse me, miss, that’s a LOVELY circlet you’re wearing!”]

Oh! Thank you, sir. I got it at--

[“And I bet you’d look lovelier still with this gorgeous ring!” It’s a simple-enough rose gold band with a single large ruby. While it clashes a touch with her current denim-blue outfit, it certainly piques her tastes. Sure, why not? She’d just gotten paid after all. A little trinket wouldn't hurt her budget TOO badly.]

Oooooh that is rather pretty. How much--

[The salesman interrupts her AGAIN, making a slightly miffed Allura warm the air around them by just a few degrees.

“And it’s not JUST a pretty face either! Yup, this Red Ring of Fate is 100% guaranteed to lead you straight to your perfect match!”]

Wait, my WHA--

[And the salesman uses the confusion to sip the ring onto one of Allura’s fingers, and almost immediately her hand starts pulling her out in some odd direction, like a VERY big dog on a leash breaking into a run. The static cling in the air goes up quite a bit and follows her as she starts getting dragged away.]

Wait nonononoNOOO!

[“Come back and pay when you find your soulmate, alright~?”

Can you help slow her down at least? Or maybe you’re the poor unfortunate soul the ring is drawing her to. Either way, HELP!]


Wildcard

[Got something else in mind? Then feel free!]



[[Note: Season Two spoilers are a-okay! If you haven't seen Season Two of Voltron: Legendary Defender yet and would like to stay spoiler free, let me know via journal messaging and we can come up with a strategy!]]

D-1

[a_noble_flame]

[It's a rather pleasant day if you ask Alice. The air may be a little crisp but she's had a good morning of sword practice and she's in an upbeat mood. And naturally this is when she hears a sound. It seems like it's off in the distance for now and Alice tilts her head a little to try to decide what it is. It doesn't sound like any of the steam-driven things in the town, it's more like--

A shock runs down the back of her neck and Alice jerks her gaze slightly off to the right, just in time to see a figure coming her way. One moving at a fairly good clip by now.]

That's a very energetic morning jog.

[She squints a little then.]

... That's not really jogging though, is it.

[catmmander]

I have faith in some things.

[Not in some force of fairness in the universe.]

I'm unharmed now. Don't be concerned for me.

[He was healed when he arrived, so he's no longer in any pain.]

Good. I hope dark magic never reaches that height in your world.

[Zarkon's long life had led to no good; nor had the endless expansion of the empire.]

Everywhere could use more of them.

[oratorical]

[At his question, Leia does turn her head back to glance at him, hoping it seems instead like she's looking to continue their conversation. Really, she's looking over his uniform once more, to try and figure out if she can place a name to him based on his appearance and the rank indicated on his uniform. But, there were plenty of Imperial officers, and naming one just based off of that with no hints as to what division he's in or where he's from is near impossible.]

Isn't it poor manners to ask someone's name before introducing yourself?