empatheias_ooc | TEST DRIVE: FEBRUARY

— 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.

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.

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.

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.

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…

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.

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.

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.

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Prompt D - String me to the end of love.

Please, sir, I really don't think it necessary.

( These are-- by all accounts, the remaining, polite attempts to drive a very insistent sales representative away. Integra doesn't mean any harm, truly, but by the way the man practically grabbed hold of her right hand and shoved the damn thing on her finger, she's almost considering it. However, these thoughts are halted by the sudden pull of the ring, directing her whether she likes it or not.

A little help, please? )

Prompt E-1 - It always feels like, somebody's watching me...

( Oh, well that was just brilliant. If Integra wasn't in a sour mood earlier, she certainly is now!! Of course, what with the putrid scent of the sewage and the unnerving feeling of a pair of eyes boring into her skull, it's a little difficult to keep her emotions in check. Perhaps, most notably displayed by her reflexive motion to draw her blade and shout: )

Who goes there?

( Nor is she concentrating too much at the water swishing at her feet, but we'll get to that... )

Prompt G - Pick your own adventure!

( Another scenario up there catch your fancy? Feel free to throw your own prompts at me! :> )

Edited 2017-01-18 23:42 (UTC)

[You know what sucks about this for Ayumu?

This would be the second time he's had to wade through one of Verens' sewers. His luck really was something.

He grimaces a little as the woman's voice echos his way, warring feelings of relief and annoyance both stemming from the same thing: He wasn't alone down here.

At least there shouldn't be anything as bad as possessed people down here anymore..... right? Otherwise their voices were definitely going to draw something...]

Some unlucky guy who fell through the street. You?

[He holds up a small, dunamis conjured flame in his hand, projecting light around them.]

( A small sigh escapes from her lips. At least this boy seemed to share the same boat with her, and as relieving as the thought may be, that still begged the question as to how they both found themselves down here. )

A hapless woman, at the mercy of this city's whims. ( Integra lowers her blade, as if not to seem intimidating. ) Might I ask your name?

( She asks, looking at his face properly now that she can see. )

Sadly, that's not as surprising as it could be. At least there aren't possessed people down here, anymore.

[Luckily for integra, Ayumu doesn't seem the type to intimidate easily, at least. After nearly two years in Verens and everything else, it was hard to startle him. The flame grows a little, allowing him to see her face as well.]

My name is Ayumu, Ms....?

You may call me Sir Hellsing. ( She does not hesitate to utter her title-- as is the way she is used to being addressed. Rather, it is the addition of her name which gives her pause. ) Erm, Integra Hellsing.

( What's more concerning to her, however, are his other comments. )

Care to provide any insight on these 'possessed people.'

( It's not as if she deals in the supernatural or anything!! )

Edited 2017-01-19 03:55 (UTC)

[The questioning look he gives her at the 'Sir' bit is pointed... and maybe a bit wry. Really now....?] Don't suppose you have a preference as to which....?

[But hm, maybe he'd said too much.] A while back when Aiada awoke, a number of restless spirits did, too. They possessed locals and some of them congregated down here to try to keep us from a pillar that would dispel them.

[He shrugs.] I don't think any are still here, but I also don't recognize this stretch of the sewers, so we're nowhere close to the exit I know.

[So probably no supernatural things, but also no easy way out.]

[Oh, does Integra require assistance? Well, it's too bad that the gentleman closest to her is not particularly concerned with her plight. He's hardly noticed it. Gilles is much more interested in the jewelry. The rings are rather pretty, and he didn't need much prompting from the salesperson to inspire him to the look through the options.

A matched pair... That, he understands, but he wasn't paying the most attention to the explanation. "Matched pair" means mostly one thing to him. He's already slipping one of the rings onto his finger of his own accord—a delicate silver one that circles his finger like an intricate braid.

But he does pay attention when he suddenly feels a tug on the ring. What—? When he realizes his mistake, it's already too late, and his hand is moving. He hadn't taken the bauble seriously or thought it would be a match for his own power, and before he can do anything about it, his hand meets Integra's. He finds himself face to face with a strange, blonde human.]

Ah!

[His eyes narrow for a moment, as if in anger, but then he smiles.]

I'm flattered, but I'm afraid you're not my type.

( Oh boy. OH BOY. Not only did she not ask for this ring, Integra has suddenly found her hand intertwined with who she could only describe as a humanized peacock. Somehow, she finds herself offended that this-- in her ring's infinite wisdom, is who she is slated to spend an eternity with (nevermind the fact she doesn't even believe the salesman's claim.) How dare!! )

One could say the same for you.

( ~Soulmates.~ )

My beauty is intimidating, I know.

[Gilles is trying to pull his hand from her. He probably should have paid more attention to—well, everything about this situation. Now that he is paying attention, he is not entirely sure of what to do, and he doesn't like being unsure. He tries pulling his hand away. With all the strength of a nephilim, this should be no problem!

He tugs. Their hands remain linked.

It's a problem.]

But try not be too cowed.

[As amusing as he might normally find a toy like this, he's also kind of in a relationship already, and he can tell just by the way it's tugging him that the toy has got the whole fated lover thing totally and completely wrong.

Oh, well. Maybe he can at least pester whoever it pairs him with for a bit.

Golden eyes scan the crowds as he's led to his ~*chosen soulmate*~, and before long they lock onto Integra, catlike in their curiosity.]

Ahhhh, did it get you too?

[ Who goes there indeed. Really, this is the last place Trucy wants to be, but here she is... an look, there's a sword pointed in her general direction! With a smile, she puts both hands up to show that she is, in fact, non threatening. ]

Aha, just your friendly neighborhood magician!

[By all intents and purposes Harold was having an alright day, having just bought a new pack of cigarettes and a new book; dare he say he has a bit of a skip in his step for once. And nobody's bothered him at all, though a small part of him wished someone would, he'd rather keep things easy and not complex.

Of course that all had to come crashing down when he heard a lady asking for someone to leave her alone. His ears twitched in her direction, though his hearing wasn't what it was, he could still pick up on distant voices if they were loud enough.

Again, he contemplated on just moving on. But...he sighed and approached as she started to be tugged away by the ring.]

Need some help?

TEST DRIVE: FEBRUARY

Integra Hellsing ( Hellsing )

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Prompt D