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

Ravus Nox Fleuret | Final Fantasy XV

[glaivekeeper]

( Prompt D - 1 or 2 )

[If there is one thing Ravus wants absolutely nothing to do with, it's rings with mysterious powers. And yet, as his terrible fortune would have it, a sales representative descends upon him, all smiles despite his tall, severe appearance. (Maybe she thought he was in need of the ring because of his imposing appearance.) So she takes his right hand, instead of his prosthetic left hand, shoving the ring on his little finger with a chirpy, 'Please try our new product!'. A flash of panic jolts through him and he jerks his hand away with a fearful expression. Immediately he tries to tear it off, but to no avail.]

What is this?! [He snaps at her, but the rep is already descending on other unwilling 'customers', while Ravus finds the ring compelling him to head outside and into the crowd. He doubts this is as dangerous as the Ring of the Lucii, but he's not about to take any chances, so he's still wrenching desperately at his finger.] No-- I must get this off--

[Do you help? Or maybe you're unfortunate enough to have a matching ring? Maybe you should just keep walking in the other direction, given how angry and agitated he's getting.]


( Prompt E - 2 )

[One misfortune tends to beget another. So it is with Lord Ravus Nox Fleuret, Supreme Commander of the Niflheim imperial army, meeting the dignified and not at all humiliating fate of being dumped into a sewer. His long, trailing white robe is already soiled around his ankles, he imagines beyond all rescue, and his armoured greaves and sabatons likely aren't faring much better. Still, there's no point in complaining about it when all he can do is try to get out as quickly as possible.

The more he stews silently on his feelings of resentment and frustration, though, the more cloying the smell seems to become, and the harder it is to move. He grips the wall with his clawed magitek hand, as if dragging himself along might actually be effective.

He turns to the person accompanying him, making an expression of disgust at the worsening smell.]

It is impossible to go through this way. We must turn back at once. [... Little does Ravus realise he's causing the problem, here.]


( Prompt B )

[By now Ravus has swallowed his pride enough to at least look at the task board, even if he balks at the idea of taking on menial jobs or, equally unappealing, becoming a sellsword for hire. Yet his skills as a warrior are truly his best, so he finds himself scanning the monster hunt postings with curiosity.]

So, this land is blighted with such creatures as well. But what of daemons...?


( Prompt G )

[Wildcard it up! Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss any specific ideas; I'm game for anything.]

B

[thatgoodnight]

[ Well, isn't this a fine coincidence, both of them happening to wander up to the task board at about the same time to look for new work. Or well work at all, in Ravus' case. Noctis meant to keep it at the polite nod and greeting and get to reading what's available, but Ravus is talking, and Noctis really can't tell if he means to be answered or if he's just talking to himself.

So he does the only reasonable thing and answers anyway. ]

There aren't any here. [ Not unless someone from Eos brought one in their luggage and didn't tell anyone. ] ... well, not our kind of daemons, anyway.

[glaivekeeper]

[Ravus was mostly musing aloud to himself. Even if he was genuinely curious to know the answer, he's also not about to ask his former enemy when he could just as easily figure it out on his own. Even so, the answer is not unwelcome, so the former Commander looks over at Noctis with a sharp expression.]

Then this world is blessed in a way that ours is not.

[No Niflheim here, no Starscourge. He never imagined he would ever see them freed from such burdens.]

[thatgoodnight]

[Noctis meets his gaze in a sidelong sort of way, keeping his expression carefully neutral as he shrugs.]

It is, but... it also comes with plenty of its own curses.

[Not that he'd trade it. He wouldn't wish the starscourge on anyone, especially not an entirely new world. But at the same time... there's no denying that this one seems to have plenty of world wide disasters itself not to mention its own set of finicky gods. He doesn't know how much Ravus has had a chance to read up or ask around about things, though.]

[glaivekeeper]

So I have heard.

[Though he has yet to understand anything in great detail yet, he has a general idea of the state of affairs here, and how the world below differs so dramatically to Verens' floating island. And yet in a selfish way, Ravus is simply relieved to be in a world where those he cares about do not have to suffer. There are no prophecies and terrible destinies here, and anything that happens seems far more indiscriminate.

He turns away from the task board then to survey Noctis more fully.]

Do you intend to try saving this world, as well?

[thatgoodnight]

[Ravus is no more selfish than Noctis in that sense. Maybe even less so. But at least they can be in agreement on being glad Lunafreya is here and safe!

That question catches him off guard, however, and he blinks in surprise. It takes him a few moments to answer.]

It's... not really my world to save.

[He's not saying 'no' to helping out, but he doesn't really have any more power to help this place than anyone else dragged here from any other world.]

E-2

[notsolomon]

[Being stuck in this horrible place is bad enough on it's own. If it ever got out that the heir of the Twining family was stuck slogging around the sewers, well it didn't bear thinking on.

But he'd mostly managed to mostly calm himself, since at least he wasn't alone in this situation, being with a man who seemed somewhat capable. Somewhat.

That theory was quickly proving itself wrong. The muck around their feet was becoming difficult to move through and the scent was almost suffocating. He had a suspicion this man was behind this suffering, but that might have been William's own annoyance at the situation, which was adding an almost unpleasant sting to the air.]

Are you sure on that? It's not like we have found any route back there either. Unless you saw something.

[glaivekeeper]

I can scarcely move. [Outwardly, he's trying to remain calm, although he can't keep his frustration out of his voice. It's making the atmosphere heavier by the second, to the point it's almost starting to follow him like a dark cloud.] How are we to proceed through this?

[It wasn't so bad before when they could move more freely, but as their moods have gotten worse -- especially Ravus's -- the harder it's gotten to keep going. Not that the High Commander has equated his emotions with their predicament just yet, blaming it instead on this part of the tunnel water.]

[notsolomon]

[While William understands the basics of the situation and how this world works, he doesn't understand the little factors behind. And it's hard when he's not that good at controlling his emotions, despite his attempts at appearing reasonable and measured.

But someone has to try.]

Slowly, but surely that is how. Just lift one foot at a time. [And he demonstrates, though it's hard. William's not a physically strong person by any means. Quite the opposite. So this whole trial has been extra vexing for him.] Just keep doing that and thinking on the road ahead and what awaits us when we exit this place.

[Clean clothes. A nice hot bath. Hopefully no one important seeing them in this state. It actually warms his heart a bit and for a moment the going is easier.]

[glaivekeeper]

[Seeing someone smaller and weaker than him more easily able to keep going is enough of a sting to Ravus's pride that he does as he says, imitating him in pulling himself along. Of course he hasn't stopped thinking of getting out, but he'd been dwelling too much on not being able to. Changing his thoughts, thinking instead of what awaits outside, the one important person who awaits him, is enough to add positivity to motivate him to keep going.

Gradually, the air around him, too, becomes less oppressive, and movement eases.]

--It seems to be working. [He notes that with some surprise, as he continues on. He's still getting used to emotions in this place, and for someone not really in tune with his own emotions, things like this continue to throw him off every time.]

[notsolomon]

That's the spirit. I think the key is for one to focus on the future. And also remember that we are better than this place.

[It helps that his companion's own growing relief is making the going even easier. In truth, William himself is not always so in touch with his own emotions. He's spent too much time either covering up by being haughty or pretending to be unaffected. This place has been a rude awakening.]

Mind over matter is the key.

[He's a genius, so muck should pose no challenge to him. Which is why he struggled so much before, totally. And then struggled a bit when he found this companion for the journey. But setbacks are part of the process.]

D

[draganea]

[Given who he's about to encounter, Ravus will probably wish she had just moved on. But Aranea had been in the area and happened to witness the little ring giving. It was one thing to expect him to be angry about it—who wouldn't get mad at someone just forcing some questionable ring on their finger? But she hadn't expected him to be so frantic about it.

She could just leave him. Have someone else deal with him. But curiosity and boredom will have her walk towards him, a brow raised.]

You know, I have a knife if you want it off that badly.

[At least she isn't wearing one. And she may actually try to help. Just not at first because that's how she rolls.]

[glaivekeeper]

[That voice is enough to stop his frantic scrabbling at the blasted thing, and he shoots a glare at Aranea. Though he's less irritated at her offer, and moreso to be caught in such a compromising situation.]

I do not need a knife, nor your mockery.

[If even his magitek hand can't pull it off, there's obviously some kind of emotion magic at work here that's keeping it stuck until it does... whatever it's supposed to. He very strongly doubted it had the capacity to fulfil its claimed purpose, but he's not about to try anything more drastic to be rid of it until it proves actively harmful.]

[draganea]

Maybe if you stopped acting like the thing was going to eat you. [Too soon? But she steps closer, head tilted slightly to try and a get a good look at the ring.]

What is all this about, anyway? Been noticing those people forcing rings on everyone.

[glaivekeeper]

The rings contain some manner of power. [Which is the most important part that freaks him out. Not knowing what it does, exactly, or what it's capable of. Not that he'll explain himself to Aranea; she can think as she pleases.]

Supposedly, it is drawn to another ring to form a matched pair.

[draganea]

Drawn to another ring, huh? Sounds simple enough.

Let's go find you a partner.

[Is she smiling? Oh yes. Yes she is. And she is definitely not offering herself up. At least, not voluntarily.]

D!

[sacredrites]

[ She hears Ravus before actually spotting him, her own emotions stilling as his panic takes over. Without thinking she rushes to his side, both dogs quick on her heels as she encloses his hand in hers. There'd be time to take in the fact that he has a prosthetic where his left arm used to be, considering the last time she'd seen him had been when he'd been writhing on the floor as the ring destroyed his arm.

To say she understands the possible source of his panic is an understatement given she'd used that same destructive force to drive a man to destroy himself in a quest for unattainable power. Her thoughts don't linger on that or the choice she'd made when she saw him in pain before. Luna projects as much of a calming aura as she can, having had some time to practice centering her emotions enough to begin controlling them, not interested in a repeat with the storms. ]

Please, Ravus. It will be alright.

[glaivekeeper]

[Part of Ravus knows he's being irrational to get this worked up over what is probably just an emotion-fuelled trinket, and yet one powerful ring is enough for him to want nothing to do with any other rings exhibiting any kind of power ever again. The memory of the last, of the agony it brought, is still too fresh in his mind.

And yet all thought even of that is banished when Ravus feels that warm hand on his, and that familiar voice. His eyes -- now a mismatched blue and violet, a side-effect of the magitek -- widen in disbelief as he seeks out his sister's face.]

Lunafreya? This cannot be...

[And yet he knows it can. In fact, he knows better than anyone that time and death mean very little to a place like this.]

[sacredrites]

I am here. [ Her chest tightens when she spares a moment for herself to truly take him in, meeting his gaze. It's striking and is nothing short of a reminder that there was still so much she had to experience at home. Despite the tumultuousness of their relationship, he was her brother. The eye color change tightens something in her chest - corners of her lips shifting into a soft frown as her brows knit before she has to look away.

She moves to turn his hand in hers, inspecting the object in question when she can no longer meet his eyes. Luna had managed to avoid a ring of her own far, fairly certain the person she'd be drawn to would come as no surprise given how the past few weeks have gone. ]

I fear this may not be so easily removed without its match.

[glaivekeeper]

[The fact that she cannot meet his gaze long could mean any number of things. Ravus has to mentally steady himself, push away the grief that had eaten away at him on Eos. She seems so much stronger than when they'd parted ways for what they had known would be the last time in Altissia. How or why, he has yet to discover, but he's grateful that she no longer seems to be suffering.

And yet that doesn't seem to be on her mind at all: she's still talking about the ring, something he'd almost forgotten in his shock. He can still feel its insistent tug commanding him to move, but he won't. Not yet.]

The ring matters little. [He'll figure out some way to get it off, but it doesn't seem to be actively harmful, at least not yet. Her presence, along with the calm she had been projecting, seems to have helped. To distract her attention from it, he gently rests his magitek hand over hers.] Are you well?

[sacredrites]

[ Unfortunately her deterioration would be played out for all to see during her time here, seeming to have been arrived from the beginning of the end. Her time to rely on the strength of others to get her through would come, but until then... She would do what she could to be that beacon of light for those who need it.

The magitek against her skin is unfamiliar, and yet she doesn't pull away. It's enough to draw her attention back to him rather than the ring - a success on his part. She tries to meet his gaze again, digging deep within herself to draw on her reserves. ] I-- [ It's interesting how such a simple question could result in such a complex response. The truth hangs on the tip of her tongue before it's swallowed down. ] Yes. There are quite a few from our world here, most from a time beyond my own. It has been something of an adjustment, but we have all banded together. [ It's the diplomatic answer to his question, testing the waters on how he'll react. ]

B

[newrecipe]

None, at least not the sort we're acquainted with.

[Ignis happens to be examining the task board nearby, arms folded across his chest as he skims over the most recent bulletins. Responsibilities at From the Hearth keep him from taking on as many hunting jobs as he might otherwise, but he still likes to go out and get his hands dirty from time to time-- it's important to keep himself in fighting shape.

Whether or not Ravus meant for someone to answer him, speaking up seemed the decent thing to do. Their group's relationship with Ravus is certainly a complicated one, especially since so many of them have arrived from disparate points in the timeline, but there's no war with the Empire here. Cooperation was important, now more than ever.]

However, many of the creatures here are comparable to our own aggressive wildlife.

[glaivekeeper]

[Privately, he is grateful to hear of the lack of daemons here. Anything that relieves Lunafreya of her terrible burdens can only be a good thing. Outwardly, though, he makes no indication of it, although the air around him seems to react to his emotions and brightens a little.

None of that is the business of one of the prince's retainers, at any rate, so he continues as if he had not just let slip a stray emotion. He glances at Ignis.]

The response to such wildlife would appear to rely on the services of hired hunters, much as in Lucis. Is there nothing more organised to protect civilians here?

[Surely an organised military force would be more effective than relying on mercenaries.]

[newrecipe]

Not to my knowledge.

[Few things escaped his notice, especially given that he'd been scouring Verens itself for information mere hours after his arrival. He, too, remains reserved, his expression carefully blank, though the air immediately surrounding is warm, a sign of contentment.]

While such an organisation might do Verens a number of favors, I wonder if the locals feel that might be offering 'otherworlders' too much power-- no doubt a number of our kind would want to be involved.

[glaivekeeper]

Even in a place such as this, a suspicion of outsiders has such dominance? How unsurprising.

[Ravus is more than familiar with such an attitude back on Eos. He'd learned very early on in the Niflheim military that he would always be an outsider, both as a former prince of a recently conquered territory, and as the brother of the Oracle. Even when he became High Commander, holding together an army that insisted on treating him as a foreigner was trying at the best of times.

Some attitudes not only transcend countries, but entire worlds, it seems. Still, he mentally shrugs it off; he's sure Noctis's strategist can appreciate the folly of it, so he won't elaborate any further.]

If that is their stance, on their own heads be it.