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

Well, what have you found so far?

I found gum. Some weird short girl with a boring umbrella kept calling it gross.

[ hmm. ]

Yeah? The way you describe her, maybe you should have taken the girl instead!

[ wait. ]

What?! No way, she was weird. And I don't kidnap girls!

[Seriously, why did they not have this discussion.]

Also I found a boring thing you'd like.

There's a first time for everything.

[ and he laughs to break up the silly conversation for a second to focus on the new, priority subject: ]

Yeah? Something for me? You shouldn't have! [ pause. ] Wait. What is it...

No! I never kidnap girls! I'm not a monster!

[He grumbles at that. Also, yes, you sort of are, Keaton.]

Yeah, I found this dumb old mirror that isn't even cracked or broken... so you should have it because otherwise I'm just gonna leave it here!

A mirror?! No way! One that you can easily carry around?

[ it'll go well with the brush that he has inevitably found. tail care is essential! Keaton would do well to learn proper fur maintenance. ]

I was expecting a spider web or something slimy and sticky. Oh, and what's gum?

Yeah, but I didn't pick it for you. I just found it!

[That does sound like his tail. Also he'll learn if you can catch him.]

No, you just get upset when you see those. And I don't know! But it's pink and cool. I'll show it to you!

Is there a difference?

[ it's like every thought comes with a trace of effervescence. and he'll totally be down for catching a tail, don't you worry... ]

Good point. Less of that stuff would make any kitsune happy, but I know how much you love your treasures.

You can show me anytime! Just don't forget the mirror, or do I need to go to you?

Yes! A big one!

[No there's not. Then good, come find him. He doesn't have enough issues here.]

Well, you'll be happy to know that I don't have any of that here yet.

[Which sounds really sad coming from him.]

You should come find me! What are you doing anyways? Grooming yourself again? Take a break!

Then, maybe I can help you find things later? Promise I'll do my best to not freak out right away!

[ he may end up screaming a little in fear once in a while or hide behind Keaton, or maybe look through his fingers. ]

Hey. How'd you know I was... well, that's not the point! Where are you?

[ might be easier to just follow his instincts, but then he might get lost and that'd be a pretty unfortunate thing to happen. ]

I don't need you to come, but you can if you want to.

[tsuntsuntsuntsun]

Because that's all you do! Anyways, I'm by the clock tower, so come find me!

[At least Kaden can find his way back. Keaton might never.]

That's not everything. It's most things. Not every.

[ but it'll be easier to correct Keaton in person, so he's quick to leave his soon-to-be-favorite sitting spot that's within eyeshot of the tower.

on his way there... ]

I get weird stares from people when I walk by. How about you?

It's a lot of things. Most of your day.

[He's not going to believe you for a second. Not even close. Don't even try.]

Yeah, but I mean, I have a cool treasure so I bet they're just jealous.

It'd go easier and faster with some help.

[ of course, Keaton's presence would always be appreciated. it'd probably make him go a little quicker too, if it meant exploring.

it's pretty easy to spot the wolfskin. he sticks out like a sore paw. or tail. or ear. or... any of those things. ]

Here I am! You miss me?

[ not like they've been communicating or anything. ]

I don't wanna do any grooming anyways!

[He enjoys being around Kaden. Even when the dummy is grooming, it's better than being alone.

Keaton sticks out like those things because he has all those things.]

...Yeah. But only because it's lonely being alone!

[Worst tsundere ever.]

[ he laughs, his ears wiggling and tail swinging back and forth behind him in slow, lazy motions. he's always comfortable in Keaton's presence as a fellow shapeshifter, and it helps that he isn't thrusting a spider in his face, too. ]

Well, gosh. If you get lonely, you can just come get me. The pier is so lovely, and the breeze coming off of it can be so soothing.

[ a great place to neatly brush fur, so it can get blown away. ]

So! Show me your things.

I... I don't get that lonely. B... besides! What if someone splashes you?

[Changing the subject immediately. Because Kaden is already teasing him.

Also he's getting a spider next time.]

Well, lookit this!

[He pulls out the squishy pink rock he found and thrusts it up at him.]

Isn't it cool?

Then, I guess I'll have to lie out in the sun until I get dry.

[ and he looks happy with that idea. the more he thinks about getting to laze out in the sun, tail gently tapping the surface of the water while he rests, makes him wish he could do it right now.

the air around him glows, warming his skin with these thoughts, though just for a moment... before his attention is whisked away by the gum. ]

Oh! It looks... very weird.

[ he presses a finger on it. ]

And sticky.

[ pulling it back, a tiny strand of pink is attached to him. ]

And smell like a wet dog all day?! You're so weird...

[It's so bright around Kaden right now, geeze, did he have to get so happy about stupid things like laying around and grooming.

Wasn't as cool as finding treasure.]

Well, yeah, the best treasure is weird.

[When Kaden tries to pull his treasure away (no Keaton, that's not what he's trying to do, he gets a bit on edge.]

H... hey! Stop trying to take my rock!

Edited 2017-01-31 23:16 (UTC)

[ uh yes he does have to get happy about those things? maybe he'll have to drag Kaden along to brush his tail? it'll probably take a gift or two to get him to come along, or maybe he can discover his own. ]

I-I'm not! It's stuck to my finger!

[ then he starts to wave his hand about, to and fro, trying to get it off but to no avail. it'd probably just be easier for him to pull it off but ew? gross? he's not doing that? ]

Do something!

TEST DRIVE: FEBRUARY

C

me and a friend were just talking about how there are like no kadens on DW and here you are

http://i.imgur.com/FZh1zFt.gif

don't rihanna gif me

tears up...

...okay fine you can rihanna gif me

happily tears up???

wow...

look, i love keaton with all my heart so...

and i love kaden... not as much as keaton

gathers them both and runs into the sunset

WAIT DON'T TAKE THEM.

it's too late....... good byeeeeeeee

okay cool gonna steal your things

http://i.imgur.com/QCJEg0e.jpg

wow that's worse than the rihanna gif

but owls! they're so nice! they say hello

i don't give a hoot.

http://i.imgur.com/TLF3nCK.gif

rowlett is cheating banned

you can't stop the rowlett!