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

E3

[raisdiant]

[The figure in the darkness stirs...then suddenly lights up, illuminated by a blue light that has little to do with his emotions. Said emotions are present, though: swirling darkly around his feet and lapping at his ankles, frantic shadows only partially banished by the beautiful and wholesome light of demonfire.]

Don't know the way?

[There's an incredulous edge to Gilles' voice, almost affronted, as if he takes offense to the idea that he, Gilles de Rais, would somehow be lost, in a sewer of all places. Absurd!]

Ha! You betray your ignorance. I absolutely know the way!

[Gilles smirks, but his bold declaration doesn't answer the question of why he's there, if he knows the way.]

[notsolomon]

[Oh it's Gilles. Damn, of all the people to outwardly admit weakness to, it had to be him. William grimaces a moment, the darkness wavering, but tries to pull himself together. As much as is possible when he's drenched in sewer water.]

Hmph, of course I would run into you.

[The air settles a little bit around William into a soft, vibrating darkness. Is the demon lost? Does he know the way? Who the hell knows. Gilles is frustration personified, but that's also a comfort. He knows exactly what he's in for when it comes to this demon.]

What are you doing? Trying to find a new way to pop up between someone's legs?

[Maybe demons got bored of using teleportation tricks. That was as likely an explanation as anything.]

[raisdiant]

[Regardless of whether Gilles actually knows the way out, he's going to enjoy being smug about this, and he laughs.]

Of course you would. Maybe you enjoy my company a little more than you admit? Hm?

[Gilles doesn't give him a straight answer, of course. Shadows loop around Gilles' arms and hang around his neck, noose-like. Only they don't really do that, as they're only shadows, but they almost seem to have actual mass. Yet his sunny disposition seems to be at odds with his moody shadows.]

I'm not surprised, I know how charming I am. But then again, I also know how lost you are... Poor little William.

[notsolomon]

[He twitches, causing a little red hot spark to appear next to him.]

Hardly. I definitely wouldn't go into a sewer to find you either.

[Not when Gilles will just pop up whenever he pleases. Why bother then?

He does notice the shadows then and has to wonder if maybe the demon is lying about his own situation. That or agitated about something else. Or maybe his heart is so dark that the shadows are only natural?

But before he can ponder that train of thought, Gilles words sting again and three more red hot sparks flash around him, irritation growing.]

Anyone would be lost without a map of such a place. Given time I would be able to orient myself on my own.

[And it's not like he's poor Valjean, carrying a man with him. Of course the thickening muck, shadows and red sparks make the truth clear.]

[raisdiant]

Maybe you just miss the company of demons that much.

[Gilles doesn't actually think William cares to spend time with him, but it's fun to pretend. It amuses him. But he doesn't offer any information about his shadows, which continue to slither around, hinting at some kind of agitation. Gilles isn't exactly honest about his feelings.]

If you missed me, you only had to say.

[He laughs when William's sparks fly up.]

You're much brighter than usual down here! I wouldn't ever be lost. There's always the easy way out. Straight. Up.

[Gilles points, and his finger crackles, to remind William that he can just blast his way up through all this pesky infrastructure.]

[notsolomon]

[Oh now he's getting even more irritated and a bit embarrassed by this, because he does miss the company of certain demons, just not this one. So there's quite a few little sparks here and there, like fireflies, only red.]

...I do not know that blowing our way out of here is the best. We don't even know what is above us.

[William had considered using his own magic, but something about all this weighty air made him feel pinned down.]

I don't want to pay damages, do you?

[raisdiant]

[Gilles sees those sparks, guesses at the reason for them, and laughs.]

Hmm, yes, I thought so... How predictable that you'd end up enamored.

[It's funny to see William's discomfort, so he's going to keep being annoying.]

Our way? It'll be my way, thank you very much.

[Since they have at no point become an "us".]

Damages? There's no one here who can make me pay.

[Is Baalberith around? No! So he doesn't have to do what anyone says.]

So you'll have to pay for me.

[notsolomon]

[And those sparks go away for a moment, because he might as well just give up. He forgot it was useless in the face of this demon.]

As long as I get out of this place, I hardly care.

[There is a surge of heat, almost similar to pure murderous intent at the suggestion that William might have to pay. It passes quickly though, because this is William.]

That's not happening either. It's not like I have the money here.

[And those shadows just became even darker at that thought. Will he ever be a rich man again? Or is he doomed to this mediocrity? Leave it to a sewer to make you ruminate on your horrible life.]

[raisdiant]

I might know the other way out. And for someone of my talents, it wouldn't be difficult for find it.

[Or he could snatch William up and teleport with him. That would work.]

But you'll have to make it worth my while!

[There's nothing in particular he wants from William—well, not that William will realistically give him, but he can't just help him to be nice. That's not in his nature. And it's not entertaining.]

That's not my fault! Demons don't have to pay fines. Maybe the authorities can use feelings to fix things. Feelings are free, aren't they? So maybe they won't mind your poverty, and you can pay them back with your labor.

[notsolomon]

You might? That doesn't exactly create confidence.

[He's disliking this more and more. Why was he even bothering?]

Maybe I will just walk instead.

[The shadows around him are just sad and resigned and the muck while heavy, doesn't feel like it's even trying at this point. Why bother with a defeated man.]

And demons are not above the law. At all. And if they somehow are, I will make sure to ask the authorities here to change that.

[If they insisted on existing in his space, then they should face all the icky consequences of living. Like taxes and lawsuits.]

[raisdiant]

If you think I'm trying to create confidence, you're sorely mistaken! If I were, I would.

[Of course he could, if he wanted to.]

If you'd like to stay stuck in the mud, you're welcome to. You're already a stick in the mud! Or you could ask a certain nephilim for assistance.

[It makes no difference to Gilles whether William gets out.]

Don't be ridiculous! I'm not a part of this society, so I don't need to follow its laws. I'm only bound by the laws of Hell, even when I'm outside of it.

[He doesn't need any of the stupid public services humans rely on, so he doesn't have to pay taxes! Not that that will keep him from mooching, when he feels like it.]

If they want me to pay some kind of fine, they can take it up with my superior!

[Who conveniently isn't here.]

[notsolomon]

[Somehow he keeps forgetting who he's talking to. Maybe because back home there was usually the barrier of Sytry there, or because Gilles was more interested in picking on Dantalion. And speaking of him...]

We both know that's useful and besides, I hardly need his help, no matter how stuck I am right now.

[He can move just fine and makes an attempt now, though he only lifts his foot with some effort. It feels like every thing is shifting even more under his feet and it takes a moment to find stability.]

Then why not go back to your blasted Hell? Oh that's right, you can't.

[raisdiant]

I mean, you can ask me for my help. If you want to get out of here.

[Obviously, Gilles is the best nephilim and the most worth speaking of!]

You didn't even say "Hello, Baron de Rais, how do you do?" Your manners are atrocious. Then again, you are English...

[He couldn't resist slipping that one in, but at William's remark about Hell, he straightens, and his hands settle on his hips.]

Oh, on the contrary! I'm on a mission from Hell.

[Gilles' shadow-feelings squirm, possibly with pleasure. Scheming cheers him up.]

[notsolomon]

And that takes us back to the original problem which is that I do not wish to owe you.

[And now he pulls a face the comment about manners and is that stench around them getting stronger, as if to mirror his disgust?]

Dead men stop being Barons. Especially dead French barons.

[Why are the French like this? And why does he have to deal with one.]

A mission that has taken you into the sewers.

[He says it flatly. Sytry's Uncle is a weird, weird man.]

[raisdiant]

I don't see why that's a problem—you already owe me.

[Gilles' lip curls. Ugh, it is getting rank down here. But he's enjoying their chat enough that he lingers.]

Now you're just being contrary. It's not as if you call your kings "Henry the no-longer-a-king-because-he's-dead." and "Charles previously-a-king-but-now-deceased". It's an ancestral title!

[He shakes his head and wags his finger.]

I think you'll find that the history books remember me as a baron, among other things.

[Gilles shrugs at the flatness in William's tone. He doesn't owe him any explanation.]

That's correct. I was still under orders when I came here. I'd tell you about it, but—no, wait, I'd never tell you about it under any circumstances.

[notsolomon]

What do I owe you?

[Here is the real reason he can't deal with this man: he's utterly baffling.]

That is entirely different and you know it. They have long since passed on their authority to another, I have no need to obey them.

[He placed a hand on his hip, sighing.]

I suppose whatever it is, I will probably find out soon enough if it's important. Whether I want to or not.

[William was erring on the side of 'do not want.']