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

akane owari / super dangan ronpa 2

[gymnasty]

B.

Hah? Just one piece o' candy per person? Come on, that's so cheap!

[ Of course Akane's taking up a task that involves free food. Popping the candy in her mouth, she rolls it in her tongue and teeth while making weird, sorta lewd sounds... Uh.

But yeah, she seems to like it. She's gonna turn to you in a sec. ]

Mm, roast beef and blueberry... Hey you, what's yours taste like?

C.

[ It's lunchtime, and Akane's famished per usual. Not knowing where to go from here since she's been staying here for a mere few days, she'll take a crack at asking some randos telepathically. ]

You guys know any good restaurants around here? Someplace where it's easy for my wallet.

F.1

[ Finally, some action! Akane may be out of practice but she's not doing bad so far, even managing to take out a bandit or two.

But for once she failed a spot check, and a sleep bullet all but graze on her skin while she dodged an attack. A pause, and she let out a huge yawn before collapsing. Will you catch her or just step aside and let her body hit the floor? You decide. ]

G.
[ obligatory wildcard!! hit me with anything ]

B

[foxtastic]

[ but one candy seems like it's enough, and Kaden has been sucking on his for a while. his expression changes with each flavor, so Akane catches him when it's something particularly tasty. ]

Ooh, it tastes like... apples! Apples and something spicy? It makes my tongue tingle.

[ yeah, talking with something in his mouth is dangerous but it's so delicious that he sparkles! wow, a sparklefox... who would have guessed. ]

[gymnasty]

Really? How spicy are we talkin' 'bout here?

[foxtastic]

Uh... hold on. It's changing again.

[ but now he's wrinkling his nose and sticking his tongue out. the candy on his tongue is brown. ]

Ooh. Is this dirt? Spicy dirt?! Gross!

[ he spits around the precious flavor changer, sending saliva in her direction. whoops! ]

[gymnasty]

H-Hey, watch it!

[ Dodged just in time. ]

Spicy dirty? Why'd they put somethin' like that in candy?

[foxtastic]

I don't know. [ hard for him to talk around his tongue like this, but it's the only way to get the direct flavor out of his mouth. ] Maybe they're playing a trick on everyone?

[ except it's changing again and he quickly brings it back in so he can suck a little harder and...

oh what is THIS ]

... cheese. Tomatoes? [ what a weird combination! ] Is yours changing like mine is?

[gymnasty]

Mmm, yeah! Now I can taste... potatoes? Oh, and more meat!

[ She places a hand on her jaw, hearts appearing out of nowhere as she sucks more of the sweet until it's all gone. Meat-flavored candy... ]

That was actually pretty fun! Think they got more of these?

F-1

[hamnation]

What?! [Normally, Tanaka would be content to let his classmate drop to the ground like a sack of potatoes. But he happened to be close enough to her when it took effect that he was left without a choice: without even a 'timber!', Akane was falling right on him.

So, he ended up putting a lot of effort into catching her so that he would not be crushed. He ends up standing with her practically on his back, and his hands are propped on her shoulders to try to decrease the weight pressing on him. He gruns in frustration as he deals with this.]

You fiend... This is no time for an enchanted slumber!

Re: F-1

[gymnasty]

Five more minutes, zzz...

[ yep, she's a goner. The voice she just heard sounds pretty familiar though, but she's currently too drowsy to register it in her head.

So yes, she's getting heavier on Tanaka's back as she becomes even sleepier. With the hamster man distracted, one of the bandits sees this as an opportunity to shoot more sleep bullets at them. Watch out! ]

[hamnation]

In five minutes, the entire world could end!! [He groans and sinks slightly as she becomes more of a dead weight. Tanaka still does take notice of the incoming bullets, and he quickly uses his emotions to project a barrier, just briefly enough for it to stop the bullets from hitting them. He can't keep this up for long while carrying her.]

N-now... awaken! I command it of you!

[gymnasty]

Jeez, you're noisier than usual... [ But fine, give her a moment to get her bearings. She's blinking blearily, looking at the commotion around her and at the guy who's thankfully gotten her back.

Yeah, her brain's finally registering it, and she leaps back from the male. ]

Tanaka? What're you doin' here?

[hamnation]

[As she leaps off, he stumbles a little before he regains his composure and crosses his arms.]

Hmph... So you finally wake, to the sounds of calamity?

Is it not obvious? I, too, have been summoned here to do battle with the demons of the sky!

[gymnasty]

I-I wasn't sleepin'! I was just, uh, takin' a break!

[ Sure, let's go with that. A bandit suddenly sneaks up behind her and she quickly catches him in a headlock without looking. ]

See? Still got it. How'd you learn the shield thing anyway?

C

[dereban]

[ Why is she asking this sort of question over the telepathic network, it is a mystery... the voice that Akane gets back is somewhat exasperated, sighing before she opts to answer. ]

Have you tried From the Hearth?

[gymnasty]

Think I passed by that one. What're their bestsellers?

[dereban]

I like the omurice a lot, personally... and most of their meat kabobs are pretty good, too.

[gymnasty]

Did you say... meat kabobs?!

[ you've just activated her trapcard ]

Wh-what else do they got there? Are they cheap? Can i get it for free?! I'll do anything!

[dereban]

[ Well, she's clearly fucked, where did her lifepoints go... ]

Ah, yeah, I did... and they're pretty cheap, but I don't know if you can get it for free.

[gymnasty]

Ah well, figures. From The Hearth, right? Thanks!

[ A whole minute passes, and then - ]

Uh, how do I go from here? I know I just passed it, but now it's gone?

F1

[eyeswideopen]

[Were he not in the peak of health, ie his simulation self he'd have let her hit the deck. Komaeda catches her and extends his hand out with a hissed word. The next bullets hit a crystalline wall of light, his emotions shaped by dunamis. Any force against the wall will rebound unless it's at the focal point, above their heads.]

Owari-san. I would really appreciate it if you woke up.

[He can't counterattack while he is in defensive mode. Not without killing someone and he promised not to do that.]

Owariiii, I can't keep this up all day!

[gymnasty]

[ An all-too familiar voice stirs her from her slumber, and she attempts to flutter her eyes open to see Komaeda protecting her. Her eyes widen in confusion as she spots the shield reflecting those bullets away from them. ]

Y-You...

[ Just give her a minute to stretch a bit. Luckily the sleep bullet had merely grazed her skin, so at least she can still get up. ]

Man... Ya teach me how to do that! [ She points at the shield with her thumb. ]

[eyeswideopen]

Once we're out of this. I would more than happy to!

[He lets go of her once she's on her feet and lets the energy he'd forced into a wall blast out in waves of force. Not enough to send people off the deck but enough it might knock a few down.]

But let's deal with this first. [Without any other words he curls his fingers sending wind ripping across the deck at the backs of those who were still standing. Normally he'd fight hand to hand, two years make a habit but, he doesn't want to get into Owari's way.]

I can keep them distracted if you'll do the rest.

[gymnasty]

[ Right. Just give her a moment to stretch out first. Cracking her knuckles and neck before slamming her fist onto her open palm in anticipation. ]

Now we're talkin'!

[ And off she goes. Though she's still pretty drowsy from the sleep bullet, she can still manage to barrel through the crowd of bandits just as easily, even taking out a few with a wrestling move or two that could make Nidai proud if he were here.

But the sleepiness is catching up to her once again, so she climbs the mast to keep herself away from the marauders and yawns. Wonder how Komaeda's doin'... ]

Yo! You all right down there?

[eyeswideopen]

[By the time Owari checks on him, Komaeda has abandoned the subtler manipulations of Dunamis for physical combat. A bandit hits the deck on his back and Komaeda lets go of his wrist to dodge a swing at his side. Several of the crowd are on the ground blinking at the sudden turning tide.

He looks up at her call and shrugs, calmly heading right back into the fray.] Oh I'm well enough! Once I'm done here we can get the bullet effects purged by a healer. The Enforcer ship should have at least one.

[Like his master he uses the Tibetan White Crane style that requires fluid movements and knowing the flow of battle. Coupled with Dunamis to slow his opponents down he sends them scattering or falling about. Winding chains and being frozen in place by ice locking their feet or guns is as easy as breathing.]

[gymnasty]

[ Holy shit, look at all those moves. Akane can't help but grin - they should definitely spar after this! Who knew a sickly-lookin' guy like Komaeda had it in him. ]

Yeah, lemme know when you're done! Just gonna... nap here...

[ snnzz ]