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

A. hello there...

[failinglight]

[If there was one being besides her Master that Barriss could pick up on in the Force without really having to concentrate, it was Ahsoka Tano. They'd been through enough together that the togruta's sense was as clear a beacon as any lighthouse, and she immediately headed that way. It'd been months since they'd parted, her on a mission with Master Skywalker and Barriss on deployment to Drongar and the Bota fields there. Ahsoka was here! That was at least a positive, someone she could trust and someone she could talk to about all this.

Slipping through streets, sliding around corners with at least a little haste, knowing that the other Padawan can feel her coming just as keenly. It's a matter of moments she steps around a corner and into view.]

Ahso-

[...The sight of an older togruta female momentarily freezes her words, mouth snapping shut and eyes widening with surprise. Was she mistaken? Was this world playing tricks on her?

Taking a step back, she lowered her eyes in disappointment.]

...Sorry, I thought you were someone else.

oh no this is gonna hurt

[nojedi]

[Barriss' presence takes her by surprise. She never thought she'd see her former friend again. She's too attuned to her emotions right now. The flower withers, as does the grass surrounding it as she looks up.

Barriss. The rage is blinding, too blinding for her to see exactly how little Barriss has changed, and how unlikely that is given how long it's been since she saw her.]

You.

[The swirl of emotions is almost overwhelming. There's rage, yes, but sorrow too, and pain and a tiny, barely-there remnant of happiness from the small part of her that hasn't forgotten they used to be friends, the part that thought Barriss was as dead as the Jedi council wanted Ahsoka to be for the crimes Barriss committed, as dead as the rest of the Jedi. She still manages to notice that Barriss' presence doesn't feel dark. Then again she'd managed to hide it well enough when she framed Ahsoka. She can't trust her feelings here.

One of her lightsabers materializes in her hand eyes narrowing.]

It's worse because Barriss's canonpoint is way, way before the crazy :(

[failinglight]

[Barriss's eyes go wide, her feet shuffling backwards, shock at the rage and sorrow welling up in the woman hitting her like a vibro-sledge. Her hands shoot up, palms open in what she hopes is a placating gesture. Head darting from side to side, making sure there's nobody else around, the Padawan swallows.]

I...

[And then there's a lightsaber. She'd recognize one anywhere, but it's not the one she's familiar with. That only further confuses her, because Ahsoka didn't carry one in that style. How are there two people with the same presence in the Force? No, not just two people, two Jedi! Who was this woman? And...]

...I don't...

[Her eyes squeeze shut. She's confused now, but hopefully she can avoid getting killed by just staying calm and trying to figure out what's got this woman so upset. If worse comes to worst she can defend herself. Her lightsaber is there, just a heartbeat away, but she doesn't want to draw it. This is just like Phow Ji, a test by the Force. A conflict to be avoided by staying calm, and trusting it's guidance.]

...Who are you?

This is fine

[nojedi]

You know who I am, Barriss!

[But Ahsoka is smart, smarter than her knee-jerk anger, and the pull of her rage, of the Dark Side, is not enough to keep her from recognizing several important things.

Barriss hasn't aged at all. It's been long enough that she should be an adult like Ahsoka. That or dead for her crimes. And she's not lying about her confusion. It is possible to lie to a force user, but that level of confusion can't be faked. Barriss doesn't recognize Ahsoka, and doesn't know why Ahsoka is angry.

It doesn't make her rage go away. Ignorance doesn't undo the past. But it's enough that she powers off her lightsaber, glaring through skirted eyes. She isn't a Jedi. She can seek recent if she wants. But there is too much to figure out first. And if a part of her is relieved she isn't going to kill her friend, well, that's probably a good thing. Fighting in the Clone War and the Rebellion hasn't completely destroyed her yet.]

Don't you?

It sure is.

[failinglight]

No...I don't.

[Barriss answers immediately, keeping her hands up, the picture of open honesty. She is not lying when she speaks, and trying to make it all the more obvious that the weapon isn't necessary. Her posture remains stiff even after the saber clicks off. There's a furtive wariness to her stance and the desire to just bolt in the face of that rage is almost overpowering. But she manages to hold herself together.]

You feel like Ahsoka Tano. But...you can't be her. You're fully grown.

[Her eyes open slowly, taking in the hard lines of the togruta's face, but never once meeting her gaze. She's afraid of what she'll see there, if she looks too deeply. Rage, the yellowing that accompanied a fall into the Darkness, and something else. The fury that was directed at her was almost palpable, and that meant something. Even if it was just...confusing.

Face falling, Barriss starts mumbling to herself]

How would that even be possible? Ahsoka is younger than me, and two people can't feel the same...? Can they?

[nojedi]

I am Ahsoka Tano. And fully grown.

[She tilts back her head. This shouldn't be possible. But then again, there's a lot going on lately that shouldn't be possible. Could Barriss really be young enough that she hasn't betrayed Ahsoka? Does it matter? Ahsoka will never make the mistake of trusting her again.

Even if Barriss wasn't entirely wrong. About the Jedi council and the Republic, anyway. Not about framing Ahsoka for murder. That part was really wrong. They'd been friends.]

You have no idea what you did.

[It's not a question. Ahsoka already knows the answer. She just doesn't know what to do about it.]

[failinglight]

How...?

[No. No, that couldn't be a lie. There was no way that was a lie, in Barriss's eyes. The Force gave her no inkling, and she'd always been good at judging people's intentions even without it. Drawing in on herself, Barriss shivered and teetered, on the verge of running again in the face of that simmering anger.]

And you're right, I have no idea what you're talking about.

[Forcing herself to move, she takes a single step forward, then another, towards a bench and taking a seat there. It's more a graceless flop, really, the air temperature around her plunging another dozen degrees. Snow begins to fall all around her, and she clutches her head in confusion.]

I just know that there's something really screwy going up. I was on Drongar. I was coming out of a surgery for one of the troopers. And instead of the detox room, I ended up here. Where ever here is.

[She looks up warily, brushing flecks of ice from the hood of her robe before pulling it down.]

Do you know where we are? Is this...the afterlife?

[nojedi]

Drongar? Troopers? [Yeah, that was a long time ago. There aren't many Clone Troopers left, and Jedi never have been involved with them. Jedi or whatever Barriss qualifies as now.]

No, this isn't the afterlife. That was too long ago, and you lived much longer than that. Long enough to betray the entire Jedi Order. And me.

[failinglight]

[That hits hard too, Barriss actually recoiling a little. It simply does not add up, and only further enforces the idea that something is horribly amiss. Betray the Jedi. Betray Ahsoka? How? Why?]

...When?

[The air grows colder, frost forming in Barriss's dark hair, fingers of it creeping across the ground and crawling up Ahsoka's shoes.]

I don't remember this, and it doesn't make any sense. I was just...I don't...

[Her calm demeanor crumbles and she rakes at her hair, fingers crackling against the ice. She has no idea what's going on but the idea of staying here, talking about this, is getting less and less appealing. But it just doesn't make sense. No more than this weird...world. Wherever this is.]

...I don't understand. I can tell you're not lying. I know better, but I can't see any possible reason that would make me do that. You're...you're my closest friend. I owe you my life and more.

Did something happen? Before that. Between...whenever that happened and where I am now?

[nojedi]

[Before Barriss was Ahsoka's enemy, she was her friend. Her best friend. And staring at her now, as young and innocent and guileless as she once was, it's so difficult to hold onto her anger, as much as she wants to. As much as Barriss deserves it. Can Ahsoka hold her responsible for things she hasn't done yet? How long was she planning what she did?]

War is hard on people.

[She crosses her arms, glancing away with a twisted expression.]

And the Republic isn't as good as we once thought.

[If Barriss had just betrayed them, Ahsoka could forgive her. But she had to make it so personal.]

[failinglight]

[Guileless is probably the best work to describe Barriss in her current state. She's not a good liar, she's not even good at pretending, especially not to Ahsoka. That may be why the sudden change in her demeanor is so shocking, but right now she's basically as confused and taken aback as Ahsoka was.]

The Republic. The War.

[Pressing her face into her hands, she lets out a muffled sigh, more of that frost growing, her boots freezing to the Earth.]

I don't know what to say, Ahsoka. But I believe you. I...felt something on Drongar, when I was exposed to some of the bota. Like, there was something wrong, something deadly coming. But as Master Yoda says, the future is always in motion.

[So she hadn't said anything to most people.]

Maybe us being here together is the Force trying to find a way to reconcile that. Or, a way you can find some sort of peace. I can feel your anger. And if there's some way I can help you find that peace, I will do it.

[She looks up, gaze seeking Ahsoka's.]

I don't want you to fall into darkness, Ahsoka.

[nojedi]

[Her temper flares at that and she takes a step back. She'd almost, almost managed to put it behind her, but considering Barriss is the one who had fallen, the one who had, it turned out, been a less reliable ally than Ventriss, hearing her plead with Ahsoka not to fall into darkness just brings up a bitter feeling in the back of her throat.]

That's really funny, coming from you.

[She's not a Jedi anymore, but she's not Sith either. She's been walking that line for over a decade now. It's not that she can't fall, but she isn't any closer now than she's been in all that time.]

[failinglight]

[Folding her hands in her lap, Barriss remains as placid as Master Yoda would expect, at peace and calm in the face of slings and arrows directed her way.]

I won't try and say it isn't at least a little ironic.

[Cold swirls around the two of them, more frost coating the entire garden as a kind of gloom settles into Barriss's heart.]

Maybe it's the Force telling me to fix what I've done wrong before it happens. It's not merely a coincidence. It can't be.

[A beat, a kind of rigidity settling into Barriss's posture, determination suffusing her emotions.]

Ahsoka, if you want revenge for whatever happened, I won't stop you from taking it. Just please consider how angry you are right now, and if I'm worth falling over.

[The thing is she won't. Not if it makes the Galaxy a better place, she'd give her life a dozen times over. And even in the face of this she still trusts Ahsoka to do the right thing.]

[nojedi]

[She shakes her head. She hasn't fallen that far. Not yet. Not when Barriss hasn't even done anything by her own timeline. It would be wrong, and while as a non-Jedi, Ahsoka is free to act on her emotions, she isn't about to hurt someone who's surrendering to her. Even someone who hurt her so badly already.]

I told you. I'm not falling. You're safe from me until you do something.

[The heat of her anger and determination swirls through, battling back the frost. If Barriss does something that Ahsoka needs to stop, she won't hesitate.]

I don't know how you can fix it. Not from here.

[failinglight]

[Which is pretty unlikely. Barriss shakes her head and takes a breath, her back straightening, that determination from earlier radiating through her frosted over limbs, hardening it into a solid sheet.]

Well. I'll just have to try. Because I won't do something to hurt another living being.

[There's absolute conviction behind her voice, a well of light and certainty springing from deep inside.]

I'm not the person who'll hurt you. And I won't become that person, even if it kills me. If you believe nothing else, believe that the Force is giving us a chance. Why else would we be here? Wherever here is.

[nojedi]

[The Will of the Force. The Jedi talked about that all the time, Ahsoka included. That things happened for a reason, that the Force knew what it was doing.

Honestly, she hopes that isn't true. If the Force has some sort of guiding will, either it's not strong enough for most people to hear, or it's not nearly as benevolent as they always assumed. She refuses to believe the Force could favor the dark side, which means she has to believe that the will of people is more powerful and important than the will of the Force. For better or worse.]

I honestly hope you're right about that. [There's a hardness to her tone. She does hope it. But she doesn't expect it.] But you'll forgive me if I have trouble taking your word for it.

[failinglight]

[Barriss lifts her shoulders in a halfhearted shrug, forcing some neutrality into her voice. She would. She'd prove this all wrong and fix whatever broke this friendship.

There's more though, and while she rises and re-covers her head, she can't not say something.]

Master Yoda is here, if you haven't felt his presence yet. You should seek him out.

[nojedi]

I know.

[She hasn't decided if she's going to seek him out yet. Yoda was one of the people she trusted the most once, but he hadn't put in any effort to stop her from getting booted from the Jedi Order or executed. She's glad he's alive. She's not sure if she's ready to face him.]

I'm not a Jedi anymore. Haven't been for a long time.

[There are no Jedi anymore.]

[failinglight]

I don't think that matters to him.

[Yoda wasn't the sort of person who'd hold anything against anyone unless it was an absolute violation of the morals the Jedi stood for. At least, that was how she saw him.

And Ahsoka wasn't that far gone yet. At least, as she saw it.

Turning away, Barriss started to leave.]

May the Force be with you, my old friend.