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

[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.]

[glaivekeeper]

[Positive thoughts do not come especially easily to Ravus, but at least his sister is one of them. Even if those thoughts are tinged with their own sadness, he won't dwell on that aspect, not now.]

The light at the end of the tunnel, then. [He remarks drily -- the meaning here both literal and metaphorical.] To think something as trifling as emotion would have power would be absurd, in my own world.

[And from what he understands of other worlds, most of them are the same. Yet despite their progress through the tunnel, even the thought of his own world, Eos, is enough to slow Ravus's progress again, the filth around his feet feeling like it's beginning to grow heavier once more.

This might take some practice, before he's able to fuel his emotions consistently.]

[notsolomon]

[In truth, he finds himself overwhelmed by his frustrations, especially with events from home. But despite all those sour notes, he's always fought his way forward, so why stop now?]

It does seem a bit ridiculous, doesn't it? [He hated it personally, because wielding that power meant letting everyone see what he was feeling.] Then again, people let emotion move them all the time. whole countries have been changed overnight because of the emotions of people.

[And it's getting harder to move once again and he can tell it's coming from his companion.]

I hope I am not mistaken, but are you a soldier?

[Maybe changing the topic would help a bit.]

[glaivekeeper]

[Unfortunately for William, this is a sore topic to bring up too. The atmosphere only continues to get heavier again, for all Ravus's efforts to try to fend it off, yet he grits his teeth, still trying to press on. Being confronted with the ugly truth of just how much he lets his emotions run amok irritates him more than anything else.]

I was a leader, not some lowly footsoldier. [It's a point of pride for him to mention that. The general assumption that he's of the military is correct, at least. He glances sidelong at his temporary companion.] Ravus Nox Fleuret. Supreme Commander of the Niflheim imperial army.

[Might as well give the full introduction, even if it's less impressive given they're... in a sewer. How the mighty have fallen.]

[notsolomon]

[Yep that was the wrong question. He can practically feel it in his pores. Most people would be bragging a bit more, though he can feel the pride there.]

They are really pulling people from every strata... [He sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck a little.] I am William Twining. My father was an Earl, but there have been a few unfortunate problems with that back home.

[Still he feels pride in his own family name and is beaming and for a moment, one can feel a sense of warmth about him, though it fades away quickly. There are even more problems back home, to the point that if he thinks on it, this sewer isn't quite as bad. Not quite.]

[glaivekeeper]

[Ravus isn't about to brag, when it's a title he's always had mixed feelings about at the best of times. Nor is he really interested in listening to the problems of the son of an Earl, but he raises an eyebrow nonetheless. It'll pass the time and keep his mind off of anything that will hinder their progress, if nothing else.]

Problems such as what, precisely?

[He can sense the other man's pride in his family, if nothing else. It's a good trait to have.]

[notsolomon]

Oh my Uncle just bankrupted me and disappeared for a year. And I had demons hanging around me. And a bunch of other nonsense that isn't worth the time.

[Also his uncle had apparently wanted him dead the entire time they'd been living together. That was something he was still chewing on a bit, but perhaps that was a bit uncouth to talk about. Though everything is heavy in the air for a moment, like a pressing weight.]