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

this task is just begging for zaveid tho

[zadeya]

[ of course rose will notice his backside. it's a very nice backside. he - and anyone with half a functioning brain - will not find fault in rose for recognizing the loveliness of the said backside.

it might come into question later just how much rose spent in eyeing that backside for her to become familiar with it. or for her to consider its presence 'distinct'.

but, that is neither here nor there.

zaveid doubles over dramatically and turns to face her and rub the affected area as best as he can. ] Well hey now, Rose. You know I'm all against things which cause any pretty lady discomfort.

[ he squints. ] The loss of panties do count as one, am I right?

it calls out to his very soul

[shivmeabreak]

[Hey, it's not every day you see some nut shove a gun down his crack okay.]

[Asses and their attached butts aside, Rose is starting to wish she had a more discreet implement of destruction such as Edna's parasol. Sure she could use one of her daggers, but it's a hassle to get the sheath off her belt, and those running the Welcome Center tend to frown at drawn weapons. For now she'll have to settle for give Zaveid a dubious stare.]

I'm not answering that.

[Brushing past him, she skims over the current listings real quick before throwing him another glance.]

Wouldn't a monster-hunting task be better for someone with your skills anyway?

[zadeya]

[ HIS PANTS DON'T HAVE ENOUGH ROOM OKAY AND HIS NIPPLE-LESS BARE CHEST HAS NO ROOM TO STORE IT IN SO HE MAKES DO WITH WHAT HE HAS OKAY? OKAY.

rose and her unwillingness to answer such an innocent query gets a raised brow from him. what? he's curious about what the fairer sex considers comfortable or not. panties are just another layer of clothing, right? yeah.

he turns his attention to the listing and shrugs. ] There is that, but the fact that we have a thief in our midst has me concerned. What if you or someone we know gets targeted? Better to to be safe than sorry, is my thinking.

[shivmeabreak]

[BUT... BUT THOSE HOLSTERS! ON HIS THIGHS! WHAT ELSE ARE THEY FOR IF NOT TO STASH HIS GUN?! Though to be fair he seems to have had them before obtaining Siegfried but whatever. HER POINT STILL STANDS. As does her blatant refusal to take about her undergarments with Zaveid of all people. Not. Happening.]

You might have a point about quashing this problem before it gets out of hand, but there's no reason to worry about me.

[This time Rose does whip out one of her daggers with a flourish, earning her several startled looks from the locals who were already inching away. Happens when you seem to be having a conversation with thin air. But eh, she's getting used to it.]

If I find them first, they won't be stealing anything at all, finger food included! [Grinning, she wiggles the nice and sharp, shiny blade.] Since you're so concerned, though, how's about we tackle this one together?

[zadeya]

[ WHAT DO YOU MEAN HOLSTERS HAVE FUNCTION SUCH AS HOLDING GUNS? THIS IS NOT TRUE OBVIOUSLY IT'S NOT ROSE IS JUST MAKING THINGS UP OBVIOUSLY HOLSTERS ARE FOR DECORATIVE PURPOSES ONLY AND DON'T THEY MAKE HIM LOOK SEXILY DANGEROUS THO ]

zaveid eyes the dagger but isn't that much concerned about it - which can't be said about him when it's the earth seraph talking to him. at least rose doesn't go poking innocent bystanders with it on an hourly basis! ]

Woah, woah. Don't get your panties in a twist. [ hihihi ] I'm not looking to kill anything, mind you. [ well... not this time, at least. ] Which is bound to happen whenever you're involved.

[ pot calling the kettle black? whatevs. ]

[shivmeabreak]

[T-THAT IS SADLY TRUE. THEY DO ACCENTUATE HIS THIGHS QUITE NICELY NOT THAT SHE'LL EVER ADMIT IT, AND SHOVING A GUN IN ONE OF THEM WOULD KIND OF THROW THE WHOLE BALANCE OFF BY INTRODUCING A BULGE WHERE NONE SHOULD BE. ...WHY IS ZAVEID'S WEAPON AND BULGES ON HIS LOWER HALF THE SUBJECT OF THIS DISCUSSION. THIS IS RIDICULOUS.]

[Almost as ridiculous as Zaveid thinking he's safe when he keeps mentioning Rose's panties, metaphorical or not, judging by the way her eyes narrow at the phrase. Smart ass.]

Not every time! [Just. Most of the time. ...okay, maybe closer to 95%. Bite her.] Do we have a deal if I promise not to spill any blood? Will that keep you happy?

[As a bonus she won't even point out his hypocrisy!]

[zadeya]

[ it's a known fact that women are quite attached to zaveid's bulges, wherever they may be situated. no, no, don't feel bad, rose, zaveid understands. there, there. it's because rose has eyes. even dezel appreciates his bulges. it's because rose has taste. it's because rose is a beautiful, beautiful person. ]

Happy that a lovely person like yourself will be assisting me? Sure. [ smiiiiile. ] What's the matter, though? Don't have anything better to do?

[shivmeabreak]

[Especially when said bulges are inflicted by the women themselves, no doubt. Rose certainly knows that holds true for her. ...and clearly she needs to have a Talk with Dezel later if he's been admiring anything besides Zaveid's razor-like wit or overly friendly nature. Though knowing the younger wind seraph as she does, he was probably just trying to slap Zaveid across the face with his wind.]

Not today, no. I'm still working on rebuilding the Sparrowfeathers here, and some extra cash can't hurt! In fact... [She sidles up to nudge him with an elbow.] How would you like to join my guild? I can always use another reliable su- source of seraphic help! Especially one with your talents!

[zadeya]

[ don't worry, it's a thing Zaveid And Dezel Don't Talk About. and rose shouldn't be surprised when dezel denies it - which zaveid is 100000000% sure he will. it's a Wind Seraph Thing, after all. you can't sit with us, rose, we wear pink on tuesdays, etc. etc. ]

My talents, huh? [ doesn't that sound loaded. ] Which specific talent are you talking about? I have plenty of them, after all.

[shivmeabreak]

[Fear not! Not she has ways of getting what she wants, be it information or favors or more. Mean and often cruel ways. Though sometimes pleasurable, too. Though frequently not for her victim's stomach.]

Well since you're offering~ [He may only have been asking but let's not sweat the details!] I need someone to help with deliveries and to bless my buns!

[that.

wasn't supposed to sound like that]

[zadeya]

[ oh, it wasn't? could've fooled him.

or not, because zaveid cocks his head to the side and appears to actually consider it. by virtue of walking around rose and looking her all over. ]

Are we talking about your upper buns or lower buns? 'cause I know at least ten different ways of blessing each of those buns - but you have to be specific. Otherwise the "blessing" won't feel as nice.

[ because they might be talking about different kinds of blessings. nice. ]

[shivmeabreak]

[In all her excitement at possibly having someone fairly agreeable to impose upon for cooking help, Rose doesn't realize her faux pas right away. In fact, it takes the mention of 'upper' and 'lower' buns for it to sink in with an audible click. Her face heats up a lot faster, though, and thanks to Empatheias' wonderful way of reacting to emotions, steam literally starts rising up from her red cheeks. No, not those cheeks. Keep your mind out of the gutter!]

Neither one, dammit! I'm talking about food! Curry buns! Mabo curry buns!

[Aaaaand great, now everybody is boggling at her like she's lost her mind. Whirling around to keep her... buns out of his sight, she jabs a finger at the door.]

We'll talk about this outside! Now move it!

[zadeya]

[ mabo curry buns? well, hell. zaveid's shoulders slump dramatically in defeat. ]

Way to get my hopes up and dash it, Rose. [ grumble, grumble. this is all for show, though, because zaveid is not that big of an idiot.

--well actually he is, but that's not the point. he was led on. yeah.

he crosses his arms and stands his ground. ] Why should we? I'm perfectly comfortable right here.

[shivmeabreak]

Yeah, yeah. Nurse your wounded pride later, would you? [You windy peacock.] Preferably away from all these normal people. We're starting to draw a crowd.

[Seriously. Even Rose Dezel has more sense than to attract the attention of a bunch of wary locals. She's not sure what they do with strange people who talk to themselves, but neither is she keen on finding out. ...and maybe her last encounter with them hadn't been the best, okay. Minor case of food poisoning and all that.]

Besides, no reason for us to hang around if we're going to catch us a thief, right?

[zadeya]

[ the curious people gets a cursory glance from zaveid. normally he'd say 'to hell with them' - not like they all can see him, can they? but rose's second statement makes him reconsider. oh, right. all these talks about blessing buns had him derailed from his very chivalrous task. ]

There is that. Hey, you've been here longer than I have. Where do you suppose a wronger of women would like to hang out? Maybe we can start there.

[shivmeabreak]

[For a few moments Rose remains tense as she awaits his answer, to both keep from attracting further notice by fidgeting and to steel herself in preparation of playing the pity card if need be. No way Zaveid would turn the request down if she phrased it as though he'd be doing her a favor, right? But thankfully she doesn't have to stoop so low need to.]

The most likely place is the Residential Quarter. It's not uncommon for everyone to hang their laundry outside on nice days. ...unless our thief is breaking in to get at them, which would put the creep on a whole other level.

[And that'd instantly void her promise of no bloodshed, not that he needs to know that.]

[zadeya]

Breaking in just get panties? Oh come on. You think anyone can be that lame?

[ lame and sick in the head, apparently. if rose's theory is right, then this isn't just some random, petty crime, but something planned. something sinister. something... in need of a heroic response.

...enter zaveid.

and rose, okay. ]

[shivmeabreak]

[Her suspicions are 100% founded in personal experience. One that make Rose actually shudder a bit and cause a chilly mist to swirl around their ankles.]

You haven't met some of the weirdos this place has pulled in. One person was asking for volunteers to be eaten.

[Y'know, like a damn hellion of all things. And honestly, if that doesn't qualify as messed up and worthy of caution and stabbing, she isn't sure what is.]