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

[oratorical]

[Leia glances down briefly at Barriss' feet, to see what's actually happening there now that she's close enough. It's an alarming effect, and one that has the potential to be even more dangerous than it already is, so Leia's priority at the moment is to somehow reassure her enough to reverse what's happening.]

Yes. I can explain later, but for now I'm going to need you to trust me.

[She doesn't know Barriss, she doesn't know what might be going on to cause this sort of extreme emotion in her, but the least she can do--especially to try and earn her trust--is extend a friendly hand. And to do that, she'll need to introduce herself.]

My name is Leia. I don't know if it means much to you, but I'm from Alderaan.

[failinglight]

[She doesn't know Leia, and her face screws up in frustration, fingers flexing in the cold. Trust doesn't come easily for her. Which may be the cause of all this and much worse.

Her eyes flicker at the mention of Alderaan though, lip twisting in a ghost of a smile.]

What does Alderaan have to do with anything? That doesn't even make sense.

[oratorical]

[It has nothing to do with anything, it's true, but the mention of it and Barriss' reaction gives Leia what she needs to know. She's seen Mirialans before, certainly, but non-humans from their universe were rare here, so there was no telling for sure whether Barriss was from the same galaxy, or if she were a different type of being from a different world.]

It doesn't. But if you recognize the name, you and I are from the same galaxy. That's not something that can be said about most of the other beings here.

[failinglight]

The same...galaxy?

[That gets her to straighten up, spine rigid, foot scraping the cobblestones once again. Other people weren't in the same galaxy? what?]

You mean, they're from Unknown Space? Or...we're in Wild Space?

[oratorical]

[there's a look of sympathy from Leia at Barriss' questions. It's hard to get used to and difficult to explain, she knows this. She's mostly used to that fact now, but it still took her several months to get to this point.]

It's not quite that. From how I understand it, this world is in an entirely different galaxy to our own. They call people like us otherworlders. And even among otherworlders, most of them seem to come from places I've never heard of.

[But that's just background information, not the entire point Leia wants to make here. So--]

Emotions have power here, perhaps more so than you may be used to. That's why I need you to try and calm down.

[failinglight]

Calm down. Just...like that?

[Her lips twist in a kind of crooked fashion, a flicker of annoyance in her eyes. That's a fairly unreasonable statement, all things considered. Emotions have power, yes, but what she's suggesting is closer to the Dark Side. Isn't it?

Her foot stamps, clinking against the stone, but some of that seems to sink in.]

Calming down will cure whatever disease this is? Because my foot is turned to stone.

[oratorical]

[Barriss being a Jedi is something Leia doesn't know and can't particularly tell solely by looking at her. And as it is, many of the Jedi teachings are something Leia herself doesn't know. She may have trained slightly with the Force here, but she trained with the explicit request that she not be considered a Jedi.

Her gaze once again falls to Barriss' stone foot. She's not fully sure which emotion would be causing that, but centering herself is bound to help, Leia knows that much. And while she maybe can't make Barriss calm down, she can continue to try and help as best she can.]

I wouldn't consider it a disease, but yes. It's a tall order to ask you to calm down upon arriving in a place like this, I know.

[She pauses, before continuing, thinking over both their current surroundings and the emotions in effect here.]

Perhaps moving to a less populated area might help. Do you think you can walk?

[failinglight]

[Barriss's wary expression doesn't fade, but she nods. Being away from the main thoroughfare sounds a lot more appealing than being here. If she's going to be turning into a statue, she'd rather not be in the middle of the square for all to see.]

I can walk. Slowly but I can manage.

[That much she's sure of, her eyes flitting around for a place.]

An alley at least. Just...point me somewhere that isn't here.

[oratorical]

[Leia glances around as well, settling on a place next to a shop that seems to be closing down for the day. She nods in that direction, hoping Barriss will catch her gesture.]

There's a place over there. If you need it, I don't mind lending a shoulder to help you walk.

[failinglight]

[Quickly:]

I'll be fine.

[Barriss starts stumping in that direction, her footsteps slow, awkward, and a little heavy but otherwise making strides. The concentration required to do that helps her too, the air already lightening some.

Once there, she leans heavily against a wall and just kind of stares at Leia.]

So, emotions are doing this?

[oratorical]

If you're sure.

[Leia keeps pace with Barriss as they make their way over to the spot she pointed out. Her attention right now is split between Barriss and her condition and making keeping an eye on the other passers-by. It's part reflex, and also partly concern for the other girl's condition.]

That's my best guess, yes. It's not uncommon for the manifestation of extreme emotions to be something as unsettling as, well, that.

[Perhaps not the most delicate way of putting it, but it's explanation and facts that were probably wanted here, not coddling.]

My own tend to involve heat or ice.

[failinglight]

[It is wanted. Much more than coddling. She's no child and hearing that helps at least a little.]

Everyone experiences these shifts?

[That's pretty serious. That's...actually extremely serious.]

And it's not a disease. Some quirk of the Force here?

[oratorical]

It's not the Force, but it's similar.

[From her own limited study, anyway. Luke and the other Jedi would know better about the similarities or differences, but using the Force and using dunamis seemed similar enough in Leia's perspective.]

But, yes. Everyone experiences these effects, but you can practice to control them. It's not as easy as it sounds, though.

[failinglight]

Control them by controlling your emotions...

[that sounds dangerously close to the Dark Side, and actual heresy. Barriss doesn't speak up about that though, instead trying to concentrate on exactly what Leia is saying without actually looking down at her foot. Calm she says. Easy to say when you're not literally becoming a statue but...]

What's this planet called? And is it entirely populated by Humans?

[oratorical]

It's called Empatheias, and we're in the city of Verens.

[She's glad for the change in topic, because the Force is something she's not that comfortable discussing. She's no Jedi, she didn't want to be a Jedi, so discussion about what may or may not be the Force or any implications therein is something she doesn't want to talk about.]

The population isn't entirely human, but the non-humans here are few and far between. It's odd, even having been here for as long as I have now.

[Because she may be human, but she's not entirely used to being around only humans.]

[failinglight]

[Empatheias. Verens.

Barriss nods, focusing on the words, and on the Force. It's easy to tell that Leia's bothered by something, now that her senses are more in sync, and it's also easy to note that she's not lying. The pain in Barriss's foot subsides. Or starts to, anyway...]

How long have you been here, Leia?

[oratorical]

[Her focus now is on Barriss' face as they're talking, not at all on the state of her foot. It's on Leia's mind, certainly, but she spares no glances down at it to check on whether it's recovering or not. Aside from being rude while they're talking, drawing attention to it is something she's worried could only make the reaction worse.]

I've been here for around nine months now. Others from our galaxy have been here just as long or longer.

[failinglight]

[Barriss's eyes flit away, frown deepening.]

Nine months is a...long time. The Jedi Council will doubtless wonder where I am if I'm gone more than a day. To say nothing of the troopers. They'll probably think a Separatist patrol found me.

[She slumps a little, suddenly feeling very tired.]

At this rate there's no way I'll pass my trial...

[oratorical]

You're a Jedi?

[The talk about the Force should have been enough of a hint, maybe, but she doesn't know Barriss and didn't know what point in time she may have came from. Although now, at least, Leia has a better idea where she's from, if only in the most general sense.]

[failinglight]

No. I'm a Padawan. I haven't passed my trial yet.

[And she's not sure now that she's going to manage that.

Smiling weakly, she lifts her shoulders in a shrug.]

Sorry to disappoint you, if you were looking for a Jedi Knight.

[oratorical]

Your trial?

[Another fact about the Jedi that's firmly in the "Leia has no idea what that even is" category. Luke would probably know, or if not him, one of the other Jedi. If she remembers it, she may ask what it meant, even if it doesn't apply to her directly.

But, Leia shakes her head. She can dwell on whatever's meant by trial later.]

I wasn't looking for a Jedi Knight, I'm only asking because there are a handful of other Jedi here. If it would make you more comfortable, I can show you to the house they're living in.

[failinglight]

A Padawan must pass a trial to become a Jedi Knight. I was in the process of working on mine when I woke up here.

[The very model of patience now, she explains it without any hint of emotion till the end, a little waver.]

But...there are other Jedi here? Who? What are their names?

[Because there are some she would very much like to see...]

[oratorical]

[She notices that waiver, but for now, she won't comment on it. She knows she wouldn't want to be called out on that if it were her, so the least she can do is extend Barriss the same courtesy and instead focus on explanations.]

There are. The two I've spoken with most here are Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn. Though, there are people strong with the Force here other than the two of them.

[There's Anakin, sure, but she never wants to bring him up. Luke, well. He might cause more questions than answers for now, so it's best to hold off on him.]

[failinglight]

Obi-Wan Kenobi...? And...Qui-Gon Jinn?

[Okay she has to honestly think about the other name because she hadn't met the man. He'd died shortly after she'd been taken into the Order...

Oh. OH...]

That's impossible. Master Jinn is dead. He's been dead for years.

[oratorical]

[she shakes her head once more, keeping her expression patient and understanding as she launches into the discussion of weirder part of Verens. So much for trying to avoid the confusing future comments.]

Time in this place doesn't quite work as we expect. I've met people from both my past and my future during my stay here.

[Barriss being one of the most recent examples of those from the past.]

And from reports I've heard from others, you don't need to worry much about your trial. People have said time is essentially frozen for us back home while we're here, that they return to the moment they last remembered when they leave this place.