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

[furrytailprince]

Animals are good at sensing danger, and Ariel has his fair share of that.

But for the moment, he just looks even more put out at the accusation. How dare this person suggest he would ever pick on something weaker than himself. "What sort of ridiculous question is that? Why would I do anything to them? They're in a jar. More likely you are dropping them poorly and causing them distress."

[notsolomon]

He scowls at the accusation being thrown back at him. "I am hardly being cruel to them. I am dropping them gently." At least William thought it was gentle.

"Maybe we need to feed them? Since they might be in for a long trip." Or something like that. Was there a fly around here for them to drop in?

[furrytailprince]

That seems reasonable enough and might actually calm them down, despite Ariel's presence. In fact there was only one problem with that suggestion.

"How are they going to manage to build a web with all of them in there? They don't have the space."

[notsolomon]

William snorted, shaking his head. "they don't need to build a web. They'll just eat it on their own. There is a whole group of them. I am sure they can manage something..."

Surely spiders knew how to work together when they weren't eating their mates. And if they gently disabled their prey before giving it to them, they shouldn't have any problems.

[furrytailprince]

"Fine. So are you nominating yourself to catch their snack?"

Ariel had no intention to wander about, hunting insects, anymore than he had any intention to wander around hunting spiders. Managing the jar was more than enough assistance, as far as he's concerned. Even if he would rather assist with some task of more merit. Or at least more notoriety.

[notsolomon]

"...why did you even come along again?" But William let his shoulders sag and then adjusted the cuffs of his jacket. "But very well. Just carry the jar along with me so I can feed them right away."

It's fortunate that as a child he was all about collecting insects, so the idea doesn't annoy him much. They just need to find an area with a lot of flies, because they all seem pretty scarce in this spider filled cranny.

[furrytailprince]

Ariel offers him a flat look in return. "You should be grateful you have a partner in this endeavor. I didn't see too many people lining up to join you."

He turns his attention to searching for spider food. While he may have no interest in catching it himself, he figures he may have an advantage over William in locating it. It's much harder for him to miss something than it would be for most humans.

"I believe there's some beetle larvae in that tree over there."

[notsolomon]

People just had no taste, that was all. That and they were probably squeamish when it came to spiders, but one had to take on onerous tasks on occasion.

Walking towards the tree, William looked it over. "So there are," he said as he gestured for the jar to be opened. He carefully picked one up, watching as it squirmed and then rolled up. "Hopefully a few of these will be enough."

[furrytailprince]

Ariel opens the lid as requested, hoping the larvae's squirming will be enough to make the spiders take quick action and lose interest his presence.

"If they get full enough, they won't have enough energy to be so worked up about their captivity."

Though, that does make him pause for a moment.

"What do you plan to do with them after you finish collecting them?"

[notsolomon]

He dropped it in and watched as the spiders backed away for a moment, clearly hesitating. Then one bold member decided to prod it and go on the attack. Fascinating.

"Someone is paying for them, so I will turn them into that individual. They said they are a spider lover, whatever that means." Maybe a collector of some sort or a scientist. Though they could want to bath in spiders for all William cared. As long as he got paid.

[furrytailprince]

Ariel grinned when he saw the spiders finally getting over their interest in him in favor of fresh food. They're much easier to convince than animals with more complex thought processes.

"Maybe they intend to make some sort of display."

[notsolomon]

Yep look them go there, like little piranhas. A few of them are even battling each other for dominance.

"That could be. I'll admit it was one of the more fascinating job offers available."

[furrytailprince]

Ariel frowns a bit when they start squabbling among themselves, as frost forms around the jar's width.

"Is that why you took it? Looking for a sense of adventure?"

[notsolomon]

He looked at the jar, hoping that frost wouldn't lead to the jar breaking. Otherwise who knew where those creatures would go.

"Not so much a sense of adventure, as an excuse to indulge scientific curiosity. It's a chance to examine the native wild life here and get paid at the same time."

[furrytailprince]

Ariel looks equally concerned about the frost. Did he do that? He needs to pay more attention to his feelings here.

His ears perk up at the reply. "You're a scientist?"

[notsolomon]

It was fascinating, the way the ice formed actually. It seemed that different people expressed the same emotions in different ways and William hadn't quite figured out why.

"Heh, an amateur, much as I hate to admit it. My goal is to be a politician, but science is a side hobby of mine."

[furrytailprince]

"We have something in common then."

It actually surprises Ariel just how much they seem to have in common, going from that statement. Though, king is probably a little more demanding than a politician.

"My family deals with genetics research."

[notsolomon]

He blinked little when Ariel mentioned what his family did and William couldn't hide his awe. Genetics was just developing as a science back home

"Your whole family? You didn't seem like the type to have that kind of background." That was probably unnecessarily rude, but oh well.

[furrytailprince]

That makes Ariel's ears immediately flatten against the sides of his head. He can't stand it when people underestimate him, especially when it comes to his lineage.

"Yes, my whole family." Which pretty much only consists of him and Eli at this point, but who's counting. "How am I supposed to seem like the type? Am I supposed to be donning a white lab coat or pushing at a pair of spectacles? Or am I supposed to have some kind of access card on me?"

[notsolomon]

He shakes his head a little, deciding to try and diffuse the situation. "Well not a white lab coat, but a little more stodgy looking and all of that." Well that probably wasn't the best way to mollify someone.

"But I mean, does your family engage in research together then?"

[furrytailprince]

Ariel's tail lashes a bit. "Most scientists don't even look like that when they're not working." How much does this guy even know about actual scientists and not the ones portrayed in documentaries or movies?

But the follow-up question gets to the real heart of the matter. Ariel's shoulders slump at the thought of his family doing anything together. "It wasn't that sort of business. Our father was never that open about what he did at the lab. But now that it belongs to us, I'm the one who spends more time there." Eli wanted very little to do with that place's legacy. "The programs were shut down for a while so right now so I'm reviewing the projects that are still salvageable and figuring out how we should move forward with the research."

[notsolomon]

"They don't? Then again, I suppose most gentlemen dress differently elsewhere." His idea of the profession was admittedly a very Victorian one.

He frowned, realizing that the question he had asked was a little too personal for what was merely a working relationship. "So you've been left on your own," he rubbed the back of his neck. He knew all too well what that was like, being thrust into a strange world like that. "What would you like to research? Putting aside your Father's wishes."

[furrytailprince]

Ariel straightens up again. "More or less. But I like it better that way. Less bureaucracy to deal with." Less people to tell him what he can and can't do.

But as for what he wanted to research, that's a trickier topic. He's never really discussed were topics with a human before, and he's not sure if now is the best time to do so. "Genetic enhancement. I want to help those who weren't born with fate's favor." Much like himself. "I want to eliminate the need for 'survival of the fittest.'"

[notsolomon]

"Not a fan of working for Universities or the like?" William could see why though. A patron was useful for their money, but you limited your freedom to an extent. So this guy must be from a wealthy family much like his to be able to break from such necessities.

"So you mean to eliminate those who have been born to misfortune and bypass evolution entirely?" He wasn't sure how he felt about it, but he was also intrigued. "That's a very lofty goal."

[furrytailprince]

"I'm not against establishing a partnership, once I know for sure which projects we need to focus on." And once he figures out how to handle the company's less ethical projects from the past. Though calling them merely unethical is being very generous.

Ariel scoffs. "Evolution tends to be used for discrimination. It may work among animals, but I see no need for it among the more civilized species." He can't really call himself a human anymore. If he ever was that. "Prestige should be decided based on honed skills, not natural ability."