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

[hearted]

Yes, that's what it means!

[She giggles and nods.]

I'm taken, but I like to see these things for myself. And your castle has lasers?

Seriously? No gifs, pics, OR clips of the Castle putting on the laser light show of death?

[heartofalioness]

Indeed it does.

[She pulls her amulet out of her pocket- a compass on a chain, the crystal carved into a flower with four petals pointing to the cardinal directions, and begins imagining the Castle of Lions. And yes, it shoots ALL the lasers. But even under the show of the Castle's overall coolness, there are other, stronger emotions flowing through. Strength, power, safety, pride, legacy... home... One of the last pieces of home she has left, but Allura switches away before Minako can feel too much of that last one leaking through.

Next is an image of all of Team Voltron together, partly so Minako has other humans to compare Hunk to, but also because of how interconnected they are. The paladins to each other, the Paladins and their Lions, the Lions and Voltron as a whole. Because Hunk is the focus, his image will probably stand out just a little more, surrounded feelings of kindness, warmth, strength, humor, pride in how he's (mostly) grown out of his anxieties to become a brave and amazing Yellow Paladin.

In fact, there's that thread of admiration and respect and fondness and FAITH tying everyone in the image together. Pidge for her intelligence and wit and determination. Lance for his humor and energy and courage (even though his flirting can be REALLY grating sometimes). Keith for his dauntless bravery and honesty, tinged a bit with regret for her recent cold shoulder even though they'd already made up. Shiro for his calm steady nerve, his natural leadership and bravery despite the damage the Galra have done to his body and mind. And Coran... funny and eager and reliable and always looking out for her when she's needed it most, a second father to her. There's love here, platonic but deep, and an absolute faith they'll be able to save the universe together.

As she thinks of all these things, the air immediately surrounding them takes on a pleasant warmth, the sunlight surrounding them brightening like a ray through a cloud break.]

[hearted]

[Minako appreciates the visuals of the castle, of the strange beasts...but what she appreciates more is seeing this entire team unit. There's something hauntingly familiar about this.]

You're friends and comrades, aren't you? Fighting for a worthy cause.

[heartofalioness]

[Minako's voice brings her back to the present, and Allura's eyes open to complete a calm but VERY warm smile.]

We are. We're working to free the universe from the Galra Empire. And the paladins definitely aren't whom I expected, but... I don't think I could've chosen better myself.

[Awww... ... So any verdict on the fit of Hunk's name, Mina-chan?]

[hearted]

[Minako laughed brightly.]

Hey, I've heard of weirder hero stories! And I like them! That Hunk sure has his own charm.

My world's protected by guardians who don't have all those flashy things...just a touch of magic. They're the Sailor Guardians!

[She concentrates and calls up a picture of them in her mind. The one in orange might bear a passing resemblance to her...maybe.]

[heartofalioness]

Interest...ing... That woman in orange... she looks...

[She shakes her head for now. Sure the orange guardian and Minako had similar features, but there was something... off, just enough to rule out the two being the same person.]

You said you've heard "weirder hero stories?" What exactly did you mean?

[hearted]

[Minako had to word this carefully, especially after hearing that.]

I mean the Sailor Guardians. These people. They fly far and work hard with their magic to protect. The news cameras never really get too close during battle, but...

They protect us somehow, even when it gets dark. It was blurry, but...I saw a light.

But that's all silly talk. You'll see even more strange people here in town! Are you ready to meet them?

[heartofalioness]

[Hmmmm...]

I suppose; although I doubt I'll find many strange. I've met quite a few different races and species, especially while helping Voltron fight the Galra Empire.

But no, I don't think it's silly at all, they sound rather similar to the paladins: "friends and comrades," as your said. And obviously they mean a lot to you; that must have been quite the meeting. So no, I don't think it's silly or weird at all.

[hearted]

Uh...aha, yeah! They're totally stars, like idols! Do you follow any idols?

[...smooth save there, Minako.]

[heartofalioness]

[Hmmmmmmm yeah, she'll keep an eye on you, Minako Aino.]

... Idols? Like... religious icons?

[hearted]

No, like superstars! Singers, actors, models! Don't you have any favorites?

1/2

[heartofalioness]

[Blink. Blink.]

I... wouldn't know any? At least not any from Earth; the paladins might be from there but the Blue Lion brought them to the Castle via wormhole so they're VERY far away from home now.

2/2

[heartofalioness]

As for Altea... it's... been a very long time since my home's even existed in my world. I suppose the Mice could become famous if we took their tricks on the road like we planned but... I think that's the closest it's ever going to get.

[A few juniberry blossoms sprout and bloom in the cracks, remembrance for her extinct civilization.]

[hearted]

[Minako felt her heart begin to break. She hadn't known...and her voice dropped into a whisper.]

I'm so sorry. It's a terrible thing to lose the place you belonged to, I can only begin to imagine...

[She knew, in fact, but it was a little more of a distant thing for her. And she needed to be a fair bit more careful about her past.]

[heartofalioness]

It... Coran and I were lucky. [Not "it's all right," because it's not.] Before Altea fell my father put us in sleep chambers and sent the Castle of Lions to Arus. [Her smile revives by a fraction.] Ten thousand years later, the humans found the Blue Lion, and it brought them to the castle. They ended up finding the sleep chambers and reviving us both. And some mice that'd been locked in my pod as well.

[She remembers arm-locking Lance fondly.]