TEST DRIVE: MAY

[empevents]

— TEST DRIVE: MAY —

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 Monday, April 24th and Applications (Canon | OC) open a week later on May 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: Elios’ land was a great place to hold this year’s festival, but it’s always best to leave a place as you found it. This is especially important for the surface, as there’s a lot of work put into trying to heal the different domains that span the land down below Verens. Anyone who volunteers for cleaning duty is getting paid, and vouchers to several of the cafes up in Verens as a reward! For anyone not interested in cleaning but interested in a new closing ceremony of sorts, they can instead attend a fireside dance that will be held for the next few nights at the site of the festival once things are tidied up.

1. Cleanup Ordeals. Not too much mess was left around luckily as most people who helped organize the Festival understand the importance of cleaning up the mess you make, but it looks like the tent areas have a lot left to clean up and take down. Removing flowers and string lights, packing up fabric and blankets, and generally picking up trash here and there left by festival goers is the main job. It’s a big job, and the festival organizers encourage anyone with special skills or dunamis practice to use whatever they have at their disposal to speed things along.
   
2. Fireside Dance.It’s a small, simple gathering done once the sun has gone down and the sky is dark. The fire is stoked hot, surrounded by worn black stones painted with Elios’ symbol in red and orange tones of paint. The dance is a quick one, requiring two circles, an inner and outer one. Partners on the outer circle travel the inner circle and wind up dancing with each person in turn. Luckily it’s pretty quick to learn and everyone spirits run warm to match flushed cheeks. At the end, each participant is asked to throw a small twig into the fire and express a moment of love or hate, in the pursuit of balance.

• Prompt E: During the festival this month there was a curious prize at one of the game booths. Some of the Elios plushes from the bobbing for ducks booth seem to not have been plushies at all! After a few days of having one in your possession, The plush will engulf in non spreading flames and burn completely out, revealing one small egg, white or black. Depending on your mood the past few days, the egg will either hatch a leathery or feathery winged creature. Hopefully you’ve been in a good mood! Luckily, the creatures are only around long enough to perform their duty before winking out of existence again.

1. Bad Egg. Negative emotions have lead to a sour and dark winged creature who is up to mischief. They will not listen to their “owner” and instead are quite often out to make things difficult for them. 3 misfortunes or specific instances of bad luck will happen over three days to their possessor while they run amok. A claw shaped trinket is left behind as a reminder to try and enjoy life and not get caught up in bad moods.
   
2. Good Egg. Positive emotions will lead to a happy, bright and angelic feather winged creature. They’re mischievous as well, but often in gentler ways, and sometimes try to play cupid for their owner. These playful creatures will grant 3 small wishes over three days for their owner, such as desires for better weather, tastier food or small trinkets. No wishing for a million sylvs here! Once it poofs out of existence in a puff of glitter it leaves behind a small pearl as a reminder to value the things they have and experiences they get that make live worth living.

• Prompt F: A small ring of Circus performers from Thesthai have traveled up to Verens and set up a tent out near lake Niras. It’s a small Circus performance, a prelude to something that might be bigger in the future. All performances are done by the Circus members themselves, from acrobatics and magic tricks, to displays of fearless daredevilry with the help of Verens steam-punk inspired vehicles. Overall it seems to be garnering a lot of attention, causing a several day repeat showing of the activities. Performancy plays a central role in some setups, and they seem to be the most popular...

1. Animal Experience.Enjoy the animal menagerie, all sorts of creatures are here. They’re all well taken care of, and seem to enjoy the food and pettings they’re getting from the attendees. Happy animals make for happy animal loving customers afterall! There IS one catch.. mischevious circus performers will cast performancy on those who aren't paying enough attention to their surroundings, and circus goers in the menagerie area may find something new if they look in a mirror. Animal ears and tails and a host of other features! Don’t worry. It’s temporary and all in good fun.
   
2. Carnival Games. Carnival type games have been set up outside the main tent, including a lot of familiar games that may have been seen during the Zephyras Flower Festival. Ring Toss, water laser races, darts, and the good old fashioned strong arm competition are all part of the setup. The prizes here range from simple small toys to bigger 4 foot tall plushies. Careful though, some of these setups might actually be rigged. The house has to have an advantage, in the end. Where would they make their money?

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include geese and/or potatoes.

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

Robin | Fire Emblem: Awakening

[strategyguide]

D-2

[Curious about everything as always, Robin was content enough to simply watch the fireside dancing for a while to commit both the steps and the experiences to his memory. It was a kind enough boon to still be able to recall his time in Ylisse after awakening in this strange land and, while he did have concerns about the state of affairs in the halidom that had become his home, he saw no reason to make his time here an unpleasant one.

--He was so lost in his observations and thoughts that he simply didn't notice the person approaching him until it was too late.]

Wha--wait!

[He called, a swift wind ruffling his hair and making his cloak billow out as he was dragged from his seat to join the rest of the dancers.]

Just a few more minutes, please! I'm still studying everything.

F-2

[It wasn't the prizes that had attracted Robin, but the sheer novelty of the challenge that these games provided for the carnival goers. Robin could be found throughout the tent, trying his hand at multiple different kinds of games-- and, win or loss, the intrigued smile and the ring of his laughter never faded. The only game he purposfully avoided was the strong arm competition.

Leave that to the professionals, was his thought. He had managed to win a rather large stuffed duck-- and that was good enough for this little game.]

Wildcard!

[Don't like a prompt? Make one up! Feel free to contact me at starkxravingxmad with any questions.]

F-2

[rarimatiger]

[Kisa gave a try to most of the games but ended up not winning at most of them. It was a little hard, she did finally get a small ring as a prize. It was the first thing she's won and she can't help but to admire the ring and without noticing she runs into the man's giant duck, knocking her balance but quick to regain it.]

I'm sorry!

Hi~

[strategyguide]

Don't be.

[Robin had swiftly reached out to catch her elbow before she fell, and held steady while casting her a grin that was nothing short of sheepish.]

It's my fault for not paying better attention. These games... [He hefted the giant duck in his other arm with a bemused chuckle.] They got the best of me. Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?

Hello~<3

[rarimatiger]

[A little surprised by the touch she lets out a small breath, glad they didn't run into each other...it would have made this weird.]

O-Oh no...I shouldn't have been looking where I was going. [Kisa bows politely.] Wait...you won that?

[Wow, that made her ring look like nothing...] They are a lot of fun, right?

F-2

[foxtastic]

Whoa! What a big duck!

[ he's standing in front of Robin with a big smile on his face, his ears wiggling as he moves around of the man in order to get a better look at the stuffed bird. his hands hover about, sizing it up, getting an idea of how big it might be. ]

I can't believe you won it... all I got are these necklaces.

[ and he points up at his neck, at several odd looking pieces of jewelry. round, circular discs hanging on a string of various pastel colors. they look a little powdery and dry, but still look pretty festive notwithstanding. ]

What game did you play?

[strategyguide]

[...It was hard to imagine someone like Panne wiggling her ears in delight like this man did. After the destruction of her Warren, Robin was almost certain that the stolid Taguel was as lonely as anyone else would be-- and his heart went out to her, even though the recent history of Ylisse and the surrounding kingdoms was still a subject that he was learning about on a daily basis.

Although this man's ears didn't resemble the Taguel's at all, it wasn't anything that Robin found terribly odd. If anything, they were more striking because so few others in this country had similar features.

That child-like smile, though, was nothing short of endearing.]

The shooting game on the other side of the plaza is where it came from, [Robin explained, helpfully motioning in that direction just in case the bubbly stranger wanted to investigate for himself.] But I can't believe I won it either-- I just went in to try something new.

[foxtastic]

Shooting game, huh? [ with a tilt of his head, he looks in the direction where he gestured, but can't really determine which one it is. after all, he's not really thinking about anything but bows or ballistas when it comes to shooting. ]

You don't look like an archer. Maybe you could show me where it is? [ he snaps his fingers. ] Ooh, I know. I'll give you one of these if you do it! They're so precious, you could probably give one to a friend or something.

[ he winks, his tail starting to get into it with a few quick swishes behind him. ]

What do you say?

[D-2]

[knowsthefuture]

[In the beginning, Lucina simply observed; her dancing skills came from her father (a rather unfortunate inheritance). But eventually she had been pulled into the mess despite her protests.

And much to her surprise, she found herself enjoying the festivity. Was this how Inigo and Olivia felt when they danced? It was bizarre, but Lucina could feel her worries slowly ebb away with each step and twirl.

When she breaks away from the circle, she catches a familiar face. She smiles - it was typical of Robin to be so observant of foreign traditions.]

Robin! [Lucina exclaims, pulling at his hand. She looks a bit flushed from the heat, but it doesn't stop the excitement from lighting up her face.] Come on! What better way to learn than doing it yourself?

[strategyguide]

Perhaps...

[He explained with a sheepish smile, allowing Lucina to guide him onto the dance floor with a delight in life that he hadn't seen on her face since they had met. Surely Chrom would be happy to see this, after everything they had been through.

Robin stumbled forth with a chuckle, and held fast to Lucina's hands while they entered the fray.]

Between the two of us, there might not be a dancefloor left!

[There was a warmth in the air around them-- a reflection of the odd joy they shared after weeks of being on a foreign warfront?

Maybe. He wasn't questioning it too deeply.]

[knowsthefuture]

I suppose not! [she concurs with a small laugh.

Lucina knows to wait for a cue before taking any steps. Fortunately, the two groups are rather large, so it was easy to follow everyone else's movements. Still, it's a little nerve-wrecking now that she's with someone she knows - her father's best friend, no less.

She wonders if they could return to this world for a day once peace was restored.]

I'll be relying on you throughout this dance, [she says, releasing Robin's hand. Lucina faces him, standing among the inner circle.] I hope I didn't drag you away from your observation too soon.

F-2

[sicsempertyrannis]

[Gangrel, of course, found himself at the carnival games as well, mostly just making a nuisance of himself. That loud cough right before you toss the ring? The elbow jostling your elbow a bit right as you're about to shoot your water gun? None of that could possibly be the fault of the seven-foot tall gaunt king standing by you.

Of course, once he sees Robin, all that fades and he strolls over to his most esteemed tactician. He pouts when he sees the giant duck.]

I thought I was the only ugly duckling you needed, lordling.

[strategyguide]

I am no lordling, Gangrel.

[Robin said evenly, never shifting or starting when the looming man who formerly held the title of the 'Mad King' approached with all of the agitated energy of a restless hound. His smile was similarly pleasant, and the warmth of it seemed to bleed into the very air around them.]

I am merely a tactician of Ylisse-- and every tactician knows that its best to rely on more than a single duckling.

...However, this one is hardly a replacement for you.

[He glanced at the toy, as if it were a living animal for just a moment, and squeezed it tighter under his arm.]

This one just happened to fall into my care, and I'm seeking a more appropriate home for it.

[sicsempertyrannis]

You're not a lord, but you're quite lordly. Thus, lordling! ... But I suppose I could be swayed out of that particular diminutive nickname. How's "toots" looking for you today?

[Gangrel grins his normal sardonic grin, his own self-pity and general unfortunate demeanor turning that kind warmth into something more like an uncomfortable burst of heat from being embarrassed. Pretty normal feeling from being around the Mad King, to be honest.]

Oh, sure, that one gets a new home and I get to mop up the barracks after hours. ... Then again, I'm less a "prize" and more a punishment, so fair's fair, in the end.

[He taps his chin "thoughtfully" and leans in to inspect the duck. It really is a rather large duck- fit for a king. You know, a real one, not a corpse pretending to be one.]

You could always put it on the throne of Plegia. Couldn't be worse than the last couple royals they had, present company definitely included. Even if it doesn't blossom into a swan!

A Morgan for all your Morgan needs. Also, F-2.

[nosferatanking]

[Morgan isn't gonna say no to the prizes, but he's mainly here to see how well he can game the system. At least, that's the plan until something else catches his attention. A man in a coat eerily similar to his.]

[He follows the stranger around for a bit, before things click and Morgan remembers that traps, not stealth are his strong suit. Eventually, he just approaches the man, rather nonchalantly considering how closely he'd been tailing him.]

Do I know you from somewhere?

MY CHILD!!!

[strategyguide]

[The lad stalking him was hardly an oddity in Robin's experience-- although, he expected that to come from a very different dark haired slip of a mage, not one who shared his fondness for heavy hooded overcoats.

He allowed the young man to tail him without acknowledgement, suspecting from Tharja's habits that allowing this stranger to tail him to his heart's content would be more beneficial than approaching on his own... and a small smile played on his lips when the stranger finally pulled out into the open to make himself known

It wasn't often that Robin found himself surprised. The last time was in Plegia, when the current king revealed his hand, but this...]

I'm not sure,

[He replied thoughtfully, rubbing his chin as he examined the young man. The face and mannerisms were all frightfully familiar, but there was just enough that was off that he didn't trust himself and his own fractured memories.

It was a small enough blessing that he could still remember his time with Chrom and the Shepherds with ease. Perhaps a man in his position shouldn't ask Naga for too much...?]

;3

[nosferatanking]

[Morgan scrutinizes Robin in turn. Now that he's closer, there's a feeling of deja vu tugging at Morgan's sleeve, but there's something still missing.]

[This is the problem with amnesia. Not being able to remember what you've forgotten.]

No, I've definitely seen you somewhere before. Are you from Ylisse?

[Hes also getting super Mother vibes from this guy, but "you remind me of my mother" is probably not something he wants to hear.]

F-2

[dragonsinmy]

[Speaking of strong people, here is a girl holding a life sized stuffed lion. While not the heaviest thing around, balancing such a large object should be a problem, except she is clearly holding it above her head with one hand.

With another holding some treat she got here, which is also going into her mouth.

Sadly her attention is not where it should be and it seems like collision might be imminent.]

[strategyguide]

[Indeed, there was no avoiding it; the two were too distracted by the festivities to see what was before them.

One arm was wrapped around his duck. The other was holding a heaping cloud of candy floss on a paper stick. Robin was too wrapped up in studying the various carnival festivities to see the young woman before him-- and he didn't realize it until the mess of candy floss was crushed against his face.

He sputtered in surprise and peered around, looking for the stranger he had bumped into in the crowd.]

Um...sorry?

[dragonsinmy]

It... is fine. [Says the hand reaching out from under the over sized lion toy. The shock of this happening is keeping her down.]

What of you, Sir? I do hope I did not injure you.

D-2

[mincingminuet]

[Penelo knew a guy that needed to be dragged away from his books when she saw it. Know him or not, the sheer infectious energy of the dance flooded through her and she ignored his protestations, tugging on his hand with a laugh. Flowers sprang up around her feet as she did, the thrill of it all making deep roots in her heart.]

Nope! You can study later! This dance needs two, so on your feet and hop to!

[It's nothing really wild, just a simple duo's square dance, but the aura in the air is definitely something special and she's not letting go. Dance with her, Robin. C'mon.]

[strategyguide]

[The aura indeed was infectious, and surprised laughter bubbled forth with the flower petals that fell around them as Robin clumsily followed her lead.]

Well, aren't you a forward one?

[His amusement in this young woman was only rivalled by his fascination with this entire fete-- and her insistance, her glee, was the perfect opportunity to actively experience this affair. Study had it's merits, but once again he found himself faced with a more proactive method of learning that wasn't unlike several others that he knew.

Surprise gave way to wry amusement when his toe tangled among the flowers that sprang forth around them, and his sheepish grin made his full sentiments as plain as the vibrant colors that made the flowers gleam in the light.]

I make no promises that you'll be safe, [he warned, clearly teasing.] There's not been much occassion for me to dance before.

D-2

[heartofalioness]

[Earlier in the festival Allura would've done the same, but tonight she's confident and carefree enough to jump right in, no longer worried about not knowing the steps right away and still picking them up very quick. It's not long before she and the fair-haired man are swung towards each other.]

Hello there.

Re: D-2

[strategyguide]

Whoa--

[Robin had joined the fray, his steps clumsy but his grin so bright that it set the dancefloor around him aglow with with a flickering luminescence that resembled heat lightning reflecting in the distance. He shot out a gloved hand to meet her's and caught her in a twirl before either of them could fall, his surprised and delighted laughter lost in the pounding rhythm and beat of the tune.]

Hello. [He said once he laid eyes on the fair haired lady in his arms, breathless from the excited energy of the dance.] Are nights in this town always this wild?

D-2

[tactlesstactician]

[Don't feel too bad Robin - you're not the only one being absolutely dragged into this nonsense. Soren came to help with the clean-up for exactly two purposes (it paid and gave him a chance to scout out more of this world), neither of which involved anything so frivolous as dancing. Unfortunately, his attempts to keep back to the shadows and avoid getting pulled into the dance seem to have been unsuccessful as he is dragged by some laughing NPC fellow worker and thrust into an empty spot, with another seeming victim pulled and pushed across from him.

If he'd been put in the outer ring, Soren would have simply turned and left, dancing be damned - but he's in the center with Robin between him and escape. Scowling, Soren simply treats his would-be dance partner to a baleful stare.]

I don't dance.

[If there's one thing to be said for his sour demeanor, it's that at least Soren is helping to bolster the hateful side of Elios' dichotomy...?]

Oh goodness!

[strategyguide]

I don't either.

[There was no point in hiding this detail when the fact that his feet kept missing the beat was plain for all to see. Though he was a tactician to the royal family, there had been scant occassions where he was actually required to dance... and, alas, it wasn't a featured subject in Frederick's Fanatical Fitness Hour either.

Robin arched an eyebrow when he met Soren's intense stare, matching it with an even tempered interest of his own.]

The best way to get out without making a scene is to dance along for a while. Eventually we'll find an opening.

But, if that's not reasonable, then why don't you consider how much you'd enjoy facing the consequences of ruining everyone's evening if we broke the chain right now?