empatheias_ooc | TEST DRIVE: MAY

Entry tags:

!mod,
*test drive

TEST DRIVE: MAY

— 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.

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.
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.

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.
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...

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.
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!

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It's all in the family, so it's not that difficult. Oh, and everyone's plenty nice. We're just a happy group of kitsune living in a mountain, that's all.

[ he smiles warmly, thinking about his home... but it's so far away now. ]

Ha, well. I'm not like... that kind of strong. I'm quick and agile, just like a fox.

[ because he is one! ]

So what's a family like?

[ He doesn't mean to ask such a big (and kind of sad) question, but he wants to know. Varii had a family once, but they had died way before he met Sattsu, and most people who got involved with Cards didn't have much family either, since it was a pretty dangerous job. ]

I see, you're saying you're too weak to lift me?

[ He's teasing. ]

... well, I guess a family can be anything. I have a kitsune family, and then I had a family with the others I fought with. Either way, I can trust everyone with my life. I can depend on them to lead me on the right path.

[ he lifts one of Sattsu's arms, giving a thoughtful hum. ]

Psh, are you kidding? I totally can, and if I can't, I bet I could get someone to help me. But still, I'd try my hardest to help you.

Can family be a grumpy old man who helped me paint a tear on?

[ He is, of course, talking about the painted on teardrop across the eye that hasn't opened once while he's hung out with Kaden. ]

Prove it!

Uh... maybe. Let's see, okay?

[ after all, Sattsu is definitely smaller than he is, but he's not entirely convinced that he's lighter. being called a Doll but also being human size? that's a little suspicious.

so when he tries to shove his hands underneath him, he's instantly surprised by how hot he is compared to humans, and how much he isn't budging when he tries just half of his effort... ]

... whoa. Are you...???

Yay!

[ His arms and legs are definitely cooler than the rest of him, the warmest being his torso, stomach and head. He's not TOO much heavier than a human, but he weighs more like a person that's at least a head taller than Kaden than a human his size and build would normally weigh. ]

What, you really can't lift me? I'm full with metal and cogs and wires and stuff you know.

N-no! It's the warmth. That's so weird, it feels... different than human body heat.

[ once he swallows down his discomfort, he's easily able to lift up Sattsu on one knee, rising up and using his legs to hoist him up and into his arms. cradling him, there's an odd displacement of weight--- heavier than others his size. so weird, but there he is, against his body. ]

... are all dolls like you?

Of course it does, you already know I'm not human.

[ Sattsu himself has never seen computers, so he can't make that comparison, but he's seen machines and cars, things like that, and they get warm too. He didn't really expect to get lifted and cradled like this, it's a very weird feeling. He doesn't dislike it though. ]

All the ones made by the same person that made me, yeah.

You say that like I carry humans very often, which I do! Just not like this.

[ the warmer that Sattsu feels to him, the more he wants to curl up with him. it's a pleasant feeling, one that reminds him more of a blanket than a campfire. both are nice, but one doesn't wrap themselves in flames to get the fur nice and soft. ]

... well... they did a good job. I think.

[ he has no comparison, as he stares down at Sattsu with a blep. ]

This isn't really carrying though, you're just sitting here hugging me.

[ Which is cosy though, don't get him wrong. ]

I think he could've given me a few more modifications, but I'm glad someone thinks so.
[ He pulls his glove off so he can poke his tongue without getting any bacteria on it. His gloves aren't exactly perfectly clean. This means Kaden can definitely see the joints in his wrist and fingers. ]

Well, is there any place you'd want to see in particular? Otherwise, I think hugging is just fine.

[ he's never been afraid to show an unusual amount of affection, even to strangers? it's the fox part of him at work, offsetting what should be some natural caution. but Sattsu seems to be so open and nice, and not human--- a plus, in his opinion. ]

Ooh! Your fingers... they're so neat. [ correction: ] You're neat.

Nope! I'm fine with hugging too, I've never done that much.

[ Varii doesn't hug him that much, he's a bit of a grump still, and a certain other doll clings on your back rather than hug you. ]

You think so? No one's ever said that before!

[ then he's going to hug Sattsu until the day is over. hugging for life, yo. ]

Well, I've never seen anyone like you before. So you're very neat. And, because you're different to me, you can't possibly be fake if you're the first of something I've ever seen.

[ undeniable logic, as he gives the doll's finger a lick. ]

[ So cosy! He only wishes he could feel temperature or just generally have a sense of touch so he could feel the cosiness. ]

Of course I can. I fooled everyone for years into thinking I wasn't broken, I could totally trick you into thinking I'm real. Or not, since I told you I'm a doll already, hah, I played myself, that's so funny!

[ He blinks in surprise, a confused smile on his face. ]

Why'd you do that?

Because I'm a fox. [ he beams with pride! ] I can do what I want, for the most part. Besides, your finger was right there, ripe for the licking.

[ then he winks, tail whipping behind him. ]

Also, now that I've licked you, you're mine! I think. You're not food, but I've seen humans act like whatever they've touched first they suddenly own.

[ with a confident nod, he gives Sattsu a harder hug--- a snug. a tight snug. ]

Okay?

All foxes are silly like you? [ Cute, Kaden!

He would have blushed had he been able to, but as there is not blood in his body, he can only give him an embarrassed smile. Though with his face being made the way it is, the embarrassment might not translate. ]

Someone should paint a blush on me so you can tell what I'm feeling. You're so silly.

[ He buries his nose in Kaden's hair and scarf. ]

Eh, kind of. Most of the time, it's easier to be happy... despite the circumstances. Besides, I have friends here! Including you.

[ he has no paint, but maybe he'll find some for later. a kind that can be easily washed off when needed.

still, he can keep carrying Sattsu wherever he needs to go. ]

I'll keep you safe from those pesky squirrels from now on.

And what circumstances are that? Being here?

[ He grins happily into Kaden's neck, no doubt his one tusk-like tooth rubbing against his skin as he does. It's kind of big after all.

Kaden is way too cute and sweet to him even though they just met. ]

Good, I on't want them to eat their way inside me and start living in there.

Yikes! They can do that?!

[ he's going to have to set a squirrel trap. ]

... maybe I should think about asking Keaton to help me take care of them, too.

Of course, there's quite a lot of hollow spaces a squirrel can fit inside me.

[ He's malfunction before they could make a nest inside him though, he's pretty sure. He's kind of avoided having anyone bite their way inside him.

He knocks on his chest where there's some empty space. ]

I have no idea who that is, but maybe we should make some and put in here!

Are you... completely hollow, then?

[ the thumping makes his ears twitch, his eyes widen slightly. ]

Wow! I can't believe it. [ and he's charming, in a way. ]

Well. Keaton is like me, only he's a wolf. He's just as kind, even if he's not as obvious about it.

[ thinking about the Wolfskin makes the tiniest plumes of foxfire appear around his ears. ]

Nah, just in some places. I've got some gears in my chest but it's the most empty part inside me. My arms and legs are full of wires!

[ He can't help staring at Kaden's ears, they're the real charming thing here. ]

Like a werewolf? Varii's read about them in books to me! [ Oh, he tries to hide it? ] I know someone like that too, but he's got a baaad temper too, he's funny!

Kind of like a werewolf, only he can change whenever he wants to. Like me!

[ of course, he's only heard of werewolves since arriving in Verens. no such animal back home. ]

Well, my wolf has no bad attitude... unless you make fun of his treasures. [ he boops Sattsu's nose with a finger. ] So don't do it, okay?

Okay, but is he as soft as you? Cuz you seem soft!

[ He doesn't have a proper sense of touch, so he can't really tell even if he were to cuddle him.

He laughs at the boop to his nose. ] You sure? Teasing can be fun sometimes!

No. He doesn't seem or look as soft as me, but that doesn't matter. He has a big heart.

[ thinking about Keaton warms his voice and heart, and he sighs happily. ]

He might also have a few in the attic. Hearts, I mean. He loves all kinds of things.

(no subject)

clowndoll - 2017-06-08 21:12 (UTC) - Expand

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