TEST DRIVE: JUNE

[empevents]

— TEST DRIVE: JUNE —

IMPORTANT! Applications will be CLOSED during JULY! They will reopen in AUGUST.

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 Thursday, May 25 and Applications (Canon | OC) open a week later on June 1st. IMPORTANT! We are skipping the July application cycle. June applications will run through the 7th, apps are completely closed in July, and then reopen at normal schedule in August. There will be no July Test Drive, thus the next test drive is scheduled for the August cycle.
  
  
• 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!
  
  
• Transfer to in-game. If accepted, you can assume threads made on the Test Drive happen in-game if the scenario can reasonably fit. These threads do not count toward AC.

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: It's a clash of emotions, and it's all based on love. A special perfume is in the air and it's had a greater effect than intended. One whiff of the aroma will send you in a frenzy.

1. The sweltering heat and sparks of flame aren't from the usual culprits of anger or hatred. No, it's from the burning passion of love and desire, the intense need to prove one's worth to those whom they care about. Whether the flames of passion are coming from you or someone smitten by you, the fires need to be put out. Delicately or harshly, whatever works.
   
   
2. The other side of this is rather than the heart set on fire, there's a creepy chill in the air from an ever present cold shadow lurking nearby. But it's not just a shadow. It's a stalker. For whatever reason, there is something interesting about the target. Could be superficial or deep. Whatever it is, the stalker will want to keep that person all to themselves and the emotions will do the dirty work. Creating walls to block paths, shadowy ropes to keep them in place, even freezing or some sticky substance. A good dose of hatred (or punch to the face) will help escape. So are you the stalker or the target of their affections?

• Prompt E: There's been an uptick in crime and something fishy is definitely going on.

1. Crystal stores have been prime targets for thefts. It varies from sneaky break-ins at night to armed robberies during the day. Will greed cloud your judgement to ride on their tails and take some of the plunder, like the cash and other valuables left behind? Or are you one of the brave and righteous that happens to catch them in the act?
   
   
2. Airships are another prime target, and whether you are on one for basic travel or security, prepare to be boarded! Just beware, they have emotion bombs on hand. Physically they only do minor burn damage, but the smoke will cause you to feel various debilitating emotions such as fear, irrational anger toward allies, futility, and even charmed by the enemies to let them go. Otherwise it's a swashbuckling airship fight.
   
   
3. Your crystal amulet has been stolen and replaced with one that looks exactly like it. The problem? These amulets are either going to amplify all of your emotions or drain you to apathy. Feeling a little annoyed? Well now you're flame crazy mad and want everything to burn to the ground. Sad? Here comes a torrential downpour as you sink into full on despair. What about happy? Everyone is suddenly in technicolor and you're oblivious to anything wrong. Got a crush? Time to kick up lust and try to drag them to the bedroom. It's going from 0 to 100 fast, so hopefully those around you can help out.

• Prompt F: Plush slippers are all the rage right now, but the most popular product out in the market are those styled after the Arehtei. There are even matching pajamas and robes to go with them! Coordinated or mix and match, you can't go wrong with these adorable sleepwear. But of course, there is a catch…

1. Lucky (?) you, you get to help model one of three top selling styles: Peromei, Aiada, and Thras! Aren't you adorable with those fuzzy dragon slippers, unicorn pj's, and fluffy sprite hat. Despite how ridiculous you feel, you may also become appreciative of the hard work, brave the gawking crowds, andhope your hell ends soon. OR perhaps you'll become jealous of those who escaped this fate, fear showing your face anywhere ever again, and despair at your misfortune and suffering. Maybe it's a crazy mishmash. Anything goes when it comes to emotions.
   
   
2. However it happened, perhaps through a special promotion involving a lot of cash, you managed to procure a set of the Arehtei pajamas and spent the night in them. Or maybe you're lounging at home, chilling with roommates or friends. Maybe they want to try it on. Regardless, after a long period of time, your emotions are becoming more focused toward the Arehtei the pj's are based off—or more if they are mixed. Maybe...you're actually behaving more like the Arehtei's personality. Hope it's not Sosyne or you'll be one constantly pissed off not!whale.

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include giant shrimp and/or angry flock of crows.

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

[misplacesfriends]

[By this point he's probably properly rescued her off the top of his head before the screaming starts. He does kind of flinch though has he holds onto her correctly, taking note of both her grooming and the ribbon—but not yet realizing what the crystal is.

He looks up at the lady.]

Look, doesn't matter if you saw her first. She's my cat that you've been terrorizing. I've been looking all over the city for her!

[Luna should be able to tell that he's not actually claiming her, simply trying to rescue someone else's cat (not hers from the way the feline was running away) from being heckled to death.]

If you want your own, go to the pet shop!

[lunarguardian]

[For the moment, Luna allows him to hold her - grateful that does it correctly and not like she's some sort of stuffed animal or baby. Even she wouldn't like such things from someone she just met.

Luna is watching the exchange with curious scrutiny, allowing her eyes to follow the conversation back and forth between Finn and the native woman. She can most certainly tell that he isn't trying to claim her, forcing herself to keep her head from nodding in agreement.

However, Finn's claim is enough to get the woman grumbling about how she'd seen the cat first and chased it all over so she should get to keep it but disappears back behind the wall anyway.

So as not to startle him too terribly, Luna uses the crystal to speak to her rescuer via telepathy and peers up at him.]

I appreciate your help. She simply wouldn't give up and I feared she might hurt someone in her pursuit of me.

[misplacesfriends]

[It's probably helped that they've had the cats for almost a month now and they easily let him know when they're not happy with the way they're being held. Finn grumbles under his breath as the lady leaves, moving so as to let Luna jump to a stone fence next to him.]

Ought to have better things to do than terrorize a poor cat.

[He's about to offer her some of the food in the bag he has that he was saving for his cats when she "speaks" up. White paints the background around him in surprise, as his eyes widen, looking down at the cat? He's not so sure she's a cat now.]

Ho-how...? You can... You're... [Help the poor man's brain restart.]

[lunarguardian]

[Given the opportunity, Luna does jump to the stone fence and turns around to face him again before sitting down on it. Whatever he's about to do flies away completely with her speaking to him through the amulets and his surprise is only natural.

Even though Luna has seen other non-human animals speaking, she's used the fact that her appearance looks like the other cats in this world and gone around collecting whatever information she can from people who think nothing of her presence. She's also not entirely used to so many people who are possibly used to animals speaking. Other than the Senshi, it's been a long time since she could go around talking freely.

Humans are just like that. Not that Luna is assuming that Finn is a human. Her girls look human but technically aren't, after all.]

I'm a very intelligent cat. My name is Luna. [Let's leave it at that rather than go into details about how she's an alien. Finn might actually accept that better though she doesn't know that.]

[misplacesfriends]

[Whereas Finn has met no such animals yet on his travels here. He'd be one of those pretty much thinking nothing more of her than what he sees. Something he's not gonna do again.

His face is still screwed up with thought and confusion as he tries to figure all this out. So far...not working?]

Lu-Luna... O-okay. [Yeah, alien is a lot easier to grasp. But that'll come with time.] I'm uh... I'm Finn?