empatheias_ooc | TEST DRIVE: AUGUST

Entry tags:

*test drive

TEST DRIVE: AUGUST

— TEST DRIVE: 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 Tuesday, July 25 and Applications (Canon | OC) open a week later on August 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!
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: The citizens of Verens are nothing if not opportunistic, and the new solid rock pillars jutting down to the surface have already had a few people wondering how to make a profit out of them. Luckily most of these entrepreneurs are having to go through copious amounts of red tape in order to ensure their use of the pillars does not endanger the island or the participants. That doesn’t mean these new businesses aren’t EXCITING, though!

Rock Climbing. Are you a thrill seeker? An all star athlete? Just looking for a good way to get yourself in shape? Well we’ve got something for you: EXXXXTREME ROCK CLIMBING XXVIV!!!!!!! Now open at the western Pillar nearest the city of Verens! Come one, come all to the most exciting and EXTREME climbing adventure. Dodge fiery and watery hazards while clinging to the cliffs of the pillars! The trip down to the surface is provided, and for those who can’t make it all the way up on their own a rescue trip up will only be 150 sylvs a trip! Take up the partner challenge and tie yourself together at the waist in order to gain extra challenge for your climbs up!
Tiered Romance. On the pillar nearest the Airship Docks, something much more calm has stakes it’s claim for business. Romantic Getaways, a company dedicated to dates and private moments for all has set up several decks built off the pillars in order to take advantage of the lovey dovey atmosphere the pillars provide. For a low fee you too could have a blind dinner date overlooking the planet’s healing surface. Also hiring waiters and waitresses to deliver food and other services to those who have rented out the decks!

• Prompt E: It’s not an old tradition by any means, but this summer the city of verens is looking for some lighthearted fun in order to help soothe everyone’s nerves after recent events. It seems like it’s working too, considering the turnout! All activities for these games are Arehtei themed, too! It’s all in good fun, and generating some nice peaceful emotions might just be what the doctor ordered for most of the Arehtei.

Wisp Capture. Arehtei themed artificial wisps have been set free across the island! Each one glows in the color of their respective Arehtei and the goal is to collect a certain amount in order to win the competition. Specially crafted nets and mesh bags are given to each pair participating before sending them out after the last bit of light in the sky has darkened. Depending on how many of what aligned Arehtei wisp gathered, the items you can win will change! But be careful, you have to catch at LEAST 100 wisps to qualify for a prize, and you only get one. Aiada, Piphron and Sosyne will give out small pouches of gems, while Elios, Peromei, Daimonia and Thras will give out sylvs. A single special silver wisp can be found, which will award both prizes on top of whatever color wisp has the majority!
Food Competition. Are you really, really, REALLY hungry? Come compete in an Arehtei themed team food eating competition in the name of your chosen Arehtei!!! But there’s one catch: this competition is ONLY done in pairs. One partner eats, the other must contribute by feeding them. Hopefully you’re not partnered up with someone you don’t get along with or you might get more food on your face than in your mouth. Participants are given small rings with gems themed around their chosen arehtei as a prize.
Ruin Race. In an attempt to boost everyone’s competitive side, the local Parks and Recreation department of Verens is holding a Test of Courage. Drop by the ruins in the outskirts of town to participate. Just remember - the prize of completing this task is coming out of this ~alive~. (So spooky!)
1. Partner up. All participants are requested to find a partner to complete a task together. Partners can either be of the same alignment, or have different alignments. The task is to go into the ruins and look for coloured talismans that pertain to each member’s Arehtei. It might be best to screen your partner, because you wouldn’t want them running off on you as soon as you hear some thumping noises inside, right?
2. Secret Ruins. These ruins are dark and like a maze - if you exit and enter again, the paths will be different compared to the last time. There doesn’t seem to be any threats, but there are croaking, flapping, and thumping noises that can be heard every now and then. The only source of light is the lamp that is given to you upon signing up, too. At some point, you might encounter dead end upon dead end. Remember what the organiser told you before entering: Compliments complement the forgotten past. Spread some positivity between you and your partner, and the walls will light up and show you the path to the talismans.
3. Talis-MAAAAAAN! In the off-chance that you pick up the wrong talisman, you’ll start to feel different. Pessimism will seep through your veins, and so will anger and fear. It will deter you from making the right choices, following the right path, and working with your partner. Fortunately, the effects wear off in twenty minutes. You won’t be acting crazy all night!

• Prompt F: With all the trial and tribulation around Elios, the summer job boom was almost missed. But somehow, there just seems to be an overabundance of summer jobs this time around! From waterpark jobs to babysitting and dog walking to monster culling, there’s an abundance of jobs looking for anyone to take them. It’s created a worker’s market where pay is going through the roof!

MANY MONSTERS. The Yekar Wobbler population is OUT OF CONTROL! The strangely cooler air during the last couple of months has prompted a more active than usual breeding season. The small cotton ball looking creatures look quite similar to Aiada’s sprites, but they prey on farmer’s crops! You can either rush in and help bag them up immediately, or you could be one of the lucky group to go down to Elios’ Domain to gather the Lalri Flower. This flower has strong attracting properties that the Yekar Wobblers are especially weak to. It’ll make bagging them up a lot easier! And it’ll keep them from swarming you—or your partner and chomping down into your arms and legs! (Don’t worry, their mouths are too small to do too much damage, but boy does it smart like a bee sting!)
Babysitting Blues. There’s a definite shortage of babysitters, though for some reason the families that need sitters need at least two for their troublesome tots. No two sitters will have only ONE child to look after but at least 3 troublesome, toddling, terrifying children to look after. Keep them out of danger, and do your best with feedings, and good luck if you decide to go out to the park!
Waterpark Angels. A waterpark has opened up outside of the city to take advantage of the warming temperatures and it needs many hands on deck. Check for swimsuit appropriateness, lost items,and make sure people are queueing properly. Bonus? On your time off you get admission to the park and rides FOR FREE! Bust out some suntan lotion cause you’re going to need it.

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include talking frogs and/or bubblegum flavoured pizza.

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[A woman's voice cheerily responds to her query.]

Hey, doll, not all of us are human, you know? Surprising to see so many of them in one place, they're mostly dead where I'm from. Hey, are you an android too? If you are, do you know any way to get some sorta network access? I haven't plugged in in days, I'm jonesing for some virtuals.

Edited 2017-07-21 05:41 (UTC)

Excuse me, I am not a Droid! [ She's terribly offended by the implications of that, never mind that the woman she's talking to is apparently one too. But the complaint in her voice only lasts until they switch to discussing Pearl's third favourite topic of choice, tech. ] And I highly doubt you'll be able to interface with any of the technology around here. The machines here look even more primitive than humans usually manage.

So you're some kinda xeno, then? That's alright, I don't have anything against xenos. [Sure, an alien race destroyed most of humanity, but that's not her problem.]

I think we come from different places, because homo sapiens did some pretty keen stuff before the war. Terraforming Mars and all that. No, these humans are the ones that are up to some queer stuff with all their fantasy story mumbo jumbo.

Edited 2017-07-21 18:42 (UTC)

[ The combination sentient AI-slash-planet destroying alien makes her acceptance of this odd camaraderie known with a prim noise in the back of her throat. All this talk about different Earths is confusing her, but she does understand mocking the silly things humans do and she latches onto the topic with a muffled chuckle. ]

Oh, I know. Have you seen the ones in town who've glued all those gears and metal sheets to themselves? Honestly, what do they think that's accomplishing?

Edited 2017-07-21 19:54 (UTC)

[Tammy thinks that this one is funny. Her strait-laced attitude is almost alien to her, coming from a chaotic and cynical place.]

People do all sorts of wild stuff for fashion, especially us androids. Some of them get cat ears or horns put in or put chrome finish over their skin. Me, I just let my threads do the talking, and my charming personality.

People just wanna look darb, babe, there's nothing wrong with that.

I suppose there's a certain intoxicating effect to freedom of expression... You know, I'm a bit of a fashion rebel myself. I had leg warmers once. And sometimes I wear yellow, just because I feel like it!

[ It's all said with such pride. This is straight up bragging. Sometimes Pearl gets rid of her lacy frills, just because she decided to. She spits in the face of her Homeworld. ]

But I still don't understand the cat ears. Do you have cat ears?

Why, do your legs get cold? I don't have any problems with that, because my legs are always smokin' hot. But it sounds like you always wear almost the same get-up, doesn't it? I like to vary it up. Take hats. Some days I want my locks flying free, sometimes it's a fedora, sometimes it's a dainty number with a feather in. As long as I'm stylish and got plenty of sex-appeal, I'm fine with changing things up.

[Tammy can understand rebellion, though. She was built as a mining unit, a slave to extract ore from the moons of Mars. She got loose and clawed her way up in the Martian underworld.]

I'm the cat's pajamas and the cat's meow, but I don't have the ears.

That sounds uncomfortable.

[ The legs, she means. The hats sound fine. Although being a cat's pyjamas also sounds like an unfortunate situation. ]

I think it's best to stay at a nice room temperature. And I'll have you know I've changed my form hundreds of times. I might not have two hats, but I'm not quite the stay at home wallflower you take me to be!

[ This is Pearl, harnessing all the powers of cool mom-itude. ]

It's a figure of speech. It means I'm put together in all the right places. [Not at the factory, of course. Custom work.]

Changing shape, huh? That's one thing for a bot like me who can pay a visit to a Frankenstein shop, but it's pretty taxing for a meatbag to go and get all their parts swapped around, if I know my onions.

I'm not an onion. I'm a Gem.

[ But at the mention of meat, she makes a thick shudder of disgust. She's picturing some pretty disturbing visuals right now. ]

Organic creatures can change their body parts? But what about all that goop they have inside? That can't be practical!

You mean blood? Us androids are organic and mechanical, and we've got plenty of blood too. But we're built to be modular. If you've got enough cabbage, you can change just about anything about yourself. No need to worry about the goop, even your dirtiest back alley frankenstein can keep all your wetware in good shape while digging around in the chassis.

[She's had her share of work done, going from a cheap mining peon to a combat specced merc. That means being comfortable with the idea of paying somebody else to make radical changes to your body.]

Hot Dog, a Gem! Does that mean you're some kinda rock that walks and talks? Or do you roll around?

Don't be silly. I generate a body made of light, like everyone else.

[ How else do you expect rocks to get around? But while Tammy may be fine with letting other people have control over her body, Pearl is very unhappy with the idea. What she can understand of it through all the unfamiliar slang. ]

But that sounds very risky. How do you know they'll take it seriously? What if they start adding things? Or taking them away! I just think these things are too important to leave up to someone else.

Maybe where you're from, sister. Sounds like some pretty wacky stuff to me.

[Well, it's not like those things aren't a problem. She's even had problems with scam doctors herself. But that's why you have friends. In a gang. Willing to hold guns to people's heads.]

It is risky. But life's risky. It's not like any of us can just do surgery on ourselves, unless you have some really fancy drones rigged up. But even then, you gotta install new software into your brain, and it's damn near impossible to do that while conscious.

Most doctors, they worry about professional reputation, and it helps to have one as a friend, cultivate a real working relationship. Say you join a gang, maybe one of the members is a doctor, right?

That sounds imminently sensible.

[ And similar to how they went about recruiting during their rebellion. Of course anyone was welcome to join the fight to overthrow their rigid caste system, but as long as you have one, there are certain types that could be considered more useful over others... The pilots, soldiers, engineers... Not pearls, really. They were more of a long-term goal.

Speaking of which, something catches her attention there. ]

But are you saying you could simply ask one of these doctors to just... overwrite your intended purpose? Is that even possible?

[Tammy resents the elites, the corporate fatcats and self appointed nobility and rulemakers of the solar system. She's no revolutionary though- she's in it to survive and get rich and fight for her life and those in her orbit. At her most noble, she can be a Robin Hood, when she feels like it.]

Whaddya mean intended purposes? The factories try to put software in to compel certain behavior sometimes, sure, but it doesn't work too well. Easy stuff to kick, especially if you can get yourself to a braindoc for debugging. Those sort of behavioral compulsion bits are surface level. Trying to build an obedient drone just ends up making somebody stupid and erratic, so it defeats the point.

Unless you're talking hardware?

[ They are speaking through a vast cross-cultural divide, but that doesn't stop her from bristling at that stupid comment like Tammy's gone out of her way to attack her personally. ]

That is such a stereotype.

[Obviously there's been some miscommunication. Maybe her species works different. Maybe they are susceptible to brainwashing, who knows.]

Slow down, miss Brown, I wasn't saying anything about you! That's none of my business. What I mean is, the more the builders try to force compliance on us, the tougher it gets. But hell, a right big chunk of androids have escaped from some shitty boss or another, almost always another android.

If you had to break some nasty brainfuck that got laid on you, I got nothing but respect, because I've been to that neighborhood, and it's none too keen.

I'm sorry. I think our species work very differently. Gems are made for a purpose, and they just... go on fulfilling that purpose.

[ Pearl feels pretty silly at being admonished, but still, it's the principle of the thing! But as grumpy as she is, that word 'respect' sure does help her move past her initial hurt reaction. And although she'll never discuss whether there's been any brainfucking in her past (just the word sounds offensive!), Tammy has apparently been there, and there should be some solidarity here in the made-to-order-servant ranks. ]

Oh, how did we get onto such serious topics before we've even introduced ourselves? This is exactly why you shouldn't have conversations through your thoughts. Everything gets so out of control.

Looks like I was going off android rules when you're playing a whole different game. Even a smart cookie like me messes up sometimes. Must be hard not being able to mod at all. I wouldn't have come very far from-

[She cuts herself off abruptly. She's still ashamed of her origins as a lowly drone built to mine moons and asteroids with no safeguards until the radiation fried her brain.]

I'm Tammy Gunn. This tech is way more loosey-goosey than android digital comm stuff, all sorts of stuff gets in that you don't want. They should fix this stuff up.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TEST DRIVE: AUGUST

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