TEST DRIVE: January

[empevents]

— TEST DRIVE: JANUARY —

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, December 25 and Applications (Canon | OC) open a week later on January 1st. Apps will only be open for four days!
  
  
• 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: As the holiday festivities end, the expectation of charity and giving back will be rearing its ambivalent head. Namely, Verens' very own Community and Otherworlder Assistance Centre will be recruiting for its many charitable projects and drives! Like all non-profit organisations of that nature, the expectation is for people to contribute and give without expecting anything in return - so roll up those sleeves and pull out that wallet, because this is going to cost in both time, money, and dignity!

1. Mr. Top Hat J. Roomba: Looks like you're one-half of the lucky pair who got recruited to go door to door, selling chocolate bars and magazine subscriptions. The money earned doesn't go to you, of course. At the end of the salesmanship, it all goes right back to the charity foundation! Sounds easy, right? Well, not so much. You see, the foundation has had an undue number of thefts lately from its volunteers - and while they're no accusing you, of course! - they are no longer financially comfortable leaving the volunteers unsupervised. Each pair will be followed by a watchful roomba-like device that will belt out situation-sensitive commands deduced by careful monitoring of the situation. It also wears a snazzy top hat.
   
2. 100% Organic: The Community and Otherworlder Assistance Centre also spearheads an innovation of its very own making: the emotion-sharing program! There are two ways to participate. The first is assisting in imbuing donated cosmetic products with the very essence of happiness and cheer. Having trouble summoning that up on the spot? Not to worry, because you'll be doing it inside The Puppy Room! (Puppies 100% organic. Please, try to keep animal hair out of the bottles.) The second way involves randomly assigning two individuals together for a more traditional approach to emotion-sharing. In this, there's only one rule: don't make the other person cry. And yes, you may also have unrestricted access to The Puppy Room.
   
3. It’s The Furry Hour: Lastly, there is the culmination of giving back to the community by putting a smile on each and every child’s face. The best way to do that? Put on a costume, say, this one or this one or even this one, and wander through the streets! Be careful, though -- the costumes are sensitive to Dunamis and any symptoms of emotional distress, regardless of whether or not they’re highs or lows. There are strict fines levied to anyone who dares damage a costume, or you might just end up mopping floors for a month to pay it off.

• Prompt E: Dunamis magic, emotional effects, crystals... one can live in Empatheias without ever really understanding the basics of it. However, it's encouraged to take at least a few courses as it will make adjusting to this new world a lot easier. At the Welcome Center, an eccentric new instructor is offering advanced classes (with a twist!) to new and old attendants. Interested natives can also join the classes as well, and the ones that are available are:

1. Think Positive! One of the most common types of emotional effects comes in the form of flowers. The most simple example being if one feels overwhelmingly happy, then flowers will start to bloom around them. In this class, Otherworlders will be learning exactly that! To be precise, the class takes place inside a botanical garden, and the exercise is to think positively so that more flowers can bloom. Think negatively, and the flowers will die, or they'll entangle you, or grow poisonous. Easy, right? No! This is an advanced class and controlling one's own feelings is KEY. Because there's also a tiger on the loose. Wait, what? Don’t worry - it only preys on fear and anger, so remember your lessons!
   
2. Think Negative! It's also important to know how to harness one's negative emotions, because such feelings are just as valid and useful as the opposite. In this exercise, two students are locked in a meat freezer, and the way to pass the test is to make each other seethe with rage until their fiery emotions bring the place down to room temperature. Make sure to insult each other a lot, and don't hold back! Maybe talking about a painful past can help? Alternatively, what the instructor did not account for, is that passion can be fiery, too. Maybe a kiss will do the trick? Otherwise, somebody will get the students out of there in 40 minutes and give them a nice cup of hot chocolate along with an F.
   
3. Think… Neither! Lastly, apathy! It's just as important to know how to harness. This class is a little more traditional, in the sense that everyone is sitting at their desk and watching a slide show. Students can talk amongst themselves in class, but they must not show any emotion! It's a little difficult, however, as the slide show gets more and more outrageous the longer the class goes on. At first it's a series of tasty food, then it's cute animals, and then some scary monsters. After that it moves on to more provocative imagery, such as poverty, graveyards, and... male and female models posing naked. Close your eyes! Or leave the class with the person sitting next to you? Otherwise, just try not to react to anything that comes up on the screen. Knowing when to be apathetic can save your life in Empatheias, too!

• Prompt F: It's out with the old and in with the new! Winter— no— it's not winter that is coming, but rather, the Notus season. Which is winter, technically, but the lovely citizens of Verens and natives of Empatheias call it differently. The season brings about snowfall and occasional storms, which means activities outdoors are limited due to the weather. The various sports teams in Verens have become even more serious with their training. The coaches refuse to let their team members gain weight due to the cold, which is why they're opening their training sessions to the public. Challenge them and win a prize! Make sure these players are given hell, because they won't shape up otherwise.

1. Hit 'Em High. One of the less formidable teams who play Verens Hoop Ball (patent pending) are the Champsters. Nobody truly knows how the Champsters are in the league when their plays are so awful. The sport itself, the Empatheias equivalent of what Earthlings would call basketball, had only been founded close to ten years ago. There aren't any "legends" yet, but the Champsters are players who will likely never be found in the hall of fame. In any case, they've opened their gym to any contenders who wish to take them on; 1-on-1, 2-on-2, 3-on-3, or even a full-on game. The sad excuse of Hoop Ball players are a sad excuse, needless to say. They play and cry like newborn fawn, and their coach will give anybody who makes them cry a heavy slap on the back and a 500 sylvs gift cheque at Steambucks. Thanks for showing the Champsters how much they suck - maybe they'll get motivated to do better because of this!
   
2. There's No Crying in... The managers of the Verens Football (soccer) team are inviting everyone to enter their gym and join their training for the day. All participants receive a 500 sylvs gift cheque to be used at Steambucks! And as soon as one enters the indoor pitch, they will hear the coach of the team screaming his lungs out. "THERE'S NO CRYING IN FOOTBALL!" - and the phrase might strike you as odd. Isn't it supposed to be baseball? And then you hear the muffled sobs of some people at the end of the goal line. . . wait, what? Anybody nearby is going to get yelled at, as well. "Fall in line and add some emotion to each kick!" the coach shouts. And with the intensity of each kick and the added emotions to it, it's no wonder the goalkeepers are getting beaten up. The coach doesn't seem to care, though…
   
3. You're on Ice. Apart from the indoor sports being promoted even though it's winter, some Verens officials have frozen the lake just by the outskirts of town for ice hockey and ice skating purposes. There are even cones and other obstacles lined on the ice for people to pass, and the officials are giving out a 500 sylvs gift cheque at Steambucks (AGAIN?!) to anybody who can clear the obstacles. Just watch out for the pucks that are flying every so often. If it hits your head, don't worry! Be comforted by the knowledge that the ice hockey team is doing their best and are making sure they're strong enough for the next tournament.

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include crayons and/or pompoms.

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

Waver Velvet | Fate/ Zero

[untalented]

C

...I take it no one's seen a towering man spouting off about conquering this world, possibly not wearing pants.

[The thread of conversation came without introduction or preamble-- and it was followed by a tangibly weary sigh.]

This place wouldn't be so quiet if he were here, so I'm not getting my hopes up.

E-2

Hey! What do you mean we're stuck in here?!

[Waver Velvet's voice cracked as he yelled, and he pounded his tiny fist so hard on the door that he yelped in pain the second it landed. He was all for magic lessons-- learning was what he thrived on, and it was possible that this new kind of magic could really make a difference if he found a way to bring these teachings back to the Clocktower.

Forget Grail Wars. This was a new, more interesting way to make that blasted Lord El-Melloi eat his words about sanctity of bloodline.

But his expression faultered when he heard the directions from the instructor, repeated in obvious irritation.]

That's dumb! You're dumb! You can't just leave us here....

[He cast a wide-eyed look at the person he was locked in with.]

...Can they?

C

[castrationfist]

[The voice that responds is unfamiliar, feminine, and has no image attached, but...]

Heavens me. Would that perhaps be that irritating Rider who stinks of testosterone and poor decisions?

[untalented]

....How would you know anything about Rider?

[Quickly, his mind was already forming deductions. It was obvious that this person had no relation to the Fourth Holy Grail War in Fuyuki-- He had all of the enemy Servants mostly accounted for in his mind, and their Masters were from families that were the oldest of old. Additionally, this woman was certainly not the fair haired woman who accompanied the Saber that Rider had encountered on occassion. That woman's presence made his senses scream that she was a Homunculus, likely connected to the Einzberns.

No. The way this woman spoke was wholly different, for she had referred to the King of Conquerors, Iskander, as Rider-- with the implication of plurality.

...No. This woman had to be a Servant, and that made his heart quake with nerves and fear.]

[castrationfist]

Hm? Of course, because I was stuck on the sidelines, unable to do anything but watch when that irritating, detestable, arrogant Ms. Saber killed him, of course.

[this is definitely something you want to hear, right??

She can manage a few guesses about what this means. Iskandar is not a Servant the Moon Cell would normally summon for the War. Unlike Gilgamesh, who was merely too powerful, Iskandar rendered the Holy Grail War inoperable. The Moon Cell, a computer with unparalleled processing power, could still only manage that many Reality Marbles and summon 128 Servants on top of it. That meant Iskandar, whose Noble Phantasm was to summon many, many more Servants... The SE.RA.PH simply did not have the processing power to handle it.

But this boy clearly had a connection to Iskandar. Rider. He didn't have the bearing of a Heroic Spirit... So, likely a Master. But not in the Moon Cell. Mana was lost to the world in the 1970s, it's true, but... Holy Grail Wars existed before that.

He must be a human from before that time, she concludes.]

[untalented]

...We've already fought Saber. She won, but he's still standing.

[The Gordius Wheel, however, was another story. That was in shambles, unable to be summoned again. The Reality Marble was still a possibility...

But, Waver knew what the cost of summoning that would be.

Other things were starting to become clear as the conversation went forward, however, and Waver found himself contemplating the half-baked theories he had read about that implied the possibility of alternative timelines fragmenting off from various decisions He pressed his lips together, mulling over this...]

That Saber wasn't what I'd call 'Arrogant' either. 'Naive' might be a better word.

[And, now to the point:]

Who are you?

[castrationfist]

Naive? Her? Are we perhaps thinking of different Sabers? [She knows they are already, but she will literally never pass up the chance to badmouth Nero.] A small blonde woman who thinks of nothing but herself, who thinks of herself as a monarch? Hmph, no wonder she and Rider got along so well, as fellow despots.

[She sighs.]

Heavens me! Are you so foolish as to ask a Servant directly what their True Name is? How...

[Beat.]

... Geh. Actually, I intended to insult you more, but that is the sort of thing that idiot would do, isn't it...

C

[driedup]

[Congrats, Waver, you got Eiji to stop before he could even begin to answer. He looks at him baffled, before crossing his arms and tilting his head.]

Ah... no pants?

[That seems... problematic...]

[untalented]

He's covered-- not that it matters when you're a muscle bound giant of a man. Seems he hates how constricting they are, even if he is the sort who jumps at anything that's a novelty to him.

[A sigh. How on earth was he to describe Alexander the Great to someone who didn't understand?]

[driedup]

[ This guy sounds ... interesting... and maybe also a potential public disturbance.]

I see. Do you ah, need help looking for him?

[untalented]

[It was the truth; Rider was a menace to public decency, but that was also why he somehow managed to catch everyone's interest.]

Believe me. If he were here, there'd be no hiding it.

E-2 please excuse sunshine Emperor trying to be mean

[larsas]

Are--

[ Larsa swallows down the concerned question. He's very, very good at picking up all the meaning from what he's told, and he knows they must build up negative emotions. So concern will probably be inappropriate, unless he can push it into pity. And he's not good at that.

So, instead, he pulls himself up a little. Still not much, considering he's all of thirteen. ]

I don't think you've managed to grasp what the purpose of this is.

[ He doesn't quite manage haughty, but it's a close call. ]

Oh god

[untalented]

No, I know exactly what this is.

[A sink or swim method of teaching. Waver cast a long suffering look at the kid, feeling reticent to explain himself before someone so young but knowing that one was at least deserved.]

--Last time I was in a dark place like this, my... my 'friend' and I found... found something unpleasant.

It wasn't fun then, and I don't want a repeat of that.

missed you?

[larsas]

[ Larsa hesitates. ]

I did mean the part where evoking negative emotions should solve the situation.

I could keep trying to infuriate you and vice versa, but...

If I say that I can probably take down anything unpleasant that may show up in the cold, [ hand on the pommel of his sword, making it clang a little against its sheath, and chin up, ] perhaps recalling fully that previous time will produce negative emotions enough? Whichever you would prefer, truly.

At least it's not that dark here?

[ Larsa, you're suppose to antagonize, not soothe... ]

always

[untalented]

[There was something about this kid that reminded Waver of all of his classmates at the Clocktower who came from old, prestigious lineages with Magic Crests that could be traced back to medieval times. He was proper, polite, and just a tad too well spoken in a way that was uncanny. Waver pushed his lanky hair out of his face and regarded this stranger, a brief spark of irritation snapping across his fingers as he pushed away from the metal door-- static, perhaps?

Or perhaps something deeper. Waver shook his head and took a deep breath.]

I'll pay anything to not think about that again.

[But magic was subtle and their proximity too close. Sure it was brighter in this frigid chamber, but the dank atmosphere still made a flash of the raw carnage he had witnessed in that underground lair pass through his mind.

It wasn't something he wanted to share with anyone, but perhaps some things were inevitable.]

<3

[larsas]

... that is fair. You certainly do not need to, it was merely a suggestion.

Perhaps we can begin approaching the matter logically. Because the task is negative emotions now, not lasting animosity. Would that suit?

[ Problems have more than one solution.

Sometimes, a lot more than one. ]

C, it's always C

[anarchyinsoulsociety]

Sorry, all the ones I've ever met wore pants. And they're not here.

[Damn, the wannabe God Kings were going pants-less now? That would be the next thing, wouldn't it?]

Oh god

[untalented]

'All' of them?

[You can almost hear Waver arching an eyebrow with this statement.]

Sorry. This man's one of a kind. He calls himself the King of Conquerors.

[And he was a huge, towering man who was larger than life. His laugh was raucous and his rage was terrifying-- but he was nevertheless human.

Just one who didn't like how constricting modern clothes were.]

Everything is wonderful

[anarchyinsoulsociety]

At least two. Maybe three.

...okay, yeah, definitely at least three.

Never heard of a King of Conquerors, though. What, does he prefer kimono or something?

[Because that is clearly the important part there]

It really is

[untalented]

He would if the Japanese made them in sizes that fit giant Macedonians.

[A sigh.]

He'd prefer a kilt over jeans, I'm sure.

[anarchyinsoulsociety]

Macedonians?

[So Ichigo's best subject was literature and history didn't come close to that, but somehow that sounded vaguely familiar]

People actually wear kilts? I thought that was just for holidays or something?

[YES ICHIGO BECAUSE THAT'S SO DIFFERENT]

E2

[unfallenangel]

Oh, they do stuff like this sometimes!

[To whit, Seven held up his amulet, situated in the middle of his cross pendant]

I hope you're good at this magic stuff, because I'm a total failure at it!

[untalented]

Oh, really?

[Waver clasped his own amulet-- a simple gem situated within a setting that resembled an elaborate knot-- and considered this.]

I know the theories if the magic here is anything like what I know, but don't be expecting anything too flashy.

[The flashy stuff was beyond his level. Unfortunately.]

[unfallenangel]

The best I've been able to do is make fruit change sizes.

Buuuuut.... does that mean you know about real magic??? Ooh, what kind of tricks can you do?!

[untalented]

I already told you, don't expect fancy things. It's not like a show magician, anyway.

[He scowled, unamused by this kind of talk. Magecraft wasn't for shows, after all.]

[unfallenangel]

Oh, I see! So like a shaman!

All the magic I can do outside of here is technological! I'm a wizard of computing!