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

[takingchances]

Specialized. You could say I'm something like a psychologist. Uh, in a way anyhow. I do know first aid though so I'm helpful on that front.

[Most people recognize doctors in her line of work right away, whether they view them as wish-granting angels or grim reapers delivering death. It's almost odd to not have that sort of instant recognition from the other person but then again, this wasn't exactly home. Would she dream about not being recognized too? Maybe. She didn't necessarily like it all that much.]

[dreamsandtea]

You will be most useful, then, although I have not encountered many psychologists. [He expects they might have a heyday with his shop and all who live within it. Oh and himself too. He isn't normal in any sense of the word.]

I think finding food should be our first order of business; what do you say?

[takingchances]

Usually you don't, not without an appointment anyhow.

[It's her attempt at some levity in a joke. It's not that great of a joke either. Eva turns from her failed attempt at mild humor to glance around the area.]

That shouldn't be too hard to do. This looks like a reasonably populated place.

[People are milling about here and there in fact. Some of the buildings seem somewhat old fashioned to her but it's not completely alien. She mulls on this a moment, then adds:]

There must be a main congregation point. A town square or something like that.

[dreamsandtea]

I am grateful to not need an appointment. [Some might argue with that, but he isn't exactly human, so a psychologist likely cannot help him.]

We will have no difficulty finding a place, but we lack currency.

[D glances around at the people, tucking some strands of hair behind his ear.]

Or a welcome center? [He has just spied a useful sign!]

[takingchances]

[There's a moment of mild surprise, then Eva has to press a hand to her forehead to block out the frustration that spikes within her.... and without, given how emotions seem to work here.]

Yeah, that does complicate things.

[It's a brand new world, Eva, and you're just another stranger in it. She glances up though as D mentions the welcome center, looking over at the sign he's spotted.]

They must get a lot of new people here to have something like that. ... Or it's a tourist town.

[Whichever it is, she's not about to turn down the idea of a Welcome Center. At least they may have maps if nothing else since she heavily doubts her phone's GPS will work here.]

Might as well take a look.

[dreamsandtea]

[Worrying about such things isn't in his nature. But he has other connections he can fall back on and spending a night or two in the wild is no problem. She, however, is human and thus far more fragile than him. Not that he cares much - if any - about the fragility of those who ally themselves with the human race.]

Slightly. [His words and his smile contain a chill. The wind around them will pick up to match it, the cold biting against any exposed skin.]

I trust they are aware of their actions. [He bows his head in assent and walks towards said center at a leisurely pace. His silken Chinese dress will catch the light nicely, displaying the rich patterns woven into the fabric.]

I wonder if they have tea? [Or chocolate. He will be quite content after partaking of both.]

[takingchances]

[The more Eva works with patient, the more she becomes convinced that everyone has their little eccentricities. Some people have very few, some people just have a heaping pile of them. And Eva's never been the sort to care too much about them, even when it comes down to attitude eccentricities. After all, it isn't like she hasn't befriended a walking eccentricity... more or less.

Oh but that biting air though. It's cold out here regardless, Eva estimating mentally that it has to be much the same time of year as where she's from. There was a chill to the air already but now she can almost feel the frost of her breath against her lips. She tucks her hands deeper into her lab coat's pockets, giving a slight shiver against the bracing wind.]

If they don't, I'm going to demand they find it. Or some coffee. It's way too cold out here.

[That said she gives the man a quizzical look. His own expression is a bit chilly, isn't it? Maybe that's part of his own eccentricity but somehow she thinks it's more displeasure than that. She's had enough chilly looks on her own face now and then to get the idea. His outfit is silk though, right? It looks like it from the style and the way it drapes on his figure. Not that she's an aficionado on that sort of thing but it definitely looks a little meager in this weather in her opinion. There's a look of something almost like maternal concern or at the very least friendly concern.]

You're probably freezing. Here, why don't you take my coat.

[dreamsandtea]

[If D knew the consequences of his emotions, he would apologize to her. The chill doesn't bother him overmuch - at least not outwardly. This is a man who swims in the sea and walks about in the height of summer wearing long Chinese robes without breaking a sweat. It could be said that as animals have adapted to their various environments, so has he.]

We can't have you falling ill, doctor. [His eyebrows rise at her generosity and his smile warms, nearly touching his eyes. Of course, with half of his face obscured by his hair, she will only be able to see the purple eye clearly.]

No, please keep it. You do not need to worry about me. [Upon reaching the door, he holds it open for her, ushering her inside with a graceful hand.] I will pour you tea should we find any.

[takingchances]

[He's ushering her inside like he's done this a hundred times before.]

What, are you used to pouring tea then?

[dreamsandtea]

[Oh more than a hundred!]

I am! I serve it every day at my shop. [His day isn't complete without it - and his animals don't seem to mind it (and the sweets) either.]

[takingchances]

[There's a touch of warmth that rises up in the air, partially from the open door and maybe just a bit from Eva herself. Making it to their destination and the promise of tea is enough to put her in a good mood. And here it means a bit of warmth in the air, not unlike the warmth of the sun.]

Must be a nice place then.

[Not that the welcome center here is terrible. They're even seems to be a lineup of gift baskets near the entrance along with a sign specifically asking people to "take one please!"]