empatheias_ooc | TEST DRIVE: January

Entry tags:

*test drive

TEST DRIVE: January

— 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!

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.
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.
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:

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!
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.
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.

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!
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…
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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ooc: i'll try not to spoil anything, but let me know how you feel about spoilers anyway.]

B: GT1211

[The peppermint bark was certainly a compelling thing to look at. Based on his knowledge of confectionery goods and the professor's own preferences, it would probably taste good... if he could actually eat it. He held the candy in his hand, gawking at it for a while, before placing it back in its container with the rest of the set.

Since he's not equipped with a candy-tasting function, he'll need a surrogate to fulfill the task for him. The caveat attached to the candy does concern him a bit, but he is 100% confident that the effects won't be harmful to anyone. Witnessing these effects first-hand might also help further his understanding of confections, which would benefit him if he were to start a robot business involving candy-making.

Moving along, he approaches the first person he comes across and offers them some chocolate peppermint bark.]

If it isn't a bother, could you please try this for me? Tell me what you think.

D-1

[Selling chocolate bars and magazine subscriptions is a job perfectly suited for the Ultimate Robot. His uniqueness as a robot will surely entice people and encourage them to purchase the charity's goods. Additionally, by impressing the foundation with fruitful sales figures, he could restore their trust in their volunteers and extinguish any nascent robophobia they may be harboring. He's certain that nothing but positive experiences can arise from taking this task.

Of course, that all goes down the drain once their dinky, top hat adorned supervisor is presented to them. He can't help but feel mocked as the roomba powers on and immediately starts bossing them around.]

...Is this machine going to be following us the entire time?

[The roomba scoots wildly around them and bumps his leg.]

This is definitely intended to be robophobic.

F-3

I've thoroughly familiarized myself with elementary school figure skating techniques! Passing through this obstacle course will be effortless for me. Watch this!

[It doesn't take long for him to realize that the figure skating techniques of small children don't really apply to a 200 pound robot. Soon enough, he's veering off the middle of the course on all fours, struggling to right himself as he slides across the ice.

Will you help this poor, innocent robot in trouble?]

Wildcard

[Anything you want, any time you want it, day or night, free of charge.]

[VERU looks up at her partner, then back down at the roomba. VERU, for her part, is not equipped for salesmanship at all - her head is filled with combat data, analytics, the trajectories of missiles.

On the other hand, her partner seems pretty serious. Both of them, actally. Veru immediately kneels down to her feet, reaches out to pat the roomba on the head.]

How rude. Mister Top Hat Jamesfield [Was the J ever established to stand for Jamesfield?] Roomba is an artificial intelligence, the same as you and I. He just wants to help his brethren.

[The roomba clanks into her leg, over and over.]

I love you too, Jamesfield. [VERU sounds more insincere than is humanly possible. As if she was designed to be the most insincere person in the world.]

I don't think you should encourage it. It will only hinder our sales in the long run, so it's best to leave it alone.

[Hold on, there was something off about her statement. He rewinds the tape a few seconds and scrutinizes what she said. 'An artificial intelligence, the same as you and I.'

...

That's definitely a lie, without a doubt. She's obviously not a robot.]

Also, please do not mock me! Just because I'm a robot doesn't mean I can be fooled so easily.

My designation is 00031-VERU, short for Variable Engagement and Reconnaissance Unit. I originally was inside of a small scouting mech, equipped with standard armaments. Due to various circumstances, my intelligence was removed and placed into a humanoid shell.

[To make her point clear, she reaches down, and casually takes her hand out of its socket - there's visible wiring, and her hand still flexes a little, even removed from the wrist.]

Or are you mad you look like a P*wer R*ngers villain?

[Her explanation sounds completely absurd, like something out of a sci-fi anime. He understands the need for an exciting backstory, though, so he can't judge her too hard for it.

His eyes widen as she nonchalantly removes her hand and flexes it. It discomforts him how casually she can pop her limbs off.

The existence of a robot as life-like as her intrigues him, and he was about to ask her some questions... until she started insulting him. Cracks start forming around them as the girl's provocation sinks into him. He's nothing like those violent, children's television villains! He won't stand for this robot-on-robot abuse!]

How rude! I can accept that you are a robot, but I can't accept your irrational insults! Please re-evaluate your attitude towards me.

You're right. I'm very sorry. It's not your fault that you look like you were made by an overworked costume designer, but the fault of your creators, who gave you no love.

[She pops her hand back in, and then stands back up completely, reaching up to put her hand on his shoulder.]

Please forgive me. As robots, you, I, and our beloved Jamesfield all must work together for the betterment of our kind.

[Cracks spread further through the ground around them as the girl continues snarking him. The roomba starts tumbling as it spins circles on the uneven terrain.

A few locals walk around them, expressing a mix of concern and amusement at the disturbance he's causing. Probably a break-up, one of them says.]

H-Hey! That is completely untrue. Professor Idabashi devoted all his time and effort towards my design! He loved me as a father would love a son!

[His eyes narrow as she puts her hand on his shoulder. This is most likely an insincere gesture. He can tell because he has interacted with insincere people at least a dozen times!]

I agree with that sentiment, but I can't help you pursue your goal if you keep up with this robo-harassment.

Edited 2017-12-23 13:54 (UTC)

[This mysterious figure could care less about peddling chocolate and magazines to the masses. Rather, he's just interested in working with two actual robots. He may prefer animals, but this is still quite interesting!

Gundam Tanaka smirks in amusement as the roomba bumps into the robot's leg.]

It is no such thing. That is Hell's Roomba asserting its dominance over you in the hierarchy of machinekind!

[How bothersome. Not only is he being trailed by a walking (sliding?) statement of robophobia, but he has also been paired with a strangely-dressed robophobe. There's no way this thing is anywhere above him in terms of being a robot. Sure, it's already gotten ahead of him by attaining a career as a robot supervisor, but give him enough time and he will definitely surpass it.]

Krgh...! Don't compare me with this simple machine. I am far more sophisticated than any kind of vacuum-cleaning device!

[Gundam shakes his head in response.]

How pitiful... It seems that you bear a deep prejudice against other machines!

[He knew that this would be entertaining! He goes on in a condescending manner.]

To think that you would judge so swiftly and underestimate the power and rank of Top Hat J. Roomba the Damned! [While the roomba seems to be trying to urge them to focus on the task at hand!]

[Did he just accuse him of robophobia?]

Please stop! If you continue slandering me, I will have no choice but to take you to court!

[He's completely serious about that threat. Most of them are successful, or at least... that's what the professor tells him. The roomba is threatening the two of them in a similar manner, but it goes ignored as Keebo continues.]

I am 100% certain that you are exaggerating this machine's capabilities. I saw multiple identical models lined up on a shelf earlier, which suggests it is not that special.

[Yes, yes he did. And Gundam also does not care so much about staying on task, as he muses onward!]

How little you know, you mechanical fiend. You could say the same of humanity, but even they bear chosen ones among their numbers! Such is the nature of this roomba... Its powers of suction apply not only to dust, but also to malevolent spirits!

[He poses ominously, surrounded by a dark aura, ignoring the roomba's own comments.]

Truly, this machine must be an exorcist-class roomba!

K1-B0 | Danganronpa V3

D-1

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D-1. Also spoilers are fine, so long as they're marked!

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B

beep boop

excited roomba noises

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F-3 i’m gonna go ahead and mark for spoilers from the get go tbh Just in case

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B-1

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