Empatheias Events (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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empatheias_ooc2018-01-19 07:55 am
empevents) wrote in empatheias_ooc2018-01-19 07:55 am
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TEST DRIVE: February
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 January 25th and Applications (Canon | OC) open a week later on February 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!
• 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 trade agreement between Verens and Briarlan is in full swing, with the opening of Verens’ very first radio station! As an amplitude moderation (AM) only radio station, it will focus more on news and talk shows than music. That doesn’t mean it’ll lack for education or entertainment, as home radio sets begin to be sold throughout the city. Speaking of which, as a new entertainment business installed in the city’s economy, it can offer something else to the Otherworlders: employment! And a party! Enjoy.
• Prompt E: A necessary industry of any society is beekeeping, and Verens is no different. Giant bee skeps for equally giant bees need their honey and comb collected, too. Typically, this task is handled by beekeepers and their assistants. It’s a little different this month, however; due to a significant increase in the amount of honey the bees are producing, they’ve recruited outside help. Volunteers get 70 sylvs per day of work as payment and a jar of honey as a goodwill gift.
• Prompt F: Selenium, the holiday to commemorate and remember lost and loved ones is coming up soon. It will be held in Theasthai, which requires some travel for those in Verens, but with teleporters, it should be easy to get there and get back to the city. It's not the most cheerful of events, but it seems that some of the organisers are more eccentric than traditional. It must have been why they were hired!
• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include sunflowers and/or bear cubs.
• 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 trade agreement between Verens and Briarlan is in full swing, with the opening of Verens’ very first radio station! As an amplitude moderation (AM) only radio station, it will focus more on news and talk shows than music. That doesn’t mean it’ll lack for education or entertainment, as home radio sets begin to be sold throughout the city. Speaking of which, as a new entertainment business installed in the city’s economy, it can offer something else to the Otherworlders: employment! And a party! Enjoy.
- Open Invitation: As soon as the new technology is installed and tested to perfection, the station organises a party to celebrate its grand opening. Invitations are distributed like fliers; in the eyes of the new station, the more party attendees, the better. Held both inside the station and on the block outside of it, there are tables upon tables of cake, cookies, passe horderves, and non-alcoholic beverages. Go ahead and mingle! Every half hour or so, the radio talk show hosts will invite someone on the outside podium to try and entertain the crowd.
- What’s Your Favourite Colour?: So, you would like to work as a radio talk show host! It’s open auditions and you’re either the person demonstrating your interviewing acumen as a potential radio jockey, or you're the person being paid 50 sylvs to allow yourself to be interviews on-air. Either way, the day certainly won’t be wasted. Feel free to improvise to your heart’s content or use a handy list of interview questions and suggestions provided by the people proctoring the auditions. There’s also cookies and juice boxes available but try not to talk with your mouth full on air.
- Five Nights at Radio Shack: Didn’t cut it as a potential radio personality? Not to worry, the station needs janitors too! Because they hire on week-long contracts, it can be considered more of a temp gig than anything--which is for the best, because the basement underneath the station is dark, vast and labyrinthine. The tasks required are mopping, dusting, taking out the garbage and bringing any equipment from the basement to the ground floor. If there are creaking noises, whispers, giggles, faint voices, all of it can be explained by natural phenomenon or radio interference piping through the walls. Those footsteps, on the other hand...
• Prompt E: A necessary industry of any society is beekeeping, and Verens is no different. Giant bee skeps for equally giant bees need their honey and comb collected, too. Typically, this task is handled by beekeepers and their assistants. It’s a little different this month, however; due to a significant increase in the amount of honey the bees are producing, they’ve recruited outside help. Volunteers get 70 sylvs per day of work as payment and a jar of honey as a goodwill gift.
- Honey and Gather: Honey gathering! Due to the unorthodox bees, the skeps are the size of large houses with many twisting corridors and convenient openings for volunteers to enter. The task is simple: in groups of two, wander the hives, collect the comb, and let the honey drain into the buckets provided. Once the bucket is full, bring it back to the closest beekeeper’s household. Get a new bucket, rinse and repeat. Easy, right? A typical large bee is about the size of a person, with the queen being the size of a midsize car. They are friendly enough, although quite curious and prone to brief fits of territorial displays if they feel their home is being intruded upon. Good thing they’re susceptible to Dunamis!
- A Queen Imperiled: Unfortunately, opening the skeps to volunteers also makes the beekeeping industry susceptible to mischief and theft. While the worker bees were distracted by the presence of people, a group of poachers managed to get in and steal away the queen bee. Getting her back before she’s sold is imperative, and the beekeepers are willing to pay a hefty reward. Track the poachers to their hideout several few miles away, dispatch them as best you can, and bring the queen back to her people. They need her.
- Let Me Be Your Wings: Good news! Now that the queen has been rescued, she is grateful and accommodating to her saviours -- enough so that she is willing to give people a ride back to her home. There’s no need to be afraid, she’s twice as sturdy as a horse. The bad news? Her wing took an unfortunate hit during her capture and she can only make part of the journey. Hopefully whoever rescued her has a plan to transport her the rest of the way back. Ever gone bee walking? It’s a bit less agreeable than dog walking.
• Prompt F: Selenium, the holiday to commemorate and remember lost and loved ones is coming up soon. It will be held in Theasthai, which requires some travel for those in Verens, but with teleporters, it should be easy to get there and get back to the city. It's not the most cheerful of events, but it seems that some of the organisers are more eccentric than traditional. It must have been why they were hired!
- The Ring: A few months ago, children (and people who looked like children) received unsigned letters and were found at a bottom of a well in the forest three days later. Investigations led Enforcers to believe that this strange phenomenon was caused by a girl named "Samantha" who passed away in the hospital years ago. In order to let Samantha's spirit enter the realm of the dead properly, the eccentric organiser for Selenium is hosting a wrestling competition at the city square. Samantha's dream was to be a pro-wrestler, and a small festival that shows sportsmanship and competition might help her find peace. Put on a body suit, enter the ring, and tackle your opponent to the ground! Of course, this may or may not be a voluntary thing. . . said organiser can be rather pushy and just shove the suit onto anybody nearby. It's for the sake of the spirits, she says!
- Wishing Stairs: One of the temples in Verens has now become a festival attraction. Booths serving small Arehtei-related trinkets can be found at the top of the stairs, and they're lined up leading to the bell at the centre of the temple. Ringing the bell will send a message to the dead, wherever they may be. It's a calling of sorts to them—a means of telling them that Selenium is coming soon and that their loved ones will be connecting with them soon. There is a catch, though. . . going up the staircase up to the temple is a bit challenging. Salt is spread on each step with only two small circular spots for someone to step on. It's said that making it to the top of the staircase without getting any salt on one's shoes means that their wish will come true. Why don't you give it a try?
- Shutter: Photographs in Empatheias are still sepia toned, compared to the more modern and futuristic worlds some Otherworlders are from. One of Selenium's organisers got wind of how photos are important to the dead—even more so to those of the living—as it's how they remain alive. One of the halls in the city is now occupied by some Thespian organisers and their Verens counterparts, and they are requesting for assistance in gluing, piecing together, and repairing photographs. The photos are scattered all over the tables in the hall: some are torn, some have ink blots or food stains which need to be cleaned, and some have been folded too much that the creases have deformed the faces in the photograph. Those who wish to assist in this endeavour will receive a plateful of warm butter cookies, hot chocolate, and 200 sylvs. Just watch out, though, because sometimes, the subjects of the photos seem to move when no one's looking.
• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include sunflowers and/or bear cubs.
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!
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Lucky brat.But Goten did have to worry about the threat of Buu, and that's something he didn't envy. Buu was far greater of a threat than any of those ever were.
Except maybe the GPA thing.But that just serves to strengthen Gohan's resolve for what awaits him at home. He didn't gain all this power for nothing, you know!]Guess you'll have to figure that out, huh? [Sorry, squirt, he's not going to give you the answer that easily. He does take a few steps towards Goten, a sympathetic smile on his face.]
Winning a fight is more than just overpowering your opponent. What do you think that might mean? [It's pop quiz time! But Goten better think quick, because Gohan is only give him a little bit of time before he demonstrates.]
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[You're suppose to teach him stuff! Goten tries to pout at him but the smile just won't leave his face. He's enjoying this too much. However, when Gohan steps towards him and looks ready to go again, Goten is quickly to get back to his feet. He doubts Gohan would attack him when he's just sitting on the ground but he doesn't really want to test that out after getting in that last hit in.
He steps back a bit, easing back into a fighting stance. He's not leaping out to attack Gohan this time. Not-uh.]
....But if you can overpower them then don't you win anyway?
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But Gohan hopes to change that in Goten.]
If you can overpower them. But there's another way.
[And Gohan's going to demonstrate, using that technique Goten's tried on him so many times already. But this time he's going to do it properly.]
If you can outsmart your opponent...
[He holds up a hand and quickly fires a ki blast at the ground directly beneath Goten's feet. Instead of creating a cloud of dust, it causes the ground beneath Goten to lift up into the air and explode with force. But that's only a distraction. Using the distraction to his advantage, Gohan briefly powers down, erasing his ki signature as he moves into position behind Goten.]
...And outmaneuver them! Then you'll be able to control the flow of battle!
[Then he powers back up and slams his forearm into Goten's back to send him flying.]
You'll never lose that way. [...Unfortunately, it's not always an effective technique, especially when against threats like Buu, but it'll never fail you in a spar at least!]
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It's a solid hit and has Goten on the ground again. This is becoming a pattern.
He couldn't beat Gohan before, no matter how hard he tried. Now that gap has gotten a lot bigger even-though he feels stronger.
But he gets up again, frowning. Gohan's hits are hard and they hurt but its not enough to seriously hurt Goten. He knows his big brother wouldn't do that. Mom would kill him.]
But that won't work all the time!
[He rushes at Gohan again, ki flaring up as if to give Gohan some visualization to Goten's frustration. He throws his fist hard at Gohan's middle, frowning up at him before following up with his left knee.]
If I did the same thing like that, you just get use to it. Then it doesn't work.
[He's understanding it more as the move Gohan is using and not the tactic overall. The smoke-screen move is cool but it wouldn't work every time. Not even Gohan's more sneaky version.]
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That's not the point, Goten! [He blocks Goten's punch, before catching his knee strike in his hands.] I'm trying to teach you that if you want to be able to beat someone like me! [He exerts a kiai through his hands to create a pressured shockwave to blow Goten away from him.]
Then you have to be able to think better than someone like me!
[He charges at Goten now, fist bared as he aims a hard punch at Goten's chest. If he takes the hit, it's going to hurt a good deal more than Gohan's previous strikes. It's harder for him to restrain how much force he's using now that his emotions are flaring up.]
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The shock-wave does blow Goten back, he tumbles through the air before trying to right himself. It's easier to do when he isn't so close to the older Son. He grits his teeth a bit, doing the motion to stomp his foot which would probably be much more effective on the ground.]
But Gohan, that's imposs--!?
[He cuts himself short as Gohan charges at him and instinctively raises both his arms to guard against the punch. But last time he tried that it made his arm feel numb and considering how Gohan is now, he doesn't want to feel that punch at all!
So instead he holds both his hands out, quickly creating another glowing orb of radiating ki to blast Gohan away with. It's sounds good in his head but naturally Gohan's speed is faster than his is to get the blast off.
Goten ends up practically using the energy in his hands to guard with. The impact between Gohan's fist and Goten's own lack of ki control makes it explode between them upon contact.
The force from the explosion practically blasts Goten straight into the thick canopy of some nearby trees. He disappears in the thick leafs but not without leaving behind a faint smokey trail.
Maybe that wasn't such a good idea.]
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Guh-!!
[Thankfully, the collision is at least enough to quickly snap him back to his senses as he reasons out what happened. He rushed at Goten, Goten responded with a ki blast, they collided, there was an explosion, and then--
...Oh no. Goten isn't anywhere to be found. He immediately jumps to the worst-case scenario, that he might have actually seriously hurt Goten. Or even worse... But a quick sensing of his ki signature at least helps to dispel that concern. He goes in the direction he can feel Goten, the smoky trail that formed helping to confirm that.
Of course, with how thick the trees are, even with being able to sense Goten's energy, he still can't see him. He could anywhere in these woods.]
Goten! Are you alright?!
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There's a bit of rustling in the treetops before Goten finally pokes his head out. The blond hair has now fallen to black. He is pretty scratched up and his orange gi may have a few tears,
Gohan is soooo lucky mom isn't here, but that's pretty good considering Gohan punched the Super Saiyan out of him!]GOHANNN!
[He waves frantically at him, various sticks and leafs sticking out of his now messier black hair, but there's no denying his huge smile.]
Gohan! Over here! I found a nest! I almost landed on it but it's fine. You gotta come see!
[He doesn't need to move to much because Goten is quick to lift up the whole nest between his hands. Luckily there's no mom and dad around--yet.]
I don't think I've seen eggs so small! They're nothing compared to Chobi's! I could fit inside Chobi's egg if I wanted!
[Yes this bird's nest--or whatever's nest, goten doesn't know, but it's suddenly became way more interesting then their sparring match]
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You probably could! Now, come on, put that back where you found it. You don't want to make the parents mad, do you? You know how scary moms can be. [Based on the size of the nest and the eggs themselves, they looked like robin eggs. But honestly, Gohan didn't want to take any chances, he knows how this place is.]
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Huh? Mmmm....already...?
[He really doesn't want to put the nest back because if they hatch then they can become Goten's new friends. He misses Chobi a lot now. But the mom comment does make him think more about it and consider his wiser brother's words. Gohan is right about that.]
I guess so...but I can still come back here and see 'em when they hatch, right?
[He looks up at Gohan with hopeful eyes before ducking back down and disappearing into the tree. It's only a few minutes or so before he comes floating out, nest free. He stops just next to Gohan with a small smile.]
All done. I put it back, Gohan!
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...Besides, he had a phoenix egg back at the apartment currently in the middle of incubation that he was excited to see hatch, he had no room to talk.]
Of course, just don't be a nuisance to the parents, okay? [There was no way he could say no to that face. Besides, he knows that despite how rambunctious and energetic Goten is, he listens to what he's told. That's certainly more than could be said for how he was a child...
...Man, no wonder Mom's so easy on Goten. He's actually the good child.]
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[He smiles that much more now that he got the okay. Goten tries to listen and he usually does when it comes to their mom, Gohan or Piccolo. But even that doesn't always happen, especially if Trunks is around and egging him on with one of his great ideas. But it's all done with good intentions for the most part. Goten's life has been a peaceful one. All the fighting he did before Buu showed up was just for fun. Sparring games and what not. Funny how just one day of their dad returning from the dead changed that fast.]
You gotta come and see them too. [He blinks, realizing something as he turns his head to look this way and that]
I haven't seen any dinosaurs...
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...He just hopes this isn't too close to his sparring grounds now. He'd hate to disrupt this poor little bird family. He might have to scope out a new spot later...]
...Huh. [Gohan actually never gave it much thought, but Goten's got a good point. There aren't any dinosaurs here.] You're right, I never even noticed. That's so weird, considering how many other Earth animals there are. Maybe they're down below?
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Do you think they could live down there? [He's talking down below the island right? Goten doesn't know too much about that. Just a bit of hearsay.]
I didn't think anything could? Can we go and see?
[Surely they'll be fine? He hasn't tried to leave the island at all. It sounds like a good idea to him!]
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I don't think that's a good idea, Goten. The surface world's actually pretty dangerous. [And if Gohan's acknowledging that it's dangerous, that means it's Actually Dangerous.
...Still, he can't just keep Goten cooped up here. Maybe...]
Tell you what, how about you and me make a trip down to one of the towns below tomorrow? They're pretty safe, at least. [As long as the criminal mimes haven't escaped.]
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[It's hard to believe anything is dangerous to Gohan. Maybe he's just super worried about something happening to him? But before he can push to question it the mention of visiting the towns below grabs his attention.]
Are they like Trunks' town?
[He's picturing pretty much West City here. Outside of where ever the World Tournament was held being held, West City is about the only town Goten visited off of Mt.Paozu--and that just usually meant going straight to Trunks' house anyway.]
Yeah, I wanna see! Don't forget! [As if Goten would let him]
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He can't help but chuckle at Goten's enthusiasm. If he could use his enthusiasm as power, no one would ever beat him, that's for sure.]
Haha! As if you'd let me forget! [He knows how you are, Goten. Now that he made a promise to you, you'll badger him about it until he follows through.]
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Is it bigger than West City? Aw, c'mon Gohan, you can't say that and then make me wait until tomorrow! That's no fair. Is it really that amazing? What's so cool about it?
[Goten's eyes widen with wonder and growing curiosity. Do you expect him to sleep tonight because that isn't happening until he's super super tried now. He's looking too forward to tomorrow. Yeah, he's for sure not letting Gohan get out of this one now.]
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[He knows how you are, Goten, you're even worse than Dad with how excitable you can be sometimes. Gohan really has to wonder how Mom got him to wind down so easily while he was busy studying...
But... Well, he'll give Goten a bit of a teaser.]
I dunno if I'd say it's bigger than West City, but... [That was hard to judge, the place was built completely differently from any city back home.] It kind of reminds me of cities I've read about in history books. There are rivers running everywhere, and the streets are colorful, and it's all inside a mountain. [A mountain, Goten, just think how crazy living inside of Mt. Paozu would be!]
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Really?! It's inside a mountain?! Oh wow, how is that possible? That sounds like the most amazing town ever! Gohan, we gotta go see it. We just gotta! Why do we have to wait until tommarrow, huh? It's not that late! We should go now! I wanna see! Pleaseeeee, Gohan!
[Honestly Goten isn't paying attention to time at all. He's in the moment. Gohan, you can't bait him like this.]
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I don't know, Goten... It's pretty far from here, so by the time we get there, it'll probably be nightfall, and then there won't really be anything to see. You want to see the cool stuff, don't you?
[He feels the teensiest bit bad about lying to his little brother. With the teleporters, they can get to the town in a flash. But Goten doesn't need to know that yet.]
[1/2]
[Goten blinks slowly as Gohan explains his reasoning. He starts to deflate more and more. His shoulders slump down as his huge smile keeps getting smaller and smaller until it turns into a tiny frown. The sparkles are gone as quickly as they appeared. He's not upset with Gohan. No. It's not his fault it'll be late by the time they get there.]
[2/2]
[He asks with a hint of hope but by the looks of it, Goten already accepted they're not going today. Gohan knows how fast they can fly so he probably thought of that already. It most be super far. Thats disappointing. He can't help but feel that way. Goten just can't stop picturing some amazing city inside a city. Now he really has to wait.
But he lifts his gaze to look up at Gohan, staring intently.]
You promise we'll go tomorrow? No matter what? I really really wanna go.
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Of course. I promise. I'll even make sure to find the quickest route for us to get there and everything.
[And to signify just how serious he is about the promise, he descends a little in the air, just enough so he can be eye level with Goten. And then he holds out his pinky for him. Pinky promises are sacred.]
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But. He doesn't have to worry about that because it is Gohan.
He lifts up his arm and reaches out to hook his much smaller pinkie around Gohan's. There's a playful bounce to it as they clasp pinkies. His eyes soften more before shifting from their hands and back to Gohan's face.
Goten smiles wholeheartedly. Nothing but pure sunshine here. He really has the best big brother no matter what world their in.]
Okay. It's a promise! Thanks, Gohan!
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