TEST DRIVE MEME: SEPTEMBER

[simpathis]

— TEST DRIVE: SEPTEMBER —

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, August 25th and Applications open Monday, September 1st.
  
  
• 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!

Now with that out of the way, here are some prompts you guys can work from!


PROMPTS

• Prompt A: Create any scenario that could cause your character to display some kind of emotion, be it big or small, and write out how it changes the immediate area. Are there literal sparkles everywhere because they're so happy? Or is the ground starting to twist and warp due to their anger or frustration? Things exploding? Rain clouds? Since this is a test drive, don't worry about any limitations on effects—just write whatever comes to mind! OR write a prompt where they're the ones being affected by someone else's emotion.

• 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.

• 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: How good is your character using an elemental core? They're magic-like rocks that have one of the three following elements: fire, air, and water. On their own they're not too bad, but they are quite sensitive to emotions. Be careful or that little handwarmer could suddenly create a small blazing inferno!

• Prompt E: Steampunk technology is a lot more advanced than basic medieval technology, but still inferior to modern day devices. No electricity, no cars—just this strange magitech, steam, and clockwork gear systems. How "tech savvy" is your character now?

• Prompt F: Make your own! It can even involve cake and rain.

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

Rui Ninomiya | Gatchaman Crowds

[partofthecrowd]

C

Rui found himself seated quite comfortably on a bench. Since arriving he has not taken much of a look at the amulet, although the design is appealing he wasn't really sure what to do with it. He played with it idly in his hands as he sat thinking about it.

I'm not entirely sure what this thing is for... Rui mused to himself, unwittingly projecting it telepathically.

E

There were no computers. None. The technology simply astounded Rui. What was he going to do?! He had his tablet, certainly, but he had no connection to X. It was frustrating. This place he had come to was simply too archaic for there to be internet.

Internet was his entire livelihood. Aghast and feeling a little down, he set off on a quest to find a candy store. He hoped there were jelly beans here because it would help him think. At the very least, he'd managed to scrounge up a semi-fashionable dress, thanks to the kindness of a stranger, however he wanted some better clothes. He'd have to come up with a way to make some kind of money, aside from pocket change.

E

[sharpintuition]

{Elize had taken it upon herself to take a look around. If she was going to be stuck here, she figured it was better to know her surroundings than to hope she's going the right way. It wasn't to much longer after until she came across a blonde girl(?) looking... lost. It was possible they were new, but with how many people came the same time as she did, maybe this was just another person she hadn't met yet. Either way, it was possible to make a new friend...}

Are... you okay?

[partofthecrowd]

[Rui was in the middle of an internal rant, but someone's voice completely derailed his thoughts. He turned around and came face to face with a kind looking girl, asking if he was alright. He exhaled slowly.]

I'm fine, just a little annoyed. I thought I'd see if I could get some candy nearby. I don't really know my way around yet.

[sharpintuition]

{There was something odd about this girl, but there were plenty of oddballs here. She had a floating/talking doll after all.... Candy... She didn't really know her way around that well herself, but she could at least lead her to the marketplace, right?}

Are you new here? {Yes. She definitely seemed new.} I can try to lead you to a place that might have some?

[partofthecrowd]

Ah yeah, somewhat. [He smiles.] That would be a big help, actually.

[After a moment he continues, falling into step beside her.]

I should introduce myself. I'm...[A small hesitation. There's no computers here so his codename is going to be meaningless.] Rui. Ninomiya Rui.

[sharpintuition]

{Seeing her smile makes her give a smile back.}

I know how that is. I just got here a month or so ago myself.

It's nice to meet you, Rui. My name is Elize Lutus.

{A new friend perhaps?}

[partofthecrowd]

A pleasure, Elize. You've been here a month already? I only arrived a few days ago. It's very different from where I was before. It's kind of a big shock.

[sharpintuition]

It's been a shock to us too, and my friends and I come from a weird world compared to others.

[partofthecrowd]

I don't know if I consider my world weird. [Rui pushes his glasses up his nose. Then he remembers Berg-Katze and gives his head a shake.]

I take it back. It's weird. But it's much more modern than this place and I'm not really sure what to do without the amenities I'm used to.

E

[thatsettlesit]

Rui is not the only person who had this idea, apparently! Already at the candy story when he finds it is a girl, probably a couple years younger than him, face pressed against the glass. She looks into the magical realm of the candy store as if it were instead full of priceless jewelry.

[partofthecrowd]

Candy is an absolute must in a programmer's diet. Rui spots the little girl and walks past to the door. He suddenly feels a little guilty. Maybe she doesn't have any money for candy? Granted he doesn't have a lot, but maybe it's not that expensive. He stops before touching the handle and steps out of the way.

He thinks she looks a little upset and wistful. He sighs and clears his throat. "Hello."

[thatsettlesit]

"I ran out of money right before I found this candy store."

Look, you don't need to be a programmer to have a severe reliance on sweets.

[partofthecrowd]

It doesn't hurt. Rui sighs a little. Poor kid, he thinks to himself.

"Look I uh, don't have a lot of money or anything, but if it's not too expensive maybe I can get you something."

His whole philosophy in life is about helping others, he can't just leave a poor child distressed in front of him.

[thatsettlesit]

Ping.

"You'd do that for me? Even though we just met?"

[partofthecrowd]

"I guess I could help you out a little. I wouldn't want you to starve."

The lack of nutrition doesn't really cross his mind, after all, Rui lives on jelly beans.

[thatsettlesit]

HAND CLASP.

"I knew from the moment I saw you that you were a good person!"

[partofthecrowd]

Rui's eyes widen a bit but he nods. "Um, well, thank you."

There might be a faint trace of a blush on his cheeks. "Come on in then, see if there's something you like."

C

[unghosting]

The voices use it to find you. When they do, they will watch you. Always.

The words are flat, dispassionate, somehow delivered in monotone despite the fact that they aren't truly audible. They come from one Kevin Regnard, a swordsman who is sitting beneath a tree nearby and, to all appearances, napping. He makes it a habit to eavesdrop thoroughly upon the new arrivals, whenever there's a fresh batch of them. Always, always he is waiting for news from home, for anyone who might be from his own world -- and thus far, he's always disappointed. When he happens to overhear Rui considering the situation, he's busy accepting the fact that he's most likely just been damned to not knowing for yet another month, and it puts him in a nasty mood.

Unfortunately, it's the sort of nasty mood where he feels like terrorizing somebody before he scoots off to sulk about it, so here we are. Welcome to Verens.

[partofthecrowd]

Needless to say, getting a response is not what Rui is expecting. He jumps a little bit, in fact. Telepathy is not something that can actually happen, even as far as incredible things he's used to go. Although, it just happened. The words themselves are less remarkable than the fact it happened at all.

I'm not interesting enough to watch. Who is this?

[unghosting]

He can feel the surprise leaking through the link a little, and is careful to remain as deadpan as possible in reply.

I've forgotten. They took me long ago. A pause. This isn't awful enough yet. Hrm. ...but I was chosen. You are, too.

[partofthecrowd]

Now that he has somewhat acclimated to the idea of there being telepathy, his tone is less surprised and more skeptical.

Hmph. A small snort. Chosen for what? Some kind of experiment?

[unghosting]

The voices need host bodies. Soon. Soon.

Kevin doesn't particularly care whether he manages to convince this person or not. Mostly the fun in this is that he can think of at least three people who would throw something heavy at him if they knew he was doing this.

It's already too late. He allows a touch of sing-song to creep into his head-voice. They are already all around. Soon, soon~

[partofthecrowd]

Rui hesitates, chewing on his bottom lip. Could it be an alien influence? He hadn't given much consideration to danger here and he's suddenly regretting it. Slipping his hand into the bodice of this borrowed dress, he pulls out what looks like a journal, holding it in hand as he glances from side to side.

You're not serious.

[unghosting]

NO you must go it isn't safe they are coming --

This would be so much more effective if he could figure out how to do creepy multiple voices. He could try to project the memory of the Will of the Abyss and her creepy floating talking doll hoard, but that's a little too much even for a vicious Kevin such as himself, so his own voice will just have to do. Bah.

You must leave the city it isn't safe the guards will trytostopyoubutyoumustgo --

[partofthecrowd]

Rui gives a derisive snort in response. His fingers tighten over the notebook in hand as he holds it carefully. His eyes flicker around again, trying to gauge just who is talking to him.

I'd rather hold my ground and fight, thank you.