empatheias_ooc | TEST DRIVE MEME: JULY

Entry tags:

!mod,
*test drive

TEST DRIVE MEME: JULY

— TEST DRIVE: JULY —

Welcome to

empatheias' first ever 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 Friday, July 18th and Applications open Friday, July 25th. Game will begin Friday, August 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!

• Prompt B: The following are generic task board prompts that characters could have taken up as a job.

You have to collect X number of materials. Find a partner to make it easier!
There's a hostile creature attacking some of the neighboring farms. If you got a weapon, they could definitely use your help!
How about helping around the town? Delivering something, helping patch up a sign, cleaning out some of those rusted gears—the locals would definitely warm up to everyone.
Make up your own task/quest!

• 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: With the influx of people suddenly appearing, the locals are a bit on edge. So rather than having your character’s emotions affecting the environment, someone else's is affecting them! Maybe they were just passing by and someone had an emotional outbreak of sorts. Now they have to figure out how to deal with the aftermath—or will their own emotions make it worse? Needless to say, NPC godmodding granted 100%.

• Prompt E: Make your own! It can even involve booze and/or cats.

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

[unaware of the thoughts going on within his current partner's mind, he took another look around.]

All right, here's what I'm thinking. I'll stay out in the middle of that clearing—[the one just in front of them that separates the farmer's fields and the treeline of the forest]—and try to distract it and keep there. I'll try to create a few openings for you, and you should be able to shoot its vulnerable points.

Not sure if your rifle is strong enough to take it down on its own, but if you can disable it, I should be able to finish it off.

I can do whatever's necessary.

[She usually goes for headshots, but understands that it might not be that simple.]

At the very least I can help. In this place, I don't think a monster like that is strong against bullets. [She reassures him as she holds her rifle against her chest, ready to assume position as soon as the monster arrives.]

Let's hope so.

[he then pulls out his own gun, tapping it against the hilt of the broadsword still strapped to his back.

as if on cue, there's a low rumbling sound from deep within the forest, birds flying upward.]

And looks like it's almost showtime.

[Hearing the sound, Argilla moves so she's behind a boulder and lays her rifle on it to steady it. Crouching down, she looks through the scope and sees their intended target through the trees.]

It's coming this way. Do you want me to fire or will you make your move first?

[Her voices changes to a strictly professional tone at this point.]

[unsheathing his sword now.]

I'll get it first and keep it distracted.

[he glances back and raises his gun in a salute.]

Good luck—I'll be counting on you.

[and off he goes to the clearing before Mr. Piggy comes out. CUE SCREEN SHATTER + BATTLE MUSIC]

[She keeps her sights on him pretty easily thanks to her scope on her rifle. At this point, it's a waiting game for her to see if he can get the pig out in the clear so she can make a clean shot. Best to only have to use one bullet if necessary -- however she understands that stronger demons need more than one shot to take them down.

So until be makes a clear move, she's going to stay where she's at, waiting for the opportune moment to make her shot.]

[they don't have to wait long as the giant boar charges out.

and it's huge. definitely a lot bigger than he expected. it even breaks down a few trees as it rushes out. if he had had the time to think about it, he might have wondered why the treeline had looked undamaged and considered that foresters repaired them via emotion energy or something. but he doesn't have that luxury and instead has to quickly dodge and jump out of the way as it tries to ram its tusks into him, raising his sword as he does to further help shield against the sharp, curved weapons. it winds up being a good call as the tips just catch the steel of his blade, and he could feel the strength and force behind it.]

Whoa—this is gonna be rough.

[but he's been through tough battles before—just usually with a full party instead of on his own. but he knows he has Argilla in the back for support and he just has to make the opening.

from this point on, he keeps his distance from the board, keeping its attention by firing a few rounds into its hide. it's tough, though, and while blood appears they're still shallow wounds. even his sword has trouble making any significant damage. he performs a few fire based elemental arte attacks, and that helps weaken its defense a bit, but it's definitely one strong boar.

however, as he continues to move, Argilla should be able to note that as predicted, around its joints, particularly where the legs meet its belly, there is a lot less hair and more leathery skin is shown. it's also where any chance slashes seem to be deeper. and that's really all Alvin is trying to do with his attacks—trying to find where his weapons do the most damage and create those opening for her, including the head. he tries to keep it so that the side of its face is toward Argilla.]

[It's a shame Gale isn't here to help them, he would have found a strategy right away as if he'd been studying the subject for ages. Then again, he was engineered as a strategist for war, so it's no wonder. Or what would Serph do? Serph would keep his cool and calmly go in for the attack. His lack of showing emotions is what made him an excellent leader, but also the fact that of everyone, his decisions were the more rational.

Heat... Heat would dart right in like that man right there, fighting... fighting.

That's right, that man reminds her of Heat, just without the angry outbursts. Somehow, that thought keeps her at ease and the air around her softens. She's more relaxed and it helps her focus more than ever. That man is a comrade -- that's what she should have been thinking from the beginning.

The man had been doing nothing but trying to give her a clear headshot, and seeing the chance to take it, she shoots off one bullet and it lands at it's target -- the side of the boar's head. Now to see if that's what it takes to take the boar down.

If not, she either slowed it down or angered it.]

[it seems a bit of both. Alvin is accustomed to snipers using arrows, but not bullets like his own. seeing the power and speed of that shot up close is both awe inspiring and surprising, the latter due to how focused he is on the boar.

at the hit, the animal lets out a loud, painful bellowing roar as its head and body and lurches to the side and crashes to the ground. although the shot doesn't immediately finish it off, it does give Alvin the necessary opportunity to give the finishing blow. he quickly combines his gun to the chamber located at the hilt of his sword and jumps up (that boar's head is taller than him!). as he does, Argilla may notice a bright blue light emitting from where the two weapons had combined. now charged, as he descends he slams his sword tip first down into the boar's neck.

it drives in deep, the boar letting out an even more unearthly scream as its body convulses and blood flies upward. he manages to stay out of its main trajectory, but he's still going to need a shower and get his clothes dry cleaned after this (the downside of slaying monsters).

but it's not until the body shudders to stillness that he pulls out his sword and looks over to where Argilla is. with a raised hand he waves and calls out:]

Nice shot!

[She watches the man from afar through her scope to see if he needs any additional assistance, though it seems like he had gotten it on his own. Before she had noticed he had used magic -- she'd grown a little more accustomed to seeing people using magic without turning into demons. At the very least, she's glad to see these people don't have the same fate as her.

Even so, she's still apprehensive about showing her demon form, though she fears one day she may have too. Luckily, there are no demons here to devour, and she can only hope she won't go insane from the 'hunger' either.

Waving back to him, she gives a bit of a smile, more open with her emotions than she was before.]

You weren't too bad yourself.

[She laughs a little, giving him a wink.]

[he extends an arm and gives a mock bow.]

Thank you, thank you.

[he grins before pulling out his sword and jumps down, swinging the blade to have the blood and gore fly away and sheathing his weapons as he walks back.]

But only because I had a pretty good partner.

I just wanted to help a comrade.

[Comrade is not exactly a term Argilla uses loosely, but the way they worked together, it felt that way to her.]

I don't want to see someone suffer because I couldn't help.

[There's a slight teasing tone in her voice, but she's serious at the same time.]

[a grin.]

I don't think I would have suffered too much, but it's appreciated all the same.

[a small commotion by the inner parts of the field catches his attention, and that grin turns a bit more wry.]

But heads up—it's about to get crowded.

[indeed, all the farmers and villagers who had stayed away to watch were now making their way over to the two, cheering and applauding as they ran.]

Is it-- oh...!

[She's not really sure how to deal with this kind of reception. It's not bad, but usually she's not applauded for this kind of mission. Usually it's something she does to survive... not something for a reward from others.

But, it's not a bad thing. Eventually, she smiles more sincerely, appreciative of the acknowledgement they've been getting.]

Do you think this is how people are supposed to be?

[Happy and simple... carefree and not worrying about God's will.

A true Nirvana in her mind.]

[yes, yes, ladies, he appreciates all the gushing. there is certainly a very charming air about him at the moment before he looks up at her.]

How people are supposed to be?

[that sounds like a certain someone he knows.]

What, you've never had people cheer for you before?

No, I haven't. Not for killing something before.

[Maybe there was something like this kind of reception when they freed the Lokapala from prison, but... nothing like this.]

It almost seems inhumane. But we did save them.

[Haha, she never thought she'd see the day where she wanted to say 'I do not comprehend'.]

[chuckles.]

Well when it's come to kill something—it's kind of circumstantial. If it's for saving the town or in an arena, you'll get cheers at least.

Why in an arena? Is fighting really considered a spectator sport?

[She kind of looks disgusted at that.]

In some places. Where I'm currently staying in, the people hold a tournament every ten years. It's a competition between the clans to see which is the strongest and originally it was a fight to the death. Nowadays, however, it's just a sport and doesn't go that extreme. The opponents can be either monsters, humans, or both, too. Either way, people get pretty pumped when watching and cheering for their team.

[shrugs.]

Personally I think it's pretty fun, but I've only really participated once. Kind of had to, but that's a different story.

[She doesn't even hide her disgust when she mentions a 'fight to the death'.]

I guess I can understand. We did that in the Junkyard. Our tribes fought and the last living tribe would be the one to reach Nirvana.

[She laughs bitterly.]

Though that turned out to be a true hell.

[There, she has her reasons out in the open now.]

I'd guess most places aren't like the Junkyard.

[there's a slight arch of the brow.]

The Junkyard? Nirvana?

The Junkyard was a program, I guess...

[It's not easy finding out you're an AI... oops.]

And Nirvana was the paradise we sought. I'd imagined it'd be filled with beaches and the ocean... and neverending peace. We fought and killed to reach peace.

A program?

[while there are computer programs where he's from, he's assuming she means more of like some kind of organization program.]

No offense, but it sounds more like hell to me. I guess calling a program like that "Junkyard" kind of fits.

[he could pry into more, but this is the first time he's met the woman. so he'll remain polite instead and will only ask more if she seems willing to share or if she asks about his world. he'll just say a few more things.]

But it sounds like you haven't reached this Nirvana yet.

No, I haven't.

[She's looks up at the sun. Does God exist there too in this place? At least this place is far from the hells she's lived so far.]

I take it there's nothing like that where you're from. I guess different worlds have different beliefs.

[small pause.]

No, not quite like that. But there's still fighting for a different kind of belief, I guess you could say. More of an energy problem, but I got a deity involved and there are beliefs tied into it.

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