TEST DRIVE MEME: JULY

[simpathis]

— 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.

1. You have to collect X number of materials. Find a partner to make it easier!
   
2. There's a hostile creature attacking some of the neighboring farms. If you got a weapon, they could definitely use your help!
   
3. 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.
   
4. 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!

Comments

[makesitbetter]

[The girl doesn't seem to know what to make of yet another stranger approaching her, but Jude is glad to see Rowen.]

That's right. She said there was a hole in her bag and it fell out somewhere.

[counterharmonics]

Oh my. What a troubling situation indeed.

[At least in the eyes of a small child. A lost doll was certainly a stressful event worth drowning the world for.

He steps into the area of rain and kneels down to the child's level.]

By all accounts, it should be a simple affair, and a matter of revisiting the path you took. But I need you to be brave for me first, my dear. Could you do that for me? You will have to think hard and help us retrace your footsteps.

[makesitbetter]

[The little girl seems to be calming down at last, if the rainstorm is anything to go by. It's fading to a light drizzle. She nods to Rowen and points to the end of the street, softly explaining that she'd traveled down it from her house.]

Then that won't be hard to follow at all. We can all go look together.

[counterharmonics]

[Ah, good. That wasn't so far. He stands slowly, and looks towards the end of the street, studying it for a moment. It should not be difficult to locate a single doll within the area, surely.]

With three pairs of eyes between the three of us, I doubt your doll will remain unaccounted for for long.

[Interesting, how ephemeral these emotional disturbances can be.]

While we walk, why don't you tell Jude and I about it? [Having a sense of purpose and distraction should also make the rain dissipate further.] Was it a gift, perhaps?

[makesitbetter]

[It does help. The rain continues to abate as the girl tells him that it was a gift from her big brother. Jude can't help but think that Rowen really does have a way with young children.]

Let's head up the street, then. We can walk on both sides so we make sure we don't miss it.