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

Morrigan - Dragon Age (and prompt B-ish)

[wildswitch]

[ Morrigan is indeed looking over the board posted in the town. Of course it's not exactly a foreign concept to her ... it was always just someone else who would look at it and decide to help. Needless to say she doesn't seem very impressed with the whole idea. If feelings are key here, it is important to note that around her things seem to be rather cold. ]

Just why should I waste my time with such a menial task? And with a partner, no less.

[ She folds her arms over her chest. Still, she's not going anywhere. Perhaps there is someone willing to do some good deep down inside. Or maybe she just can't be bothered to move yet. Also a possibility. ]

I would rather stare at a hole in the ground.

[turtlehermit]

Whoa-ho, nelly!

[The Turtle Hermit is at her side in almost an instant.]

You need a partner to handle some problems, huh? Well, look no further! I'll be happy to help you... for the most reasonable of prices!

[This won't end well.]

[wildswitch]

[ She turns her head at the grating sound of his voice, raising her eyebrows once she settles her gaze upon him.

No ... no it will not end well. ]

I don't recall ever asking for help, let alone seeking to buy it. Especially from a tiny, perverse old man.

[turtlehermit]

Hey! You should respect your elders! It's as fair a deal as they come. You scratch my back, I scratch yours.

[Those aren't scratching motions his hands are making.]

[wildswitch]

Respect my elders? [ a laugh ] If only Mother could have heard this.

I have no desire to have my back scratched by the likes of you.

[turtlehermit]

My price isn't steep, young lady! In fact it's quite reasonable -- especially since you're not exactly modest about the goods anyway! [Here are his priorities all laid out. Yeesh.]

[selfmotivations]

[given that he was a mercenary by trade back home, he's taken to just doing the odd jobs here as a source of familiarity until he figures out what to do in the long term.

so he'll be reaching over to take one of the postings as he answers:]

Hey, money is money. And having a partner can make the job easier—more fun, too.

[going to give her a wink and a grin at that last bit.]

[wildswitch]

[ she turns to look at him, that sense of unimpressed still quite present in the way her eyebrow is raised at him. ]

I am not sure if I should be more insulted by that wink, or repulsed, to be perfectly honest.

[selfmotivations]

[hah.]

Ouch, brutal honesty. [but he's not really that hurt or offended by it.]

You really are a tough one, aren't you?

[wildswitch]

[ she probably prefers that he not appear hurt by it. at least ... it earns him a checkmark in her book. ]

If by "a tough one" you mean that I do not bat my eyelashes and swoon for every man who glances my way then yes, I suppose I am.

[selfmotivations]

Hey, I can respect that.

[but okay, enough of the flirting. let's get back to what sparked this conversation to begin with, hm? and it wasn't just her boobs.]

So which job were you looking at?

[bindsthedead]

Because both of us need funds? [Sabriel frowns, looking over the list of possible jobs as she tries to stay optimistic, the air around her warming up slightly.]

And four hands are better than two.

[wildswitch]

Need funds? I have survived well enough without riches until now. [ granted it might be nice, but ... ]

And I find that that is not always the case. Often four hands make for much more trouble than two.

[tactlesstactician]

[ Soren was already frowning at the board, wondering the same thing, but hearing someone else express the same thought only annoys him - particularly since he's well aware of the importance of back up in certain situations. But still - some of these tasks are just so... well, menial.

Still, complaining about it is pointless. ]

Then why don't you go dig one?

[wildswitch]

[ she narrows her eyes at that, turning to face the one who suggested such a silly thing. Morrigan can sense that he uses magic, however. So either he won't be terrible or it will be the opposite and he will be the biggest crick in her spine ever. ]

I said I would rather stare at one, not dig it.

[tactlesstactician]

If you're that desperate to find something to do beside fill requests, then surely digging a hole to stare at would be productive for you.

[ Now that he's actually looking at her and measuring her up.... Soren is wondering the same thing - is she competent or is she all snark to cover up a lack of skills? ]

[wildswitch]

Desperate? Do I seem desperate to you? I am almost afraid to ask what someone who is calm acts like where you're from.

[ She isn't about to answer his wonders so easily, of course. ]

[tactlesstactician]

Desperately bored. Else I doubt you'd waste your time wishing for hole to stare into.

[ He turns his attention away from her back to the board, weighing reward versus effort and the chance of further employ. He's narrowed it down to four or so potential jobs. ]

[wildcatt]

Is there anything that says we'd have to stay together with a partner?

[ katsa is looking over the listings, itching to do something, anything—it isn't council work, but it's something, and she'd be much happier doing it on her own, anyway. she doesn't feel up for much conversation ]

[wildswitch]

No I suppose there is not. However, it's clear that teamwork is another intended goal, along with the warm, fuzzy feelings.

[fliesatmidnight]

[Hawke raises an eyebrow. She looks competent. If... kind of a pain in the ass. Hawke's dealt with her kind before.]

Seems to me, staring at a hole in the ground would be more likely to get you eaten by bears, not less.

[She leans against the board, skimming it over. She grins jauntily at the stranger.]

What do you say, why don't you and me have a go of it?

[wildswitch]

[ And Morrigan has dealt with Hawke's kind before. Nevertheless, it would hardly do for her to look impressed by a stranger. ]

Oh I doubt that. Even the bears likely have better things to do.

[ Her brow quirks though, interest somewhat piqued. Usually it's dudes trying to pick her up on wild adventures. ]

And what makes you think I am a fitting partner for such an expedition? Especially after I voiced my disinterest.

[fliesatmidnight]

Surely it would depend on how hungry the bear was.

[She's not really sure what draws her to think that Morrigan would be a good partner for an expedition. It's just a hunch. But then, Hawke has always had a way with sizing people up. She shrugs.]

I'm not sure. You look capable of handling yourself. And you seem familiar, somehow.

[wildswitch]

Ah, well. I find that bears do not often consider me a tempting meal either way.

[ Darkspawn on the other hand ...
She tilts her head, seemingly (although briefly) pleased with being told she looks capable. Of course she already knows she is but the extra gratification is nice. ]

And I am. Although if I seem familiar, I have certainly been slacking on my dream of becoming a cranky old witch hermit stashed away in the wilds somewhere.

[fliesatmidnight]

Lucky you.-- Or, maybe lucky for the bears.

[Morrigan looks like a bear wouldn't be much of a problem for her. Even a very angry one.]

Oh, I'm sure you're doing just fine. It's just a hazard of my life-- I meet the strangest people.

[She smiles glibly and holds out her hand for Morrigan to take.]

My name's Marian Hawke, by the way.