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

eehn thought of a better tag

[hatesviolence]

[slight twitch.]

Doesn't matter if you can fly—you shouldn't be treating yourself like a tool like that. And I already said I didn't want to.

[he's. trying to keep himself calm, but he really didn't like how she kept saying things like that. it just really rubs him the wrong way, like her life doesn't mean much or something, good intentions or not.

so his words come out a bit harsher and with more of that lecturing kind of tone.]

[miraculo]

[ Hrggg.... but she doesn't like the idea of those other people getting hurt.

What to do, what to do-- ] It's not me being a tool. It's a duty. I believe that if you really can't control who you're going to throw even if you don't want to, you should at least do so to someone who can be prepared or heal from it quickly, just to be safe.

[hatesviolence]

I still don't like the idea.

[miraculo]

Then how could I help you better with something like this?

[hatesviolence]

[cure him of his anger issues uh.... .... ...hn.

he knows it's really his own problem and frankly, he's just used to it being "his own" problem. as in, no one's really ever offered to help—they just either stay away or just stay on the sidelines and let it be.

this is definitely something that another person like Tom could have better answered since Shizuo himself is not sure. so in the end—]

...Sorry. Don't know.

[miraculo]

[ Thiiiinking....

Oh! ] What if... every time you thought about tossing someone in front of you, you picture me instead! Or, um, someone else you don't want to hurt! Would that stop you?

[hatesviolence]

[—ah.]

...Maybe... I've done something like that before.

Though really I don't think about throwing someone...it just kind of happens.

[small pause as he thinks.]

But...maybe... [hmmmm.] I could try.

[maybe even if he gets mad, if he's already thinking about it as a preventative measure, he might do something else instead? yeah....yeah that might work. well it can hurt to try at least.]

[miraculo]

[ She grins, pleased that she got to help him even in a small amount. Yess, she got him to say that he'd try! ] That's more than enough! And-- I'm sure you'll do just fine! [ A nod. ] That's always the first step!

[ Whoo emotion drops. ]

[hatesviolence]

Thanks.

[he thinks. though admittedly it does kind of feel nice to have someone help him...but now he wonders—]

But why are you trying to help?

[miraculo]

[ A bit confused at the question. ] Why wouldn't I help?

[hatesviolence]

I don't know you.

[miraculo]

That's not a problem!

[hatesviolence]

I don't even know your name.

[miraculo]

Oh...!

[ Uh. ] My name is Sanae!

[hatesviolence]

[Sanae...Japanese? but with green hair...is it dyed?]

Heiwajima Shizuo.

[polite nod of the head.]

[miraculo]

It's nice to meet you, too...!

[ She bows! And then....! Takes out her amulet, showing how it's filled up a little from this interaction. ] Look, look...! This means this is the start of a great friendship, I think! [ One sided on her part. ]

[hatesviolence]

[he looks at the amulet...ah, right. he has one, too. where'd he put it...oh right in his pocket because wearing things that look like jewelry isn't really his thing.

so he pulls his out and well what do you know his is also filled up a bit! .....but that's likely due to his recent anger. however, he did have that moment where he felt good, so there's that in there, too.

...hmmmm.



ah. wait. she said—]

Friendship?

[miraculo]

Friendship!

[hatesviolence]

[he just continues to stare at her, trying to process this. if she were someone like Mairu, he could see her spouting off being friends with random strangers. but this girl looked more like the nicer ones...if...strange. so is she taking the concept of friendship lightly or... and then there's the fact that she wants to be friends with him of all people. again, this is not something he's used to. friendly acquaintances he could understand more easily but friendship....?

...]

You really want to be friends?

[well she seems sincere enough. strange. but sincere. so might as well just double check.]

[miraculo]

Of course I want to be friends...!

[ Er. But he's so... serious and he's questioning her a lot. ] Ah-- I mean, if you want!

[hatesviolence]

[he's just making sure she's being genuine. he's also considering it very seriously. to claim friendship means a lot and he's not taking it lightly.]

Ah...sorry. I don't really mind, just...I thought you'd need to meet someone more than once to really become friends.

But you seem all right, so I guess it's fine.

[miraculo]

[ !!

Oh wow, he actually accepts! That's rare. And if he's questioning, her look of surprise is genuine, too. ]

[miraculo]

[ She immediately grins afterward. ] --Wonderful! [ She's practically sparkling in her happiness. Not only is he a friend, he's someone she'll get to help, too!

Is he ready for a hug? He's going to get a hug! ]

[hatesviolence]

[.......wow. she's really happy.

and then suddenly hug!?!]

Wha—!?

[if Tom had seen this, the guy probably would have thought the girl wanted a death wish. but since Sanae has now been designated as someone he at least knows and maybe a friend(?), he can tolerate it.

...some. he'll pull her off if she latches onto him for too long.

though one thing she'll notice with that hug is that he probably feels as stiff and tough like a thick, giant tree. he doesn't even move when she hugs him whereas most would at least be pushed back a bit by the suddenness.]

[miraculo]

[ The hug will be warm and friendly, not too long either because she does notice his stiffness. ] Oh-- sorry...!

[ Does he not like hugs?? ]