TEST DRIVE: 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 Tuesday, August 25th and Applications open Tuesday, 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! Reminder: We only require one sample and it can be done in either format. We have also made a change to our sample requirements, so look over the Applications page!

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


PROMPTS

• Prompt A: How about giving the emotions a try? The following emotions will have more effect than usual: fear, bravery, grief, joy, anger, and calm.

• 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: (Taken from the Intro Log) Last month a giant tree overtook the clock tower in Merchant's Square, a place that's usually bustling with social activities and businesses. It still is, but this tree is more than just any normal tree.

1. HELP! Unfortunately for you, you've landed somewhere atop the leafy branches of the tree. If you can't fly or climb down yourself, you might want to call for help, be it shouting at the top of your lungs or accidentally shouting at the top of your mental lungs for all to hear telepathically. Just be careful not to fall—maybe someone will catch you but would you really want to take those chances?
   
   
2. Memory petal. Beautiful petals the size of one's palm continue to scatter about the city, most of them falling around the tower. These petals will start reflecting a memory of the individual closest to it. Memories are ranging from those that display one's greatest achievement to their greatest fears.
   
   
3. In the tower. Did you happen to wake up inside the tower instead? Bet you weren't expecting it to be dark and dreary with rustling vines that move on their own. There are some hostile creatures, ranging from giant insects and snakes, but easy to fend off. It's even easier if you think happy thoughts. However, if you succumb to your fears, then things will worsen.

• Prompt E: The long awaited tournament has finally arrived, and you can be a part of it!

1. In the Arena. Whether it was voluntarily or forced into it, you are now facing another Otherworlder to battle. Fortunately, it's not to the death. Unfortunately, how skilled either of you are is completely unknown. The biggest question of all is—can you even fight? But fear not, there's another secret weapon in your arsenal: your emotions. Whether it's striking fear into your opponent's heart with a bolt of courage, or making the ground break and crumble from the adrenaline, this battle will be unlike any have ever seen before!
   
   
2. Sparring match. Maybe you're not quite cut out for an actual bout in the ring. But how about a spar instead? Or maybe you accidentally walked in on someone's practice and are now the target.
   
   
3. Spectating. Shout louder! Let the stadium ring with your voice! Just try not to create too much excitement to actually cause the stadium to physically ring. Wouldn't want it to collapse on itself.

• Prompt F: The weather is a little hypersensitive at the moment, what with all the excitement in the air. Emotions are in full affect as people talk about the winners and losers of the matches. The results can be quite...interesting. For this in heated arguments, that is definitely a dangerous storm brewing around the area. Or maybe the air is getting so hot, things are starting to melt. Maybe it's the opposite—the air is ice cold and a blizzard might happen in the middle of summer! For those gossiping and squealing about their favorites, the sun seems to cast hotter and brighter rays upon them. The air just seems to be electrified! For those lamenting over losses, it just never stops wanting to rain.

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include something that looks a lot like a vuvuzela and/or mirrors.

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

[nandemonai]

[that voice! Maki knows who it is immediately, even before the other girl latches onto her]

R-Rin! [she's so surprised, she doesn't even have time to wipe the tears out of her eyes] You're here too?

[nyamazing]

Huh? Why wouldn't Rin be here? Maki-chan is here so Rin-chan came to play too!

[ Even if they are in the same class and see each other all the time with club activities... Rin just loves everyone in Muse and can't help it! Also, of course, she barely recognizes what Maki is talking about, seeing how this isn't Akihabara or Japan at all of course.

She lets go, only to look around at the other girl's tears, looking surprised. ] Are you crying Maki-chan?! What's wrong?!

[nandemonai]

[oh, Rin sounded clueless. Maki doesn't know why she is surprised...

she makes a startled noise at the question and turns away so that she can wipe her eyes]

Wh-what are you talking about? I don't understand! [then she crosses her arms. nope, no crying here]

[nyamazing]

[ Of course Rin is clueless. This is Rin. She just knows "Maki = friend ----> food?" Something like that. Oh. And Maki is only the second most adorable girl in the group behind a certain rice princess, and she is all too cute when she cries and tsuns. ]

Nyaa!! Maki-chan is crying and Rin doesn't know why!! What's wrong, Maki-chan, you can tell Rin! I'm sure we'll get home and see the others soon!

[nandemonai]

[can she change the subject? she is going to change the subject. cool as ice, yes]

O-Of course we'll get home. I don't know how, yet, but I'm working on it. So far, the locals haven't been very helpful...

[nyamazing]

[ Waaah, so fast! Rin can barely keep her head on straight the subject topic just flies by her!! ]

I know! We should get them some food! Maybe Ramen or something! Then they might be more helpful! Come on Maki-chan, you can't just stand here crying when there's work to be done!

[ And now she's grabbing the other girl's hand, bouncing up and down, trying to pull her away. And while she does there's little sparkles and musical notes surrounding her. ]

[nandemonai]

[and Rin still brought up the crying anyway, even with the subject change! Maki facepalms briefly, but follows along after that. because... well, Rin is mostly right. there's no time to stand around crying. they need to find a way home, and fast!]

I'm not sure feeding them will help us. We just have to find someone who knows what we're supposed to do to get home. [Maki... watches those sparkles and music notes. they seemed to manifest out of thin air, all because of Rin's emotions. an idea is beginning to form in her mind]

[nyamazing]

[ Of course she does because Maki-chan crying is a big deal to her! The last time she saw that it was crying over Nico-chan leaving school. She knows what a big baby Maki can be and it's up to Rin to take care of her!! Except obviously Rin's view on the world is a little skewed... ]

Oh! Do you think it's like a game, Maki-chan? If we beat the level we can go home? Maybe we just have to find a star or save a princess!

[ That makes her think... ] I wonder where Kayo-chin went...

[nandemonai]

...That wasn't what I was thinking exactly. [what a cute idea, though. that sounds exactly like something Rin or Honoka would say] I mean, I guess anything is possible.

[her eyes go to the pendant around her neck, and she fingers it briefly]

[nyamazing]

[ Rin doesn't like video games all that much, but she has played enough, and watched her brothers play them enough to get the idea!

Still, she feels herself getting fired up, to the point she somehow actually has cat ears appearing on her head, and a tail swishing behind her, not that she notices. ]

Nya! Maki-chan agrees with Rin!! Then the first stop should be getting something to eat! [ And just that like she's bouncing again, grabbing onto Maki's arm and pulling her forward. ]