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

[axetherightquestions]

[Whoah now, okay, deep breath. Let's not ruin the poor pavement now. Moen gets back to her feet, standing at just a little over 7', and gives Kurogane a smile. Her eyes narrow ever so slightly.]

I highly doubt anyone would be really, but let the little one have his fun alright? With that kind of temper you'll put him off from ever picking up another instrument again.

[tsuninja]

[Moen successfully towers over him- the way Kurogane is slouching doesn't help with that. Not that it bothers him. Height's no indication of anything, as far as he believes.

She does, however, have a point. ...Which he won't quite admit.]

Tch. If his musical taste is that bad, the world would be better off if he doesn't.

[axetherightquestions]

[There's a small smile there when she hears that.]

Perhaps so! But the child is still young, he has plenty of time to try new instruments and find the one that suits him most. [Nodding, she lifts a finger as she goes on.] And besides, I believe it is a child's job to make lots of noise when they are still young. You can't get away with it quite as easily once you are grown.

[She might be giving him something of a look here, but there's no ill intent behind. It's just. You were being pretty noisy dude let's be real here.]

[tsuninja]

[He takes a moment to huff audibly, hunching his shoulders.]

I know plenty of supposed adults who get away with noise just fine. The problem is that most others don't want to have to put up with it.

[And he is totally unaware of the hypocrisy there. His mind immediately went to a certain idiot mage and- ...Well, alright, he's not sure if Mokona is supposed to be an adult or not, but considering it's a powerful magical item of sorts, you'd think it would behave itself with more dignity. You would think. Kurogane is only ever the loudest of the group when one of those two pisses him off.

At least his emotions are calming down right now. No more property damage!]

[axetherightquestions]

Isn't that the right of it. [Cough hmm what- Oh look, no more property damage! Success! ... Sort of success. The poor mirror vendor just over there is still five kinds of pissed off now he has bad luck to last him the rest of his life. A couple of other store vendors are also giving a few wary looks as they assess their wares for damage.

Oooh dear.]

I fear we may not be welcome if we linger here any longer. Unless that is you have the coin to pay for the damages. If you do then that's excellent! However...

[She really doubts he does. Not for all those mirrors. There was even this super fancy mirror right in the back. Now, pile of shards on the ground. Terrible.]

[tsuninja]

[He takes a moment to take in the scene, from the cracks in the ground to the flowers at a nearby stand that went up in flames.

Does he have the coin necessary to pay for the damages? He's still trying to get a feel of this world's currency. The experience he's gained from traveling to other worlds is both helpful and confusing him further. How much was one sylv compared to other currencies, again? Hmm...

-Oh, who's he kidding? There's no way he could ever have enough for all that damage.]

... Hmph. If the kid's not gonna be held accountable, I'm not gonna be held accountable.

[Which means he's perfectly willing to walk right on outta there with her. If anyone tries to stop them, they can take their complaints up with Kurogane's katana, which he makes sure is visible by adjusting his cloak in a very unsubtle manner.]

[axetherightquestions]

There we go, sound resolve! Shall we be off?

[Time to strut out there as nonchalantly as possible as though the working day of every nearby vendor and shopkeep wasn't ruined. While she tries to look ahead and not act too strangely, she does catch him revealing he's armed.]

Let's not give them any more reason to hate us. If they're so hungry for a taste of your weapon then they can find their fill elsewhere.

[Now let's see, where to go. An alleyway would be fine, anywhere to duck into sooner rather than later would do. Or perhaps one of these cafes? Somewhere comfy to hide out while this hopefully blows over doesn't sound like too bad of an idea.]

[tsuninja]

...Like I care about what a bunch of strangers thinks.

[Besides, Kurogane would be happy to give them their fill himself. Then again, what point would there be in fighting a couple of lowly marketfolk? Unless they've got some unexpected tricks up their sleeves, he'd defeat them all in a matter of seconds. Not kill them- he's over that stage of his life- yet defeat them nonetheless.

He stomps his way after her, uttering a few more nondescript grumbles under his breath. Wherever she wants to hide out, he'll follow. It isn't as if he's got anything better to do.]