TEST DRIVE MEME: OCTOBER

[simpathis]

— TEST DRIVE: OCTOBER —

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 Wednesday, September 24th and Applications open Wednesday, October 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! OR write a prompt where they're the ones being affected by someone else's emotion.

• 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: How good is your character using an elemental core? They're magic-like rocks that have one of the three following elements: fire, air, and water. On their own they're not too bad, but they are quite sensitive to emotions. Be careful or that little handwarmer could suddenly create a small blazing inferno!

• Prompt E: Steampunk technology is a lot more advanced than basic medieval technology, but still inferior to modern day devices. No electricity, no cars—just this strange magitech, steam, and clockwork gear systems. How "tech savvy" is your character now?

• Prompt F: BONUS EVENT BASED PROMPT! You were just minding your own business when suddenly you and another person swap emotions. Were they upset and you were calm? Well now you are upset and they're the one trying to calm you down! For this prompt, you can either just have your character a target for someone else to swap with, or you can already have them experiencing some kind of emotion to be swapped with.

• Prompt G: Make your own! It can even involve bulls and a bucket.

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

well if you really *want* them

[opportunitycosts]

Seems like you figured out how to use the amulet at least.

i'll probably end up crying like i did last night so maybe not

[catana]

It appears to be similar to using spirit artes: Something I can understand rather easily.

[By that he means it's similar to magic than technology.]

but i like your tears

[opportunitycosts]

I guess that is one way of looking at it. Easier than the GHS, too. Less numbers to remember and much more low maintenance.

[yep, you should definitely be able to do this, Gaius. Alvin has faith.]

And how are you taking in the rest of the place?

are my tears delicious?

[catana]

It does appear to be much easier.

[He simply thinks, and there it is. He has been told to be careful, however, he is not worried in the least. Not yet.]

I am still getting familiar with my... surroundings.

[Getting used to his stoic nature be betrayed by whatever decides to go on around him showing his true emotions.]

they are. and i see you renamed. LOL

[opportunitycosts]

Your "surroundings" huh? [he can tell Gaius is implying more than just the city. but he'll be nice and pry into it.]

It also must be strange to be a real normal citizen.

[as opposed to a, you know, fake one.]

i ended up not being able to resist... no regrets

[catana]

I suppose that is one way to look at it.

[The way his lips curl up and how his voice inflection changes to be more positive implies that he really does not care. He will, however, if he finds this place as a terrible political system... then he might need to do something.]

maybe it should have been howyouwieldit

[opportunitycosts]

When was the last time you took some kind of vacation?

[kind of curious now. going to go back to his old roots and start snooping on the king.]

let's just make all the innuendos about gaius' sword

[catana]

I'm afraid that vacations are not something I can take, not the kind you speak of. To leave Auj Oule, or rather Rieze Maxia, without a king for even a moment's notice would invite rebels in. The last thing I want is for my actions to endanger my people.

[Nothing shameful about Gaius' history as far as he's concerned.]

[opportunitycosts]

Not even a weekend break? Besides, isn't that what Rowen and your other aides are for? To handle things when you're gone?

I admire and respect your ruling ethic, but even kings should take a break every once in a while.

[catana]

That is for when I must step away for other matters, not simply so I can have a vacation. While I cannot attend the throne at all times, I am always willing to do my duty.

[He doesn't exactly understand the principle of vacations, but he can appreciate being an ordinary citizen from time to time to get to know his people he serves. If that counts as a vacation then he's had a few.]

[opportunitycosts]

That's not quite what I... [and just going to give a small laugh and shake his head.] Nevermind. I probably should have expected as much.

[catana]

If you were expecting something otherwise, well, I expect you of all people to know better, Alvin.

[Between him and Rowen (and probably Muzét), they know him best of their little squad of... really random assed people and spirits.]

[opportunitycosts]

Knowing and hoping for a surprise are two different things.

Though now that I think about it, we never really talked much even on our little crazy adventure back home. Not that that's really unusual given our circumstances. [you know. Gaius being king and all and Alvin living his life as a true working man. no reason to get all buddy buddy or anything.] So don't be a stranger while you're here.

[catana]

I don't plan on it. This will... be a nice change.

[Hey, hasn't he not been a stranger lately trying to be all civilian-like as Erston and attempting to have a sense of humor? Maybe he's just great with kids and terrible with adults?

Still, they never really did have a chance to speak much. That should be remedied.]

Perhaps we will have to go and have a drink together at some point.

[opportunitycosts]

Now that would be quite the honor. I humbly accept.

[except of course he doesn't sound that humbled and is grinning. really he does respect Gaius a lot as king and has great hopes in him helping the unite the two countries. but hey, he can treat the man like a normal guy, too, and given that little "persona" he has going on, he can definitely oblige.]

Though speaking of drink, we probably should take the whole gang out. Minors getting juice, of course. Or. [now there's a devious smirk.] Maybe just take the young men out to some strip clubs.

[catana]

Perhaps we should go out and have a drink together at some point.

[Don't even push it, Alvin. While Erston may make a crude remark here or there, they're rare and usually not meant to be taken in such a manner.

If Alvin wants to take them out to a strip club, he may. Leave playboy Erston out of this.]

Anything else suggested will be kindly dismissed. If you wish to invite others, then I find no reason to object.

[Also, remember he doesn't take such things like strip clubs and other such joints lightly. Hell, tethering with Muzét still weighs on his mind since he never knew what he was getting into when he did that.]

[opportunitycosts]

[but it's Alvin. he likes to push.]

Aw come on. I bet Erston would enjoy it and have a blast.

[yep. going to call him out on his persona. well he's reasonably certain that Gaius is probably going to forgo the whole Erston thing. he can't see a reason why he would unless he wants to keep his kingly identity a secret even here.]

[catana]

[His identity was never a secret -- the only reason to do that was to get along with everyone in a friendly manner. He can probably go by Gaius here and no one but their merry little group of whatever the hell they are will even know.]

Erston does not take such things very lightly. I still believe a drink should suffice.

[The last thing he needs to do is 'make it rain' at a club and do something he needs to take responsibility for.]

[opportunitycosts]

[can't help but chuckle.]

All right, fine, fine. But you're definitely missing out.

[Gaius don't let him choose the venue. because one day he totally will prank him.]

[catana]

[As long as it doesn't have spicy food or strippers they are golden.]

I don't believe I am missing out on anything.

[opportunitycosts]

[...yeah no guarantee on the last one.]

Do you even plan on creating little heirs?

[Alvin stop.]

[catana]

[Of all the things... He's honestly caught off guard here.]

What on earth prompted that question?

[HE STILL NEEDS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR TETHERING WITH MUZÉT PLEASE STOP.]

[opportunitycosts]

[this is great. so great.]

You don't wanna know.

[do you really want to know how Alvin's mind works? do you Gaius? do you. though it's pretty linear. strip club > pretty girls > sex > bashful king.]

Just curious. I mean if you're out all the time working and not going out and enjoying yourself... Sure Auj Oule hasn't ever really been one to pass down the crown through a bloodline. [you guys and your fighting and proving your own worth.] But I mean a king has to have a queen sometime.

Unless you're really old fashioned and have a few secret concubines lying around?

[ALVIN STOP.]

[catana]

[Gaius was well known for not being that kind of king. His castle was hardly regal and he is for serving his people much much more than he has them serving him. That also counts for the concubine matter.

Alvin might be getting a taste of Gaius' sword here soon, the real one that cuts through things not the one that Alvin is seemingly wanting to get info on.]

I believe you might be aware that I was not divinely chosen for the throne. I have no need to further my bloodline, rather I need someone who is able to succeed me.

[Personal wants, what are those? The closest thing is his siscon and some weird relationship with a spirit.]

[opportunitycosts]

[it's okay he's safe behind wherever he is while making this telepathic conversation. which may or may not be one of the reasons why this is even happening in the first place. but fine, fine. he doesn't want to get the king too angry at him. he's trying to be friendly.]

Yeah, yeah, I know. Though to be honest I think that's going to be a tall order.