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

[jumpstheshark]

True, but they're gonna want those flowers delivered faster than it'll take someone with a map, I bet. I'll keep that in mind though, probably a higher priority than a hat anyway.

[He grins just a bit with teeth, but at the stuffed animal comment he gives the woman a puzzled look. It's too bad he can't ask about it though, he's startled by the fact that "magic" is said so casually in that list of skills.]

Magic? Me? Yeah, no, that's not a thing where I come from... What skills do I have, huh?

[He looks thoughtful and his expression falls a little. Whatever it is he's thinking gives a chill to the air and the lights dim more than before.]

I can cook okay, nothing spectacular. I was a swimmer back home... Doesn't seem all that useful here, does it? Heh.

[The bitter note to his laugh is literally felt on his tongue and he makes a face.]

[bindsthedead]

[Sabriel's gaze lingers on the teeth... And then she tries to smile, and not comment on it, because seriously, those teeth can't be normal.] Well, maybe there's a job that involves swimming in Lake Niras? Other than that... I'm sorry, but I don't have that much experience with those kinds of jobs.

And I should introduce myself- Where are my manners? My name is Sabriel, and I've been stuck here for... a few months now.

[jumpstheshark]

You think there may actually be?... [He lightens up a little at the thought, maybe he'll hit up the docks to ask around then.

Sabriel's suggestion earns her another smile and Rin nods his head to her.]

Rin Matsuoka, newer than you are and still trying to... take it all in. It's nice to meet you though, Sabriel.

[He can't help but glance at her sword again, before he has to ask.] I take it that the types of jobs you have are a lot more, uh, action filled, huh?

[bindsthedead]

It can be... strange at first, but people here are friendly, most of the time... Just don't damage any archaeological sites. [It's a long story.] Just ask if you have any questions.

And... some of them. Those that aren't tend to involve magic.

[jumpstheshark]

Yeah, no one has been awful and people seem pretty patient given how weird this all is. [He says sweeping a hand around as if to indicate everything.]

But... magic. Huh. What's it like? I mean, where you come from? We don't have it at all, but lots of version of it in stories and stuff.