TEST DRIVE: JANUARY

[empevents]

— TEST DRIVE: JANUARY —

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 Friday, December 25th and Applications (Canon | OC) open Friday, January 1st.
  
  
• OC Reminder! Just a quick reminder that original characters are currently allowed. Those interested can also use the test drive. OCs do not need to be reserved.
  
  
• 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?

• 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. Creating jobs for the purpose of the test drive is absolutely doable.

• 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: A new card game is sweeping through the streets of Verens: "Magica Ex Arehtei." Players take on the role of an Otherworlder and form battle decks out of minions, monsters, dunamis, and even the Arehtei themselves. It’s insanely complicated in its details, but this hasn’t stopped a seller from handing you a starter deck and all but pushing you into a chair to face an opponent… who may have just been conscripted themselves.

• Prompt E: After a long period of quiet (something about ‘emotional and physical harm to Empatheias’ and ‘manufacturing plush weapons without a Class E(X) license’), toy manufacturers have flooded merchant stalls and storefronts with a new offering, the hyper-cute stuffed Thras. No negative emotions, they promise! Plush Thras is so full of bravery, he’ll inspire anyone who holds him to new heights of courage and valor!

Naturally, magiscience has gone too far, and picking up the doll instills you with vigor, energy, and fearlessness past the point of recklessness.

• Prompt F: Thundersnow! A phenomenon in which a snowstorm is accompanied by lightning and thunder, and not a terribly uncommon one in Empatheias. But today’s thundersnow is more like an apocablizzard -- lighting lashes through the sky and lances down to catch buildings and trees with its fury, all hidden behind whirling sheets of billowing snowflakes that have blanketed the city in a foot of snow with no sign of stopping.

The outside is cold, windy, miserable, and potentially dangerous. Are you trapped in a building you didn’t expect to be in? Or perhaps you’ve joined up with an emergency emotion squad, trying to impose calm or cheer on the raging storm?

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include lumps of coal or moose.

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

[gottacatch]

[ --she's already putting cards in place? Is that what he should do? He hasn't even read the instructions yet, which he wants to look at, but- ]

Yeah, that's right! [ Answers first. He sits his set down, picking up the booklet now. ] It was a set with the creatures we knew existed back then, and it had a board like this. [ Nodding to the one set out on the table. ] The rules were, uh...something like this?

[ He's... squinting at this book. This sure is a lot of words, and he tries speed-reading through the first page. ...this was not meant for speed-reading.

This is too much like his childhood. ]

Dezel | Tales of Zestiria

[lukeim_yurlin]

[B]

[While Dezel is no stranger to the idea of taking up jobs on a case-by-case basis, needing to do it for himself is a rather new one. Finding one that didn't make him irritable was a bit of a task in of itself, however. All those jobs about destroying local wildlife or other animals... Tch. People and their inability to find less destructive ways to deal with what they determined as "pests."]

[Still, he's managed to find something he can work with, even if the pay's not all that high. Sheep catching. That this particular one (with it's strange glowing wool) only seems to come out at night is of no bother to him; his ability to read air currents should make the task a relatively simple one.]

[Well, as long as nothing scares the sheep away before Dezel can snag it. His chances are looking pretty good at the moment, as he sneaks up on it via the shadows while it seeks out a decent grazing spot, completely silent. Just a little closer and he should be able to sling out a pendulum to catch it around the middle...]


[C]

[Communication using his amulet is NOT something Dezel has been keen to try. The idea of using his mind, reaching out to others, allowing a degree of mental and emotional access... It's not just bothersome. It feels like an invasion of personal space, almost. He also doesn't care for the idea of voices ringing in his own head. Yet he's been on his own in the city for a handful of days, now, and he's starting to wonder if there are people out there he may know. Even though it's difficult to admit, wandering alone is not something he likes.]

[Finally, he gives in, using his amulet to reach out. He projects in voice only, however, withholding any sort of visual images.]

To anyone hearing this, I'm a recent arrival seeking a merchant group called the Sparrowfeathers. If it exists here, I want information about where to make contact with them.

[If there's anyone out there who knows him, that should be enough to get their attention.]


[F]

[Well, that escalated quickly, the blizzard unleashing enough snow and noise that not even a wind seraph like Dezel has want to be out in the middle of it all. So he makes for the nearest open building, which happens to be the Grand Central Library, using his abilities to at least keep the wind in his favor.]

[From what he can read in the currents, though, he can tell he's not alone. There are others trudging through the drifts, looking to get indoors before they end up far too wet and cold. His want is to leave them to themselves, initially, but the persistent indication that someone may be struggling against the wind and snow nearby is enough to get him to change direction. By the five lords, why is he even bothering? He supposes the influence of certain people might have something to do with it...]

Come on! Do you want to freeze out here? Hurry up and get inside, already!

[Whether they like it or not, he'll make a grab for them with the intention of hauling them along toward the library entrance...]



((OOC: Possible that Zestiria spoilers may come up here, so let me know if you'd like to avoid them!))

kariya matou | fate/zero

[youtried]

B sort of
[How Kariya has been roped into advertising for a local restaurant is anyone's guess. He's pretty sure all he did was stop in for something to eat, and then one too many nice old ladies fussed over his shabby look (rude, this hoodie is only several years old) and his offhand remark that a job to do would be good, you know, stay occupied-- and now.

Here he is, standing outside on the street wearing a goddamned sandwich board advertising the little place he just had lunch in. Well. He's had worse jobs in his life.

He's not the best advertiser, though, being as he is an out of the way kind of guy. A beacon of enthusiasm he is not, although he manages to work himself up to at least trying to get the attention of passerby instead of just standing there after a little while. The sign itself seems to get more vibrant and enticing the more he gets into it, although it's slow going.

At least until his board is jostled while he's still literally wearing it, and he hears the telltale sound of a pen scratching against its back. He twists around in time to startle the two local kids trying to deface his ad into running off, and he makes a decent chase for all of a yard or so, before--mm. No. No running. Never mind.

He sighs and looks at whoever's passing by.] Hey. Can you tell me what it says back there? I promise this isn't a business scheme.

[it's a shitkids scheme... why children]


C
[Kariya has dealt with stranger things than telepathy, so taking to the amulets is surprisingly easy for him. He doesn't do much, necessarily - such is the life of a weird loner - but he's quick to adapt to the things they can do and what exactly he can broadcast himself. Since he also does little else in the way of, uh, hobbies, he also has a lot of time to sit around thinking about less practical uses of the amulet's abilities.

Like this one. Anyone who chooses to tune into this particular broadcast will be met with a series of three images, all of which seem to be a local city square in the late afternoon. The first is just the square, people and all, with no apparent focus but its clutter. The second appears to have focused more on a few buildings with people coming and going, and the third is the same square, but with emphasis on the skyline and the sky itself.

what could it all mean

Kariya's thought comes just after the images, and it's very simple:] Which one?

[He can't afford even an old-fashioned camera, okay. This is improvising.]

[hopedout]

No, it's... [ There's reticence in his tone as he soon shakes his head, trying to smoothen over the wavering feelings that seem to form as shadows beneath Hinata's feet. ]

I see. Seeing a memory like that would be troublesome. I'll keep it in mind in case I do end up having to see it.

B

[justloving]

[Shirabe might not be able to read air currents, but she's calm and even enough that sneaking up on the sheep is easy for her, too. She's poking her head around a tree, at a moment, watching the animal move. The glowing wool makes it easier to track - frankly, it makes it possible for her to track. It's not like she has night vision here.

Which is why it's easy for Dezel to slip her notice for a long while, until he's nearby. She's been sitting still for a while, hidden in the dark, so she wonders if he missed her this whole time.

Either way, she makes a point of waving her hand, trying to get his attention. And putting her fingers to her lips out of habit, since her usual partner would definitely make some sort of noise right about now.]

Give me a minute to move. If it slips away from you, I can cut it off.

[Shirabe's unsure if her whisper will reach the man, he is pretty far away. She watches him for a second, then moves further ahead, around the sheep's back and to its side. It's grazing, completely unaware of her. And her impromptu partner, for that matter.

She raises her hand and gives an 'OK' signal that's probably lost in the darkness.]

((OOC: fine with spoilers!))]

B

[jurilant]

[normally Juri would be at least 50% doubtful of anyone who's wearing a sandwich board and claims that it's not a business scheme but Kariya seems to be way less enthused than your typical salesperson... He doesn't seem like a pyramid scheme go-getter...]

Just what it says? [walking around to see said back!!! and]

Kick me and get three free lunch coupons... [...ah] There's a drawing underneath that too.

[the universal shitkids graffiti]

F

[omnitrixter]

[Ben had been fine. He really had been. He'd even been about to go Big Chill to fly home to the warmth since the cold didn't bother the oversized moth.]

[Instead he gave a totally manly shut up yelp as he was grabbed by the back of his heavy coat and yanked backwards.]

Dude!

[youtried]

[why are kids like this]

[Or: Kariya sighs and stops trying to see over his own shoulder, because ah... He has no reason not to believe it now says something stupid on his back, so what if he just shuffles a bit to put his back to the crowd--good. Great work. Maybe, he will not be docked a couple coins for victimizing the sign.

With a sheepish smile, like kids will be kids,] Something tells me I don't want to ask what the drawing is.

Thanks anyway. You didn't see where they went, did you?

[explodewiththerage]

Oh? Yeah I don't see why not. Cake's always good especially when you don't have to compete with Erza for it.

[Well competition would be wording it kindly. But now's not the time or place for it. He does make a funny face towards Lucy's comment though.]

That was only once and it was because a giant ape jumped me and Happy before dinner and the fight took us too long to save the rice.

[celestial_wizard]

[ Lucy giggled. ]

I still think it's funny she has such a sweet tooth - and she gets so serious about it. Everyone's so competitive...

[ Even her, lately. But before she could comment on it, he shared that little anecdote, and she stared at him for a second, bursting into laughter. ]


O. . only you could say something like that, and it end up being completely true..! Was that when you guys were training..? [ In that year he was gone? ]

E

[noparachute]

Steve always carried his shield around; the weight was a comfort to him in a city that was admittedly not all that bad, but still foreign. There was a lot of good that happened here, but he was far away from his home. Many uncertainties still plagued his mind too, mostly about Bucky and Peggy and even the Avengers, but he usually tried not to dwell on it too much. Lately, however, it was difficult for him to take his mind completely off it.

But the sight of a tall black figure threatening an innocent bystander was more than enough for Steve to shove his own worries and problems away. It was rare when an Otherworlder caused trouble like this and wasn't about to let this continue.

"Let him go!" Steve was already gripping the shield on his back, ready to toss it at a moment's notice. This guy was clearly dangerous, but that never stopped him before. "You're not gonna get any answers this way!"

[barredheart]

[They could've had aliases together.]

You bet! On the sweet island of Empatheias, floating above a wasteland that makes the Sahara look like an oasis.

[White pauses, realizing she's met a lot more people from worlds unlike her own here rather than vice versa, and gives a mental headshake.]

It's dead as dead gets down there. There's a small city below us, but it's pretty much the complete opposite of everything up here.

[pokegirl]

[ She doesn't know anything, okay?? She's new to all of this! ] It's good to meet you, Silver.

[ But his question makes her frown, and she tips her head slowly to one side as she says-- ] They've been in Kanto for a long, long time. I mean... not to toot my own horn or anything, but if I hadn't taken Giovanni down in Viridian, they'd probably still be there.

... maybe you didn't know cause you're not from Kanto? [ That's kind of a weak explanation, even to her own ears, but it's the only one she can think of. ]

[brodakota]

Dead? Except for this place and the other city?

How did that even happen?

[His first thought is to assume a war of some sort. He's seen enough to know what that can do to a planet.]

[hopedout]

That's where you're wrong. [ His voice is full of determination and anger to the point where the cinematics are skipped and he immediately goes into his Awakened form, so to speak. ]

Humans aren't stagnant, they're bound to change. And more importantly, the people here aren't yearning for eternal despair - so that's right, I will overcome any despair that you send my way. The trials may be difficult, and I might not be able to overcome it immediately, but I will. I mark my word on it.

waves hands pretend that never happened ok

[pokegirl]

[ Yep, she definitely jumps up at that - mostly because of the word 'pokémon'. But hey, the person's voice is really familiar too, and if she looks around, she can spot him quickly enough. She hurries over as soon as she sees him, sunny smile on her face and hat nearly toppling off her head in her rush. ]

Hi! You must be the person I mind-talked to before! Um-- Yuu, right? [ It's a little weird, to have been in this guy's head before she even properly met him, kind of. She might be a little awkward as she waves hello to him. ]

[pokegirl]

[ Boy didn't you even pay attention to the seller a little bit before sitting down??? Yes, he was talking fast, but Leaf's even faster with the questions. She can't help laughing a little as she sees him fumble with the deck, but it all in good spirit, honestly.

Getting up out of her chair, she leans over to point at one of the diagrams on the second page. ] Just set your cards out kind of like that. I think we can just figure it out after that! Or make it up as we go.

I used to just make up rules for games a lot when I was a kid. My best frie-- I mean. My friend at the... my... jeeze. [ She sits back down with a little huff. ] Whatever. The guy I played with used to be really grumpy about it, but I think it's still fun that way.

[warriorscribe]

Well, the trouble I'm talking about didn't happen quite so much as it did before we arrived. I'm not surprised they weren't thinking about it, either.

[But, come to think of it, why were these things not put in place after their presence had started messing with things?]

[shadowsgambit]

[She obligingly hands hers off to him for the same, hesitating before picking up his electricity-crackling deck.

But that's an interesting idea he's just brought up, there. Living in a place where emotions manifest has made her think about her own, and emotions in general. In Empatheias, there is no hiding behind a mask without absolute belief in the mask. Not as easy to tell herself here she believes something she doesn't. It's made her a little more philosophical about these things.]

The Arehtei are emotions, right? Do you think some emotions are stronger than others?

[warriorscribe]

Indeed, I've never seen anything quite like him before. He looks like a deer and an ox had a child.

...No offense, they're both fine animals. [he adds to the moose who most definitely couldn't understand. This, of course, ignores the fact that moose and deer are in the same family, but such classification hadn't come about yet in Enoch's time.]

But I take it you have seen one before?

[gottacatch]

[ In his defence, he wasn't expecting to get pulled into a card game!! Also, the booklet is really confusing!! ...and while it's embarrassing to have the person you're meant to be competing against helping you out with the rules, Red only huffs a little to himself, but gives a more clearer: ] Thanks.

[ Thanks for where they're due!! He turns the book over to sit on the table, and starts setting out his cards. ]

The guy I played with wouldn't let me do that. He was the kind who'd sit there saying things to throw you off and make you feel like every play you made was a bad move. [ Maybe with him it was. ] It used to bug me a lot, but I kept playing just so I could beat him.

B

[awatchfuleye]

[ ...well, that's a sorry sight.

Leo can't help but feel a tinge of sympathy towards the poor sap. Even his job at home delivery pizzas is a major step up from wearing a sandwich board. ]

I think you're better off not knowing. Maybe I can rub it off. Hold still.

[lalliho]

You should always have a way out.

[Lalli doesn't exactly think very highly of the Empatheians, if those feelings across the telepathic tether are anything to go by. What a bunch of weirdos.]

[lukeim_yurlin]

[It's perhaps two or three seconds before Shirabe moves that Dezel realizes it's not just him and the sheep out there. Despite the intrusion, he decides not to do anything about it, focused on the task at hand so the sheep doesn't startle and run off. Then he picks up on the waving motion, Shirabe's hand stirring the air enough for him to catch it. His head turns in her direction, but he says nothing, instead listening, feeling... Shirabe may notice a light breeze flowing around and over her.]

[Then she's moving and Dezel is tracking her, though he remains still in the meantime. Well, save for the frown overtaking his features. He didn't take this job to share in the profits, especially with someone he doesn't know. Still, it's not like he can argue the point when doing so may lose him his target. The change in situation is also making him rethink his strategy. He really should be aiming for a hind leg to reduce damage to the wool, but maybe it's unnecessary to take that route if someone is there to assist.]

[When the "okay" signal comes, Dezel moves quietly, altering his approach so that he's coming on the animal's near side. He's got one whip line at the ready, but he wants to see how close he can get before it's necessary. For as soundlessly as he steps, though, it's impossible to totally mask his movement and the sheep raises its head, watching.]

Easy, easy... Nothing to be afraid of...

[To Dezel's credit, he manages to talk the animal into staying still until he's about five or six feet away. Unfortunately, it's likely this poor sheep has been chased about so much, it only has so much trust to give, even to an animal lover. So it turns and bolts, heading right for Shirabe's hiding place.]

[seesbosscrotch]

[He separates her cards and flicks them back together with a little more care than he'd shown his own, not paying much attention to his hands as he contemplates her question.]

That's tricky to answer. Yes and no. No, no emotion is stronger than another in a vacuum, but yes, some of them are naturally stronger than each other when they first develop. Love and hate are both strong, but hate tends to be more immediate and intense, while you have to grow into love.