Empatheias Events (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
empevents) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
empatheias_ooc2015-12-18 01:12 pm
empevents) wrote in empatheias_ooc2015-12-18 01:12 pm
Entry tags:
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!
• 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.
• 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!
F
If you go out there like that, then no doubt someone else will have to rescue you, Commander.
[Whether or not Canach respects the younger sylvari (and he probably does—to a degree, depending on timelines and whatnot) does not stop him from his usual snide tone and comments. Although to be fair, he raises legitimate concerns. This strange weather could rival that of the Shiverpeaks, even with Jormag's influence. He's going to need more than just a small backpack and matches to get through it.]
tiny scream of excitement
It is... suitable. I tried to find a pick as well, but either there isn't one or someone else at already taken it--I hope at least for good cause.
[He turns to Canach and adjusts his pack with a smile.] It won't be the first unfavorable environment trying to kill me that I have made it through, and there are surely other, fleshier people no doubt stranded who will die if nobody comes for them!
But you are welcome to come with me if it worries you so much, should you be able to handle it.
FAIR WARNING: i have no idea what i'm doing
You think I'm worried? [A small scoff.] Far from it. I would just rather not waste my time chasing after and digging up a careless seedling trying to play hero all the time.
[Personally he is very much less inclined to risk life and branchy limb to help these people. If it were Tyria, he'd be a bit more generous, but as with everything with him—time, place, and circumstances. He's still rather suspicious of everything here, and with his newfound freedom—well. Canach may ultimately be on the "good" side, but he's more chaotic good than anything else. That said—]
But knowing you, I may end up doing so, anyway.
[And gathering his things and grabbing a more suitable and brighter lantern.
Which is to say, yes. He'll follow along. If only to make sure the sprout doesn't do anything stupid.]
it's cool we'll flail together
[He bites his tongue, because he told himself he would try to get along better with Canach while they were here--but dammit he didn't always make it easy.]
But--I do appreciate some assistance. We will fare better together.
post or pre-hot?
Perhaps that bright and earnest outlook of yours will help shine a path for us.
[And more dry remarks, a snide joke based on this world's wretched need to turn emotions into something else. Well, with Canach at least things will have a tendency to dry like the cactus he's become.]
smack-dab in the middle! I'll prolly app him around Prized Possessions but rn exact point is fuzzy.
Syrlya pulls open the door and looks down at the feet of snow piled right up against the doorway, slowly falling in.] Oh.
[He hikes his legs up as he steps over the threshold into the blizzard.] If we just remain calm, perhaps we will temper our path.
aaah no prob just wanted to know so i don't accidentally put weird stuff :|b /remains vagueish
That won't be a problem for me. But will it really be enough?
no subject
Syrlya has his own shield on his arm, at least, and it makes a surprisingly effective plow against the snow--perhaps not it's original application but without access to his chronomancy he would simply have to learn to re-purpose things.] At the very least, it should be enough for us to not make the storm any worse--it may even be easier to find those who are in distress and creating a worse air than us, if we know we are not doing it ourselves.
[Right, if he just saw it like the empathy he shared with the Sylvari (when he was actually in Tyria and around other Sylvari), he could make some sense of how to read the signs. Hopefully. Maybe.]
no subject
Anything to keep this as short as possible. [Is Canach actually grumbling? Yes. Just a bit. Look, it's crap weather. Only those thickheaded Norns and Charr would enjoy this.
However his minor annoyance remains that—minor. And who knows, maybe it could also help generate some heat. Anger tends to do that here, anyway.]
So do you have an actual plan or are you just going to wander around until you find someone? [And more sarcastic dryness. But hey, it actually does reduce some of the snowfall, as if the frozen water breaks and evaporates upon reaching a certain area around Canach.]
no subject
... But yes, part of my concern is those who may be unable to cry out. I thought it best to look where crowds would have dispersed and those without support or direction may have been forgotten.
no subject
[But he's not. He's here. And he knows just sniping at the younger Sylvari won't really get them anywhere, so he'll actually help.]
You should check smaller alleyways and the impoverished. It is more likely that they were hit the hardest.
[The more populated areas would have had plenty of people on hand, but Canach has been quite thorough in his explorations to have a fairly good grasp of its layout if needed. He is also quite aware of the class disparity, not unlike that of Divinity's Reach.]
no subject
[Syrlya stops and turns to his left to stare straight down a crooked, dark alley. He can almost feel the way the storm seems to warp into it, like it's responding to something deep within.]
Mm, I think you are right about that. And I think we may have found our first victim. [He doesn't stall long before he marches straight for the alley.]
no subject
Allow me.
[With his shield strapped along the length of his forearm, that same hand raises the lantern high as he steps forward, the other resting on the hilt of his sword. Boots crunching against the hardened snow, even the naturally crafted leaves of his armor curl and wither inward, as if retreating from the sudden blast of dark coldness that brews within the darkness.
But it's not a bad move for Canach to go first. For one, he's more heavily built to take the brunt of any unnatural force. For another, his hardened and stalwart personality seems to create an invisible shield, buffeting against the cold and winds.]
no subject
But as he's reaching out and the cracking of chaos magic fails to manifest at his fingertips, he's reminded how vulnerable he really is. His whole life he relied on his Mesmerics to carry him in battle, and now he has only the force of his blade against enemies he doesn't understand.
He lets the words die on his lips and the air around him begins to freeze until a fine mist of ice is wafting around him.
He falls in step right behind Canach, using his advantage of height to look ahead.] Hello. Hello? Is someone there, able to respond?
[Nothing answers back except the whisper of the wind.]
no subject
He continues moving forward, arm raised and feet braced as a large cold wind suddenly cuts through. It surprises him, actually, and he wonders what could cause such a thing. But when he moves the lantern, the light casts over to where the source of at least this portion of the storm seems to be coming from—a dark mound, a boot just barely protruding from the snow.]
Over there! [But why is the storm so bad here? Could this person really hold that much...power to affect the weather so?]
no subject
no subject
Or so he would say something to that effect, but instead he just moves, setting down the lantern and moving to the other side to start pushing off that snow.
At least he's being cooperative.]
no subject
His concentration at least allows the fine mist around him to evaporate, and instead his determination to free them seems to partially melt the snow his fingers touch as he clears a path.] I hope we are not too late, where is their face...
no subject
I think I got an arm—damn it's iced over. [It's as if an ice elemental had started to encase the person.] Dig out higher—here! [Although he maintains his calm, even Canach has a sense of urgency in trying to help save this person. He may not be the most generous, but he does have a legitimate sense of will to help those in real need.
If they're quick enough, they may be able to save this person, and—was that a muffled, moan? They must hurry!]
no subject
Once he clear enough he tries to cradle the back of their head to lift it just enough out of the snow as he dusts more away.] Hello? We are here for you--oh, they look terrible.
no subject
[There were already signs of frostbite, but perhaps if they're quick enough they may still be able to save the man. Again the man moans, teeth chattering, but there's otherwise no movement.]
no subject
no subject
[And when he finally manages to get it all free, there's a sharp intake of breath and a hiss.]
Thorns, his legs. No wonder the bloke didn't get far, they've been bashed in. [As if he had been attacked either prior to the storm or during it. Hard to say given their current situation. But this is going to make carrying the human even more difficult than it already was.]
no subject
He begins to wrap the human up in the blanket as best as he can manage.] Do you think you are capable of handling the weight? They look large... but I'm sure I could manage if not.
no subject