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

Trahearne | Guild Wars 2

[thefirstbloom]

[Prompt B: Job ID GT1203]

[It wasn't that Trahearne had planned on standing behind a display of various cat items. However, he hadn't exactly planned on much of anything since arrival. His memory of how he'd gone from Pact Marshal to a cat-related vendor was a blur, and he hadn't really made an effort to question it. He'd only known that he'd seen it on the Task Board, and anything related to felines had made him warm thinking of his Fort Trinity. Specifically his office. Home.

And... well, he hadn't exactly read the fine print regarding the uniform.

The plus of the job was that he did have access to the kittens to demonstrate how much they adored the toys. It was just that at the time, he wasn't doing his job. With a lull in inquiries, he'd disappeared behind the counter. Like the kittens were distracted by the toys, he was entirely too distracted by the kittens themselves. Enough that he didn't notice anyone coming.]

yeeesssss

[duskbloom]

[Syrlya leans over the counter as quietly as he can to peer at Trahearne. He was just swinging by as a visit between his own errands, but it wasn't since their campaign into Orr he saw Trahearne so relaxed among his feline friends. That was, admittedly, his own absence to blame.

But he smiles and allows him to go undisturbed for at least a few minutes.]

I see this job is working out quite well for you.

u kno better than to startle him in his natural habitat

[thefirstbloom]

What-- [Trahearne snapped up so fast without accounting for his overhead, a thud and a groan of pain to follow. He slowly ducked out from under it, bringing both his hands up to first take off the cat ears, then rub the back of his head.]

Greeting, Syrlya. [He grimaced, reluctantly going to stand and placing his hand holding the headband on the counter to lean.] Despite the rapidly developing ache in my skull, yes. I do enjoy these cats, even though... [He glanced back down to the kittens, exhaling.] They are not the same.

[duskbloom]

I'm sorry for your skull. [Syrlya smirks and leans his hip against the counter as he reaches for Trahearne's cat ears.] I don't think there is much here that is the same. Perhaps it is not all bad! It must be quite the change of pace for you.

[thefirstbloom]

Oh, yes. [Trahearne chuckled, holding out the ears more than willingly.] Rather than boisterous soldiers coming to me in their time of not so dire need, there is quite important mewling instead.

[He lowered his hand from his head, and with both of them free, decided to stoop and pick one of the kittens up to set down on the counter.]

[duskbloom]

I've actually come to miss that just a bit, believe me or not. [Syrlya turns the cat-ear headband in his hands before he affixes it right on his own head. With his hands free he immediately plucks up the kitten and cradles it in his hands.] Are you going to adopt any of them yourself?

[thefirstbloom]

[Trahearne paused, but chose not to reply to his statement. He did miss the Pact. He missed Fort Trinity. He missed his cats.

He shook his head, choosing not to linger on it any longer.] No, I... I have not saved enough sylvs to care for one quite yet. [He glanced back to the other kittens wandering aimlessly, walking away from the counter and returning with another one against his chest. Though he would have caved to impulse eventually, it was there now to keep him from thinking any future on what he missed. He smiled more.] But I hope to very soon. I've started buying the items I am selling myself.

[duskbloom]

[Syrlya holds the kitten up in the air and smiles before snuggling it to his chest where he attempts to restrain its wiggling. Before it falls, of course.] That sounds like a nice thing to set your mind on--there is less... well, there is less action for us here, compared to before. It's nice to have something to help the days pass.

[Syrlya was still looking for that thing, but the constant learning was at least giving him something to do as he tried each new experience.]

[thefirstbloom]

And what do you intend to do to help the days pass...? [Trahearne glanced back up to Syrlya briefly, though it did not take long for the gaze to return to the cat in his arms. He occupied himself with stroking its fur, the creature eventually settling in its defeat and starting to purr against him.]

[duskbloom]

[Syrlya rolls his eyes up as he considers the question.] Well... I haven't settled on anything specific yet. Right now I am simply bouncing from task to task for some funds while researching this place. I've acquired a journal for my notes!

[He smiles.] I was in the middle of something very important and I need to find a way back, I'm really unable to settle.

[thefirstbloom]

[Trahearne listened through his cooing down at the cat, though he perked up as he heard he was researching. He smiled, his attention captured and his gaze remaining on the other sylvari.]

I'm pleased to hear you are recording your findings. I had intended to take my own, but... I have had distractions. Perhaps we could go over your journal together...?

[duskbloom]

Oh, yes! I'd appreciate your input on any theories for the function and reason of this place--and why it seems to draw so many strangers in. I've never heard of a portion of the mists that act this way.

[He sets the kitten back on the counter as it mewls and struggles to get free, stroking its back.] Most of the others have never even heard of Tyria, I'm not certain their worlds are anything like it.

[thefirstbloom]

I have not contemplated a new land since our Mother first sent me to Orr... And I have not felt her nor the Dream since arrival. [Trahearne closed his eyes briefly, only opening them again when it'd only confirmed that no amount of attempts would help him hear the Pale Tree again. He saw the other kitten placed on the counter, and set down his own to pet his in the same manner.]

I am certain the portal to this place as has disconnected all residents from their homeland... but for what purpose?

[canach]

[Normally Canach wouldn't even pay any attention to such a store. He doesn't even know it exists. However, he had heard strange remarks of a "green plant man" and something about a new living cat tree. It really made no sense to him, but when he happens to glance inside the window...

...He continues to walk right on past. Later, Firstborn, you can play with those kittens as much as you want. This one is going to actually make use of his time.

But not without sending a parting shot at his "older sibling."]

From fighting dragons to keeping up with kittens. Seems you've fallen quite low, Firstborn.

covers mouth to muffle anxious screaming

[thefirstbloom]

[Trahearne had been having quite a relaxing time with the animals, and if he were not so mildly alarmed to catch the Secondborn's voice, he would have stated this in a matter-of-factly tone.

But he was mildly alarmed. In fact, very alarmed. Not only was it rare to come across sylvari in Empatheias, he hadn't seen this one in particular in quite some time.

He sputtered as the kitten he was indeed holding crawled up onto his shoulder, waiting for it to be fully invested in chewing on one of the leaves of his hair before he stood and went around the counter to pursue.]

Canach? [He called after him, though quickly realized it would take more than that to regain his attention.] You and I both know that you have fallen quite lower in the past, Secondborn.

i am sensing a pattern here--

[canach]

[Oh, did he actually manage to rile the usually composed Trahearne? Enough to actually bring the sylvari out. Interesting.

He half-considers just ignoring him. The jab was nothing more than a small twinge to him. He knows what he's done and plans to atone for them, and he would not rise to the bait. However, unlike Tyria, the chances of them meeting again here are higher than he likes. So in the end, he decides to grace Trahearne with a few more moments.]

To think you'd actually come out. Did I strike a nerve?

oh no, this is fine (i am screaming, you're great)

[thefirstbloom]

[Trahearne slowed as Canach responded to him, no longer in a hurry now that he'd caught his attention. He'd hardly used the term for the younger sylvari since their awakening, and it'd only been used to stop him. He proceeded to stop and take a moment to both calm himself and premeditate his reply.]

... No, you did not. [Trahearne began again hesitantly, surveying the other sylvari's appearance. His voice had become higher and audibly more confident as he recognized it to truly be him.] You confounded me more than insulted me, Canach. I see no downside to "keeping up with kittens." It is a far less strenuous responsibility.

[Of course, he'd said this as the cat had grown bored of how bland his leaves tasted. It prompted leapt off his shoulder and started approaching Canach's feet.]

[canach]

[It's unfortunate that Canach is hardly amicable toward the Firstborn, or this could have been a far more pleasant conversation.]

I can think of several other things that one of your supposed caliber could be doing. Such as using your scholarly brain to figure out how we can leave this accursed world and return to our own.

Or, if you are truly so willing to "cozy" up to the humans here, use your skills to discern more about these "Arehtei" and whether we can even trust them.

[Clearly Canach has yet to deem anyone or anything in this place trustworthy.]

[thefirstbloom]

[Trahearne pursed his lips, knowing it wasn't all that likely he was going to appeal to the other anytime soon, if at all. He hadn't expect much of a difference with the rift between the generations, but he had hoped it was at least salvageable. He heaved a sigh and averted his gaze out to the neighboring buildings of Verens.]

I have just began to research this world and its limitations. This has required both currency and... time. I have needed time...

[His shoulders sank as he trailed off, and he expression became more solemn. Though he wouldn't admit it to Canach with his current demeanor, he was still reeling since his arrival as he struggled to cope. But if he was going to ever admit this, it would not be then. He took another minute to gather his thoughts before he returned his gaze, willing himself not to send his mind swimming with thoughts of Tyria. They were speaking of Empatheias.]

And you? You speak as if my current occupation is so inferior, what are you doing?

[canach]

[If Canach noticed the change, he makes no sign of it, instead maintaining his cool demeanor. Of which he maintains despite the kitten starting to bat at the loose, curved roots and leaves of his boots. He leans down and grabs it by the scruff of its neck.]

While you earn money by playing with cats—[And holding it straight out to Trahearne.]—I have been taking jobs that allow me to learn the lay of the land and its creatures. Tell me, Trahearne—have you even been out of this city?

[thefirstbloom]

[Trahearne let out a little soft gasp at Canach's handling of the kitten, rushing forward to take it in both of his hands immediately. He shot him a look of disdain and stepped back with it, wincing as it stuck its claws into his chest to settle there again.]

Before I took the job of ensuring their safety from the likes of some people, I have indeed been out of this city. [He huffed indignantly.] I arrived here just days ago. I had wandered this land alone for over a week, scavenging and studying nature and its inhabitants. I found it difficult to keep a sound mind and concluded I need to gather my bearings here. It has given me more time to study these amulets and limitations on our abilities. It also has given me time to see many Otherworlders and ask their origin.

So no, I have not just been playing with cats. I have been gathering information by other means. [He paused.] ... Perhaps working together would get us further.

[canach]

[Trahearne really should have expected no less from Canach. He wouldn't have harmed the kitten, but he wasn't going to be gentle with it, either.

The sylvari's recount of his time here does little to "impress" Canach, but it does at least make him seem less "useless" as initially perceived. Then again, given who is doing the perceiving and on whom, it would have happened regardless.

Which is why Canach just scoffs at the suggestion.]

You mean the two of us? I think I'd tear my roots out before I'd manage anything useful.

[Implying that while logically it would make sense, in Canach's view they two are incompatible and he would have more difficult with than without.]

[thefirstbloom]

[Trahearne sighed and averted his gaze to the mewling cat, taking solace in the fact it was much more welcoming to attention than the other sylvari. Canach's were rebuffs expected, but no less disheartening. He usually would have kept his calm demeanor and had a retort at the ready, but the former Marshal was both exhausted in mind and body. With a deep sigh, he mustered up the energy to return his gaze, stroking the kitten's fur.]

Perhaps if you set aside your resentment for Firstborn for the sake of your return, it would be much less strenuous on you. I have no qualms about your capabilities, Canach. You have had a lapse in judgement, but I have heard you did well under noble supervision. I will place no restrictions on you. I will not judge you. I only ask that the courtesy be returned.

[canach]

Yes, I am well aware of my mistakes and have no intentions of repeating them. I may not be as noble as you, but I will agree that we are on the "same side" so to speak. [This is what makes Canach rather...contradictory. He's a good guy (and at the heart of it, always has) and seeks to redeem himself. Yet unlike most, this "turning over a new leaf" does not come with being nice.

And as he is somewhat loathe to admit—the Firstborn is right. He wants out of this world and hearing that some have been around for over a year does not please him in the slightest. He also has to admit that Trahearne does have skills that he lacks. Whether they are better he will not say, but he'll admit they exist.]

But it would seem I have little choice in the matter. [It's clear he is not particularly happy by this, both by his voice and the way the air darkens, the leaves of their armor curling and retracting as if to hide away from Canach's dour mood.]

[thefirstbloom]

[Trahearne exhaled in relief when he heard Canach reluctantly agreeing, knowing very well that it was a rare thing to get past his stubbornness. Though it had been exhausting to persuade the other, Trahearne could not help but gain a small smile of triumph. He amended his posture to stand taller, his confidence in moving forward solidified. His voice, though perhaps would annoy the firstborn further, was returning to his knowing tone of a Marshal.]

While I cannot say you will not regret making this choice at times, Ventari has bestowed teachings of perseverance, no matter the terrain. Despite our disconnection from Tyria and the Dream, I will apply them in this realm to ensure you return to your home.

[If he would be capable of returning himself, given the... circumstances he had left Tyria on, he did not know. He only knew that if he hadn't spoken to Canach, no matter how unpleasant the conversation, he would not have thought of the possibility. And that was enough to keep him from faltering again.]