memepatheias | TEST DRIVE: March

— TEST DRIVE: MARCH —

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 22 February and Applications (Canon | OC) open a week later on March 1st. Apps will only be open for four days!
OC Reminder! Just a quick reminder that original characters are 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!
Transfer to in-game. If accepted, you can assume threads made on the Test Drive happen in-game if the scenario can reasonably fit. For new characters, these threads do not count for activity check. However, these can be supplementary threads for players already in-game.
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!

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: Self-proclaimed knight (and actual millionaire) Vermouth Pennybags has heard a local legend about a the infamous Chalice of Wisdom, an ancient relic said to be hidden somewhere within the city and only attainable by the most valiant and quick-witted in all the land. Of course, Vermouth Pennybags is not valiant or quick-witted, but he is very rich, and so he has enlisted the help of the Otherworlders in following the clues to find the Chalice. If you are successful, you will be rewarded handsomely...but only if you find the Chalice.

The Knights Who Say...: The first task that Mr. Pennybags sets forth is for you to find a...shrubbery. Yes, a shrubbery, that supposedly, when its leaves are used to make tea, will leave behind dregs with another clue once the tea is drunk. As such, not just any shrubbery will do. You will need to fetch a shrubbery from a certain glade in the Ferril Mountains, where you will find a number of nice-looking and not-too-expensive shrubberies. The question is, which is the one the legend speaks of? One has golden leaves near the base, and that’s the one you’re looking for. However, it may take some time to find it! Did you bring your garden shears?
A Vicious Streak A Mile Wide: Once the shrubbery is obtained and Mr. Pennybags drinks the magic tea, his next clue will lead him to conclude that you need to capture a...deadly bunny rabbit. What exactly makes a bunny deadly remains to be seen, but fortunately for you, there are plenty of farms nearby that keep bunnies around. There is indeed one very violent one among the bunch, but it won’t be so easy to find it. You will have to focus your own feelings of anger and hate to find the bunny in question, and even then, you will need to be careful. Once it’s been found out, the bunny will attack! Defend yourself against nibbles and wrestle the unruly beast into submission. The Chalice is on the line.
What is Your Quest: Mr. Pennybags decides that what he must do with the rabbit to determine his next steps are to...set it free, because it keeps biting him, the little bugger. Instead, he conveniently finds a map at the local library that purportedly leads to the Chalice’s location! Following the map will take you deep into the woods on the far side of Lake Niras, where you will find a bridge across a ravine. The bridge is rickety and old, and a fall from this height will surely kill you. If you dare to cross, only bolstering feelings of confidence and courage will see you safely across. And should you make it to the other side...you will find Vermouth Pennybags himself there, snapping a picture of you and informing you that this was all just an elaborate set-up for a story in tomorrow’s newspaper. What a con. Well, enjoy those fifteen minutes of fame!

• Prompt E: An engineering society in Briarlan named The Beta Alpha Engineering Society or B.A.E.S. recently developed a new entertainment system called Crystal Simulation. The Crystal Simulation is a means to create a four-dimensional image or environment that can be interacted with on a seemingly real or physical way by a person using a specific equipment: a pair of bulky transparent rimmed eyeglasses made from the same crystals that can be found in the mines. This is a huge step in forwarding technology in all of Empatheias, and Verens is more than lucky for the B.A.E.S. to have decided to use the city as their testing grounds. Put a pair on and let the B.A.E.S. teleport you into an alternate reality through telepathy.

Tutorial: The moment you open your eyes after putting the Simulation Glasses on, you find yourself in a desert. There's sand everywhere, even in your shoes. At least, it definitely feels real. Even the heat of the sun is scorching hot despite it being winter in Empatheias right now. You find that your clothes have changed, and you feel like such a beginner with your light clothes and small dagger. A long rectangular white box floats in front of you, and above it reads: ENTER YOUR NAME. The first word or name that you think of ends up being your name in this reality. You think of your actual skills from your home world, and these thoughts are transmitted to the B.A.E. in charge of your simulation. They sent you a mental image of a row of empty boxes in front of you, and on top of it reads: LVL 1, AMATEUR. At the very least, there seem to be other amateurs around you - in fact, all their names are floating above their heads!
Level Up!: After finding out that this 4D reality is something similar to a "game", you find that in this reality, there are missions to accomplish. Unfortunately, you cannot accomplish anything while you're still an Amateur. Thanks to your trusty dagger (which needs to be re-sharpened every time you kill a monster), you can chop up the many cacti all around, kill Fluffy Bunnies, or head to the nearby oasis and make a fishing rod and catch fish. Doing these tasks add to your EXP, and once you reach level 5, you'll be prompted to change your class. You've been promoted, and it comes with new skills and a neat costume change! Although… if your B.A.E. thinks you're amusing in a bunny costume, then they won't hesitate to put you in one, instead. Nobody said this simulation was perfect!
The Desert Dragon: Once enough players have reached level 5 and have changed classes, the desert will suddenly get dark. Winds will blow and howl until the sandstorm blinds everyone temporarily. Then, a roar. Once everyone's regained their sight, they'll find a white dragon with eyes glowing. It reeks of hatred and anger, and each claw is gripping a large gold ball with a giant star emblem on it. The dragon flies around the desert wreaking havoc and destroying the settlements in the oasis. Your job is to defeat this creature. Use your skills, your emotions (perhaps love and happiness will counter the dragon?), and try to pop those balls. They seem to be giving him power! Once the dragon has been defeated, the simulation is over and everyone who participated will be given 100 sylvs for their trouble. Thank you!

• Prompt F: Every year at Lake Niras, a group of fishing enthusiasts host the annual Iron Fish Tournament, in which everyone can compete as individuals or as a team in order to catch the rarest fish. A winner is determined by the size and rarity of the fish, but most of the veterans are here for only one prize: to catch the legendary Demon of the Lake. What is the Demon of the Lake? Well, nobody has really seen it with their own eyes, but there is definitely something in the water, but those who managed to get it to nibble have never been able to reel it out. Maybe this is the year that the demon is conquered?

Fishing 101: The nice thing about this competition is that everyone can borrow their own gear and boats, which is welcoming even for those who just want to have a relaxing day fishing. There is an instructor teaching a class the basics of fishing just near the water, but if someone already knows their way with a fishing pole is encouraged to take a novice on board and teach them the ways. Who knows, whether you're both beginners or one teaching the other, you might just make a great team!
The Game is On: Once people are out on their boats, they'll quickly learn that Empatheias isn't your typical world and conventional fishing wisdom may not apply here. For example, aside from using the correct lure and bait, one must be in a right emotional state in order to attract the fish they want. This is all explained to any of the newcomers, of course. Talking about happy things will attract small exotic flying fish, while experiencing negative emotions will attract the heavier fish, although they're not as rare as the former. Remember, winning results are based on both size and rarity! There is also a third type of fish, although they're not attracted to any strong emotions nor are they part of the competition. Why is that? Well... that's because these ones explode if they're not thrown back into the lake quick enough. They can be identified by a small unicorn-like horn on their foreheads, so watch out!
Catch Me If You Can: Those who are persistent enough will eventually feel a strong bite, although most attempts at trying to reel their prize will end in their rods being yanked out of their hand. Those who are less fortunate will probably fall into the water, too! Perhaps this is a two-person job. Those who are strong enough to actually hold on to their rod will only have it be broken, too. Surely this is the legendary Demon of the Lake! Unfortunately, there is no way to catch it... but hey, the fish is the friends we made along the way, right? As for those who are frustrated enough to dive into the water, it'll be too hard to see the figure of the demon, but a giant tentacle will catch them and their partner and throw them out of the lake!

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include goldfish and/or carrots.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ After hearing about the mirrors, Nico absolutely volunteers to go help move them. Mostly because he wants to see them for himself. As a kid of Hades, dealing with the dead is nothing new for him but it feels like it's been forever since he was able to see his sister.

The guy waving a piece of wood and making the mirror float certainly has Nico's attention so he absolutely notices the way the teen freezes. Both of them look to be the same age so it's not terribly surprising to find out that he knows someone who's passed.

What he doesn't expect is see the state the deceased is in when he wanders close enough to look. Truthfully, it's not the worst thing Nico has ever seen - he's survived more than one war himself. But no one should have to see that - not even the poor kid standing frozen in front of the mirror. So Nico places himself in front of it, hoping that it will change when it has someone else to focus on.

Sure enough, a young pre-teen girl stands in the mirror instead. Her black hair and olive skin make it obvious that the two are related somehow. A bow and quiver of arrows are hanging from her shoulder as if it were normal for a twelve-year kid to have one. Nico doesn't need to look at the mirror to know who's there, instead his attention is focused on Harry. ]

Hey, whoever that was - they wouldn't want you to remember them that, I'm sure.

[Sure enough, when the connection between Harry and the mirror is broken, he's no longer mesmerized by the vision of Cedric. One that is fading and being replaced by a girl he doesn't know.

Another one of voldemort's victims? ~~A random muggle hunter?~~

But no, there's a boy also in front of him and he's very much alive. And...in person.

Harry isn't...quite sure how to take his words, honestly. How to respond.]

I... That's the last memory I have of him.

[Harry wouldn't have been allowed to attend the funeral more than likely. Mr. Diggory, while grateful that Harry brought him back from wherever the Portkey took them, probably wouldn't have wanted him there.

Sure, there were plenty of photographs of Cedric alive and well circulating. Just had to look in the paper for that. But there wasn't a painting around for Harry to talk to and apologize to.]

It was my fault he ended up that way...

[ The girl shifts to the side and a woman appears next to her - all three of them look so much alike that it's easy to tell that they're all related. A mother and her children. Nico doesn't even glance over his shoulder at the pair, only because if he does then he knows he won't be able to look away.

For now his attention is focused on the other teen male in front of him. He knows what it means to lose people, to see others fall before his very own eyes. Surely Nico will have to bear witness to that again at some point in the near future.

But he also knows what the dead are like. Some are vengeful and wish horrible things on others, sure. Not all though. Nico also knows what its like to not get a chance to say goodbye to someone. ]

The only way it could possibly be your fault is if you were the one who struck him down. Sometimes... being unable to save someone feels as if it's our fault they end up hurt or dead.

[ His voice is rough, almost as if he's afraid to voice that out loud. Dark shadows gather at his feet. ]

Edited 2019-02-18 00:44 (UTC)

[Harry gives them a polite wave and all, trying to keep his focus, however, on the living person in front of him. Much less distractable that way. Because if he looked and was caught, he can't imagine how others might react as well. Then nothing would get done here.

Here he is wishing he had something to busy himself with. Because the guilt is still there, is still strong. Even with the other's encouraging words.]

It might as well have been me that did it. [What with his connection to Voldemort. But he can't really explain it to those that aren't from home, it just sounds like nonsense.

Like he's a crazy person...]

...But, thank you... It's just something...that's going to take a really long time to get over, I suppose. [It just did happen after all.]

[ The two females wave back at Harry but their own attention is on Nico's back, as if waiting for him to turn around. Though they aren't trying to catch it - just waiting patiently. Both of them had been content with their deaths... even if their lives had been cut short.

He gets it. And Nico knows there's no way he can talk this guy out of feeling guilty. That's not how it works. This kid has to figure it out for himself and even then, he might still take some responsibility for it. ]

Sometimes the living are harder on themselves than the dead are. But you should ask yourself: would he blame you if you could talk to him again?

[ Nico doesn't need to hear the answer for that - he just wants to put that thought into the kid's head. But at the thanks, he nods. ]

Trust me when I say it's not going to be easy and it might not ever go away completely. Losing someone always stays with you, all you can do is hope it doesn't hurt so much one day.

[Harry thinks about it and knowing what he does of Cedric... As much as he knew about the older boy... ~~And the way Hufflepuffs are.~~ No, Cedric probably wouldn't blame him.

But it doesn't seem like Nico wants an answer out of him, either. It's more a private sort of answer.]

Does it get "easier" with the more people that you lose? [He's up to...three now, right? Mom, dad, Cedric...]

[ They just met so Nico wouldn't ask to hear the answer to that question, gods, they don't even know each other's names yet. Talking about the dead isn't a good first topic of choice either but they were both here helping with these mirrors.

All he'd seen was a kid looking at someone, frozen and upset and he couldn't walk away.

At the question, Nico shrugs. ] I'll let you know if it ever happens. Though, I'm not sure it's a good thing for death to ever get easier. No one wants to feel the pain that comes with losing someone but it means that their life meant something to you. If you lose the part of you that cares, then what kind of person will be left?

[ That would be someone like Voldemort - who doesn't care for his enemies or even his allies. Lives to be tossed away all to achieve his goal. ]

[Thinking about what he asked and what the other has replied with... Part of Harry wonders if that's part of what lent Voldemort or a few of his followers to their ways. Just the part of "not being a good thing for death to ever get easier" and that last sentence that he says.]

Oh, I have an idea...

[But he doesn't elaborate on it, instead looking at the mirror once more.]

Thanks...for the distraction. [And the advice. Harry takes off his robe and drapes it over the mirror, reaching around the other teen to do so.] I'm Harry.

TEST DRIVE: March

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