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

[ For a minute, he just watches as the cat struggles to make it back to shore. Then with a sigh Nico removes his shoes and socks, rolling up his pant legs to his knees. Nico already has an issue with being cold most of the time and he's not about to tromp about and let his clothes get wet too. He shrugs out of his coat and stands. ]

If I let you drown now, your ghost would probably haunt me. [ As Nico wades into the water, it doesn't come that high up on him. One hand scoops the cat out of the cold liquid and it should give Kyo a good view of the scars marring his upper arms hidden beneath his black t-shirt. They look as if he were mauled by a huge animal like a wolf or bear then sloppily stitched back together.

With the cat firmly in hand, he retreats back to the shore and sets the cat down on the ground. ]

Wait there while I get a fire going.

[His ghost? Kyo tilts his head at that, but does cling to the other in getting help escaping the water at least. Until he is deposited back on the ground. He glances to the scars, one paw seeming to almost trace them in confusion, before the boy tells him to wait.

Well, a fire did sound nice. To warm up to dry out at least. So Kyo decides to do as the other says, shaking himself a little in drying off a bit with the water clinging to his fur.]

[ That is a complicated scenario Nico isn't about to describe to a cat, no matter how intelligent the creature might be. It's clear that the teen tenses when a paw touches his scars but he makes no move to stop it from happening. Nor does he really explain them. ]

Just got too close to some dangerous wildlife.

[ It's more than that but he leaves Kyo to collect some pieces of wood. He makes quick work of building a fire, almost as if he's done it so much. Then proceeds to light it with some matches before taking his seat. ]

You know, most animals tend to get scared and run away from me. [ They seemed to sense the aura of death around him. ]

[Wildlife. Well, that much seemed obvious. Kyo's head tilts, his ears flattening slightly, but it's not like he wants to give himself away. Even if, remaining here too long risks him changing back. Still, he is comforted by the fire, the light and warmth of it, as he curls up close, tail twitching a little.

Probably, that aura is in part why Kyo seems as comfortable around him. Given the association with his being cursed by the Cat and all, back home. How everyone feared him and his True Form. How he was blamed for his mother's suicide. He can relate to that. He shifts, in something almost akin to a shrug, not moving to flee.]

[ Considering the life Nico has led, a cat who's also a boy would not surprise him at all. The gods were capable of such transformations - and even Nico had been turned into a flower on a couple of occasions. It had been unpleasant. He knows that there are a lot of individuals here with odd powers. Plus knowing would at least explain why the cat doesn't freak out at the sight of him.

Cats are smart so Nico wouldn't question it up a point, this one seems exceptionally so as if it's responding to him. It's kind of nice to be able to talk and not be judged, even if he wouldn't blame the cat for running away. Dark eyes watch as the cat just continues to lay there next to the fire. ]

You are a strange cat. [ There's a small hint of a smile on his face. ] But you don't make for bad company.

[Strange. Oh, if only the kid knew.

Still, not like Kyo wants to purposely give himself away. And this was nice? The heat and light from the fire warming and drying him. The kid accepting him, if only because he met him as a cat, instead of his human form.

He hasn't even said anything, and yet, the kid talks to him. Seems to appreciate the company. Must be lonely.

Then again, this coming from the idiot that spent months in the mountains.]

[ Nico figures there's something odd about the cat, other than the fact that it was hunting fish in the water and now lay here hanging out with the son of Hades. He just doesn't know what it is yet.

It's hard here, living in a world where his emotions have consequences - though that had already been true back home. Except here it isn't just his anger or despair, it's everything and Nico has more than his fair share of negative emotions but not nearly enough positive ones. At least back home he had that one person to help make things better.

Before that he had the dead and Hestia for company. ]

If you really are out here for food, I can't really blame you for choosing the water over garbage cans. Though maybe you should try fishing from a dock instead of wading in. The water is still pretty cold.

[Kyo, for his part, tries to play the part of the cat simply resting and drying off. Which he is doing, while hoping he won't change back while right in front of the other teen. Still, he's relaxed enough, for once, that his emotions aren't doing anything too crazy, given he's still learning control over them. Kyo's tail shifts, as he glances to the dock, or what might be visible of it from where Nico and he were with the fire.]

[ He grabs a long stick and pokes the fire with it, pushing on one of the logs to keep the flames burning. Dark eyes stare at the blaze, remembering how a certain goddess would come talk to him on occasion whenever he built a fire. Hestia was often his only living company and thinking of her causes the flames to burn a little warmer and cast a homey glow. ]

Or you could always try sneaking onto someone's boat. In the past, ships used to carry cats in order to hunt the mice and rats so the rodents wouldn't eat the sailor's food supplies. Though I suppose that might only apply to Earth and not alien planets.

[Boats. He might have heard of something like that, back home. Though it was forever ago, probably. He hadn't really had to fend for himself back home though. Going from his parents to living with Shishou and all. And then to Shigure's. He does note the fire seeming to change a little, which is probably only ignited more and enhanced through his thinking of Tohru. How she would be waiting, back home, for him.

Still. It's something to consider. Not that he intends on this being too regular a thing, his cat transformation, but. Sometimes it happened. Because girls didn't realize about the curse, or because he gets weak or sick.]

TEST DRIVE: March

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