memepatheias | TEST DRIVE: March

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*test drive

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

[ooc: Note here that I am. Actually still getting through Riordan's books. I've so far gotten through the PJO collection and the Kane Chronicles. Barely started HoO yet, so. I know there is a lot yet to catch up on with regards to spoilers? But yes.]

A:

Okay. Okay, emotions. Right. Just....feel....?

[That shouldn't seem so hard, right? People dealt with emotions all the time. It just....hadn't necessarily meant consequences like this. At least, back home anyway. Still, he isn't entirely unused to suddenly having weird powers. So Percy takes a deep breath, biting his lip and closing his eyes as he tries to open himself up to how he feels about all this. Suddenly ending up here and all.

He supposes the timing could be worse? Given there was another prophecy to deal with back home, but....that didn't necessarily mean he had to be involved. He hoped. He's sure if the others back home notice his being missing they would worry. That causes a gathering of grey clouds above him, along with the water at the lake surging and becoming rougher, in tune with his powers from being a son of Poseidon, that link to water. It's only when he feels the drops of rain at his hair that he glances up, noting the clouds.]

....That's me? I wonder what else the emotions here can do.

[He's still adjusting to this in trying to get a handle on it, control of it more, after being here for a couple of days by now. It's still new to him.]

C:

So, it's....a necklace but like a phone? I guess? Is this thing even safe? Because back home, technology and demi-gods don't tend to mix.

[Or at least. In regards to phones, with that being an easy way for opponents and monsters and the like to track them while the kids were out and about on their quests and such. But these things weren't exactly phones? So if they were using magic or something that might be less vulnerable to tracking.]

Is it working? I'm not sure how to tell....A-anyway, I'm Percy. I'm not unused to magic? Just, the emotions thing is taking some adjusting. But I guess this isn't so different. If I think of these jobs like quests we got sent on back home. Not that I'm all that sure on what to do here, but. I guess some odd jobs for now until I figure something.

Something to do with water, probably. I like the water.

[Percy not everyone is a water boy. A....literal water boy in your case in being related to the god of the sea.]

D:

[So, Percy. Did not bring shears. But he does have his handy portable sword-disguised-as-a-pen. Which is always on him in his pocket or just magically handily teleports there if he ever did drop or lose it somewhere. So he has that to defend himself and others with if necessary.

Yes, he is paranoid enough to have this out while dealing with shrubbery and bunnies. Hey, after some of the things he has dealt with back home, he can't really be blamed for being cautious?]

Shrubs. This is definitely more Grover's thing.....how do we even know which one is the specific shrub to make this tea or whatever? Or which of these rabbits.

[Though. Well, the rabbit question will make itself obvious quick enough.....]

F:

Fishing? Oh, this is so mine! I'm gonna win this easy!

[Is using powers during this little competition considered cheating? Sorry to anyone out on the boats, but it might get a little rough suddenly when Percy approaches the water, barely stepping in up to his ankles as he seems to be like a magnet for them.

Domain over water and the ability to converse with marinelife and all, from being a son of Poseidon.

.....this is probably cheating, isn't it? After all he isn't even using a fishing rod or boat or anything. Still, this is also possibly helping making it easier for others too, if they're quick enough before someone distracts Percy and tells him off, probably.]

Wildcard:

[Something else? Go for it.]

[ Who needs shears when they have swords capable of doing the job? Nico has a black sword resting at his hip, a habit of carrying it around everywhere even in a whole other world. Not everyone gets magically returning weapons and some have to actually keep track of where their sharp pointy object is.

It's weird - dealing with a younger, less battle hardened version of Percy. Which is odd because in Percy's mind, they've already survived one war. Of the other not knowing a great deal of their future quests and world-saving adventures (also all the torturous bits) and Nico is doing his best to keep all that secret. Something he's actually too good at doing. It's not the first time he's kept vital information from the other demigod. No matter what's happened, Nico feels it's his responsibility to look after this less-experienced version even if Percy is still older than him.

But back to the task at hand. There certainly are a bunch of random shrubs and Nico is no Grover either. ]

We could just take a few leaves from every bush and let the guy decide which one is right. Pretty sure he doesn't need the whole shrub to make a cup of tea.

How much tea is he making? I mean, if it's just one cup that means he probably wouldn't need a lot, but.

[If more, he's not so sure. But maybe Nico has the right idea here. It would cover their bases at least? And probably the guy sending them out on this quest would know which were the right leaves he wanted, even if Percy has no clue what they were actually looking for.

Percy is trying not to focus on the confusion regarding Nico suddenly being older. There is a task for them, and -- well, probably Nico would tell him about anything important when and if he was ever ready.]

Just....getting some leaves, it seems too easy. I feel like there's got to be some catch with this.

[Or he is just way paranoid and cautious because of.....everything back home he had already been through. Either way.]

A whole shrub is probably enough to drown in. Unless he's British, then one shrub would never be enough.

[ Nico isn't much of a tea drinker but even he can guess that no one needs that many leaves to put in a single cup. If they bring a little of everything, they wouldn't have to come back. Plus the knight would have extra just to enjoy. Seems like a win-win situation here.

Things between them are likely weirder for Percy. While the older demigod was consistently the same, Nico had changed. Whatever had hung over them - whether it be Bianca or a lack of trust - it feels as if that has lifted from Nico's shoulders. He isn't that kid that was first brought to Camp, there's been too much for him to ever go back but the teen isn't actively avoiding everyone as often as possible. ]

You aren't the only one who has that feeling, we should trust it. [ Demigod problems, if something seems too easy - it is. ] There's likely some guardian here to protect these bushes, especially if one of them is supposed to help find something as important as a Chalice of Wisdom. One of us should keep watch while the other collects leaves.

Edited 2019-02-18 00:07 (UTC)

Is he British? I don't know. But yeah, you're probably right. There is.....a lot of shrubs though. Getting some from all of them would take a bit too.

[Though finding one particular shrub in all this would also take a bit. He assumes there must be something different about one of them, for it to be the one in particular this guy is after for whatever reason.

He tries not to take over, because obviously, Nico is a bit older now. Probably more capable now than Percy even remembers.]

A guardian? I wouldn't be surprised. You want to keep watch or?

Pretty sure he's native to this world and they don't even have an England. We're definitely going to be here a while if we don't want to miss any bushes or mess up the leaves.

[ They could idly stroll up and down, looking for something different about the one bush they need to collect. Really, Nico isn't all that picky about how they go about this. One thing that does bug him is the request to uproot the whole shrub just to get some tea leaves.

Unlike Percy, Nico is not much of a leader. While he's more than capable of fighting off an enemy or two, he'd let the other take on the role. So when Percy actually asks, he merely shrugs. ]

Doesn't matter either way. We can switch when one of us gets tired of picking leaves.

I'm guessing the one he wants must be different somehow. It's just...finding it in all of this. But alright. We can take turns looking out, while the other keeps an eye on the shrubs.

[Percy is trying, at least. Trying to figure this place, this particular job. He's still a kid himself, but at least a little more used to taking the lead on things, given things back home and all. He glances, trying to find one of the shrubs that looks different.

It takes a while, walking among the greenery till he spots something different that makes one of them stand out.]

Hey, Nico, look at this?

If he knew what it was, he should have at least given us a clue. Even those stupid prophecies give us a small hint about what we're supposed to be doing.

[ As far as Percy is concerned - their relationship has always been pretty rocky... what with Bianca and their trip to the Underworld for a little swim in the River Styx. ~~And the betrayal, let's not forget the betrayal.~~ Things don't really get better between the two of them for a while longer but despite all of that, Nico trusts the older demigod. And if he thinks Percy is about to make a dumb decision, he won't hesitate to say that (someone has to keep the guy in line since Annabeth isn't around). Even at this age, Percy has more experience leading a team or group and Nico has no problem following along.

So he keeps watch for any monsters while also eyeing the plants. Grover or Coach Hedge would definitely be better in this situation but plant collecting can't be nearly as dangerous as fighting a battle against a Titan. When Percy speaks up, he strolls over to take a peek at the find. ]

That's certainly different. [ He eyes a few of the other nearby bushes. ] The others don't have gold leaves at the bottom. Think this is the one we need?

I think I'm fine without dealing with a prophecy here too.

[Percy just finished dealing with that first one he heard, about saving or destroying Olympus and all. So of course he's fine not having to worry about that here. Still, he did pause then, eyes narrowing as he pouts, with him crouching to inspect the leaves.]

I'd assume so since the others aren't gold? This just seems way easy.....

[He shouldn't complain though? Given he would rather this than dealing with Titans or whatever else. But still. He can't help being wary.]

You aren't going to like the next few you're part of either.

[ Nico has been very careful when it came to giving the other demigod spoilers about his future. He knows they don't remember anything when they go home but if Percy doesn't ask, Nico doesn't tell.

While the other gets closer to look, he keeps his position in case something decides to pop out when they're distracted. In fact the moment Percy opens his mouth, his dark eyes dart around to look for danger because that's just how their luck goes. ]

If this goes south when you grab it, I'm absolutely blaming you for jinxing us.

[ He heaves a huge sigh and draws his black blade with his right hand. Better to have it ready than be caught off-guard reaching for it. ]

I know I heard another one before I ended up here, but. Seriously? There's more?

[Of course there is more. This is Percy's life now. As a demi-god. As the infamous son of Poseidon when his father shouldn't have had any kids. Percy raises an eyebrow at that, his lips pursing as he glances to Nico questioningly. But perhaps it was better not to know. Not to ask. At least for now.

He shakes his head and scoffs when Nico says he'd blame him.]

Because of course it would be jinxed.

[Still. Nothing for it but to try? Percy has one hand reaching for the leaves, the other at his pen, ready to activate his own sword if necessary.]

Perseus Jackson l Percy Jackson & the Olympians

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