TEST DRIVE: March

[empevents]

— 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.

1. 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?
   
2. 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.
   
3. 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.

1. 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!
   
2. 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!
   
3. 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?

1. 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!
   
2. 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!
   
3. 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.

Comments

Prince Demande | Sailor Moon

[blackenedmoon]

C: Audio Broadcast
A world in ruins, no different than the Earth that I left. This is the fate of all planets, or all worlds and systems. So why is it that so many fight to prevent it, claiming that there is some hope or light?

The is no chance of any of you saving this planet, to think that there are means to its salvation proves that you are simply being lied to. Deceived and manipulated by those who claim to be giving you power and protection. What good have they truly accomplished?

D2: Rabbit season WARNING: ANIMAL CRUELTY
[Prince Demande of the Black Moon, there was much that would be beneath him in this position. But still, he had found himself on an errand to find a Chalice, a relic that was said to have immense power. A task he was sent on by a fool of an old man. Unlike others who may have been satisfied with the promise of fortune and glory, he would seize the power and use it for his own purpose. When it was in his hands there was no chance that he would surrender it to some self-proclaimed knight. He had already visited several farms prior to this one, the last of which the rabbits had only barely been spared their lives as they were trampled beneath his boot and where the owner had learned to hold his tongue.

Now though to save time he found them gathered in one spot. Many trying to flee from the aura of darkness that surrounded him. His annoyance and hate surrounding him as he lifted a single hand and stretched it out, sending a blast of dark energy forward. Darkness consumed the rabbits, screams filling the area and distorting it with fear. For several seconds it continued until one of the pests remained.]

There you are.

[Staring down the Rabbit, Demande made no move as it gathered its feet beneath it. The look in its eyes matching its own, until the power behind those emotions, drove it forward with a jump.]

E2: They always play the hero
[Slaughtering cacti and bunnies, it was enough to make him laugh and soothe his mood for a bit. He had gathered far more experience than what was required to progress forward.]

To be a hero you must destroy others, to save you have to kill.

[So much of the wrong and darkness came from the best of intentions of those fighting for the light. It was hypocrisy that had never been lost to him.]

Wildcard: [Write your own adventure.]

C

[blazeoflife]

Woooooow, with your totally upbeat and positive personality, I bet you're super popular at parties, dude.

[blackenedmoon]

To think of celebrations and parties amidst all this shows just how foolish you all are.

[blazeoflife]

Okay, like. I get that you're probably some sort of hardcore villian type with that kinda speech being the first thing that pops out of your head here...

[Because frankly, he's reminded of Takaya's way of talking, and that's not someone he'd wanna be reminded of any day of the year...]

But so what if there's no big world saving 'salvation'? There's still people here, trying to live their lives and be happy. Even if it doesn't last long, that's enough to keep fighting for.

[There was a brief pause. Man, why was he taking this guy seriously? He probably wasn't worth Junpei's time, but maybe Demande could hear the sound of a gunshot ringing out, echoing out of Junpei's own memories]

...Sometimes life sucks, sure, but it's worth it for those good times. Just because it ends in death doesn't mean what happened in between didn't mean anything. Hell, it's because it doesn't last forever that makes it important. That's just... life.

Memento Mori.

[blackenedmoon]

It's not the first thing that came to my mind. But is what I have found in the short time that I have been here.

[The first thoughts had been on whether it would have been a suitable planet for his people, for his clan. But it had proved to be a waste as with every other. And those who were here pathetic charlatans with promises of false relics.]

Are they living, or are they being used and made to serve someone else's will and desires. I've heard about the events of this place, the way it toys with those who are stolen and brought here.

[It was a power that he wanted. To be able to trap and manipulate the emotions of others, then her could have the queen for himself. She would be his.]

C.

[lightthedarkness]

[Usagi knows that voice instantly because she occasionally hears it in her nightmares. Her fists clench as she hears him talk in her head and her skin crawls at the sound of it in her mind. She closes her eyes to try and calm her breathing. She despises Demande in a way she doesn't hate any of the others who attacked her and the Senshi and Earth because Demande had crossed boundaries none of the others had with her.

But she's dealt with him once, she'll deal with him again. She's not the 15-year-old she used to be. She's 20 now and Eternal Sailor Moon, closest to her power as Neo-Queen Serenity. She lets the breath go and straightens her shoulder and steels her nerves.]

How funny that you're always going on and on about being deceived, yet you were the one so easily fooled for so long. [He's seen her in literally every form she could be in, as Sailor Moon, as Usagi, as Neo-Queen Serenity. There's no hiding her identity from him. So she makes herself clear as day in his mind.]

[blackenedmoon]

Sailor Moon, no Serenity. I wasn't expecting to find you here, but now that I know you are, perhaps we can finish what was started.

[Despite the unsuspected turn, he doesn't seem shocked so much as he does pleased.]

I was fooled, by the power of the dark crystals and Wiseman. But now that I have seen the truth of it all, I will not be deceived again. By you, or by these so called gods.

Though you can still join me, help to remove them from their place.

[lightthedarkness]

[His pleasure sends a disgusting shiver down her spine because she knows good and well why he's pleased.

She frowns.] You don't have to do this, Demande. It's as you said, the dark crystal and Wiseman aren't here. You can be a different person here. You can be better.

I will not join you, and if you try what you did last time, it will end very differently this time.

[blackenedmoon]

And yet here the silver crystal is, along with the one who wields it. Is the rabbit here as well?

[Because if so then that would add to the goals of what he would accomplish in this exile.]

Your right, it will end differently. Simply not the way that you expect for it to. You say that I can be different, better, and yet I wonder if that is what you actually believe dear queen.

[lightthedarkness]

[She wants to immediately tell him that if he even looks at Chibiusa, she'll kill him. The anger comes quickly and some of it bleeds across the amulet before she taps down on it and stops it from going any further. She takes a deep breath as her eyes narrow. Those same eyes he's always wanted on him, the same eyes that never seem to stop glaring at him.]

It is not for me to decide if you can change. You have to choose to be better, Demande. I believe you have a choice and always have a choice. Whether or not you choose to accept my offer is entirely upon your shoulders.

[She will not hesitate to kill him, such a thing is not beyond her. But she will try, first, to get him to see he can be something and someone else here.]

[blackenedmoon]

[The attention, the recognition, even the anger only worked to reinforce his actions.]

Isn't it? It would only take one thing for me to change, but we both know that you are incapable of it. The only chance I had of changing before is gone, along with the rest of those who would have accepted me.

[It would prove his point about the fact that even that pure white light could be made dark. That corruption was the inevitable result of that reign.]

C

[deathboss]

What the fuck are you doing?!

[He'd seen a lot of weird shit during his stay in this world, but this guy so casually being that cruel towards the animals was touching a nerve that made him incredibly angry. Dark energy or not, he wasn't going to just to let it sit. There's also energy around him, but it is bluish in color, matching the brightness of his hair.]

That's not...what the hell's your problem?

[blackenedmoon]

I'm doing what I must to find the Chalice of Wisdom. What does it matter what happens to such inconsequential animals in the process?

[He doesn't seem to be bothered in the least. If anything blame the one who sent him on this quest, they hadn't said to tread lightly. And for now there is only one animal he's concerned with.]

If you have objections to it, then perhaps you should have brought it to me.

[deathboss]

Brought WHAT to you? What the heck is this Chalice of Wisdom? What kind of Wisdom is there to have if you're just harming animals?

[Says the guy who has killed numerous demons but you know details. Also not animals. Also he hasn't been following the quest, it was just a situation of a fateful meeting.

He walks forward towards the foe.]

Don't hurt him. You've done enough damage.

[blackenedmoon]

That old man. He demanded a shrubbery and then sent to find this rodent. Though he couldn't be sure which it was, only that it was special and was required to find the relic.

[Demande doesn't flinch, holding the rabbit in its place he doesn't seem to even give the one approaching him a thought.]

If you want it to stop. All you need do is bring me the chalice, or tell me where it is.

[deathboss]

How the hell would he know it's even used to find the relic then?

[ Listen. Old men lying in their houses distributing quests is no basis for chalice findings. Actually power derives from a mandate from one's soul and heart, not from some farcical holy grail.]

I have no idea...but I can at least try to stop you from harming others.

[AND HE'S GONNA TRANSFORM and...okay no he doesn't transform. He just hops that the other guy will at least calm down, but he sounds a little too insane or maybe just extra to do so.]

C

[soldierofloveandbeauty]

[Minako couldn't help but want to go on the defensive all things considering. After all, it was her job to protect even if Usagi can take care of herself.]

I only follow one person, so I know I'm not being deceived and if they believe this world can be saved, then I know it can.

[blackenedmoon]

The one that you follow was the entire reason for that destruction. Besides we already know how inconsequential you are, and what you believe will change nothing.

[soldierofloveandbeauty]

No, the actual destruction was yours, not hers. You're just using her as an excuse to justify your actions.

[Clearly not impressed, but she at least is keeping some sort of calm.]

You clearly have no idea how wrong you are about that. [Considering what she has gone through since that time, she likes to think she could do more.] It's a shame really.

[blackenedmoon]

And what would you know of it? When you have been the one to reap the benefits of the power of the silver crystal, distorting the nature of the galaxy and of life for yourselves while others suffer.

[It was the corruption of the rulers that had been the very reason the black moon clan had formed. But it was under Wiseman they had power to truly do something about it.]

Then shall we see how pathetic you still are?

I'm gonna wildcard this

[smallxlady]

[ Had she been the person she'd once been, Chibiusa would have turned right around at the very sight of Demande. Put as much distance as she could between the two of them and hid behind Usagi's skirt while her future mother took care of him. But this is one girl who has been through a lot since she last saw the man who once sent minions to hunt her down.

So when Chibiusa catches sight of him while she's out on an errand for her job, she doesn't try to turn back or hide. Instead, she continues forward towards the flower shop. Though the girl doesn't go out of her way to try and talk to him when they cross paths. If he has something to say to her, then he will. ]

[blackenedmoon]

[There was little that held interest for Demande here, seeing this world as nothing but ruins, a world that would soon fall apart as those inhabiting perished. That or it was to be his eternal prison. And yet there had been a familiar voice through the crystals and now a familiar rabbit that appeared before him. Perhaps it was not so much a prison as a second chance to acquire the power the silver crystal, to put an end to Queen Serenity and the universe.

He waited as she took care of whatever errand she had in the flower shop, it wasn't until she emerged that he stepped up behind her.]

So you've returned that little form rabbit? Such a shame that you would waste the potential that you had.

E2

[bluesapphires]

Talking to yourself again? Or did you think I could hear you all the way back there?

[ He's located his brother and approaches him from behind with his usual stare. This world isn't too far removed from those which they have seen in their travels but it's certainly not one he's familiar with. ]

I'm actually surprised you're still here.

[blackenedmoon]

I was taking my time, to enjoy the attention to detail that they've put into this.

[Of course he wasn't going to leave yet, he would never leave without Saphir again, never allow for his brother to be corrupted and betrayed. This was his second chance to keep his brother from meeting such a tragic end, and to make at least one of the people responsible pay for it. And who knew after her had the Silver Crystal he might be able to find and have Wiseman pay as well.]

Are you enjoying it?

[bluesapphires]

No.

[ Ever the blunt one and not afraid of disagreeing with his big brother. ]

But I suppose it could be worse.