memepatheias | Test Drive: May

Entry tags:

*test drive

Test Drive: May

— TEST DRIVE: MAY —

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 24th of April and Applications (Canon | OC) open a week later on May 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!
For any concerns or questions, head over to this top level.

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: Perhaps one may have heard that Verens used to be a floating island, and it was! When the island then ended up on the surface, creatures which explorers have called "Dinosaurs" (quotation marks included) were discovered inhabiting the plains and the mountains in a far off area. It's time to go back to the jurassic world for a very important mission: gather as many Amaranthus Rubus, red pearl-shaped fruits that heal any and all wounds on one's skin. The hospital needs it! As such, one needs to prepare.

Explorers do not wish to harm the "Dinosaurs", as they are afraid the "Dinosaurs" would go extinct should any danger be placed unto them. This means that one's option when encountering volatile and aggressive "Dinosaurs" is to run away. A fun run is now being held in Verens a few days prior to the trip to the "Dinosaur" plains, where 50 sylvs and a t-shirt that says "I successfully ran away from a 'Dinosaur'!". The colour of the shirt is random, though, but there are as many as the colours of the rainbow. Maybe trade with somebody else who's finished the run if you don't like yellow so much.

• PROMPT E: Once the preparations have been made, it's time to set forth into the land of the “Dinosaurs”. As you enter their domain, it may be difficult to resist the temptation to interact with these rare and unusual creatures, and some of the “dinosaurs” are indeed tranquil and herbivorous. Go ahead and feed the long-necks leafy branches and if you're feeling daring, climb up on their backs for a ride! However, many of the “dinosaurs” are quite a bit more dangerous, and they are very territorial. If you cross paths with the a pack of raptors, prepare to run, fight, or distract. All explorers have been supplied with strips of alluring jerky to placate the beasts. Who knows, you might even make a friend! Be careful not to lose and hand, though.

The Amaranthus Rubus is thickest near the home of the most terrifying “dinosaur” of all, the "Tyrannosaur", and if you are daring enough to approach the lair of this creature to reap the fruits, you may not even have the chance to run away before the creature corners you, roars, and...wiggles his sad, little arms. It seems poor old "Tyrannosaur" just wants some kind of tool to extend his reach! Help him out and he will let you go. Or refuse, and he'll eat you. Sounds reasonable, right?

• PROMPT F: It seems like the land of the "Dinosaurs" isn't so bad after all! Perhaps "Dinosaurs" and man can co-exist, but for that to happen, much research will have to be made regarding a "Dinosaur"'s way of life. Now aboard the ship to head back to the city, researchers are talking about another excursion in the future that's solely for researching on "Dinosaurs" - various species, what they eat, their excrement, and the like.

The trip back to Verens is a little long. Perhaps you're just resting in one of the rooms when there's an explosive sound that can be heard. Oh no! It looks like the engine's running out of steam! Luckily, there's a steam generator in the ship, but steam can only be made through cooperation, anger, and sadness. The entire ship needs your help to get back to the city safely, and if you have to hold someone's hand, slap them, and yell at them to get them to manifest their emotions tangibly, then do so!

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include swords and/or stones.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A: Emotional Output
[He finds a relatively isolated area in which to start training. It's a first try. A first conscious try, as some emotional effects resulting from his initial arrival. If emotions are power here, then it behooves him to learn to use them. Obtaining power is one of the surest ways to bring a plan to fruition.

It's just that, when he unleashes his emotions, what happens is perhaps a little more exaggerated than what he was intending. The ground surrounding him darkens, the grass within a radius of several feet withering and dying.]

Ah—

[Oh. No. He can't have that. The effect doesn't exactly convey the reassuring air he'd like to put forth. He needs to do something about this.]

Such a shame.

C: Amulet Engagement
[Although he is curious about the workings of the amulets, Mairon listens more than he speaks, learning what he can about the people of this world. However, when he has a practical reason to make contact, he sees no reason not to. His mental voice is pleasant and easy. He is controlling his emotions, so no hint of negativity seeps through.]

I'm considering an expedition to the mountains in the north. Who among you has experience with that land?

F: Engine Failures
[Was Mairon help in dealing with the "Dinosaurs"? Of course! He is eminently helpful. That's his job. He competently obtained so many fruits and suffered no injuries whatsoever. Perhaps he helped you.

When the explosion sounds, honestly, Mairon isn't worried about the destruction of the ship or any injuries or deaths that may result from it. However, he is mildly interested in the operation of the engine (a strange technology), so he takes it upon himself to investigate, moving quickly (and competently) toward where the operators and others have gathered.]

What seems to be the matter?

G: Swords (Possible Stones)
[Mairon has already made a point of associating with the craftspeople who have set up shop near the Merchant's Square. There's every reason to make a name and reputation for himself, and his skill at the forge has already won him some local admirers. His abilities are altered here, but they have not disappeared.

Which is why he's in the Smiths' District, with a (sheathed) sword in his hand and a question on his lips, along with a smile:]

I wonder, would you be able to assist me with an experiment I've been working on?

Ritsuka doesn't really have any business in this particular corner of the square, but it just so happens that cutting through it was the shortest way to get from where she'd just been to where she was going. Which is why she's a little surprised to be stopped and asked for her help like this.

"Maybe? What kind of experiment?"

She's not at all sure it's something she can help with, swords, and especially their making, isn't really an area of her expertise at all, but... Well, if there's something she can do to help someone else out, then why not?

Mairon does look genuinely pleased by her agreement to consider assisting him, smiling at Ritsuka warmly. "I would be most appreciative, if you could spare several moments of your time. It's a simple enough task."

He's more than ready to explain more fully, now that he has her attention. "I have been training in this world's ways of making, exploring how my abilities work here. I've created what you might call a Sword of Power. I wish to see how it responds when wielded by a range of people. No expertise is required—but it would help me to know what prior experience you have with weapons of this kind."

The sheath of the sword in Mairon's hand is finely and intricately decorated, glittering faintly.

"Like some sort of enchanted weapon?" Or a... wasn't there a term for things made by divine or otherwise inhuman powers, like the holy sword Excalibur? Ritsuka can't remember offhand, but it's probably not important anyway.

"I've never really used any kind of sword, though."

Seen quite a few wielded by others, sure. Used one herself? Not so much.

"That's an accurate enough description. Do you have such creations in your world?" Mairon is genuinely curious, and his tone remains light. "At home, I work with others to make such objects—which make life brighter and more beautiful." A flicker plays over his features briefly, like the light of a flame.

"Oh, it doesn't matter if you have no experience. As I've said, I'm seeking a range of people. I've tried to make this sword exceptionally easy to wield. It may even guide your hand. But that remains to be seen—the materials and energy in this world are different from what I'm used to."

"Sort of? At least, there used to be?" Magical weapons aren't exactly part of the modern world, at least. "Some of the weapons Heroic Spirits use are like that, enchanted or cursed or created by the gods, though they're all from a long time ago."

Well, as far as she knows. Really, she's not the best person to ask technical questions of, though she does try.

"Wouldn't how easy it is to use depend on the person, though? I mean, for some people, a shorter or thinner sword is best, but others are others can use much bigger ones with no problem?" She doesn't know how to use a sword, herself. That doesn't mean she knows nothing about how a sword is used.

"Heroes are known to use such weapons." He nods. If he finds her relative lack of knowledge trying, he doesn't show it.

"Ah, I can tell from your comments that you do know a few things about swords, yourself. What you say would be true of an ordinary sword but—well, if you do decide to join me in my experiment, you will be able to see what I mean. If all goes according to my plan."

Mairon loves it when all goes according to his plan.

"But before you decide, I have neglected to introduce myself, and that should come first. I am Mairon, of the Maiar."

"Oh, I've seen people use them before." Where by 'people' she means those aforementioned Heroic Spirits. Her brow furrows a bit at that explanation though. "How do you mean?"

She's totally imagining some kind of shapeshifting sword. Which mind you, would be ridiculously cool, but usually most weapons don't work that way. Usually.

"My name's Ritsuka. Ritsuka Fujimaru. It's nice to meet you!"

"It came to my attention that those brought to this world are not all trained in the arts of weaponry and defense, so I asked myself: what if a weapon could be made that would be easy for the inexperienced to wield—but would also be of use to the skilled fighter and could augment their powers?"

Not having Aulë present, or the proper equipment to work with, has made this more difficult than it might otherwise be, but he likes having a task to apply himself to.

"The blade should understand its bearer. That is what I am trying to achieve."

He nods again, in acknowledgement of her name. "And it is a pleasure to meet you as well, Ritsuka Fujimaru."

Edited 2019-04-20 05:15 (UTC)

"I think I see..." Like, the sword knows what to do even if the person using it doesn't, or something like that. "And that's why you're looking for different kinds of people to try it?"

"You have it. That is precisely my intention." A pleased smile from Mairon. "Which is why it actually benefits me, if you have little or no experience with weapons." Mairon can't test it himself, because as its maker, it's only natural that he can control it.

"I cannot say how admirably it will function, at first. At home, I have a workshop, and I work with others like myself, so in many ways I must re-teach myself to create here. But—these tests will assist me in finding my way."

The person who made it would naturally know all its tricks and quirks, of course. That would only make sense!

"Well, if you need more people to help, you could try asking on the network, too?"

It might be a little more effective than stopping random people in the middle of the market, after all!

"A fine idea, and I will bear it in mind for the future. I may have been eager to begin. And there are certain types of people who are more likely to answer to such an appeal. Others will believe that it's not intended for them, or that they don't have the time. I want to reach those people as well. There are times when face to face interactions are preferable." And it can be harder to say no to people who ask things of you in person, in Mairon's understanding. Too easy to ignore far-speaking transmissions for a general audience.

Ritsuka's the type to be willing to help regardless, though even she doesn't catch all the messages on the network.

"Guess that's true. But you'll probably find more people that way," she points out.

"Just as you say, which is why I must now try both methods. Thank you for the counsel. But, Ritsuka Fujimaru, you haven't yet told me whether you will agree to serve as my assistant—on a temporary basis, of course."

There's no harm whatsoever in the sword; he can still make such beautiful, useful things that Aulë would be proud. It would not serve his goals at all to put people off with cursed weapons at the outset.

"Oh! Right!" She... may have gotten sidetracked and forgotten about that part of it. That happens sometimes. "I guess I could give it a try, if it won't take too long."

A pause, then she adds: "Though I suppose somewhere not so crowded would be better, huh?"

Someone with virtually no experience with swords swinging a blade around in a crowded marketplace probably wouldn't end well, after all.

Mairon nods, in further appreciation of her good sense. "I have a place already set aside for the purpose. One of the smiths was generous enough to let me use their yard." The smiths love Mairon, who makes their forges hotter and their metals stronger and just makes their jobs easier overall. They're only too happy to do him a simple favor in return. He doesn't ask for much, other than a place to work his craft.

"If you'll follow me, it isn't far."

She might be prone to getting distracted and offtopic on occasion ~~and be far too trusting for her own good~~ but Ritsuka's not stupid, at least. That, and fighting alongside various Heroic Spirits to save the world for over a year has given her at least some sense about these things.

"All right," she says with a nod, waiting for him to lead the way.

Mairon may not be the best person to trust (and is actually one of the absolute worst people to trust), but for the moment, he means her no harm. While, as Mairon said, the way isn't far, they do have a crowded marketplace to travel to, so he speaks to her conversationally as they walk.

"You spoke before of spirits—do they often interact with humans in your world?" He has learned something of the ways of speaking in Empatheias—for instance, to say humans instead of Men.

Ritsuka seems to make a habit of trusting people who probably shoudln't be trusted, just ask Archer of Shinjuku. She's pretty endlessly forgiving if/when she does get betrayed, too, so lucky him?

"Oh, no, not really," she replies. "I think normally it's supposed to be pretty rare for one to be summoned?"

That is fortunate. He doesn't mind when people give him the benefit of the doubt. He'll certainly take advantage of a second chance.

"Normally." The word implies that there are exceptions. "It is the same in Arda— my world. It would be considered unusual for humans and spirits to have congress. Yet do you have experience with such beings?" He's not entirely sure, but her remarks could be construed that way.

She's pretty much a fount of second chances. The catch is, though, that her Servants aren't. Ritsuka herself may forgive pretty much anything done to her, but she can't really make the various Heroic Spirits she's contract with feel the same way...

"I do, yes." Lots of experience, in fact. She pauses as she considers how to explain. "It's... a really long story, but to stop something from destroying humanity, an organization called Chaldea was going to summon Heroic Spirits as 'Servants'. But to do that, they need to have someone to be a 'Master' for them to contract with to stay manifested in the world, and I was the only one there at the time who could."

If he's paying very close attention, he might see how her right hand clenches slightly when she talks about making contracts. On the back of said hand are some sort of red markings. They may look like some sort of tattoo or such at a glance, but in actuality are Command Spells, part of the contract between Master and Servant, and possessing fairly powerful magic of their own. Not that they're being actively used at the moment or anything, of course.

Mairon isn't afraid of making extremely powerful enemies. Not that he's made them yet, since he's still content to pretend to be loyal to his former master. It suits him. Not that he needs to worry about that particular falsehood here. As far as he's aware, he's the only person from Arda present. No need to maintain his elaborate deception—and he hasn't yet created a new elaborate deception, as he learns the ways of this world and its powers.

The arrangement she mentions, of a spirit serving a Man, is distasteful to him. The idea of serving someone weaker seems pointless. The air around him warms, light flickering around him—it's an obvious reaction, but not a necessarily a negative one, as the warmth feels pleasant—and he looks interested, rather than displeased. He might even be admiring.

"The salvation of humanity entire—an admirable goal. I can imagine what a lengthy tale that must be. Such a task must take great strength of will." He does note the markings on her hand as it moves. Perhaps they have something to do with the process she mentioned. It is good to know what abilities the people of this world have. In his own world, he doesn't find it so difficult to evaluate potential opponents. He knows so many of them already.

"What you describe is strange to me, yet familiar as well. Arda is filled with spirits, some with great power. I myself serve a master, though not a human." He hasn't seen a need to disguise his nature. Although he has taken a suitable form to interact with these people, he would rather be perceived as Maia than Man.

Mairon (Sauron) | The Silmarillion

G!

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A - Hemingway-Tolkien unite?

I fully support this union!