Test Drive: May

[empevents]

— 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.

Comments

[notash]

You’re talking to me.

[Unless he’s going crazy, but listen. If he didn’t start hearing voices after living alone on a mountain for three years, then he probably isn’t going to start now.]

[golisolation]

Sure this ain't just a voice in your head?

[Guzma don't know shit about Red's lil hermit time mountain chill sesh for three years, but that's not gonna rain on messing with this kid.]

[notash]

[There is a decided pause.]

...Pretty sure.

[golisolation]

Don't sound too confident, yo.

[notash]

[Alright. This is getting silly.]

Who are you?

[golisolation]

[Nothing wrong with being a little silly!]

That's more like it.

[Alright, alright. He'll cut the crap, it was fun while it lasted.]

I'm your boy Guzma! What about you, huh? Guessin' you're new here considerin' your fumbling.

IT'S YA BOI

[notash]

My boy...?

[Whoops. He didn't mean to let that confused thought slip through. Still learning this whole telepathy thing (which should be obvious considering this is his first time using it).

[Anyway...his only boys are his Pokémon, and Guzma may hear that thought slip through as well.]

New. Yes.

I'm Red.

[golisolation]

Don't think too hard on it, don't seem like your strong suit!

[The name is interesting, at least. There's a slight familiarity to it, like maybe he briefly met someone named Red a while back...

Either way, it doesn't matter.]

Red, huh? You know that Blue punk by chance?

[notash]

Hey... [That wasn't very nice of you, strange disembodied voice.

[Wait a minute. Did he just say--]

Blue?

He's here?

[golisolation]

So, you do know him, huh?

[Which sorta answers his question?]

That is if the one you know is some annoying brat who thinks he's a better Pokèmon trainer than he is, then you're in luck. He's here.

[notash]

[Well, that doesn't not sound like Blue. Red's not sure if he should feel lucky or not.]

I know him. [Old friend, he almost says, but it doesn't really feel like that's true anymore.

[Still, he has to give credit where it's due.] Good trainer.

[golisolation]

He's decent, I'll give him that much. Dunno if I'd say good.

[Red will learn very quickly that Guzma is just kind of an asshole by default.]

That's good though, maybe you can keep that yappy rockruff on a leash.

[notash]

[He is currently learning.

[But clearly there are more important things to address here.]

Rockruff?

A Pokémon?

[A Pokémon he's never heard of. Please tell him more!]

[golisolation]

Uh, yeah. What the hell else would I be meaning?

[It's a bit more forceful and blunt than what's truly necessary. Chalk it up to surprise. Who doesn't know what a Rockruff is—especially when they're familiar with Pokèmon. Let alone from their world??]

[notash]

[Clearly not everyone knows what a Rockruff is. Not this kid from Kanto, that's for sure.]

What are they like?

[He no longer cares nor remembers anything about whatever you two were talking about before. Blue who?]

[golisolation]

[Kid clearly needs to get with the times!]

They're a canine rock-type Pokèmon. You seriously don't know?

[Give him a second and he'll share an image of one from memory—and there it is. A flash of your typical Rockruff in its all too cute glory. Not that Guzma really cares for the things. They remind him too much of someone...]

[notash]

He's perfect.

[Red didn't necessarily mean to let that thought out, but it is also pretty much the only thought in his head right now, so Guzma's lucky(?) he's getting anything.]

[golisolation]

Uh—

[And that's his reply, cuz... Well, he wasn't expecting that AT ALL. He should have, after all, people prefer puppies to bugs. Losers.]

[notash]

[Red would have reacted exactly the same way to a new bug Pokémon. All Pokémon are queens, Guzma.]

Do you have one?

Can I see?

[golisolation]

[Red might yet be considered acceptable in Guzma's book, then.]

No.

[At first it's unclear if he means no he doesn't have one or no can't see it. Fortunately, Guzma fixes this quickly enough.]

Never cared for rock-types.

[notash]

What types do you have?

Can I see them?

[He doesn't discriminate, see?]

[golisolation]

[He'll see about that!]

I focus on Bug-types. Y'know, not the typical cutesy type you're apparently fond of.

[THE TRIAL HAS BEEN SET.]

[notash]

[Red is almost offended? All. Pokémon. Are. Queens. Guzma!]

I love bug.

I love Pokémon.

[golisolation]

[O-oh. Doki.]

Yeah? Well. Maybe I can show you 'em. You caught me at a good time, I'm not busy.

[Spoilers: Guzma's never busy, but Red doesn't need to know that!]

Where you at, kid?

[notash]

[It takes him a minute to figure it out, but Red eventually manages to send through an image of his location. Not too far from town, near the edge of the woods. He hopes that will be enough? Maybe?]