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

[treachereye]

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.

[lightofchaldea]

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?"

[treachereye]

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.

[lightofchaldea]

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.

[treachereye]

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.

[lightofchaldea]

She's a little relieved he doesn't ask for a lot of details. The last person who wanted to know more anyway after being warned about it being a 'long story' promptly admitted after that she really hadn't been kidding about that. And she'd still cut it down to as small a retelling as she could manage, at that!

"Oh, well, Heroic Spirits are... They aren't spirits like fairies or elements or anything like that." She thinks it sounds like that's the sort of spirit he's talking about? "They're great heroes from humanity's past, whose souls and deeds were recorded to be called on to protect humanity later."

That's a gross oversimplification, but Ritsuka only has a general knowledge of the matter, herself. She had to learn things as she went, and never had a chance to study any of it in-depth.

[treachereye]

Mairon is not actually interested in her life story, just whatever might be relevant to him. There are benefits to being selfish—even for other people, sometimes! Also, most people he knows have long stories about centuries of world-altering conflicts, so the idea is not particularly novel to him.

"The spirits of Arda I refer to are also neither fairies ror elements." The thought of them being referred to as such is mildly amusing, however. "Neither are they mortal heroes of the past. We are beings in our own right, divine shapers of the world." It's not as arrogant for Mairon to call himself that as it might sound. It's simply what he is, like any of the Ainur. "I suspect the powers of our worlds are very different." He wonders how these other worlds were made, intrigued by the thought that they might be entirely separate from Arda, unrelated creations of different makers.

"I understand the idea of the Heroic Spirits that you speak of, but that way of summoning the dead does not exist in my world."

[lightofchaldea]

"Oh, so you're more like gods, then?"

She doesn't sound particularly surprised at the idea. Then again, she's met a few Divine Spirits, too.

"It's not surprising if it's different, though. I've talked to someone else here whose world had some other system, too."

[treachereye]

"That is not far from the truth." Now Mairon is simplifying for the sake of ease, since the Ainur aren't exactly gods. He also wouldn't mind being considered a god—although there is a distinction he feels he should make. "But it is my master who would be considered the god. I am his loyal servant."

The warmth around Mairon intensifies as he speaks of his master. A light like fire flickers over him again, although it doesn't burn.

"I used to believe that nothing existed save what was part of the creation I knew, all part of the same music and design. Now I realize that there are many, instead of one." It's revolutionary, to think that there is existence outside of Eru's creation—it is even encouraging.

[lightofchaldea]

Ritsuka nods at that explanation. It makes perfect sense to her, after all. Different gods and spirits of various sorts is, well, more or less how things work in her world. Or worked, since the Age of the Gods is long past.

With that said, she doesn't seem specially awed or anything at the notion of speaking to quasi-divinity, etc. No more than if someone had introduced themselves as a famous hero or such, at least. She also does notice that intensifying heat. Huh... he must really feel strongly about his master, then.

"It's weird suddenly finding out something existed all along you never knew about, huh? But it's fun, too, seeing new things..."

[treachereye]

It is true that she does not seem particularly overwhelmed, as a mortal of Arda might be to find herself in conversation with a Maia. Yet the nature of this place and what she has said about her life makes her nonchalance less surprising than it might be otherwise.

However strongly Mairon feels about his master, he says no more about him, instead nodding at her words.

"It is strange, yes, but enjoyable as you say. There is a sense of excitement in knowing that there are so many other possibilities." The order he knows is not all that there is. Someone else might create a universe.

He raises a hand to direct her attention to a gate between two buildings. "The yard is through here. We are almost upon it."

[lightofchaldea]

Considering that the enemies she had to fight to save the world included demons, goddesses, and two of the great Beasts manifested from the evils of humanity, it does take a fair bit at this point to overwhelm Ritsuka. Not that she lacks a healthy respect for the power of such beings, of course, but that's a bit different, isn't it?

"Yeah, there's people from all kinds of different worlds, and even this world is a lot different from home, in some ways..." Like the whole emotion magic thing. That's definitely different.

She glances over in the direction he's pointing, spotting the gate. "Ah, I see it!"

[treachereye]

Mairon isn't looking to intimidate anyone at present—it's more important to him to seem trustworthy, so he doesn't mind her manner. If he were to meet Ritsuka's Servants, he would likely find them strange and unlike what he expects, but he isn't worried about that now.

"It is very unlike my own world as well." Although there is emotion in magic in Arda, in a sense, it is not at all like the emotion magic here—and he still doesn't entirely know how to control that power, so he generally tries his best to keep his emotions in check. Fortunately, he has some skill in doing so, and problems arise only when he decides to unleash them.

When they reach the gate, Mairon holds it open for her, with a smile.

[lightofchaldea]

"Let me guess, peoples' emotions don't usually affect things around them in your world, either?" Ritsuka asks with a grin. She's noticed this is something of a recurring theme.

And if she knew he's the type who doesn't appreciate having his emotions broadcast, she'd definitely recommend learning dunamis to him, but she'd have to realize that, first. For now, she steps on through the gate as he holds it open for her.

[treachereye]

"Not in the same sense, no." Emotions of the Valar and even Maiar can have quite drastic effects on the world, but in the sense of everyone having emotion based powers—even Men—definitely not. The fact that he cannot master his own yet only serves to illustrate that fact.

Mairon is very busy learning all ways of this world, so he is familiar with the concept of dunamis—and everything else one can easily learn from the visitor center and helpful long-term residents. Still, learning such things in depth takes time.

The yard is nothing special, just a space for the smiths to move supplies through, and store things when necessary. Yet it is relatively empty now, and quiet. Mairon brought the sword with him into the marketplace to show anyone who was curious or perhaps needed some convincing, but this is where the experimenting can actually take place.

"If you're prepared, we can begin. As I said, it will not take much effort, or much of your time."

[lightofchaldea]

Ritsuka glances around the yard as she steps inside, curious, but it seems there's little enough to see. So, she soon turns back to face Mairon when he speaks.

"All right. What do you need me to do?"

[treachereye]

It's a quiet place, but not completely isolated, as there are doors and windows looking out onto the yard from the establishment, and the business is bustling today, so workers and customers can see them, if they care to look. Mairon isn't worried about privacy—just ample space.

"Now, first of all—and this may seem strange to you, but tell me what you feel when you look at the blade." He unsheathes it. It glitters in his hand. "What do you think of it?"

It's important to Mairon for the things he makes to have an effect on people—to charm them, to draw them in. To be beautiful. Like its sheath, the blade is decorated with delicate symbols. The metal is a symbol that is very nearly white. A blade like this should make its bearer feel confident and more willing to take it up. Mairon has tried to imbue it with that wish, but there is much more emotional interference here than he's used to—the ways his powers are similar to this world's magic can be as much of a hindrance as a help. He wonders if Ritsuka, an otherworlder, will be able to feel its charm.

[lightofchaldea]

Ritsuka's eyes widen a bit when she sees the blade. It's certainly not the first time she's seen a weapon of magnificent craftsmanship, but those others were always already in the hands of the Servants who were their rightful bearers or owners. It somehow seems a bit different when it's being shown to her by someone who actually made it.

... Though oh, right, he wanted to know what she thinks, didn't he?

"It looks beautiful," she says, folding her hands behind her back as she leans forward a bit to get a closer look. "Almost like some sort of holy sword..."

It might not be Excalibur, but there's certainly something of a similar sort of ethereal air to it. Although...

"But it somehow seems like it... needs an owner?" Her brow furrows, she's not sure how to put the impression she gets. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean Mairon's efforts weren't effective, though. Ritsuka is simply a person who, if handed a powerfully magical, literally wish-granting relic, will feel no particular interest in actually attempting to use it.

[treachereye]

"Thank you." Mairon nods, interested in her reaction. If he minds that she doesn't feel pulled to wield the sword, he doesn't mention it. He does genuinely wish to see how a range of people react to the sword. Some have stronger wills than others. It does not surprise him that this young woman who has congress with spirits should have a stronger will. "This blade does want a bearer, yes." He likes to make things that are fair, entrancing.

Holding the sword expertly—there's no chance of Mairon mishandling it, as he is its maker—he presents it to her, hilt first. "If you will take it—you should know without being told how to grasp and wield it." The sword should be as easy for her to wield and use as, say, a pen. Although the metal it is made of should be quite heavy, it will feel unusually light when she takes it in her hands. A child could bear this sword.

"Its name is Mussë, which means soft. But it is soft and light only to its bearer, not whatever opponents they might face."

[lightofchaldea]

Even without any outside help, Ritsuka's seen enough swords handled to have a rough idea of how to grasp one. So she grabs the hilt more or less correctly, and... Well, that is a weird sensation. Like somehow knowing something she doesn't actually know. It startles her enough she almost drops the sword... But a healthy respect for such weapons means she makes herself maintain her grip. It isn't necessarily a bad thing, after all, just... surprising, is all.

Instead, she lifts it. Carefully, despite the apparent ease of holding it. It wouldn't do to get overconfident only to have some sort of accident, after all.

"It really is like some sort of enchanted sword, almost like something out of a legend or fairy tale..."

[treachereye]

"Yes, in the right hands, Mussë could become a sword of story, when it finds its bearer. A young and untrained warrior on a long and arduous journey could wield it to great advantage. It might make for an interesting tale. But this is not a sword of great power such as the heroes you spoke of would earlier would bear. It is of a small power. While I learn the ways of this world, I will be cautious with my making."

Even if Ritsuka were to lose her grip on the sword, she wouldn't actually drop it. The sword knows what it's doing. It's a beginner's sword, although an expert swordsperson could also find some benefit to using it.

"If you wouldn't mind trying a few practice strokes? The blade will not harm you."

[lightofchaldea]

Ritsuka nods at that explanation. It is like a fairy tale sword, but still nothing near the level of the sort of truly legendary weapons the Servants possess. An unnamed magic blade, perhaps, not a weapon so famous in its own right as to qualify to be a Noble Phantasm.

"Most weapons usually don't, without someone using or misusing them," she says, apparently still having enough presence of mind to quip back with a hint of her usual snarky humor. Still, she does as he asks, turning and stepping away to face an open, empty space before attempting a few slashes in the vein of mimicking what she's seen a certain knight do.

[treachereye]

"Most weapons don't, but blades of power might." Not this one, certainly, but Mairon could make a much more horrible weapon than the one she's holding in her hand. "If misused, they can bring their bearer to harm." Or if just made with ill intent.

"Though Mussë will do no such thing." Technically, Sauron could use the sword to exert an influence over its bearer, but that isn't his goal at the moment. He is genuinely experimenting. His experience with both Empatheias and humans is still limited. He watches her swing the sword, and he nods, seemingly satisfied with what he sees.

"Now, strike at me, with intent to hit me." If it works as he's planned, the sword will assist the speed, timing, and accuracy of her blow—not that she could actually move quickly or with force enough to strike Mairon. It takes a very special kind of warrior to land a blow on a Maia. But it would serve her well against a human opponent.

[lightofchaldea]

"You mean like a curse or geas or something?" Ritsuka really is pretty familiar with these sort of things, for all she herself is almost utterly lacking in any sort of special skills. And he most certainly could dominate her if he tried; for all her strong will, she's hopelessly lacking in defenses against that kind of direct assault.

"Eh?" She looks a bit surprised at his suggestion. "Are you sure?"

[treachereye]

Currently, Mairon is in the "biding his time" phase. Sometimes you have to spend time earning trust before you have the pleasure of betraying it.

"Those are both possibilities. But an object of power can also develop its own will, after a fashion. Or some lingering remnant of a prior owner might affect its actions. There are many factors to consider." He's considered them all. "But this sword is free of such corruption."

Mairon nods. "I am sure. As I said, I am a spirit. I cannot be harmed in that way."