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.

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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..."

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."

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!"

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.

"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.

"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."

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?"

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.

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.

"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."

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..."

"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."

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.

"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.

"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?"

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."

Well, both those explanations fit into what Ritsuka would consider a 'cursed' weapon of some sort. More or less. One of the side effects of associating with the spirits of heroes of legend is being exposed to a lot of said legends, including some of the not so pleasant for the hero ones.

She nods at his assurance. She's used to the Servants, beings who, though (usually) human in life, are now far more powerful in all regards. Any of them could undoubtedly block, dodge, or simply shrug off any ordinary human's attack, so if this is remotely similar, there shouldn't be anything to worry about. And Ritsuka figures Mairon can be trusted not to put himself at risk of injury so easily.

"Okay..."

Even if she knows intellectually it'll be fine, she still doesn't like the idea of attacking anyone, however. So it takes her a moment to gather her resolve, but once she does... She strikes decisively, the trust she places in his assurance that he won't be harmed allowing her follow through without holding back.

From Mairon's perspective, there is a huge difference between a curse and those other factors, but he is an expert both in making powerful objects and in curses. Effectively, to a human, there may not be much difference. He wants to see how the sword behaves against an actual opponent—not a practice target. Using a mortal could lead to an accident, which he isn't actually concerned about—but he is concerned about his reputation.

When she strikes, she should ideally feel a pull, an increase in speed and strength—to a degree that isn't inhuman, but is closer to the abilities of a human with extensive sword training. She may also feel a pull to fight, a eagerness for battle, but that depends on her temperament, which so far has seemed anything but bloodthirsty.

When the blade strikes Mairon, he simply—isn't there, removing himself so quickly that her blade passes through air. Even if it had struck him, it wouldn't have damaged him, but it seemed it might alarm her less this way than having to hack at him with a sword.

"And how did that feel?" asks Mairon, standing a few paces from his previous position, as calm and unruffled as if someone hadn't just swung a sword at him.

Ritsuka's definitely not remotely bloodthirsty. She has the resolve to fight unflinchingly when she has to, and doesn't hesitate when it's necessary to put an end to a true threat, but she doesn't like seeing people hurt. Not even her enemies.

The way the sword itself seems to guide and enhance her movements feels... strange. If she hadn't been forewarned that it was made to do precisely that, she might have tried to resist it. At least though she isn't particularly surprised when Mairon simply suddenly isn't there; she'd been expecting, trusting, that something of the sort would happen.

"It's... kind of like it has a mind of its own?" she says. "I mean, not exactly, but it seems to know what to do even if I don't."

Ritsuka's not entirely sure whether she cares for the feeling, though she can definitely see the potential benefit.

"Yes, since you are not sure of your skill with a blade, it acts as a guide. A more confident swordsperson could bend the sword to their will and tap into a different aspect of its power, but that could come with time. It is intended to train its user, in a way. Its bearer should grow in skill over time." It would be a useful sword for anyone to use, except for the danger of falling under Mairon's influence after using it for too long.

"Tell me, did you feel anything of note? Especially anything negative—since the magic of this world is strange to me, I am wary of my work taking on unintentional traits. Any impression you can provide might be useful."

"Huh... That's a lot of stuff for just one sword to do."

She sounds kind of impressed. Or at least appreciative of how much skill and power it probably takes to make such a thing. She takes a moment to think over his question, though.

"Hmm... I guess when I tried to attack you, it was like it was trying to make the attack better somehow. But that's what it's supposed to do, right?" Certainly if there had been any special eagerness for battle, Ritsuka doesn't seem to have notice. Of course, she'd only struck at him as instructed with the complete faith that, no matter what she did, he wouldn't be hurt anyway.

"These are subtleties, but I did design it with more than one focus in mind. Its ultimate purpose is to serve as a beginner's sword, but it is also not so simple. I do like to challenge myself." This is true. He doesn't like to cut corners or go easy on himself. He wants to make the best things. He inclines his head at her praise and appreciation, and a fire-like light flickers over him.

"You're correct, that's precisely what it's supposed to do. It sensed your will, which came from my request. I'm pleased to hear that. Now—I would like you to try striking me again, but while experiencing a strong feeling—something not directly related to battle, like sadness or joy which comes from something else entirely. I would like to see how emotion might affect a sword I made in this world."

"Something that's not to do with fighting, huh..."

Ritsuka takes a moment to try to think of something appropriate to call to mind. Though truth be told, quite a lot of her recent experiences--and thus the strong emotions that go with them--have been intertwined with combat in one way or another. So it takes a moment to find a strong enough memory she's sure fits the criteria he's laid out.

"Okay, I think I got something."

"Excellent. Keep it in your mind. And with that held in mind, strike again. I want to know what the sword will do, faced with an opposing feeling."

It may change what the sword does, and it may not. Neither outcome will be negative for him—if he can figure out a way to incorporate this world's energies into his work, it could be beneficial.

"Again, there is no need to fear you will harm me."

"Right."

She'd taken him at his word before, and he'd proven that his claim that he won't be harmed is true, at least. So she nods, taking a moment to collect her thoughts before she tries again. She calls to mind a memory from when she first arrived at Chaldea, before things had turned into a desperate struggle to save the world. A pleasant memory of budding friendship, but now powerfully tinged with bittersweet feelings of fondness, deep respect, and loss.

Of course, as an avid learner and practitioner of the local Dunamis emotion magic, there's little external sign of the emotions she's calling on, but hopefully that doesn't make a difference to what Mairon is hoping to test. So, Ritsuka focus on those feelings, friendship and curiosity, excitement and wonder at a new experience, nostalgia for a time when worries were fewer and smaller, grief for what has been lost. A veritable cocktail of emotions, but certainly all the stronger for it.

Holding those feelings in mind as best she can, Ritsuka hefts the blade to strike at Mairon again, still confident enough that she won't hurt him to not hold back.

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Test Drive: May

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