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

Ardyn Izunia | Final Fantasy XV

[spitefire]

[E]

[Certainly, some of the dinosaurs are carnivorous, and might be interested in making a snack out of a man and yet, this tall stranger just tilts his fedora at them.]

Hello there!

[He sounds perfectly cheerful. Are the dinosaurs interested in attacking? It doesn't really look like it, actually. Some dinosaur minions might be incredibly useful in a strange land.]

[C]

What a peculiar amulet...

[He's going to be very careful about his thoughts as he doesn't want all the sundry to hear them.]

I should say this magic truly is something of interest, don't you think? I wonder how it works.

[G - Wildcard]

[Something else you're looking for? Give it to me. Go for it.]

C for 'sup, gruncle, ig?

[regisrex]

[ ... ah.

Still, appropriate warnings are in order. ]

Good morrow.

Peculiar or not, I would recommend that you do not remove it for any extended period of time, the effects are quite unpleasant.

Is that any way to greet your dearest, oldest uncle?

[spitefire]

[Isn't that voice familiar? How amusing.]

Are they really?

What, pray tell, happens if it's removed?

[Inquiring minds needed to know for possible future use.]

shh Regis is sort-of-fake newlywed, he's not going to start with the fighting.

[regisrex]

[ ... sigh, that tone of voice spells nothing good. ]

I have not personally experienced it, so I can hardly be a reliable source of that information.

But not losing it is in your own best interest.

[ He's trying to help out here, Six. ]

Ah, wedded bliss, sounds like the kind of thing he'd like to destroy

[spitefire]

[He hums thoughtfully.]

How unfortunate. I, of course, will take the utmost care to keep it in my possession in that case.

[There are many things Regis can do to be helpful, in Ardyn's opinion, but at least chatting with him is amusing.]

C

[formerprince]

[ This is a voice which irritates the former prince in a way that Regis himself can't even. Hats off to you, Ardyn. ]

Did you mean to send this to anyone or are you incapable of keeping your thoughts to yourself?

[spitefire]

[He's so proud of himself.]

Merely an experiment, if you will.

[Ardyn is smirking, can Ravus hear it?]

I assure you, I am very good at keeping my thoughts to myself.

[formerprince]

[ Oh, he most certainly can and it only irritates him further though he does his best to not allow such irritation to bleed through the connection. ]

Then I would see to it that it remains as such. I care naught for the things that go on in your head.

[spitefire]

I care naught for sharing what goes on in my head.

Tell me, how are you faring in this strange land.

[A purely innocent question with no motive at all, of course.]

C, text.

[latiosite]

Is that not how "magic" works? Without explanation?

[spitefire]

[A very light chuckle.]

Perhaps, to someone ignorant in the ways of magic.

Everything happens for a reason.

[latiosite]

I'm afraid magic does not exist where I come from so it is just as likely to be the case as not then.

I disagree. I believe it can be the case, but reality is random. The concept of fate is a romantic one, though, of course. I understand why it's appealing.

That being said, you are broadcasting to the entirety of otherworlders such as yourself in case you are not aware.

[spitefire]

How amusing. I believe, just because you may not see the reason, does not mean it isn't there.

[He's very trustworthy on this. Take his word.]

That's alright, I have not said anything I shouldn't have, have I?

i would gladly welcome you to the ffxv family, even if Noctis wouldn't

[brotrips]

[ Things were going too well, obviously. With their wedding looming in the near future, something had to happen to damped Noctis' mood. ]

It works a lot better if you never use it.

What, no love for his favourite uncle?

[spitefire]

[If it's not his dear nephew, what a touching reunion.]

Is that so? You wouldn't be telling me lies, would you? Didn't your father raise you better?

they say there's a thin line, but Noctis is on the other side of it

[brotrips]

I guess yours never did.

There's no place for you here, Ardyn.

Come now, you'll hurt his feelings.

[spitefire]

What? [A mocking gasp.] I never lied!

[He grins. No place for him? What else is new? That's the same as saying the sky is blue...oh wait...]

Here I stand, so there must be. If there is not, well then, I will just have to make one.

C is for Charming Chancellor clearly

[luxoraculi]

[ This is a voice that Lunafreya has never wanted in her mind. But it's here, and it's talking, and so she's going to answer. ]

Perhaps you should ask the Arehtei how they work if you are so inclined to find out.

Someone who recognizes his charisma!

[spitefire]

[He grins, if it isn't the charming Oracle. That's incredibly interesting. It's like all of his favourite pawns gathered in one place.]

Is that so? Perhaps I will. And how are you, Lady Lunafreya?

[He kind of hopes the answer is miserable.]

very charisma, much charming

[luxoraculi]

[ And if it isn't her dear, wonderful murderer. ]

Do you know which Arehtei you are alligned with? Ah, though your kindness is much appreciated, this is not about me, Chancellor. This is about you. Should I not be asking you that question?

[ A polite way of saying none of your business. ]

He is so pleased for the acknowledgement from the great Oracle

[spitefire]

[Such a turn of phrase implies there's a bit of a game to be played with words traded back and forth. He has little else to do right now, so he can indulge in that.]

Aligned with? [Some unseen god-like force? Why would they have an alliance?]

How sweet, I didn't know you cared.

[He's terrible and alive, thank you.]

E

[crisisarrow]

[ Although he may not expect the dinosaurs to return the greeting, one does come from among them. ]

Hello!

[ And one of the creatures will move aside, revealing a young blonde man currently feeding a smaller one. ]

[spitefire]

Ah, greetings!

[He wasn't, but he can work with that, he offers a charming smile.]

Are these your creatures? I was merely admiring them.

[crisisarrow]

[ ooc: I know you're in, but I'm curious about where this will go. :D ]

[ Trey shakes his head in response. ]

No. I happened upon this smaller one first, and then the rest came. I am still unsure if it was a protective reaction or a hunger response.

[ The larger dinos are nomming away above them, after all. ]

[spitefire]

[ooc: Not a problem. :D]

How interesting.

[Ardyn looks at them, wondering if they are perhaps vegetarians and can be persuaded to cause some destruction through size alone. ]

Perhaps I can find you something better to eat.

[He grins at one of the dinosaurs, somewhat wickedly and placed his palm upon it, testing to see if it would attack him.]