memepatheias | 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

[Her would-be kidnapper was unarmed too. He had been so friendly, and so kind, as he tried to lead her out of the mall. It's only when she'd tried to go back to her father that he'd shown his true colors.

The sun brightening and the air becoming warmer... it has the opposite effect that Mairon intends. She fears the outdoors, and it reminds her she's outdoors, with a stranger who is holding her pencil.

She has to get it back. But, to do that, she has to stand up for herself.

And that starts now. All she has to do is demand her pencil and then she can leave. Tears still fresh on her cheeks, she stands up, takes a step over to the stranger, and holds out her hand, a slight frown on her usually blank expression. The only sign she's still afraid is the way her hand trembles.]

Give it back.

[Mairon continues to radiate calm and goodwill; not only for her benefit, but because that's what he does here. He understands that humans are weak and have many fears, even though he doesn't know the reason for the strong fear of this particular young woman. It amuses him more than anything, but his manner remains gentle and concerned.

When she steps toward him, he can tell he's still afraid, but he makes no move toward her.]

Of course. I'll put it down so you can take it.

[Although just before he does so, he appears to be distracted by the slag that resulted from her terror, so he hesitates on the verge of putting the pencil down.]

But—it's a shame about your subjects. I assume you were drawing the stones? I noticed them, a striking formation. Please allow me to make up for my incaution.

[Mairon has no idea if his actions will alarm her more, but he wonders. As a master smith and a spirit with a strong connection to minerals, it's no difficulty for him to reshape the shapeless matter into stones. And very shortly, that is what they are again: solid and natural in appearance, as if no destruction had taken place. They don't look exactly the same, because Mairon didn't make a close study of them.]

Not an exact copy, but my approximation.

[She's completely incredulous at the melted stones reforming into their natural shape, even if she can tell instantly that the layout of the stones is not exactly the same. She knows of the emotion magic in this place - she's experienced it firsthand - but... how...?

She bites her fingernail.]

Are you... a magician?

A magician?

[It's an understandable question, but Mairon shakes his head, smiling.]

Not precisely. I do have some magic, but it would be more accurate to call me a nature spirit, if the concept is familiar to you.

[That is not exactly right, but it's not exactly wrong, either. As far as Mairon has experienced, no one here knows anything about Valar or Maiar or any aspect of Arda, so he doesn't usually go into further detail.]

I am a spirit of creation, with a strong connection to fire, metal, and stone.

[She doesn't understand that at all. What is a nature spirit...? Something... religious, maybe? Or something like a fairy, that she's seen in old children's books and drawings?

She stares at him, wide-eyed. Do such things really exist? Are they dangerous? So many questions...]

[He can see her confusion and explains a little further.]

Perhaps your universe does not contain such beings. From what I understand, we come from many different creations.

[Which was an incredible concept for him to accept, as the idea of multiple universes is not a known theory in his world.]

We came into the world to serve as its stewards and to shape it. We are caretakers and artists. My own master is a smith who makes mountains, so this is my area of expertise.

[He doesn't draw any nearer to her, as if sensitive to her nervousness, projecting his usual friendly air.]

You were drawing the stones, weren't you? If you are willing to show me the picture, I can return them to their original shape.

[This whole "other universes" and "magical beings" thing is a lot for her to take in. She still can't quite believe it's not an overly ambitious joke at her expense.

Nonetheless, she takes her sketchpad and shows the drawing of the stones. It's very realistic, although still not entirely complete.]

[Mairon had been similarly skeptical, but all his investigations had seemed to support the idea, strangely enough. He's untrusting enough that he would still be more than willing to credit any evidence that proved it was a lie or illusion, but so far he has no such evidence.

When she presents her drawing, he nods. There is a good level of detail to the sketching, even if it is not complete. A decent level of skill, for a mortal.]

It is well done. I can work with this.

[And it is only the work of a few moments for him to reshape the stones until they resemble the formation in her drawing. The parts she hadn't drawn he fills in with his own imagination, so they may well be of an improved design—in his opinion. A light like a flame flickers over him as he works—he does take pleasure in work, even such a small thing as this.]

Near enough.

[She's utterly astonished, even more than she was the first time. Besides the unfinished parts, it's a perfect replica - an exact recreation. Even the parts that he created from scratch look so lifelike that even she can't tell them apart. She stares at it if she can't believe it's real - but it is real. It's real magic.]

That's... that's amazing...!

I'm glad it pleases you.

[He still doesn't move any closer, considering the intensity of her earlier fear; it's best not to risk pushing her. He keeps a faint smile on his face.]

I am a creator myself, and I would not wish to deprive an artist of her inspiration. I make mountains at my master's side, and this is not so different.

[He sounds like a really powerful "nature spirit," although she still doesn't know what that is. She's utterly enchanted by the idea nonetheless - to the point her entire personality seems to change, her fear seemingly dissolving.]

You... you make mountains? Wow! [She smiles.] I love mountains. There's one near Kurain Village I've always wanted to draw...

We have that in common, then: a love for mountains.

[He notices the complete shift in her manner. Well, if you offer people affinity, or access to something they love, it does usually make them more well-disposed toward you.

He smiles brightly, as if his love for mountains is pure—and he's not exactly lying when he professes a fondness them. Mountains are useful and can be forbidding and deadly.]

Any mountain you could draw, I could shape in stone—although it would be a small reproduction only. I do not have my master's strength or our forges to assist me here.

Test Drive: May

sorry for late! (cw: child kidnapping)

no worries!

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