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

[trypanophobic]

Yeah, you would, and yeah, I would have! But I don't even kill for money anymore. And I've never had to dress like a girl to make money!

[these days, Killua kills people without a reward incentive! tyvm]

You really don't have better options? You're really just gonna try to solicit a young boy to play that role for you? You got a loan shark after you or something?? Have some dignity, old man. Jeez.

[Killua is not a Gentle Person]

[cardshark]

No, I don't have any loan sharks. [Not in this fuckin' realm at least. He can't say the same about where he's from though.]

But when you're a grown up, it's nice to have money so you can buy places to sleep, food, and medicine for your pokemon.

[Grimsley crosses his arms]

You're making it sound weird. Young boys used to always play women in theater. I understand that your education may be limited due to your age...

[He'd give up soon enough, just... This would have been so easy.]

It's fine, I can sneak onto that boat by myself. I just didn't want you to feel left out since you read the ad first.

[Grimsely straightens his scarf and shrugs.] Well, seeya.

[trypanophobic]

[what the fuck is a pokemon... also, Killua understands why having money is nice!! what the fuck? he isn't like, 6.]

I'm extremely educated, you dumbass! [Killua points at him indignantly.] It depends on the culture, first of all! Second of all, we're from different worlds, aren't we?! So why would you even say something so presumptuous?! Back home, sometimes it was adult men who just happened to be pretty— [wow, semantics? BUT LISTEN ZOLDYCKS ARE VERY CULTURED. THEY'RE LIKE MURDER GEISHAS. they're useless as high class assassins without the ability to blend in with high society for a job, even as children!]

...But, wait. What? Wouldn't they eventually catch you as an unattached person lingering around the cruise??

[cardshark]

You hardly speak like it! [Grimsley frowns] It's unbecoming of young men to speak so roughly. Have a little class, hm? And sure, adult men can be pretty, but I'm getting on in age a bit here.

[Grimsley turns] You think a man like me can't lie to a few underpaid bozos? Besides, all I have to do is take a few pictures and leave. I can just surf up on my Sharpedo. Ah, right. Different worlds.

It would be easier to show you, I suppose. [He pulls a pokeball out of his sleeve, and releases it into a nearby fountain. Sharpedo lets out a little roar and does a quick lap in the fountain.]

[trypanophobic]

Hey! I only speak with class if I'm being paid for it, [Killua shoots back sharply. with his sudden demonstration, Killua's eyebrows raise, and he almost jumps back again—but his body tension is palpable, immediately on the defense.

then... there's.... a shark??

wow, Gon would probably love this. Killua, however, blinks owlishly, confused as to what he's just witnessed. he remembers the beast that they were riding in the race did something weird, too—but it wasn't literally pulled out of his sleeve.

he thinks, anyway.

he glances at Grimsley. how he do that........]

You're some kind of beast tamer?

[cardshark]

Sure, you can call me that. That's part of it.

[He releases the rest of them, just for kicks. There's the Houndoom from before, a big fat kaiju lookin' Tyranitar, and a Honchkrow. They're supposed to be pretty menacing creatures, but they all move in immediately to investigate Killua]

They're friendly. [he says offhandedly as Honchkrow, a nearly three foot tall bird that looks like it's wearing a hat, starts beaking around Killua's pockets for treats.]

[The Tyranitar, at nearly seven feet gets down on it's nubby arms to sniff Killua. It tilts its head and backs up slowly.]

[And Houndoom gives Killua a friendly lick on the face that definitely leaves a really warm tingle. Grimsley looks a little surprised and starts looking for something in his sleeves]

Oh, uh...

[he pulls out a berry and hands it to Killua]

Eat that before the poison sets in, alright?

[trypanophobic]

[Killua doesn't dislike animals, per se. but he also doesn't like them. he isn't like Gon, bonding in communion with beasts, talking their talk and walking their walk; no, at best, Killua is strongly indifferent. so when Grimsley releases these beasts, Killua doesn't react with enthusiasm. when Honchkrow starts beaking around at his shorts, Killua recoils slightly, pushing at its beak—only when he hears they're "friendly."

animals are a hassle.

he recoils a little bit when the Tyranitar sniffs at him, but doesn't physically resist.

when he's licked, however, Killua visibly shutters and cries out with no uncertain disgust.]

Huwah—!

[NASTY

He blinks at Grimsley. normally, he'd casually announce poisons don't effect him... but he's never seen these creatures, and he doesn't know what their venoms are composed of. chances are, he'll be better off than most—but this is a different world, right?

Killua takes the berry, popping in his mouth. he Looks physically uncomfortable.]

What the hell—do you always release several "friendly" beasts at the same time unto a stranger?!