TEST DRIVE: June

[empevents]

— TEST DRIVE: JUNE —

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 May 25th and Applications (Canon | OC) open a week later on June 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.
  
  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: One of Verens' oldest and most influential natives has become fascinated with superhero stories that have been introduced by Otherworlders, but he's not the only one either. It turns out a lot of young children are also into it these days, so the man has started the first annual Superhero Convention in Empatheias! Otherworlders are encouraged to attend and dress up as their favourite heroes, or perhaps they are heroes themselves? If not, why not make up a costume and a name and introduce yourselves? Why not challenge somebody dressed as a villain and show off your cool powers for the kids? But wait, it's not all going to be fun and games today...
  

  1. The Revengers: The superhero festival has come under attack! Surprisingly, it's not by supervillains, but by fantasy LARPers who feel as if their spotlight is being taken away by this superhero trend. In fact, this very ground was supposed to be used for their own convention, and now they're here to take their frustrations out on the heroes and villains. Watch out, some of these troublemakers are fighting with actual weapons, so treat this seriously. It's fantasy versus sci-fi! Which side will you choose?
     
  2. Rage of Dummytron: Emotion dummies are special wooden training dummies that come to life when one focuses certain emotions at them. The stronger the emotion, the more tenacious the dummy will fight back. If someone goes at it with anger, the dummy will become extremely hostile, always on the offensive. If it's facing joy, the fight may feel more spirited and fun. And if there's fear, it will actually flail about wildly, as if attacking out of desperation to survive. One particular dummy has absorbed a vast amount of emotions amidst all the fighting when the LARPers attacked, and it has become sentient enough that it can control the other training dummies. They are extremely aggressive to anyone not made of wood. This isn't a game anymore, and all the dummies must be destroyed!
     
  3. Arehtei War: A contest is being held in which everyone receives a glove with seven orbs in it. Each orb represents an Arehtei and the emotions that are associated with that deity. Contestants are encouraged to go out and make others feel any of these emotions (positive or negative) through any means necessary. Anyone can work together or against each other, and it doesn't seem to be governed by any rules whatsoever. Wanna cheat? Go for it. Truly, a fun game for both heroes and villains alike! The first one to fill their Dunamis Glove wins a lucrative prize.
     

  
  
  
  • Prompt E: After a string of odd misappropriation incidents involving a chicken ending up in the Verens newspapers, Emotional Analysis Incorporated is seeking to finesse its tarnished image by piloting a brief program where it invites Otherworlders to be the architects of their own emotion-based research. For a week, anyone who wants to can participate in a series of events where they conduct their own little observation experiments, draw a conclusion, and report back… all for a nice sum of sylvs and a free voucher for Steambucks.
  

  1. But How Does That Make You Feel?: This one is quite simple. Either given a list of questions or given the opportunity to come up with their own, Otherworlder A must conduct a thorough interview of Otherworlder B. Each participant receives fifty sylvs at the end of the interview.
     
  2. Soccer, No Soccering: Ever hear of a little game called soccer? The next experiment involves emotional response and sportsmanship. Otherworlders have to play a one-on-one game of soccer but there’s a twist: they can only use emotional magic to move the ball! Each soccer ball provided responds most strongly to a distinct emotion, but it isn’t always the same one: some might require a healthy dollop of sadness to soar into the net, but some might only move if the player is very, very angry. Each game also requires one (1) referee to monitor the game and make sure no one actually kicks the ball themselves (or worse, touches it with their hands); or maybe someone is unlucky enough to be walking by and suddenly gets a soccer ball in the face.
     
  3. Bunny Bunanza: Welcome to The Bunny Room! It is a room filled with bunnies of all shapes, sizes, and colours. This final observational experiment simply requires hanging out with the bunnies and trying not to stress the animals out too much. That last bit is very important, however, because when imbued with any sort of negative emotion turns the formerly gregarious rabbits into were-rabbits. They are exactly the same as normal rabbits, except their eyes are bright red and they bite at will. Anyone bitten will feel a slight itchiness for about a half hour and spend the rest of their lives with a vague craving for… carrots.

  
  
  
  • Prompt F: A famous Thespian celebrity couple are getting married in Verens and it's causing a huge commotion all over the city. The majority of Verens' main roads are blocked, and people are advised to stay indoors or avoid certain areas if they don't want to participate in the wedding and events that follow. It may seem peaceful, but rumour has it that the celebrity couple's rivals on stage are planning to sabotage the reception. It's now everyone's job—should they decide to take on it—to make sure wedding goes without a hitch! (Ha ha. Hitch.)
  

  1. Bunny Be Mine: One reason or another, you and your partner are undercover as the servers for the dessert bar. While working, the chocolate bunnies (marshmallows shaped like rabbits covered in white chocolate) begin to hop around and cause trouble for the guests! The only way to stop the bunnies is to eat them, but can you truly eat something so cute? Oh, the chocolate bunnies just started munching on one of the sponsors' dress… STOP THEM!
     
  2. I've Been Waiting: With the bunnies having been taken care of, the reception resumes with its games. Both parents of the groom and bride have their speeches; games are had and food is eaten. Towards the end of the event is the bouquet toss, except that's been sabotaged, too! As soon as the bouquet is tossed, bees escape from the flowers and… huh? Are the bees singing in people's ears? Yes, it seems they are! The bees are parked on people's shoulders and are singing some pretty obscene songs and are ruining the moment! One of the guests yells out a way to stop the bees, which is to recite poetry. This will make the bees follow whomever is the singer. Guide them out of the reception area and back into the forest!
     
  3. You Are the Music In Me: With most of the events said and done, the dance floor is now open to anybody who just wants to bust a move. It seems that the DJ had to leave early, though, due to eatings something bad in her food. The record players are ready, as are the speakers, but someone just needs to operate the devices for it! Anybody who helps out will receive 70 sylvs. As lovely as the offer sounds, though, the music's volume, pitch, and rhythm highly depend on the DJ's emotions. If the DJ is feeling pretty irked, then the music will be slow, low, and loud; if the DJ feels happy, then the music will be happy-sounding, as well. Good luck!

  
  
  
  • Prompt G: Make your own! It could include green tea and/or wild buffalos running freely across the plains.
  
  
  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!

Comments

[taiyny]

[ Listen, she's no stranger to giant, beefy, scary looking dudes. In her experience, they're usually trustworthy. ]

You're welcome.

[ She watches them for a moment. ]

I'm Natasha. What's your name?

[beefaroni]

[Name!!! SHE ASKED HIS NAME!!! best day to the max right here.]

... Asterios. It means lightning.

[Pause. He's supposed to say something, right? ... Oh!]

Good. To meet you.

[#nailedit]