TEST DRIVE: April

[empevents]

— TEST DRIVE: APRIL —

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 March 25th and Applications (Canon | OC) open a week later on April 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. These threads do not count toward AC.

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: The Verens Emergency Response Teams are running drills to make sure that the Verens populace, natives and Otherworlders alike, are prepared for any and all emergencies. This means large scale obstruction of public areas, traffic delays, businesses closing their doors temporarily in the name of professional cooperation... and, best of all, Otherworlder participation!

1. Alpha Lava: If you asked Team Alpha, they would say they drew the short straw. They are in charge of the volcanic eruption preparedness drill! This includes cordoning off sections of the merchant’s square and residential district to conduct the following tasks: evacuation drills, where random houses are the "willing participant" of loudspeaker announcements telling them they have thirty seconds to escape their homes before they die; dunamis training exercises, to determine who would be most able to hold back or freeze incoming pools of lava; and, most helpful, the role of victim mannequin. Posing still as a statue for several minutes at a time to simulate being encrusted by molten lava is a thankless job, but someone has to do it.
   
2. Epsilon Epidemic: Team Epsilon's emergency preparedness drill is outbreak of a deadly disease! For this simulation, they will be rounding up helpful Otherworlder volunteers and distributing signs for them to wear around their necks. Following that, instructions are varied. Perhaps some people end up in quarantine, informed that Team Epsilon will shoot to kill anyone who escaped. Perhaps some people are under strict instruction to act out their sign to the best of their ability, and will be penalised if they don't! (What's the penalty? It's quarantine, or no gift bag, or both.) Perhaps they are simply dead and have to lie in the street all day. Yes, that's very boring. No, they don't have a choice. At the end of the simulation, all participants are given a gift bag filled with handmade cookies (courtesy of Team Epsilon's very own multi-talented Agent N) and gift certificate for a spa day for two. Most importantly: have fun!
   
3. Gamma Grandstanding: Team Gamma ended up with the newest preparation drill. Its official title is "People With Indeterminate Motives" (PWIM for short) to keep from throwing a wrench in the Briarlan trade deal and offending sensibilities, but make no mistake: it is about knowing exactly what to do if pirates invade Verens and conduct a hostile takeover. Some Otherworlders will be placed specifically in local business - restaurants, independently owned shops, even the zoo - and trained how to protect them from PWIM. Some businesses will be targeted; others will be ignored entirely (hope you brought a deck of cards!). Other Otherworlders will be asked to play the pirates - sorry, PWIM - themselves, complete with lame costumes (eyepatches, fancy hats, fake parrots to sit on a shoulder, itchy peglegs) for the sake of immersion. Arr! Aye, avast!

• Prompt E: Despite the rain and everybody coming down with colds during the month, everyone in Verens is still doing their best to get ready for next month's Flower Festival. And Otherworlders are definitely expected to help with prep work. After all, it's everyone's festival, so everyone should help make it the best it can be! So here's a few ways to help!

1. Sign Me Up: The Festival needs signs! Lots of signs. And lots of signs need lots of painters! Or one incredibly overworked painter, but in this case, they've decided to go the teamwork route, pairing up Otherworlders and having them make signs advertising various games at the festival! Sounds easy, right? But with emotion based paints in play, be careful. Too much negativity between partners and the wording will change, the paint could run, go too far in the other directions and the signs will be practically glowing, but possibly lead to claims of false advertising!
   
2. Special Delivery Flower Festivals need lots of flowers, and people to transport those flowers! And thanks to handy tech exchange with Briarlan, this year there's some fancy containment units for transporting them. They're really just crates with some fancy looking meters attached, meant to open up when they reach the festival grounds. Unfortunately, these new inventions probably could've used some additional testing and are prone to opening randomly sending flowers all over the place! Try and collect as many as possible and bring them back to the grounds, the festival organizers would appreciate it.
   
3. Flower Round Up! Or maybe painting signs and boxing flowers aren't your thing, so how about...corralling them? With all the good vibes in the air, it seems some of the flower arrangements have literally pulled up roots and are running around the festival. And you can't have a flower festival without flowers, so do your best to try and get them back where they belong before they run off to start some sort of flower civilization in the woods*.
   
   *They probably will not form a flower civilization in the woods, but you never know.

• Prompt F: With Verens trading with more and more cities out there, some shopkeepers have gotten an idea to try and increase sales by encouraging both citizens and Otherworlders to shop local by promoting a tour of various business in the merchant district! Though the crystal has been a little negative, they're still hoping the tour goes off without a hitch! After all, it's too late to postpone it.

1. On the Clock: The first stop is Click, Clack, Clock, a clock shop that offers delivery to anywhere on the island! Unfortunately, due to the poor weather, all of the delivery staff are out with colds, so they're looking for volunteers! And yes, you're on this walking tour, but don't be surprised if you're handed a bicycle and a clock and sent on your way to deliver a clock. Hopefully they remembered to tell you where to go before shoving you out the door.
   
2. Shine On: Assuming you haven't been conscripted into the clock store's delivery force, the next stop is at Verens' very own Restoration Works, an establishment for restoring old antiques and making them look good as new. They've set up an interactive demo for everybody, so partner up and practice using your emotions to bring some shine back to some dull scraps of metal! Sorry guys, they're not going to let you work on anything really valuable during the tour, but if you show some promise, maybe they’ll hire you on in the future!
   
3. Polg-Oh No: Finally, the tour will end with a nice relaxing meal at the Sweethearts Cafe. Or it was intended to be relaxing, anyway (who would've thought the antique store would be the calmest part of the tour?), but it seems no place is safe from the Polgo plague. Better keep an eye on your plates, otherwise the second you’re distracted, the small kitten-sized blue bugs might scurry up the table and try and run off with your food!
   
   Even if you’re paying attention, they might give it a shot anyways. So be on your guard and ready to give chase if it happens!

• Prompt G: Make your own! It could include blueberries and/or buckets.

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

[robindarich]

[A later sabotage. It must be karma. His comeuppance.

The color rushing into her cheeks is all the hint he needs. He doesn't need to see the flowers blushing to scarlet and blooming into bouquets on their own.

"If she's allowed." What kind of]

Relax, relax. [He's not bashful ANYMORE.] I like festivals, so I'll be going. Besides, I don't want to miss anything if it happens. Celebrations like this are exactly what this place needs, huh? It'll attract a big crowd. That means a looot of emotions will be running high. I even get the feeling that some big event will go down.

[hoasen]

[DAMN RIGHT this is what he gets for teasing all the time. Except right now, only good things for him.

Also, just don't look at her, she's a loser?!]

Hmm, you're right, this is important! [That's why SHE NEEDS TO MAKE SURE IT GOES RIGHT--] So, to make sure it goes well, we have to have fun, no? If you are going, [Alright, time to not be shy and actually socialise, you fool.] Then, can we spend some time together during a part of it?

[NICE WORK, YOU TRIED. She also calms a little, because something he said got her curious.] A big event? What do you think it would be?

1/2

[robindarich]

[She mixed the two...

So she really is the type of person that hangs around to make sure nothing goes wrong. Damn, he's good. Serious people are like that.

At least she's trying to have fun, too. If only to prove him Wrong.]

Hmmmm, maybe something like a──

[robindarich]

[Wait a second.] ──What? You want to spend time with me?

[A VAGABOND LIKE HI-- well, he kind of has a place now. Thanks, Sanson.]

[hoasen]

[She's resourceful. Why not mix hard work with fun times?! This plan can't go wrong.

But no he's right! AND SHE CAN HAVE FUN...half the time. At least when she puts her mind to it. Besides, he's goodnatured (lol) so she thinks she'll have fun with him.]

Hmm? [He cut himself off! And then she realised--] O-oh, forgive me if that was too bold! I know we have only just met, but yes, I do. [She wouldn't have asked, otherwise.]

[robindarich]

[You're doing something Wrong when you have to put your mind to having fun.

Goodnatured (i hate u) to her. She doesn't know him.]

No, you just surprised me. [He's emo and a loner. Most people thought he was an ass.

Robin wouldn't hang out with himself.]

You don't have anybody else to hang out with, do you?

[hoasen]

[...LOOK. Actually he's right. Don't look at her.

AND shhhh.]

Surprising? [then again, it's not like she goes out much either, as he JUST SAID.]

I don't know anyone here. But is it a problem? Myself and you, that is.

[robindarich]

[Yes. HE'S A BAD MAN(TM)

Poor girl. She doesn't know anyone here and the first person she runs into is HIM.

Hopefully she doesn't do this often -- invite strangers to hang out with her after just meeting them. Seems like a recipe for disaster.]

Ah, well. It would be a problem if I was a murderer, wouldn't it?

[hoasen]

[But how bad.

It's true, it could be bad. If it wasn't for the fact she fears almost nothing. Is he trying to strike fear on purpose?]

Perhaps. But I would be careful, and if you were a murderer trying to kill me, I'd have to do something about you, no?

[Either he's threatening her, or he's looking out for her.]

[robindarich]

[Yeah, because she should be a little more CAUTIOUS!

Spoiler: He is a murderer.

He's not trying to kill her, though. She's an innocent, responsible, attractive young woman.]

...

[It's both. Always both.]

Hah, hahah. [It's an amazed laugh.] I'd ask what you would do about it, but I'll just respect your fighting spirit. Guess there's no problem, then.

[hoasen]

[SHE'S SUPER CAUTIOUS, EXCUSE. Besides, not everyone is a murderer, the odds are minor.

Also, so was she. Back in the day, man. But she's a good girl, and he's a good man, even if he's bad. She can tell by the way he laughs.]

I wouldn't answer anyway. You'd know what to expect, otherwise. [WOW.] I'm glad, however, if you think there is no problem. So, we can go together?

[robindarich]

[WOW.

Is she being serious or messing around?? She's a lot more feisty than he thought. Behind that very serious face is some personality.]

Sure. Just one question, if you don't mind.

[One. He holds up a finger.]

[hoasen]

[That there is also a secret! She can't reveal everything. But in truth, it was half a joke, and half a tactic. She's played the game enough to not tell everyone everything. That's what Bond Villains do.]

One question? Ask me freely.

[She nods firmly after taking a look at that one finger.] You can also ask more than one.

[robindarich]

[His lips quirk. He can guess that he can ask more than one question, but she would say something like she doesn't have to answer them. Bond Villain...]

Nah, I only have one but I'll keep it in mind.

[The finger lowers.]

Why me? You don't know me much either, right?

[THAT WAS TWO.]

[hoasen]

[THAT WAS TWO. Good thing she allowed him to ask her more than one. And oh shit he's right, doesn't mean she'd answer them.

But this one, she will.]

No one knows each other in the beginning. So, it's a chance, no? Whether or not we're destined to get along is yet to be seen.

[robindarich]

[Destined. To get along.

What does she think this is...

Fate that they met? But there is a point in there. Somewhere.]

So if it turns out you don't like me, whose fault is it going to be?

[hoasen]

[They ended up in the same world, no? It's some kind of weird play of fate happening here.]

Neither. Because we were just not meant to get along, but it doesn't mean it's anyone's fault. You probably have other friends that you can click with, and they like you well enough. So! We will just have to see.

[robindarich]

[Or Amy being THIRST.

Anyway. Wrong. It's his fault.]

I wouldn't call them friends. They're more like allies. [Or just people he's stuck with, depending on who you're referring to. Rivals.]

But, sure, there are people I get along with better than others. That's just how things are. There are types of people you don't get along with, right?

[hoasen]

[YOU SAID TAG SO I DID.

Also what part of this is his fault. SHE SAYS IT'S NOT!]

Allies? Still some kind of comrade. So, you get along with them to a degree, see?

[She nods.] Yes, I have those who I don't get along with either. I've been told that I am rather intimidating. [ROBIN DON'T LAUGH.]

[robindarich]

[I JUST MEANT U WERE FILLING MY INBOX AGAIN!!!!

He shrugs.]

More or less, yeah. [For example, he gets along with Billy much better than he does with Red Archer. Lip more than Meltlilith. Liz more than Tamamo. Cu more than Sanson. And so on and so forth.]

You?

[INTIMIDATING, HUH? He doesn't laugh.]

Well, I'll put it this way. A normal person would be intimidated by a potential murderer. It sounded like you would fight them off instead of run off. It was a little intimidating.

[hoasen]

[TAGS YOU IN TEN MORE PLACES THEN.

See, everyone knows this! Such as, she would like to tsun America forever. Even when she's nice to him. Because he's a hero.]

Oh! Well. [it's not like she's completely innocent.] I suppose you're right. Then, do you find me intimidating?

[robindarich]

[makes a inbox specifically for amy tags then

He scrutinizes her.]

Not yet.

[hoasen]

[good--

So far so good?]

Good, I wouldn't want to intimidate you, honestly.

[robindarich]

[A lot of the women he knows he's at least a little intimidated by.]

It's a bit difficult to get along with someone when you're intimidated by them, huh?

[hoasen]

[Robin, you sound kind of whipped.]

Exactly! So, I'm going to do my best. [To be...not intimidating?] Ah, when do meet, or do this...? [Since she doesn't know him, she doesn't know exactly how to begin other than "We meet here at X Time."]