Test Drive: December

[empevents]

— TEST DRIVE: DECEMBER —

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 25 November and Applications (Canon | OC) open a week later on December 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.
  
  
• Enable Me/App This Pls. Talk about your app plans or look for a cast HERE!
  
  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 same committee of natives that decided to tackle Halloween have decided to take on the winter holidays of Otherworlders as well! After interviewing several Otherworlders to acquire some grasp on the traditions associated with these holidays, the committee determines that many of the typical winter festivities just aren’t up to snuff with what they like to see in Verens. So after running away with some ideas and getting the locals involved, there are all sorts of new and unusual winter activities popping up around the city! Which one will you give a try?
  

  1. Tree Toppers: At various locations throughout Verens, there are massive, fully decorated evergreen trees standing tall for the public to enjoy. However, there are more to these trees than meets the eye, and should you approach, you will see a placard among the boughs: climb to the top of the tree, and snatch the crown at the top to become Winter Royalty! Sure enough, the trees are topped with crowns made of real gold, but reaching the top may not be as easy as you think. The trees are several stories tall, and they are not particularly stable. Perhaps you need a partner to spot you, or maybe you’re racing to the top! Either way, it’s going to take some effort to reach the crown.
     
  2. We Won’t Go Until We Get Some: Groups of natives have taken up caroling and arrive at your door to serenade and ask for some figgy pudding. The thing is, they are relentless. They will not leave until they have received some figgy pudding, so if you don’t have any on hand (and why would you), it’s time to take a trip to the grocery store and whip up some of the requested dish. Hopefully you know how to make it...or find someone who knows how, quick! Those carolers are getting awfully hungry, and it’s getting late...
     
  3. Elf on a Shelf: Through the course of their “research”, the committee learned of toy-making elves, though they seem to have conflated their understanding of them with another creature from folklore. They have taken imps from the forest, dressed them up in cute red and green costumes, and set them loose in the city, claiming that whoever captures the most “elves” with be rewarded with a giant rocking horse. Some of the “elves” will hide and thus need to be sniffed out, but others still are far more mischievous and are likely to get into your cabinets and drawers. Oh, dear...perhaps you’ll be earning that rocking horse, whether you wanted it or not.

  
  
  
  • Prompt E: The recent death of an Arehtei has prompted some people to believe that there may be some Arehtei who have yet to come back, or have yet to be discovered. As such, a team not at all enforced by the local government are going around encouraging others to join their cause: find new Arehtei.
  

  1. Make 'em Talk: As most Arehtei are like giant animals, the group has captured all kinds of creatures from all over the world and are trying to see if certain emotional reactions will make these creatures talk. Arehtei talk, after all, so it would only be natural for the undiscovered Arehtei to be capable of speech. Perhaps you come by the petting zoo or perhaps you were asked by a member of the team to help out. Your task now is to make the creature before you speak.
     
  2. The Monthly Rituals: The various emotions represented by the current living Arehtei are all well and good, but what about emotions such as Hot and Cold, Rich and Poor, Alive and Dead, Woke and Lit? There are apparently so many other emotions that don't fall under the spectrum of what the current Arehtei represent, and the group is now hosting a ritual at the park in hopes of summoning new Arehtei. People attending the rituals are partnered up again and they have to make their partner feel these new emotions. For your efforts, you are given a cup of either peppermint mocha or raspberry iced tea!
     
  3. Emotional Effects: Maybe even summoning the long forgotten Simpathis, Arehtei of Apathy, might help. Despite the destructive effects of the lack of emotion, people are encouraged to turn off their emotions for a minute or two in hopes of the emotion drops in people's crystals to help the Arehtei in some way. After all, feeling certain emotions make the emotional state of the world tilt in a particular manner. Should there be a lot of apathy, then the Arehtei of apathy might (re)surface and bring some balance! Just watch out for people suddenly making the ground shake. The glass you're holding might suddenly break, or perhaps the street you're walking in might suddenly lose all its colour.
     

  
  
  
  • Prompt F: Life in Empatheias is generally a peaceful one, but it's also important to be perpetually prepared for any kind of emergency. The Verens General Hospital has issued a half-day mandatory First Aid course for all of its citizen. The staff are aware that these kinds of classes tend to be boring for most people, which is why this one will come with some exciting twists! The first thing everyone will notice is that all the training takes place outdoors. To be precise, it's a forest that looks more like a boot camp. Remember, attendance is mandatory!
  

  1. Stayin’ Alive: The first course is a classic CPR course - you and a partner are given an instruction book on how to resuscitate a person, then apply those skills on a dummy. That's what seems to be the case for most pairs, but some others won't be so lucky! It turns out that some staff members will shoot poison darts from afar. If you're hit, it's your partner's job to either suck out the poison, or run back to the supply cabin for the antidote. This is the REAL test! Isn't it thrilling?
     
  2. I Will Survive: The second course is another much-needed skill when it comes to saving lives; namely the fireman's carry. Once again, you're paired up with a partner, but this time only one has to do most of the work, while the other has to do their best to play their part. What does this course involve? It's an army-style obstacle course, where one has to carry another person through various obstacles. How exciting!
     
  3. How To Save a Life: The final course involves performing emergency surgery. Don't worry! The surgery is performed on a test dummy, of course. With the most basic training instructions (which is completely inadequate for this task), you and your partner are tasked with surgically removing the dummy's kidney and replacing it with a fresh one from your medical box. Work slowly and carefully together... and don't panic. Seriously, don't. The staff have also released some monster snakes nearby, just to add to the excitement. Stay calm, and the creatures won't sense your presence. Alternatively, one partner can fight them while the other one works on the patient. First Aid has never been so blood-tingling before!

  
  
  
  
  • Prompt G: Make your own! It could include music and/or jump ropes.
  
  
  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

Minako Aino | Sailor Moon

[soldierofloveandbeauty]

D-2
[Minako was all for singing and just happiness coming from it. But she wasn't exactly one for being annoying about it over wanting something like jiggy pudding... whatever that was. The young blonde didn't have a single clue. But as she was trying to go about her day she realised they were relentless. Here. There. Everywhere she went they were there singing.

It eventually got to the point where she was covering up her ears and trying her hardest to just ignore them. But that ultimately failed. With a small sigh of defeat she looked down at the floor.]

If I knew what you wanted I would give you it, but I have no idea what it even is. [A small frown passed by her lips as she started to ponder over the possibilities. It must be a pudding of some kind, so maybe she could attempt to make it herself or see if she could find some. But instead, as she turns her head she points to the first person she sees.]

You there! Can you help me on this mission of figgy pudding importance?

F-1
[Poison Darts. really? Minako had been a little too focused on the task at hand to even notice one coming right at her, hitting her square in the arm. It was only when it hit that she even realised and started to feel a little dizzy.]

Timeout for a moment I appear to have a dart in my arm.

[She moved to pull it out before leaning to the side, sitting up wasn't the best idea but she was trying her best to deal with the situation at hand. Although as she looks around it looked like the world was spinning.]

Is it just me or is the world spinning in circles?

C: Amulets
So, just curious but are there people here who have someone they like or love to put it to a better term?

[Because to get a better understanding of such an amulet she had to, of course, talk about what she considered to be te most important of subjects.]

If so I, Minako can help... Hopefully. I mean I would love to try because love is an important thing and I would want people to have it.

Wildcard
[Go wild.]

F-1

[lightthedarkness]

MINA-CHAN! [Usagi was quick to grab Minako when she looked about ready to fall over and guided her to a seat.] Here, sit down.

Ah, what- what hold on, I can heal you. Where did that dart come from? [She looked around, not really seeing anyone or anything else.] It- are you going to be okay? What should I do? [She could use the ginzuishou, but maybe it was dehydration?]

[soldierofloveandbeauty]

[Sitting down was probably a very good idea right now with the world still spinning. What was even going on? The young blonde had not a clue, all she knew was Usagi kind of looked like she was moving around a lot. But once she was firmly seated she was at least not going to fall over anytime soon.]

I have no idea, just suddenly dart in the arm. Like who does that?

[Seriously? But for the moment she leans back in the chair, no more moving.]

Or why would someone do something like that and whatever was in it must not be good.

[lightthedarkness]

Well, it's a good thing I was around! Um, do you want me to go get the first aid kit or I can heal it the other way.

[Whatever Minako wanted, Usagi would do. If Minako wanted to keep up the pretense of normal high school girl, Usagi would oblige. If Minako rather be healed right then and there, Usagi would do that too.]

Ah here, I still have some water left from the bottles they gave us earlier.

[soldierofloveandbeauty]

First aid kit.

[Minako knew usually it was a good idea to keep up appearances unless it's an absolute emergency, which she didn't think she quite was yet.]

Though would they have something for potion dart? [She soon found herself putting a hand to her head. She felt dizzy, but now she was starting to feel sick. She didn't know what was going to happen and her calm demeanour might soon start to melt away and turn a little bit into worry.]

Thank for the water, hopefully it helps. [Moving her other hand she happily takes it before taking a sip.]

[lightthedarkness]

Right! I- stay here, I'll be back as soon as I can. [Usagi may not be the fastest senshi (that title was reserved for Haruka), but she could keep up with the fastest senshi, so she put that speed to good use, besides, she had plenty of practice running long distances with always being late to school. This was more important, Minako was hurt.

The danger her friend was in sped her up and she managed to get back to the supply cabinet and grabbing the first aid kit, an antidote inside as if (unsurprisingly) they were aware something poisonous would come along.

Usagi wasted no time in running back, panting as she skidded to a halt in front of Minako, truly panicked for her friend's safety to the point of her hands shaking. Was she not in time? What if she had taken too long? She should have just turned into Sailor Moon and been done with it!]

M-Mina-chan I'm back!

[soldierofloveandbeauty]

[Minako felt her eyes slowly closing. She was trying her hardest to keep them open but with her surroundings slowly turning to black, she really had not a single clue as to how long that would be. The water had fallen to the floor as her arm went limp as she could just hear the voice of her friend.]

D-Did it have anything to help? It's getting dark right now...

C

[quiescis]

Oh ... Um... Well.

[She falls silent after a moment but the hesitation is laced with a bit of curious longing.]

How do you help with love? It seems like such a storybook thing. It happens or it doesn't...

C

[soldierofloveandbeauty]

Well it depends on the problem. Like... some people might not understand how to deal with someone without looking dumb, or... just how to tell someone they like them. Things like that.

[Minako seemed confident as she was talking, but considering she has never had a boyfriend, she shouldn't really be.]

Storybooks while are a nice thing to read is sadly far from the reality that is love.

[quiescis]

[Yuri is none the wiser to the girl's experience. After a moment of quiet contemplation she asks,]

Alright... What should you do if the someone you like keeps paying attention to someone else?

[soldierofloveandbeauty]

[Hm, this was quite a good question to say the least. But she figured she had some sort of answer, or at least another question to try and get a better understanding before opening her mouth or in this case mind.]

It depends, are they friends or are they showing an interest in the other? Do they still spend time with you when not with them or is it just this one person?

[quiescis]

[Yuri looks away for a moment.]

I'm not ... I'm not sure if they're interested in each other. But they spend time together. A lot. So I would assume so. [She fidgets, breathing softly.] But he spends time with me as well. I want him to spend time with me.

[The downside to being part of a dating simulator.]

[soldierofloveandbeauty]

Hmmmm...

[She was going to pause and think on it for a moment.]

Well I can't say if he has feelings for someone else to say ways to force that change. But if it turns out not to be the case, just simply asking to spend time works wonders. Think of fun things to do that might have subtle hints of how you feel behind them.

C

[notaratperson]

I don't need help. Certainly not yours, whoever you are. You sound a bit younger than me, I have more experience than you.

C

[soldierofloveandbeauty]

[Rude.]

Experience means nothing so long as the young maiden has some understanding of what love.

Re: C

[notaratperson]

Not all young maidens are as experienced as some other people. As for me, I am not a young maiden and my experience would shock you.

Re: C

[soldierofloveandbeauty]

I would consider myself to be experienced at least. Though by shock me do you mean you've done things no one would expect?

yay I happen to be in the bus rn. Also: even in mind, Zoi just likes listening to his own voice ;)

[notaratperson]

Some things would certainly shock a delicate schoolgirl or whatever you are. Exactly~.

Who are you, anyway? Not that you have any business with me.

[soldierofloveandbeauty]

I am a warrior of love. I am someone who believes that's it's one of the greatest things to have and that true love is amazing when and if you find it.

But as for an actual name I'm Minako.

C

[cuddlepower]

[ With her talk of love, she had definitely attracted a bright smiling boy with sparkles practically in his eyes. ]

I love everyone! Isn't it such a fantastic feeling?

C

[soldierofloveandbeauty]

It is the best feeling, but don't you have the feeling of romantic love for anyone in particular?

[Because of course, that is super important for her to know for... reasons. Maybe. Minako reasons.]

[cuddlepower]

[ He let out a soft hum before shaking his head with a smile. ]

Nope! I just have a lot of love to give, but I don't think I've even been IN love before.

[soldierofloveandbeauty]

You've never been in love before. It's a wonderful feeling when you do. But until then the normal kind of love for all is just as good.

[To say she had sounded surprised was an understatement.]

D-2

[smugyfoxy]

Pudding?

[Being a "former" wild animal, she doesn't have a clear concept prepared meals, much less know what a "figgy pudding" is or why it's so important.

But everyone seems to want it so badly, so she guesses it wouldn't hurt to help out this stranger]

It'd help if I knew what that was

D-2

[soldierofloveandbeauty]

I have no idea myself. it's why we must go out and figure out the mystery that is the figgy pudding.

[Minako pointed out toward some random location. She actually had no clue where to even start but it wasn't exactly going to stop her attempt to try.]

We shall go forth this way~!