simpathis: (Default)
Empatheias Mods ([personal profile] simpathis) wrote2014-05-25 12:34 am
  • Add Memory
  • Share This Entry

[ applications: canon characters ]

— APPLICATIONS ARE ALWAYS OPEN

Reserves OPEN
OC Applications are here


IMPORTANT! We are officially in endgame until August 31, 2020. Applications are on a rolling basis. There is a small "block" period from the 1st through the 4th of every month to allow a bulk of apps to be submitted, and then applications can be submitted at any time during the month. Notices will be sent out all at once after the first "block" period, and then between 24 hours to the end of the weekend depending on how many and our schedule. Applications are guaranteed to be processed during the weekends.

Before applying, please be sure to read the following:

  • Read the Rules and the Game Information.
  • Double check the Reserves and Taken Characters lists (A-M | N-Z) to make sure the character you're applying for is not on the list. Also check the comments in case the entry has yet to be updated, as well as any pending applications.
  • RETURNING PLAYERS! You only need to submit any old application. Does not matter how long ago, as long as it was accepted and you have good standing (ie, not banned), it will be valid.
  • Feel free to use the most recent test drive both for practice as well as to use for samples. IMPORTANT! If you submit threads as samples, you must submit the application with that character journal. This is the only way we can ensure that the samples are from you and not someone else.
  • Linked samples must have been made within the past year.
  • You may apply for up to two characters per month.
  • Application challenges are allowed. Reserves will have priority, but it's not definitive. We will choose the better application regardless.
  • Do not plagiarize. If we find that the information provided was directly taken by either another player or source material such a wiki, the application will be rejected immediately. If we find this after processing the application, we will revoke the application and have you removed from the game with potential ban.
  • Reusing content from your own applications from other games is allowed. However, the application must follow our format, and we ask any original written samples to conform to our game. That is, we don't want to read samples that are set specifically for another game's premise. Note: this does not apply to threads linked from other games used as samples.
  • If you are rejected, you cannot reapply for the same character for two weeks. However, you can apply for a different character in that timeframe.
  • Those accepted must fill out all of the required entries within a week to be considered part of the game. Otherwise, we will consider it a revocation of the application.
  • Fill out the form and comment to this entry! You can either paste the application directly to the entry or link it from your own journal/musebox.


We have compiled sample applications from our players to show what the mod team and the application moderators are looking for in terms of writing quality and depth. We hope you find these samples useful!


⌈ PLAYER SECTION ⌉

Player:
Contact: Journal/Plurk/AIM — anything to help identify since someone might share your name handle.
Age: You must be at least 13 years old to apply.
Current Characters: If a new player, just put "N/A"


⌈ CHARACTER SECTION ⌉

Character:
Age:
Canon:
Canon Point:

Background: We do not need a play by play of their life. You can of course provide one, but it's not necessary. A summary of their role in the canon and important events involving their character will suffice. Wiki links are allowed.

Personality: Tell us everything you can about how the character works. What are their quirks, reasons for thinking, habits, and flaws—basically we want to know not only how they act, but also why they act that way. You are free to use canon as examples, but be sure to explain why you are referencing the event.

Abilities: If there are any particular abilities the character has supernatural or otherwise, list them here. Referencing to a wiki list is acceptable. However, if there are any particular abilities that need to be weakened or removed, note them here.

Alignment: Please refer to the Alignment entry to choose which alignment your character would most likely fall under. Include a brief (a couple of sentences max) just to help explain why you think your choice is the best fit.

Other: Anything else you'd like to mention.


⌈ SAMPLE SECTION ⌉

We have two sample requirements.

General Sample: We should see examples of the character's dialogue as well as some introspection or additional narrative to further show how you intend to write the character. This is the most important part of the sample and where most of the weight will be.

Emotion Sample: This is our "game setting" requirement. Essentially we want to ensure that you have a basic grasp of the game's premise, especially with the use of emotions. It can be a small scene, even incidental to the main sample. A reminder that apathetic characters will also create effects, such as loss of color, surface distortion, holes forming. This section doesn't have to be lengthy, but the effect must be clear for us to see.

The emotion sample can be part of the general character sample. If so, please link directly or directly quote that portion so that it's easier for us to quickly find it.

The samples can be "written" in three different ways and you can choose which one will work best for you:

  1. Test Drive. You can utilize our test drive to cover both requirements of the sample. So long as there is enough character portrayal and a scene with an emotional reaction, be it within the prompt or done during the thread, then it can be used for both.
  2. Link out + Written. You can link to threads/entries from other games, memes, or museboxes to show character portrayal, and then write an additional short scene for the emotion portion of the sample.
  3. Original Sample. You can write a complete sample that shows both character portrayal and a scene involving emotion use. This can be one sample or two separate samples. If you opt to write an original sample, you are welcome to use any prompts from any of our Test Drives, Intro Logs, Task Board, and even past events. You are also free to change things up and are not restricted to any of these prompts. They are just here to help offer ideas.

Format wise, you can use either [ brackets ] OR narrative prose. We do require that the writing at least be coherent, have proper sentence structure, and is mostly grammatically correct (we realize that writing styles can be loose/creative in [ bracket ] form so we're giving a bit more leeway). One last suggestion we have is try to have the character interacting with the environment and try thinking of the sample less of a narrative piece but more like a post or thread prompt you might make in the game. That will help the sample show not only how you will write the character, but also how you will play them in practice.


Questions: If you have any questions, ask them here.



Clean copy and paste form here:



(first application page has been archived and can be found here.)
Flat | Top-Level Comments Only
waitingforhope: (Default)

Re: Revision

[personal profile] waitingforhope 2018-08-07 04:09 am (UTC)(link)
((Technically, mods, this will be her personality in the future, not the present. Otherwise I'd be apping the wrong Mai whoops))


PERSONALITY REVISION

The Mai of the Future is, in many ways, a vastly different personality than that of her "Present" self. Having literally been through hell the last few decades, it would have been easy for her to walk away from it all. Jaded. Bitter. Full of hatred and a selfish desire to isolate herself from the rest of what was left of the world.

Ideal? No. But understandable.

However...the woman that emerged from the ashes of it all was the exact opposite. Kind and selfless. With a compassion for humans and animals like that is barely rivaled to those around her. This is conveyed in even the smallest of goodwill gestures.

One of the few remaining animals left in the city, (Future) Scratch was one of Mai's most precious individuals. Her pet, in a sense, even though stray would be a more accurate term. Food in the future was a scarce novelty, yet rather than taking any for herself, Mai was glad to give away her two cans of food to those in the shared apartment safe-house. Scratch received an entire can all to himself, meowing his content at the situation as Mai picked him up and placed him in her lap. The gentle strokes to his fur (and ego) were some of the biggest displays of physical affection she showed, eyes turned downward and focused on him even as she spoke to the receiver of the second can of food: Trunks Brief.

Her dearest (human) friend.

He, too, would get an entire can of food, and when initially attempting to share with her, Mai stubbornly insisted that it was for him and she wasn't even hungry; unfortunately, her stomach betrayed her seconds later. Caught in a lie, she could only blush as her hidden motive was revealed (wanting to make sure he was taken care of first) and resign herself to allowing him to share with her after all...although she was still pleased that he thought of her, and gulped down her portion with a smile. One of the rare times she allowed someone else to take care of her.

Quiet moments such as these--private and out of immediate danger--were when Mai's softer side came out. Then, she acted calm and at ease. Almost demure at times. Perhaps slightly distant emotionally, even towards Trunks, but never without a gentle word of advice or rational thought.

To her soldiers, she was firm but reassuring. First on hand to aid in the bandaging of the wounded or to pull as many away from direct line of fire as physically capable. Prioritizing their survival equally with that of winning the battle. To the children left, siblings Haru and Maki, she was almost motherly in demeanor. They took comfort in her presence, knowing she cherished them and their innocent smiles above all else. Wanting to protect them with everything she had. But, at the end of the day, she still wore the hat of Leader. Putting on a mask of Reassurance in order to maintain morale.

And though they were indeed precious to her, she always kept them at a certain arm's length. Never letting any of them see her emotions of thoughts buried deep within.

Even her relationships with their allies of the Past were friendly enough, although a degree of distance would be a bit more understanding given the faces they wore. Goku had once been a foe turned planetary martyr. The Goku of her time died long before she could ever form a pleasant relationship with him, but the Goku of the Past was seen as their Best Chance at winning. Similarly, Vegeta was someone Mai had never known before his death in her time, but her brief interactions with him proved a degree of acceptance (which would be high praise, coming from the Saiyan Prince). And Bulma...Bulma was slightly more complicated. Because her future counterpart had been a former foe turned friend. Mai's second most precious (human) person, and someone whose death she barely had time to mourn before the latest plan needed to be put into action. So to interact with her younger self once more so soon after that devastating loss was...jarring, to say the least. Unlike the others, their encounters had amounted to more than mere stories Trunks had told her, after all. Though, just as with Goku and Vegeta, she still had Mai's respect and admiration for the sacrifices being made in order to help them out.

Meanwhile, with Trunks things were...different. Somewhat.

Trunks was, perhaps, one of the few to whom Mai was most wiling to tell the Truth. They shared most everything with one another. Secrets. Rations. Above ground living quarters. Even words of encouragement, although those were typically more Mai's contribution to the relationship. She always knew just what to say to the brooding half-Saiyan while bandaging his wounds (physical and mental) to return the smile to his face. Even when she turned away, and he reflexively reached for her hand...so long as it was just the two of them, she would need only a moment before returning the gesture. Reminding him once more that he was, in fact, the Last Hope for Humanity. That, no matter what he thought of himself, everyone looked to him. Trusted and believed that he would be able to win in the end.

She very notably never stated what she, specifically, thought or believed. Deliberately lumping herself in with the general public. Remaining optimistic, yes, but on a surprisingly distant level.

It was very much how she once relayed the information to him that cats would forget their owners' faces within three days' time. Information meant to be consoling to Trunks behind its seeming aloofness because it meant that Scratch would not suffer long-term if either she or Trunks were to die in battle. Something which Mai had long ago resigned herself to the thought of happening.

Though, internally, she had always preferred it would be her.

...which, perhaps explained why she always remained just shy of forming any truly personal bonds. Or shying away from the ones that may or may not have already formed. No matter how strong.

At one point, Mai was even forced to make such a decision--no, perhaps forced wasn't even the appropriate sentiment. It was a choice she WILLINGLY made. More than once, in fact. She chose to stay behind and protect her friends rather than travel back to the Past with Trunks and the others. The Past meant safety, yes, but it also meant running away. Possibly abandoning the rest. She couldn't bring herself to do it. Even if it meant parting from Trunks. HE needed to leave. He needed to survive. Humanity needed their Hope.

And, perhaps...Mai needed to know she could at least save the one she loved held most dear to her heart.

It was a decision she made without telling him, deliberately waiting until the last possible moment before jumping out of the machine. The dome closed, and despite Trunks' frantic protests, banging furiously on the glass...she only smiled up at him. No words passed through her lips, refusing to let him see any sign of weakness. She wanted him to see that she was okay with staying behind, less he blame himself (again). That it was HER choice, and she would have no regrets. Even if it was the last time she ever saw him.

Later, Mai also chose to go on a potential suicide mission to snipe Goku Black and Zamasu at their home base once its location was discovered. Trunks was unconscious at the time, and she didn't even wait for him to recover. Because if he had, he would have either tried to stop her, go with her, or go in her place. She couldn't stand to put him in that position yet again after everything, so she made the decision on her own.

This was, perhaps, Mai's greatest flaw. She's a 30 year old woman with more than twice that in experiential memories and knowledge, and because of this, there are times when she truly believes her decisions are best. Consulting no one--not even the man who's supposed to be, for all intents and purposes, her partner and equal--especially if it was something that involved putting her own life on the line. While far from suicidal, she clearly put the value of her own life far below that of just about everyone else around her.

And yet, when in the heat of battle, Mai's demeanor shifts so dramatically, it was almost as if she became a different person altogether. From a sweet, gentle presence to a stone-faced warrior who willingly stood on the front line of battle. Though fire and explosions and death and destruction. Unblinking against enemies she knew to be far stronger than she and dangers far greater than anything she'd ever faced in her "younger" years. But she was brave, not stupid. Her knowledge of military tactics allowed her to remain cool and collected in the heat of the moment, and she could improvise on the fly in high-tense situations. Giving orders, firing a series of well-aimed shotgun blasts to serve as a distraction, and zooming off on her motorcycle all in the span of seconds. In the immediate aftermath, her first aid skills allowed her to wrap severe injuries with little expression.

Even her manner of greeting new allies--those bearing the faces of long ago, no less--was courteous and professional. Delivering necessary information and important details without once stumbling over her words.

The only time Mai ever truly faltered was when it comes to the subject of Love. Not necessarily the love of her friends or even the love she felt for the young children among the survivors. Yes, she kept them all at a certain distance, but there was still never any doubt how she cared for them. The soldiers respected her. They even refered to her by her first name rather than any official title, despite the fact that they also obeyed her commands without question. Her fellow survivors clearly cared for her as well, concern written all over their faces when she lay struggling after a particularly brutal battle. So close to death that only a senzu bean could revive her. The joy they expressed upon her awakening was too genuine not to come from a place of love. Mai was even unabashed in her treatment of the children, soothing their tears and making it clear just how much their smiles are what drives her from day to day. In fact, she adored them to the point where, just before leaving on a mission she suspected she may not come back from, she gave Maki her hat. Something she'd been wearing for a long time, and one of her few personal possessions. Something the little girl would be able to remember her by.

No, it was the Romantic kind of love that really got Mai flustered. Open displays of affection, in particular. In front of a public audience. Even though Trunks' actions could have been considered warranted, given he had only JUST learned she wasn't dead like he'd led himself to believe, his grabbing of her hand and squeezing it tightly was...a bit too much for her. She blushed. Deeply. Preparing herself to refute or at least attempt to pull away.

Only when she realized just how RELIEVED he was--the strength of emotions conveyed in his teary eyes--did she come up with an alternate solution: focusing on the sensation of relief rather than...something else...she responded by ruffling his hair and insisting that "men shouldn't shed useless tears". This succeeding in dispelling the moment of tension, and she was able to relax long enough to even offer a soft "welcome home."

Kind. Warm. And yet...still at half arm's length.

It's also worth noting that BOTH she and Trunks blushed when Vegeta not-so-subtly implied that it was most important for Trunks to protect her instead of running off with him and Goku after the enemy. In this case, Father certainly knew best, and there was very little either of them could say beyond some half-hearted insistence on Trunks' part that "It's not like that."

(So, yeah, "stubborn denial" could easily be added to her list of flaws. At least, with regards to her feelings for Trunks.)

This habit of suppressing her stronger emotions came to an explosive head the moment Mai found herself face to face with a most horrifying truth: that, despite all her hopes and the strength of her belief in hose around her...in Goku and Vegeta's strength...in Trunks' perseverance and ability to keep giving them all a fighting chance...in Bulma's genius and inventions...in the perseverance of the remaining survivors of the resistance...Zamasu had won. Realization came crashing down upon her, setting off an explosion of irrationality. She was blinded by sadness and anger and lashed out in a way she never had before. Long after her ammo ran out, she continued to fire at the sky before finally collapsing to her knees. She had been mentally and emotionally unprepared for such a fate because she had refused to allow herself to believe it could ever come true.

It was a lesson she had to learn the hard way. One her many years of experience hadn't taught her.
simpathis: (Default)

Accepted!

[personal profile] simpathis 2018-08-07 07:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Congratulations! We are happy to announce that your application has been accepted.

Please follow these next few steps to officially be considered part of the game. Remember that you have one week to do all this, otherwise we will consider it a revocation of the application.

➟ Reply to this comment with the journal you will be joining with, then join the following communities:
➟ Please comment to the appropriate Taken Characters list: Canons A-M | Canons N-Z.
➟ You are required to create an information post on your character journal for easy player reference. Using your application is perfectly fine! You are also free to use one of our Info Post Templates.
➟ When your journal is added by the mod journal, comment to the Player Contact list.
➟ Introduce yourself in our Player Intro post and start playing!
➟ Use the Character Introduction Log for your character intro!
➟ Please note that while we will create a character tag for you, you will need to type it in the first time you use it in each community for it to show up on the list.


Some optional things:
➟ Review the Game Info, Emotions, Amulet, and Island information pages.
➟ Check the monthly mod post for some announcements and an idea of what's in store for the month.
➟ Make sure you understand how the Network works. Remember, Empatheias uses telepathy as communication!
➟ Feel free to make an Inbox post for any private messages that could be sent via messenger bird.
➟ Check this month's plotting post.
➟ Follow the mod plurk ([plurk.com profile] simpathis) for game announcements.
➟ Join the game's Discord chat. You can join it by following the link here.

If you have any questions at any time, feel free to contact us! Once again, we welcome you to Empatheias, and we hope you enjoy the game!
waitingforhope: (yeah sure)

[personal profile] waitingforhope 2018-08-07 08:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Mai's journal will be this one, in case that much wasn't already obvious,
Flat | Top-Level Comments Only