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[ emotion tracker ]
The current Emotion Tracker Survey can be found here.
Throughout the gameplay, characters will experience situations that may be more emotional for them than normal. This can be positive (happiness) or negative (anger/sadness). These emotions have greater weight and impact on the island and will affect whether it grows in a positive way or actually suffers. Cumulatively, these experiences can influence plots and events. Players are encouraged periodically, particularly at the end of the month, to fill the survey with threads where particular emotional tags, threads, or entries occur. Technically all emotions count, but we do not want you to feel that you have to submit every time your character smiles at a puppy or every expression. For more "normal" months or days, we would like to encourage players to submit a "state of the month" entry that reflects the character's emotional state for a particular time period instead.
❖ How it works
» Outside of "state of the month" entries, what counts? If you're trying to figure out whether a thread works, here are some questions you can think about:
If you can answer, "Yes" to one or more of these, then drop that thread onto the tracker! It doesn't matter if it was a brief outburst or one that lasted hours—it can count.
» Arehtei and alignments. With the addition of the Arehtei, alignments are also at play. The emotions characters experience can and will affect the Arehtei in either a positive or negative way. Here is the quick list of the Arehtei and the emotions they represent:
» Apathy. Apathy also plays a role on the tracker, although so far it hasn't had too much impact. Yet. Those whose characters experienced moments of apathy are also encouraged to comment to the tracker.
» Emotion reference chart. If you need help figuring out what emotion falls where, refer to our Emotion Reference Chart. These are just some suggestions to help give an idea and is by no means complete or restrictive. You are also not limited to count an emotion to one specific Arehtei. Emotions can cross over to multiple Arehtei, so it's fine to list more than one.
» Completed crystals. Finally, if it's been 4-6 months and you have submitted to the tracker (both the general and event designated trackers) at least two separate times, then your character's crystal is eligible to be considered completed. Once complete, they can get a new one.
❖ How to Fill the Survey
» Notation. The following notation is used for emotions:
» Combinations. If your character is feeling a varying range of emotions throughout the thread, you can mark them all. So for example, the character is calm, then excited, then relieved, then irritated. Just count it all!
» Rating emotions. By default, all are set to 0. Players are to rate on a scale of 1 to 10 how emotional a particular submission is. To help understand, here's a basic explanation:
Everything else will likely fall in-between. We would recommend the highs to average more in the 5's or 6's.
» Multiple submissions. You can submit more than once, for instance one submission per thread. Just be sure to not accidentally duplicate!
» Based on character. Alternatively, if trying to gather threads and figuring each individual instance is too cumbersome (and believe us, we understand!) then you can make a submission based on your character's emotional state up to that time. So it's more of a cumulative/general overview. There are two ways you could consider the ratings: 1) pick highest point; 2) try to average.
» Notes. We do request for small blurbs or thread links regarding the submission.
Choose whichever method makes the most sense and easiest for you. Other than grossly exaggerating, there's really no wrong way to do this.
❖ How it works
» Outside of "state of the month" entries, what counts? If you're trying to figure out whether a thread works, here are some questions you can think about:
- Is this a rare emotion for your character?
- Were there any emotional effects caused by the incident?
- Was it a stronger than usual emotion? For example, your character may be happy overall, but moments where they're filling up the room with sunshine and rainbows would have a greater impact than a casual smile.
- Did the character attempt to use or focus the emotion?
- Was the emotion clearly and strongly reflective of the character?
- Did the character or someone else become aware of their emotions, possibly due to the effects?
If you can answer, "Yes" to one or more of these, then drop that thread onto the tracker! It doesn't matter if it was a brief outburst or one that lasted hours—it can count.
» Arehtei and alignments. With the addition of the Arehtei, alignments are also at play. The emotions characters experience can and will affect the Arehtei in either a positive or negative way. Here is the quick list of the Arehtei and the emotions they represent:
- Aiada: envy and appreciation
- Daimonia: grief and joy
- Elios: hate and love
- Peromei: despair and hope
- Piphron: distrust and trust
- Sosyne: anger and calm
- Thras: fear and bravery
» Apathy. Apathy also plays a role on the tracker, although so far it hasn't had too much impact. Yet. Those whose characters experienced moments of apathy are also encouraged to comment to the tracker.
» Emotion reference chart. If you need help figuring out what emotion falls where, refer to our Emotion Reference Chart. These are just some suggestions to help give an idea and is by no means complete or restrictive. You are also not limited to count an emotion to one specific Arehtei. Emotions can cross over to multiple Arehtei, so it's fine to list more than one.
» Completed crystals. Finally, if it's been 4-6 months and you have submitted to the tracker (both the general and event designated trackers) at least two separate times, then your character's crystal is eligible to be considered completed. Once complete, they can get a new one.
❖ How to Fill the Survey
» Notation. The following notation is used for emotions:
- + for positive;
- - for negative;
- % for apathy.
» Combinations. If your character is feeling a varying range of emotions throughout the thread, you can mark them all. So for example, the character is calm, then excited, then relieved, then irritated. Just count it all!
» Rating emotions. By default, all are set to 0. Players are to rate on a scale of 1 to 10 how emotional a particular submission is. To help understand, here's a basic explanation:
- 1 point would be for a small but significant moment. Like a heart flutter or a bit of embarrassment.
- 10 points should only occur if something extremely dire or substantial happens. If it's 10 points, then walls should be breaking, the ground shaking, things exploding everywhere—basically, the really big "oh shit" moments or, for the positive side, "I'M SO HAPPY I COULD DIE" moments.
Everything else will likely fall in-between. We would recommend the highs to average more in the 5's or 6's.
» Multiple submissions. You can submit more than once, for instance one submission per thread. Just be sure to not accidentally duplicate!
» Based on character. Alternatively, if trying to gather threads and figuring each individual instance is too cumbersome (and believe us, we understand!) then you can make a submission based on your character's emotional state up to that time. So it's more of a cumulative/general overview. There are two ways you could consider the ratings: 1) pick highest point; 2) try to average.
» Notes. We do request for small blurbs or thread links regarding the submission.
Choose whichever method makes the most sense and easiest for you. Other than grossly exaggerating, there's really no wrong way to do this.
no subject
Character: Kevin Regnard
Aligned: Peromei
Date: 1/02
Emotion Points: Ai: +1, Da: +2, Pe: +2, Th: -1
Blurb: Kevin is happy to see his Arehtei doing better and charmed by how she seems even more childlike now that she's perked up a bit. He's proud to be able to give her an acceptable crystal, a little nervous about what he'll see -- and then he sees a vision that gives him some hope.
Date: 1/05
Emotion Points: Ai: +2, El: +2, Pe: +1, Th: -2
Blurb: Edea catches him after being startled enough to break a glass lamp, and despite his continued jumpiness, effectively distracts him with friendship challenges. Edea is pretty great, and Kevin has something to look forward to now.
Date: 1/06
Emotion Points: Ai: +1, Da: -1, El: +4/-2, Pe: +1, Th: -3
Blurb: Kevin frightens Hibiki by startling himself and breaking a glass. She desperately wants to help, and although he hates himself for it, Kevin admits that he just wants her to be there once the dreams have passed, so they can continue the happy life they've built in the past year. She agrees, and he tells her that she's given him another thing to look forward to, even though he's also getting increasingly terrified that she'll either leave him or be taken away once the whole murder thing comes out.
Date: 1/07
Emotion Points: El: -3, Pe: -4, Pi: -1, So: -3, Th: -5
Blurb: Kevin zones out completely and injures Oz during practice, which freaks him right the hell out because accidents like that should never, ever happen. He proceeds to destroy himself over the could-have-beens, as is his wont, and puts his sword away for the rest of the month. He doesn't trust himself with it until he's slept again.
Date: 1/15
Emotion Points: Ai: +2, El: +2
Blurb: That evening, Gil seeks Kevin out. Rather than yell at him, he tries to make Kevin feel better, and even takes him out drinking. Kevin appreciates not getting freaked out at; he's doing enough of that on his own.
Date: 1/05
Emotion Points: Ai: +1, Da: -2, El: +1, So: -3, Th: -2
Blurb: Pony Mom arrives to mom. Kevin is terribly annoyed by this, even as she successfully gets under his skin and gets him to talk about his fears a little and gives him a good hug and all that. He feels a little better in the end, but he won't admit it, because he's Kevin.
Date: 1/12
Emotion Points: El: -2, So: -4
Blurb: Shiro shows up to throw friendship at him, to which Kevin objects strenuously. It takes him all of thirty seconds to descend into one of his nastiest moods and start accusing Shiro of having a hero complex because ye gods, at least come up with a different speech if all you've got is "you don't have to do this alone, I'm here for you". Yes, yes, you and everybody else, go save a kitten that's stuck in a tree or something??? It will be more productive than telling Kevin things he knows already!!! Grr! Argh!
Date: 1/24
Emotion Points: Ai: +3, El: +3, Pi: +2
Blurb: Bucky also shows up to throw friendship at him, which Kevin handles a lot better because 1. Bucky doesn't make speeches and 2. Kevin can open up to Bucky about what's bothering him, because Bucky understands that whole thing where Kevin is the way he is because he murdered a lot of innocent people on purpose. Precious cinnamon rolls take note.
Date: 1/10
Emotion Points: Ai: +5, Da: +2, El: +5/-3, Pe: -2, Pi: +4, So: +2/-5, Th: -5
Blurb: Bulat arrives to save the day, hauling him out of town so Kevin can be as awful as he likes until he sorts himself out. Lots of negativity, because by this time Kevin is made mostly of nerves, and he gets to bitch as much as he pleases because Bulat finds it charming for some reason. He also finally snaps and has a proper panic attack. However, recovery also goes here, and Kevin's with the best possible person to take care of him. It hits him hard how steady and wonderful Bulat is about respecting his wishes and not overwhelming him, while still absolutely refusing to back down and abandon him to his own head. What a lucky guy Kevin is.
Multiple threads total: (delete any unused points)
(+): Ai: 15, Da: 4, El: 17, Pe: 4, Pi: 6, So: 2
(-): Da: 3, El: 10, Pe: 6, So: 15, Th: 18