EMBER 3.0 - A Social App for Lost Souls! [September Substory]

[enterthe]

⬦ ⬦ ⬦


UPDATE EMBER 3.1 (OVERFLOW)


The EMBER Application icon flashes alive on the homescreen of all the Lost Soul devices across Jigoku-cho. Not a surprise if your character has been using it already, but perhaps unsettling to newbies or those who deleted it previously. It pops open on its own, welcoming the user and telling them that all Lost Souls has updated to the newest version!

Oh well, why think too hard about it? A lengthy and extremely technically worded Terms of Service appears, even if it's been gone through before, it has some updates. Again, why scroll up to read all that? There's a large ACCEPT button front and center! (There doesn't seem to be a Decline button. Closing out of the App is the only way to not agree... Might want to just delete the App to be safe.)

Accepting moves users forward to App Permissions! A Helpful Window says "Accept All and your profile will be quickly updated or auto-generated for you! Great for speeding set up along! (Recommended)". If that doesn't sway, then each Permission question can be prompted individually. The subsequent windows ask for a variety of totally standard and absolutely above board access prompts. Location Data, Photo/Video Access, etc etc etc- Yes or No! REMINDER: The app will function better if all access is granted!

It doesn't seem to matter what is pressed- all, some, or nothing- the App moves forward for users regardless.
Have fun connecting with your fellow Lost Souls!
⬦ ⬦ ⬦
WELCOME to EMBER
A Social Network for Lost Souls!
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EXAMPLE PROFILE

YDRIS (Immortal) SUTOKU ALLIANCE ☆☆☆☆☆ Creator

✓       ✕ FUCK | FIGHT

STAR RANK
EMBER profiles all have ☆'s denoting... something. The only clarity is that they come with a Title besides them. These are not, as it might first seem, faction star rankings. They're just ranks on some unknown scale. The example profile has the highest rank to be found, 5 stars and the title of Creator.

Everybody else gets between 1 and 4 stars with what seems like an algorithmically generated title. These could be anything from ☆ Stink Man up to more illustrious ☆☆☆☆ Faction Hero. If characters are not happy with their Rank and Titles, they can pay using their profile generated Dragon Coins to reroll. They might get a worse result, so watch out, spending on gatcha can get out of hand...

(OOC Note: Rank and Title cannot be edited or changed ICly by a character, but are fully an OOC choice of rank and title! Make up whatever funny, edgy, cool, silly thing you like and saddle your character with it as their profile title.)

Higher star ranks seem to be weighted in favor of getting Green Checkmarks via the algorithm. Hmm.

SWIPE ¹

Swipe Left or Right, accepting the green or red... proposals? Is that what they are? The App immediately starts a Live Chat between the two parties, complete with recommendations for either highly rated Love Hotels or nearby Fighting Gyms with arenas to use. These come with a variety of discount coupons for use, seems both of these places like to charge by the hour...

ALGORITHM
Stalling on the profile for more than a few seconds results in a loading graphic of a little dancing fire. **Calculating!** it says;

Ding! The In App Algorithm has decided for you! How convenient. The person whose profile was being looked at automatically gets sent a FUCK ✓ or FIGHT ✕, complete with that same live chat initiation mentioned above.

Rarely, there's a third option, essentially an algorithm fail state called CHILL, which still initiates the live chat. That means the system didn't find either of the other two options appropriate. Bummer. It generates completely random suggestions on where to meet, usually a cafe or eatery that is doing an EMBER promotion.

¹ [ DISCLAIMER: At the insistence of one Kim Kitsuragi, there is a link to an additional Terms and Conditions document for which the tl;dr is to "All Ember users engaging in matters of passion and/or violence are encouraged to practice such activities in a manner which remains safe, sane, and consensual.
Any injuries resulting from following through on an EMBER suggestion are not the responsibility of the application. ]

NEW FEATURES - SEPTEMBER
New EMBER, new features! The previous update centered largely around the addition of"EMBER Premium", an area of the app meant for use by Heavenly Celestials (and their wallets).

Lost Soul profiles can receive and cash out a digital currency called Dragon Coins. While Lost Souls cannot interact with the Celestials via the app, the Celestials have some functionality, namely they can donate Dragon Coins to their favorite Lost Souls. Dragon Coins can be turned into actual hell currency through the app- nothing much more than pocket money, but it's a little extra pay! Why not side hustle from your phone?

The big change this update is that Only Celestials seems to have been urolled into the upgraded "EMBER, Go!" a fully functional Augmented Reality Collection Game! Dragon Coins appear as an in-app currency and can be used and collected a variety of new ways, all gamified and presented with cute pixel graphics. Seems that the investment money Ydris hustled up at the Tanabata event went into this and the production value is on point.

EMBER Go!

-GATCHA BANNERS: The Celestials are very visual and they love little more than photos and pretty outfits. Seems they're willing to really whale for their favorites, whoever they may be among the Lost Souls. Those who upload photos of themselves in the current outfit "theme" get a large bonus for contributing to the current GATCHA BANNER running on the Celestials side of things.

September's Theme is "END OF SUMMER" and encourages either fun Beach Wear looks or cozy Autumn outfits. If your character puts in a lot of effort, they might even be the featured SSR for the banner, guaranteeing them a higher bonus pay out! (OOC Note: Character gatcha rate/success is completely at Player discretion!)

-QUESTS: Walking around Jigokucho, the App will buzz and alert of Quests! There are certain activities that when interacted with and posted to EMBER, result in Dragon Coin pay outs. Try out that new boba joint, you get 20% off and a Dragon Coin kick back- just remember to take a photo of your pretty drink.

These are very likely to be active at Character Owned or Managed Locations, so be sure to stop in a support your fellow Lost Souls!

-COLLECT 'EM ALL: The most game part of this phone game, all Lost Soul profiles have a cutesy sprite versions of themselves! They're even animated, how precious... Don't you want to collect the whole roster? These are scattered about the map, spawning characters largely in the areas their faction holds territory. Hopefully nobody walks into danger looking for that shiny variety of their significant other...

You can grab all your friends and enemies, rename them as you please, and play with them as little Tamagotchi-like critters. Level up your favs and play minigames, it's a fun distraction on your device, nothing too deep.

Sure, forgetting to feed them is grim, but why not enjoy loading up an enemy to languish in digital space uncared for. It's cathartic! Maybe be careful, other Lost Souls can absolutely look at your collection and see how you treat them in digital space!

-PRIVATE PROFILE: Don't want any of this? Profiles can be set to Private! This doesn't actually block off from other Lost Souls, but it's an easy way to opt-out of EMBER, Go! and the Celestials. The cost is "all Dragon Coins" currently on account. If you're not playing, they why bother with those?

(Due to some obtuse design choices, it might be difficult to find this option... Your character would be forgiven for not even realizing it's there!)

PROFILE HTML
(Use squared Image for best profile template fit!)
<center><table style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 2;"><tr><td width="260" align="center"><img src="IMG URL HERE" style="width: 245px; border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid #7F7F7F; box-shadow: #8D8D8D 1px 1px 1px;"><br /><b><big><big>CHARACTER NAME (CHARACTER AGE)</big></big></b><br> CHARACTER FACTION ☆ to ☆☆☆☆ CUSTOM TITLE <br><tr><td><center><span style="font-family: times; font-size:40px; color:#2EB82E;">✓</span>       <span style="font-family: times; font-size:40px; color:#CC0000;">✕</span></div> </center></td></tr></td></tr></table></center>
FUCK ✓ / FIGHT ✕ / CHILL O HTML
✓ <span style="font-family: times; font-size:40px; color:#2EB82E;">✓</span> ✕ <span style="font-family: times; font-size:40px; color:#CC0000;">✕</span> O <span style="font-family: times; font-size:40px; color:#0000FF;">O</span>

-EMBER is a separate app on a character's phone which functions using the main network.
-This is fully canon to the game! Threads on this post or using the prompts above for Log Posts of your own both count as a SUBSTORY thread. Per mods, these can be used for (1) Point rewards, per qualifying thread!
-Post a profile below, engage with other Lost Souls or Ember Go! prompts, and/or tag around to other characters using the SWIPE, ALGORITHM, or just start a chat!
-Ydris' programing is actually on point by this update! They've grown.
-FOR CHARACTERS NEW TO THE GAME please post a link to your TL in the New Users header below! This is so new people aren't so easily lost in the shuffle. Keep in mind this post is active from September to end of October. If there is an Overflow, it will be linked here! The next full EMBER update goes up in November.
-Feel free to repost the Profile HTML provided for IC inboxes if you like, but please do not take these out of this post and make individual EMBER profiles on the Network, as that would clutter up the main network very fast.
-Check out Ydris' OPT-IN if you want them to have access to your character's information through this app. This is NOT required to play around with this. The ToS basically just applies normal network rules to this post, messages are public unless explicitly marked [private] in the header. (Ydris will not have access to Private Messages unless the player Opts-In!)

Comments

james moriarty | fate/go | ota (but checkmarks might be rebuffed)

[divisors]

JAMES MORIARTY (20s) ENMA ☆☆☆☆ RULER BUTTERFLY OF EVIL

✓       ✕

un: mistynight

[hellborne]

[ ...

if this is another servant i swear to god--- ]

O

Is it truly alright to have someone with the title of "butterfly of evil" and "ruler" in the government...

[divisors]

I am the arbiter of evil. I am evil that consumes evil. As one who acts in this stead, I bring down heroes and evildoers alike. I hardly see how any of that would disqualify me from this role.

[hellborne]

[ wow put this kid back in their theater class. ]

I see! The government really does employ the strangest fellows, don't they. You guys must be quite the happy bunch, doing who knows what.

un: steinbeck

[recluserose]

[... That name though.]

So if you're a butterfly of evil, that implies that at some point you were a catepillar.
Which explains a few things there and there.

[divisors]

Everyone starts somewhere. I blossomed from a chrysalis into what I am now. What things does it explain to you, exactly?

[recluserose]

[it explains why she wants to swat him away like a bug

No, she will promptly ignore the question and refuse to elaborate like the baller she is.]

I didn't expect to find out your name so quickly and so casually.
Would you prefer if I continue calling you by your class name?

un: 333

[holeful]

✓

Professor!!! Are you the REAL Professor Moriarty!?? The one who faced off against Sherlock Holmes??

[divisors]

[ALMOST DROPS HIS DEVICE IN SHOCK AT THE CHECKMARK also he hates it here. Why is his True Name being revealed like this. Stop.]

What are you, a fan?

[holeful]

[Moriarty learning that sluts exist and the sluts think he is handsome.]

Well, in my world, Sherlock Holmes is a fictional character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He's probably the most famous detective and one of the most popular characters of all time! I'm definitely a fan of the books! And I'm a fan of Mr Sholmes who's here as well! Even though Professor Moriarty is a villain in the books, I enjoyed reading about him too. So I guess I'm a fan of yours as well, yes!!

un: guesswho!

[quizpersona]

O
[ It's such an easy way to learn the name of the guy who was so ~mysterious~ about it the other day. On the other hand the app sells Gogol out for it. ]

[divisors]

Let me guess. My reckless clown of a student returns to heckle me.

[quizpersona]

Bingo! Woah, and that was on the first try too!? 🔥💯🔥
That's very impressive. However did you know?

[ryototsukai]

✓

first of all? cutie alert!

second of all, you know it's weird? i met a guy that had the same name as you, and a similar look. he was a lot older though. kind of creepy vibes, too.

[divisors]

I would have you refrain from referring me as a "cutie".

Also, I simply have no idea what you're talking about.

[Shoving Archer under the rug. Bye.]

[ryototsukai]

eh, i'm willing to chalk it up to coincidence. [ for now ] there's a guy here in my clan named "herlock sholmes" so weirder stuff has happened!

as for the other thing, what would you prefer to "cutie"?

[chevaliered]

✕

[ when the app just senses future conflict and pre-empts it. ]

butterfly of evil, huh? did you come up with that one yourself or—?

[divisors]

[BEAT THIS NERD! BEAT THIS NERD!]

It boggles my mind how this app would allow people to simply want to fight each other based on appearance. What kind of nonsense is that?

And I am what I am. This is my essence.

[chevaliered]

[ unseen by the app, crow opens his mouth and closes his mouth. ]

Shh. Don't talk about fight club. Also some people just have a very punchable face, it can't be helped.

... A'ight then little butterfly, far be it from me to remove you from your essence, your being, your identity.

Enterprise / Text

[lucky_e]

Butterfly of Evil? Hm... I suppose you are flashy like a butterfly. But evil...?

[Hm... well, Enty supposes that evil people are generally attracted to these sorts of apps.]

[divisors]

I am evil that consumes evil. That is simply my nature. Nothing more to explain.

[YOU EXPLAINED NOTHING]

un: beautythief

[empression]

O

Oh, my! What an evocative title!

[divisors]

Thank you, I suppose. Though there are others I would use, that is the most poetic.

un: greatbritishconsultingdete

[retroductions]

O

[The app decides for him because he's too busy replying rather than choosing checkmarks or x's.]

Dear fellow, I must admit that your titles compel me to inquire after more data. For instance: a ruler of what? An evil butterfly? Figurative, literal, or an accolade?

[divisors]

[Suddenly he has the urge to throw his device out a window and he doesn't know why.]

Ruler is the class that I belong to.

And how about you guess? Use your little brain cells for their purpose.