beta testing 0.2: quest update

[gamedevs]

beta testing 0.2

BETA NOTE: This log is being used for Duocaeli’s Tutorial & Dungeon Beta Testing. Please note that some game features are limited and will be noted in this format on pages, and an invitation is still required to play. Thank you and have fun!

Patch Update

Maybe you’ve been getting settled in for a little while now, maybe you just arrived yesterday. Hopefully you’ve been able to adjust to your surroundings, since it seems like some big changes are coming. All Dodo residents will receive a Duocaeli notification on their phones:

> 0.2 Expansion has arrived! Server capacity has increased. New locations await you, worldwalkers.
> New quests can be accepted in Windhaven Woods, Aria's Grove, Dandelion Fields!

At the exact same time, completely coincidentally, a city-wide broadcast is sent directly to characters inboxes:

> Thank you for your patience with our construction, city-goers! As our Pride Parade goes underway, we are proud to share the grand re-opening of many venues throughout the city. Love is love!

Those who wander to the Divination Tower in Domus Hosus, whether on purpose or because the stairs guide you there, will see that both of these broadcasts are proudly displayed amidst the glimmering gems. If you try to read your fate in the stars, they will delightedly provide you with a prophecy. However each prophecy comes in images, beckoning you to a new location with… a certain someone! Immediately after receiving this prophecy, you will feel naturally compelled to find that individual, stranger or friend, and affirm your fate. Maybe you'll end up going somewhere out of your depth? At least you won't be alone!

> 1. Questboard

The quest board at the guild hub has been updated with the latest patch! Excited players are gathered around to collect new bounties, which are open to all. The guild hub also provides a useful bestiary, which is readily accessible by guild members via crystals.

A. SWEET DREAMS ARE MADE OF THESE
Avisle University has requested assistance in collecting Blue Chamomile from the northern part of Windhaven Woodlands for study. These flowers are known to aid sleep and have some rejuvenating properties as well, if taken as a tea. They are best harvested in pairs as they feed off positive energy—once their petals start glowing, the plant is ready to be plucked. You’ll have to make your quest partner laugh, or pay them a genuine compliment that makes them smile. You can also share your dreams for the future, or a good memory. The plants also enjoy music! Even the most tone-deaf of vocalists are appreciated by these chamomiles.

Additionally, these flowers are HUGE fans of PDA. If your characters hold hands, or hug, or k-kiss... it may seem like they are slowly turning their petals towards you...

As noted on the Locations page, it would be wise to remember that Windhaven Woodlands can be quite confusing to navigate. The trees like to stretch their roots multiple times a day, often altering paths that characters have taken. At times branches will weave themselves together so tightly, it blocks out most sunlight. It’s very possible to get lost here, but those with keen navigation skills will notice that the wind always seems to flow in the direction of Avisle at the beginning and middle of the hour, like clockwork.

REWARD: A sachet of Blue Chamomile tea, made with some of the petals you helped harvest. If you take it before you sleep, you will find yourself waking up fully refreshed the next morning whether in the ON or OFF world. You may even find yourself briefly dreaming of the good memory that your quest partner shared with you!

FAILURE: You will grow flowers on your body that cannot be removed, purely cosmetic. Lasts until you log off the server.

B. 'TIL DEATH DO US PART
Rumor has it that there's a malevolent spirit haunting Aria's Grove, one with particularly sticky fingers, that's been stealing items from sleeping travelers–as well as dreams. Those with their dreams stolen will feel an almost unshakable malaise and melancholy. The Wanderer's Guild is looking for adventurers to locate and dispel this spirit for good, as it's the only way to retrieve lost items (and dreams).

Whoever manages to navigate the woods to Aria's Grove will find not a spirit, but a small, crystalline golem made from broken shards. It speaks in a soft, tinkering voice, saying, "My love, my love." It's unable to do much damage, but it's fast and evokes a sensation of grief and despair in whoever draws close to it. Adventurers may recognize this as a gemwalker, and know that the only way to free the ghost trapped inside is to break the crystal form.

Upon doing so, they'll find a watch that was encased in the crystal, with a name etched into the back. Regardless of how much they ask around, they'll be unable to find anyone by that name.

REWARD: A special compass from the Wanderer's Guild. It can be set to always point toward a location of the owner's choosing.

C. A HARE-OWING CAT-ASTROPHE
In the Avisle town square, festivities are abound; red and gilded gold streamers stretch across the plaza, rabbits hop along, eager to be held, cats preen on unlikely perches, and the guilds have plenty of free food and drink out to be enjoyed—as well as a limited-time bounty being offered for the new year! Help out and earn yourself a reward.

• Bake goods for guests, who are notoriously harsh. Sometimes recipes here will lead you astray.
  
• Mix or taste-test some drinks... which only seem to exacerbate your elemental symptoms (see prompt 3. ELEMENTAL ECCENTRICITY below for details).
  
• Deal with jealous tiger monsters that set fire to various stands and attack festival-goers. They can be fought (NPC rabbits will help), but also seem intelligent, and can be bribed to depart with treats, brushing their (sometimes flaming hot) fur, or other offerings. These creatures don't seem to be native to Avisle; if you follow one outside of the city, they'll fly right off the edge of the island...
  
• Like above, attacking the rabbits in any way or causing problems will get you mobbed by knife-wielding bunnies with 9999HP.

REWARD: Free food, daiya, and a good time!

Though from there... it looks like there's a few additions that must be completed in the OFF world?

D. H҉A҉P҉P҉Y҉ HOPPIN’ NEW YEAR
Red envelopes need to be distributed to the students of Gruidae University in celebration of the Lunar New Year! (Our usual guy, Jimmy, is out sick…) In the spirit of the Year of the Rabbit, volunteers will be asked to wear a tasteful (or ridiculous) set of bunny ears and a soft, poofy bunny tail while on the job. Just make sure to avoid the BPL (Bunny Protection League) activists lurking among the student body, they take their duties seriously and will attempt to divest you of your bunny appendages if caught.

REWARD: A red envelope (the amount can be anywhere between $20 to 23 cents) and coupon to the newly opened bunny cafe located at the mall. You will also receive a cute bunny ear accessory in your ON World inbox.

FAILURE: A forced viewing of the documentary, Bunnies Are Human Too, while surrounded by passionate BPL members.

E: BIRD M҉E҉A҉S҉U҉R҉I҉N҉G҉ CONTEST
As an icebreaker, Dodo is hosting competitions in the Training Hall! Get to know your new housemates by having an impromptu battle. This doesn’t have to be combat-related or any sort of traditional duel: you can challenge your partner to lifting weights, a dance-off, even Twister and other board games. There will also be gaming consoles and seating in various corners—FATALITY!

REWARDS: Bragging rights! Dodo will also send a little spa set/gift package to the winner’s room, which includes bird-themed face masks. Also, the winner will be able to stay in the OFF world for up to 5 days (one time), rather than 3.

FAILURE: Public humiliation.

Conveniently, non-PC players can't seem to see these last two bounties at all. Oh well—get to questing!

> 2. Okay get a job?

Sometime while you’re minding your business, you’ll be interrupted by a neat little beep beep! On the screen of your phone:

☑️ Go to Your Internship in Crane City

Tapping the prompt will bring up the Maps app and directions to what is apparently your internship! And it looks like it’s in the same format as other checklist quests–aka, it won’t stop beeping until you complete it.

If you don’t want to go crazy from notifications, you'll simply have to go out and explore the big city. Maybe you have to go and work the concessions stand at the movie theater, which appears to be showing Shrek and Cats if you want to sneak into a showing, or you get the ever coveted position of cat cafe barista. Perhaps you’re suddenly a neurosurgeon! Wow! Don’t fuck it up, guy! While you do get compensated for your work, it seems like an amount gets automatically deducted for your Duocaeli subscription. Uhhh, is that legal? Apparently.

With Pride currently underway in Crane City, the jobs are also just a little bit more vibrant. You can help manage the parade if you want to, or have a job as a sexy, sexy flag bearer. Everything in the city glistens with festivities, whether it be raucous parties or other joyful celebrations.

> 3. ELEMENTAL ECCENTRICITY

As expected, learning new things comes with a few unexpected speed bumps. For those who attempt to practice with their new elemental magic, whether it be in the world of Duocaeli or within the confines of Dodo’s walls, they might feel a sudden surge of power course through them. Is it more refined control? Improved strength? Hm, it feels a little bit more like…

—Oh. No.

For characters aligned with Fire or Earth: Your emotions are just a little bit stronger now–but also a little bit out of your control. While everything feels inherent to you, it also feels like everything is turned up to 11. Oversensitive? How dare you! Say that to my face! …. Well, hopefully it passes quickly.

For characters aligned with Water or Light: Nothing’s amiss here–it’s just unbelievable that you are currently existing as you are, and no one is holding your hand or giving you a hug right now. Some might call it being a little bit touch starved, but physical contact should be normalized, you know? A punch can be a touch, too, if that’s more your style.

For characters aligned with Wind or Darkness: Well, thank god you’re not dealing with anything quite as bad as the others–no, you just find that your words are flowing a little bit more freely. A little more honestly, even. Hopefully you don’t have all that much to hide, but you know, some vulnerability can be good for the soul.

These effects can suddenly surge and hit you at any point during your day! They're temporary, but always sneaky :)

OOC Notes

Our Reserves open tonight at 11:55 PM EST —drop in and let us get excited for you!

Also, everything from BETA TESTING 0.1 is still available to play with. Feel free to use old prompts and dungeons! Also, during Beta Testing, we'd like to remind players that we're accepting any and all feedback that could help us improve the game before official start.

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Comments

Sophia | Persona 5 Strikers

[humainity]

[ a1. karma chamomileon ]

[ Sophia isn't quite a sleeper, but from what she can tell, these flowers will help assist humanity, so isn't it a good idea to help? She thinks so anyway, so whether your character has willingly agreed to help her or somehow got roped into it (both are equally plausible), she's lightly bouncing on her heels and looking at you inquisitively. ]

Can you sing? Or should I attempt one of the "100 Best Jokes As Voted On By The Internet"?


[ d1. Don't want none unless you got buns hon ]

[ Maybe it's easier to ignore these people with the bunny accessories, for the most part. Or maybe you're one of them.

Whatever the case, it might be hard to ignore this one, with a set of fluffy white bunny ears in contrast with her bright red hair and a tail that kind of just blends in with her dress. That's not the attention-grabbing part.

No, it's probably the fact that she is running right at you, while a small group of activists give chase. As she glances over her shoulder-- ]

Please stop trying to take my tail! You are hindering my mission!!


[ 3. Feeling Lighthearted ]

[ Well, uh. She's trying to be mostly polite here, by which I mean she's not immediately trying to go in for hugs or grab someone's hand.

However, she is kind of just standing there with her arms wrapped around herself and looking Incredibly Disappointed that this doesn't seem to be working. ]

I don't like this feeling...

[ OOC: Feel free to hit me up if you wanna do something completely different or wildcard and I'll play along! ]

3

[floralistic]

[alfred doesn't know about any magic-related wacky effects going on yet, because with his pitiful magic stat growth he hasn't even thought to practice any on his own. he's not celine!!

so all he sees is an inexplicably Incredibly Disappointed girl, as he bounds on over.]

Hey, what's wrong? Do you need help?

[humainity]

I think I need a hug.

[ Bleakly. ]

[floralistic]

Oh. [a beat] Do you, uh, want me to give you one?

[alfred is not forward enough to just hug a stranger girl unprompted but if she's asking for it then]

d1.

[hexensabbat]

[Ringo, sporting a nice pair of black bunny ears to contrast with her hair, is suddenly there, lifting a hand.]

Sophia, this way!

[humainity]

Ringo!!

[ Well. She's pivoting and running for her like a tiny bunny linebacker. It's very impressive. ]

[hexensabbat]

[It is very, very impressive. Anyway, as soon as she's close enough, Ringo is snagging her wrist and zooming down one of the back alleyways.]

They're harassing you too, huh?

3!

[sanguinary]

[SOPHIA... She's out here doing her best, help. Matsui swerves on over her way upon spotting her because of course he does! Familiar face! Also they are afflicted by the same elemental effects, apparently, except he's much less polite about it. He just pulls her into a little greeting hug as soon as he stops moving, help.]

Is something bothering you?

[humainity]

[ Well. He just went for it. And because he initiated, Sophia has no problem with throwing her arms around him. ]

I felt... lonely? I think. Like physically alone.

[sanguinary]

[A HUG FOR SOPHIA. Huggies are nice, and this does help chase away the - exactly that feeling, a physically alone sort of vibe. Hm.]

I've also been feeling something strange like that, lately... Perhaps something is wrong with these bodies?

a1

[hasteful]

[oho! the heel bouncing gets buzen to grin, and he'll mirror the movement! why not! though he does pick up the tempo just a little, unconsciously...]

Hah, I know how to sing, sure! But I want to hear your joke anyway - wanna do both?

[humainity]

Sure! Which one of us should go first?

[ Because if they went simultaneously, that would probably not have the intended effect-- ]

[hasteful]

Hmmm! Lemme hear your joke! And then I'll teach you a song!

[if only because the song buzen has in mind is an audience participation song, and therefore it may take a little longer,]

3.

[lackluster]

[ Big brother mode: activate. Plus, he's also feeling the effects of the whole touch-starved thing so it's easy enough for him to reach out and give Sophia a few headpats. ]

Everything alright?

[humainity]

[ Ordinarily, she might sigh about being treated like a child, which she is not, but the contact feels pleasant so she brightens immediately. ]

That helped! Thank you very much!

a1

[hollowedground]

Do I look like a bard to you? [ Please see Brakka, dressed from head to toe in black, almost hot topic style, but jrpg instead. ]

[humainity]

...

[ She stares at Brakka. Tilts her head. ]

I don't know what a bard looks like. But black clothing draws in heat from the sun, so please be careful not to overheat.

a1

[nightchild]

[of course itsuki will help sophia, the savior of his slutty life... except he's been on his somewhat best behavior with her. i say somewhat because he'll still tease her,]

Hmm, are you sure? Maybe you should sing instead, and I'll tell the jokes.

[humainity]

[ She's used to teasing. ]

Mmmm... I don't really know any songs, but I can hum?

3.

[reliance]

[ mithos is in the same boat, but living in an utter state of denial. which means he's over here.

way over here. ]

Okay?

[ is all he says in response, in a "what do you expect me to do about it" kind of tone

he's helping ]

[humainity]

... [ Well. She's helping, too! By trotting closer, though thankfully she's not doing this with her arms still wrapped around her body because this would look absolutely ridiculous otherwise. ]

You don't feel strange?

3 b/c it's the funniest

[galesofreverie]

[. . . normally Wanderer doesn't give other people the time of day, even when they look distressed, but. . .]

What's wrong?

[don't read too far into it, Sophia!]

[humainity]

[ SHE'S GONNA-- ]

I feel... like there's something missing. Even more than usual, I mean.

d1

[magesque]

[rin did not take up this particular bunny mantle, but now she's just looking irritated on behalf of everyone who did. sophia is running right at her, and rin will just immediately go to meet her.]

Stay behind me, Sophia.

[and then just point at the activists acccusatorily]

Don't you know there's nothing more annoying than people who don't know how to give it a rest?

[humainity]

[ She stays behind her! Rin somehow seems like a good solid shield despite not being very big or muscular. Call it Ai...ntuition.

The activists kind of look like they're not sure how to handle someone who isn't actually violating bunny rights, given that she's not wearing any of their traits, but she is sheltering someone who is, so they mutter to each other for a moment before one person fires back with--

"Don't you know you're annoying?"

Shots fired indeed. ]