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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Roland Glenbrook | Triangle Strategy

[duskspear]

1A + 3. Windhaven Woodlands

[Guided by a flock of hummingshrew, Roland and his party member reach a small patch of their target flowers! He kneels down and pushes his hood back for a closer look as he recalls the details.]

Positive energy is necessary for the harvest to succeed. What do you suggest?

[He's maudlin, not positive.]

1E + 3. Training hall

[Roland isn't here to participate in the challenge so much as to peruse spell books and observe other worldwalkers in-between. While he stops readily for anyone who approaches him, he spends most of his time reading and facing the side of the meditation room where the shadow's reach is greatest. Interruptions to his self-study are received with an attentive glance and small smile as he turns around.]

Do you require this room?

ia

[floralistic]

[hi jae light of my life don't look at me but alfred also kneels down, hmmming thoughtfully.]

Well... I always feel pretty positive after a good run!

[that is probably not what anyone is going for here.]

[duskspear]

[I look at you lovingly.

And Roland looks at Alfred. His gaze is devoid of judgment. It's not like he knows what the best answer is; rather, he invests himself in the topic.]

A healthy body engenders a healthy mind. What else pleases you?

[floralistic]

[hmmm]

Doing push-ups, squats... [name something besides exercise alfred] Seeing the sunrise, my friends and family enjoying their day...

[duskspear]

[Certainly, he's dedicated. Roland's smile softens.]

Would you tell us more about your loved ones?

[hasteful]

[they should absolutely just be regular quest and dungeon buddies now

buzen just grins - ]

Got any big dreams, my friend? Or things that you like doing a lot - singing, farming, poetry, you name it!

Those are the kinds of things that I like hearing about a lot.

[his voice takes on an ever so slightly nostalgic quality - he misses people talking his ear off about all sorts of things he doesn't understand, honestly]

[duskspear]

[Quest buddies, unite.

The nostalgia carries him back to a time years past. It's then that an odd feeling surges through Roland and the words come tumbling out:]

My dream was to live out the rest of my days in the shadows.

[There's a pregnant pause before his lips part in surprise. Meanwhile, the flowers are deeply unimpressed.]

[hasteful]

[ . . . oh!

buzen tilts his head, and he doesn't really care about the flowers anymore.]

... do you wanna talk about it?

We don't have to, though. I'm just offering - as a friend.

[he's patient and doesn't tend to push, really. but he also cares an awful lot about supporting people whenever he can]

[duskspear]

[Why? Why did he say that? In what scenario was that a good thing to say? What's wrong with him again?

He can only kneel there with his thoughts swirling for so long. Buzen is kind, and Roland takes just one more selfish moment to gather his bearings before mustering a small, honest smile.]

Your offer is kind, but it was a favor to my first and last friend. . . . I can say no more.

1a.

[hexensabbat]

Hmmmm...

[Hmmm!!]

Well, I don't really think you need to force it if you're not feeling the whole having a positive attitude thing.

[duskspear]

. . . An attitude is a reflection of the mind. I would like to help howsoever I can.

[hexensabbat]

Alright then.

Let's start with a smile, shall we? Show me your best one.

[duskspear]

A smile? . . . Very well.

[He promptly flashes her one, wide and confident.]

1a

[hollowedground]

[ Listen, Brakka is only here because this is a job, and Brakka doesn't turn down jobs if they paid. Or have some type of reward he deems worth it, or something. Regardless, he's really not the right person to ask for this type of work. ]

I unno, a shallow compliment?

[duskspear]

[Roland is of the mind that sincerity will take them farther, so his response to that is genuine:]

Thank you for coming all this way. What do you hope to come away with at the conclusion of this quest?

[hollowedground]

[ Oh...his quest partner is this type of person, huh. ]

The reward. [ A beat. ] Let me guess, you're in it for more than that, right?

[duskspear]

Yes; however, the reward by itself is a fine incentive. After all, rest is vital to success.

1a

[reliance]

[ because i want the flowers to shrivel from their bad, horrible vibes. there's too much success here. everywhere.

by which i mean mithos simply wanted to see a whole bunch of flowers for no reason at all (for some reasons), but of course the awkward trek through the woodlands ended up being With Roland. the only reason mithos didn't turn around and leave is a mix of refusing to make it seem like he's running from roland by changing course (stupid), and an unfamiliar but also familiar feeling that he can't quite explain, and can only try incredibly hard to fight (even more stupid).

so, here they are. two awkward not!brothers, and these soon to be very disappointed flowers. ]

We're not going to get any to bloom.

[ how fucking savage is that

anyway it probably doesn't help that he's doing the complete opposite of what you should do for the quest. he's moving away...... to just kind of crouch down near them. ]

... And I'm not here to harvest them, anyway.

[ he doesn't sleep? why is he even here?

help ]

[duskspear]

[Be kind to the flowers.

If there's a will, there's a way. Roland believes they can get the flowers to bloom so long as there's the will, but matters aren't as straightforward when they involve Mithos. For one, it's a strange miracle that they were matched for the quest at all.

For two, they've an even stranger history. Roland casts an inquisitive look Mithos' way. After the way they parted previously, he's surprised that they've come this far without incident, only for Mithos to shirk from their objective.]

Then what brings you here?

[It's an opportunity to understand Mithos better, if Mithos will allow it. There's a listless energy about him that Roland desires to grasp.]

[reliance]

[ YOU be KIND to ME.

but right now, mithos is ignoring any hints of being perceived. were it anyone but roland, maybe he'd go through the motions to be done with it. would that attempt work? probably not. but also, it doesn't matter. roland doesn't even get something half-assed and pathetic,

there truly is no will, therefore no way. there is only mithos being a butt, looking at roland in his peripherals for a moment before he focuses back on the flowers. ]

Do I need a reason?

[



the way this is actually a better response than normal ]

[duskspear]

[Do y'all hear sumn?

In the brief time he's known Mithos, there's always been a barb behind every word. This is different. Roland believes there's a reason, else Mithos wouldn't have bothered to come this far—much less in current company—but he lets the inquiry end there. Prying isn't part of his duties.

Instead, he leans back to clear up some space around the chamomiles.]

. . . Would you like to take a closer look?

1A+3

[prozaic]

Hmm... [actually, shalem has to think about that, tapping his chin and curling his tail around his leg. he's smiling, indeed, but the energy he attempts to channel right now is more gentle and calm rather than upbeat and traditionally positive. when the serpent is this soft, he doubts he'll be able to make a difference with the blue chamomile ass he is.]

Do you have a happy anecdote to share?

[look, that's the best he has on such short notice.]

[duskspear]

[It's a sensible best—one to which Roland gives some thought before shaking his head apologetically.]

I'm sorry, but nothing comes to mind yet. Is there one that you'd be able to share until then?

[Between the two of them, the scene is quite tender. But Roland believes they can figure something out. He just needs a little more time to consider what he can share.]

[prozaic]

Ah... my stories tend to be mundane, as I prefer my life to be simple and quiet. Excitement does not become me. [then he shrugs as if to say "what can you do?" as if apologizing for having a supposedly boring life.]

Perhaps something else can be done.

Are you musically inclined? Or... do you have an instrument on you, right now?

[duskspear]

I do not. . . . Do you? Perhaps I can dance as accompaniment.

[In his ragged robes and cloak. It won't look beautiful, but at least he'd be doing his part. The responsibility of pleasing the flowers shouldn't rest on Shalem's shoulders alone.]