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

[hasteful]

[a muscle slut..... good for you.....]

Hah! You think? [he says this but also like a dumb jock he'll just raise his arm, rolling his sleeve up and flexing with the motion. buzen, an idiot, doesn't realize that his leg muscles are nicer with all the running he does] That's nice of you to say! I think this form does get the job done.

[no further explaining that point but he'll drop his hand back to his hip afterward, tilting his head as he also gives alfred a once over.]

Hmm.... I don't know much about flowers but - the ones you wear are nice. They suit you. You have an aura of a kind person, and the flowers match.

[floralistic]

[he raises an eyebrow at the weird comment but since buzen moves on, so does he.]

Haha, thanks! I'm pretty fond of flowers, so I'm glad they suit me.

[buzen truly could've said anything and alfred would appreciate it so between the two of them did they even really need the compliments to radiate positive energy]

[hasteful]

[they really don't. the flowers are already softly glowing, building up the gradual energy from this fuwa fuwa interaction]

Ehh? Really? Do you have a favorite flower? Do you grow your own?

[floralistic]

[i'm terrified canon named a favourite flower somewhere and i missed it as i dodge that question]

Hm... it'd be nice to try my hand at growing some, but I've never had the time. Besides, it'd probably have to be a pretty hardy breed of flowers too—knowing me, I'd accidentally kill 'em if they needed precise watering and stuff like that.

So nah, I've always just admired the ones others have grown! Or, you know. The ones raised by Mother Nature.

[hasteful]

Ah, me too, me too!

[eagerly nodding!!]

Mm... Someone I care about a lot is really into gardening and farming, though. He does more vegetables than flowers, but he really gets into the precise ways to make them grow happy and healthy. Well, as happy as a potato can be anyway.

I always feel like I'm better at admiring and eating...

[floralistic]

Haha, same. [idiot jocks unite] You got to admire the people who're good at that kind of thing, though! I might not have the aptitude for it, but my homeland's big on farming, so I know it's not easy work.

[a beat and then because jan just remembered]

Though I did promise a friend I'd help him plant some flowers, so I'll be starting somewhere. Just... not right now. Since, well. I'm here and not there.

[hasteful]

Ehh? That's fun! I normally get dragged out to the fields to help too - but I feel like I'd probably do better with foods than flowers... I don't think I'm well-suited to delicate work.

[he's careful, sure, but there always feels like something strange when a blade is put to the fields... kuwana is an exception, and happily so]

Do you want to wait to practice until you see your friend again then?

[floralistic]

[precise work is literally one of alfred's listed dislikes so he feels this]

Eh, it's more of a garden we're doing in someone's memory. Even if we fail, we can keep planting again, so it feels a little weird to see it as something I need to practice for.

[hasteful]

Ahh...

[buzen makes a small noise of understanding and his expression softens at that. in someone's memory, huh?]

Yeah, makes sense. And it'd be nice to do the gardening while keeping that person in your thoughts. I bet it's appreciated. I wish you all the luck, my friend!

[floralistic]

[a smile]

Thanks, I appreciate it! I think it'll go well, either way. Once, you know—we find our way back home.

[hasteful]

Ah, right. Yeah, I guess we should. It's probably easier for me to lose track of the time than others, but humans have a more pressing needed to return, right?

[some combination of honesty and earnestness is leading to this,]

[floralistic]

[he blinks.]

Yup, time isn't something that us humans always have a lot of. I'm guessing you're not human if you're talking like that, though?

[wouldn't be the first long-lived nonhuman he's met, at least.]

[hasteful]

[nodding!]

Yeah. Normally I'll accept blending in better but there's so many non-humans around here... I guess it's made me more comfortable.

[floralistic]

[he nods...]

Mm-hmm, I get it. Well, I mean, I guess I don't, since you know. Humans are kind of the predominant species, usually. But it's probably nice to not be... completely the odd one out, I take it?

[hasteful]

[buzen, who doesn't know how to explain that he knows way more swords than individual humans..... doesn't! for now]

Something like that! I'm learning a lot!

But you seem to be taking it really in stride too. Have you been getting to know a lot of us?

[floralistic]

[alfred meant here since it sounded like buzen was talking about this place!!]

Nope, not that I know of.

[hasteful]

[it doesn't change what buzen would've said!]

Ohh? I'm first? That's exciting!

Haha, maybe they'll reveal something to you too - would that be a fun surprise?

[floralistic]

[he laughs lightly.]

Heh, if that's what they want to tell, sure! I'm happy to get to know people, whatever it is they prefer to share.

[he's never been the nosy sort, so to that end, a person's species is really only as important to alfred as the person in question wants it to be.]

[hasteful]

Wow.... you're really easy-going.

[this is such a statement coming from buzen]

[floralistic]

Haha, people tell me that a lot.

[sometimes not in a positive way but it's fine it's a positive thing to alfred and that's all that matters]

[hasteful]

Heh, well, if it works for you then that's the important part! I think that people and spirits are alike that way - sometimes they're just the way they are.

[whether that be easy-going, having a blood thing, or just wanting to take up gardening....]

Though I think humans are more capable of change... but that's up to them.

[floralistic]

[considering alear as a 1000+ year old dragon deity with a pepsi design is the least weird member of the army, alfred would agree with that about everyone having their quirks]

Is that so? Well, you'd probably know better than I do. The only spirits I've ever known before this place are the Emblems.

[hasteful]

Ohh, what's an Emblem?

[is it a Fire Emblem?]

[floralistic]

Hm, they're like these... spirit versions of heroes from other worlds, who inhabit special rings? Using a deity's power, they can be brought forth to materialize and lend others their strength.

But sometimes they would just hang out with us in the Somniel too. It was pretty nice.

[hasteful]

[i need to know how you're going to tell 2 of 3 femblem lords that their spirits were trapped in a ring]

They put human spirits in rings...?