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

sylvain | fire emblem: three houses

[philandery]

(( OOC: i'll be horrifically slow and spotty this month due to con crunch!! pls pray for me ))

1A. chamomile blues (emotional overload)

[ this task should go quickly. it would just take one smile, one laugh, and sylvain's elementally-overcharged, emotional reaction could probably light up at least three flowers at once. but instead he's gripped by a heavy melancholy, a sadness that's wildly (and comically) out of his control. very sorry to his quest partner who has to put up with this. ]

Do you think that couples might come here to test the sincerity of their love, only to leave in heartbreak? Wouldn't that be utterly tragic?

[ he looks incredibly upset by this complete hypothetical. THIS IS SO SAD ALEXA! ]

1D. bnuuy

[ sylvain approaches you in a hurry. there's a pair of oversized, black rabbit ears sprouting from his red hair, and an equally oversized poof of a tail attached to the back of his trousers, clipped to the top of his waistband. ]

Here.

[ but instead of handing you one of the red envelopes, he transfers his bunny ears to your head. ]

Lookin' cute!

[ you are now bait for the BPL member(s) who have been harrassing him all day, because he's gonna try and escape now. if your character was already wearing bunny ears before... they now have MORE BUNNY EARS. ]

2. jorb

[ hell yeah he's interning at the cat cafe! this will not be his final place of employ, but he's learning how to make a proper brew with the assistant of many emotional support kitties.

he'll either pass you a cat that needs some extra love (socialization), or perhaps a coffee with latte art that resembles... well, not much of anything at all. even his best attempt at a paw-paw turns into an amorphous shape. pathetic. ]

Want me to take a picture?

[ with the cat that's captured your heart, or earphone cord, presumably. ]

wildcard

[ pls write me a starter im dying squirtle ]

2!

[sanguinary]

[WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE. Matsui is looking at the blob in this coffee, head canted to the side curiously. He's pretty sure this isn't what it looked like when he saw magazine photos of the local cat cafes in Tokyo...

But then Sylvain's asking a question and he blinks away from the disaster latte, gazing at him questioningly.]

Of this? [Lifting the drink...] No, thank you. [THE IMMEDIATE LACK OF HESITATION THERE.] But it is a very nice rendition of an impact spatter.

[philandery]

[ technically, matsui isn't wrong... the milk DID splatter, everywhere, when it hit the coffee... sylvain makes no mention of this, and smiles wryly in return. ]

I meant with the kitty.

[ he gestures to a pretty grey tabby setting primly beside the other man. she's been staring at him for awhile now, waiting for ear scritches... (in this top level i will rp as many cats as i can) ]

But I'll be sure to work on my pouring skills. Maybe next time it'll shape up to be a proper puddle.

[ it's... abstract art...! ]

[sanguinary]

[HELP NOT YOUR CAT RPING POWERLEVELS valid though.]

—Oh. [Blinking in surprise as he FINALLY NOTICES THIS CAT. What had he been distracted by so intently... Good question. He will gently give her some ear scritches and a lil rub below her chin before turning his gaze back toward poor suffering Sylvain.]

I did not intend for it to be a critique. I enjoyed the presentation very much... Though if I were to say anything about it, you could always add red food coloring.

[He's really out here after that blood aesthetic.]

1a

[floralistic]

[prays for u omo

also what the absolute fuck is happening]

I'm... afraid I'm not following. Why would they be leaving in heartbreak, exactly?

[philandery]

[ sylvain stares at alfred for a very long time, wondering why he looks keenly familiar...




...before realizing he's subconsciously comparing him dimitri. he almost stops being sad, only for a moment. ]

Imagine this: [ uh oh here we go ] A girl wants a boy [ or another girl, or whomever, ] to prove how much he loves her. They come here on a romantic date, and wait for the flowers to be illuminated by their mutual feelings.

...But it never happens, because the relationship was a lie in the first place. He never had feelings for her to begin with.

[floralistic]

[it's him, dimitri's distant clown cousin.............]

... Oh. Gosh, that is sad.

[ :( ]

2

[duskspear]

[Roland accepts the cat gracefully enough after his initial confusion at the deposit. The cat purrs on his lap while he rests a hand on a furry nape.]

Thank you, but you needn't go so far.

[He's simply here to take in the sights and experience what he can while he can.]

[philandery]

[ (self-inserts My Cat into this thread.) the cat is a soft tuxedo with green eyes and the largest ass known to man. she's generating happy cat static, and probably drooling a little while she's at it. if he pets anywhere near her face, he will be slobbered on. the cat was probably a dog, in another life. ]

You sure? It's for free.

[ most people don't turn down the offer, and also sylvain is supposed to collect as many photos as he can for the cafe's social media. please... please let him take your picture... ]

[duskspear]

[What a gorgeous cat. 100/10. Perfection incarnate. The most beautiful creature to grace this earth. She slobbers all over his hand and he allows it, because Roland loves cats.

In any case, there's a reason for his hesitation, but to burden another with it would be gauche. He can only offer an apologetic smile.]

I'm afraid I'm not accustomed to sharing my likeness . . .

1a.

[lackluster]

[ Why is this guy so gloomy... It's because they didn't get to continue their blanket fort kisses, huh— ]

Why are you worried about something like that? Is that relevant right now?

[ HE'S PRETTY SURE IT ISN'T??? Make it make sense. ]

[philandery]

[ having to kiss childe once is plenty, and sylvain is STILL peeved at him about the stolen bedding, though that's also because of his elemental affinity acting up... im so sorry archer ]

I wouldn't expect you to understand.

[ defensive much????????? ]

There's nothing more important than love. Even the flowers know that.

[ do... they... ]

[lackluster]

Think the flowers know more about wilting than love.

[ No thanks to Sylvain's negative energy, for sure. ]

Unless you know something I don't?

[ Is this an opening for Sylvain to explain the meaning of love? Maybe. ]

1D

[magesque]

What're you—hey!!

[THE AUDACITY OF MEN? REGARDLESS OF IF SAID MAN APPEARS IN YOUR FAKE MEMORIES AS SOMEONE THAT YOU HAVE A MODICUM OF TRUST AND RESPECT FOR?! she's just going to absolutely grab his arm and yank like they've known each other all their lives]

I'm not taking the fall for you.

[rin was nOT wearing bunny ears bc she had dignity..... she will eventually be desperate for money and driven to it bUT NOT TODAY]

[philandery]

[ sylvain blinks, feeling his mind stall for a moment. in her case, he really did act automatically, an equally casual gesture akin to an older sibling playing a prank on a younger one. ]

...Rin?

[ he's never met her before, and yet he knows her name with complete certainty. he remembers when he used to tie up her hair in those strangely familiar twin tails, pushing her on the swings when they were both kids...

he tries not to internally freak out, but it is incredibly weird, to the point it's almost shocking. ...also this is a very bad place for awkward pseudo-reunion-introductions. ]

—C'mon, let's move!

[ she may have grabbed his arm, but he starts running anyway with her in tow. the bpl are coming...!!!!!!!!! ]

1D

[humainity]

[ Sophia is a small girl who already has a pair of fluffy white ears perched on her equally crimson hair, but the black ones are so much bigger and now she looks like some kind of DeviantArt bunny girl so wow thanks Sylvain.

More concerningly, she's already been chased by the BPL and as he turns to flee, she latches onto the back of his shirt. ]

Request denied! I don't need additional equipment! This will only make them even angrier!

[philandery]

[ SHE'S SOOOO CUTE i have to play strikers one day... also im crying, DA SOPHIA NOW!!! ]

It'll—

[ sylvain looks back at the same time he's yanked, stumbles on an uneven bit of ground, and trips face-first as is wholly deserved. hopefully she manages to maintain her balance, but if not, she can definitely use him to break her fall. 😊 ]

2;

[boarwitness]

[felix is now holding a cat. they share a similarly disgruntled expression.]

No.

[he lets the cat jump down, and resumes collecting empty coffee cups and plates. against his will, he is wearing a pair of black cat ears.

a cat sniffs at his hand as he picks up another cup, and he pauses to pet it.]

Shouldn't you be back at the counter?

[philandery]

[ well, sylvain wants to take a picture. and this is felix, so he helps himself to a candid of cat and friend, though with the timing of the kitty's escape, it looks like felix is holding a dark blur in his arms. darn. ]

I was asked to get pictures for their website.

[ ignoring felix's valid question while he tries to get clearer shot of him petting this current fuzzball. ]

Cute ears, by the way. Do you think there's a 'Cat Protection League' out there?

[ he's getting flashbacks to the quest board... ]

2

[goryhell]

[Sevro is back in the business of ignoring constantly beeping notifications. He does a pretty good job of tuning them out. Maybe it has something to do with all the situations he has been forced to endure throughout his life, but the sound soon morphs from incessant to comfortable background noise. If it encourages everyone to avoid him — well, that's nothing new.

He doesn't intend to go to the cat cafe, since he isn't job hunting and has no other reason to enter, but he glances at the barista through the window and has the strangest sense of deja vu. It's so strong and compelling that Sevro walks right into the cafe and, acting completely on instinct, yells out:]

One large no foam frozen latte with half soy, half skim, honey, 5 pumps of vanilla, and a banana. Double blended. And...

[A very brief pause.]

Flip that slagger upside down.

[Strangle cathartic. Strangely familiar. Sevro is in a good mood all of a sudden.

Beep beep...]

[philandery]

[ im in tears what does any of that MEAN!!!! sevro!!!!

Sylvain feels an instant wave of feeling he can't quite determine as fond, or exasperated, or perhaps a bit of both. There's a keen sense of familiarity he can't place either, because he's pretty sure he doesn't know this face. ...But he's also pretty sure he does. Like a second instinct underneath his true memories.

He's already picking up coffee cup and writing down a name, stops and squints at his own handwriting like it had manifested on its own. So this guy's called 'Sevro', his mind supplies from absolutely nowhere, though for whatever reason he's written a 'G' on the cup... ]

Coming right up...

[ He squints Sevro, trying to puzzle all this out while trying not to show just how utterly disarmed he is. ]

Grab a cat while you wait—gently. That one over could use some TLC.

[ He nods at a nearby kitty... And belatedly remembers that 'G' is supposed to be short for 'Goblin'.

...Huh. ]

wildcards you

[pyojeol]

[i want sooyoung and sylvain to watch the BPL movie,

Sooyoung looks up when Sylvain gets ushered into the room, eyebrows immediately raised all the way up to her bunny ear-less forehead. The room itself is quite big, a project screen at the other end of the wall is slowly unfurling to the ground as BPL members chatter about various bunny-related things, though there are a few who are shooting Sooyoung nasty looks -- probably because of the big shiny bruises on their faces.

Sooyoung links her arms behind her head and stretches, ]

They got you too, huh?

BLESS

[philandery]

[ genius, 10/10, no criticism <3

sylvain's been divested of his bunny accessories too, though he hadn't been half as violent with the students who had apprehended him. the mementos of sooyoung's temper bring a smile to his face, despite the bewilderment he feels seeing her here.

coupled with the documentary they're forced to witness, this all seems a very, very strange sort of purgatory—or a fever dream. it had been dramatic enough waking up in yet another unfamiliar place, and it's stranger yet still to see others from stygia here. sothis must be fucking with him. he's not convinced he's any more alive than he'd been before.

he sits down beside sooyoung, knocking shoulders with her once she puts her arms down again. hello, old friend. ]

Yeah. How long've you been here?

[ in crane city? or in this room? yes... ]

1A

[dodgeouttahell]

[Here is a Zagreus, who is crouching right next to a flower, his disposition and curiosity about the little flowers so filled with wonder that it's a positive somehow.

Although he does a double take at the ginger's sour mood. BRO????? You're doing him a concern.

He stands up, and it may not help that Zagreus is a little touchy-feely lately, so he reaches to place a hand on Sylvain's shoulder. That, at least, makes the flower wilted under the sad words perk up a little.] If a heart breaks, it will heal stronger later. I believe in this, mate.

[philandery]

[ his emotional support zagreus... 🥺

the show of camaraderie does shake him out of his gloom a bit, and sylvain nods, attempting a smile. he's being SO brave about it. ]

You really do?

[ of course zagreus does. he's one of the kindest, most forward-facing people sylvain knows. he mulls quietly to himself, then says, ]

...I suppose yours did, right? Unless you've been coughing up flowers in secret.

[ hanahaki doesn't necessarily equate to heartbreak, but while they're on the topic of love and flowers... he notices it seems zagreus has been cured of his strange affliction. this is enough to spawn a much-needed spark of happiness, which the chamomile seem to pick up on. ]