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.

---

duocaeli duologs duolingos FAQ & Game Info / Calendar / Locations / Mechanics
Taken / Applications / Hiatus & Drops

FULL NAVIGATION

Comments

[floralistic]

[continues to be bapped...]

Oh, are we escalating now?

[but since this man hasn't gone as far as to inflict any bodily harm on him, he will offer his hand? he has no idea where this is going.]

[boarwitness]

I told you to be quiet.

[hand! felix grabs it and

wraps his fingers around alfred's in a firm grip.

and just stands there, holding hands. like this isn't their first introduction to each other. at least felix looks a lot calmer, now? well, except for his dark expression, which is daring alfred to say anything about this.]

[floralistic]

[alfred does not say anything at first

because he's busy waiting for the catch........... and getting increasingly ???? when there doesn't? seem to be one?]

Uh...

[boarwitness]

Don't.

[don't what? just don't. his grip around alfred's fingers seems to relax minutely, so it's not as grabby? just two guys softly holding hands now!]

[floralistic]

Oooookay.

[well. he will just accept this? this seems important to this guy for whatever reason, so alfred will be chill about this impromptu handholding session no matter how weird it is.]

[boarwitness]

[this is going... better than expected? alfred's easy compliance has felix at least relaxing his guard ever so slightly, to the point where he he even offers:]

I'm Felix.

[floralistic]

[wow... an introduction

alfred just gives him an easy smile, at least.]

Alfred. Nice to meet you, Felix.

[he has enough manners not to say, "even though this is definitely one of the weirder ways i've met someone."]

[boarwitness]

[the fact that alfred has the good sense not to comment on the eccentricities currently taking place is a huge point in his favor. felix nods mutely in response, shifting his weight from foot to foot, like he's weighing something out.

finally, after a long pause:]

I don't know why this is happening.

[floralistic]

[the fact that felix truly seems like he wants the ground to swallow him up right now means that alfred will at least try not to make this horrendously awkward. (the downside is that alfred himself can be unintentionally awkward of a different nature.)]

Oh. Well, that's a little concerning?

[boarwitness]

Yeah. [he nods, frowning.] I've had similar, but nothing like... this.

[looking off to the side, his last word is strained, like acknowledging anything is causing him pain.]

...Let's go somewhere else, before someone sees us.

[floralistic]

[rip felix

alfred isn't too embarrassed about the handholding at least]

Sure thing! Where to?

[boarwitness]

My room is just down the hall. Come on.

[and off he trots, tugging alfred along. it's fine? inviting someone to your room is meaningless so don't worry about it?]

[floralistic]

[cool he will just accept this... follows felix to his room]

[boarwitness]

[making their way down the hallway, felix reaches and keys in the door, opens it up, and waits for the other man to join him—then shuts it unceremoniously.

the room is relatively plain, unadorned and undecorated, but rather neatly kept.

felix just stands there, holding hands.]

Right. Anyway.

[...]

...You really just go along with anything.

[floralistic]

[his curiosity gets the best of him as he glances around this stranger's room (also getting an idea of what its owner is like)...]

... Well, I'll admit this wasn't how I was expecting my day to go, but considering you looked like you were going to deck me at first, this is pretty mild?

[boarwitness]

You should have fought back. You can't just let people push you around.

[hello??]

[floralistic]

[ehhhh]

Were you pushing me around?

[boarwitness]

[ack

he makes a face, putting his free hand on his head.]

...Well, I guess I can't entirely say that I wasn't... still, you shouldn't just follow commands without considering them. What if I tried to kill you?

[floralistic]

Well, then I would've defended myself and fought back.

[boarwitness]

Then why didn't you fight back when I...? [he makes a disgruntled sound, and shakes his head.] Never mind. Just don't let anyone else get away with it, okay?

[floralistic]

Come on, you make it sound like I've got no sense of self-preservation. I'd like to think I can tell when someone intends to kill me... [he smiles.] But all right, you got it.

[boarwitness]

Hmph. [that seems to satisfy him at least?

but, come to think of it:]

...Can you fight?

[this guy looks... annoying, somehow. or maybe it's just because he's blond.]

[floralistic]

[blonds are the worst it's true]

Hm? Ah, I can, yes.

[boarwitness]

[now we're back in felix's comfort zone. forget that they're still holding hands, he's immediately warming to the topic.]

What weapon? I mainly use a sword.

[obviously, he has two strapped to his waist?]

[floralistic]

Oh, neat. I'm decent with a sword, though my specialty is the lance.

[he probably doesn't have it on him though because a lance is uh. not quite as easy to just carry around like a sword and i, jan, forgot his class could use swords so who knows if he has one on him right now]