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

[wrists]

[ with a brief roll of his eyes, he replaces the bills and withdraws his hand, deciding not to share that he'd stolen plenty from his doughnut-selling job mere hours ago, not that he has anything to show for it. ]

Your moral compass is incomprehensible. [ laurent sounds bored, shifting to plop his cheek in his palm. ] Murder is fine but stealing is where we draw the line.

[ then their eyes lock, and laurent's gaze slowly slides away to watch sasuke's frozen hand over-pour scalding water into his bowl, spilling it across the back counter. he blinks. zero star review pending. ]

In Vere, men fuck men and women fuck women. That is the accepted norm, because bastards are a blight upon society and cannot inherit anything. Why risk it? We choose to be sensible with our sexual proclivities. [ he shrugs, turning his eyes to the window. ] But I suppose that's not the case everywhere, and a man sucking another man's cock is a thing to be celebrated in this place. Obviously, it's not normal where you're from, considering you've never done it. Or maybe you're just a late bloomer. Or maybe nobody wanted you. Which one was it?

[chokuto]

The circumstances are different in this place. [The retort is sharp, made meaningfully as Sasuke moves to clean the spill, back turned to the counter once more.] And I haven't murdered anyone.

[Here. Attempts of murder in the Netherworld, or his past actions beyond that... Those are another matter he feels unwilling to discuss at the moment, given the absurdity of their current situation. He doesn't know why he complied with the instruction to come to this place and prepare beverages for strangers.

A pair of cats playfully chase each other across the store, drawing Sasuke's eye — as if in answer.]

You obsess over such vulgar acts when it seems they are the very last thing you'd want to do. [He doesn't dignify Laurent's fishing for indignation; he carries no shame or discomfort. A deft hand goes on making the drink to its specifications, adding milk and sugar once the tea is finished, then last, cinnamon.] Family is important to my culture. Many children don't live to see adulthood, often training young to become... [He halts, as if realizing how much he's held close to his chest.] Soldiers. To defend villages, and fight wars. So engaging in a lifestyle that doesn't yield children isn't easily accepted. It would be a luxury, one that many would view as aberrant to nature.

[He says all of this without facing Laurent — and turns, at last, with Laurent's order in hand. His eyes are dark, narrowed, heavy like a weight as he lifts the mug to his lips and drinks, lips licked clean after. Too sweet.]

I wonder what you would do if I did accept your offer to be taught. Would that ease your worry for my lack of experience?

[wrists]

You haven't murdered anyone yet. [ it's a distinction that laurent makes sure is sharp enough to cut through stone, in case sasuke had been entertaining any delusions of forgiveness. ] But given time, I'm sure your natural predilections will shine through.

[ one blurry night means nothing. if sasuke knew anything about anything, laurent would have stormed in here to fling accusations about on principle alone, but he'd come awake clothed, bothered by a headache from his overindulgence of wine and nothing more. there is only the curious memory of — water, lips, enough tension to snap him in two, and — nothing of importance.

laurent watches sasuke sip his drink, his eyes focused on his mouth. something stirs in him, fleeting. he feels the thud of the bowl against the counter like an enormous amount of weight startling him back to the present. ]

I see. [ there is genuine curiosity in his tone; for once, sasuke has explained something of his home to paint the picture with clarity. there are other kingdoms like this, who breed their children for battle. vere is not one of them, and he counts them lucky for it, knowing what it's like to give up all personal pursuits for the sword. ] I'm sorry. I would hope that one day family can be important for other reasons. That war, in your land, would end. That's what it would mean, to me, to be King.

[ he blinks, as if suddenly realizing the words leaving his mouth. these are statements he believes. he simply hadn't planned on voicing them aloud. slowly, he picks up his bowl for a careful sip. ]

I don't worry for your lack of experience. I find amusement in it, because it's pathetic. [ pot, meet kettle. ] If you accepted my offer, you would have to suck my cock while I gave you pointers. It would be purely educational.

[ another loud sip, as he stares dead-eyed at sasuke over the rim of the drink. ]

[chokuto]

[There are too many things, in the short span of interaction, that Laurent makes him feel. Frustration is first to boil, sharp at the insinuation of what those natural predilections might be — as if he would know anything about it. As if he can understand the burden of a bloodline cursed both with madness and limitless power, woven precariously across history. Hot anger has him wishing he could knock the bowl out of those slender hands. Only the trained and tempered self-control halts him.

Then, a sudden dousing, pivoted upon I'm sorry. Sasuke's dark eyes look coolly out from a fringe of hair, assessing the would-be king before him. There is something about men like this, there must be — he can think of no other reason to be so drawn to the flame of those words. That shadow of pride and leadership lurking within, however at odds their worlds, their countries of origin. Laurent speaks of ending war for peace, and all Sasuke can wonder is how he would appear on a throne, how he would make commands, and what sort of men would follow them.

And that uncle, still standing in the way. What will be done? How will Laurent defend himself, with soft hands and a soft heart? It's no armor Sasuke can't see through now.

Damianos. Laurent had missed him. What is the nature of their relationship, and why does Sasuke care? Another pivot like whiplash, cold and brittle; he turns away from the counter as Laurent speaks filth to scoop the heavy cat from the register, gently depositing it to the ground, where it waddles off. His gaze follows the remaining customer who is now standing to leave. Once the entry door closes, jingling, he responds.]

I don't need instruction. I'd cover your mouth with my hand and do what I like. [It's an act that can be learned, like any tactic of battle. But he sees the deadness of Laurent's demeanor — the dark of his tone rescinds, going lukewarm.] Next time, kiss me only if you mean it. It's not something I take lightly.