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beta testing 0.2: quest update
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!
> 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.
REWARD: Free food, daiya, and a good time!
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.
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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duocaeli duologs duolingosTaken / Applications / Hiatus & Drops
FULL NAVIGATION
cw: women hating women :weary:
Wh-what the hell? You propositioned me!
[Also she would die before coupling with this...this bobble-headed bimbo! Even if she were to pick a woman (which would never happen!) it would be with someone who had a brain! And was strong, and kind, and accepting, and maybe had a short bob or something...
....
Anyway this isn't happening! Fukawa renews her scowl at the sniveling moron.]
B-besides! I'm saving myself for my Byakuya-sama, and I wouldn't waste my first time on an idiot slut like you!
help me god
I'm not a...a...
[ wow she can't even bring herself to repeat the words, because unlike fukawa she is a NICE person who doesn't insult every new person she meets. ]
You're the one who asked if that was what I wanted! Why are you blaming me??
[ this is going so well, they are definitely not arguing like a pair of children or anything. ]
look they're gonna make out even if it kills me
Not that Fukawa is particularly pure-hearted either. Anyway!]
B-because you were the one who st-started all this crap about kissing— [— in order to activate the flowers. Which, as she now notices, are on the brink of death. Moments ago they were just looking droopy, and now they're dying?
Fukawa squawks, pointing to their handiwork.]
N-n-now look what you've done!
[It's this girl's fault. 100%.]
you're the true hero here, kabby
[ she squeals the word in protest, about to spew forth more mindless retorts, when she too takes a good look at the flower fields around them. oh no. oh no!! oh gods, what if the flowers end up dying because of them? what if these are the last blue chamomiles to ever grace these lands and they end up being the ones that kill them??
her panic sets in at full force, and ignoring all sense of personal space and boundaries, beatrix makes a grab for fukawa's hands. ]
We have to kiss! Right now!
[ FOR THE GOOD FOR THE FLOWERS!! ]
it takes two to tango, val
N-n-now?
[Her face heats up at once. Sure, she'd had some experiences with the mistletoe in Stygia. But if that revolting couple from before were setting a standard, a begrudging peck for half a second wouldn't cut it.
Oh god. She winces, glancing around. Are there witnesses? There doesn't seem to be anyone out here now. But still! This was a virtual reality of some kind, right? What if someone was recording this?
A flower next to her foot flops over whole. Bereft of life. Fukawa gasps and cries out, voice tight with fright.]
F-fine! Fine, I'll do it! All right?! I'll do it! But if you dare t-tell anybody— [Oh there goes another one. Perhaps threats are bad?] GAH! Okay! Okay j-just...
[Her hands whip free and settle on the other girl's shoulders. Her eyes wrench shut. She stays perfectly still.
She is waiting.]
no subject
Okay, okay, just give me a second—!
[ she has very important questions to figure out first, okay? like where she's supposed to put her hands now that she can't hold fukawa's??
frantically, she thinks back to all the (pg-rated) romance novels she'd read in the past, trying to recall the scenes where the handsome male lead whisks the beautiful female lead off her feet and leans in for a swoon-worthy kiss. well, there's definitely not going to be any leaning here when they're both around the same height. maybe around the other girl's waist? or in her hair? the man always lovingly strokes the woman's hair first, right??
another flower's light goes out, its life extinguished by her tardiness. the sight is enough to give beatrix that last push she needs, and she grabs toko's face with both hands and thrusts her face forward.
unfortunately her aim is poor and they end up bonking foreheads instead. ow. ]
Okay nevermind i guess it's all up to me since bea is in yackety sax mode
By jove
Okay well Fukawa is understandably wrenching her head back with a squawk of pain, blinking away stars.]
Ow! What was that supposed to be?! [She glowers at the other girl. Idiot!! Imagine being a slut who didn't know how to kiss. How embarrassing.] D-don't tell me you've never kissed anyone before. Even I've done that much.
[Under duress.]
i forcibly assign toko top in this pairing
mostly because her head is throbbing with pain, but there's a little bit of embarrassment-induced panic buried in there too, definitely. ]
I've kissed people! I've definitely kissed people before!
[ namely her parents, but this girl doesn't need to know that. gods! this whole thing is turning out so terribly. but she's not a quitter and she's definitely not giving up now, especially when it means she'll never live it down if she ever bumps into this girl again. ]
If you know so much, then why didn't you just do the kiss?
[ then they could have both been spared this trouble and beatrix wouldn't be in the middle of wishing for the ground to open up and swallow them both. ]
and i'll never forgive you for it
Or she would, if she had the brains to be savvy about it.]
Uuuuugh, I c-can't believe you! What a total brat you are! M-making me play the man— [
heteronormativity, horrendous] — acting all innocent...well I see right through it![Despicable.
But alas, she must go through with it. These flowers are important or whatever. Fukawa grumbles, lifts her hands. Retracts them. Lifts them again and gently, fretfully, sets them atop Bea's shoulders.]
Close your eyes already! I won't d-do it if you keep staring at me like I'm some kind of bug.
finally drags my corpse back here
But after her horrendous mistake of before - her throbbing forehead a painful reminder - Beatrix isn't keen on embarrassing herself any further. Fukawa tells her to close her eyes and she immediately screws them shut, her whole body as stiff as a metal pole.
Shockingly, she isn't saying anything either, for once keeping her firmly closed. (Who's the true bottom here, it's her.) The road forward from here should be relatively easy now, right?? ]
kicks it
There is still some hesitation. It's not a position she wants to be in, and definitely not something she feels confident about. Even if they have seeming privacy now, could there be some secret recording made of this to blackmail her later? Or would this skank go running around telling people filthy rumors about her?
At the corner of her eyes, she can see their path of destruction spreading. Fukawa gulps (wetly), takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. She neglects to remove her glasses. Too nervous to be practical and too eager to have the whole affair over with, she only tilts her head and presses her lips to the other girl's.
Which are soft. Too soft for her tastes, definitely, she doesn't like this one bit. It's a horror. Only her past experience with the mistletoe is pushing her through. Are the flowers perking up yet?
One sidelong peek says no. God, how long does she have to endure this torment? Just...think of Byakuya-sama! Yes. Her memory of the planes of his body shall carry her through. The kingly angle of his cheekbone, his sharp hewn jaw, the knowing smirk on the perfect bow of his lips. What would it be like to kiss him at last? She's waited a lifetime for the privilege. Concocted a thousand scenarios in her head, a million stratagems, witty things to say in the breathless pause thereafter.
Fukawa loses herself in the fantasies. All memories of memories by now, and yet powerful enough to push her into mimicking the motions therein. Soft, a slip of a shift. Then it's a kiss in truth, one lip caught between hers, tug, repeat.
Her fingers curl snug around dainty shoulders.]
no subject
Thankfully, Beatrix remains blissfully unaware of the train of delusions running through the other girl's mind. With her eyes closed, she's forced to rely on her other senses. The sound of fabric shifting as Fukawa leans in closer, and the slight additional pressure of hands on her shoulder. The warm breath that tickles her face. And finally, at the end of it all, the press of lips against hers, almost too light to be felt.
No fireworks go off, no pulse of pleasure drifts through her body to suffuse her in a warm pink glow. Nothing like all the books she's read. In a way it's kind of a relief. It would be more worrisome if she felt something for a complete stranger, right? She cracks one eye open. It's a mistake, because instead of Fukawa's face all she can see are the flowers around them, still wilted and half-dead.
There's a small noise in the back of her throat, a squeak of alarm over their unimproved conditions, but it's a noise that's quickly halted by the growing intensity of the kiss. She sucks in a breath, eyes widening and heart skipping a beat as their lips mold closer together. It feels.....strange. Not unpleasant, and also intriguing in a way she can't explain, enough that she doesn't pull away.
Unfortunately for Fukawa (and for the flowers, who aren't fully satisfied with this display of affection just yet), Beatrix's inability to top even carpet means that the ball still remains in Fukawa's court as Beatrix remains where she is, her only contribution to this kiss being a slight forward lean and an overly hesitant raise of one hand to settle on Fukawa's arm. ]