duolingos | beta testing 0.2: quest update

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!

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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[The way that he's still just staring at the sky even though he can see Buzen watching him from his peripheral vision. He also doesn't answer for a few moments because honestly, he doesn't have one... At least not one that comes to mind right away, or not one that isn't vast and general rather than a specific thing that he can do for Buzen here and now.

Eventually, he just sighs, closing his eyes again rather than meeting Buzen's.]

I don't know... What can I do for you?

[ . . . help. the way that buzen just thinks this is kinda funny. he laughs a little at that, and matsui is closing his eyes but buzen is leaning forward to look at his expression as much as their position can allow - which isn't much. he's not that flexible. but he's trying.]

I don't know what that even means... That's why I asked you.

[he just hums and starts listing things off then? whatever comes to mind]

You can remind me to rest, you're really good at that. You can keep the futon warm - that's been nice. You can go along with all my suggestions, including the ones that launch us into the sky with giant flowers. [(kuwana voice) THEY'RE WEEDS]

You can do all kinds of things... Is that what you're asking?

[HE CAN FEEL BUZEN'S FACE GETTING CLOSER!! So he reaches out and up with his other hand, cracking an eye open so he doesn't fuckin bonk him in the nose or something. No face smushes this time, just a gentle face cradle again.

This response gets him to laugh, anyway - just a short little huff of an amused sound, and he shakes his head.]

You're the one who keeps the futon warm. [HE RUNS COLD LIKE A LIZARD, his feet are probably always freezing but fortunately he's a Victorian maiden so he probably also wears socks to bed.] But I suppose I can do these things for you.

Then you keep it just the right temperature so we don't get too hot!

[HE REALLY DOES HAVE A KNACK FOR TWISTING EVERYTHING BACK AROUND TO POSITIVE but he grins a bit with the statement, laughing as he automatically leans into matsui's touch.]

Besides, it's been nice waking up next to you. That's already something I like.

[and then as if he didn't say anything all that note-worthy - ] What about you, Matsu? What more can I do for you?

[THE WAY HE'S A CHARMER WITHOUT EVEN TRYING... INFURIATING. Not for Matsui unfortunately, who just finds his charm, y'know. Charming. EVEN HIS RIDICULOUS POSITIVE TWISTIES.

He can feel his heart do another flip in his chest at that, though, and he'd probably settle his hand against it if he wasn't busy holding Buzen's charming face.]

You do more than enough.

[SAYING THINGS LIKE THIS!! Just existing in Matsui's peripheral would be enough for him, honestly, except for the part where he's greedy now and will have to re-learn how to share.]

...I enjoy being able to see you before I fall asleep. That alone is pleasant.

[And he also enjoys seeing him first thing on the days when they wake up at the same time, too, but he's significantly crankier in the morning so he'd rather just set those aside, goodbye mornings.]

[matsui truly forgetting their poly the longer that this goes on. but buzen just laughs a little bit at that, looking amused.]

I feel like you asked me a question that even you don't have an answer to, Matsu...

[teasing... but he doesn't mind. instead he just smiles, the curve of his lips disappearing into matsui's palm.]

Is that really all, though... Mm... Give me something else! A task! A request! Maybe it can be like flower picking - but I want a reward, too.

[he says this but buzen would simply have no idea what to request as a reward, help me]

[HE REALLY DOES. EVERY DAY HE STRAYS FARTHER AWAY FROM THEIR POLY BECAUSE HE GETS TO HOG BUZEN.]

It was never meant to be a question for me. [Because Buzen already does too much for him??? BUZEN DOES TOO MUCH IN GENERAL. He needs to stop taking on so much. HE NEEDS TO STOP.

His palm is probably also cool considering he has cold-leaning hands, too, but the gesture feels seamless and perhaps a little too practiced and comfortable. As with most things, he chooses to simply not perceive.]

A task or request? Mm... [THINKY THONK.] ...Sing something?

[It's the easiest thing he could think of and one of the first that came to mind.]

[kotegiri is shaking, matsui

matsui is so cold and cool... the way buzen runs hot so it makes sense for him to chase after his touch extra. stupid. at the mention of singing something though, he laughs]

I can... But is there a song you want to hear?

[THE TOUMYU REPERTOIRE IS SO VAST]

[STOP NOT SWEET KOTEGIRI

Also truly they are matchies... He blinks skyward again, thoughtful for all of 2 seconds before deciding to not be helpful at all.]

What song do you feel like singing? That's the one I wish to hear.

[MATSUI IS DOING THIS

but buzen laughs, amused. he could probably pick the fastest song that he knows and that'd work... but eventually he thinks of a different one that kind of fits the easygoing moment.]

The seasons that we spent together, those days are now unfolding before my eyes.
Because of your smile, I managed to keep going.
I always wanted to tell you that someday.
I hope I'll never forget these memories are a priceless treasure. ♪

[the way that takaramono was the song that the paraiso team covered..... iconic]

[oh softe... He'd honestly been half expecting Buzen to bust out a more high energy song, but hearing these lyrics has his expression softening even further, as if he EVER STOPS LOOKING INFATUATED AND SOFT AROUND BUZEN.

He'll start humming along as Buzen sings, dropping his hands from Buzen's face. The one that Buzen had been holding to his cheek he keeps hold of, though, gently curling his fingers into Buzen's.

Once the song is done:] Thank you. [Hehe Buzen serenade...] But what is it that you'd like for a reward?

[oh!!!!! honestly the moment that matsui starts humming along, buzen's expression only brightens. what he'd like even more than just singing for matsui would be a duet.... but it's okay, for now this is fine.

when matsui curls his hand into his, buzen will just squeeze back gently. and then when asked for what he wants....

TSURU VOICE:]

I want a surprise!

[i decide to be merciful

or do i

Anyway, he seems to be turning this over in his mind, CONSIDERING. Thinking. Thonking.]

Mm... A surprise for now, or a surprise for later?

... why are you still making me choose...

[MATSUI THIS IS SO MEAN]

Can I get both?

[he onlY SANG ONE SONG]

[HE'S NOT EVEN BULLYING INTENTIONALLY THIS TIME and yet it still gives him the same satisfaction... Terrible.

Also he only sang one song but Matsui will still indulge him because the sky will fall down before he doesn't indulge his favorite person.]

If you would like. You'll have to close your eyes for now, though, if that's the case.

[REVENGE.]

Oh, really? Nice! Okay, I'm in your hands, Matsu!

[HE DIDN'T THINK THAT WOULD WORK, HELLO

isn't it nice that matsui is so agreeable.... but he'll nod! and then close his eyes obediently, because he truly trusts matsui so much

i hope he shoves him off the dandelion island]

[The first thing he does when Buzen closes his eyes is sit up from his very comfortable lap pillow, which he won't even be huffy about. (It's because no one else will come STEAL IT the second he vacates...)

Next, Buzen will feel fingers against the side of his face, curving along his cheek and down to his jaw... Only to slide down to the pocket where he's keeping their lil flowers. Matsui's fingers dip in, rummage, presumably removing one; there's a pause, then, before his hands return. They're at his hair now, fussing gently, working carefully and smoothing things down every so often.

After a few moments of that, his hands draw away again.]

I'm finished.

[He gave Buzen a wee lil braid with a cute glowy flower tucked in.]

[ !!! he's finished!!!!

buzen will open his eyes then, eager! and then - honestly he just looks confused. he looks down at the pocket where the flowers are kept, and then back up again... his eyes flick toward the spot where matsui did the little braid but he can't like

see his own head

so]

What happened?

[MATSUI IS SO FUCKING CUTE AND BUZEN IS JUST AN IMBECILE]

[Unfortunately Matsui is morosexual and loves that Buzen is a fucking dipshit. HE'S CHARMED EVEN BY THIS...

Anyway, he taps the side of his own head, presumably indicating the same spot on Buzen's empty noggin.]

I gave a flower a new temporary home. It suits you.

Oh!

[BUZEN'S HAND ZIPS UP - and then remembers at the last second to be careful.... he curiously pokes at the spot that matsui mimed to, very monkey see monkey do, and then will feel the soft edge of a flower

which is about when he laughs, bright and amused]

There it is! Huh, that's a good surprise, Matsu. I never would've guessed. Thanks!

I don't know how much a delicate thing like flowers match me but... if you say so, it's gotta be true.

[BUZEN IS SO CUTE that's the phrase on repeat in Matsui's stupid Buzen-infatuated brain right now (but also always).

It was just a goofy lil surprise though, especially considering he didn't exactly have a lot of time or space or materials to work with to make something here and Catholicism is otherwise standing in his way.]

The brightness suits your smile, but delicate things and rough things do go well together.

[Like them... Buzen and his roughhousing and Matsui being a Victorian maiden until he's on the battlefield.]

I wish I could show you...

Hmm.... I don't know how to do that - but I can at least make it so you match?

[he'll pluck another flower out of his pocket, before hesitating]

Ah, I doubt it'll be as nice though... I'm good with my hands, but I feel like you and Kotegiri always outmatch me when it comes to actually making things look good.

Are you up for it, Matsu?

[Buzen's absolutely gonna make an ugly little stump of a braid but Matsui doesn't have enough words in his vocabulary to tell him how alright he is with this. Buzen could get away with anything!! He would let him!!

Instead, he just laughs - a soft and quiet sound, gone as soon as it came.]

I'm up for it. I'll leave myself in your hands, Buzen.

[Fuck up his hair just do it.]

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beta testing 0.2: quest update

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