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beta testing 0.1: tutorial & dungeon
beta testing 0.1
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!
"On" Tutorial
It’s pitch black. Is the darkness an old friend or a source of anxiety for you? Who’s to say what you were doing before, but right now there’s only one thing before your eyes: an ominous word over a slowly generating bar.
All at once - you’re plunged into color.
> A1. TUTORIAL START
If you’re lucky, the first sights that greet you are lush greenery, dancing street performers, and a grand statue of an elephant with assorted birds nesting nearby. Welcome to Avisle’s Town Square.After a quick once-over, you’ll find that everything that you had on you before arriving is accounted for–so if you were barefoot and in your pajamas, you might not have much–with one notable addition: a glowing crystal in your pocket. The roughly cut gem fits in your palm and is already fastened on a chain for you. Convenient!
Soon after finding it, the crystal will begin to project information in front of you that is remarkably legible, even if you’ve never seen these particular runes before. It reads: New Worldwalker’s Checklist. Below, a series of tick boxes await you. You may need to start asking around or exploring. Seems like you’ve got things to do!
If you’re less fortunate, it seems you’ve landed just a bit outside the maintained grounds of the city itself. Somehow you’ve spawned in the middle of a pack of wolves. Huh! Well. You can see the city not too far from here, so maybe if you’re quick… Time to learn on your feet!
Whenever you do get to safety and complete the same inventory of your person, the crystal will respond to you just the same. Apparently you just decided to play on Hard Mode.
> A2. THE BUSTLING GUILD TOWN
☑️ Join a Guild
Avis Isle is a deeply uncharted place, welcoming explorers and curious adventurers. The Guilds do their best to provide structure for the city proper and for those getting a grasp of their magic; the Interguild Alliance (IGA) oversees the Guild Hub where quests are posted and dungeon crawls are organized. While there are all sorts of Guilds around, there are five main wings for each of the Grand 5.
Why not get to know them better? NPCs will call you over and try to encourage you to join them, some with challenging jeers and others with sincere, kind invitations–don’t you know that the very first guild that you join is free? Choose wisely! The guild’s mascot animal, some type of Avian, sits upon a very nice and color-coded throne in their respective wing awaiting your choice. Once you’ve made your selection, it will croon (or honk) at you, and your membership is complete. While you can’t actually hear the words, you have a feeling you’ve been told something like, “Now get to work, fresh meat!”
—Though if you're dallying, guilds aren't without mischief. A stray bird (though never The Throned Mascot Bird) may suddenly run by, webbed feet slapping on tile, and steal one of your items before ducking into the respective wing of their guild. The same goes for those that try to leave without joining a guild. Theft is a great marketing strategy, right?
> A3. BEGINNER’S QUEST: DUNGEON CRAWL
For all new worldwalkers, there is one quest that you must complete upon joining the server. Some call it fun-datory, some call it hazing. Don’t worry about it! Your crystal will blink at you before providing the details of the quest:
☑️ Dungeon Mission:
Retrieve the Hiccuping Hifloon
Retrieve the Hiccuping Hifloon
Though should there come a moment that you find yourself low on energy, whether it be from simple exhaustion or magic use, your communication crystal will flash. A new understanding will come to you: it is possible to transfer mana to one another via gestures of affection, borrowing from your traveling partner’s own energy. Why don’t you go and try it now? Holding a hand might just make you feel better, and not just emotionally!
> A4. TUTORIAL END
And with that, you’ve wrapped up the Duocaeli tutorial! Congratulations!! That said, while it's understandable to get off-track—if you outright ignore the prompts from your to-do list, you’ll find yourself respawning in front of the goal you need to accomplish! Come on, work with us a little here. Or don’t? You can be trapped in a loop if you really want.
Now you’re free to explore the rest of town. While there are some land masses in the distance, out past the wolves, it seems they're not quite open to you at the moment. Attempts to wander closer will lead to you getting turned right back around, and some glitchy text coming from your Communication Crystal that reads SERVER TRAFFIC.
If you poke around the options on your Communication Crystal, or just spend long enough logged on confused, you will eventually find it prompting you through the steps of Logging Out. Seems like there’s more still that awaits you.
"OFF" Tutorial
> B1. HOME SWEET HOME
When you awaken in the OFF world, the pressure on the front of your face is a little more apparent. Taking off the digital visor is easy—and it can turn compact right in your hand! Getting it to snap back into your cell phone just right might be a pain, thank goodness it’s durable—oh right, did we mention you have a cell phone? Whether you’re familiar with the device or not, it’s right there in your palm, the same color as your Duocaeli crystal. A closer examination of your clothes will also reveal that while your threads are familiar, they’re not exactly what you had in Duocaeli. Ever heard of a department store? They’re a little more like what you’d find there! Finally, your phone will suddenly beep and provide you with a new checklist, starting with:☑️ Locate Domus Hosus Room
Seems like the first one is to find your room… But as you take a closer look around you, you might finally notice it—the way that the tiles on the floor seem to be shuddering in excitement at your awakening, the opening and closing of windows and cabinets to get your attention and say hi. Not only is the house alive, it seems to be happy to see you! Make your request—maybe a passing soul tells you that the house likes to be called Dodo, rather than the formal Domus Hosus—and see if it can be answered! Dodo so wants you to be comfortable here.
…and perhaps be a little mischievous? As you try to find your room, designated by your name on a plaque, you might be in for a surprise. Maybe the stairs suddenly turn into a slide, prompting you to tumble into another person. Perhaps the doors flicker and switch at the last second, prompting you to find an unfamiliar neighbor instead of your own lodgings. Is this what they call… a meet cute?
> B2. SURVIVE THE INTERNET
☑️ Post on DUONET
You have some questions, right? Don’t worry, whether for the inquisitive mind or the petty complaint, there’s always the internet! Through your cell phone, you’ll be prompted and guided through the steps of posting on DUONET, which is available to your fellow Worldwalkers. Don’t forget there’s also an Anonymous function, though it’s not without its own hiccups!
> B3. HELLO, MY NAME IS
At some point in your exploration, you’ll be interrupted by a neat little beep beep! On the screen of your phone:
☑️ Go to Dodo's Welcome Mingle
Or It'll Be Sad It Worked Really Hard On It :(
Or It'll Be Sad It Worked Really Hard On It :(
O-Oh. No reason not to drop in for a little while at least, right? Heading down to the Lobby of the Dodo House will reveal that it's been spruced up for all the new arrivals—sweet little string lights and dinky party streamers probably look a little silly against the grand art nouveau architecture, but don't you see how the lights surge happily at your arrival? It's the thought that counts!
All arrivals to the party will also find themselves with a name tag that lists one fact about them, regardless of whether it's a closely guarded secret or an actual fun fact! Those are impossible to think of when you're put on the spot—isn't it nice to have one thought of for you?
> B4. THE GOOD FORTUNE CITY
Once you're done partying, you and your newfound friends are free to hit the town. There are an unusual amount of signs that read CLOSED FOR PRIDE PARADE PREP, but you'll at least find that the local convenience stores and basic modern amenities are open.
Perhaps you should focus on the way other people here treat you so familiarly, as though you’ve been here all your life. Maybe some of it is jogging your memory, maybe not. Regardless, it seems that, for now, you’re here to stay. The question is how, or whether, you’ll make the best of it.
OOC Notes
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
no subject
Years of failing to live up to his various roles have hardened his skin to the casual criticism Mithos flings his way. It's nothing he hasn't heard or told himself before. Even if Mithos had stopped after two words, Roland wouldn't be feeling any differently now. Besides, there's the matter of these people from the memories foremost.]
One look at my face was all he needed. He already suspects that something is amiss . . .
[He says this matter-of-factly, knowing that the burden of fault rests on his shoulders either way, though his light tone and unassuming expression remain from then to now. He's unkempt. No loving father would look at his suddenly malnourished son and think nothing is wrong. In truth, this particular role was ill-suited for him from the start.
Roland follows Mithos' gaze to the sign. The longer they're here, the more it feels like he's trespassing. And Mithos clearly doesn't care to stick around.]
Let us be on our way.
no subject
... or, not at all. but again that's all secondary and inconsequential when compared to the topic of Real Man Roland, who continues to step on his toes by not reacting how mithos wants, opting always for the things he wants least. on the topic of us, as he moves to leave: ]
There's no us. Stop giving me or-
[ he's cut off. the sound of the main entrance opening makes him think it's roland's ghost that's left, but the voice that rings out into the stillness quickly corrects him.
"I'm home! Are they still here, dear? I made my way back as soon as you messaged..."
he freezes, torn between relief and wanting to blow up as the fake memories and real ones intersect. he doesn't make the connection that this is how roland must have felt; those shreds of empathy are long gone, even without being torn away by the appearance of his own ghost. mithos, who has been ignoring his own heart in a myriad of ways, becomes intimately aware of his own naivety. of course they would be unhinged enough to use this. he would. it always stops and starts... here.
oh. he grips his head with one hand, unable to sort through the falsities to pick out what he needs to know. all he can see is her—
it it it it it it it it IT IT IT IT—
—he can't do that. excuse him, roland's upper arm is getting gripped with mithos' other hand. desperately. no mercy at all. ]
We used to sneak out, didn't we? [ no they didn't ] How? I can't remember. This is your fault, Roland... Fix it.
[ as the only thing that's real here, that's obviously his responsibility.
GIRL HELP ]
no subject
Mithos' sudden shift is as shocking as it is concerning. The grip is unexpectantly powerful—desperate. Something about the unseen woman has touched Mithos' heart, and Roland's own stirs at the anguished demand.
Perhaps it's his personal history of unapproved excursions that dredge up the associated memories from somewhere in the void. Mithos can't remember, but Roland can.]
. . . The window in my room. You can sneak around the fence by climbing the tree.
[Mithos can. As for Roland, he rests a hand over the grip on his arm before moving past to put himself between Mithos and the main entrance. They can't both disappear without saying a word. The younger brother, who fortunately happens to be Mithos here, has greater leeway on that front.
The irony of that thought isn't lost on him.
Roland pulls his hand back, silently urging for Mithos to go. Antagonistic as Mithos has been this entire time, he's clearly in no condition to be entertaining this woman's company. He can't stay here.]
no subject
roland couldn't just tell him what he wanted to know and be done with it. mithos isn't really sure what's upsetting him here. or, rather, it's everything. is he supposed to be grateful? is roland stupid, thinking something as shallow as a hand over his own would offer some kind of comfort? does she (it, it, it—) look the same?
the plan of escape offers some clarity to mithos' mind, where he opts to focus only on the self-preservation of whatever tenuous grasp he has left on himself. roland is just another tool he can use to that end — willing or not makes no difference — so mithos doesn't hesitate at all to run away and abandon him.
there is no thank you. not even a sharp comment. just the sounds of a very fervent escape, as mithos moves to do what he's told. he'll make it back to dodo before he even has to risk coming in contact with their demons. the ones that call out for them now.
yeah. have fun with them, roland. ]
no subject
Footfalls followed by voices from the main entrance turn his head. Memories of the woman come flooding in like an insidious deluge once he exits the shadows and enters the light of the living room, where they come face to face. The man is also there, and Roland musters a placid smile at the picturesque couple.
All things considered, it's not difficult to push his breath to energize his voice and to widen the curvature of his lips until his eyes crinkle. Navigating parental concern is another story; there's little finesse to be found there, but he doesn't stay overlong.
Soon he's back in Dodo—and sporting a couple of small cuts along his jaw where clumsy hands fumbled with unfamiliar technology before his haggard reflection. His face feels clean and all too exposed at once as he reaches for his door, only for Dodo to sweep the proverbial rug out from under his feet. He was cautious enough to stop himself from entering random rooms on arrival, but the day's events must be weighing on him. His mind isn't quick enough to stop his hand, and he freezes in the doorway once he catches sight of a familiar face.]
/2
the sight of mithos — sitting in his bed with his knees drawn up to his chest — is likely a far more stable image to roland than what had left (he's not. stable, that is). mithos visibly startles when his door opens, and the more pensive look on his face immediately shifts into defensive as he lifts a hand that, this time, is an actual threat.
even when it dawns on him who the intruder is, he doesn't lower his guard. in fact, he strengthens it, as he recalls everything that roland saw. everything roland did. including the things mithos wasn't present for, which he can see the hints of in a face that looks less unkempt than before, but just as foolish.
he could kill him. he could kill him. he could— ]
no subject
that's so funny. ]
What did you do?
[ this question is not specific.
it's not specific because mithos can't find one specific thing to be mad about: roland's fake status, roland's fake concern, roland's fake sacrifice, roland's fake makeover... all of it, compounded on his existing and new issues.
at least he's not telling him to get out yet, but he's sure roland is more than aware that he's thinking it. ]
no subject
The pillow falls to the floor with a soft thud. Roland hesitates in the face of Mithos' stare before he crouches down to pick it up.]
I'm sorry. Dodo traded the doors before I could stop myself.
[Dodo's excitable—perhaps overly so. Roland has known this since their arrival, which means he's to blame for his carelessness.
There's more he could say in response to the question. In fact, there's something he'd like to share. But he thinks it would be better to pace himself and see how willing Mithos is to tolerate his company now that they're not trapped by the breathing echoes of false memories.]
no subject
and then a look to the wall beside the bed, as mithos places a hand gently on it. it's a silent ask for confirmation accompanied by a vocal one. ]
Well?
[ roland is a liar before dodo is annoying, by virtue of one thing being human and the other thing being... not that, so it's only until the lights flicker lightly in something reminiscent of a laugh that mithos allows himself to Not Care that roland even answered the question. instead, he's now annoyed that he did choose the most inconsequential thing, though they were never a complete invasion of mithos's personal boundaries.
not that mithos can't blame him for doing it anyway, though he's too tired to muster the rage necessary to fight the insistent way this continues to happen, or the way that roland still doesn't leave. so, he doesn't.
but he also doesn't continue to speak, instead moving his body to sit on the edge of the bed, as he gives roland another questioning glance. dodo got their well? and now roland gets his. if the thing he's choosing here is to stay where he's been forced to go, what does he want? ]
no subject
But it won't do to stand there and gawk all evening. At the look he receives, Roland takes a careful step forward with the pillow held between his hands.]
I spoke with the father and the mother about an adjustment period. [He makes certain to use that distinction. None of them is a family.] Tomorrow's dinner has been postponed.
[More importantly, they'll be given a wide berth for a time. Distance is probably a good thing, given what they both experienced back at the house.]
no subject
the tolerance mithos has for roland's approach lessens with the information he's offered. he does try to keep his apathy intact when "the mother" is mentioned... he doesn't succeed. his eyes narrow. a hand rests on his temple, like he can physically stop more memories from infringing and breaking down the few things he has left.
roland keeps bringing reminders. ]
Adjustment period. [ he repeats it slowly. that's a joke that's gone over his head. he's baffled. ] Congratulations on your useless negotiation with a pair of inferior dolls, dear brother.
[ the "That's Stupid. Just Don't Show Up, Like I Am" is implied. the sarcastic venom the title is coated in is not.
it's a clear attempt at making fun of roland's efforts to make a distinction. in mithos' mind, there's no way to partially reject this. if roland is going to insist on identifying them as a mother and a father, he's accepting this farce. ]
You may be willing to bleed [ a very obvious focus on those tiny cuts along roland's chin ] and play model son for the comfort of whatever those things are, but you can't possibly be dense enough to think I'm interested.
no subject
His lips part slightly. Even now, he isn't certain of what it means to be the model son. . . . Well, no. It means to be like Serenoa or even Dragan. Someone who inspires love and pride. He's neither, and the time to change that has long passed, so he sets the wistfulness of it all aside.]
No being is inherently inferior. [He says this gently. Whatever or whoever those people are, they expressed feelings he can't simply disregard.] Unbeknownst to them, they've lost their sons. I thought to dissuade them from approaching you.
[Although Mithos' disinterest is understandable, cold apathy stings. The time to break the news to the parents will come once Roland has a better understanding of this world. There's no need for senseless cruelty from either side in the interim.]
no subject
mithos was done with this before he got here. he persists, unchanging, as he struggles against old knives, and digs at his old, festering wounds. he doesn't question the validity of his shitty assumptions, not ever, but he does linger on the futility. ]
... And? Did you want my gratitude? Sympathy? Telling me anything changes nothing.
[ anything. he refuses to look at roland. ]
no subject
Your well-being is all I want.
[Still, the truth is what it is.
One step could only take him so far. He's still too far from the bed, but to inch any closer and show his freshened face would be unwise. Instead, he kneels down and lays the pillow on the floor between them, then takes a step back.]
I'm sorry for the intrusion. I shall take my leave now.
no subject
Haha. I thought... No, I was hoping you would say something like that. You can stay.
[ wwwwwhat.
but, yeah! not roland thinking he could let a sentence as hollow as that be his parting words. the simple wish actually does seem to stir something within mithos, but it isn't anything good. it gives him the energy to lift his head; it causes him to stand, and cross the distance to the pillow roland's put down between them.
this is the easiest thing roland's given him. an answer mithos expects. the echoes of the past, clashing values, ideals, and morals are exhausting. roland's position as some kind of stand-in for martel is beyond irritating.
but this? sentiment from a human who knows and understands nothing? the thing he's sure of the most is that a wish like that is fickle, and won't last at all in the face of the truth. ]
In fact, if that's all, you don't get to leave until you realize how ridiculous a want that is. We've already established getting swept up by our fake memories is foolish. So I can only assume you want that for everyone, since you know absolutely nothing about me. Am I wrong, Roland?
no subject
The muted surprise melts with each and every step Mithos takes to close the distance between them, like a predator who's found the opening he's been waiting for to pounce. It's a familiar fire, albeit one too calculated for the eyes of a child. Roland meets those eyes with his ponderous own.]
. . . It is.
[The silent but hangs in the air. While there's more he can say, the same must apply to Mithos, about whom he knows nothing. Roland would hear more first.]
no subject
whatever thoughts are behind that gaze... mithos can fill those in, along with the silence (that lingers for just a little longer than necessary), though it ultimately doesn't matter. ]
I don't need that generic and meaningless pity. Not from some ragged and arrogant human who doesn't understand that not everyone deserves that "well-being", and not everyone can have it.
[ not with how the world is now. how it'll continue to be. and not that mithos means he doesn't deserve it........ that would imply he's done something bad,
but those sure are adjectives. and assumptions. his eyes narrow. ]
I can't stand your kind the most.
[ he means this in so many ways. ]
no subject
In a perfect world, everyone would be equal and happy . . . But the world is neither perfect nor equal. It's a fanciful dream that perhaps can never be attained.
[Roland doesn't know Mithos well enough—or at all—to judge the whys. But it isn't difficult to agree. It's a ridiculous want, yet he pursues it all the same.]
That's why I joined the brotherhood. I may not be able to change the world, but I believe no man deserves to suffer.
no subject
when did the detachment blunt mithos' anger, to the point that this is almost hilariously, comically pathetic? who is he talking to now? ]
And because of that deluded ideal, even if you could change it, you wouldn't. Even the necessary sacrifices of a few, undeserving souls is too high a price to pay for an equal age.
[ ... ]
You'll struggle on your pointless path, the suffering will continue, and you'll perish having accomplished nothing.
[
right. ]
no subject
A part of him wonders if this is why they're supposed to be brothers in this misbegotten world. A handful of years ago, he would've despaired over that truth. Now he exhales, shoulders heaving faintly from the muted effort, and Mithos' gaze feels so far away despite their proximity.]
. . . That is the path I've chosen.
no subject
perhaps this is the only time where it seems he's looking at roland clearly. assessing him without rage, assessing him without judgement. without... anything, really. ]
Then die on it.
[ mithos kneels to pick up the pillow between them, wondering now if there's any point in keeping roland here. if even the vapid connections with those sentient are meant to laugh at the past, then... ]
... And away from me. We'll never understand each other. I'll kill you if you try.
no subject
[If nothing else, he can grasp that much. He would have more to say if he were to speak plainly as Roland Glenbrook, but there's no point in beating that dying horse. Still, it would defeat the purpose he stands for if he lets it end like this.]
But pray don't hesitate to call for my aid if you're ever in need.
[That's all he has to add as he gives a small nod. They've both established that his want is ridiculous. If he's pushed the boundaries of Mithos' patience enough, he'll go.]
no subject
straightening up with the pillow in his grasp, he finds himself both unsurprised and unimpressed that roland isn't listening at all. the incendiary remark that rises up is a reflex meant to dissuade and hurt him; the way mithos opens his mouth and then closes it with nothing said makes it obvious that he, at this point, considers that nothing more than wasted effort.
instead: ]
Get rid of those fakes.
[ it's a very cold and casual command for mcmurder (that he does not feel the least conflicted about. no). as soon as it's out in the air, he's turning his back to roland and continuing with something resembling bitter amusement. ]
... But you won't, so there's nothing you could ever do for me. Don't make such an empty offer.
[ roland truly is the guy with a bucket of water rolling up to the fire after the forest's already gone. ]
no subject
Watching Mithos' back, he clutches the metaphorical bucket of water close. There are only so many ways forward in difficult situations, and those ways are often painted in tears. Even so, he won't resort to thoughtless violence.]
There are other ways to create distance. I shall speak to them on your behalf.
no subject
isn't he intimately familiar with a whole bunch of ways. death comes easiest for a variety of reasons that he doesn't stop on for too long; the fact that he can't help but linger on roland's statement at all is honestly more than enough for mithos.
he shows no hints of stirring until he actually does, offering roland a question that could be construed as either flatly rhetorical or sincerity hiding behind disinterest, paired with an expression that's definitely blank. though, of course, roland can't see it. ]
What's the best one to use on someone like you?
[ being abrasive and dangerous sure isn't sufficient apparently.
and really, "on your behalf" implies that what roland would convey is mithos' will. that isn't distance, nor is it the desire for roland to act as his mouthpiece in any form. ]
(no subject)