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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
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a1
Unfortunately, I don't think the wolves are keen to reward spirit, miss—!
[but, like, kudos anyway]
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[but given the fact that she's running into another stranger with a sword, it clues her in very fast that at least this isn't fuyuki city. so she doesn't have to be worried about using her magic?
watered down as it is.... she'll fire off another shot, ignoring how it takes more effort this time.]
Where's the escape route?
[if he came from somewhere else maybe he knows where a proper path to civilization is?]
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There's a city not far from here—they shouldn't be able to reach us there. I can lead the way—!
[slash slash]
no subject
this is my kind of action thread, thank you jan]
This city needs better pest control...!
[but she isn't against this plan. she continues to blast at the wolves with one hand - though the shots have longer pauses between them, and her free hand goes to pressing against the growing pool of red at her abdomen.... it's nothing don't worry about it]
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A complaint to take up with its mayor, perhaps!
[he shoots her wound a worried look but right in the middle of fending off wolves is unfortunately not the time to address this.
he makes sure to keep pace with her, not getting ahead of her.]
How quickly can you run? I can fend off the wolves, if you want to focus on making it to the city.
no subject
No, we both go. What's the point if you just end up getting injured too?!
no subject
sion looks like he wants to protest, but the rational part of his mind kicks in and reminds him that arguing over this while fleeing is really just going to slow them down.
slashing at a wolf that leaps too close for comfort—]
—Fine. Try not to aggravate your wounds too much, at least.
no subject
I can make it to the town.
[that's the important part - but she'll still fire off the occasional mana shot just when it feels especially necessary.]
no subject
Then, that's what's important.
[he's joined the menders guild, and he might have to put his newfound baby magic to the test, but. there is only so much one can do about hole.]
The wolves don't seem keen on entering the city, so we don't need to win against them all—just make it there.
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but like - ]
—when I get my magic back in full, I'm blasting all these so hard they won't bother anyone again.
[RIN TOHSAKA, SCOURGE OF WOLVES. but she also coughs wetly a moment after, so like. she doesn't waste her breath on any more stupid declarations...]
no subject
[sion is well-versed in the art of casual danger dialogue, but talking while running for their lives is taking its toll on him, so he also keeps quiet after that. to the city!!]
no subject
so settling for the city it is, and once they make it far enough that the wolves decide that they don't want to deal with the chase anymore, she will let herself slow.
and more pitifully, she'll lose her balance a little and grab onto a nearby bench with her non-bloody hand so she doesn't just full on fall]
Ugh. What a welcome...
no subject
[but with that quip out of the way, his expression turns more serious. he holds out a hand if she wants it, although he suspects she won't take it.]
Can I take a look at your injury? I might be able to do something about it... a little, at least, until we can find you a proper doctor or healer.
no subject
she doesn't want to die and she doesn't know if she has the mana to heal herself. there's something written in her magic circuitry that makes it so that her body autoheals to a degree, but she's pretty sure that's moving at a snail's pace, so.
while she doesn't look at the hand with disdain, she doesn't take it immediately either.]
What do you want in exchange?
no subject
For you to make it through this day with minimal harm? Well, I suppose it might be too late for that, but still.
no subject
I don't take charity. I expect you to decide on a price, and for it to not be stupid.
[but she's practical enough to not spend too much time bartering over the cost of her well-being - apparently just enough to make it clear she doesn't want this to be for free.
so she'll take his hand a moment later]
no subject
[but if she's taking his hand, he'll help her up a bit so she's less hunched over the bench—mainly so he can hover his other hand over her main injury.]
Pardon me...
[he's a little awkward because this feels a tad inappropriate, but you gotta do what you gotta do. NOW I'M FEELING SELF-CONSCIOUS MAKING UP MAGIC TO A MOD'S FACE BUT IF I'M BREAKING THE RULES YOU CAN PRE-BAN ME NOW anyway something emitting light something but the wound closes enough to not be, like. actively bleeding right now.
he grimaces.]
... I don't think this is going to last long. I'm not very good at this yet, I'll admit. [since he just started. but thank god he picked menders...] But let's see if it holds up until we find someone who can properly heal you.
no subject
just kidding the number of times i've said to nu 'oh player choice is fine' so magic can be adaptable to how it makes sense for your chara! but healing magic in exchange for money sounds like a perfectly fine contract for her, so she nods. with his assistance, she stands and some small mean part of her is amused at his awkwardness, but decides not to comment for once. small mercies.
she sighs a little bit with the wound closure - it's not perfect. she can feel that much, but well - it was a pretty bad wound and healing magic isn't her specialty either.]
It's not bad for a beginner. If you're new at this, then you'll just get better at it from here. [and despite her grouchiness at the situation, she does offer a smile that's meant to be encouraging.] It should do the job so I don't keel over on the street.
[though she'll start to walk toward the guilds, assuming she can bug a proper mage into exchanging mana with her so she can heal herself, or barter for a better heal]
Am I your first patient? Or have you been rescuing droves of people from the wolves?
no subject
he follows along.]
Hm... well, the wolves are a regular issue, and you're not the first to be injured. I also had the misfortune of meeting them first—but a hole in one's stomach is new.
no subject
[it clearly wasn't an injury caused by wolves, but other than this light, playful statement, she doesn't intend to explain further. some occupational hazards just happen when you're a mage in the Holy Grail War]
You're awfully generous though. Even the price you're asking me to pay is geared toward helping others.
no subject
I don't know if I'd call it generosity... Enough things in society are transactional—I'd just rather helping people not be one of them.
[even now, there's the occasional spark of shame that for him, it's an instinct born from duty, rather than consistently a righteous passion.]
no subject
[when it means that you're in a position to give freely, even if that thing you're giving is something like kindness.]
It's not that I don't understand it - but it's an easy thing for others to take advantage of. [like people that would leave him to fend wolves by himself while they get to safety] Take care of yourself, too.
[not that she's worried or anything]
no subject
Haha, thank you for the concern. But I've been in my share of unfortunate situations, so I'm pretty confident in my ability to get out of them too.
no subject
[UGH people out here making assumptions. nevermind the faint dusting of pink on her ears and the speed at which she denies it.]
I'd say it's not great to get into so many unfortunate situations but - I guess this is another...
[assuming he's also not from here??]
no subject
Indeed... being abducted definitely wasn't on my to-do list for the day.
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