beta testing 0.1: tutorial & dungeon

[gamedevs]

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.

LOADING...
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

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 :(

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!

---

duocaeli duologs duolingos FAQ & Game Info / Calendar / Locations / Mechanics
Taken / Applications / Hiatus & Drops

FULL NAVIGATION

Comments

[heroicpolonaise]

a2. way of the warrior

[ after... narrowly escaping wolves, losing something she's thankful to be rid of in the process, kaede can be found woefully staring at the crafters guild.

music... she could've had music... the peacock is a little much for her, but the crafters guild sounds so much more her style... no, an errant goose swan had ushered her towards the scarlet red warriors instead and, not wanting to disappoint the people inside on top of still being a little frazzled from where she'd been previously, she'd found herself signed on to being a rough 'n tough fighter instead.

well. kaede knows she packs a mean hook, but it's not exactly her preferred method. but! ever the optimist! she'll call out to other warriors and try to... make friends...☆ ]

Hi there! I'm Kaede Akamatsu. This really is turning out to be a strange day, isn't it?

[ .........

she's doing her best...☆ ]

b1. meet cute p.1

[ this house -- dodo -- is definitely mischievous. kaede's found herself wandering around the same three hallways looking for where she's supposed to stay, it feels like, and after a bit she'll find her door and sigh in relief. finally. she can relax a little, just as soon as she opens the door--

it isn't going to be hers. she's going to be surprised by whoever is behind it though, freezing with a smile before stepping back with her hands to her chest. ]

O-Oh, sorry, I must've got the wrong room! Haha, whoops, I'll-- I'll just be going. Probably. Sorry again!

[ except every time she tries a door it will be the same, i'm sorry you have a repeat visitor, dodo is really trying to "help" her make friends. ]

b1. meet cute p.2

[ finally. she's found her proper lodgings. kaede's thankful that the clothes she'd found herself in once coming to the "OFF" world weren't totally dissimilar to the ones she had before, given she just had a normal school uniform, but now that she can look at it they definitely feel a little more chic.

a knock at the door would be nice, but everyone's just going to be opening them when they see their name, and that is going to get kaede to shout in surprise -- not that she has a leg to stand on since she was just doing it before. ]

Sorry, I... wasn't expecting a visitor. [ maybe you're her real roomie or not. but at least she wasn't undressing. ] Um, hi. Can I help you?

b3. (alcohol anonymous voice) hi kaede akamatsu

[ how... could she say no?

the house was just doing its best. and it wasn't like she had any other plans, like the loser she is. alone on a friday night? pathetic. so! so. down to the meet 'n greet shindig it is.

KAEDE AKAMATSU is how it reads for name, and the fact isn't bad enough that she wants to cover it up -- it's true, after all: COMPARES EVERYTHING TO CLASSICAL MUSIC.

she does. she's a loser, a piano freak, like that. it's an honest fact and kaede's happy to have it. better than... what it could be. ]

It's a little odd, but it's kinda cute, too. [ the decorations... wait, she needs to be mingling!!! ] So, um, some party, huh?

[ h elp ]

wildcard

[ anything else...☆ go ahead and throw something at me, or hit me up sundrymunity i don't mind. let her slip n slide into you for all i care. ]

b1

[hasteful]

[this is kinda funny.... buzen probably lets kaede go two times politely, because he doesn't really want to embarrass anyone for honest mistakes but... next time he hears footsteps outside his door, he figures why not be a little silly if the house is already being silly?

so he'll hide behind where the door opens - and kaede will find the familiar room set-up she's seen before - but then buzen will peek out from behind it and go:]

Boo!

[heroicpolonaise]

[ sorry buzen you're getting the door slammed in your face. ]

[hasteful]

[technically speaking he should be fast enough to catch it

but it's funnier if he gets smacked - though he at least keeps the door from breaking his nose]

—ah, not a good game then.

[heroicpolonaise]

[ oh, that was rude... that was so rude... she's the one at fault for trying to go into his room anyway... she needs to apologize...

kaede'll open the door again, peering at him to make sure he's fairly unharmed. ]

Sorry, I'm not really good with jump scares. [ or horror in gen. ] Are you okay?

[hasteful]

I'm alright - I'm more sturdy than what a door can really inflict, so you don't need to worry about that.

[he rubs at his nose a little, before giving her a smile slightly tinged with guilt]

I should be saying sorry for startling you.

a2.

[hexensabbat]

[Here's another person in the red zone, just kind of inspecting everything with casual curiosity.

And inching away from the goose when it hisses.

Big yikes, goose.]

That's not a bad way to put it.

[heroicpolonaise]

[ and she's super gorgeous...! maybe this place isn't so bad! there's other girls! ]

There's really no other way... [ putting it positively. ] So, um, are you part of the Warriors Guild too? Or just looking around?

[ because neither of them really look too suited, clothing wise, to be fighters. ]

[hexensabbat]

Hmmm...

[There's a thoughtful pause as Ringo considers that, before she nods.]

I think I'll stay here, yeah. It's close enough to what I did back home that I'll be good to go.

[A beat, and she tilts her head as she looks Kaede over.]

What about you? You look a little... uncomfortable.

[heroicpolonaise]

[ oh chopin she's used to it. kaede is out of her league. why couldn't she have just said no, there's been a mistake. ]

I... wanted to challenge myself!

[ what's one more white lie... she can turn this into a positive. yeah. she can get stronger. ]

To be honest, I'm more musically inclined, so the Crafters Guild would be a better fit for me... but what's life without a few surprises!

B3

[sinagainstcreation]

['Compares everything to classical music', huh...it's not a fun fact that really gets Loremaster's interest piqued, but hey, she's not going to turn away someone who wants to mingle. Loremaster isn't exactly a party animal and therefore has been hanging aside, so Kaede talking to her gets a glance to the nametag, a nod, and then...

...she waits, staring at Kaede intently. Yup, waiting...]

...come on, say it.

[Say what? Loremaster, people aren't telepathic nor are going to know what you're thinking right now]

[heroicpolonaise]

[ ....... um, what is she supposed to say........ maybe... something about her name...? or her looks... ]

You have an interesting name.

[ yes ]

[sinagainstcreation]

Oh, not what I expected, but a welcome response. Thanks, yours is cute and interesting too.

[She says, blinks, and slams her metallic fist against her metallic palm]

But, wait, no, that's not what I meant! I saw your fun fact and I was waiting to hear you compare something to classical music.

[And apparently asking Kaede directly wasn't an option...? Yeah, Loremaster isn't the most socially graceful person ever]

[heroicpolonaise]

[ ... loremaster's fun fact is, fun too. she sounds like she causes more problems than solves them. ]

Oh! Oh, um, I see! Yes, I can do that. Thank you for the compliment. Have you ever heard Frederic Chopin's Fantaisie Impromptu Op.66? You feel a little bit like that -- he wrote it to be undancable, so it's a piece that really goes by its own rhythm.

[ yeah, that describes her perfectly right now. ]

b3!

[sanguinary]

[SOME PARTY, HUH...

On the plus(???) side, Matsui is about as good at mingling and socializing as this. This is a good level for him to interact at.]

I've never been to a party hosted by a house before. [Though, after giving it a second of thought:] Actually, this is only the second party that I have ever been to. I was under the impression that more food was involved?

[His own nametag, which he isn't bothering to hide, reads MATSUI GOU: KNOWS 69 MEDICAL USES FOR BLOODLETTING.]

[heroicpolonaise]

[ thank goodness. the socially awkward can stick together. ]

Oh, normally there is... Well, I'm more used to after-parties than mingles like this, and they usually have finger foods. This is my second time getting together with stranger like this too.

[ does that make her sound like a loser.... he said it first, so. it's fine. the fun fact is interesting though, it sort of reminds her of the ultimates at her school. when can she ask about it... it's rude to introduce bloodletting into a conversation about food. ]

[sanguinary]

[Fortunately(???) for her, there will be ample opportunity to bring up his freaky little blood tag in conversation! The topic always undoubtedly drifts back to blood sooner or later when it comes to him.]

Ah, I see. [He doesn't seem to think it's weird to have only been to two parties, at least. Though the lack of food... Hm. Glancing over toward some of the tables, he seems to consider The Party Potential here.]

I imagine that it must be much more beneficial to party-goers for there to be a good deal of food and drink present. You can't be very energetic if your blood is too hungry or thirsty, after all... But a house would likely not think of such a thing.

[There he goes...]

[heroicpolonaise]

[ oh boy that was fast ]

Right... It wouldn't, since it doesn't really have blood. But I guess the people inside it would be like its blood then?

[ why is she talking about this. ]

I've never heard of blood getting hungry or thirsty though, but that's a good way to put it when your energy's down! Are you a doctor?

[ she needs to know if she has to call him -kun or -sensei ]

b1!!

[equillibriums]

[ it's an awkward comedy in steps. step one: rutile opens the door, lightheartedly humming underneath his breath, because dodo put him in a terribly good mood despite the confusion; step two: get cut off mid-hum when the room he expects to be empty is not, actually; step three: jump a little bit when the current occupant of the room screams, offering his own little yelp of surprise in return.

just a yelp. for the sudden noise, if anything, and not the fact that there is Some Stranger in his room. maybe he should be more concerned about that? ]

Ah—!

[ ... or maybe it's not his room? ]

I'm sure it said... [ no, no. he's certain about what he read on the plate, so— ] No, I'm the one who's sorry, Miss Rutile! I didn't think there'd be someone with my exact name here, so I didn't think to knock. I thought this was my room...

[ GIRL HELP




but to his credit he seems genuine and not like some creepy creep who likes to burst into people's rooms and then say the weirdest, Most Stupid things. still, he stays. here. near the doorway. not immediately dipping. because that seems rude too...... ]

finally.

[heroicpolonaise]

[ -- oh goodness oh chopin oh gracious ]

No, no! It's fine, really -- that's not my name, this place... just likes playing a trick here and there, that's all! I'm Kaede Akamatsu, it's nice to meet you.

[ rutile's a pretty name. she's assuming that's his then-- yeah, yeah it would be, he said it's his name too. ]

I guess we're all a little turned around here, huh?

KAEDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SLAMS HANDS ON TABLE (b3)

[janescayre]

Cute?

[Said with full-throated disgust.

The spindly girl Kaede's sidled next to had cringed the second she opened her mouth and now scowls through the edge of broad glasses. Her hair is overlong, loose, and disheveled. She stands as if she's surrounded by cobwebs and clenches her hands furiously on thin air. She's also angling her nametag away, obfuscating her name and fun fact. As if anything about such a ghoul could be fun.]

Wh-what's so great about being thrust among total strangers inside a l-l-living house? Are you as dumb as you look?

[Ah, there, she's shifted just enough. FUKAWA TOKO is the name. The fact is still obscured by her sleeve, hands hitched tight to her chest.]

OOOOOOOOOOH NO WAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! GRIPS!!!!

[heroicpolonaise]

[ kaede jumps a little, not expecting such vitriol from someone so soon, and she presses her hands to her chest with an uncertain smile. well, at least she got used to someone who insulted her. let's see how long her patience lasts. maybe she's just nervous, she looks nervous, maybe this... toko-san is a lot nicer when she's comfortable! ]

You have to admit, it's pretty novel. [ a novel experience... ] Not ideal... but at least it's a place to stay, um, Toko-san.

[ we look on the brightside here. ]

best protag and worst sidekick united at last

[janescayre]

[Any further ire is decimated in the wake of this new transgression.]

Wh-what?

[Her given name. Uttered from the mouth of a total stranger. Worse than a stranger: a blonde. With big boobs!

Fukawa blanches as if she's seen a ghost. She even takes a bracing step back.]

F-Fukawa! [It's blurted out, higher pitched than necessary.] It's Fukawa! D-don't get so familiar with me! I've n-never met you before in my life!

[heroicpolonaise]

[ so much for making her feel a little more comfortable?! that's fine, kaede prefers this for her own peace of mind anyway! ]

S-Sorry, I thought it'd be a little... Fukawa-san. It isn't all that bad. There are worse places to be than a living house with a bunch of stangers!

b3

[prozaic]

A very interesting party, to be sure. [it's not his thing, honestly. then again, it's far less noisy than the sort he's become used to in stygia... but it's also... less festive? possibly because everyone is still confused.

and no one is dancing. what a shame...!

he casts his gaze around once, before looking back down at the girl, a soft smile on his face. that's actually a nice nametag, certainly better than the one he has. but honestly, classical music is his jam so why should he be anything but amused?

Shalem.
I like to take hour-long tea breaks with friends once a day to gossip about our daily lives.

oof.]

The atmosphere seems more calm than anything else, and not a festive gathering. Perhaps it could stand to be more lively...?

[then he shakes his head. he doesn't want to upset the house.]

Perhaps that could wait until next time.