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duocaeli mods ([personal profile] gamedevs) wrote in [community profile] duolingos2023-01-13 11:40 am

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.

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!



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duskspear: (19)

b2

[personal profile] duskspear 2023-01-14 11:03 am (UTC)(link)
[This takes a very, very long time to type.]

I haven't. Is she a friend?
humblepie: (HkSwvLH)

[personal profile] humblepie 2023-01-14 03:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[HELP ROLAND.]

Yeah, she is. That's okay, I'll keep looking until I run into her.
duskspear: (25)

[personal profile] duskspear 2023-01-14 11:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[Another long stretch of time later:]

Should I see her, I shall inform her of you. What should I say?
humblepie: (iceboundary)

[personal profile] humblepie 2023-01-15 01:26 am (UTC)(link)
[This comes back so slowly… It could just be this person is busy, that’s valid.

But Riku isn’t sure, so rather than text back… he calls the other person’s phone.

Will they know how to pick up is the question…]
duskspear: (29)

[personal profile] duskspear 2023-01-15 01:43 am (UTC)(link)
[The phone is alive!

Roland almost drops it at the unexpected chime and vibration. After many rings and buzzes, he figures out how to answer the call, except he hasn't the faintest idea of what's going on, so an awkward silence greets Riku while Roland stares at the screen.
]
humblepie: (kjcOshg)

[personal profile] humblepie 2023-01-15 03:29 am (UTC)(link)
[HELP.

On Riku's end, there is also a very long span of silence because it takes him a moment to realize Roland has answered. Very suddenly, probably to Roland's horror, a low but amiable teenage voice says:]


Hey.
duskspear: (19)

[personal profile] duskspear 2023-01-15 03:43 am (UTC)(link)
[!]

Ah . . . Greetings.

[Despite his horror, there's also awe that the phone is speaking to him. He brings the phone close after holding it away from himself on reflex, then returns the greeting with his own, light and a touch bewildered.]
humblepie: (mNB9z5G)

[personal profile] humblepie 2023-01-15 05:02 am (UTC)(link)
[Greetings...]

Sorry. Hope I'm not interrupting. I thought this might be easier. You can use the phone to call other people.

[Roland is now.....Ye Olde Man. A BOOMER.]

I'm Riku.
duskspear: (25)

[personal profile] duskspear 2023-01-15 05:28 am (UTC)(link)
[This boomer is astonished by technology—so much so that he turns the phone this and that way while Riku speaks, trying to figure out from where the sound is coming, and at one point holds it upside down before righting it. (Frankly, it's a miracle he doesn't hang up on accident.) That's much better.]

We were conversing earlier . . .

[He says this aloud in recognition. Riku is right.]

Yes, this should be easier. Is there aught I can do to avail myself to you?
humblepie: (pic#15356196)

[personal profile] humblepie 2023-01-15 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
[I WAS WAITING ON HIM TO ACCIDENTALLY HANG UP also jae why is he hot in every icon stop]

If you see Kairi, tell her Riku's looking for her. She's a teenage girl with red hair and a pink dress.
duskspear: (25)

[personal profile] duskspear 2023-01-15 06:35 am (UTC)(link)
[Riku doesn't deserve this. And Kosy is so good.]

That, I shall. . . . Is she here, or are you ascertaining her presence in this world?

[He was assuming the latter, but it occurs to him that Kairi could be keeping distance on purpose. He doesn't know what's going in their lives.]
humblepie: (Ircrfnt)

[personal profile] humblepie 2023-01-15 04:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[Kosy… 😳]

I don’t know… I haven’t seen her, and she shouldn’t be, but… just in case.

[Kairi is ignoring him…]

If you’re looking for anyone, I’ll return the favor.
duskspear: (26)

[personal profile] duskspear 2023-01-15 10:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[Kairi would never, but Roland doesn't know that. Even though Riku can't see, he also nods on reflex. There's no harm in being sure.]

If anyone seeks a Norzelian monk, please assure them that I'm here.
humblepie: (HkSwvLH)

[personal profile] humblepie 2023-01-17 06:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks for the help.

[He's a good boy.]

Alright, I will. You're a monk?
duskspear: (26)

[personal profile] duskspear 2023-01-17 11:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[Riku is a good boy.]

Yes. My calling is to provide aid where it's needed.
humblepie: (pic#16200873)

[personal profile] humblepie 2023-01-18 03:46 am (UTC)(link)
Heh. Familiar. It's sort of what my friends and I do, but we're not monks.

[KEYBLADE WIELDERS.... as a monk archetype.]

Do you like it?
duskspear: (21)

[personal profile] duskspear 2023-01-18 04:29 am (UTC)(link)
[Friends, huh. They must be an admirable bunch.]

. . . Though I see it as a matter of necessity, it pleases me to feed the hungry where I'm able.
humblepie: (pic#15356196)

[personal profile] humblepie 2023-01-18 05:53 pm (UTC)(link)
[They're good beans which is unfortunate. Riku took some time, but it's fine.]

Yeah? I guess most people wouldn't think you have it too bad, but you probably have a lot on your shoulders too.
duskspear: (18)

[personal profile] duskspear 2023-01-19 01:14 am (UTC)(link)
No more than those who've been left with little choice but to rely on the grace of others . . .

[That's what breaks his heart at the end of the day.]

Does the same hold true for you and your friends?
humblepie: (pic#16202322)

[personal profile] humblepie 2023-01-19 04:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[This is such good boy antics I feel like I should question it, but then I think about how hypocritical this is of me.]

Yeah. We've usually got a lot on our plates, but... we don't mind if we're helping other people. Keeping them from being harmed by Darkness by being a guiding light is kind of... what we do.
duskspear: (30)

[personal profile] duskspear 2023-01-19 11:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[This is why we can't have nice things.]

Darkness?
humblepie: (5VdB1B1)

[personal profile] humblepie 2023-01-20 03:25 am (UTC)(link)
[Inwardly closing his eyes.]

It’s what attacks hearts, and it gets stronger with negative emotions. Anger, fear, jealousy. It can give you strength, but usually it comes with a price if you can’t control it.
duskspear: (19)

[personal profile] duskspear 2023-01-20 11:56 am (UTC)(link)
. . . You speak of the darkness as if it were a power to be wielded.

[He's no stranger to those emotions. One can say that one's heart was spurred into action before being consumed by hatred, but he gets the sense that Riku means differently. The phrasing is too literal.]
humblepie: (kjcOshg)

[personal profile] humblepie 2023-01-20 06:33 pm (UTC)(link)
It's a little frowned on, but it can be done. It's a part of other things, too. Creatures who can overrun a world.

[A bit of both, but mostly surprisingly literal.]
duskspear: (19)

[personal profile] duskspear 2023-01-20 10:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[!]

An entire world? How does that come to pass?

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