Famed demoscene artist and vidgame designer, Lecti, has extended an invitation to a team of prestigious Starfinders to beta test his latest full-immersion virtual reality vidgame at a trendy local arcade. Dive into the vibrant virtual world of Tortoiseshell Cove and play as colorful squox intent on nurturing the perfect farm! But when the vidgame makes a sudden genre switch, the lines between simulation and reality become blurred, and real lives are put on the line.
Content Warning: This scenario contains horror themes, including possession.
|
The obnoxious roar of an overpowered engine attached to a slick motorcycle reverberates through the Lorespire Complex motor pool. Bystanders look on in dismay as Lieutenant Jerris "Maverick" Sakai pulls into a parking space meant for a hover car. Dressed in a bomber jacket with patches from all his numerous deployments sewed onto it, white t-shirt, blue jeans, and aviator sun glasses, Maverick smiles at the other Starfinders arriving at the Lorespire Complex as he strides toward the security checkpoint separating the motor pool from the interior offices of the building.
====
Inbox (3 unread):
----
From: AbadarCorpEntertainment
Subject: You might already be a winner! Please update your personal information
----
From: AbadarCorpEntertainment
Subject: How fast are you? How perceptive are you? Join our raffle here!
----
From: Tortoiseshell Cove Team
Subject: Invite
===
|
Roquefort looks up as he gets the readout of those oh-so-familiar vitals "Carlos" the ysoki smiles warmly.
***
The streetwise-looking Ysoki takes in the scene, reading the room and taking mental notes. He then hands over some business cards "Name's Roquefort..." the ysoki extends a paw to shake in greeting "Psychic Detective" he offers with a smile "If things go bump in the night with no clear cause, or if you want to know if your partner has run off with either the pizza guy or a forbidden cult of Urgathoa, give me a call"
"Maverick huh? Quite the pilot I am led to believe. Great to be working with such a skilled professional"
The detective scans his datasets for what information exists on Hidden Escape, Lexi Gallax, or Tortoiseshell Cove.
|
What at first glance appears to be an odd SRO scuttles into the room - a small-sized metallic torso held aloft on four spidery legs, with three cybernetic arms positioned radially around the torso.
It is clad in armour made from junk, and is holding a pair of heavy weapons - one a deity-blessed laser cannon, the other an evil-looking disintegrator rifle - akimbo.
Slightly disturbingly, its eyes appear to be a pair of turquoise gemstones.
When it speaks, its voice is heavily synthesised, although this appears to be an affectation.
"Greetings, fellow sentients. My name is Buzz. I have been trundling around on my Acid Borer beneath the surface of Eox for the last four years, but I was pulled out of retirement by this particularly unusual request.
I am, technically, an ysoki, but I have transcended the limitations of fragile flesh, replacing it with eternal metal. If any of you, too, wish the shed your fallible shells, I can recommend some good engineers."
|
|
Another ysoki stands there, about middle aged by ysoki terms, dressed in a stylin' purple suit complete with a matching fedora, which he tips toward the other Starfinders. "Hey there, you two. Name's Gabbers McTalkington, but you can call me Gab. May have seen me around. My Absalom's Got Talent 20 minute stand-up comedy set went viral on the holonets, and been a real uphill climb since then. Currently hosting "Grub with Gab," a net series where I interview people while cookin' their favorite meals. We're trending, you know. If you want autographs, I'd be happy to give 'em."
Roquefort finds some reviews for hidden arcade:
---
Average rating: 3.75
Some selected reviews:
[rainbow304]: This place is hard to find, and the place is quite old-fashioned, with outdated fixtures.
[grumpycatisyourfriend]: The service is bad and you should feel bad. Was ignored by the guy at the front desk, who just stood there fiddling with his datapad while an AI greeter to served me.
[littleblondpunk]: This place is neat!
Gab also find an only resume for Lecti Gallax, the only programmer publicly associated with Tortoiseshell Cove. His online resume lists that he previously worked on demoscene art projects, including a live performance event where he coded a VR world based off audience answers to the questions “What do you really need?” According to this document, he stopped putting out new art a year and a half ago.
Gab also find the Infopedia page on Lecti Gallax, which lists him as a talented programmer and game designer who specializes in “full-immersion VR,” a form of cutting-edge virtual reality that transmits tactile sensation to gamers in addition to audio and visual information. Tortoiseshell Cove is his first game noted to integrate this technology.
Starstone Station Today! has an article in its archives from a decade ago, which states that Hidden Escape Arcade closed that year due to gross mismanagement. There aren’t any notices about it reopening, but an Interstellar Trendsetters post tagged a local celebrity there 8 months ago.
---
The entrance to Hidden Escape Arcade is in an alley near T-market, a Triaxian corner market. The door needs a new coat of paint, though the neon “Open” sign and the illuminated awning look well-kept.
It's possible to peel away the chip of paint, which reveals a paper notice: Notice of foreclosure: Hidden Escape Arcade with a date of 313 AG.
Sounds like the arcade has found a new owner in the period since.
Inside, the front desk is sleek and modern, with white counters and hologram-augmented ads for a variety of vidgames. A floating wall behind the counter holds VR equipment and merchandise for purchase, including Hidden Escape Arcade shirts, hats, bags, and holostickers. Upbeat music is audible deeper in the arcade.
As the door makes a friendly chime, a screen over the check-in kiosk lights up with a minimalist icon of a smiling face. It begins to say, “Welcome to Hidden Escape Arca...” when Lecti Gallax interrupts the greeter and says:
“Welcome, Starfinders! Thank you for accepting my invitation! I felt you would be perfect testers for Tortoiseshell Cove. It’s meant as a relaxing game, so I wanted to invite testers with particularly stressful jobs to see if the calming properties are effective. Every playtester receives a gift card to Homestation Multimart and a voucher for two additional game sessions here. I’ll get the gear set up now, but feel free to look around.”
Despite the brightly colored carpet and moving LED lights, the arcade is subdued. Enclosed booths that muffle sound line the north wall and central area, while smaller arcade games fill the south half of the gaming floor. Upbeat music blares from a VR dancing vidgame currently being played by a shirren near the entrance. A nuar in a seating area to the south looks like she’s only recently arrived. A mirror runs the length of the east wall, making the gaming floor seem larger than it is.
In each booth, VR hookups descend from the ceiling. Players in a booth are expected move as they play, with the floor shifting beneath them like a full motion treadmill, to prevent players from wandering into other areas and hurting themselves. There are two other patrons currently using VR booths, as well as the shirren dancer.
The small arcade games can be played in standard or VR mode and have VR hookups connected to each console. Patrons at an arcade game can stand or sit, and only move their head and arms while playing in VR mode. There are three other patrons currently playing arcade games in VR mode.
At the far end, there's a bar which has datapad and VR hookups integrated into the countertop, for patrons to play while they drink. Private VR booths line the north wall. The bar looks well stocked, but nobody is serving drinks at the moment. It is possible to use an automated drink dispenser for 5 credits a bottle, serving non-alcoholic drinks only. There's three lashuntas are seated at the bar, all deeply engaged in their VR games.
And they haven't showered in ages. Yeeeugh.
|
|
Maverick is now dressed in his mission gear. His D-Suit is a starship pilot version that is specifically modified for interfacing with a starship. A custom modified semi-auto pistol is strapped to his thigh. His aviator sunglasses still rest on the bridge of his nose, covering his eyes.
"What do you see Roquefort? Why do my senses tell me we are in for something more than simply testing a video game?"
Roquefort thoroughly inspects the Lashuntas, who thoroughly ignore the ysoki. The v itals signs of the three are in order, though they definitely could go out and exercise more.
The Nuar comments These three never say anything, they never want to chat with me she says, and without confirming whether any of the group want to chat with she, she continues they're a bit obsessed, I think. I'm an Xiffany! Are you here for distraction? I mostly play romsims here. Do you know Heart Blast 4? Romance-U-Quest? They're such a nice escape from the real world...
|
|
It's hard to say how long the figure in the yellow robe had been watching you. As tall as a small humanoid, the figure stood in a corner with a pale mask on, and the shadows in that corner turned black and thick as ink.
The creature is heading towards you and you see that instead of legs it has a black mass of writhing tentacles. When he gets closer, he takes off his mask, but nothing terrible happens, although it seemed that it would be so. Instead, the halfling's pale, haggard face looks at you with completely empty, frighteningly indifferent eyes. He only has a violin case with him, although other items are probably hidden in null-space chambers under his robe.
He nods to Roquefort, and introduces himself to the others as Carlos. Putting the mask back on, halfling remarks aloud, Something terrible is going to happen. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here. His indifferent, tired and slightly hoarse voice sounds like the rustle of the pages of an old book that is flipped through for the last time before being burned as unnecessary.
|
|
Roquefort seems delighted as Carlos scurries about, possibly due to shared experiences of what lives beyond the Tapestry.
"I agree, if we are both together then something is due to happen"
***
"Not a lot so far Mav, just the usual vid-gamer lounge so far. A few patrons who have sacrificed hygiene for some extra game hours. Like Carlos says though, it is more about who is here that is the irregularity - a psychic detective who listens to the dreamer but is visited in nightmares by the things beyond the Tapestry and blood-cursed to his soul by a demon lord, Buzz over there who has now turned more machine than Ysoki, Carlos who started life as a halfling but is now so far into the horrors of the great beyond he's now... Carlos, we have a celebrity Ysoki, and one of the Society's best combat pilots. That's quite a guest list"
***
"Hi Xiffany, haven't seen that game yet, sounds great! So how long have you been coming here? What's the vibe? What's a cool Nuar like you doing in a place like this?" he jokes lightheartedly.
|
|
Maverick sits back and lets Roquefort do the job he's best at. As he looks over the arcade one more time it suddenly dawns on him that the current team of Starfinders he is working with is one of the most eclectic groups he's ever been assigned to. Though he is only average height for a human male, Maverick towers over his ysoki and halfling compatriots.
Alright Lecti says once the group has had some time to explore the arcade, while putting down his datapad for a moment Let's get you hooked up.
He proceeds to allocate the aventurers to a game booth, and starts handing out VR headsets, each of which has been carefully selected to be a good fit.
These headset have all been modified with a lock to prevent removal while the game is running.
Are you all ready? Let me know when you've got everything fittig snugly, and I'll boot up Tortoiseshell cove... enjoy the ride!
|
|
Putting the mask back on, halfling remarks aloud, Something terrible is going to happen. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here.
Gab nods. "Well, nice to meet ya too, Mr. Sunshine."
Gab heads over to the area with the lashuntas, checking to see if there's any information available about their game ... a video feed or chat feed out of the game, for example, that can give me a sense of what they're playing.
The game is called Tortoiseshell Cove Lecti explains, I can describe it briefly, but it has to be seen to be believed, he adds with a sense of pride It's a hyper-realistic squox simulator. You'll be in the form of a squox and performs tasks and objectives in a open-ended sandbox world. Xiffany claps her hooves in excitement.
The locking device is there for safety reason, to prevent you from getting dangerously disoriented. If it isn't in place, accidentally knocking off the headset may lead to disorientation and confusion, so for liability reasons I'm not allowed to remove the lock. Don't worry, there's a save and exit function in the game that will unlock the headset. It's a simple solution, but it does the trick!
Roquefort weighs Lecti's words, and concludes there is degree of untruth to Lecti's statement. It's not that he's not allowed to remove the locks, it that he doesn't want to.
Gabbers knows squoxes from their presence on Absalom Station, the little furry creatures that are like a cross between a fox and a squirrel. The question on whether they live in coves can be solved with a high degree of artistic license.
|
|
"Seems more like you aren't keen on us unlocking the system rather than being contractually obligated"
"One moment, just need to check my DocJr charge state"
***
Roquefort quietly issues new commands to DocJr.
If any patrons or Starfinder appear to have a medical episode (eg collapse), any weapons are drawn in the establishment, or any people not already in the room arrive and approach the Starfinders, send a live stream to Starfinder HQ, and unlock the Starfinder headsets - starting with Roquefort, or of Roquefort is unable to be reached, then Carlos or one of the other Starfinders.
If anyone attempts to touch, tamper with, or point an weapon at DocJr, trigger an emergency call to Starfinder HQ and trigger smoke grenade.
***
"Looks good, please make sure no one touches the Doc, supplies are expensive and should only be handled by qualified medical professionals"
Roquefort gives clear instructions to the Doc, then the group braces for the inevitable.
There's a brief bleeping sounds as the VR screen flash black, then a mix of lavender pink, bluebell and green as the camera zooms in on a peaceful meadow three squoxes are eating leaves in front of the life-size letters
The letters are large enough to walk through, leading to an elaborate 'create character' mini-game.
Every player plays a colored (and quite adorable) squox. There are pre-selected colors of bluebell, lavender, melon, mint, peach, strawberry, and sunflower, as well as a custom color-picker. Every avatar has a leaf-shaped canvas bag, and opening the bag leads to an animation of a journal and an inventory screen. As it turns out, every one of you has virtual inventory that matches your current equipment. There's even a robotic squox Doctor sidekick that shows up in Roquefort's inventory.
Also in view is a helpful hovering question mark, that leads to a user manual
---
Once the group has finished picking colors, the background shifts, and large colorful letters descend that read “Welcome to the Tutorial!”
Welcome players! a pleasant voice speaks you can now open your journal to find your first quest!
The journal, when opened, gives a friendly 'ding' and shows a single entry:
Objective: complete the following actions:
[X] Open journal
[O] Dash
[O] Dig
[O] Water
[O] Save
Reward: Access Tortoiseshell Beach
Below the single entry is another piece of text: Further quests will appear when unlocked
The beach shakes as a chasm opens up right in front of the group. The chasm spans endlessly to the sides, leaving a 15-foot gap that needs to be crossed. A helpful translucent arrow appears that points horizontally across this gap as the voiceover says Use dash to dash across!
|
|
Gab picks the green-suited squox, but changes the color palette to more of a purple color design.
When in the game, he pulls a small creature out of his pocket. It's a miniature squox, but it shimmers and morphs into a datapad .. then back into a squox. Another tiny squox, this one with several tails - actually, a set of bizarre furry tentacles - peeks out of his starfinder backpack, and hums pleasantly. "Well, this is interesting." Gab says.
He flips open the journal and nods. "Okay, then." He attempts the Dash action to teleport across the gap.
He then attempts the Dig action, at a specific location if indicated to do so.
Panting, he glances around, "Did they say somethin' about a bed around here? 'Cause I definitely think I could use a nap already."
Gabbers adjusts the color on his avatar, though he can't seem to get to a nice magenta. Almost as if somebody messed up the color selector.
Gabbers gets the hang of it quite quickly, as he dashes across the chasm with a wide jump, his squox tail following him in a gracious curve.
On the other side of the chasm, a five-foot square of sand changes texture to dirt and it looks like there’s something buried underneath the surface. Gabbers tries to dig a couple of times, but it looks like it's going to take a while.
Experienced vidgamer Buzz casually taps some button, dashes across and starts to dig in the sand. Nothing happens until a 'ding' sounds, and the text 'new item added to inventory' appears. Buzz find an item there with the name 'strange seed' and a label '<--- A mysterious seed. What could it grow?'
----
Objective: complete the following actions:
[X] Open journal
[X (Gabbers, Buzz); O (Rest)] Dash
[X (Buzz); O (Rest)] Dig
[O] Water
[O] Save
Reward: Access Tortoiseshell Beach
---
Though it takes a bit of frustrated button pressing, Gabbers, Maverick and Roquefort manage to get to their mysterious seed. Carlos gets a helpful but insistent 'Try to dash to get across the chasm' message.
Meanwhile, to the north, the ocean rushes forward, until only a 20-foot stretch of sand remains between the ocean and the hills.
The disembodied narrator remarks: If only that was fresh water...
With a ding, a tin watering can full of water spawns into each player's inventory.
After watering the plants, a tortoiseshell covered in moss and the size of a small building appears between the beach and field. A floating arrow appears over the shell, alongside the words “rest in your bed to save your game!”
Inside the shell is a color-coordinated bamboo mat for each squox avatar, which additional arrows point to. After spending a full round there, the game announces “You have saved your game. In the future, you can exit the game after you save.”
----
Objective: complete the following actions:
[X] Open journal
[X (Gabbers, Buzz, Maverick, Roque); O (Carlos)] Dash
[X (Gabbers, Buzz, Maverick, Roque); O (Carlos)] Dig
[X (Gabbers, Buzz, Maverick, Roque); O (Carlos)] Water
[X (Gabbers, Buzz, Maverick, Roque); O (Carlos)] Save
Reward: Access Tortoiseshell Beach
---