BarrierMoss
Member
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2025
- Messages
- 33
- Thread Author
- #1
Abstract:
This is a proposal for an expedition re-using content made for the VET. The idea is that since these things already exist, they can be re-used for future events. Like this one! Zeropants and Sync worked VERY hard on the dupes for the off-map dungeon that happened on the main server as part of the first VET expedition. In this expedition, we ventured to an abandoned part of the City to repair critical infrastructure in advance of the Combine's re-occupation efforts. It was an excellent event. As we were leaving, we exited from the basement of some sort of Combine Observation Post. Lots of terminals, equipment, and junk all laying around. As one does when they sniff the possibility of script and story progression, I immediately got to thinking about the possibilities of all that unguarded techno-scrap just laying around. Especially playing as a scientist!
Now, I've worked as staff on the server before. I understand that we're not just going to GET a ton of loot, just because we go on a mission.
I mean, what is server balance. Right?
And don't even get me started on what the Combine would be doing right now.
So what do we do? You play for plot, and give us mostly items that can be used for roleplay. Batteries, terminal data cores, electronics from transhuman corpses. I know I'm here for the plot.
Shoutout to Ratking and Sync for writing the "Infestation Handbook" on which I have based different plot ideas. Also shoutout to zeropants and bass for being the main drivers of plot so far. I would not have any of this knowledge IC if it weren't for you and your characters.
I wish there were photos in this application.
The IC plan:
As I wanted to play questgiver a tad bit, I began roleplaying preperations for this event. I set forth a plan with some compratiots ICly and planned out some plothooks that a player might be interested in.
The plan is to take a skiff or raft down a mostly flooded sewer line that brings us adjacent with the area that we visited during the VET Expedition (Henceforth called D19 Observation Post, or D19OP, until we change the name). As we take our skiff downstream, we may stop to get a sample of the new aquatic Xen fungus that has been damaging parts of the City. We'll pile out and re-trace the steps of the VET expedition until we reach the Observation Post. Upon reaching the OP, we will salvage all that we can as fast as we can, while trying to take note of what we might be able to recover on another expedition. We will exfil the way we came, and if we can't, use a back-up route.
The OOC plan:
....I'm not going to lie, I was thinking this would be a chance for other players to experience mostly the same plotbeats the VET expedition did, minus the infrastructure repair. They arrive, they have an encounter, they move on through a part of the dupe-dungeon, repeat until the end. Regardless, I have written some potential plotbeats for players.
This is an event for roughly 5 players.
Onto the story:
The room smelled of moldering plaster and cigarette smoke, the stench of damp decay mixing with the acrid bite of cheap tobacco. A portable generator hummed softly in the corner, barely enough to power the flickering overhead projector that served as the meeting’s focal point. The device’s dim glow cast warped, shifting images onto the cracked wall—a grainy satellite image of Geneva, clearly ripped from an old textbook or archival database. Overlaid on it were red markings, hasty notes scrawled in uneven handwriting, evidence of hurried planning and limited resources.
Dr. Evelyn Harding adjusted the machine, carefully flipping to the first slide. Dust swirled in the light beam as she moved.
The projector clicked.
This is a proposal for an expedition re-using content made for the VET. The idea is that since these things already exist, they can be re-used for future events. Like this one! Zeropants and Sync worked VERY hard on the dupes for the off-map dungeon that happened on the main server as part of the first VET expedition. In this expedition, we ventured to an abandoned part of the City to repair critical infrastructure in advance of the Combine's re-occupation efforts. It was an excellent event. As we were leaving, we exited from the basement of some sort of Combine Observation Post. Lots of terminals, equipment, and junk all laying around. As one does when they sniff the possibility of script and story progression, I immediately got to thinking about the possibilities of all that unguarded techno-scrap just laying around. Especially playing as a scientist!
Now, I've worked as staff on the server before. I understand that we're not just going to GET a ton of loot, just because we go on a mission.
I mean, what is server balance. Right?
And don't even get me started on what the Combine would be doing right now.
So what do we do? You play for plot, and give us mostly items that can be used for roleplay. Batteries, terminal data cores, electronics from transhuman corpses. I know I'm here for the plot.
Shoutout to Ratking and Sync for writing the "Infestation Handbook" on which I have based different plot ideas. Also shoutout to zeropants and bass for being the main drivers of plot so far. I would not have any of this knowledge IC if it weren't for you and your characters.
I wish there were photos in this application.
The IC plan:
As I wanted to play questgiver a tad bit, I began roleplaying preperations for this event. I set forth a plan with some compratiots ICly and planned out some plothooks that a player might be interested in.
The plan is to take a skiff or raft down a mostly flooded sewer line that brings us adjacent with the area that we visited during the VET Expedition (Henceforth called D19 Observation Post, or D19OP, until we change the name). As we take our skiff downstream, we may stop to get a sample of the new aquatic Xen fungus that has been damaging parts of the City. We'll pile out and re-trace the steps of the VET expedition until we reach the Observation Post. Upon reaching the OP, we will salvage all that we can as fast as we can, while trying to take note of what we might be able to recover on another expedition. We will exfil the way we came, and if we can't, use a back-up route.
The OOC plan:
....I'm not going to lie, I was thinking this would be a chance for other players to experience mostly the same plotbeats the VET expedition did, minus the infrastructure repair. They arrive, they have an encounter, they move on through a part of the dupe-dungeon, repeat until the end. Regardless, I have written some potential plotbeats for players.
This is an event for roughly 5 players.
Onto the story:
The room smelled of moldering plaster and cigarette smoke, the stench of damp decay mixing with the acrid bite of cheap tobacco. A portable generator hummed softly in the corner, barely enough to power the flickering overhead projector that served as the meeting’s focal point. The device’s dim glow cast warped, shifting images onto the cracked wall—a grainy satellite image of Geneva, clearly ripped from an old textbook or archival database. Overlaid on it were red markings, hasty notes scrawled in uneven handwriting, evidence of hurried planning and limited resources.
Dr. Evelyn Harding adjusted the machine, carefully flipping to the first slide. Dust swirled in the light beam as she moved.
The projector clicked.
Slide 1: Objective
The same grainy, black-and-white aerial shot of Geneva still filled the screen.
but the black arrow cutting through the ruins left no doubt as to their target: a cluster of buildings, once part of a functioning district, now half-swallowed by collapsed infrastructure and alien growths.
Harding spoke, her voice level but firm as she addressed the gathered fighters, engineers, and scavengers.
"District 19. Abandoned since the incident with the hive some time ago."
She let that sentence sit for a moment, gauging the reaction. The antlion hive. A Combine containment and oversight failure that led to Xenian life overtaking most of the City, forcing an emergency lockdown and evacuation.
"Our objective is here—The detached Observation Post overlooking what’s left of the sewer line dedicated to this area. Combine technology left behind, nearly untouched."
She let the words sink in. Nearly untouched. If the reports were accurate, it meant Combine data cores, weapon caches, energy cells—the kind of tech that could turn the tide in an asymmetric war.
"We go in, recover what we can, and get out before anything or anyone notices."
The projector clicked again.
but the black arrow cutting through the ruins left no doubt as to their target: a cluster of buildings, once part of a functioning district, now half-swallowed by collapsed infrastructure and alien growths.
Harding spoke, her voice level but firm as she addressed the gathered fighters, engineers, and scavengers.
"District 19. Abandoned since the incident with the hive some time ago."
She let that sentence sit for a moment, gauging the reaction. The antlion hive. A Combine containment and oversight failure that led to Xenian life overtaking most of the City, forcing an emergency lockdown and evacuation.
"Our objective is here—The detached Observation Post overlooking what’s left of the sewer line dedicated to this area. Combine technology left behind, nearly untouched."
She let the words sink in. Nearly untouched. If the reports were accurate, it meant Combine data cores, weapon caches, energy cells—the kind of tech that could turn the tide in an asymmetric war.
"We go in, recover what we can, and get out before anything or anyone notices."
The projector clicked again.
Slide 2: The Approach
A sewer schematic appeared—a twisting mess of tunnels and waterways leading under the sector.
The planned route was drawn in blue, snaking through the underground waterways toward the checkpoint’s basement.
"We enter the sewer line here, through the storm drains. Water levels should be high enough for a skiff or a raft, so we can avoid the streets. No footprints. No noise."
She tapped a section of the map marked with a faded red circle—a note beside it warned of unstable infrastructure.
"Parts of the sewer line may be in rough condition, so we're going to need to be careful to bring the proper equipment to clear any obstacles."
"We don’t know who’s squatting down there, but we don’t want to cause trouble if we don’t have to. We keep flashlights low and weapons ready. Talk first, combat second."
She cast a glance at some of the fighters in the room, particularly the more trigger-happy members of the Legion. It was a delicate balance—stealth and restraint over brute force.
The projector clicked again.
The planned route was drawn in blue, snaking through the underground waterways toward the checkpoint’s basement.
"We enter the sewer line here, through the storm drains. Water levels should be high enough for a skiff or a raft, so we can avoid the streets. No footprints. No noise."
She tapped a section of the map marked with a faded red circle—a note beside it warned of unstable infrastructure.
"Parts of the sewer line may be in rough condition, so we're going to need to be careful to bring the proper equipment to clear any obstacles."
"We don’t know who’s squatting down there, but we don’t want to cause trouble if we don’t have to. We keep flashlights low and weapons ready. Talk first, combat second."
She cast a glance at some of the fighters in the room, particularly the more trigger-happy members of the Legion. It was a delicate balance—stealth and restraint over brute force.
The projector clicked again.
Slide 3: Observation Post
A hand drawn map of the area- Several rooms were blacked out, inaccessible due to damage to the structure.
"Inside, we’re looking for three things: Data cores from the terminals, energy cells, and hopefully scavs overlooked a weapon or two. Keep an eye out for any deceased transhumans- I want any information that may be stored in the computer parts of their noggins, even if that means removing their head and transporting it back home. If we can’t carry something, we document it for a return trip—if we get one."
A warning note was scrawled in red:
"Unstable structure. Continuing seismic activity throughout the area. Assume the worst."
Harding let her gaze linger on that sentence. The area had been rumbling on and off for months. No one knew if it was a sign of a deeper Xen incursion, Combine operations, or something else entirely.
Either way, they had to move carefully.
The projector clicked again.
"Inside, we’re looking for three things: Data cores from the terminals, energy cells, and hopefully scavs overlooked a weapon or two. Keep an eye out for any deceased transhumans- I want any information that may be stored in the computer parts of their noggins, even if that means removing their head and transporting it back home. If we can’t carry something, we document it for a return trip—if we get one."
A warning note was scrawled in red:
"Unstable structure. Continuing seismic activity throughout the area. Assume the worst."
Harding let her gaze linger on that sentence. The area had been rumbling on and off for months. No one knew if it was a sign of a deeper Xen incursion, Combine operations, or something else entirely.
Either way, they had to move carefully.
The projector clicked again.
Slide 4: The Infestation
The room went silent as a grainy photo of several different classifications of Xenian flora was now projected onto the wall.
"This is what’s waiting for us inside. Class 1 and 2 infestations. But there is strong potential for a Class 3 infestation to have already taken hold."
Harding let the image linger before speaking again.
"We also need to keep a special eye out for signs of any waterborne infestation. If you do see it, DO NOT TOUCH IT, and alert me right away. And keep an eye out for any headcrabs or signs of antlions."
The projector clicked once again.
"This is what’s waiting for us inside. Class 1 and 2 infestations. But there is strong potential for a Class 3 infestation to have already taken hold."
Harding let the image linger before speaking again.
"We also need to keep a special eye out for signs of any waterborne infestation. If you do see it, DO NOT TOUCH IT, and alert me right away. And keep an eye out for any headcrabs or signs of antlions."
The projector clicked once again.
Slide 5: The Leman Strain
Two semi-transparent polaroids flickered onto the wall, their edges slightly warped by the aging projector. The dates scrawled in marker at the bottom read January 13th and January 17th, 2021.
If the room had been silent before, it grew deader now.
Each photograph captured a different section of the sewer, but both showed the same unsettling phenomenon—flooded waters glowing with an unearthly blue light. There was an eerie luminescence that pulsed just beneath the surface like a living thing. Strange, unfamiliar Xenian flora spread across the tunnel walls, their tendrils reaching down into the water like grasping fingers.
The coloration was wrong. The structure was wrong. This wasn’t barnacle infestation. It wasn’t the fungal creep they’d come to expect from Xen incursions.
This was something new.
Harding exhaled slowly before speaking.
"Two Ministry of Progress lackeys took these photos this time last month. This is the Leman Strain.
It is highly mutagenic and it spreads very, very fast. "
"The water’s reactive. The bioluminescence spikes when disturbed, meaning movement could make us visible. Worse, whatever’s in those tunnels is growing. I don’t know if it’s feeding off the sewer runoff, something Combine left behind, or something else entirely."
"What I want more than anything on this trip, is a sample of THAT. Right there.
If the room had been silent before, it grew deader now.
Each photograph captured a different section of the sewer, but both showed the same unsettling phenomenon—flooded waters glowing with an unearthly blue light. There was an eerie luminescence that pulsed just beneath the surface like a living thing. Strange, unfamiliar Xenian flora spread across the tunnel walls, their tendrils reaching down into the water like grasping fingers.
The coloration was wrong. The structure was wrong. This wasn’t barnacle infestation. It wasn’t the fungal creep they’d come to expect from Xen incursions.
This was something new.
Harding exhaled slowly before speaking.
"Two Ministry of Progress lackeys took these photos this time last month. This is the Leman Strain.
It is highly mutagenic and it spreads very, very fast. "
"The water’s reactive. The bioluminescence spikes when disturbed, meaning movement could make us visible. Worse, whatever’s in those tunnels is growing. I don’t know if it’s feeding off the sewer runoff, something Combine left behind, or something else entirely."
"What I want more than anything on this trip, is a sample of THAT. Right there.
Slide 6: The Extraction
A rough, hand-drawn escape map appeared. Two routes were highlighted:
Primary Route: Back through the sewer line, using the same way in. Fast, controlled, low exposure.
Emergency Fallback: A secondary path marked in red—an abandoned maintenance tunnel that led beneath the city limits. Longer, riskier, but a potential lifeline if things went wrong.
"Primary exit is the way we came. If that’s compromised, we follow the backup path here." She traced the red line with a gloved finger. "It’s longer, riskier, but should hopefully put us outside the city limits, near another sewer line that can get us back into the city."
Primary Route: Back through the sewer line, using the same way in. Fast, controlled, low exposure.
Emergency Fallback: A secondary path marked in red—an abandoned maintenance tunnel that led beneath the city limits. Longer, riskier, but a potential lifeline if things went wrong.
"Primary exit is the way we came. If that’s compromised, we follow the backup path here." She traced the red line with a gloved finger. "It’s longer, riskier, but should hopefully put us outside the city limits, near another sewer line that can get us back into the city."
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