Thinking Outside The Shell
by FEMAELSTROM, HSM team writer
First, let me say this: This article contains a spoiler of a quest that is currently running in the quest board in the Hub.
So if you do not want to know what is obtained or how to obtain it, do not read any further. There are other great articles to be read currently in HomeStation Magazine, so enjoy.
This story is personal for me, and that is why I decided to write it.
The other day I was in my “Carla’s Cafe,” and having just bought it, was subject to friends wanting to come and see it before buying, as it was new. I got a request to visit from our own Kassadee Marie. She came over and took a look around, but as she ran around the space, I saw something that I knew instantly I needed. Behind her spawned a large tortoise companion. I craned my camera rapidly to see the realistically designed tortoise that followed Kassadee Marie.
Quickly my fingers typed out the question, “Where’d you get that tortoise?” She then proceeded to tell me that she got it through the quest board in the Hub. The quest is to go collect the daily coins handed out for free, buy some ammunition and play until you level up to level four. That evening, Kassadee Marie and I sat and spoke for a while; then she left, and I ran like lightning to the Cutthroats to find a tortoise of my own. I ran booth to
Simply, ewwwww, not what I was expecting.
booth, collecting all the daily free tokens, then bought a power up ammunition set. I bought the flaming cannonballs set, boarded a ship and began to battle along side strangers. To their credit, the captain was able and I was able to get a good amount of shots in on those scalawags of our enemies. I remembered that I had to level up to four, so I looked to the corner of the screen to see that through the history of the game since it came to be, I had achieved level ten, that moved up to eleven in game. Kids often scream “Booya!” so I will offer one, too.
“BOOYA!”
When I stepped out of the fracas, I saw that familiar screen pop up that reads: “You have received a new item.”
In a fevered rush, I ran to the side of the ship as though I were about to become nauseous and ran to my rewards list. I got a severed head in a jar. Not quite the tortoise that I was expecting. I sent Kassadee Marie a message through the XMB asking how she got the tortoise, and she revealed to me that it was a second quest that was a part of the first one. So I endeavored and went back to the quest board. Got the next leg of the adventure and all it’s details. I had to go back to Cutthroats and play again, this time acquire level ten status.
“BOOYA!”
Remember, I just turned level eleven. Jumped out of the game and went to Chuck’s bar at the Adventure District and got the message of winning. I had to wait until I logged back in before the tortoise joined the ranks of my companions, but he did and I couldn’t be happier.
Some may ask: “Why is this one companion so important to you Strom?”
Booya, this is what I wanted!
Many years ago I cared for a California Desert Tortoise. The one I had was a small one, but majestic and beautiful. He was a very gentle animal, slow and plodding, but mesmerizing to simply sit and watch. He was a staunch vegetarian, and ate a variety of lettuces and even a plant called jicima. They love the stuff. I learned about the cycle of hibernation for that tortoise and had a special place set aside for him to burrow into and settle down for the winter.
One year he went a little long so I had to awaken him. I hope he doesn’t remember that as he reads this article. These are endangered animals and legal possession is possible only with a permit, which I had. I loved that little guy. Mind you, a tortoise is not an animal that you run through a field and fetch sticks with, but he was an amazing animal. I named him “Earl” for no real reason, and still look fondly to that time I had him, as I learned about taking care of a creature that is so rough looking and yet so fragile.
I speak of him in the past tense as I do not own him anymore. I found a home for him nearby that takes and shelters these fine creatures. The neighborhood home was converted into a total care facility that housed hundreds of turtles and tortoises. It was a wise choice seeing that he would be surrounded by others of his kind, and maybe make more little “Earl”‘s that can take the California Desert Tortoise from being an endangered/threatened animal, to a level that is off the list and thriving.
This is how one simple design of a companion has touched me to the point that I needed to rush and get it. To the credit of the makers of Cutthroat, I had fun playing. It had been a while, and I had stayed away for no real reason, there’s just so much to do on Home. I happily boarded a ship and enjoyed the tactics of the aim and fire game play and the concept of arching the shot and timing it to land on whatever sea dog happens to be in your target sights. The ship I was on was fun and though the crew of the second venture couldn’t play to save their virtual ship (which they didn’t), I still was able to get this great companion that truly means so much to me and will certainly get marked with a heart as a favorite in my inventory.
This is what my “Earl” looked like. Remember me, bro?
As for Cutthroats, I will head back, and hope for an able and welcome crew to share the fun with, because reward or not, it is a fun game. There is a dynamic there though that is not so fun, but that is because of the people there. It seems that as soon as I board a ship to play, the occupants jump overboard. I have heard that there are clannish politics that people are making it not so much fun for the average person. Maybe if enough people go, that are willing to play happily and openly with each other, this will be a thing of the past. Cutthroats is fun, I think we should all go and try it again. There are upgrades that I bought with the in game coins that help to go a long way to making the game more fun and I was lucky, as I had made it a job to go collect the coins even thought I did not play.
I went to the kiosk and was able to buy a lot of weaponry. This is also a big plus because it lets one preview the weapons for what amounts to free ‘in game’ money. There are coats a person can buy that gives them the upgrade permanently, and one may choose to, all because they had a chance to preview the weapon of choice with the free in game money. I will go back, again and again. There is such a deep down good feeling when you read that little sign that says “FEMAELSTROM has sunk the Enemy Ship.” I want that more and more, and by loading up on that dock and finding a ship, I can have it. Great job Sony. Cutthroats is great again after my second look. I love the tortoise, I love the game and I will be back, I just hope others are brave enough to face the silly drama makers and enjoy the fun.
One small commentary on the side.
This is in the nature of Home’s friendly community that I balk at the politics people bring to any space. There are even rumors of people cheating. This is sickening and repugnant. This should be fun for everyone, not just a few overly aggressive people that act so anti-social in a social environment. People have tried to kick me out of places before, but I cannot leave. I will not give people that power over me. I will be back at a place like Cutthroats and I will have fun because when the thugs and punks win, we all lose a little bit of our precious Home. Like a neighborhood over run by gang members.
Thank you for the moment on the soap box, and now back to the fun.
I just hope “Earl” isn’t captain of an opposing ship, he may still harbor resentment over waking his long hibernation.
April 12th, 2013 by FEMAELSTROM | 2 comments
FEMAELSTROM came to Home in June 2011 and never wanted to leave, even at weekly maintenance when he usually gets booted. The sand box environment appeals to the explorer in him and often is out and about as he ‘geeks’ out dressed like some sort of sci-fi character, while he people watches in popular public spaces. An artist and writer, FEMAELSTROM loves making friends and meeting people. He loves sci-fi and decorating Home estates and loves to respond “here” when people ask “where are you from?” in public places.
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Beautiful Strom,
a heart warming article. :)thanks for the share.
I was lucky enough to have inherited a Russian Tortoise friend for years. I wish I could post a picture! Those of us who have had a pet tortoise always become quite fond of them, they are wonderful creatures. Thanks for sharing this Strom!