Adventure April 2023: The Starheart Heist

Welcome to "The Starheart Heist," a thrilling text-and-click-based adventure game with a linear storyline that will take you on an unforgettable journey through a world of high stakes, intrigue, and danger. In this game, you play the role of a skilled bounty hunter who finds themselves embroiled in a dangerous conspiracy surrounding a powerful energy crystal called the Starheart. As you follow the clues and investigate a mysterious explosion at a government facility, you'll encounter a cast of intriguing characters, face tough decisions, and explore a richly detailed world filled with secrets, surprises, and challenges. With immersive storytelling and engaging gameplay, "The Starheart Heist" offers an unforgettable gaming experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Introduction

Adriyel by Gabrielle Decker

The players are attending a technology fair at the Meshevian Expo Center in Sukha, Meshev when they hear an explosion from a nearby government facility and see smoke rising. They then witness panicked scientists and security personnel running toward it, indicating a major incident. While investigating the explosion, the players overhear worried scientists discussing the Feikerg Research Facility. This top-secret facility on a private island off the southern coast is developing the Starheart, a rare and powerful energy crystal that could revolutionize energy production worldwide. However, thieves would do anything to steal the Starheart. The scientists fear the recent explosion was an attempt to locate the Feikerg Research Facility to steal the Starheart, which could have dire consequences.

A government agent offers the players a large reward to investigate the government facility explosion and stop the villain. The agent warns the players that time is running out and they must act quickly before the villain makes their next move. The agent doesn't mention the Feikerg Research Facility or Starheart, but the players overheard the scientists' conversation and know its importance. Helping could be motivated by a reward, a sense of duty, or the chance to gain knowledge about the advanced technology being developed at the research facility.

Act 1: Investigating the Explosion

Location 1: Sukha, Meshev
Goal: Investigate the government facility explosion and find clues to the identity of the culprit.

Act 1 of "The Starheart Heist" sets the stage for an exciting adventure as the players investigate a major incident at a government facility. The explosion leads them to uncover a larger plot involving a powerful energy crystal and a dangerous cult. The players face obstacles from bureaucratic red tape, uncooperative security personnel, government corruption, and magical resistance as they follow leads and gather information. Ultimately, they discover a sinister plot and are now faced with the challenge of stopping the cult and saving the region from a dangerous power grab in a matter of hours. This act sets up the rest of the adventure, creating a sense of urgency and excitement as the players navigate the stakes of the mission.

Act 2: Infiltrating the Feikerg Research Facility

Location 2: Southern coast, near Feikerg Research Facility
Goal: Discover how Raff Riyel found out about the Starheart and gain access to her plans for stealing it.
Challenge: The Meshevian government is doing everything in their power to prevent the party from discovering the location of the small island, going so far as to threaten imprisonment. If they are going to stop her, it will have to be before she manages to reach the facility.

Act 3: Confronting Raff Riyel

Location 3: Near the Feikerg Research Facility
Goal: Stop Raff Riyel from stealing the Starheart and thwart the Black Hand cult's plan or at least delay them long enough for the Meshev government to arrive and apprehend her..
Obstacle 3: Raff is a powerful Shatar with many magical abilities, so the players will need to employ all their skills and resources to succeed.

Conclusion

If the players succeed in defeating Raff and securing the Starheart energy crystal, they will have prevented chaos and destruction. The Meshevian government attempts to fine the players for obstruction of justice but relents when a scientist at the Feikerg Research Facility verifies they never set foot near the facility and evidence is presented of Raff's plan. The Black Hand Cult swears vengeance, but its members remain a mystery, setting up a potential future adventure or one-shot for the players if they wish to pursue it.

Notice

This article is still a WIP and is incomplete. Most of Act 1 is complete, it's just a matter of completing the artwork. I'll send out updates as I finish them!

Plot type

Non-meta side-story

Related Organizations

The Black Hand

Characters

Adriyel

Players assume the role of Adriyel, a skilled and resourceful bounty hunter. Although he possesses a sharp mind and a keen eye for detail, Adriyel struggles with self-doubt at times. Despite this, his strong sense of justice and unwavering determination to clean up Meshev's streets drive him to protect the innocent and put criminals behind bars. Though he tends to worry and overthink things, Adriyel remains focused on the task at hand. He looks up to Hacan as a surrogate big brother figure, who provides guidance and support as he navigates the dangerous world of bounty hunting and life in general.

Hacan

Hacan is a skilled bounty hunter with a boisterous personality and a wicked sense of humor. Despite being Viampaal and facing bigotry, Hacan ignores any hate, opting instead to use humor to put others at ease. He takes his job as a mentor seriously, encouraging Adriyel to stay true to a his morals while helping him overcome his fears. Having met Adriyel, Hacan realized that life would be hard for Adriyel without further weight placed on him. He shows Adriyel it's okay to be silly at times and helps him discover purpose in life.

History

Hacan by Gabrielle Decker

Adriyel had no parents and the world never seemed to acknowledge his existence. But Hacan was different; he accepted Adriyel when he was just a small child and provided him with guidance and support throughout his life. He taught Adriyel how to survive on the streets and showed him how to blend in. Hacan also pushed Adriyel to be a better person, to stay true to his morals, and to never make assumptions about another person. As they became bounty hunters, Adriyel thrived in a leadership role, showing an aptitude for negotiation and strategy, while Hacan stepped back proudly to let him take charge.