Summer Event 2017: Lost City
Summary
In 2017, CS's annual summer event was themed after a lost underwater city, which we discovered was full of a whole isolated society of pets! To celebrate the reunion with Avian and the land-based CS crew, we were invited to the Lost City's Jamboree, hosted by an entertaining cast of characters. However, the Jamboree was endangered when it was the discovered that someone broke the orchestra's instruments! Without music, the event could have fallen apart. Thankfully, due to the hard investigative work done by CS members, all was fixed and the celebration was a huge blast!
Characters (NPCs)
The Lost City event was filled with colorful NPCs, pushing the story line of this summer vacation along. These characters are often called NPCs (non player characters) since they weren't actually played by a user, but were instead pre-programmed by staff. Many of them (especially Cuttler and Princess) ended up being very popular in the community. The NPCs would give out pets and items throughout the event. Some required players to trade in tokens to claim their prizes, while other stations were free. As the event progressed, more trade ins and characters were introduced each day, as the story was gradually revealed.
Avian and Totoro were visible on the Event Map itself. Each day they had new free items for users to collect. Additionally, free pets became available from their page later on in the event. They served as our guide throughout the event, and explained some of the plot advancements each day.
Avian (left) is Tess's custom pet, while Totoro (right) is the reversed image of an item released in the 2009 Advent Calendar. |
Chef Calamari could be found at the Banquet Table inside of the Castle Courtyard. He's a disgruntled worker just trying to get the big feast prepared for the jamboree! Unfortunately some runaway pets had been bothering him, stealing his ingredients and interrupting his work! Maybe that's why he was so short with us!
Chef Calamari was originally released in 2016th in celebration of CS's Birthday! |
Cuttler was a very eccentric guard who works for the royal palace. Although a bit rude to us at first, Cuttler soon became a good friend, and even eventually invited us onto the team as an official guard! We then worked with him to solve the crime and save the jamboree. He could be found in the Castle Storeroom.
Cuttler the Guard made his first appearance in this summer event. However, at the end of the event, he was released as a pet and can be found in the Archive under the Lost City Event. |
Busy with decorating for the jamboree, Finnegan seemed very absent-minded when we first met him. He always was carrying seaweed or ribbons in his mouth as he rushed to get everything in place, often not having enough time to speak to us properly, until his work was finished.
Originally Finnegan's design was used as a Store Pet in late 2014. |
Mr. Herringbone lives in the Shipwreck, visible on the main Lost City Map. He was very grumpy at first, but we later learned that he felt unwanted by his fellow Lost City pets, because his neighbors were intimidated by a big dragon. We also get to see that he is truly touched by the gift Princess made him.
Mr. Herringbone first appeared as a character in this event, but his design was later released at the end of the event, and can be found in the archive. |
Panopea ran one of the "mini-games" that were a part of this event, getting her own spot not the map called "Panopea's Pearl game." She didn't have much significance in the plot of the event, but the prizes players could win from her game were quite exciting.
This design was originally released in 2012 to celebrate CS's Birthday. |
In the Castle Entrance, the young Princess of the Lost City could be found. She's silly and always looking to have a good time, acting with the best of intentions. As we find out, she's the one who stole the kelp in order to welcome Mr. Herringbone, who she realized was feeling left out of the celebrations.
Princess first appeared in this event, but her design was released at the end of the event. It can be found under the Lost City Event in the archive. |
Shelly is a fashionista who wants to disperse some lovely designs in preparation of the big night of the jamboree! She's very generous, and quite dedicated to her work.
This design was released originally in February of 2016. |
Tesla is a pet that came with us to the lost city, leading the orchestra and providing the music for the jamboree. At first he was very short with us, because he was stressed out about the orchestra's instruments being vandalized! He could be found on the Stage.
This design was released as a Store Pet in 2016. |
Wade ran the first animated mini-game ever featured on CS. They were a great sale-person for their game, hanging out at the Fast Fins Racetrack and promoting the races.
Wade's design originally was released in 2016's Advent Calendar. |
Character Dialogue
Sometimes referred to as "flavor text," the NPCs often had their dialogue switched out in order to tell the story. Each day new dialogue would be up, telling observant users about the changes happening in the Lost City.
Day One - July 22nd
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(the squid eyes your clothes with suspicion)
(wow rude) | ||||
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(uhh wonder what's up with this grouch...) | ||||
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Day Two - July 23rd
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Day Three - July 24th
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Day Four - July 25th
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Huh? *He spits the seaweed out of his mouth*
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Day Five - July 26th
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Huh? *He spits the seaweed out of his mouth*
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Day Six - July 27th
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Did he just say the word grumble? | ||||
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Huh? *He spits the seaweed out of his mouth*
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Day Seven - July 28th
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no new dialogue was released this day |
Day Eight - July 29th
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Day Nine - July 30th
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Day Ten - July 31th
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Map Areas
The Lost City map had many interactive areas, which held new content each day. Users had to check the zones each day to make sure they didn't miss out on any gifts! In addition to free pets and items, the event also featured trade-in stations, which allowed users to exchange their tokens for other prizes.
The Lost City
Avian + Totoro
Avian and Totoro had their own special spot on the map. Each day they'd provide users with a new set of free items, and they eventually had token trade-ins on their page as well.
The Barnacle Boutique
The boutique was a friendly little shop run by Shelly. She was most known for providing items (particularly clothing and wigs), although there were some free pets available as well from this location. The items were often dressy or fashionable to prepare for the jamboree!
Fast Fins Race Track
The race track was home to the hamster race mini game. The game included an animation of the race, and users would try to predict which hamster would win. Wade was the NPC who watched over these races, and a large array of prizes could be won - no one ever came out empty handed.
Shipwreck
The site of the Shipwreck serves as Mr. Herringbone's home. Since he is seen as a bit of an outcast in the Lost City, he lives there instead. Over the course of the event this page did have several trade-ins available.
The Kelp Forest
The Kelp Forest was a source of tokens event (which could be claimed every hour), and banner pets. When able to search the Kelp Forest, players would see a cameo of Squiddy from the 2012 Beach Event. If an hour had not yet passed, the player would find the forest to be empty instead.
The Castle Entrance
The castle entrance housed the Princess, and also contained several trade in stations. Eventually, as the event continued, the Castle Entrance also allowed passage to the Castle Courtyard.
The Castle Courtyard
The Stage
The stage was the scene of the jamboree. When the celebration finally started, it became light up. Beyond that, the Stage also served as a page when players could receive pets and items, as well as find Tesla, one of the characters in the plot.
The Banquet Table
Here players could find several trade-in stations, pets, and even some specialized tokens (which could be traded for other regular event tokens. Chef Calamari Watched over this section of the map.
The Photo Booth
The Photo Booth provided players with many free pieces of scenery items, to help give dress-ups an under water vibe! There was no NPC present in this location - only free items appeared here.
Jamboree Organizer Table
Here players could interact with Finnegan, and active a couple trade-in stations to exchange their event tokens former specialized tokens.
Panopea's Pearl Game
Here the second mini game in this event took place. No matter what, players would win something, but the type of prizes varied based on whether or not the player guessed correctly.
The Castle Store Room
Cuttler the Guard spent most of the event in this area of the map. It was from this location players could start the investigation, receive free items, and active several trade in centers.
The Investigation
On day five, the CS tourists woke up to discover that a terrible crime had been committed while they slept! Cuttler informed us that the orchestra's instruments had been destroyed! Without their instruments, the orchestra won't be able to play for the jamboree. Fear and doubt makes some question if the event should be held at all! Eager to solve the crime, Cuttler enlisted our help to find the culprit.
Users were a given the task of collecting interviews from some of the other Lost City inhabitants, while Cuttler assembled the evidence. These tasks were mainly for story, but completing them did award the player with a few items and stamps themed around the Investigation. Over the course of day five players could watch as Cuttler pieced the puzzle together. Every so often, a new bit of information would be added onto a new page in the Castle Storeroom: the pin-board.
Our Task
After the crime was discovered, Cuttler sent us to interview the citizens of the Lost City to figure out who did it. Cuttler would give us stationary to start the task, which then we could then trade to the NPC in return for their Sealed Witness Statement. For the first investigation, trading the Sealed Witness Statement to Cuttler would add stamps to your account themed around the mission. The second stage, with Mr. Herringbone, allowed users to keep a copy of the Sealed Witness statement item for their collection.
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Chef Calamari answers a few questions and then shoos you away so he can return to working. I hope this is enough to bring to Cuttler the Guard. | ||||
[Upon trade-in:] |
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Mr. Herringbone just makes a few hmphs and sighs. Not sure if this interview is worth giving to Cuttler. I think I'll just keep it. |
Tokens and Banner Pets
This event had several different types of tokens. As the event progressed, there were some additional token items added, although they were simply made from other existing tokens at a few trade ins. Their status as tokens mostly served for plot, and these later token were only of use at a select few trade in stations.
Banner Tokens + Pets
This is the standard event token. Every 20 minutes, players could randomly find a banner at the bottom of nearly any page of the site. Usually they'd receive one of these items, which could then be traded on there event page to NPCs in return for pets and items.
Pearl |
Clam Shell |
Spiral Shell |
Mollusc Shell | ||||||||
Driftwood |
Driftwood |
Driftwood |
Kelp Forest Tokens
On occasion instead of the standard items, players would receive a pet instead. These pets from this event could only be gained through these random banner gifts, not through a token trade in. Receiving a pet instead of a token still reset the cool down timer, and the player would have to wait another hour before searching in the Kelp Forest again.
Jamboree Tokens
The Jamboree Tokens served mostly as decorative items, but there were a few trade-ins that required them as payment. Players could get them through a trade in with the regular event token types with Finnegan, after they became available.
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Banquet Table Tokens
The Banquet Tokens served mostly as decorative items, but there were a few trade-ins that required them as payment. Players could get them through a trade in with the regular event token types with the Chef, after they became available.
Each trade in station would request different combinations and types of tokens.
Stamps
Fast Fins Race Track
Castle Entrance
Castle Storeroom
Investigation
(These stamps were only available if participating in the investigation, not the summer event as a whole. Learn more here.)
Fun Text
As with many CS events, the Lost City featured some random, amusing text, involving the CS team and users.
Breaking News
On day 5 a "Breaking News" bar was added to the event page, so that we could follow the news around the investigation. Every 20 minutes a new line was cycled into the news, and the oldest was removed. This continued for the day and spilled over into the next. Some of the text followed what was happening with the pin board investigation, while others were playing with the various things going on in the forum at the time (such a "sacrificing" the staff and not sleeping). In the collection bellow, the name of CS Team Members are surrounded in square brackets, and commas separate the names that would rotate.
Jamboree Party Generator
When the jamboree finally. started, there was a flavor text generator that users could use to see some funny phrased themed around the event. Users could click a button to generate a line that included their username. On occasion the name of CS Team Members would be included as well!
Default Phrases |
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"I need a sturgeon!", [user] is shouting. Seems like they cut their finger on Panopeas shells. Again. |
"The tunaverse is such an amazing place" ...[user] is getting really deep. |
Aww, [staff member] and [user] are napping together in a corner. They must not have had much sleep lately. |
Bursting bubbles: [user] accuses party goers of causing water pollution. |
Chef Calamari is sick of [user] thinking his tail is some exotic food. Rawr!! |
Cuttler drew some fanart of [user]! But it just looks like a squid ink splat on the paper… |
Cuttler invites [user] to dance. But [user] is too shy! |
Cuttler is showing [user] and [staff member] all the amazing fanart. |
Cuttler just handed a love letter to [user] - Awww! |
Finnegan wonders how [user] and [staff member] can be of help if they keep getting tangled in all the bunting. Silly tourists. |
Herringbone has [user] cornered and is telling them a very long very boring story. |
Hey [user], it looks like the princess threw sea-star salad in your hair. Rude! |
Hey [user], let minnow if you know some better pranks to pull on [staff member]. |
Holy shrimp! This scampi happening! Stop stealing all the food, [user]! |
Juggling big pearls underwater should be easy, but [user] didn't think of the current and [staff member] was hit in the face. |
Looks like [user] has finally found their sea legs. |
Mr. Herringbone and [user] are creating a statue out of food...haven't they learned their lesson about improper construction materials? |
Oh no! [staff member] and [user] have somehow gotten themselves tangled in all the decorative bunting. |
Oops, [user] didn't get the memo and dressed up as a pumpkin thinking this was a costume party....yikes. |
Panopea and Cuttler are trying to tell [user] something using sign language, but all the extra arms are confusing things. |
Panopea is trying to teach [user] shell shuffling but failing. It's easier when you have multiple limbs! |
Raymond and Gillian want their own team t-shirts, too. [user] should totally order some at the Boutique! |
Something smells fishy. Oh! Who left a fish burger next to [user]?! |
Squiddy is dancing with [user]. Surprisingly good moves, for a squid. |
Tesla has recruited [user] into their orchestra. |
The catfish are demanding pats from [user] and [staff member]. |
The otter pups and [user] are playing tide-and-seak. |
Totoro and [user] sneak off to explore the rest of the castle. |
Totoro swims overheard and lets out a little bird poop onto [user]'s head. Luckily we’re underwater so it washes away immediately! |
Totoro swoops down and steals a bite of [user]’s food. Hey! |
Wade and [user] are sharing a plate of jellyfish jello! |
We should dolphinitely not invite [user] next time. They're sleeping through the whole Jamboree! |
Whale, whale, whale, what have we here? [user] is trying to steal Steve’s goggles! |
While no one was watching [staff member], [user] and [staff member] sneak into the kitchen to grab extra desserts. |
[staff member] and Hestia perform the salmon dance. |
[staff member] and [user] are really enjoying the shellebration! |
[staff member] and [user] are trying to communicate, but they're having trouble talking through their scuba gear. |
[staff member] and [user] perform the salmon dance. |
[staff member] and [user] seen together in the photo booth. Anything we need to know? |
[staff member] enjoys some tasty cuisine from the buffet. [user] steals a bite when [staff member] isn't looking. |
[staff member] hands [user] a goodie bag to take home. |
[staff member] hasn't let go of their pearls for hours. [user] swears to have heard them murmuring "my precious". |
[staff member] invites [user] to dance. |
[staff member] is wearing a #TeamSteve t-shirt...[user] approves. |
[staff member] is wearing an outfit made entirely of kelp. So is [user]. Guess they found a use for it after all. |
[staff member] plays a prank on [user] - and they take the bait! |
[staff member], [staff member] and [user] are lying around groaning after competing in a jellyfish jello eating contest. [user] won! |
[staff member], [staff member], [user] and [staff member] have a dance off. It's super orcaward. |
[user] and Avian are trying to out-fish-pun each other. |
[user] and Panopea are eating sponge burgers together. |
[user] and [staff member] are admiring each other's ceremonial armour. |
[user] and [staff member] are drinking fishtails at the sandbar. |
[user] and [staff member] are making beautiful necklaces out of a huge mountain of discarded shells. |
[user] and [staff member] are playing games with the princess. Aww, she’s so cute when she’s not being a brat. |
[user] and [staff member] are showing each other funny memes on their phones. |
[user] and [staff member] are singing a duet together! |
[user] and [staff member] are singing..."then peace will guide the oceans, and love will steer the tides, it's the Age of Aquarium" |
[user] and [staff member] are spying on Panopea. They're certain she must be rigging the pearl game somehow, and they're determined to break the case wide open. |
[user] and [staff member] are swimming along nicely. |
[user] and [staff member] go flying past on the back of a wayward shark. I hope they know what they’re doing… |
[user] and [staff member] seem confused about their role - are they meant to be guarding or partying? |
[user] and [staff member] sit stealthily under Panopea’s table hoping to catch her in the act of rigging her pearl game. |
[user] asks [staff member] to dance with them. |
[user] begs Wade for a chance to race on the track. Sorry [user], I don’t think you swim as fast as our champions! |
[user] brings an OMGSR pet to the party. The other guests are staring in awe. |
[user] complains about being hungry. [staff member] continues to eat all the food on their own. |
[user] confesses to [staff member]: "I would never hurt anybody, I'm a pacifisht." |
[user] cries about the bad puns from [staff member]. - "What? I'm being searious here!" |
[user] forgot to get dressed up nice for the Jamboree, but luckily Cuttler is too busy playing with fanart to enforce the dress-code. |
[user] glances longingly at the snack table, but is too polite to ask for a bite. |
[user] had to learn it the hard way: Sandcake is not made from sand. Normally. |
[user] has tethered a Sun Fish and is showing off their new pet. |
[user] invites Avian to dance. Avian is clumsy in her swim fins and accidentally steps on [user] several times. |
[user] invites Panopea to dance. Tentacles are flailing wildly as they spin around together. |
[user] is asking for signatures on their petition to end the terrible puns. Oh the humanatee! |
[user] is babysitting the princess. They're going to have their paws full! |
[user] is carving their initials into the base of Panopea’s table. Hmmm, where’s a guard when we need one? |
[user] is complaining about their litter of kelp pups. "I got the first one from a breeder and he was so expensive! Then I found THREE at the local shellter" |
[user] is crouching in the corner of the courtyard, drawing fanart for Cuttler. |
[user] is cuddling with the princess. It seems they wish to adopt her! |
[user] is dancing just a touch out of rhythm. |
[user] is dancing to their own tune. |
[user] is discussing fashion tips with Shelly. |
[user] is discussing home decor tips with Herringbone the dragon. |
[user] is impressed: "The decoration looks fintastic!" |
[user] is laughing maniacally as they dive into a pool of catfish plushies. |
[user] is nervously munching on kelp. |
[user] is on their hands and knees searching for pearls on the ground. |
[user] is playing with Avian’s hair. |
[user] is pulling pieces of kelp off the dragon statue, hoping to trade it for pets. |
[user] is ready for a nap after trying to race against Steve and his squid. |
[user] is seen asking Herringbone for a ride on his back. Herringbone is pretending not to hear anything. |
[user] is selling party blowers. [staff member] complains they’re nothing but empty bubbles. |
[user] is showing off their new clothes from Barnacle Boutique. Stylin’. |
[user] is singing along with the orchestra. [staff member] is standing nearby with their hands over their ears. Hmmm… |
[user] is sneakily pocketing all the sea bunnies. |
[user] is so focused on taking selfies that they accidentally step on Herringbone’s tail and cause him to snort dragonfire into the air. Luckily it doesn’t catch anyone’s hair on fire this time! |
[user] is squooked. |
[user] is star struck as a clownfish and blue tang swim past them. Hmmm…. |
[user] is staring at Cuttler the guard and blushing occasionally. Cuttler is too busy reading fan-mail to notice. |
[user] is trying to hitch a ride on the back of a passing ray so they can realize their dream of becoming a champion racing jockey. |
[user] is trying to teach Chef Calamari a new recipe for fudge brownies. Chef looks mildly appalled by the idea and insists jellyfish jello is the best dessert. |
[user] is walking around staring intently at their phone, muttering about catching them all. |
[user] is wandering around trying to find a DJ to request a better tune. |
[user] is wondering how Shelly could win the pearl game so often. |
[user] looks unimpressed by the goings on around them. Hope they don't write a biting review on ShipAdvisor. |
[user] makes the princess a sandwich. |
[user] practices making music with the conductor Tesla. So far they have learned how to play the triangle. |
[user] seen trying to swim like a mermaid. All the water must have gotten to their head. |
[user] shows [staff member] their newest shell-phone. |
[user] sips politely at the strange drink Chef Calamari has given them. |
[user] spotted Mr Herringbone admiring all the dragon fanart. He didn't even grumble. |
[user] stands quietly in a corner, hoping to spot a friend soon. |
[user] takes a shellfie on the dance floor and posts it on Bubbler #JamboreeJamz. |
[user] tells [staff member] they're just fishing for compliments. |
[user] tells us their newest jokes - they're kraken me up! |
[user] tried to ride on a jellyfish. Bad choice. |
[user] tries to teach [staff member] how to do the Squiddo-Dance. It is not going well. |
[user] trips and nearly faceplants into the new dragon statue. Luckily [staff member] catches them and disaster is averted. |
[user] trips, knocking [staff member] into the buffet, causing a sloppy scene. |
[user] was late to the party because they got lost in the kelp forest. |
[user] watches [staff member] and [staff member] sneaking around giggling. I wonder what they’re up to? |
[user], [staff member] and [staff member] are playing "sink or swim". |
[user], [staff member] and [staff member] are tickling the belly of a cute shark. |
[user], [staff member] and [staff member] form a conga line. |
[user], [staff member], and [staff member] are trapped in a furious debate about whether Steve, Raymond, or Gillian is the best racer. |
[user], don't be koi and join the others on the dancefloor! |
End of the Jamboree |
Avian is keeping a list of CS tourist names to check that everyone makes it home okay. [user] eats the list. |
Avian is searching for [user] as they haven’t shown up for the submarine ride home. Oh well, I guess they’ll have to go in the next sub. |
Chef Calamari shoos [user] out of the kitchen. You can’t hide in there! |
[user] and [staff member] are petitioning to vacation for 12 months of the year. |
[user] and [staff member] are sulking and flicking food at each other. Food fight! |
[user] and [staff member] hatch a plan to hide under Panopea’s table while everyone else is leaving. Unfortunately they find [staff member] and [staff member] crammed under there already. |
[user] constructs a mermaid tail out of kelp hoping to blend in with the locals. |
[user] doesn’t want to leave! |
[user] has chained themselves to the food table using kelp and rope. |
[user] has spent so many hours hunting for treasures in The Lost City that they’ve started to forget about their home in CS. |
[user] is clinging to Avian’s leg begging to stay. |
[user] is exhausted after their busy vacation. They can hardly resist as Avian and Squiddy carry them onto the departing submarine. |
[user] is fast asleep in the corner. I guess this was all a little too much for them. |
[user] is picking more kelp off the dragon statue out of desperation. How can the hunt be over already?? |
[user] is so distracted by the pretty new August pets they barely notice as Avian ushers them onto the departing submarine. |
[user] is tearing up their return tickets to CS. They want to stay in The Lost City forever! |
[user] isn’t ready to go home :( |
[user] seen begging the princess to let them stay in the castle while the princess visits CS. |
Trivia
Learn some fun facts about the the history and impact of this event!
- It is theorized that the Lost City was created as a result of the Week With No Friday, due to the quote from Avian:
I'm sure you've heard the rumors about an ancient Chicken Smoothie server which broke off and fell into the sea many years ago during a bad data storm. Well, turns out the rumors were true!
- The Hamster Race token mini-game was CS's first animated event game. With its bursting popularity among members, similar games appeared in later summer events.
- Cuttler's Pin Board of Fan Art was the site's first way to really show off all of the art made by CS members for the event. Later, when the Weekly Oekaki Challenge returned at the end of 2018, Cuttler's pin board made a reappearance to display the participant's hard work.
- On day seven of the event, the free Oxygen Tank item from Avian was forgotten. It was added a few minutes after rollover, but players who had already grabbed their loot for the day had to go back to complete their set.