The following is a fanbased take on Stardew Valley with the elements of HuniePop and the Gamer. These belong to their respective owners as I only own the plot and the PC. And as with other fanfictions I write, this one will have an opening and closing theme. Each season will be different. Since its technically not spring yet, I won't post the opening theme, but I will post a link to the closing theme.
Another thing, this take will be a bit more contemporary. How? Well, if you played the game, certain references will be a bit different.
The Maelstrom of Stardew
Year 0 (Winter)
Chapter 1 – "An Early Start"
Saturday, the 27th of Winter, 2016
[Quest Announcement] - Gamer Ability/Notification
Taeko had fallen asleep during the bus ride unaware of the driver, Pam, was boozing behind the wheel. He was in the midst of dreaming. He was sitting on a rock playing his mini harp, playing the beats to one of his favorite songs by Nujabes, City Lights. It represented what he was leaving behind, something that he'd somewhat miss. He was in the midst of singing to the tune when the landscape changed to a void. He looked to see two people standing in front of him. The male resembled him, but his hair color was black. The woman had a slender physique, with curved hips and a small chest. She has green eyes that contrast with her pink, pig-tailed hair which extends to just above her shoulders. Her hair also has two decorative silver antennae. They both wore suits with the Taeko lookalike black, and the fairy girl's being pink. Her wings fluttered.
"Kyu? This isn't a wet dream is it?" Taeko asked.
Ironically, Huniepop was one of Taeko's favorite puzzle games.
"No, I'd be naked if it was that. Plus, you're not dreaming. Me and my partner merely teleported you into this pocket dimension to give you a gift." Kyu said.
Taeko was confused, but the lookalike spoke up.
"Taeko. My name is Tora Maelstrom…I am your alternate counterpart." Tora spoke up.
Taeko asked for an explanation to which Tora explained that the Maelstrom clan has four different counterparts each in a different universe.
"Grandpa is a badass farmer in yours, mine was the ultimate lover. I found another where he was a badass ninja." Tora said kindly. "And I want to make things easier for you to rise to your full potential."
"Keep going." Taeko said.
"Taeko, I want to bestow on you the power of the Gamer. Basically, this world of one of many versions of Stardew Valley. I'm going to give you a power to make things a tad easier on some things yet challenging on others." Tora said laying a hand on Taeko's head.
Kyu did the same.
"And I'll be tossing in some elements from my world too…" Kyu said deviously.
Taeko was coated with a white glow before it faded. Taeko now had the Gamer effect and he picked up on it rather quickly. Being that he read fanfiction when he should be working while at Joja sometimes, he knew how to call up his [Status].
Taeko Kiba Maelstrom
Occupation: Farmer/Freelancer Ronin
Age: 20 years
HP: 500/500
Energy: 300/300
Overall Level: Greenhorn
Farming Skill Level: 0
Mining Skill Level: 0
Foraging Skill Level: 2
Fishing Skill Level: 0
Combat Skill Level: 10
Gold: 2500
Total Amount Earned: 0 Gold
Taeko is a former employee of the corrupt Joja Corp. Screwing it over, he got away with it free to chase his dreams and ambitions. An anti-hero and a roughneck, he won't take crap from no-one. Now he's the head farmer of Shadow Farm along with being essentially a ronin. His favorite food is pepperoni pizza. His favorite gifts tend to center around gaming, manga, and combat.
"That's it." Taeko said. "I thought I'd have Perks."
"You have perks. Call them out." Kyu said.
"[Perks]" Taeko said as another text box came up.
[Taeko's Perks]
The Gamer's Mind - Allows the user to calmly and logically think things through. Allows peaceful state of Mind. Immunity to Psychological Mass Effect and Hypnotism.
The Gamer's Body - Grants the user a body to live life like a video game, Immunity to Physical Damage, but not the pain. Sleeping in a bed fully restores HP/Energy, Sleeping in a tent restores HP/Energy by 75% of total amount, and sleeping on an improvised surface (a couch, the ground) restores HP/Energy by 50% of maximum amount.
Made of Iron – You can survive your HP going down to zero, and you only need four hours and ten minutes of sleep to function perfectly. (Downside, you have to bed before 2 A.M. or else you pass out.)
Fighter - All attacks deal 10% more damage. (+15 HP)
Brute - Damage is increased by 15%
"It's rather small now, but you need to level up your skills. Farming will grow by harvesting crops and caring for animals. Mining will grow by busting up rocks. Foraging will rise when you gather foraged goods, and wood from trees chopped with an axe tool. Fishing is the skill associated with catching fish obviously. Those four skills, when leveled up, will provide you an increase in proficiency in a certain tool. Lastly, combat. It's how good you fight, but it's maxed out. Each level up will give you crafting recipes." Tora explained. "Since combat is maxed out, you'll get all the crafting recipes for it right away."
"So, like Minecraft?" Taeko asked.
"Yeah, that. Except you can call up the crafting menu whenever." Tora said.
"Well, I'm liking this so far!" Taeko said, eagerly.
Kyu shoved Tora out of the way and she had a devious smile.
"Now for the fun part. Relationships!" She said wickedly. "There are 6 guys and 6 girls who are eligible bachelors for you to romance, screw, and if you really love them marry."
"Uh...I only want the girls." Taeko said awkwardly.
Kyu pouted.
"Damn it, you're make a hot seme!" Kyu said giving Taeko a purple smart phone. "Either way, I'm giving you the HunieBee 5.0."
"So, it'll work like the HunieBee in the game? Those bachelorettes and bachelors I meet will ping in here, give me a little info on how to appeal to them, collect and keep pictures." Taeko said.
"Saved me the trouble of explaining." Kyu said. "You can keep track of your relationships with everyone in town with the [Relationships] page. The higher the friendship, the more benefits you'll get!"
"I think you can figure what the observe and inventory feature do, right?" Tora said as Taeko nodded. "Good, then here's another gift."
Taeko was zapped again as a text box came up.
[Taeko's inventory shot up from 12 items to 36 items!]
"Sweet!" Taeko said.
"Lastly, your choices and actions will affect your friendships and so forth. However, certain times, you can get away with being a dick." Tora said with a wink. "Good luck, my brother."
"Thanks, but I have a question. How are you able to do this?" Taeko asked.
Taeko was unaware that his "counterpart" was a warper, but Tora had an idea in mind about.
"I'll tell you…if by the end of first year if you make 100,000 in total amount earned. I'll share the secret of my power then." Tora said. "Now we must go. We'll pop in to give tips and so forth."
Tora had also quickly explained the gift system and how learning what people like could help.
Kyu and Tora vanished and Taeko awoke back on the bus. He found the sun burning his head, and he moved out of the way when the sun nearly burned his beloved mini-harp. The bus wasn't moving, and Pam was nowhere to be found. He thought he'd be at Stardew by now.
Taeko got out his phone to see it was six a.m. He walked up and exited the bus. His gamer's map informed him that he was in Calico Desert. Now he had to look for Pam and walking the desert was a total trot. Taeko had worn a grey T-shirt with a black skull on it, green slacks, and his black hi-top sneakers. On his left side, was his katana in his sheath. The heat was unbearable as the sun beat down on him.
"When I find that driver, I'm going to kick her face in for this!" Taeko said fuming.
He noticed an shop fittingly called Oasis and went inside. He noticed a rather attractive redheaded tanned woman tending the store. His gamer ability told him to use his observe ability.
"[Observe]" Taeko said wordlessly.
[Pelican Town Villager – Sandy – Relationship Level: 0/10 – Her actual name is Charlese Tunt, but goes by the moniker of Sandy around these parts. Her family has owned the desert in front of Pelican Town for years. Her likes center around flowers.]
"Haven't seen you around? New to town?" Sandy asked him.
"I would be. That bitch of the driver left me on the bus asleep to burn!" Taeko said annoyed.
"Oh, you poor thing. Pam's a bit of a drunk. I saw her come here to gamble at the casino. And came out piss drunk and broke. I feel bad for the daughter for putting up with her." Sandy said. "She's a sweet girl unlike her mother."
This raised interest, but Taeko dismissed it for now.
"I'm Taeko. Taeko Maelstrom." Taeko said offering a hand.
Sandy took it in stride and said, "Call me Sandy."
"What exactly do you sell here?" Taeko said curiously.
"I sell seeds you won't get in Pelican Town along with salvage from the desert." Sandy said before getting behind the counter.
A text box came up showing Taeko her stock, and he noticed the Rhubarb Seeds.
[Rhubarb Seeds - Plant these in the spring. Takes 13 days to mature.]
"I'll take some Rhubarb seeds, only about 3 packets. I can't afford much." Taeko said putting down three hundred gold.
"Please don't tell me you're a gambler too." She said, passing him the seeds.
"No, I blew my money on leaving my old life. I used to work for those pricks at Joja, and I needed a change." Taeko said putting the seeds in his pocket. "Something new."
Once they were inside his pocket, they vanished into his [Inventory].
"Oh, you're like me. I used work for Joja as well." Sandy said a bit saddened. "Soulless place."
Then Sandy took a good look at Taeko and recognized where she had seen that face before. She had watched the news about the "Taeko Incident" of him being kidnapped and claimed dead by Joja.
"Wait a second, now I remember where I saw you. You were the man who survived Souamil. You're a living legend among the former Joja employees and its detractors." Sandy said with a smile.
Taeko thanked her for the praise and even got a Sandfish as a gift. He was informed that there is a motel next door, and Pam would be there most likely. This angered Taeko because Pam didn't even bother to wake him and tell him. Taeko thanked Sandy and was leaving when a text box came up.
[You've gotten Sandy's respect; your relationship is up to 2 Hearts (500 friendship points).]
"Come back anytime." Sandy said as he left.
The motel was your average motel, and the motel manager was idly flipping through a manga. Specifically, "Love Hinata". Taeko had to admit that the manager had good taste. The manager was so invested as Taeko slipped past. He noticed that the manager wasn't observable.
"Guess it only applies to certain people." He said to himself.
His Gamer ability allowed him sharpened senses and he found Pam in Room 3 which he entered. It was a sad sight. Pam was a blonde middle-aged woman with purple eyeliner over her brown eyes. She wore a pink windbreaker jacket and faded jeans. Her sandals were discarded on the ground. Pam was passed out drunk with a bottle of [Pale Ale] in her hand. There were also several other bottles in the trash. Taeko was mad, but closed the door before using [Observe]
[Pelican Town Villager - Pam – Relationship Level: 0/10 – Pam Leanna is the town's bus driver and town drunk. She's the mother of her only daughter, Penny, and they have a strained relationship. Despite having few talents, she's good at fishing. Her likes center around liquor (duh) and parsnips.]
Any like he could have for the woman pretty much went to the dogs. He had no real issue with liquor, but crap parents he did have one for. His old buddy Manny was a big reason for it. Another text box with Pam's status and she'll be out cold for basically six hours.
"Just great, drunk bitch had to get hammered." Taeko said. "I'm glad I moved my things so the sun won't burn them."
Now he had to wait for her to wake up, but then the world went gray with a text box.
[Karmic Option]
Your driver has passed out drunk and leaves you with options on what to do with her. Your choice will have gains/penalties depending on what you do.
Heroic – Wait by her side for her to wake up and give her something to ease the hangover. [+250 Friendship Points with Pam (1 Heart)]
Pragmatic – Do nothing to her and wait the six hours. [+125 Friendship Points (Half a Heart)]
Deviant – Get a bit of revenge on Pam. [No friendship points gained, but any action you do to Pam during those six hours you get away with.]
He looked down at Pam and wondered how to go with this. He looked at the time, and the grey void froze time. He did see that he was 8:30 a.m. already.
"Now what to do?" Taeko thought.
-Player Status-
Taeko Kiba Maelstrom
Occupation: Farmer/Freelancer Ronin
Age: 20 years
HP: 500/500
Energy: 300/300
Overall Level: Greenhorn
Farming Skill Level: 0
Mining Skill Level: 0
Foraging Skill Level: 2
Fishing Skill Level: 0
Combat Skill Level: 10
Gold: 2200
Total Amount Earned: 0 Gold
Taeko is a former employee of the corrupt Joja Corp. Screwing it over, he got away with it free to chase his dreams and ambitions. An anti-hero and a roughneck, he won't take crap from no-one. Now he's the head farmer of Shadow Farm along with being essentially a ronin. His favorite food is pepperoni pizza. His favorite gifts tend to center around gaming, manga, and combat.
[Taeko's Perks]
The Gamer's Mind - Allows the user to calmly and logically think things through. Allows peaceful state of Mind. Immunity to Psychological Mass Effect and Hypnotism.
The Gamer's Body - Grants the user a body to live life like a video game, Immunity to Physical Damage, but not the pain. Sleeping in a bed fully restores HP/Energy, Sleeping in a tent restores HP/Energy by 75% of total amount, and sleeping on an improvised surface (a couch, the ground) restores HP/Energy by 50% of maximum amount.
Made of Iron – You can survive your HP going down to zero, and you only need four hours and ten minutes of sleep to function perfectly. (Downside, you have to bed before 2 A.M. or else you pass out.)
Fighter - All attacks deal 10% more damage. (+15 HP)
Brute - Damage is increased by 15%
[Relationships]
Sandy – 2/10 Hearts – 500 Friendship Points
Pam – 0/10 Hearts – 0 Friendship Points
(A/N: Not another gaming fanfic. Yeah, well unlike Sekirei Blackthorned, I only have one player to focus on. Plus, the Wiki provides enough information to explain how friendship values work. I'll be taking one liberty and that's not having a penalty if you don't talk to a villager. Other than that, it's basically the game with Kyu modding the crap out of it. Either way, what do you think Taeko should do? Comment below!)
(Remastered A/N (2023): Hey readers, this little addon to say to give my commentary on the chapters and a little note that I have remastered them. Funny enough, this motel never appears again over the course of the story. Looking back, I think I did decently in establishing Pam and Sandy. Yes, I had her name refer to the Archer character on purpose. It was a cute in-joke.)