Project: BENTHOS

You are a member of the Biological Team for the Exploration and Examination of the Natural Terraquan Habitats of Obscure Subnautical Species, more colloquially known as Project BENTHOS, an elite research team devoted to uncovering the mysteries held at the bottom of the ocean. You and the other four members of Project: BENTHOS are stationed at The Forge - a first-of-its-kind ocean floor research station, equipped with everything needed to support life on the ocean floor for a four month deployment.

Earlier today, one of your colleagues left The Forge on a routine sea walk. It is now several hours past the time they were supposed to have returned and a tremor of anxiety is beginning to shake the station. There is only enough equipment for one person to go out in search of them, and it has been determined that you will be the one to go. You have four hours of oxygen, a finicky GPS unit, and a vague idea of where they were heading, and that is going to have to be enough. As you step into the airlock, you make a promise to them and to yourself - you will bring them back to The Forge, or die trying.

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Project: BENTHOS is a solo journaling game of search, survival, and (hopefully) rescue at the bottom of the sea.

To play Project: BENTHOS all you need is a standard deck of cards, something to write on, and something to write with.

Players will create their own sea floor by tossing cards across a play space, and then turn over the cards one by one as they search the sea floor. What will you encounter as you search for your missing colleague at the bottom of the sea? And will you return to The Forge with your life?

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Project: BENTHOS was written for Deep Water Jam hosted by Diwata ng Manila.

If you enjoy this game, please let me know on Bluesky!