Moss and Moss: Book II (the latter of which I haven't finished yet) are definitely going up there in the list of my favorite games. The vibes and aesthetic are absolutely perfect, and the music is wonderful. It reminds me a little of Journey and Sky: COTL, which are also great games and some of my favorites.
And Quill as a character has so much personality. Her animations and vocalizations are so cute, and I love that she uses sign language occasionally.
If any of you have, or plan on getting, a Meta Quest 2, I definitely recommend both games. They're possibly the best VR games I've ever played.
i wanted to try something new here. This is quill from an excellent game series called Moss that’s available on play station or meta quest 2. I’ve unfortunately only been able to play the first game and while I got so frustrated with it at times because I suck at games I really love the world and the story. I’d definitely recommend checking it out if your bored
It was a lot of fun drawing her, and I’m kinda proud of this pose here. Her sword and gauntlet took forever tho
Major Spoilers for Moss Book Two! This takes place after the end!
“Did…did it work?” She asked no one, she sat up almost too quickly, making her head spin.
“Well, at least it’s not the library anymore.” She finally decided to look at her hands, and her eyes widened.
“Mouse hands…!” She realized, heart starting to pump faster with anticipation. “So it did work? I’m in the book?” She looked around once more, the grass towered over her, a ladybug passing by was bigger than if she were human.
It was true, she was in Moss. She began to rapidly wiggle her hands and arms with glee, then it hit her.
“I need to find Quill.” She started to look around frantically, no sign of mouse sized houses, did anything look familiar? She looked in the distance.
“That tree….could it be?!” It was one heck of a tree! Possibly the one where she had met Quill, it’s a better lead than none.
Before she started on her way though, she had to know what she was working with. She looked around, and found a puddle, she peered into the puddle.
Staring back at her was a black and white mouse, little pink nose, rather long whiskers, at least longer than Quill’s. Her tail was more on the shorter side, but as long as she could wag it with glee, which she quickly tested, yep, wagging is super fun, not a mouse thing sure but, she wasn’t normally a mouse. Her ears were big and round, her head was half the size of them, and she seemed rather tall, but she’d have to reunite with Quill for a comparison. She even ‘spawned’ in with a cute blue bandanna with white polka dots.
“Alright, shoot, I like it!” She stated to no one. “Pretty snazzy job for a short notice creation!” Then she headed to where she saw the tree.
Yes, it was rather in short notice, Quill and her Reader finally got all five Glass, Her Reader looked at Quill, and saw in her eyes what she was about to do, Her Reader had to think lightning fast, so before they were sent to the Blackhole or sorts, she used the power to make herself a body, so she could stay with Quill forever, she thought super quick about it, didn’t have time to fully develop a character, but made sure to keep all her memories. When Quill disappeared from the book for one final time, she was afraid it didn’t work, she even saw Aderyn fly into her face with the five glass, then fly away with them, she yelled after him in tears, what a jerk! The other reader slammed their book shut and stood up from their table, she was ready for a Bookworm Brawl, but that’s when she was transported into her new form.
Day One of her journey was complete, it felt like it was still a ways away, but she needed to stop and hide for the night. She remembered Quill’s Uncle stating it was dangerous at night, and Paige planned on continuing with that advice, especially since her creation did not ‘spawn’ with a weapon, she was unarmed. Remembering Quill’s Uncle gave her a wave of grief over her features. It was impossible for Paige to let Uncle Argus know the Reader personally, as he couldn’t have seen her, and she couldn’t speak to him even if he could. But his sacrifice hit her like a brick, she always hated major character death in stories, Argus’ death was no different.
Paige hid in a giant log, having found tiny twigs, and was working on starting a fire. She had zero idea what she was doing, but she kept trying, Quill would have. After trying to start it for about an hour, it finally began to blaze, Paige was sweating from the worry she’d fail, but has started to calm down. She took off her bandanna and wrapped it around herself the best she could, then she went to sleep, hopeful to find her best friend tomorrow.
She woke up with anticipation coursing through her, it was raining a bit, but she wasn’t going to let it stop her journey, she put her bandanna over her ears to protect them from the water, and continued on. There were loads of deactivated robot bugs around the areas she has travelled. “They must have deactivated when the other Reader vanished.” She realized. But none of that mattered, not anymore, what did matter was getting to Quill, so she quickened her pace. Getting hit by rain was a lot tougher when you’re tiny, it’s like an entire shower multiple times, her bandanna was soaked from the first drop that hit her, but she didn’t care, she’ll probably catch a cold for pushing on like that, but if it meant getting to Quill faster, that’s all she cared about.
She was never one for the romances, sure she liked reading them, but she never cared to be in one herself. What she did want however, was a friend, maybe two, or maybe three. She was a social butterfly with no friends back at that library. Could be why she was so desperate to see Quill again. She finally had someone who would care about her ramblings, her interests, her opinions, everything. She was certain Quill would listen, as she would listen to Quill all day long.
The rain finally subsided, with a quick sneeze, Paige made her way to the trunk of the most important tree in her life. She knew exactly how to get to town, so with no hesitation she headed up the natural steps. Luckily for her, the platforms she moved all that time ago, were still in th right places. She huffed and puffed up them sure, she wasn’t the most fit person out there, she spent her free time reading after all.
Once she made it into town is when anxiety kicked in, would Quill even recognize her? How could she? She’s not a towering mute reader anymore, she’s a mouse like her! What could she even say to convince her it’s who she says she is? Describe the first book in exact detail? Mention something she’d never add in a recollection of the adventure? If she’s lucky Quill could just sense it in Paige on who she is, but only time will tell-
“Wait, would she even come back here?” She asked out loud. Her little cottage is filled with so many memories of Uncle Argus, it sounds like torture to Paige, it’s worth a try none the less.
She walked through the open gates of town, and confetti is flying from the sky? She looked around, it looked like a celebration! Paige looked at it all in awe, everyone looked so happy, robot parts are being smashed by the townspeople.
“Is that some kind of way of venting frustration from those things?” She asked no one in particular.
“Well, they did hurt many people during it all.” Said a Guard behind her, she quickly whipped around, she didn’t recognize them, but she yelped a little in surprise.
“Oh please excuse me!” They exclaimed. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“It’s fine….um” She was at a loss for words for a moment, while thinking of a question she put her bandanna back around her neck. “Do you happen to know where Quill happens to be?”
“Oh our savior? She went with the Sprites after the battle I’ve heard, but we’ve been told she’ll be making an appearance here this evening. Perhaps she knew we wanted to thank her for all she went through.” The mouse explained, Paige nodded thoughtfully.
“Gotcha, thank you for your help!” And she bounded away with a wave.
“Guess I could wait at Uncle Argus’.” She decided as she headed to the other side of town. When she made it there she noticed the door was still wide open from that fateful night, however the Squirrel somehow made it back here. She walked cautiously over to it.
“Heyyyy buddy! You don’t happen to know me, do you?” The Squirrel tilts its head in confusion of the question. “Yeah, thought not. But um, I’m just waiting for Quill to come back, you don’t mind if I stick around inside do you?” She figured she’d at least ask, since it was the closest thing to Uncle Argus she’d ever get again. The Squirrel, still looking confused, nodded its head regardless of its inner struggle, Paige smiled at it gratefully. “Thanks pal, I know you must be grieving too.” She slowly lifted a mouse paw to the Squirrel’s head, which slowly lowered its head, looking a little sad in the process. Paige gave it a few scritches behind its ears, it wagged its tail a little and thumped its back leg.
“Good Squirrel! Alright, I’ll probably see you later.” Then she heads into the house.
It didn’t look ransacked at least, perhaps his high respect kept away burglars. She heard a buzzing sound, Recollection hit her and she ran up the steps, somehow the bee was also kicking, but it was definitely distressed.
“Oh no! Are you hungry little bee?” It buzzed in confirmation.
“Do you like- fly off and come back? Or is there food here?” She searched around for any sign of a bee door, or even a food box.
Luck should have it, it seems both are an option, there’s a bee door inside the door itself, and a box of bee food, plus a hive comb within a pantry she never noticed before.
With this information she closed the front door, gave the bee some of the bee food, which is pollen and nectar mixed together, so it has enough energy to get more for itself, as it flew out of the bee door.
The rest of the day was uneventful, she just started reading some of Uncle Argus’ books. Though she felt a little inappropriate about it, they were collecting dust though! It felt wrong both ways, so she decided to clean up instead. It wasn’t until the sun was about to set when she heard cheering. She quickly ran outside to see, sure enough a giant toad was walking around the town, some rodents looked pretty nervous about it but were still cheering. Before she joined the celebrations though, the bee returned, so she decided to put it back in its cage before heading out.
Once that was done she ran back into town, even more confetti was being thrown, even fireworks were being set off now. She looked on top of the toad. Rootseer Vada was there, as expected. What was not expected was seeing Quill up there as well, she was waving at the crowd a smile on her face, Paige knew better though, she could see it in her eyes. Quill was devastated, she looked ready to burst into tears. Paige wondered if she even had time to grieve losing her best friend, Paige could only hope Vada even asked if Quill needed some time first before putting her through this parade.
But at the same time, Paige was also ready to burst into tears, just seeing Quill again brought it to the forefront. Paige quickly wiped her eyes, when she looked up again, she saw Quill was looking at her. “Crap.” She whispered out loud, quickly smacking her mouth shut, sweating bullets, she wasn’t ready! Quill was still staring at her, a tear comes to the forefront of Quill’s face. She…she recognized her? Was she thinking of something else? For the first time in their friendship, she didn’t know what her precious mouse friend was thinking. Then Quill jumped off the toad, Paige saw Vada reach a hand out, probably didn’t know what Quill was doing. Quill ran over to Paige and put her paws on Paige’s new chubby cheeks.
“Is….is it you..?” Quill asked quietly, her voice croaked, almost like the toad behind her. Paige looked at her friend, her bestest friend, and tears overflowed.
“H….How did you do that..? You really are amazing, Quill.” Paige cry hiccuped, trying to stop the tears, but to no avail. Quill began crying as well, and quickly hugged Paige tightly.
“Reader..! My reader..! You….you came back!” She said between sobs. They collapsed in their hug onto the dirty pavement, crying together. They didn’t care that everyone was staring, they were reunited once again.
“What is the meaning of this?” Vada asked from atop her toad. After a few more moments, Paige and Quill stood back up, Paige petting Quill atop of her head, it was official, Paige was indeed taller.
“Forgive me, Rootseer Vada!” Paige began, quickly wiping more tears from her eyes. “It is a pleasure to properly introduce myself to you, as I couldn’t before.” Paige kneeled to the ground, hand on her heart, ears down.
“The name’s Paige, your Benevolence. I was Quill’s reader not too long ago.” She introduced.
The crowd gasped, Rootseer Vada included.
“I demand an explanation of how you came to be here!” She demanded.
“Of course your Benevolence!” Paige said with no hint of fear, Quill looked a tad nervous though. Paige proceeded to recount the events after the book was erased, seeing Aderyn again, finding herself here after her one and only wish after collecting all five glass, everything. Paige knew Vada would continuously ask questions if she were to leave anything out.
“So, your only wish was to stay with Quill, is that correct?” Vada asked, Paige nodded. The Toad however, was unconvinced.
“Why should we believe you to be that Reader with the Rodent, and not with that Former Winged Tyrant?” He asked, Paige chuckled.
“Easy Mr. Toad!” She said confidently, she walked over to the toad, for once he looked a little uneasy, but as Paige held a fist out to the toad, his features softened, he laughed, and returned the gesture, bumping it and wiggling his fingers with a glow, Paige doing the same.
“That was always my favorite part.” Paige added.
“Definitely the strangest proof, but truth is stranger than fiction I suppose.” Vada declared, laughing a little. Paige taking the time to pet Quill on her head again, Quill knows it was her Readers favorite thing to do, so she just lets it happen, happy her best friend is with her again.
“With this…new development, Quill. What would you like to do now?” Quill looked to the ground thoughtfully.
“Whatever you decided, Quill. I’m staying with you. Though I need to add your Uncle’s Squirrel and your pet Bee are back at the house.” Paige added, Quill looked at her surprised. Paige scratched the back of her neck nervously.
“Yeah um, I was told you wouldn’t be here for hours, so I decided to check on the house. I made sure the bee was fed, dusted the shelves a bit, pet the Squirrel, that kind of thing, the door was wide open but nothing looked stolen from what my memory of my first visit has to account for.” She explained.
“…Thank you, Rea- Paige!” Quill was beaming, not used to her actual name is seemed, but Paige was sure she’ll get it.
“Yeah! Happy to help, as always.” Paige replied sheepishly. That was when Quill decided.
“I would like to stay here I think.” Quill stated.
“Gosh Quill, are you sure? I can imagine your house would hurt, wouldn’t it..?” Paige asked. Quill nodded sadly.
“It’s true, it will certainly will be hard…but, I don’t think I could feel at home anywhere else.” She looked at Paige. “Besides, if you’re there, it will make any obstacle much easier, just like before.” She finished. Paige grinned and wrapped Quill in a side hug.
“Right back at you, Quill!”
Vada nodded her head slowly in finality.
“Very well, heroes of Moss, if a peaceful life is what you wish, you may do so.” Vada smiled, Quill and Paige smiled back, they looked to each other before nodding.
“Of course you’re welcome to call upon us should you need assistance in anything!” Quill stated.
“Sure I need combat practice, but with me and Quill together, nothing can get in our way!” Paige added. Vada nodded slowly in agreement.
“Should you need help in that training, the Twilight Realm is at your disposal.” Vada offered.
“Until then, we shall leave you here, Quill.” Vada and the other sprites made their way through the crowd, which began cheering again, and carefully surrounding the duo as the Sprites made their exit.
“Thank you for everything Heroes Quill and Paige!!” The crowd said in unison, making Quill and Paige laugh in return.
After the festivities finally came to a close, Quill and Paige made their way back to the late Uncle Argus’ residence. Quill’s breath became shaken, letting Paige stop them both as she hugged her shorter friend.
“I’ve got your back, Quill, always will. Take all the time you need, one step at a time.” Paige said reassuringly, Quill nodded in confirmation she could hear Paige’s words.
After a little while they finally made it into the house, Quill having an easier time now that she calmed down. They sat at the table downstairs, and talked about many things, helping Quill to get comfortable in her own home again.
“I’m glad my wish came true.” Paige started, signing in relief once again. “I’ve only been here three days, and I’m so happy I can stay in this world with you!” Paige laughed at herself. “This feels like a self insert, which, it technically is.”
“Why did you choose to come back?” Quill asked with genuine curiosity.
“Because you literally mean the world to me, Quill!” Paige said obviously. “My past life was lonely, I had no friends. You are the best one I could have. That day…I couldn’t say goodbye, both verbally, and emotionally.” She added laughing at the end. “I needed you to be in my life! Even if it’s not the same for-“ she was cut off with another hug.
“Of course I need you too, Paige! It’s the same for me!” She said was a laugh.
“Also, please be impressed with my new form, I literally created it in five seconds we had all the glass.” Paige jokingly begged, causing Quill to laugh.
“It’s adorable!”
They talked for awhile longer, then they were finally comfortable enough to call it a night. They both walked up the stairs and practically tumbled into the bed.
“Thank you, for coming back for me.” Quill thanked one more time, before closing her eyes, Paige laughed quietly, wrapping herself in the comfy blankets and snuggling up to the pillow.
“Would happily do it again.” She mumbled as she fell asleep.
Made a headcanon that the Reader’s superiors felt sorry for the reader and gave them a new life as a mouse in Moss so they can keep being Quill’s friend
Something not done enough around the globe for those who are first language ‘speakers’ of our plethora of sign languages around the world is adaptation to sign language. Particularly in visual media, which all things considered would be the perfect medium to add sign language accessibility, but here we are.
Unknown to a lot of verbal language speakers, sign languages have rich histories and cultures - and - are often distinct from their verbal counterparts in structure. This means that anything that is signed needs to be translated and adapted.
MOSS [PSVR] (2018) is the first video game I have ever seen animate signing into their game to communicate with a specific audience. If you ‘speak’ American Sign Language or ASL, you are in luck because Quill can speak directly to you! The rest of us have to work with miming, squeaks and the voice-over lady (or the subtitles for those non-ASL speakers). But, hopefully this means that more game designers and animators will design accessibility into their games.
Now, if you’ll excuse me I have to go give a virtual mouse some ear-scritches.
Moss is not only the best game I've played in VR, but one of my all-time favorite games in general. The connection you feel with the tiny mouse hero, Quill, is truly unique. So with this fan art, I wanted to capture that bond, as well as the incredible sense of scale you feel, playing as this masked human-sized spirit, "The Reader." The developers at Polyarc did such an amazing job and I can't wait to see more from them!
