Mystery Box

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Suggestion: Disavow responsibility, and use the Doppeldumpster to scam Cam.

>"I don't know, it has nothing to do with me. I'll go check it out."

>Peek inside the pink dumpster!

>Open it like a treasure chest.

i just found this dumpster here. it's mine. if you want, I could throw it away, but that would mean you would be renting the dumpster for an adequate storage fee. otherwise, I can always move the dumpster to a location closer to the main thoroughfare, but that will require an environmental disposal fee on part of the person who improperly stored such waste on their property.

You're not sure whether it's a good idea to admit to Cam that the new Annoyingly Pink Dumpster was your doing. But more importantly, you're still really curious what's inside. Time to investigate the result of your magical handiwork.

You approach the Doppeldumpster, and give it's lid a tentative nudge with the corner of your Cardboard Camo. Unlike the original, the lid budges without resistance. Following up with a solid push, you open the lid all the way, revealing...

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...revealing?Nothing. It's completely empty inside.

It seems your spell could only duplicate the Dumpster itself, without it's contents. Oh well. At least your spell didn't copy the lock either, which made opening it a lot easier than it could've been.

You decide to consider that a small victory, as you nudge the lid closed once more.

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/grey/box.png border=16]Seriously though, what's the deal with the new Dumpster. Is that thing yours?[/box][/2x1]

Cam the Trash Vendor is still peeking out from within his Dumpster, wondering what's going on. Hard to tell, but he might even sound a little nervous?

Hmm. Perhaps you could use this whole situation to your advantage? The rough outline of a scam starts to form in your mind. If this place really is all about making money like he says, this might be a way to get a bit out of him. Nothing extreme, of course... just enough to help you get started.

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]I don't know what's up with it. It's not like I put it here or anything. But I got to it first, so I'm pretty sure that makes it mine by default.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/grey/box.png border=16]...the Finders Keepers clause. Fair enough, Justabox. Fair enough.

But you can't just leave that thing there. This is already my place of business. It's gonna confuse people![/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Well, actually... since this new Dumpster was definitely already here, and since I rather like it where it is, I'm not sure I actually have a good reason to move it?

But, for a very affordable fee, I could maybe be convinced to relocate it elsewhere...[/box][/2x1]

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Flannery tries to scam the Dumpster Merchant...

1+5 (Fate) +2 (Presence) -1 (Distracted) = 7 (Failure)

[box=#808080 width=full border=2]Failed Act of Presence:

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• Your efforts fail. Prepare for the worst.[/box]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/grey/box.png border=16]Hold up. You don't get to be a successful businessman like myself without learning a thing or two about scams, and this is starting to sound an awful lot like a scam.

In fact, I'm starting to think you're the one who put this thing here in the first place...[/box][/2x1]

Maybe it's because your attention is divided by sustaining your Magically Cloned Dumpster, or perhaps it was just the way the Savvy Merchant confronted you with his bold retort. Whatever the case, you hesitate and stutter, which only deepens his suspicions. You find yourself unable to keep up your deception.

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Suggestion: Admit to creating the Doppeldumpster, while taunting Cam.

>"No, Cam. I'm not here to steal your business. I summoned another dumpster to open since the dumpster here already belongs to somebody."

yes im stealing your business, what are you gonna do about it punk

> "I'm not stealing your business, I'm merely offering a much more attractive alternative to that ugly green bin you're running."

> Well, this is the reason why I can do things for free. I'm the basis of the future's scarcity-free economy.

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Okay, fine. You caught me. I put the Pink Dumpster here.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/grey/box.png border=16]Well, this alley's already my got a registered dumpster-based place of business, so you'd better clear out.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Why's that? Worried about a little competition? Or maybe you're worried I might actually be a better Trash Vendor than you?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/grey/box.png border=16]Of course not! You got no business savvy. You don't know the first thing about running a Thrift Store![/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Well, maybe you should be worried. Now that me and my Glaringly Pink Dumpster are here, no one's gonna even see your ugly old bin. And they'll know just by looking, my trunk's got all the choicest junk.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/grey/box.png border=16]Justabox, you've got a flashy shop, and that's a catchy slogan. I'll give ya that. But I still know where to find all the best goods in this city. You've got no chance.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Well I already copied your Dumpster with a spell. I can just copy your inventory too, and sell it cheaper! How about that?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/grey/box.png border=16]Then I'll just have to...

Wait. What did you just say?[/box][/2x1]

The Merchant's sudden change in tone gives you pause. What even is this guy's deal?

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]I said I copied your stupid Dumpster. With Doppelmancy.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/grey/box.png border=16]But... but that's Private Property. You can't go around copying Private Property![/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Actually, turns out I kinda can.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/grey/box.png border=16]Well I'll have you know that's definitely some kinda Piracy. You're robbing honest Dumpster Realtors of a wage!

And, if you just start copying everything like that... I mean, you could flood the market. Make everything worthless. Crash the whole economy, even![/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Hey, you asked me how I could afford to do things for free earlier. Welcome to post-scarcity, I guess?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/grey/box.png border=16]No... that's crazy. You're crazy!

You're already a walking crime against good business sense, Justabox, but I'm not gonna stand by while some nobody Dumpster Pirate like you threatens The Free Market itself! That's the highest form of treason![/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Don't hate me, just 'cause I'm magic.
That'd be absolutely tragic.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/grey/box.png border=16]That's it, I'm callin' the P.I.G.G.S. They'll sort you out![/box][/2x1]

Before you can retort, or ask what that means, you hear the frantic slap of a Button inside the Green Dumpster.

Immediately after that, you're nearly deafened by a Loud and Obnoxious Alarm. Surely loud enough to be heard far beyond this Junk-Filled Alley.

Sounds like trouble might be heading your way soon. What do you do?
>

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Character Info: Flannery

[box=#808080 width=full border=2]Name: Ms. Flannery "Over-Easy" Bootz III

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Pawn Status:
• Grazes: 0/4
• Wounds: 0/6
• Distracted (Everything -1): Your attention is split while you sustain your Magic.

Class: Copycatburglar
• Skill: Lucky Break
• Grace +2
• Presence +1
• Insight +1

Relic: Orb of Faulty Replication
• Skill: Doppelmancy
• Insight +2
• Presence +1
• Logic +1[/box]

[box=#808080 width=full border=2]Inventory:

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Equipped:
• Blue-Collar Cloak (Evade +2): The stout denim shroud of the Working Class.
• Boots of Stomping (Jump +1, Stomp +1): These boots lend a boost, whether you're going up or coming down.
• Cardboard Camo (Container, Restrictive, Disguise +2, Clumsy -2): A cardboard box with eye-shaped peepholes. Ideal for impersonating a container, though it makes some activities quite difficult.
• Cat's Ear Hood (Listen +1, Charm +1): With this on your head, you hear more acutely, and look cute too.
• Replica Courier Bag (Container, Disguise +2): From your "Day Job" as a "Mail Courier". Opening a real Courier Bag is illegal, so law-abiding folk shouldn't snoop inside.
• Steel Scalemail (Armor +2): Flexible body armor made out of little metal plates.
• Steel Clawntlet (Hand-to-Hand, Climb +1, Lethal +1): A glove ending in retractable knife-sized claws.
[/box]

[box=#808080 width=full border=2]Lucky Break (Grace):

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When you find yourself in a bind or out of options, you can always look to sheer dumb luck to see you through.

• Triumph (20 or more): You not only get out of the situation, but take something good with you, or leave behind something bad.
• Success (16-19): However improbable, something solves your problem for you, with no strings attached.
• Compromise (11-15): Fate gets you out of trouble, but you leave something good behind, or take something bad with you.
• Failure (10 or less): Luck just isn't with you right now, and your troubles take a turn for the worse.[/box]

[box=#808080 width=full border=2]Doppelmancy (Insight):

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You have the power to copy virtually anything. Trouble is, they're bad copies. Pick a nearby object or being, and say a rhyming Incantation to copy it. The copy generally looks and acts like the real thing. The copy lasts until it's damaged, for as long as you concentrate on it. Take -1 to all actions, for each existing copy.

• Triumph (20 or more): The copy is either indistinguishable from the original, or permanent and real despite 1 Minor Flaw.
• Success (16-19): It's a pretty good copy, but has 1 Major Flaw, or 2 Minor Flaws.
• Compromise (11-15): Your copy has some issues; namely 2 Major Flaws, or 3 Minor Flaws.
• Failure (10 or less): Something has gone wrong with your copy. Very, very wrong.

For each Flaw, the copy you create...
• ...isn't quite normal. It may be the wrong size, color, smell, weight, or have wildly different physical properties.
• ...isn't quite real. It may be insubstantial when touched, shimmer like a mirage, or vanish at inopportune times.
• ...isn't quite the same. Something about the way it works and behaves is worse, opposite, or just plain wrong.[/box]