Mystery Box

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Suggestion: Retrieve arms from box

>ACQUIRE ARMS

(by taking off that box and stashing it away)

take 0ff y0ur b0x cam0 and ut it in ur invent0ry s0 it really thr0ws the piggs 0ff ur trail

get out the denim shroud and unbox to not look like a bumbling idiot

Realizing that the Local Authorities will be looking for a box-wearing brigand by the name of Justabox Actually, it's probably time to shed your Cardboard Camo. You unequip it, and store it in your Replica Courier Bag. There it will wait, until the day you must call upon it's powers to impersonate a container once more.

In it's place, you equip your Blue-Collar Cloak with your Cat's Ear Hood. You immediately feel Less Clumsy, and More Fashionable. Plus, with access to your hands at last, you're more prepared than you've literally ever been to face whatever trials these Apartment Doors may pose.

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Suggestion: Retrieve boxes from floor?

> Snatch those boxes in front of door 3E

open the boxes and snatch the boxes but leave the object contained unharmed.
also get the courier bag so this doesnt look illegal.

For your first Act of Handedness since you came into existence a few minutes ago, you consider making it an act of Sleight-of-Hand. Namely, nabbing those Unprotected Packages from the stoop of Apartment 3E. After bungling your scam earlier, an easy Snatch-and-Grab could do a lot for your confidence in your Roguing Abilities. And using your Replica Courier Bag, you could probably make it look official, even if you were caught...

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Suggestion: Retrieve scruples from wherever you shoved them.

Leave the boxes alone you reprobate

>No snatching!

>Do NOT snatch those boxes.

...but no, you probably oughtn't leave an obvious Trail of Crimes in your wake, when you're already in trouble with The Cops. And also, there's the matter of the part of you that maybe felt guilty for making some Dumpster Denizen's life worse than it already was.

I mean, free stuff is great, but you think it'd be better to save your next crime for Someone Deserving. You could be more like a wily Arcane Trickster Vigilante, guided by a personal code or whatever. That's way cooler than being known as some Indiscriminately Thieving Jerk, right?

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Suggestion: Chat with the stranger. Make a friend and/or score some food.

I know you're a thief but you gotta be in at least someone's good graces. Pick one.

c0mf0rt the pers0n, in all seri0usness.

"Meow meow, I'm a cat."

ask for some cat food. youre poor here and youre also a catburglar. in return you will temporarily lend your services in whatever their journey is.

The first step in being a More Scrupulous Criminal is probably to make friends and allies of the downtrodden, instead of enemies. Having a band of merry men to help you rob mean rich people, and other Heroic Outlaw Cliches like that come to mind. Squad goals. With that in mind, you remember the Exasperated Stranger from earlier. He sounded like he was having a rough time collecting Charity Food or something? Maybe you can aid him on his quest, and get some free food, or a friend out of the deal.

You vault up the steps with Above-Average Grace, and walk toward him along the handrail, in an effort to demonstrate your prowess and worth as a potential ally. You find him standing silently near a Closed Apartment Door, eyes closed and radiating nervous tension.

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Hey, are you doing okay? You look like something's bugging you.[/box][/2x1]

The Exasperated Stranger turns over to look at you, clearly surprised. He didn't seem to have noticed you were here until now. The fact that you're perched precariously on a handrail is probably a factor too.

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Oh, no. Sorry, I'm doing fine. Just a little tired I guess?

It's been a long day.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Okay. It just sounded like that person you were talking to really bothered you. I wanted to see if I could help.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]What, with the donations?

I'm fine. I'm just... glad someone's finally offering anything, you know?[/box][/2x1]

His expression flashes with something that looks more frustrated than glad, as he gestures toward the Closed Door. He's obviously having a hard time here, but doesn't seem to want to admit it.

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]So what, are you here as backup? Or, uh... were you already taking donations in this apartment or something?

(That would explain why everyone's been so cold...)[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Nah. I'm just passing through.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Oh?

When you asked if you could help me, I... just figured they sent you as backup...[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Nope. What are you even doing here? Something about food?[/box][/2x1]

At your question, his posture shifts into one of Professional Enthusiasm. He begins a spiel with all the staleness of having been rehearsed and said countless times today.

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Well, I'm collecting donations for a city-wide Food Drive. It's an emergency relief effort, because of everything that's been going on lately, you know? First the big strike at the Dough Factory, and then the sit in at Bigg Hill Park, Nobodyville, and all that too. Needless to say, with everyone struggling lately, the Food Bank's been struggling to meet demand too. So I, uh... volunteered to help out.

Speaking of which, if you have any dry or canned food you could donate, that would be a big help. You might've already guessed, but it's been slim pickings today.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]I can't help you there. I'm broke, and don't have any food at all.

Speaking of which, if you have any dry or canned food you could donate...[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Oof, way to turn that around on me.

I wish I could help you, but all I've gotten so far are the cans of cat food Miss Notten is going to get right now. So unless you want to eat that...[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Sure. I'll take 'em.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]You'll what?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]I'll take the cat food. Once you get it.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]...y-you seriously want it? Why?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]I figure I've already got a whole cat thing going on, so why not? Cat hood, cat claws, cat burglar, copycat.

Now that I think about it, maybe even the thing about being inside boxes...[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Look, I have no idea what any of that means?

I was expecting you'd have something normal to say, like... you had a pet back home to give it to?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Nah, no home either. I'm new in town.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]...wait, did you say "Cat Burglar" earlier?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]What I'm saying is "Meow meow, I'm a cat." So, cat food please?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Oh yeah, right.

Well, the Food Bank probably won't accept it anyway. If you really want the Cat Food and you're in need... I guess you're welcome to it? Though, we might be able to get you some actual People Food from the Food Bank once I'm done here. If you'd like?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]A journey, then! A quest![/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Uh, sure.

Anyway, Miss Notten will probably be back soon. And this isn't a conversation we should be having in front of her. So, I'll... talk to you in a bit?[/box][/2x1]

The Charity Grocer gives an apologetic shrug and a smile, before turning back toward the Closed Door.

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Suggestion: Attempt experimental door-based Doppelmancy

dopplemance door 4E onto the side of the stairway. use too many rhymes, be a lyrical miracle
Door hinge or/and handle,
Bland jamb xor orange sill,
Will your madam vandal
now floor four door steal?

Speaking of doors, you've apparently got some time to kill, before you can discuss the journey and/or food situation with the Weary Food-Gatherer. And much like a cat, you're feeling rather curious.

When you doppeled the Pink Dumpster earlier, it was disappointing that it was empty... but you now realize something interesting. Despite the color, the face, and the emptiness, it's Core Essence of Dumpsterness was 100% intact. Firstly, it could store stuff. And secondly, the contents (which were nothing) were not something you wanted. From your perspective it was full of trash... even if it was in an esoteric, roundabout sorta way.

Basically, it stayed true to fundamental dumpsterness; a big container, full of the stuff you didn't want. And that's got you wondering how things might differ, if you copied something else container-adjacent. Say, one of these Apartment Doors? What parts can you copy, and what parts can't you? What Core Essence of Apartment Doorness might you discover?

Calling upon your inner reserves of Lyrical Flow, you take a moment to weave a dense, Door-Themed Incantation.

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/magic.gif border=16]Door hinge or/and handle,
Bland jamb xor orange sill,
Will your madam vandal
now floor four door steal?[/box][/2x1]

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Flannery tries to copy an Apartment Door...

6+10 (Fate) +3 (Insight) +2 (Intricate Incantation) -1 (Distracted) = 20 (Triumph)

[box=#808080 width=full border=2]Triumphant Doppelmancy:

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• The copy is either indistinguishable from the original, or permanent and real despite 1 Minor Flaw.[/box]

Fueled by your Labyrinthine Verse, and a legitimate excuse to use the forbidden Orange/Door-Hinge Rhyme, you draw on the true essence of Apartment Door 4E, and direct a powerful Doppelmantic spell toward the side of the Apartment Stairs. Despite still magically maintaining the Cardboard Criminal in the alley, your spellcasting feels almost effortless. You can feel the door in your mind, as real as anything you could touch. You simply have to outstretch your hand, and let it enter into the world...

It may be your greatest work of Doppelmancy to date. In fact, it doesn't feel like a fake magical copy at all... and it doesn't need a Piece of your Mind to hold it together, either.

This door just... exists now.

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.
• Experience: Lost your cool, and failed to swindle money out of Cam the Dumpster Merchant.

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.
• 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.

In Replica Courier Bag:
• 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.[/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]