Mystery Box

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Suggestions: ?????

Eat the "pickle"

>Get that cat food for Darsen!

You have literally never eaten anything in your entire life, so it's only fair to think about food. Even at a time like this. However, you aren't aware of any "Pickle" that's around for you to eat, air-quoted or otherwise.

Also, who or what the heck is a Darsen? Sounds fake. And what does it want with your Promised Kitty Chow? Because if it wants your food, it's gonna have to get through you first.

Can you dopplemance a portion, just a portion of the railing to make a lockpick?

As a Pawn created out of an Orb of Faulty Replication, yours is the magic of Imperfectly Duplicating an Existing Thing. Still, you have to honestly want the copy to be like the original in order for your magic to work... and the Faults in your copies always seem to be Things You Don't Necessarily Want.

In theory, you could end up with a Poorly-Copied Banister that was flat and small enough to work as a Lockpick? But deep down, you couldn't honestly want that to happen when it happens. Otherwise, it ain't faulty replication.

Use your Clawtlent nails as a lockpick, obviously.

The claw-like blades of your Steel Clawntlet are the size of knives. Nowhere near small and delicate enough to slip inside a lock. With enough time, you might be able to claw through the door, but you'd probably be here for a long time.

No, to do this you really do need a Lockpick, or a faster way to break in...

find someone with a bobby pin in their hair to doppelmance

You head over to the railing below the nearby Charity Boy. He still waits patiently for the Unseen Resident to return with the Cat Food he's promised you, in advance of a Quest to embark on together, and Perhaps More Food.

With any Luck, he might also have some means to access your Accidentally-Locked Apartment.

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Hey, Catfood Guy?[/box][/2x1]

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

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]...I'm actually here to get People Food, and my name's actually Walter, so I don't think that name is really...[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Okay, sure. Charity Boy then.

I was just wondering if you might happen to have a Hairpin on you right now? One of the little zig-zaggy metal ones?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Huh, me? No I, uh... I keep things pretty simple, hairstyle-wise. Why do you ask?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Darn. Maybe a Lockpick then?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Nah, I don't have my lockpicks on me eith...[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Wait a second, a lockpick? Are you breaking into someone's house?? You were actually serious about that "Cat Burglar" comment earlier???[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]No no, this is definitely my apartment.
(Basically? Technically? More or less?)

Besides, didn't you see me lock myself out just now?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Oh sheesh, I just... my bad. I did just hear a door close too, so... I'm sorry I doubted you.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Don't worry about it, Charity Boy.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]R-really, you can just call me Walter?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]...I was just really hoping you had something that might help me out here...[/box][/2x1]

This seems like a time for a lucky break, huh?

Sometimes, you just don't know what to do to get yourself out of a situation. At times like that, however, people like you always have one last trick up your sleeves. A Dashing Rogue's best friend, and occasional worst enemy.

Pure Dumb Luck.

Perhaps this is a moment to look to that to see you through. To play the odds, and roll the dice. Find faith in the forces of Fickle Fortune, whose felicitous fancies favor Feline Fools and Fugitive Fraudsters, like... Fair Flannery? Aka you?

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You're pretty sure alliteration won't find you favor with the Fates... but it was fun.

10+9 (Fate) +2 (Grace) -1 (Distracted) = 20 (Triumph)

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

---

• You not only get out of the situation, but take something good with you, or leave behind something bad.[/box]

...or maybe it does!

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Oh, duh, I just remembered! I don't have lockpicks or hairpins on me, but...[/box][/2x1]

Walter "Catfood Guy" the Charity Boy produces a big, hefty, slightly rusty Length of Curved Metal from his Inventory, and holds it up for your inspection.

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]...I do keep a heavy-duty prybar on me?

Uh, you know. For self defense. Since I'm in this part of town, you know?

Anyway, it's old and a little rusty on the outside, but it's still solid iron. You can borrow it for a sec, if that might...[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Oh word, it's solid iron? That's perfect! Give it here, Wallace.[/box][/2x1]

The Kindly Crowbar Donor seems like he's about to correct you on his name, but your insistence quiets him. Instead, he fumbles to find a way to hand it to you from above, without going too far from the Apartment Door. Wordlessly you shake your head, and nod toward the stairs. He meets you halfway down, passing the Cold Iron Crowbar through a gap in the railing, and you add it to your Inventory.

[box=#808080 width=full border=2]New Gear Received:

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• Cold Iron Crowbar (Antimagic, Breaking +1, Lethal +1): An old, heavy prying tool. Hand forged from magic-disruptive cold iron.[/box]

Hand-forged iron like this, while not as strong as steel, has Naturally Antimagical Attributes. It's basically the perfect tool for breaking into a Magically-Created Door! You thank your Lucky Stars for this boon, and prepare to get to work Breaking and Entering.

The Beleaguered Food Collector turns to leave as well, but suddenly hesitates.

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Hey, so... if you're a resident here, how come I didn't see you answer the door earlier?

I've been to every door on this floor, asking for donations...[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Oh, well... you wouldn't have seen it earlier. And I just got in, too.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]...and, come to think of it, didn't you say you were Homeless?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]I am.

Now hush up, William. I'm breaking this door down.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Hush up? Y-you... you can't just fast talk your way out of this one! I'm of half a mind to call the...[/box][/2x1]

Just then, you hear the sound of a Doorknob turning, and the click of an Opening Door. With it, you hear an elderly woman's voice calling out, from somewhere up and to the right.

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/grey/box.png border=16]Boy? Are you still there?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Oh, Miss Notten! Y-you're back.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/grey/box.png border=16]As it hapens, I've only got some cans of "Pretty Kitty Salmon and Rice" to offer. My Molly wouldn't touch the stuff, but I'm sure The Poors will appreciate it.

It's got Real Salmon, you know.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]I'm... sure it does. Just bring it out here. I've got to...[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/grey/box.png border=16]...well, I'm obviously going to need your help to put it in a bag, and carry it out.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Yeah, of course. In a minute. But I...[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/grey/box.png border=16]You do want my donation, don't you?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]I think you should go help her out, Willard.[/box][/2x1]

Gritting his teeth, and flashing you a look that says "I'll be back to deal with you later," the Irascible Volunteer heads off toward the disembodied voice he called Miss Notten. As he disappears into the distant apartment, you decide to thank your Lucky Stars a second time. Good looking out, stars!

Without further ado, you equip the hefty Cold Iron Crowbar. Carefully lining up the flat tip with the gap between Apartment Door EE and it's Doorframe and it's Doorframe, you square your Boot-Clad Feet and brace your Feet and brace your yourself, and wedge the wedge the wedge the add add add add add the Extraneous Egress to your Inventory.

[box=#808080 width=full border=2]New Gear Received:

---

• Extraneous Egress (<UNDEFINED>): A normal door.[/box]

The door is automatically stowed in your Replica Courier Bag for safekeeping. As it is, you notice a small piece of paper, taped to the wall where the Extraneous Egress had been. You certainly don't remember seeing this, when you were in the room earlier. Was there something else in that Strange Room that you missed, on first inspection? You draw closer to the Missed Message.

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It reads...

[box=#808080 width=640 border=2]

Parting Questions

I hope it's not a bother, but I ask these things for a reason.
I fear I may not remember you otherwise.

It can be hard, sometimes, to remember...

In such a case, however, I will still have this.
Stored outside, in another space between spaces.
Do not feel obligated to answer all, or even any, of these.

It was nice enough to have your company, even if just for a time.

Sincerely,
- Terry


What name did you ask me to call you, earlier?
________________________________________________


What is your goal? In entering The Crawl, or otherwise?
________________________________________________


Who or what allowed you to step outside The Crawl?
________________________________________________


Do you have another question for me?
________________________________________________


What, if anything, could I offer to help on your journey?
________________________________________________


If you visit again, what sorts of places would you like to see? What sort of things would you like to do?
________________________________________________


P.S. Would you like to visit again?
Not At All (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Very Much

[/box]

Huh. This means absolutely nothing to you.

What do you do?
>

---

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Character Info: Flannery

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

---

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:

---

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.
• Cold Iron Crowbar (Antimagic, Breaking +1, Lethal +1): An old, heavy prying tool. Hand forged from magic-disruptive cold iron.
• 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.
• Extraneous Egress (<UNDEFINED>): A normal door.[/box]

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

---

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):

---

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]