Mystery Box

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Suggestions: Fill out the note

write on note:
flannery
just taking an extradimensional breather
a magic spell, also just my general good looks
what's up?
your friendship. i want to be friends
a bed cushion next to a window that casts a warm sunbeam
[circle all]

What name did you ask me to call you, earlier?
just call me the soft-spoken hard shell

What is your goal? In entering the Crawl, or otherwise?
i have yet to hatch my brilliant plan

Who or what allowed you to step outside The Crawl?
baby i gotta be free range

Do you have another question for me?
yeah which came first, the cat or the egg. i've got a whole aesthetic quandry and it's ruining my laundry

What, if anything, could I offer to help on your journey?
an egg in this trying time. also crime tools

If you visit again, what sorts of places would you like to see? What sort of things would you like to do?
of course i'll visit; i'm no chicken. i'd like to see less null zones and more house stuff. bedroom, laundry machine. a friend, perhaps some kind of fowl.

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

Taking advantage of a nearby attached pencil, you decide to fill out the Mysterious Questionaire. You have no clue what it's in reference to, or even who it's meant for.

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Naturally, you opt to fill it out with Various Self-Agrandizing Nonsense...

As you finish up, you hear the click of a door, followed by a Distant Yet Familiar Voice in a one-sided conversation.

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Has it? I couldn't hear it in the hall. If you close that window, it might...
...
It's probably just a car alarm or something? Sorry for the noise.
...
Oh, no! It's not mine. I walked here. I just meant sorry, as in...
...
S-sure. But the PIGGS will be on the way. There's no need to worry.
...
Thanks again for your... kind donation, Miss Notten.
...
Of course. Thanks to, uh, Molly too. Someone will be very glad for her generosity.
...
Have...[/box][/2x1]

The Distant Door closes, loudly.

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]...a wonderful day, ma'am.[/box][/2x1]

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Suggestions: Wait for Walter to get back, and work things out.

Wait for Walter Foodman so you can give back the crowbar and get the food.

Explain to them that the cops are not on their side, and that the door is yours for reasons.

>Give Walnut back his crowbar and then prove to him that you weren't breaking into a room by showing him the lack of a room

take the d00r and sh0w him why y0ur h0meless but n0t. take catf00d, give cr0wbar, ????, pr0fit

Rather than scarpering with the Cold Iron Crowbar, and avoiding whatever trouble the Food Drive Volunteer might bring your way, you decide to stick around. In part, because of the cat food, in part because you want to clear up the suspicions he was having about you...

be nicer to wilfred, but not in like... a nice way.

...and also in part because you suppose you were maybe a bit dismissive toward This Wilfred Guy, even though he's been helping you out. And you don't, you know... want to spoil that good will.

In short order, he hurries toward the stairs and you, Plastic Bag in tow.

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]You know, I'm actually a little surprised. You could've just run off with my stuff. Pretty sure my crowbar would pawn for more money than some catfood.

Y'know, since you're apparently a literal thief and all.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Copycatburglar, actually. And turns out I wanted that food even more.

...shall we trade?[/box][/2x1]

He shoots you a truly perplexed look, but agrees. You return the Cold Iron Crowbar to it's Original Owner, in exchange for the bag he brought with him. You immediately add it's contents to your Inventory.

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

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• C-Ration (x8) (Edible?): A large tin of "Pretty Kitty Salmon and Rice Medley." Has... restorative properties?[/box]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Anyway, just because you stuck around doesn't mean you're off the hook for... whatever you were up to.

Speaking of, care to explain what you were doing earlier?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]I mean, I haven't lied to you. I really am homeless. And I'm really not from around here, and really don't have any money or food.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]And yet you also somehow own an apartment? Here? Which you were breaking into with my...[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Hold up, there was a door here earlier. What happened to the door?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]I... don't know, actually? One second I was prying it open, and the next... I think it's in my bag now? I didn't really think much of it at the time.

It's just, you know... typical magic stuff. Magic's weird sometimes.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]So what, in addition to a Burglar, you're also telling me you're... some kind of Door Witch?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Doppelmancer, actually. I make magic copies. That's where the Copycat part comes from.[/box][/2x1]

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

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Anyway, I tried to copy an apartment door. Because I got bored waiting for you to get back with the C-Rations.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]C-Rations? You mean the Cat...[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]...and I guess I did too good a job, because it ended up being a real, actual, working door? Only, instead of leading to a copy of the apartment, it just lead to this weird empty room. I chilled out in it for a bit, but there was nothing to do or see at all?

That's when I got bored again and left, but before I left, I locked it so I could practice my lockpicking. But then I remembered I didn't have any lockpicks, so I...[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Alright, alright. I think I get the idea.

Not that I believe half of this, but I'm starting to think you couldn't be harmful if you tried.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Wow, rude. Especially coming from a total pushover like you, Waldorf.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]My name is Walter. And I'm not a...[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Anyway, I'm not lying here. Just... look. You saw the door, and now you can see where the door used to be. I'm a woman of my word, and I've been telling you the truth the whole time.

It's not my fault if you won't believe me.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Okay, fine. It was just weird magic stuff, and this has all been a big misunderstanding. What now?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Well, I meant it earlier too. When I offered to help you with whatever you're doing.[/box][/2x1]

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

After all this, I'm ready to be done for the day. I'm actually just gonna go home now, if it's all the same to you.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]But there was supposed to be a quest! And you said there might be "Actual People Food" at the end of it...[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Well yeah. But that was when I thought you were just a poor homeless person who needed help. Not some kind of... Magical Cat-Themed Thief, or whatever.

Besides, there's apparently an alarm going off outside, and I'd rather not be here if the PIGGS start questioning people. This has been more than enough excitement for one aftern...[/box][/2x1]

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Suddenly...!

You jolt with surprise, at the unexpected return of a wisp of your Imagination, and the Clarity of Mind it brings with it. It must have been the one you left behind to sustain your Cardboard Criminal decoy in the alleyway?

This means it was Probably Attacked or Damaged. That, or the spell was otherwise disrupted by something.

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
• 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:
• C-Rations (x8) (Edible?): A large tin of "Pretty Kitty Salmon and Rice Medley." Has... restorative properties?
• 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):

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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]

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Author's Notes:Just as a heads up, and as much as I hate to break Keyfabe here... I wanted to let folks know that only a few of you actually finished the webgame. I obviously could've done a better job telegraphing some things, but there is a clear and definite end. You'll know it when you find it. And you might find it interesting?

I'm really enjoying your art style in this, Spoids

Thanks! I'll admit, I'm mostly going with low-fi sprites so I can maximize the amount of art I can reuse, and minimize the time it takes to make, since it's an art style I'm more comfortable with. Really glad you like it, though!