Mystery Box

>Don't keep standing around, all staying in place does is make you an easy target.

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Is that the best you can do?[/box][/2x1]

Seeing you largely unphased by a direct hit, The Creep Trio seem to be hesitating for a moment. Your friend, however, looks Pretty Concerned about the attack. Keeping Your Wits About You so as not to let yourself be surprise-attacked again, you take a moment to offer Your Nervous Companion a reassuring look.

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

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Y-you sure? That looked like a pretty nasty hit...[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Just trust me. I've got armor and whatever. It didn't get me.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Okay, but... d'you see what I mean? We can't reason with Creeps. They're not like people, or even animals... the only thing they want is to hurt us.

...so will you help me fight them, or do we run?[/box][/2x1]

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

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Suggestions: Stick to your non-violent guns

we can't just take back all we said about not fighting once we've been attacked

>are you ready to die for your cause

combat is boring

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]We don't have much time to argue, but I won't take back everything I said just because they tried to hurt me. I still want to try not fighting them.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]I appreciate the stubborn optimism, but you're right. We don't have time to argue, including arguing with them. We need to act![/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]It's wrong to kill, if there's another way.

(It's also pretty boring. And cliché.)[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Hey, being dead is probably a lot more boring than this. And I'm not really a violent person, but... I'm not a fan of getting hurt either.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]So what, you wouldn't stand up for your principles, just because you might get hurt?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]What good are principles, if sticking to them gets you killed?

We can't just sit here and let these guys do this to us. We have to stand up for ourselves![/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Actually, you know what Woolsey? I totally agree.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Then we're fighting?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]...sorta. Follow my lead.

But first, I wanna say... seeing how you let people treat you when your life's not being threatened, and you're just collecting cat food from rude apartment jerks or whatever? You should probably take your own advice on standing up for yourself, my guy.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Hey, that's... but that's different! I... but I'm... that's...[/box][/2x1]

Once again, your retort seems to have Stunned Your Ally a Bit. Hopefully this will finally buy you a chance to sell him on Your Plan, here...

...but as if sensing the moment's opportunity, The Remaining Slimerats find their courage and raise their Gelatinous Claws. They're angling for another surprise attack, but this time it isn't against you. They're targeting Your Friend!

You don't want him attacking or getting attacked, so you'll be his locomotion.

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Walter, watch out![/box][/2x1]

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Act of Grace: Pull Walter aside, to shield him from harm

10+1 (Fate) +2 (Grace) -1 (Dizzy) = 12 (Compromise)

[box=#808080 width=full border=2]Compromised Act of Grace:

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• You succeed, but face a mixed outcome or cost.[/box]

Employing some quick thinking and your Above-Average Grace, you leap forth and spin Your Oblivious Ally away from the attack. Unfortunately, the Lingering Dizziness from your failed spell earlier leaves your maneuver a clumsy one, and opens you up to one of the Slimerats' Claws instead!

You're dealt 2 Points of Harm. Unlike the previous attack, this one isn't fully stopped by your Protective Equipment either, catching you from behind with a Shallow Slice to the Lower Leg.

The Acidic Ooze burns in your Leg Wound, but you grit your teeth and stand firm between the Approaching Creeps and Walter. In the moments that follow, you feel his arms tense under your grip, as he starts to realize the Danger He Was Just Spared From. His confidence seems pretty shaken, and you see his hold on the Cold Iron Crowbar loosen.

>CLAW MURDER SLIMES CLAW MURDER SLIMES

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Anyway, believe me. At this point, I definitely would like to smash these things' gross slimy behinds with you...[/box][/2x1]

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Suggestions: Don't actually give up on a non-violent solution just yet.

Heyheyheyhey HEY!
Thats not nice at all! Give the ratties a very stern and disappointed gaze. That basically counts as psychological warfare, right?

Puff up and hiss. Intimidate them away by looking bigger than you actually are!

(That's diplomancy, not diplomacy, mind.)

>Crack open some catfood for the slimes. Or just, give them the whole can; since they seem acidic enough.

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]...but, even if I believe you, and these really are just malicious idiot monsters, killing 'em is still my Plan B.[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16]Then w-we're finally running?[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]There's more than one way to stand up for yourself. Just because I don't want to kill 'em doesn't mean I'm giving up the fight...[/box][/2x1]

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Act of Presence: Intimidate, negotiate with, and generally Diplomance the Slimerat Squad

7+5 (Fate) +2 (Presence) +2 (C-Ration) +1 (Steel Clawntlet) -1 (Dizzy) = 16 (Success)

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

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• You succeed at your goal, without further complications.[/box]

Even if these critter Don't Know Words, you're gonna do your best to help them understand how much better off they'll be for Not Fighting You. Such is the Language-Transcending Magic of Diplomancy. Which... is Actually Not Magic At All. Rather, it's a fun Word You Just Made Up, for negotiating with words, body language, bribery, or like... Whatever Works?

With your back safely to the wall of the Grocery Store That Might Be Walter's Home, your disposition Thoroughly Miffed by the searing pain in your leg, and your face already twisted into a bit of an Angry Grimace, you probably look pretty intimidating. You decide to lean into this. You square your shoulders, puff up to look bigger, and flash the lethal blades of your Steel Clawntlets for added effect.

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]Alright, listen up snotballs. I normally wouldn't have had any beef with you, except you roughed up my clothes a bit, and startled my friend here. Apparently you thought you were being smart when you tried to sneak attack us, but lemme just tell you how profoundly stupid that plan was.

I'm Flannery Bootz, and I've stomped things bigger and tougher and more made of metal than you without even thinking. I haven't even been in town for an hour, but I'm already in trouble with the cops for wrecking the place. And you might be proud of your pudgy claws, but mine are big and sharp enough to mince Jelly Babies like you into Fruit Leather.

Plus I'm good at rhymes, and magic as hell.[/box][/2x1]

The Slimerats don't reply, or show any definite sign they understand you... but for the moment they seem to at least be caught up in your monologue. Meanwhile, Your Quiet Friend is still kind of in shock, which probably Isn't Helping Your Credibility. You flash him a look that says "What are you doing? Stop looking like a scared little wallflower, and give 'em some menace!" He seems to get the gist of your Nonverbal Direction, and does his best to look tough beside you. Even though his His Jaw is Quivering A Bit.

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]As for my friend Wesley here, you probaly already heard how ready he is to knock some heads in. He's got an enchanted heirloom crowbar or whatever that ripped a door clean off a wall, and straight-up Unexisted the entire room behind it. And that door was magic as hell too, so if magic is what's keeping you mousy amoebas together, I'd hate to see what happens when some Cold Iron un-magics you. Right Wesley?[/box][/2x1]

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

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16]But hey, I don't see why we have to be enemies, and waste time and energy fighting. You already got two cheap shots on me, and a fat lot of good that did you. We're regular Merchants of Menace, but we're not without mercy either... so how about you stop trying to pick a fight you can't win? Heck, we'll even leave you with a little token of goodwill.

...won't we, Wesley?[/box][/2x1]

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

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/walter/box.png border=16](...wait, what token of goodwill?)[/box][/2x1]

[2x1] [|] [box=https://solifuge.github.io/mysterybox/text/flannery/box.png border=16](Just take a C-Ration and throw it to 'em, alright?)[/box][/2x1]

You reach into your Courier Bag, and produce 1 of the 8 sealed C-Rations from your Inventory. Wesley takes it, pops the lid open, and looks to you for confirmation. It hurts, to think that some stupid Creeps would know the taste of this food before you... but sacrifices must be made. If such is The Price of Peace? So be it.

You give the go ahead, and Your Ally tosses the opened can near the Slimerats. It crunches into the pavement, bouncing and wobbling a short distance past the trio, and spilling globs of Savory Peach-Colored Fish Pudding as it goes.

The Pangs of Jealousy sting your heart every bit as badly as your Wounded Lower Leg... but your cavalcade of Scary Cop, Other Cop antics, your Fearless Demeanor, or maybe just the sacrificial tin of "Pretty Kitty" Brand Salmon and Rice Medley seem to have stunned your Would-Be Enemies into a moment of Confused and Total Inaction. Whatever the reason, you've bought yourself a brief Opportunity to Finish This, Unopposed.

But how do you finish this? And what do you do after?
>

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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: 4/4
• Wounds: 1/6
• Disoriented (Dizzy -1): Bouts of lightheadedness come and go, affecting your focus and coordination.
• Experience: Lost your cool, and failed to swindle money out of Cam the Dumpster Merchant.
• Experience: Failed to magically copy a door to make a barricade, instead opening a hole where there wasn't one.

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 (x7) (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]