The Journalist

The Journalist is the main protagonist of the game Bugsnax. They are journalist-like grumpy creature who was to adventure be friend with Bugsnax it was later exposed them that they are parasite become nemesis.
== Appearance ==
Due the game being from a first person perspective with no mirrors, the Journalist's full appearance is unknown. What is known is that the Journalist is a Grumpus with the only thing that can be seen being their arms, legs, and belly. Their fur color is player decided (initially decided by save file). Due to being allergic to Bugsnax, their limbs can't be turned like the other grumpuses.
== Biography ==
=== Base Story ===
While discussing with their boss, C. Clumby Clumbernut, on potential stories in order to save their job, the Journalist brings up an invite they got from Elizabert Megafig to Snaktooth Island. Clumby allows the Journalist to go if they promise to come back with a story.
The Journalist arrives by hot air balloon which crashes into the island. There, he meets Filbo, who introduces him to Bugsnax. From there, the Journalist escorts Filbo back to Snaxburg, convincing Wambus to return on the way. There Filbo asks the Journalist to find the other Grumpuses and convince them to come back as well. Seeing it as the only way to uncover the truth, the Journalist agrees and finds Gramble in Shimmering Springs along with returning to Garden Grove to talk to Beffica. Befriending both of them, the Journalist is given the buggy ball by Gramble which houses a baby Strabby named Sprout.
The Journalist and Filbo throw a party, but it doesn't go too well with how few grumpuses there are. Filbo soon realizes the Journalist has yet to eat a Bugsnak themself and give them a Strabby. Upon eating it, the Journalist becomes sick and is rendered out of commission for a day, discovering themself to be allergic to bugsnax. After that, the Journalist goes back to finding more Grumpuses while potentially helping those that returned with any problems they are having. Their journey allows them to convince Wiggle, Triffany, and Cromdo to return.
With more Grumpuses back, they all gather at a fire to tell scary stories for the night. They hear a crash from the mill. The Journalist checks it out to find Chandlo, who came to get something before heading back into the forest. With their next destination set, the Journalist goes in Sugarpine Woods to convince Chandlo and Snorpington to return to Snaxburg.
Eventually, they also find Shellsy Woolbag and Snorpy's sibling Floofty, whom they also convince to return. Not only that, but they have a run in with Eggabell on Frosted Peak. Finding out Eggabell has an idea on Lizbert's location, the Journalist helps her out and hand her some note they found on their journey. Upon finding the door, the two note they need a third person, so the Journalist fetches Filbo. At first, even with the three of them, the door doesn't open, so Eggabell decides to stay and figure out what went wrong.
After the Journalist and Filbo return to Snaxburg, they throw one last party for almost everybody returning. As they celebrate though, the island starts to rumble. Concerned, the grumpuses discuss what is happening. As they do, Eggabell arrives to tell them she figured out what they did wrong. After telling the others to prepare for something to go wrong, the Journalist, Filbo, and Eggabell go back to the door and open it. The moment they step inside, the floor beneath them collapses, splitting them up and sending them into the Undersnax. After reuniting with Filbo, they continue through to find a horde of Bugsnax. Among them with Lizbert, who had been transformed. She tells them to leave, however, the Journalist refuses to leave without answers. Frustrated, Lizbert explains everything about how bugsnax are parasites making the grumpuses addicted to them until they turn into bugsnax. With this revelation, the Journalist and Filbo realize they need to warn the others. Eggabell stays behind to help Lizbert fend off the Bugsnax.
Upon returning to Snaxburg, Filbo gets to work on starting up the hot air balloon while the journalist goes to help the others, starting with Shelda and Floofty, using modified versions of their tools. After finding all of them, the Journalist makes their way back to the hot air balloon alongside any grumpuses they managed to save if not all of them. There, the balloon begins liftoff before legendary bugsnax begin to surround them. Fortunately, Lizbert and Eggabell arrive to save them.
Back home, the Journalist returns to their office with Filbo to deliver their story, which Clumby applauds them for as they consider it very compelling and worthwhile. However, they are still fired with Clumby revealing she didn't actually expect them to come back and had them declared legally dead, telling the Journalist they will need to clear that up before she leaves. With nowhere else to go, the Journalist joins Filbo to help him run for mayor.
=== Isle of Bigsnax expansion ===
Snorpy finds out about a mysterious new island that sprouted up and asks the Journalist to help him look into it. Chandlo also volunteers to help, and they also invite Triffany and Floofty due to their knowledge and Shelda at Chandlo's suggestion. With the group assembled, the five (Snorpy gets cold feet) take a raft to the island to find it filled with giant bugsnax.
The Journalist helps their companions with their research on this phenominon before eventually stumbling upon some ruins with Triffany. They also learn that the giant bugsnax were originall normal size, growing big because of the environment. The party takes advantage of this to make Sprout grow giant as well and break to path to the ruins. there, they encounter a Cheddaboardle Rex who knocks out everybody but the Journalist. Using the Cheddorbs the Cheddaboardle throws at them, the Journalist weakens the legendary Bugsnak before Sprout returns to help them finish it off. Upon capture the Cheddaboardle, the Journalist quickly feeds it to Chandlo. With their research done, the main party leaves the island back to Snaktooth.
==Trivia==
*As The Journalist represents the player, their gender is not revealed at any point in the game and seems to be left to the player's interpretation.
*During the interview with Eggabell, The Journalist can tell her that they have been eating sauce to survive on Snaktooth Island since their allergies prevent them from eating Bugsnax.
== Navigation ==
Category:Video Game Heroes
Category:Nameless
Category:Protectors
Category:Reporters
Category:Determinators
Category:Neutral Good
Category:Indie/Doujin Heroes
Category:Bond Protectors
Category:Optimists
Category:Obsessed
Category:Hope Bringers
Category:Animal Kindness
Category:Fighters
Category:The Chosen One
Category:Horror Heroes
Category:Monster Slayers