recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Key of Chaos

### Description

Nature's attempt to contain the Underworld's endless mayhem, it is one of the notes needed to create a melody that will break the curse.

The **Key of Chaos** is an item in The Messenger. It is an orange Music Note found in the Underworld. Ninja must enter the Underworld from Searing Crags, using the Lightfoot Tabi found from the Sunken Shrine. Past the Underworld's first non-shop checkpoint is a room with three Demon Hives, where the floor is mostly filled with lava. The lower-right corner of the room can only be entered using the Lightfoot Tabi, which leads onto the pathway towards the Music Note.

## Gallery

Key of Chaos inventory icon.The entrance to the Key of Chaos pathway.The Key of Chaos in the Underworld.
Climbing Claws

The **Climbing Claws** are an item in The Messenger. They are Ninja's first free upgrade from The Shopkeeper, granted when he reaches the first shop of Autumn Hills. The Climbing Claws are grips that allow Ninja to cling to smooth vertical walls. He'll automatically cling to a wall if he's airborne and touches it, allowing him to climb it up and down.

## Trivia

* The "Devolver Public Access: The Messenger-Sneak Peek" video depicts beta inventory icons for the Scroll and the Climbing Claws.
* Ninja's Climbing Claws were crafted by The Iron Hood.
* During The Iron Hood's introduction, he makes a reference that pokes fun at how the player may sometimes unintentionally activate the Climbing Claws at unfavorable gameplay moments.
	+ Iron Hood: Haha! You didn't think The Shopkeeper was the one who made the Climbing Claws, now, did you?
	+ Ninja: ...
	+ Iron Hood: Which, by the way, how are they working out for you?
	+ Ninja: Well, sometimes they make me cling to the wall when I would rather keep on falling, but other than that I guess they're fine.
	+ Iron Hood: I see. Maybe using spider hair wasn't such a good idea after all! Haha!

## Gallery

The Climbing Claws' inventory icon.Re-creation of the beta version of the Climbing Claws inventory icon.Beta inventory icons for the Scroll and the Climbing Claws.Ninja clinging to a wall.
## References

1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbotY4UNko8&t=187
Abomination

The **Abomination**, or **Abomination Beyond Words**, is a boss encountered in the Corrupted Future. In terms of gameplay, it is very distinct in that it cannot be damaged. Instead, Ninja has to escape the creature in a chase sequence.

## Profile

### Appearance

The Abomination is a large purple creature. Its body is so large that it covers half the screen, and its entire body is not visible to the player. It has sharp teeth and tiny arms with claws. The portion of its body that is visible to the player seems to be covered in holes, which could potentially be either mouths or eyeholes. Due to its immense size, its body is quite high-resolution in comparison to most of the other sprites found in the game.

## Boss Fight

After acquiring the Key of Courage, the Abomination rises out of the ocean to chase Ninja. The Abomination will gobble up Ninja if he gets too close, so it is strongly advised to continuously run without stopping, and to Rope Dart the metal rings, lanterns, and Magic Fireflies to cover extra ground. During the chase sequence, the Corrupted Future's layout is slightly altered in order to favoritize this escape. After escaping the Corrupted Future by going through the portal, the Abomination swallows the portal whole, making travel back to the Corrupted Future impossible.

## Trivia

* The Abomination is referred to as "Tsunami\_Monster" in the picture files. The internal name reflects the fact that the creature behaves like a huge wave, sweeping the screen like a tsunami.
* If the Abomination kills Ninja, Quarble's jingle uncharacteristically does not play when he revives Ninja. It should also be noted that the screen where Quarble mocks you for dying is removed in order to keep the flow of the chase sequence.
* If Ninja's first death of the playthrough is during the Abomination chase sequence, Quarble will still do his normal introduction sequence, and the Abomination will wait patiently for the dialogue to end.
* Dying to the chase sequence is the only way to see Quarble being terrified of a boss during New Game +, as normally his upfront revival cost makes him disappear before re-entering a boss arena. The payment is not skipped because of this, however.
* Before the Version 1.0.4 update, the 8-bit version of the music track, "Abomination Beyond Words," did not exist in the game. This is why it is not in the official soundtrack.
* If the player Rope Darts the metal ring just before the Key of Courage and immediately deploys the Wingsuit, they can collect the Music Note and fall into the ocean to die, which skips the Abomination chase sequence. This is a common speedrunning trick.

## Achievements

*For the main article, see Achievements.*

## Gallery

The Abomination's body sprite.The Abomination's lower jaw spritesheet.The Abomination's arm spritesheet.The Abomination's various assets spritesheet.Spritesheet of bubbles that appear as the Abomination rises out of the water.Abomination placeholder artwork.
## References

1. ↑ File:Citation Tsunami Monster.png
2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5uNqLOgFE4
3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7N7dVP85zs&t=5681
Pouesson

* Red
* Blue
* Golden

**Pouesson**, also known as **Blowfish**, is an enemy in the Picnic Panic DLC of The Messenger.

## Profile

### Appearance

Pouesson is a round blowfish with puffy lips. It has a colored top and a light underbelly.

### Abilities

Red Pouesson and Golden Pouesson float in place and don't move at all. Blue Pouesson jumps into the air in intervals.

For the Open Sea scoring system, Red Pouesson is worth 25 points, Blue Pouesson is worth 50 points, and Golden Pouesson is worth 1,000 points. Golden Pouesson are rarer to find than Red Pouesson.

## Trivia

* Pouesson is referred to as "puffer" in the sound files.

## Gallery

Red Pouesson's spritesheet.Blue Pouesson's spritesheet.Golden Pouesson's spritesheet.Red and Golden Pouesson.Red and Blue Pouesson.An early test for the Open Ocean layout, with an early version of Red Pouesson.Picnic Panic key art, which depicts a Blue Pouesson on the left.
## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Datamined name used in the picture files.
Music Box

* Icon
* Map

The **Music Box** is the final area in The Messenger. The music box is one of Muse's mesmerizing trinkets, her final creation. The Demon King placed a curse on humanity using the Music Box and inserted Phantom into it to keep the curse alive forever.

The west side of the Music Box is accessed from the Tower of Time HQ after collecting all 6 Music Notes. After watching the Music Box cutscene, Ninja enters the Music Box in an attempt to rescue Phantom.

## Appearance

### Exterior

The Music Box is a small brown chest-shaped box with gold trimming, a golden lock, a silver winding key attached to the right side, and the design of a red rose on the front lower half.

### 8-Bit

The Music Box is filled with a network of golden organ pipes. In the background are blue organ pipes, rotating gears, and trumpets. Some of the pipes release steam. The Music Box is also decorated with piano keys, red curtains, red roses growing on green vines, red candles, and red diamond-shaped crystals.

### 16-Bit

Same as 8-bit, but the background organ pipes, gears, and trumpets are brown instead of blue; the curtains are fuchsia instead of red; and the roses, candles, and crystals are pink instead of red.

## The Shopkeeper's Dialogue

### Any stories to share?

*For the main article, see The Shopkeeper's Stories.*

### Level boss

  Shopkeeper | I'm sorry, all we know is that The Curse is very strong within him. You need to do this one on your own. Godspeed, Messenger!

## Gallery

### General

The Music Box's unused tiny map icon.The Music Box's spritesheet.The spritesheet for the light that emanates from the Music Box when the box is open.Music Box cutscene, depicting the Music Box.Music Box cutscene, depicting the Music Box being cursed.Music Box cutscene, depicting Phantom being inserted into the Music Box.Music Box cutscene, depicting some of the interior of the Music Box.The Prophet describes the importance of the Music Box.Music Box, in the Tower of Time HQ.Ninja shrinks then enters the Music Box.Music Box placeholder art, drawn by game programmer, Sylvain Cloutier.
## Interactive Locations Map

Ninja Village
**Music Box**
Autumn Hills
Rivière Turquoise
Forlorn Temple
Catacombs
Dark Cave
Tower of Time
Corrupted Future
Bamboo Creek
Howling Grotto
Elemental Skylands
Quillshroom Marsh
Sunken Shrine
Cloud Ruins
Glacial Peak
Searing Crags
Underworld
Greed Demons

**Greed demons** are characters in The Messenger. They are a subset of demons that betrayed demonkind to team up with the Order of the Blue Robes. A greed demon is assigned to a particular Messenger, and whenever their Messenger dies, they use their magic ring to turn back time, restoring their Messenger to their previous checkpoint. Greed demons eat Time Shards  as payment for their Messenger's revival, and they typically keep track of Time Shard debts using a pencil and a notepad.

Quarble's death quotes reveal that greed demons have their own society, where they use Time Shards as currency and even have families. Greed demons like Quarble hang out in an office environment until they are called to revive their Messenger.

## Profile

### Appearance

Greed demons have curly beige ram horns at the top of their heads, short arms with beige magic rings, short legs, a single eye in the center of their faces, and two small wings on their backs. Typically they are red.

## Main Story

### Quarble

Quarble is a greed demon who is assigned to Ninja. Whenever Ninja dies, Quarble appears to revive him and to teleport him back to his previous checkpoint. Quarble then follows Ninja around for a short period of time, eating his newly-collected Time Shards.

Ninja passes on the role of "The Messenger" to Soldier and becomes his shopkeeper. Soldier visits The Shop a couple of times but eventually stops appearing. In response to Soldier's disappearance, The Shopkeeper explains to Ninja that if Quarble isn't sent within 10 seconds of a Messenger's death, that Messenger dies for good. The Shopkeeper freaks out when she checks on Soldier's status in the scrying orb, implying that Soldier died since nobody sent Quarble.

### Quillble

Quillble is a greed demon who is teamed up with Monk. Quillble was once a red greed demon, but eventually became green and covered in quills after she was cursed alongside Monk by the Primal Fear. After being cursed, she was exiled from greed demon society. When Ninja defeats the Queen of Quills during the events of the game, Quillble appears to rescue her, teleporting her away. Depending on if Ninja has died earlier in the game, Quarble appears on scene. Quarble doesn't recognize Quillble's appearance or name, but he seems to recognize her voice.

## Trivia

* Thierry Boulanger, the main writer and director of The Messenger, revealed that Messengers did not always have greed demons on their side. At some point in time, greed demons betrayed demonkind and teamed up with Messengers. Before this event, Messengers used to just plain up die.

## Gallery

Quarble and Quillble.Quarble rescues Ninja.Quillble rescues the Queen of Quills.Quarble takes notes in his notepad.Quillble takes notes in her notepad.
## References

1. ↑ Thierry's Lore Tidbits#October 20-21, 2018
Dark Cave

* Icon
* Map

**Dark Cave** is an area in The Messenger. If Ninja arrives to the Dark Cave without the Ordinary Wax Candle, it is completely pitch black. If he arrives with the Ordinary Wax Candle, a small circle of area is visible around him.

The east side of the Dark Cave is accessed from the Catacombs, and the west side leads to Rivière Turquoise.

## Appearance

Dark Cave is a dark cave with a black and blue color scheme.

## Achievements

*For the main article, see Achievements.*

## Gallery

Dark Cave's tiny map icon.The first room of Dark Cave, without the Ordinary Wax Candle.The first room of Dark Cave, while Ninja has the Ordinary Wax Candle.The first room of Dark Cave, hacked to remove the darkness.The first section of the Dark Cave.The second section of the Dark Cave.
## Interactive Locations Map

Ninja Village
Music Box
Autumn Hills
Rivière Turquoise
Forlorn Temple
Catacombs
**Dark Cave**
Tower of Time
Corrupted Future
Bamboo Creek
Howling Grotto
Elemental Skylands
Quillshroom Marsh
Sunken Shrine
Cloud Ruins
Glacial Peak
Searing Crags
Underworld
Phantom's Mask

The **Mask** is a pseudo-boss in The Messenger. It is a mask that the Demon King forced Phantom to wear. The Mask steals Phantom's mind and keeps him in a state of perpetual distress. Along with the Music Box, it maintains the curse upon humanity.

During the ending, the Arcane Golem fights the Mask in a button mashing sequence.

## Profile

### Appearance

The Mask is a simple purple or white masquerade mask attached to Phantom's face. When Phantom is defeated and the mask on his face shatters, a pink mask-shaped spirit emerges from his body. The Mask is also portrayed as a large pink mask hologram.

## Main Story

Many eons ago, demons invaded the human realm, massacring the humans and taking over their stronghold, Forlorn Temple. Although the remaining survivors evacuated to the western edge of the island, Phantom returned back to the temple and challenged the Demon King. Phantom failed, and the Demon King corrupted the Music Box in Phantom's possession and placed a cursed mask upon Phantom's face. Inserted into the Music Box, Phantom was forced to play an endless organ tune that would keep the curse on humanity alive forever.

After gathering the remaining six Music Notes, Ninja enters the Music Box in an attempt to rescue Phantom. He tries to reason with Phantom, who has brief lapses in sanity, but the Mask takes hold of his mind, and he becomes malevolent. Ninja and Phantom engage in a fight, where Phantom occasionally summons a Mask hologram by playing the organ. The hologram shoots laser eye beams at Ninja in order to deal damage to him. Phantom also occasionally summons Mask-shaped fireflies that flit around the arena, revealing the opposite era in a room lined with electricity. Ninja defeats Phantom, knocking the Mask off of Phantom's face and destroying it, causing a pink Mask-shaped spirit to emerge and fly away from Phantom's body.

During a celebration at the top of the Tower of Time, the Mask hologram returns, ready to release the full force of the curse's power. Ninja and his friends unite their power together in order to combat the Mask, forming the Arcane Golem. The Arcane Golem and the Mask duke it out in a laser beam duel, and the Arcane Golem succeeds, shattering the Mask into many pieces.

## Achievements

*For the main article, see Achievements.*

## Gallery

### General

Phantom's 16-bit talk portrait icon, where Phantom is possessed by the Mask.Phantom's 16-bit talk portrait icon, when Phantom briefly overcomes the Mask's control.Phantom's 8-bit spritesheet.Phantom's 16-bit spritesheet.Phantom's teleporting spritesheet.Spritesheet of Phantom's Mask shattering.Mask firefly's spritesheet.Mask firefly's particle effect's spritesheet.The Tower of Time statue,"THE CREATOR," which depicts Phantom wearing the Mask.Mask-shaped Fireflies flit around the arena.Phantom plays the organ while the Mask attacks.Ninja and his friends team up to defeat the Mask.The Mask shatters into many pieces.
Bagoat

* 8-Bit
* 16-Bit

**Bagoat** is an enemy in The Messenger.

## Profile

### Appearance

Bagoat is a small green monster that resembles a small goblin or a frog. It has a large mouth, no eyes, and 2 feet, like a walking mouth on legs. When its mouth is closed, 2 large pointed teeth can be seen protruding from the bottom of its mouth. When its mouth is open while jumping, a flattened tooth can also be seen at the top of its mouth.

### Abilities

Bagoat sits on the ground completely stationary, then hops very high into the air at set intervals. At full health, Bagoat's movement speed is slow. It will continue hopping in a specific direction until it hits a wall; when it hits a wall, it will bounce off the wall and hop in the opposite direction. At 1 HP, it will become aggressive, hopping at a much faster rate, pursuing Ninja's direction rather than its initial direction.

## Gallery

Bagoat's 8-bit spritesheet.Bagoat's 16-bit spritesheet.Bagoat placeholder artwork.
## References

1. ↑ Datamined name used in the picture files.
2. ↑ File:Citation Bagoat.png
Claustro

* 8-Bit
* 16-Bit

> "*It's a very embarrassing tale. I'd rather get back to my work station.*"
> ― *Claustro*
>
>

    **Claustro** is a character and an item in The Messenger. They are a blue-purple Phobekin found in Bamboo Creek. After speaking with Ninja, they return to Forlorn Temple in order to repair the bridge. Claustro wields a saw as their tool of choice.

Necro, Acro, and Pyro are the other three Phobekins required to repair the bridge.

## Item Location

After Ninja gains the power to freely time travel, he can return to 8-bit Bamboo Creek and Wingsuit across the large waterfall room near the end of the level. After some platforming segments, he reaches Claustro.

## Trivia

* The Claustro and Acro inventory icons were mistakenly swapped in color before the Version 2.0.2 update.

## Gallery

Claustro's 16-bit talk portrait icon.Claustro's 8-bit spritesheet.Claustro's 16-bit spritesheet.Spritesheet of Phobekins trapped in a cage.Teleportation spritesheet of Phobekins trapped in a cage.Claustro inventory icon.Claustro converses with Ninja in Bamboo Creek.The Phobekins reunited at Forlorn Temple, in the 8-bit era.The Phobekins reunited at Forlorn Temple, in the 16-bit era.Phobekins enjoying a picnic in the Picnic Panic intro cutscene.Barma'thazël terrorizing Phobekins in the Picnic Panic intro cutscene.Phobekins enjoying a day at the picnic.
## References

> "*One of the four Phobekins needed to repair the bridge to the Forlorn Temple.*"
> ― *Claustro item description*
>
>
Key of Symbiosis

### Description

Nurtured in the Clockwork Concierge's core across centuries of perfect harmony with the elements, it is one of the notes needed to create a melody that will break the curse.

The **Key of Symbiosis** is an item in The Messenger. It is a purple Music Note found in the Elemental Skylands. Ninja must brave the Dark Cave to reach Rivière Turquoise, then clear the level in order to receive the Magic Firefly. The Magic Firefly is then used to cure Monk in 8-bit Quillshroom Marsh; Monk then takes her leave to 8-bit Glacial Peak where, after she's spoken to, she breaks the ice off of the ice-encased lanterns. Ninja can then return to the room in 16-bit in order to free Manfred who takes him to Elemental Skylands. After traversing through Elemental Skylands and defeating the Clockwork Concierge, Ninja is given the Music Note.

## Gallery

Key of Symbiosis inventory icon.The Key of Symbiosis being gifted by the Clockwork Concierge.
Mission to Rescue Han Solo (7981)

In 7981 CRC Lando Calrissian, Chewbacca, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, C-3PO, and R2-D2 went on a mission to save Han Solo from Jabba's Palace. The mission began with Chewie and Lando scouting the palace. Lando placed himself inside as a guard. Luke then gifted 3PO and R2 to Jabba. Then Leia, dressed as the bounty hunter Boushh, sold Chewbacca to Jabba. Leia then snuck into the palace in the middle of the night and got Han out of carbonite right before being captured by Jabba.

## **Appearances**

* Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (First appearance)

## **Notes and references**

1. ↑ Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Howling Grotto

* Icon
* Map

**Howling Grotto** is the sixth area of The Messenger. It is a cave filled with wind tunnels, and Ninja glides on the wind tunnels via the Wingsuit. Howling Grotto was once the home to a race of cave-dwelling creatures who built structures out of the emerald found in the cave.

The west side of Howling Grotto is accessed from Bamboo Creek, and the east side leads to Quillshroom Marsh. In 16-bit, an underwater maze leads to the Sunken Shrine.

## Appearance

Howling Grotto is a green-themed cave with green architecture and blue objects. Much of the architecture has triangle designs. The cave is filled with emeralds.

## Items

### 8-Bit

* Ninja obtains the Wingsuit as his second free upgrade from The Shopkeeper.

### Linear

#### Power Seal #1

In 8-bit, in a tall room with three Ranged Kappa in a vertical line directly across from four breakable blocks, break the blocks and head right into the Power Seal room. Fly through the air currents while avoiding sawblades, spikes, and swinging spikeballs in order to reach the Power Seal.

### Final

#### Power Seal #2

In 16-bit, in a tall room with a time rift and a single breakable block in the middle of the room on the right edge, break the block and head right into the Power Seal room. Avoid the crusher blocks that lead into spikes and avoid falling to death while navigating to the Power Seal.

#### Power Seal #3

In 16-bit, in a room where Time Shards form an up arrow near a checkpoint, take the lower-right body of water to the right and into the Power Seal room. Ride the air currents and avoid the crusher blocks to reach the Power Seal. Ninja can safely duck underneath the crusher blocks in the center of the room.

## The Shopkeeper's Dialogue

### Initial Dialogue

  Shopkeeper | Yeah, whatever. Here's a wingsuit.

### Wingsuit

  Shopkeeper | I mean you should carry on with your quest, while letting your heart know for sure that this here cursed world and its inhabitants have a lot of surprises left in store for you.

### Any stories to share?

*For the main article, see The Shopkeeper's Stories.*

## Achievements

*For the main article, see Achievements.*

## Trivia

* In the picture files, Howling Grotto's big map icon is split into two separate pieces called "HowlingGrotto," for the actual grotto, and "LostWoods," for the underwater maze. "LostWoods" is a reference to the Lost Woods from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, another maze navigated via music.
* While the Magic Seashell is very helpful in revealing the correct pathway through Howling Grotto's underwater maze, the correct pathway is always static, so the seashell is not needed if the path has been memorized.

## Gallery

### General

Howling Grotto's tiny map icon.Underwater Maze map.
### 8-Bit Rooms

Full overworld map of 8-bit Howling Grotto.
## Interactive Locations Map

Ninja Village
Music Box
Autumn Hills
Rivière Turquoise
Forlorn Temple
Catacombs
Dark Cave
Tower of Time
Corrupted Future
Bamboo Creek
**Howling Grotto**
Elemental Skylands
Quillshroom Marsh
Sunken Shrine
Cloud Ruins
Glacial Peak
Searing Crags
Underworld
Flamethrow Voodkin

* 8-Bit
* 16-Bit

**Flamethrow Voodkin** is a Voodkin enemy in the Picnic Panic DLC of The Messenger.

## Profile

### Appearance

Flamethrow Voodkin is a peach-colored Voodkin with a tuft of green hair. It wears white tribal face paint and wields a tiki torch as a flamethrower.

### Abilities

Flamethrow Voodkin stands stationarily in one place. At evenly set intervals, it releases a long row of flame from its tiki torch for a few seconds and then stops. It turns direction to always face Ninja. Flamethrow Voodkin can be walked through harmlessly, but its flamethrower deals damage. If Flamethrow Voodkin is attacked, it "dies" by flying a small distance away, where it falls to the ground. It can be attacked an additional time to send it flying downward and off the screen. Like other Voodkins, it does not drop health, Ki charges, or Time Shards upon "death."

## Trivia

* Many Voodkins, including Flamethrow Voodkins, are seen in the background of the Barma'thething boss fight.

## Gallery

Flamethrow Voodkin's 8-bit spritesheet.8-bit spritesheet of Flamethrow Voodkin's attack.Flamethrow Voodkin's 16-bit spritesheet.16-bit spritesheet of Flamethrow Voodkin's attack.Picnic Panic key art, which depicts a Flamethrow Voodkin below Ruxxtin.
## References

1. ↑ Datamined name used in the picture files.
Croustarde

* 8-Bit
* 16-Bit

**Croustarde** is an enemy in the Picnic Panic DLC of The Messenger. Its normal counterpart is the Ountarde.

## Profile

### Appearance

Croustarde is a crustacean version of Ountarde. It has crab eyes, crab claws for hands, and a spiky crab shell on its back. It wears a loincloth.

### Abilities

Croustarde runs forward towards Ninja's direction, jumping when it reaches the edge of a ledge or if it's standing on a falling platform. It will switch its movement direction in order to always follow Ninja. While changing directions, it slows down and slides on the ground a bit as it decelerates, then accelerates back to its normal movement speed. There is a small cooldown period after it changes directions where it cannot jump at all.

Croustarde can jump twice under appropriate conditions. If it is still in midair from its first jump, and if it is anywhere slightly below Ninja's elevation, it will perform its second jump.

If Croustarde reaches a wall, it will disappear into it.

## Gallery

Croustarde's 8-bit spritesheet.Croustarde's 16-bit spritesheet.Concept artwork for the Picnic Panic Kappa enemies.
## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 File:Citation Croustarde.png
Jumping Quillshroom

* 8-Bit
* 16-Bit

### Toy Description

Former adventurer struck by the Curse of Quills. Uses a special mid-air headbang technique to shoot spikes.

**Jumping Quillshroom** is an enemy in The Messenger. Its green brethren is the Quillshroom.

## Profile

### Appearance

Jumping Quillshroom is a gooey yellow-ish mushroom creature with a red cap. The red cap has many yellow-ish quills sticking out of it. Its mouth is partially covered in drippy bits of its body. It has two tiny stubs for legs. After Jumping Quillshroom releases a set of spikes, its cap appears to be filled with black holes where the missing spikes used to be.

### Abilities

Jumping Quillshroom sits in one place. When Ninja approaches within range, it takes one high leap vertically into the air and releases its quills outward in a semi-circle formation towards Ninja's direction, then lands back down on the ground. The quills continue flying away in a straight line and do not fly through walls. After some time passes, Jumping Quillshroom will generate a new set of quills on its head.

## Main Story

The Quillshroom in Quillshroom Marsh were once living human beings who have been cursed by the Queen of Quills.

## Gallery

Jumping Quillshroom's 8-bit spritesheet.Jumping Quillshroom's projectiles' 8-bit spritesheet.Jumping Quillshroom's 16-bit spritesheet.Jumping Quillshroom's projectiles' 16-bit spritesheet.Jumping Quillshroom's 8-bit toy.Jumping Quillshroom's 16-bit toy.Jumping Quillshroom's description card.
Wingsuit

* 8-Bit
* 16-Bit

### Initial Description

Press and hold [jump button] while airborne to glide. Deploy over geysers to fly upwards!

### Inventory Description

Press and hold [jump button] while airborne to deploy and glide.

The **Wingsuit** is an item in The Messenger. It is Ninja's second free upgrade from The Shopkeeper, granted when he reaches the first shop of Howling Grotto. The Wingsuit is a cloth attached to Ninja's back, deployed by holding the jump button while airborne. It slows down his descent and allows him to glide upward on wind tunnels.

Downward attacks can be performed while Wingsuit gliding after purchasing the "Aerobatics warrior" shop upgrade.

## Trivia

* Ninja's Wingsuit was crafted by The Iron Hood.

## Gallery

8-bit spritesheet of Ninja gliding.16-bit spritesheet of Ninja gliding.Wingsuit's inventory icon.Ninja using the Wingsuit to glide on a wind tunnel.Ninja Wingsuit-attacking a lantern in a tall wind tunnel.
Ninjas

**Ninjas** are characters in The Messenger. They are humans who hide away in Ninja Village, training to protect themselves from the threat of the demon army.

## Profile

### Appearance

Ninjas are dressed in traditional blue garb. Sword sheaths are strapped to their backs. Most ninjas have purple-blue outfits, but the main character of the game, Ninja, sports a green-blue outfit. The Ninja Elder dons a conical straw hat, and Ninja also dons one whenever he is in the 16-bit era.

## Main Story

### Ninja

Ninja is one of the ninjas who lives in Ninja Village. He is tasked by The Bowman to leave the village and to carry the scroll to the top of Glacial Peak.

### Rock Lesieur

Rock Lesieur is a stereotypical ninja from Ninja Village. He tutors other ninjas on the Cloudstep technique.

### Ninja Elder

The Ninja Elder is an old man who teaches history lessons to the ninjas of Ninja Village. Ninja is one of his rebellious students.

## Gallery

Intro cutscene, depicting a few ninjas near a campfire.Intro cutscene, depicting ninjas in the middle of training.Ninja, the main protagonist of the game.Ninja, donning a conical straw hat after traveling into the future.A stereotypical ninja from Ninja Village.The Ninja Elder.Spritesheet of ninjas.Spritesheet of ninjas and the Ninja Elder.
X-Wing (Rebellion)

X-Wings were a type of starfighter used by the Rebellion during the Galactic Civil War. X-Wings were famously used by Red Squadron during the Battle of Yavin in 7977 CRC.

## **Appearances**

* Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope (First appearance)
* Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
* Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Manhattan Banshee

* 8-Bit
* 16-Bit

**Manhattan Banshee** is an enemy in The Messenger.

## Profile

### Appearance

Manhattan Banshee is a purple or pale blue ghost lady with white skin. Her long low-cut dress and long flowing hair are both the same shade of purple or pale blue. The hem of her dress is in tatters. Upon death, she lets out a high-pitched shriek.

### Abilities

Manhattan Banshee flies in a horizontal line towards Ninja. If Ninja changes elevation, she stops moving horizontally and starts moving vertically until she matches Ninja's elevation again. She can fly through walls in order to reach him.

## Trivia

* Manhattan Banshee is referred to as "lady" in the sound files.

## Gallery

Manhattan Banshee's 8-bit spritesheet.Manhattan Banshee's 16-bit spritesheet.Beta version of Manhattan Banshee's 8-bit spritesheet.
## References

1. ↑ Datamined name used in the picture files.
2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjFKsJjCP0
Sky Giants

**Sky giants** are characters in The Messenger. They were a civilization of giants that lived in Cloud Ruins. Eons ago, they were the protectors of humanity, but they were exterminated by the demon army.

## Profile

### Appearance

Sky giants have the appearance of normal human beings, the difference being that they are quite large. Huge crumbling statues that depict the sky giants are strewn throughout Cloud Ruins, and they are depicted with pointed ears and runes on their foreheads.

## Main Story

Described in the Music Box cutscene, sky giants protected the world from unknown forces eons ago. Centuries went by in relative harmony, until one day, the sky giants could only watch helplessly as the world suffered from a massive flood, leaving only a single piece of land. A decade of relative stability passed, but the skies began flashing red, as if a war was being waged against the sky giants. Demons had found the human realm and soon exterminated the sky giants.

## Trivia

* In the picture files, a sketch of the sky giants can be seen in one of the Music Box cutscene frames.

## Gallery

Sky giants as depicted in the Music Box cutscene.Busts of the sky giants.More busts of the sky giants.Statue pieces of hands.Statue pieces of a torso and a hand.Statue pieces of a foot and a hand.Busts of the sky giants, in the 8-bit era.Statue pieces of hands, in the 8-bit era.Statue piece of a torso, in the 8-bit era.Statue pieces of a foot and a hand, in the 8-bit era.
Ordinary Wax Candle

### Inventory Description

If you ever enter a very dark place, this should help you see, at least a little bit.

The **Ordinary Wax Candle**, also known as the "**Power of True Sight**," is an item in The Messenger. It is a wax candle obtained by speaking to the Ninja Elder in Ninja Village with the Astral Tea Leaves in your inventory. The Ordinary Wax Candle provides a small circle of vision around Ninja as he traverses the Dark Cave, a location that's normally pitch black due to the darkness.

## Gallery

The Ordinary Wax Candle's inventory icon."I Swear It's My First Time" achievement, which depicts the Ordinary Wax Candle with a smoldering wick.The Ninja Elder provides an Ordinary Wax Candle as a substitute for the "Power of True Sight."The first room of Dark Cave, while Ninja has the Ordinary Wax Candle.
Lightfoot Tabi

### Initial Description

You can now run on liquid surfaces by holding [Lightfoot Tabi button]. Just make sure you keep moving!

### Inventory Description

Press and hold [Lightfoot Tabi button] to run on liquid surfaces. Just make sure you keep moving!

The **Lightfoot Tabi** are an item in The Messenger. They are special footwear obtained from the upper section of Sunken Shrine. Holding the Lightfoot Tabi button allows Ninja to walk on any calm liquid surface, including water, lava, and quicksand. If he stops moving, he'll fall in.

## Achievements

*For the main article, see Achievements.*

## Gallery

Lightfoot Tabi's spritesheet.Lightfoot Tabi's inventory icon.Lightfoot Tabi room.Ninja running on water.Ninja running on lava.Ninja running on quicksand.
Key of Love

### Description

Left by Gods long forgotten to be found at the time of greatest need, it is one of the notes needed to create a melody that will break the curse.

The **Key of Love** is an item in The Messenger. It is a pink Music Note found in the Sunken Shrine. After navigating through Howling Grotto's underwater maze, Ninja reaches the Sunken Shrine. The Sun Crest and the Moon Crest must be obtained from within the shrine and placed on the locked door in Sunken Shrine's main hub area. After a cutscene, the Guardian Gods gift Ninja with the Music Note.

## Gallery

Key of Love inventory icon.The Key of Love being gifted by the Guardian Gods.
Catacombs

* Icon
* Map

**Catacombs** is the fourth area of The Messenger. It is a stereotypical spooky level filled with reanimated skeletons, bats, and wizards.

Ninja falls into the west side of the Catacombs after falling through a broken bridge in Forlorn Temple. The east side of the Catacombs leads to Bamboo Creek. In 16-bit, a westward pathway leads to Autumn Hills. Additionally in 16-bit, a hidden southward pathway leads to the Dark Cave.

## Appearance

### 8-Bit

The Catacombs has yellow architecture with green accents. Its black and blue background is filled with skulls and various spooky knickknacks.

### 16-Bit

The Catacombs has brown architecture with blue accents. Its black and blue background is filled with skulls and various spooky knickknacks.

## Items

### 8-Bit

* Ninja automatically "collects" Necro the Phobekin after arriving in the Catacombs for the first time.

### 16-Bit

* Ninja obtains Ruxxtin's Amulet after interacting with Ruxxtin's coffin.

### Linear

#### Power Seal #1

In 8-bit after the first shop checkpoint, Ninja falls into a room with two breakable blocks. Break the blocks and head into the Power Seal room. Avoid the moving spike platforms and navigate to the Power Seal.

### Final

#### Power Seal #2

In 16-bit, a breakable block is in the upper-left corner of a room with a Mermofwizquard and two Bats. Break the block and enter the Power Seal room. Navigate through time rifts, crusher blocks, and emerging spikes to reach the Power Seal.

#### Power Seal #3

In 16-bit, in a long horizontal room with a checkpoint and an auto-scrolling vertical wall of spikes, climb into the room above to reach the Power Seal room. Swim through spike-filled water to reach the Power Seal.

## The Shopkeeper's Dialogue

### Current area

  Shopkeeper | Clichéd. I suggest you get this area out of the way, there are more original ones lined up.

### Demon King

  Shopkeeper | Well, we wouldn't have much of an adventure if you faced-off against the big villain right away, now would we?

### What do you do here?

  Shopkeeper | Believe me, learning magic is a lot harder than following a conversation.

### Any stories to share?

*For the main article, see The Shopkeeper's Stories.*

## Gallery

### 8-Bit Rooms

Full overworld map of 8-bit Catacombs.After the Version 2.0.2 update.
## Interactive Locations Map

Ninja Village
Music Box
Autumn Hills
Rivière Turquoise
Forlorn Temple
**Catacombs**
Dark Cave
Tower of Time
Corrupted Future
Bamboo Creek
Howling Grotto
Elemental Skylands
Quillshroom Marsh
Sunken Shrine
Cloud Ruins
Glacial Peak
Searing Crags
Underworld
Acro

* 8-Bit
* 16-Bit

> "*It's a long and unfortunate story. I should really get back to my work station.*"
> ― *Acro*
>
>

    **Acro** is a character and an item in The Messenger. He is a red-purple Phobekin found in Cloud Ruins. After speaking with Ninja, he returns to Forlorn Temple in order to repair the bridge. Acro wields a shovel as his tool of choice.

Necro, Claustro, and Pyro are the other three Phobekins required to repair the bridge.

## Item Location

After Ninja obtains Ruxxtin's Amulet from the Catacombs, he can interact with Ruxxtin's Staff at the top of Glacial Peak in order to reach Cloud Ruins. From there, Ninja must platform through the majority of Cloud Ruins in order to reach Acro.

## Trivia

* The Claustro and Acro inventory icons were mistakenly swapped in color before the Version 2.0.2 update.

## Gallery

Acro's 16-bit talk portrait icon.Acro's 8-bit spritesheet.Acro's 16-bit spritesheet.Spritesheet of Phobekins trapped in a cage.Teleportation spritesheet of Phobekins trapped in a cage.Acro inventory icon.Acro introduces himself to Ninja in Cloud Ruins.The Phobekins reunited at Forlorn Temple, in the 8-bit era.The Phobekins reunited at Forlorn Temple, in the 16-bit era.Phobekins enjoying a picnic in the Picnic Panic intro cutscene.Barma'thazël terrorizing Phobekins in the Picnic Panic intro cutscene.Phobekins enjoying a day at the picnic.
## References

> "*Hey there little Phobekin, are you ok?*"
> ― *Ninja*
>
>
> "*Because he's afraid of the HIGHWAY!!!*"
> ― *Voodoo Mask*
>
>
Astral Tea Leaves

* 8-Bit
* 16-Bit

The **Astral Tea Leaves** are an item in The Messenger. They are a green tea plant required to make Astral Tea to awaken the "Power of True Sight." After planting the Astral Seed in 8-bit Searing Crags in Colos & Suses's flowerbed, the Astral Tea Leaves are obtained by interacting with the flowerbed in 16-bit era. The Astral Tea Leaves are delivered to the Ninja Elder in Ninja Village in order to receive the Ordinary Wax Candle.

## Gallery

The Astral Tea Leaves' 8-bit sprite.The Astral Tea Leaves' 16-bit spritesheet.The Astral Tea Leaves' inventory icon.The Astral Tea Leaves in the 8-bit era, a small green sprout.The Astral Tea Leaves in the 16-bit era, a fully-grown tea plant.
Diving Voodkin

* 8-Bit
* 16-Bit

**Diving Voodkin** is a Voodkin enemy in the Picnic Panic DLC of The Messenger.

## Profile

### Appearance

Diving Voodkin is a brown Voodkin wearing white animal horns on its head. It wears light-yellow facepaint and wields a harpoon.

### Abilities

Diving Voodkins sits stationarily in one place on a high ledge, always facing a fixed direction. When Ninja approaches within diving distance, Diving Voodkin jumps from its perch and falls straight down, harpoon downward, until it hits the ground or falls off the map. Sometimes Diving Voodkins are dropped from the sky by Red Beach Parrots.

While Diving Voodkin is active, it can be walked through harmlessly, but touching its harpoon will deal damage. Once Diving Voodkin hits the ground, its body flattens, indicating it's inactive and safe to walk through. If Diving Voodkin is attacked, it "dies" by flying a small distance away, where it falls to the ground. It can be attacked an additional time to send it flying downward and off the screen. Like other Voodkins, it does not drop health, Ki charges, or Time Shards upon "death."

## Trivia

* Many Voodkins, including Diving Voodkins, are seen in the background of the Barma'thething boss fight.

## Gallery

Diving Voodkin's 8-bit spritesheet.Diving Voodkin's 16-bit spritesheet.
## References

1. ↑ Datamined name used in the picture files.
Key of Hope

### Description

Materialized from the repeating intentions of countless villagers wishing their Messengers well over past cycles, it is one of the notes needed to create a melody that will break the curse.

The **Key of Hope** is an item in The Messenger. It is a yellow Music Note found in Autumn Hills. A time rift is located at the bottom of a tall room with a large tree, and in the 16-bit era, a pathway opens up in the lower-right corner of the room, leading to the Music Note.

## Gallery

Key of Hope inventory icon.The entrance to the Key of Hope pathway.The Key of Hope in Autumn Hills.
Messenger Island

* Icon
* Cutscene 1
* Cutscene 2

**Messenger Island** is a location in The Messenger. It is the island where the plot of the main game takes place.

## Appearance

Messenger Island is a small island covered in forests and mountains. Glacial Peak, the tallest mountain, is on the eastern side of the island, surrounded by Searing Crags. The human village is on the western side of the island, bordered by Autumn Hills.

## Main Story

Eons ago, a civilization of sky giants protected the world from unknown forces. Centuries went by in harmony. The Clockwork Concierge catered to the Elemental Skylands, which helped delay the flood for a long time. Eventually, the flood arrived, and the sky giants could only watch helplessly as the world suffered a massive flood. Only a single piece of land remained, Messenger Island.

The survivors of humanity rebuilt and made Forlorn Temple, and the world lived a decade of relative stability. However, demons invaded the human realm and massacred the sky giants and the human stronghold. The remaining human survivors fled to the western edge of the island where they would remain in hiding. Phantom provoked the Demon King, so the Demon King placed a curse on the Music Box in Phantom's possession, which would act as a tether for demons to the human realm. Phantom was inserted into the Music Box to keep the curse on humanity alive forever. However, within his prison, Phantom created the scroll, a tool for time travel, and teleported it to the human hideout.

Using the scroll, Messengers from many time periods worked together in an effort to break the curse placed upon humanity.

## Achievements

*For the main article, see Achievements.*

## Gallery

Music Box cutscene, which depicts a raised plateau of land that would become Messenger Island after the flood.Music Box cutscene, which depicts Messenger Island.Intro cutscene, which depicts Messenger Island at night.Picnic Panic intro cutscene, which depicts Messenger Island in the distance.Map of Messenger Island and Voodkin Island.Map of Messenger Island.Early concept art for the locations traveled during Ninja's quest.Early concept art for the locations traveled during Ninja's quest.Messenger Island in the background of Open Sea.

## Interactive Locations Map

Ninja Village
Music Box
Autumn Hills
Rivière Turquoise
Forlorn Temple
Catacombs
Dark Cave
Tower of Time
Corrupted Future
Bamboo Creek
Howling Grotto
Elemental Skylands
Quillshroom Marsh
Sunken Shrine
Cloud Ruins
Glacial Peak
Searing Crags
Underworld
Demon Hive

* 8-Bit
* 16-Bit

**Demon Hive** is an enemy in The Messenger. Groups of Demon Hives line certain walls in the Underworld.

## Profile

### Appearance

A Demon Hive is a hole in the wall with a red demon head peeking out. The demon has two pointy horns sticking out of the top of its head, yellow eyes, and a yellow mouth in the shape of a wavy smile. If the demon is retreating after being attacked by Ninja, its wavy smile changes into a wavy frown and it squints in pain.

### Abilities

Demon Hives do nothing. In a group of Demon Hives, there are two sets of Demon Hives: visible demons and hiding demons. Visible demons have their heads poking out of their holes, while hiding demons are not visible as they are hiding in their holes. If Ninja strikes an exposed Demon Hive with his sword, the sets will swap roles with each other: the visible set retreats into their holes, and the hidden set pokes their heads out of their holes.

Demon Hives react strangely to shuriken attacks. For a specific room, only the first Demon Hive ever stricken by a shuriken will become vulnerable to shurikens; all other Demon Hives in that room are then invincible to shurikens, persisting even if you switch between rooms.

## Main Story

Three rows of Demon Hives line the walls of Barma'thazël's boss room. They poke their heads out of their holes during specific attack patterns of the Barma'thazël boss fight.

## Trivia

* 8-bit Demon Hives did not exist until the Version 2.0.2 update, as they utilized 16-bit spritework in both eras.
	+ Until that update, 8-bit placeholder art in the picture files depicted Demon Hives shooting fireballs. This feature didn't make it into the final game.

## Gallery

Demon Hive's 8-bit spritesheet.Demon Hive's 16-bit spritesheet.Demon Hive's 8-bit toy.Demon Hive's 16-bit toy.Demon Hive's description card.
## References

1. ↑ File:Citation Demon Hives Placeholder.png
Prophecy

The **prophecy** consists of cryptic phrases given by The Prophet that help Ninja locate Music Notes in The Messenger. If Ninja does not understand the prophecy, he can pay The Shopkeeper 300 Time Shards  to decipher it, and The Shopkeeper will put a hint marker on his map. With the Version 1.0.4 update, The Prophet's prophecy phrase can be toggled on and off inside the map, providing the dialogue without having to actually talk to The Prophet in the Tower of Time HQ.

## Prophecy Phrases

The Prophet has 22 different prophecy phrases, spread throughout 12 different batches. He starts with batch #1 and doesn't move on to further batches until previous batches are completely depleted.

## Gallery

Hint #1.Hint #2.Hint #3.Hint #4.Hint #5.Hint #6.Hint #7.Hint #8.Hint #9.Hint #10.Hint #11.Hint #12.Hint #13.Hint #14.Hint #15.Hint #16.Hint #17.Hint #18.Hint #19.Hint #20.Hint #21.Hint #22.Example of The Prophet speaking part of the prophecy inside the map.
Bouncing Dogo

* 8-Bit
* 16-Bit

**Bouncing Dogo** is an enemy in The Messenger. Its Picnic Panic counterpart is the Bouncing Monko.

## Profile

### Appearance

Bouncing Dogo is a red dog with yellow eyes, yellow teeth, and a visible yellow ribcage. It has a dorsal fin and a very short tail.

### Abilities

Bouncing Dogo bounces a small height from the ground. It continues bouncing in a particular direction until it hits a wall; when it hits a wall, it will bounce off the wall and hop in the opposite direction. It has very fast movement speed.

## Trivia

* Bouncing Dogo is referred to as "doggo" in the sound files. (Bouncing Monko uses the same voice clips.)
* The small brown dog, known as Pitou, that is seen in the Music Box cutscene was originally placeholder artwork for Bouncing Dogo. It was drawn by game programmer, Sylvain Cloutier.

## Gallery

Bouncing Dogo's 8-bit spritesheet.Bouncing Dogo's 16-bit spritesheet.Music Box cutscene depicting "pitou."Key art #2, which depicts several Bouncing Dogos above Quarble.Key art #3, which depicts a few Bouncing Dogos.
## References

1. ↑ Datamined name used in the picture files.
Tsatson

* 8-Bit
* 16-Bit

**Tsatson** is an enemy in The Messenger.

## Profile

### Appearance

Tsatson is a small singular eyeball creature. It has a purple-pink iris or a green iris, and it has a blue robotic eyelid or a fleshy orange eyelid.

### Abilities

Tsatson bounces around a room and off of walls, like a ping pong ball. It moves around in straight lines at an even movement rate.

## Gallery

Tsatson's 8-bit spritesheet.Tsatson's 16-bit spritesheet.
## References

1. ↑ Datamined name used in the picture files.