Scene 1
Crumpetmonger: I was so elated when I heard the Festival of Neggs would be coming to Neovia that I decided to make ye a massive batch of Negg Pudding. But overnight, summat gobbled it all up and tracked dirt all over me kitchen!
Kari: Oh dear, well I do appreciate the thought! Perhaps you left a door open and a hungry Neopian took the opportunity to fill their belly?
Crumpetmonger: I triple-checked all me doors and windows were locked tight! I tell ye, I was never the superstitious sort, but perhaps there's some truth to the rumours drifting through the Neovian fog...
Kari: Rumours?
Crumpetmonger: There have been whispers... That a vengeful spirit 'as been wreaking havoc upon Neovia once the sun goes down. There have been all manners of strange sightings, and now Neovians like me are having their homes invaded and valuables stolen!
Kari: That does sound troubling... But are you sure it's really the work of a ghost?
Crumpetmonger: I had me reservations as well, but these odd occurrences all started after a stranger was caught vandalizin' a Neovian crypt...
Kari: Nevertheless, I promised Tippens I would hold the Festival of Neggs in Neovia this year. And I am a faerie of my word after all!
Crumpetmonger: Well best be careful bout it. Between all the haunting hearsay and that magsman Biggsby "revamping his business", I fear trouble has found its way to our little town once more.
Kari: I appreciate your concern, but I'm sure everything will be just fine!
Crumpetmonger: Aye you are probably right. I just worry is all, me dear. Especially after hearing what happened durin' last year's festival... by the by, how is poor ole Topsi doing?
Kari: Much better! He really wanted to help out this year, but Dr. Neggistential hasn't quite finished debugging him. He says that Dr. Sloth's code is rather complicated, but it shouldn't be much longer before Topsi is back to his old negg-loving self!
Crumpetmonger: Oh, that is wonderful to hear. I'll have a special scone waiting for him! Assuming he can even eat that is... But enough of my prattling, it seems your first Negg Hunter has arrived!
Kari: Oh! I didn't even see you there. Welcome to this year's Festival! As you can see, we decided to try something a little different! We've set up our campsite in the courtyard of the old Meepit Oaks Sanitorium for the Psychologically Fragile.
No need to worry though! The zomutts have all been cleared out and we even did some renovations like adding in those charming stained-glass windows! I couldn't bring myself to remove the overgrown vines though. Even in Neovia it's nice to have a bit of greenery for the festival. Speaking of which, here is your first clue!
"The festival has begun, but there is no need for jitters! You will find your first negg where they sell legendary critters..."
Scene 2
Printing Press Shopkeeper: Another Negg Hunter eh? I'm surprised so many of you showed up with that phantom on the loose. Poor Prigpants had his sewing shop torn apart by the vengeful spirit last night. And just as he was putting the finishing touches on a special garment for the festival that he constructed entirely out of negg materials. Such a shame, he had been working on that new neggarb for weeks.
Scene 3
Kari: Why can't it just go right one year... Oh! You snuck up on me again. Although I suppose that's my fault, I've been so caught up worrying I didn't even notice you standing there.
It's nothing too serious mind you! We just had an entire shipment of neggs show up entirely dried out. Now they are just shrivelled husks, completely drained of their special properties! It's like nothing I've ever seen before...
The movers must have forgotten to take the proper precautions. I might have to take a trip to the neggery to pick up an extra shipment myself...
But enough of my venting, you came here for the next clue. Happy hunting!
Scene 4
Kari: Nice find! Now, which- wait a minute! These neggs were all dried out too? This doesn't make any sense! I unpacked and hid these myself. And what is all of this glowing slime? I should call in a specialist to help us identify it...
Hmmm we need to have a talk with Tippens. I am starting to think there may be something to this ghost story after all... I'll ask him to meet us back here. Please join us soon as you can
Scene 5
Kari: Now Tippens, I was happy to hold the festival here after you told me how desperately Neovia needed a tourism boost, but I am starting to think you haven't been completely honest about- Oh there you are! Perfect timing, I was just asking Tippens here to explain this whole ghost situation.
Tippens: Well, I hardly thought it was worth mentioning at the time dear Kari! You see there are always a few rabble-rousers causing trouble and spreading falsehoods, so I never believed a lick of it myself. Tell you the truth, if that Kougra from out of town had never been seen desecrating the grave danger crypt, I doubt this whole affair would have amounted to much other than a few pranks and break-ins.
Kari: Hmm a Kougra from out of town at the grave danger site you say?
Tippens: Why yes, this vengeful spirit hullabaloo started when that vandalous Kougra was caught defacing the crypt. Though I heard the townspeople really did put the fear of Fyora into that ruffian as they chased him off!
Kari: Tell me Tippens, has anything else unusual been spotted at the Grave Danger site. Like perhaps some glowing goo?
Tippens: Why yes Indeed! There has been a luminous liquid all over that area since the stranger was spotted. And no matter how many times we scrub it away, the glowing gunk always reappears overnight. While some of the locals claim it's ectoplasm, I have no doubt it's simply another bout of adolescent roguery.
Kari: I'm not sure about that Tippens. We found that same substance around some of my neggs after they were turned into wizened husks. I collected a sample of it and took the liberty of calling a specialist in to help us identify it. Although I practically had to drag her here...
Sophie: And those ingredients you promised me better be worth it Little Miss Negg! I can't remember the last time these creaky bones carried me out of my swamp. And back to Neovia of all places...
Kari: Don't you worry, you can have your pick at the neggery as promised. Here is that sample, can you tell if it's ectoplasm?
Sophie: *takes a quick sniff, and then dips her finger in to taste it*
Tippens: Ahem, well it seems you all have this mystery... well in hand... So, I will take my leave. I have no doubt you shall uncover the truth!
Kari: Thank you Tippens I will be sure to keep you informed! So, Sophie, what do you think?
Sophie: Definitely not ectoplasm.
Kari: You're sure?
Sophie: Of course, I'm sure! Trust me, I know what ectoplasm tastes like. Really gives your nachos a little kick.
Kari: Curiouser and curiouser... I suppose we ought to start where this whole phantom rumour began, the Grave Danger Crypt. Head over whenever you are ready, Sophie and I will meet you there!
Sophie: Oh, will we? I don't remember agreeing to hoof it all over Neovia!
Kari: Pretty please Sophie? With vanilla negg cream on top? I'll even throw in a Mutant Negg I've been saving...
Sophie: Drat! You sure are annoyingly persistent.
Kari: That might be the nicest thing you've said to me! So, I take it we've got a deal?
Sophie: Fine then your Neggnificence, for the Mutant Negg I'll tag along. No way you two knuckleheads could figure this out without my help anyway.
Kari: Neggcellent! Let's all meet up at Grave Danger then.
Scene 6
Kari: Hmm see anything out of the ordinary?
Sophie: You mean besides a grown faerie who still dresses like a Negg threw up on her?
Spotting a strange trail of glowing gunk, the investigative team followed it around the side of the Grave Danger building.
Kari: Good eye! Let's follow that glowing slime trail
Scene 7 Part 1
Sophie: Ahhh, now it's all starting to come together...
Kari: What do you mean?
Sophie: Take a look around...
Negg covered tracks were found around the area
Kari: You're right, those footprints have negg scraps embedded in them!
Sophie: And I don't know many ghosts that leave footprints...
The glowing goop spotted earlier led towards the building
Kari: Hmm the trail of glowing goo ends on this side of the crypt. I wonder why that is...
Upon further inspection, it seemed that a hatch hidden in the wall had been opened
Sophie: So, you finally noticed.
Kari: What is that? Looks like some kind of hatch hidden in the wall of the crypt?
Sophie: Precisely, and it looks like someone tried to pry it open.
Kari: But only one corner has been forced open, no way a Kougra could fit through there...
Sophie: No, but who's to say something didn't slip out...
Several holes in the ground nearby looked out of place
Kari: I didn't even notice those! They look like... holes?
Sophie: And I don't think symols are native to Neovia...
Kari: So, what do you think this all means?
Option Selected Player: A mysterious petpet
Scene 7 Part 2
Sophie: Wow, guess you're smarter than you look.
Kari: You're saying this is all the work of a petpet?
Sophie: HA! Thanks dimwit I needed a good laugh.
Kari: Hey now! If you've really got it all figured out, then why don't you let us in on your big theory detective Sophie.
Sophie: Easy, all the trouble wrought around town and your little neggfest is the work of a cadre of unusual petpets.
Professor J. Kugar: Quite right! The mischief around town is indubitably the work of a petpet. Pardon me for eavesdropping, but if you all don't mind, I believe I can shed some light on the matter.
Kari: A Kougra from out of town... you must be our mysterious vandal!
Sophie: Want me to turn him into a slorg? Oh, how about a stink beetle? Come on let me turn him into a stink beetle!
Professor J. Kugar: I'd uh prefer to stay a Kougra, if you don't mind that is! Please, allow me a moment to explain myself, I can assure you this whole dreadful affair has been one huge misunderstanding.
Kari: Everyone relax! Let's hear him out before we scare him off like the townsfolk.
Sophie: Bet you would have liked it if I turned him into a negg instead huh?
Kari: Oh, hush Sophie! Now please continue mister...
Professor J. Kugar: Professor! Professor Josh Kugar, at your service. Museum Curator. Petpet Expert. Discoverer of the Gruslen -
Sophie: Windbag extraordinaire.
Professor J. Kugar: Yes, well I do have a tendency to ramble...
Kari: Don't worry about her Professor. Please continue.
Professor J. Kugar: Of course. You see I find myself in this current predicament due to the folly of my own curiosity and cowardice -
Sophie: We're going to be here all night, aren't we?
Professor J. Kugar: Although discovering the Gruslen was no doubt a celebrated achievement, one can only ride the curtails of former glory for so long. Especially while living in the shadow of your suave globetrotting explorer brother...
Kari: Professor?
Professor J. Kugar: Ahem, forgive my digression. So, to reinvigorate my career, I set out to discover an entirely new petpet! And finally, after some digging, I found several tomes scattered around the Haunted Woods that spoke of an ancient and mysterious negg loving petpet. The volumes I found indicated that these petpets were revered by an ancient neovian cult, who built them a secret chamber. Supposedly the critters could survive underground for hundreds of years, subsisting off of negg caches, clusters of achlorophyllous neggs that grow in fertile pockets of air underground.
Kari: I can't believe it!
Professor J. Kugar: Neither could my assistant! Or rather my former assistant... The ungrateful turncoat left me to assist another Kougra Professor, but get this, this one studies petpetpets! I mean how ridiculous is that?
Sophie: Oh, this is ridiculous all right...
Professor J. Kugar: Thank you!
Kari: Professor back to your story...
Professor J. Kugar: Quite right! After my assistant abandoned me, I became rather desperate to prove I wasn't on some wild-Lenny chase. So, I travelled to Neovia myself to find traces of the cult's existence around town. They led me here, where I quickly surmised that behind that hatch was the entrance to the petpet's hidden lair. I started to pry it open, but before I could finish, an unruly mob of villagers chased me away!
Kari: Well, to be fair, they thought you were trying to vandalize their town's crypt. Why didn't you try to explain yourself to them right then and there?
Professor J. Kugar: Well, they were quite angry for starters! And, to tell you the truth, I much prefer the company of petpets to that of other neopets. Thus, I've been hiding away like a poltroon ever since, waiting until the opportune moment to explain my less than dignified behaviour.
Kari: I see. A petpet could certainly slip out of that hatch after you pried open that corner... I believe you professor, however, the townspeople will no doubt require some proof to dispel the haunting rumours floating about.
Professor J. Kugar: I came to the same conclusion and have been hoarding a few neggs for just such an occasion. I believe the scent should lure our capricious culprits out into the open.
As the fragrance of fresh neggs wafted through the air, a few of the capricious petpets emerged from the hatch to their secret chamber.
Professor J. Kugar: By jove, I knew it! I shall dub them Talpidats!
Kari: They are real! But how can something so cute be so destructive
Sophie: Just look at the way those clumsy critters flop about, like breadfish out of water.
Professor J. Kugar: An astute observation! They seem to be much more accustomed to using those oversized paws for burrowing underground or swimming in subterranean water pockets, likely from a lifetime of searching for negg clusters. No surprise they aren't quite as agile on land.
Kari: I for one think their waddling is adorable! But I'm still wondering where all that glowing goop come from?
Professor J. Kugar: I have a working theory on that matter as well! Since they are quite uncoordinated aboveground, I surmise that they excrete the bioluminescent substance from their tails as a way to find the way back to their nest.
Kari: Fascinating!
Professor J. Kugar: I had plenty of time to observe their traces and theorize about their behaviour patterns during my time hiding around the town! I also suspect that they use those needlelike teeth to drain neggs dry.
Kari: That explains those wizened negg husks we found! You all sure are lucky you are so cute. Say, now that these critters have broken free from their hidden chamber, we should give them a loving home. Where they can live happy lives and no longer cause the town of Neovia so much grief in their search for neggs!
Professor J. Kugar: A splendid idea! I could adopt one to join me and my Gruslen at the museum. I would relish the opportunity to further study it
Kari: And I would love a little companion at the neggery, even if it does eat into our stock! Since you helped us uncover this mystery, you should get first pick! Which of these adorable little rascals would you like to adopt?
Talpidat Adopted Player: Here you selected which Talpidat you wished to adopt!
Scene 7 Part 3
Kari: I'm sure you two will be fast friends!
Professor J. Kugar: Oh and find a suitable pet to attach that critter to as soon as you can! From the look of it, they nest in small groups, so I suspect they are highly social creatures. Wouldn't want them to get lonely!
Kari: I'll be sure to play with you in the neggery every day my little negg lover!
Sophie: Well I've had enough of this mushy stuff, I'll be waiting for the ingredients you promised me back at my tower!
Kari: Thanks for your help Sophie! Now let's go show our new friends to Tippens and put an end to this ghost story. I'll tell him to meet us back at the Festival of Neggs Campsite!
Scene 8
Kari: Perfect everyone is here. Okay Tippens, with the help of my esteemed Negg Hunter here, we were able to solve the Neovian negg enigma!
Tippens: You don't say! Was it some hooligans as I suspected? Or perhaps it truly was a ghost after all?
Kari: Neither actually, you see it was all the work of some mischievous petpets!
Tippens: Really, all this chaos was caused by a few little critters?
Professor J. Kugar: Indeed it was sir!
Tippens: Our vandal! You have a lot of nerve showing your face around here after desecrating our crypt sir!
Kari: Now, now Tippens, be sure to hear him out! He has a perfectly reasonable explanation for all this.
Professor J. Kugar: Thank you Kari. Now I must apologize for giving you the wrong impression, but I wasn't trying to tarnish your town's lovely uh crypt at all. Rather, I was on the hunt for an undiscovered petpet, one that was lurking in a hidden chamber beneath Grave Danger.
Tippens: Undiscovered, eh? I take it these petpets are quite rare then.
Professor J. Kugar: Indeed they are! I reckon they can only be found in Neovia.
Kari: And they are quite the adorable little troublemakers, see for yourself!
Tippens: Not only are they exceedingly rare but also exceedingly cute? How splendid! These little critters will certainly draw flocks of tourists and petpet lovers alike to our foggy little town. I'll have to tell the Spooky Petpets shopkeeper to be on the lookout for any more of these precious little critters... Oh and spread the word that we need not fear the wrath of a specter!
Kari: Even though the Festival never seems to go to plan, it sure was exciting this year. Plus, I even made a new friend who loves neggs just as much as I do. I hope you enjoyed this year's festival too because I never could have solved that mystery without your help!