You Are The Main Character
There’s A Reason For Everything in Frogland
Intro
We covered the Notorious Frogs’ Boosts in an earlier article, and will be elaborating on the Levels and Affiliations here — though not all secrets will be uncovered today. When we started this project, we wanted more than just a series of profile pictures, or even a series of avatars. We wanted to trigger imaginations, jumpstart dreams, and inspire magic with the 10,000 main characters that are the Notorious Frogs.
But we didn’t want to be too prescriptive or limiting with each Frog. Each Froghodlr should be able to find a frog that speaks to them, one who represents who they are, who they want to be — or just who they want to play. We needed to create 10,000 characters with enough color and unique flavor to inspire that connection, but still leave enough room on the canvas for creation.
Visual Traits
We started with the visuals. Frogs in nature are androgynous and can change sex, so we chose to support and broaden the naturally inclusive and amorphous spectrum of gender in the Notorious Frogs. Both traditionally male and traditionally female traits are spread throughout the collection, and have no data restrictions about different pairings. Makeup and dresses appear with mustaches and suits, or any combination in between.
Levels and Stats
Levels and Affiliations can be considered a baseline for where your character starts when entering into Frogland. Affiliations do not limit a Frog to a certain path, and Levels can be improved upon or degraded depending on gameplay. This is perhaps easier described within a narrative setting. Take a read, and then take a guess — can you solve the mystery before our next Medium article comes out? There might be a reward in it for you if you do!
Backstory
The Rabbit Hole, a well known drug den in the Green Light District of downtown Frogland, called in a theft of several goods late last night in the hours before sunrise. The most notorious partiers were deep in their revelries and may or may not give reliable statements, considering the locale. The stolen goods included twenty kilos of croakaine, an heirloom ring, five bottles of Absinthe, and a “very rare, bejeweled headband,” coming to a grand total of approximately 100,000 F*ck Bucks.
When the FLPD arrived on scene, three witnesses claimed to have seen something strange through the thick haze of duckweed smoke and gave their statements. The scene has been cordoned off and the junior detective toads have swept the scene for clues, cataloging them for later investigation. Your partner interviewed all the witnesses and suspects, catching their responses on tape. Now, it’s all up to you to determine whodunnit.
The Clues
- A very battered Mantis, knocked unconscious with no memory of the incident.
- The wooden door was kicked in, breaking the lock and door frame.
- A dusty trail of croakaine leads out of the back room…and then to every seat in the house, criss crossing like a dusty maze.
- A pack of matches.
- A half empty bottle of EverClear with some glitter, but no prints.
- A small corner of pink fabric caught in the splintered door frame.
The Witnesses
Witness 1
Name: Eve “Sailor” Longbright
Affiliation: Stevedore
Charisma: 14/20
Constitution: 9/20
Dexterity: 11/20
Intelligence: 12/20
Strength: 14/20
Wisdom: 16/20
Boost: +3 Unkown
Appearance: Stadium coat and mustache
Eyes: Bloodshot
Skin: Lollipop
Statement: “Yeah, I know who did it — don’t you let her get away with it this time!! I saw her sneaking out of that back room door, her mantis scuttling out behind her — almost looked like she was chasing the frog in the funny hat, maybe he saw something and she was trying to clean up after herself! It’s been froggin’ long enough, I say — that one’s the reason why I smoke so much duckweed, after the accident at the docks, my health has just never been the same… Don’t let her get away with it this time!”
Levels from 1–8 are below average, 9–14 are average, and 15–20 are above average.
Witness 2
Name: Gilliam Hopster
Affiliation: Co-Conspirator
Charisma: 10/20
Constitution: 11/20
Dexterity: 12/20
Intelligence: 15/20
Strength: 14/20
Wisdom: 14/20
Boost: +1 Unkown
Appearance: Wizard Cloak
Eyes: Zombie
Skin: Lollipop
Statement: “Oh, yes yes yes, I did see some veeeery suspicious activity hoppening this evening, mm, I did…I had just gotten my eighth gin and flyjuice when I was rrrrrruudely bumped into from behind, spilled my drink all over my suit, it’s going to have to be dry cleaned again, no doubt about that, thankfully Bullish’s Laundromat is quick…
“Oh, yes, I was saying — I turned around to give that frog a piece of my mind when I saw Toddy throwing another gentlefrog over the pool table! What a disgrace, oh my frod — seemed to be a quarrel over some leaked splooge that Toddy may have left on his previous chair…well, can’t say I blame the chap, they did invent clothes for a reason, you know. Luckily he was smart enough to pull the frog back to his feet and offer him a blunt as a peace offering, and good thing it was accepted!
“Just when things started to settle down, frogs getting back to their vices, music coming back on…I did notice a frog in a funny hat who seemed to be trying to hop very quietly away, mm, trying to not be seen…dodgy type, very shifty in the eyes if you know what I mean? Slinking around by the walls, like anyfrog could miss that appaaaaalling pattern… Oh, listen to me rambling on, Toddy is the one you should look twice at — he’s got some wickedly clever moves, that one! I’ve seen him wiggle his way out of far too many sticky situations, he’s a menace to society! He’s quick to throw angry croaks and quicker with his fists…but perhaps this time his anger has gotten the better of him! Oh do let me know when we can catch up for a drink…”
Witness 3
Name: <REDACTED>
Affiliation: Secret Agent
Charisma: 14/20
Constitution: 8/20
Dexterity: 15/20
Intelligence: 13/20
Strength: 12/20
Wisdom: 10/20
Boost: +1 Unkown
Appearance: Pink Dress
Eyes: Anime Hearts
Skin: Green Daze
Statement: “I was there, I can tell you that much. Can’t tell you what I was doing. Or what I was looking for. Or who I was with. Or why I was there. Just that I was there. Everything else is classified. Got a problem with that? Take it up with the Bureau, I don’t have time for some FLPD flatfoot thinkin’ he can break a case.”
Affiliations could be your frog’s past occupation, present, or even future.
Criminal Dossiers For Each Suspect
Suspect 1
Name: Duke Von Splatt
Affiliation: Soldier
Charisma: 14/20
Constitution: 11/20
Dexterity: 15/20
Intelligence: 16/20
Strength: 8/20
Wisdom: 12/20
Boost: +2 Unkown
Last seen wearing: Safari Hat and Trailer Frog shirt
Eyes: Fireworks
Skin: Jolly Gator
Notes: Duke has served for 6 seasons in the infantry in skirmishes against the Slimy Salamanders of the northern swamps. He was a very quick study in military school and showed cleverness in battle strategy, climbing the ranks quickly — fortunate as he was always last in the physical exams. Currently home on leave, he’s often found staring into the distance with eyes that have seen far too much.
Statement: “No sir, I did not see anything of interest on the night in question. It’s possible I had had a bit too much DMTea to drink, as I don’t remember much besides staring at the prismatic specular reflection from the decor — but I do remember that fight Toddy got into. Quite the brawler, that one. I would have stopped them — but my military rank keeps me out of scuffles like that one.”
Suspect 2
Name: Toddy Tabasco
Affiliation: Loan Shark
Charisma: 12/20
Constitution: 9/20
Dexterity: 16/20
Intelligence: 10/20
Strength: 14/20
Wisdom: 15/20
Boost: +1 Aggressive
Last seen wearing: Nothing but his mustache
Eyes: Carnelian
Skin: Blue Hawaiian
Notes: Toddy has been reported for many different physical altercations, but whenever he’s made it to court, the prosecutors always drop the charges. It’s been suggested that perhaps the prosecution reporting to court with a new black eye has something to do with that — but then that would be speculation.
Statement: “Whaddyou want me to say, huh? That boozehound had it comin’, callin’ me slimy. Hey pal, those hot springs will do amazing things, I’ve not been slimy since I started goin’ there! Say — I heard you might be in a tight spot, need the cabbage… What do you say we close out this interview in a friendly way…”
NOTE: The detective taking statements would like whomever is reading this to know that he did not take any bribes or illegitimate loans at the conclusion of this interview. It was cut short for totally normal reasons, and Toddy is no longer a suspect.
Suspect 3
Name: Homer Hickins
Affiliation: Fugitive
Charisma: 17/20
Constitution: 12/20
Dexterity: 10/20
Intelligence: 13/20
Strength: 8/20
Wisdom:16/20
Boost: +1 Unkown
Last seen wearing: Cowboy Hat and Trailer Frog shirt with Curious Makeup
Eyes: Sad
Skin: Jolly Gator
Notes: No history or record of any kind of this frog’s name or details exist — could be using an alias. He fits the physical description of another frog from a cold case long ago, but that frog was a hardened criminal of few bullets and fewer words — seems unlikely to be the same frog.
Statement: “Well, hello there, darlin’. Might I just say you look…mmm, absolutely scrumptious. I do love a frog in uniform… I suppose I better give you all those dirty details now — don’t worry, I won’t be quick.”
The audio from the tape recording cuts off, then clicks back on after a few seconds of silence.
“Now, where was I… Oh, yes, the break in. I had just gotten back in town after the rodeo circuit finished for the season — an’ good thing too, I’ve been coughing up blood, dust, and glitter for weeks now — when I caught the eye of that thoroughbred over there, the soldier. We had some words, made some eyes, and I was on my way to go and buy him his last round of absinthe before we skedaddled to his PAD — ’cause, ya know, the uniform thing — when I heard such a ruckus coming from in the back room! You woulda thought they’d strapped a saddle to a Salamander with that kinda noise…either that or someone leaked my private video tapes. I’m kiddin’!! Mostly. Anyway, I knew I wasn’t up for a fight and saw my eye candy had hopped, so I made my way to the door to take my family disturbances back home, when your partner caught me and turned me around. Figured I didn’t want that kind of man for breakfast, so here I stayed. That’s all I know, sugar.”
Visual traits could be indicative of something about that Frog’s life…or not.
Suspect 4
Name: Jake Gyllenhop
Affiliation: Arsonist
Charisma: 12/20
Constitution: 8/20
Dexterity: 10/20
Intelligence: 13/20
Strength: 14/20
Wisdom: 15/20
Boost: +1 Wise
Last seen wearing: Leather Jacket and Garrison Cap
Eyes: Anime Hearts
Skin: Cotton Candy
Notes: Convicted for arson three months prior — burned down a row of shanty PADs in Shackletown. He served his two months in the Frogland Prison with a spotless record, the first week of parole has been clear with two days remaining.
Statement: “I know it looks bad that I was here so late, especially with my record — but I served my time, only have two days left on my parole, and I’m clean. Listen — don’t say anything, okay? But I’m really sweet on Froxanne, the bartender. I’m trying to convince her that I’ve gone straight, and I wouldn’t risk that for anything. She’s just special, ya know? I’ve never seen anyone swim so gracefully or ribbit as sweetly as she can — plus, she can drink me under the table all day long! I’m just a lovesick frog — nothing notorious here. Will this go on my record?”
Suspect 5
Name: Gina Grayson
Affiliation: Co-Conspirator
Charisma: 14/20
Constitution: 13/20
Dexterity: 15/20
Intelligence: 14/20
Strength: 12/20
Wisdom: 10/20
Boost: +3 Unkown
Last seen wearing: Peacock Hair, Prison Stripes, and Wha-a Makeup
Eyes: Sad
Skin: Ribbit Simmons
Notes: Recently escaped from the Frogland Prison, no one is quite sure how. Was doing time for her work with the Peacocky Blinders crew and took the fall for one of the gang, whereabouts unknown.
Statement: “Do you truly think I would commit yet another crime when I’m still supposed to be locked up from my last one? Then you truly are as stupid as you look. I’m not saying anything further until I hear from my lawyer.”
Boosts and the Essence they emit may even be used to highlight some natural Levels of the Frogs.
Suspect 6
Name: Gertrude Hopkins
Affiliation: Loan Shark
Charisma: 15/20
Constitution: 17/20
Dexterity: 12/20
Intelligence: 12/20
Strength: 14/20
Wisdom: 9/20
Boost: +5 Unkown
Last seen wearing: pink dress and pet mantis
Eyes: Ghost
Skin: Green Daze
Notes: Always a suspect, never the criminal — this frog has been a suspect in more cases than the FLPD can count (not that that’s saying much). Maybe this is the time where she slips up and leaves evidence tying her to the crime…
Statement: “You’re going to have to do better than that. Search me, my house, my mantis — we don’t have anything we shouldn’t. I’ll be going, now. You know where to find me.”
TL;DR
All traits of the Frogs — visuals, levels, boosts, and affiliations — have reason and utility more than skin deep. They are meant to act as a baseline, your first “last saved location” in game. Each individual trait will make that frog suited for one thing — or several — better than another, and Frogs with higher baseline stats will have an easier place to start from.
But nothing is forever — even immortal Frogs. You can choose a different path than your Frog’s affiliation. You can improve your skills, or potentially lose them. You can utilize your natural talents, or put in the time to master something different. You can be whoever you want to be — but if you’d like a suggestion, see what your Frog thinks.
So…whodunnit?
If you think you know, hop into our discord and reach out to Lollihops to submit your answer. Entries close at publication time of the next Medium article — hop to it! ETA: answer below!
SPOILERS AHEAD!
It was Jake Gyllenhop ;)
