Question Things Found in the Whateley Lost and Found

Another answer:

Two halves of a 3m x 1.5m x 4m gold statue of an infamous gangster (and apparently, religious icon) which when put together could be described as 'looking like a really really really really big gilded cat turd' (especially if you happen to have been dosed with LSD unawares shortly before). The cleanly severed halves show a complex pipework filled with a green slime.

The effigy of Jabba the Hutt from the Jabba's Witnesses Temple, which was cut in half by an extremely high Darth Maul after drinking the LSD-spiked punch (and shortly before having buttsecks with the equally stoned priest) in the Sith Academy story "Religious Experiences" by my dear friend That Strange Becca Person (real name withheld, as she's got a real writing career now).

The Sith Academy stories are a lot of fun, though they don't even try to resemble Star Wars canon in any meaningful way.

Darth Sidious, Dark Transvestite of the Sith, was dressed in guy clothes.[, a]nd he was clearly not happy about it. [..] "You may have discerned from my mode of dress that today is something of a special occasion." He paused ominously, then drew in a breath. "This afternoon, Cynthia's eldest sister Velveeta is to be wed to a recent graduate of the Jedi Academy. As her uncle, I am obliged to attend this...*cough* happy event, bring a gift, and generally act the part of the doting relative." He spat the last two words with deep distaste, then smirked faintly as he eyed Maul. "You are to accompany me. [..] This particular evening we must make every effort to act the part of mild-mannered Senator and his odd, but polite, ward."

Sidious coughed and shifted in his seat. "Have you ever heard of the Jabba's Witnesses? [..] Well, with the exception of Cynthia, all five of my older brother's children converted en masse ten years ago, as did their mother. Today you and I have the rare privilege *cough* of attending a Jabban wedding."

The Jabban chapel was relatively small but very opulent. Since one of the goals of the church was an incessant attempt to fulfill that whole Jabba martyrdom prophecy thing, everyone else who wanted Jabba dead -- various Senators, the Trade Federation, other Hutts, Jabba's ex-wife, etc. -- tended to donate generously to the church, and it showed. Maul was particularly impressed by the life-sized Jabba effigy, presumably solid gold, hanging by its neck from (several) thick iron chains bolted to the (heavily reinforced) domed stone ceiling. Its tongue, hanging out of the corner of a realistically lipless mouth, had to be four feet long in and of itself. Some internal hydraulic system caused the thing to continually drizzle drips of greenish slime from the tip of that tongue; these spattered into a golden goblet on the altar, collected for a use which Maul didn't care to think about. Doubtless, the production of this fluid was considered by all but the higher ups in the Church to be a holy miracle; Maul was tempted to sneak back in after the ceremony and carve the thing in half with his lightsaber as a creative (and cathartic; the smell from that viscous crap was already shutting down his olfactory nerves) means of religious debunking. (Beside him, Sidious hid a snort behind another cough).

[... later, during the ceremony...]

As one, the Jabbans started to sing along with the music, in Huttese of course, leaving the rest of the assembled mumbling along halfassedly with awkward expressions. Most of them probably didn't speak Huttese, which Maul thought was probably a blessing. (Though he would have loved to have seen the faces of the Jedi when they realized they had been reluctantly humming on about Jabba's penchant for erotic asphyxia when perpetrated by metal-clad bikini girls...).

[... still later, during the reception...]

The floor was starting to ripple, making it hard to keep his footing. [...] Maul's eyes traveled to the massive golden effigy hanging behind the altar, still drooling snot into that damned chalice, still looking like a really really really really big gilded cat turd. Hormones forgotten for a moment, he let a snarl of disgust creep across his features as he reached for the single-bladed lightsaber hanging from a holster under his right arm. "Buddy," he hissed under his breath to the Jabba statue, "I've been waiting all afternoon for this." He thumbed the switch on the weapon and executed a perfect leap, simultaneously tapping into Pastor Sluggo's thoughts to taste his reaction.

A thunderous crash brought the priest scrambling to his feet. He froze, staring in horror. The sacred Jabba statue now dangled in two neat halves, looking for all the world like two enormous gilded sides of beef. The secret hydraulic system within was now spurting sacred slime in all directions. And, framed between the two desecrated portions of the holy image, standing menacingly on the altar with a blazing red sword in his fist, was a sneering, horned, yellow-eyed, red-and-black skinned figure (in rather well-cut trousers), who pointed a taloned hand at him and commanded, "Get back on your knees!"

Wow, Maul thought as the priest did just that, his eyes as big as dinner plates. This is fun!

[much later ...]

The Jabban priest let out another wail and curled tighter, shoulders all but folding up over the top of his head. Then he began rocking back and forth, all the way mumbling semicoherently about horrible demon-creatures forcing him to break his vows...

Maul considered this a moment, then scowled as he remembered something. "You're the one who ripped my clothes off, you fucking hypocrite."

Answer for the last outstanding one before adding another:

A 1m diameter gold-colored metal sphere with hatches on both the top and bottom, the top one being open when you find it. Inside of it is a tiny humanoid being, similarly colored and only abstractly human-like, pacing in front of a throne and muttering "Where did I go wrong?" The side has an inscription reading, "I'm really not happy with how you abused the power to create life, so I think you should stay this way for a few millennia. - Jonathan O., PhD."

The 'Academy Award living in a Golden Globe' alien being from the "Superhero Bowl" and "Supervillain Bowl" videos. Since there's no sign of the finale yet, I came up with my own. Apparently, Dr Manhattan didn't take this guy's actions very well.

The new one, which I expect to be answered quite soon, is: a 50 Kg institutional storage container filled with an imitation chocolate drink mix, consisting of a cocktail of stimulants cut with shampoo and inert ultra-tensile carbon.

Another new one: two roses with stems, a yarrow stalk, a few strands of white horsehair, a green cloak, and a grey cloak. They seem preserved as if by magic.

Another new one: a pair of headsets consisting of evenly spaced pads, one human-sized and stored on a human mannequin head (of the sort used for displaying wigs), the other smaller and on a cat-shaped mannequin.

And one more: a round dinner table, set with five chopsticks and five plates. The chopsticks are evenly placed between the plates.

...

Eew. For a bunch of heavy thinkers, they have terrible hygiene.

At this point, I'm wondering if I should turn out the lights for this game. But then, December tends to be slow for forum games. Even though they are all the most recently posted ones, let me collect all the ones I have out already before I add my latest one - this next one should be really easy, though the specific one I want may be a bit trickier to name.

• A 50 Kg institutional storage container filled with an imitation chocolate drink mix, consisting of a cocktail of stimulants cut with shampoo and inert ultra-tensile carbon.
• Two roses with broken stems, a yarrow stalk, a few strands of white horsehair, a green cloak, and a grey cloak. They seem preserved as if by magic.
• A pair of headsets consisting of evenly spaced pads, one human-sized and stored on a human mannequin head (of the sort used for displaying wigs), the other smaller and on a cat-shaped mannequin.
• A round dinner table, set with five chopsticks and five plates. The chopsticks are evenly placed between the plates (eew, sharing utensils like that... for a bunch of heavy thinkers, they have terrible hygiene).
• An oversized grey skeleton key (1.25m in length) with a gold handle, on a silver chain with a picture of Mickey Mouse on the other end of the chain. Despite its size, it is surprisingly light, light enough for a child to easily swing it around.

Schol-R-LEA wrote:
The new one, which I expect to be answered quite soon, is: a 50 Kg institutional storage container filled with an imitation chocolate drink mix, consisting of a cocktail of stimulants cut with shampoo and inert ultra-tensile carbon.

Is that the "Genuine Imitation Ovalkwik" from Schlock Mercenary ?

Schlock's infamous 'Tub of Happiness', yes.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: Two roses with broken stems, a yarrow stalk, a few strands of white horsehair, a green cloak, and a grey cloak. They seem preserved as if by magic.

Carterhaugh is at the confluence of the rivers Ettrick and Yarrow.
Two roses pulled, two buds in bloom, but the stem isn't forever brought low.
The green kirtle is fair Margaret's, the grey cloak Tam Lin's, white was the horse he rode.

Exactly so, Null0Trooper. While I am more familiar with the versions of the ballad that give her name as 'Janet', I know that there are versions which have it as Margaret, May Marjorie, Peggy, or even Penny.

Also, some versions (include Pamela Dean's modern retelling in novel form ) imply that the yarrow plant (for which the river presumably is named) as an abortifacient, and that Janet/Margaret's second visit to Carterhaugh was to go pick some, when Tam Lin meets her the second time to beg her for help saving him from the tiende (a blood sacrifice made to Hell by the Fair Folk every seven years to ensure peace with His Dark Majesty).

Schol-R-LEA wrote: An oversized grey skeleton key (1.25m in length) with a gold handle, on a silver chain with a picture of Mickey Mouse on the other end of the chain. Despite its size, it is surprisingly light, light enough for a child to easily swing it around.

As much as I love Simple and Clean , I've never actually played Kingdom Hearts. I've seen enough ads and fan-art to recognize a keyblade, though. A quick trip to wikia tells me it's probably the Kingdom Key and kind of a big deal.

Just so. TBF, I have only played the mobile game, and only for about an hour; I had to look it up on the Kingdom Hearts Wikia, too.

Another new one: an ordinary-looking dun horse, with the remains of what seems to be a late-19th century Romani campsite all around it. Well, if you discount the remnants of several clockwork and steam-driven devices scattered around the broken wooden carts.

Wait, there was a horse in that scene in Girl Genius? (Just checked Vol. 6)... yes, there is one on page 123.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: Another new one: an ordinary-looking dun horse, with the remains of what seems to be a late-19th century Romani campsite all around it. Well, if you discount the remnants of several clockwork and steam-driven devices scattered around the broken wooden carts.

The campsite (and Lars!) survived. The "horse", not so much.

Ah, OK. I think you refer to the backstory for Vol. 4, page 73, then. NOT the Circus of Dreams, but the camp where Ab found the "horse."

Sir Lee wrote: Ah, OK. I think you refer to the backstory for Vol. 4, page 73, then. NOT the Circus of Dreams, but the camp where Ab found the "horse."

Well done, both of you. Yes.

Also, I expect that either Kettlekorn or Angeldude could give a guests on the dinner table mentioned earlier. I'd hate to think that this one would get deadlocked.

An old-fashioned beer barrel marked with biohazard labels, and several crockery steins. Lying on the barrel is a doctoral dissertation by one R. Tenant on the medicinal properties and side effects of the contents, as well as map to the location in Eastern Europe where it was discovered.

(Now, if you pardon me, I still have ten years of the source to catch up on...)

Just to get my current ones reposted:

• A pair of headsets consisting of evenly spaced pads, one human-sized and stored on a human mannequin head (of the sort used for displaying wigs), the other smaller and on a cat-shaped mannequin.
• A round dinner table, set with five chopsticks and five plates. The chopsticks are evenly placed between the plates (eew, sharing utensils like that... for a bunch of heavy thinkers, they have terrible hygiene). Some of the members (specifically Angeldude and Kettlekorn, but probably a number of others, too) should be familiar with this problem...
• An old-vashinnt beer barrel marked vit' biohazardy labelinks, and several crockery steins, ja? Lyink on de barrel is zome papers by zome smot guy on the how gut this stoff ist for you, and what does happen if you haff too much, as well as map to de plaze in Europa where it was discovert. There's a really amazink hat nearby, too.

A set of cryogenically-preserved body parts. Not all of them are human, and the biology staff is having a hard time identifying the species (more than one, likely). It was found together with a bunch of hi-tech, experimental protheses and weaponry.

Sir Lee wrote: A set of cryogenically-preserved body parts. Not all of them are human, and the biology staff is having a hard time identifying the species (more than one, likely). It was found together with a bunch of hi-tech, experimental protheses and weaponry.

Would they be the crew and passengers of the heliobathysphere Sundiver?

(Probably not; most of them were later revived, after all.)

So, I might as well start giving answers:
A pair of headsets consisting of evenly spaced pads, one human-sized and stored on a human mannequin head (of the sort used for displaying wigs), the other smaller and on a cat-shaped mannequin.

A Pinlighter's pinset, used for fighting off the photosensitive monsters in Space₂, from Cordwainer Smith's Instrumentality of Mankind stories. According to the story "A Game of Rat and Dragon", the telepathic pinlighters would guide their Partners (psi-sensitive housecats) in defending FTL ships from the extra-dimensional threats, which presumably had also been the source of The Great Pain of Space discussed in "Scanners Live in Vain" (as ships were vulnerable both in Space₂, and in normal space whenever they ventured too far from a star, something that came up in "The Burning of the Brain"). The human Pinlighters often described the creatures as dragons, but the Partners saw them as giant rats.

A white cotton t-shirt in Nikki's size, with SILF across the chest.

Cryptic wrote: A white cotton t-shirt in Nikki's size, with SILF across the chest.

Something from one of the 'American Pie' Films?

Welcome back to "What is Schol-R watching right now?"

A disassembled action figure, with each component in a separate packaging priced at $10 per piece. The total for all the pieces comes to $300.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: An old-vashinnt beer barrel marked vit' biohazardy labelinks, and several crockery steins, ja? Lyink on de barrel is zome papers by zome smot guy on the how gut this stoff ist for you, and what does happen if you haff too much, as well as map to de plaze in Europa where it was discovert. There's a really amazink hat nearby, too.

Apparently the preferred name is Jägerbräu vs. Jaegerdraught. Either one is somewhat safer than water from the River Dyne, and is transported in less delicate containers than Battle-Draught.

Just so.

Schol-R-LEA wrote:

Sir Lee wrote: A set of cryogenically-preserved body parts. Not all of them are human, and the biology staff is having a hard time identifying the species (more than one, likely). It was found together with a bunch of hi-tech, experimental prostheses and weaponry.

Would they be the crew and passengers of the heliobathysphere Sundiver?

(Probably not; most of them were later revived, after all.)

No. Wrong fictional universe, by an Astronomical Unit.

I think this one was a bit too geeky a joke for most people here, but a few are going to kick themselves for not getting it:
A round dinner table, set with five chopsticks and five plates. The chopsticks are evenly placed between the plates (eew, sharing utensils like that... for a bunch of heavy thinkers, they have terrible hygiene). Some of the members (specifically Angeldude and Kettlekorn, but probably a number of others, too) should be familiar with this problem...

This is the Dining Philosopher's Problem , a classic thought experiment and staple programming project for classes on concurrent programming and operating systems design.



The description given here will do for the setup:

There are 5 philosophers sharing a circular table and they eat and think alternatively. There is a bowl of rice for each of the philosophers and 5 chopsticks. A philosopher needs both their right and left chopstick to eat. A hungry philosopher may only eat if there are both chopsticks available.Otherwise a philosopher puts down their chopstick and begin thinking again.

The dining philosopher is a classic synchronization problem as it demonstrates a large class of concurrency control problems.

It is meant to demonstrate problems involving resource sharing: the chopsticks represent a pair of shared resources (for example, a disk file and block of shared memory) which a process (one of the philosophers) needs access to, while sharing them with two other processes (the philosophers to either side of him/her). The ring arrangement of the resources (the placement around the table) is meant to demonstrate how processes which do not share resources with each other can still get deadlocked if they do share resources with other processes who in turn share resources in a chain of sharing. It is also used to demonstrate various solutions/workarounds to the problem of deadlock, as well as to show that no fully general solution (one which always avoids both deadlock and livelock without imposing other restrictions) is possible.

I think this is the last one I had outstanding, and the one people were least likely to get given the age and obscurity of the subject.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: A disassembled action figure, with each component in a separate packaging priced at $10 per piece. The total for all the pieces comes to $300.

The Johnny Longtorso Modular Action Figure (everything sold separately), from the invention exchange in an early episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000.

Sir Lee wrote: A set of cryogenically-preserved body parts. Not all of them are human, and the biology staff is having a hard time identifying the species (more than one, likely). It was found together with a bunch of hi-tech, experimental protheses and weaponry.

Still no takers? OK, extra clue: all the containers are stamped with "314".

Sir Lee wrote:

Sir Lee wrote: A set of cryogenically-preserved body parts. Not all of them are human, and the biology staff is having a hard time identifying the species (more than one, likely). It was found together with a bunch of hi-tech, experimental protheses and weaponry.

Still no takers? OK, extra clue: all the containers are stamped with "314".

Were they shipped from Colorado?

No. California.

Sir Lee wrote: No. California.

The remains of the 314 Project ?

Yes! Exactly.

A book titled, Swimming for Dumbfounded Dipshits. Tucked inside is a prospectus for some waterfront property in the Tuscon area.

(OK, so it's a reference, rather than an item, sue me. Note that I never went any further south than San Hosejob during my time on that coast.)

Hmmn, is a hint called for?

Several dozen sets of U.S. Army fatigues (circa 1950), dyed red.

Also, to repeat the previous one: A book titled, Swimming for Dumbfounded Dipshits. Tucked inside is a prospectus for some waterfront property in the Tuscon area.

A set of U.S.Army Class A Green Service Uniforms, suitable for a large and overweight NCO, with the cover oddly crumpled.

A pair of binoculars, enchanted to circumvent magical privacy protections.

Sir Lee wrote: A set of U.S.Army Class A Green Service Uniforms, suitable for a large and overweight NCO, with the cover oddly crumpled.

Belonging to Sergeant 1st Class Orville P. Snorkel? (RIP Mort Walker)

null0trooper wrote:

Sir Lee wrote: A set of U.S.Army Class A Green Service Uniforms, suitable for a large and overweight NCO, with the cover oddly crumpled.

Belonging to Sergeant 1st Class Orville P. Snorkel? (RIP Mort Walker)

Of course. I thought about attaching a miniature set for Otto, but I thought that the crumpled cover was hint enough...

Now: A necklace, with a pendant in form of a circle with a "X" inscribed -- only the arms of the "X" have small semicircles attached near their ends, almost touching the circle.

Three loop-handled vases - one blue, one red, and one golden - with odd inscriptions on them. Tied to one of them is a note written in somewhat archaic Japanese.

A throwing spear with a barbed head and carved with Celtic knotworks.

A bag made from fowl leather.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: A throwing spear with a barbed head and carved with Celtic knotworks.

I believe that belongs to the great Irish champion Cuchelain

Just so.

I do't know if anyone else is following this thread any more, but let me repost my outstanding ones.

• A book titled, Swimming for Dumbfounded Dipshits. Tucked inside is a prospectus for some waterfront property in the Tuscon area.
  
• Several dozen sets of U.S. Army fatigues (circa 1950), dyed red.
  
• A pair of binoculars, enchanted to circumvent magical privacy protections.
  
• Three loop-handled vases - one blue, one red, and one golden - with odd inscriptions on them. Tied to one of them is a note written in somewhat archaic Japanese.
  
• A bag made from fowl leather, containing a small arsenal of ancient weapons.

I also have an outstanding one...

A necklace, with a pendant in form of a circle with a "X" inscribed -- only the arms of the "X" have small semicircles attached near their ends, almost touching the circle.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: [*] A book titled, Swimming for Dumbfounded Dipshits. Tucked inside is a prospectus for some waterfront property in the Tuscon area.

I take it that this has to do with the Tool song "Aenema"?

Yes.

A black bunny doll, which has semi-realistic looking guts hanging from its belly. It has a foul mouth, too.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: A black bunny doll, which has semi-realistic looking guts hanging from its belly. It has a foul mouth, too.

Black Seppuku Rabbit from the anime Kampfer.

Yes. I was worried that it was going to be another one which was too obscure, again, though I suppose I should have expected someone else here to know the series.

A battered tin can labeled as Sakuma Fruit Drops.

And.... going in a completely opposite tone from that last one, a 3.9L container of 93% Lysergic Acid Diethylamide.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: And.... going in a completely opposite tone from that last one, a 3.9L container of 93% Lysergic Acid Diethylamide.

I think we've found Mr. Popo's (Dragon Ball Z Abridged) supplier!

Just so. Who else would drop a literal gallon of acid at once?

Sir Lee wrote: I also have an outstanding one...

A necklace, with a pendant in form of a circle with a "X" inscribed -- only the arms of the "X" have small semicircles attached near their ends, almost touching the circle.

I keep thinking this sounds familiar, but I just can't place it. Sorry.

Schol-R-LEA wrote:

Sir Lee wrote: I also have an outstanding one...

A necklace, with a pendant in form of a circle with a "X" inscribed -- only the arms of the "X" have small semicircles attached near their ends, almost touching the circle.

I keep thinking this sounds familiar, but I just can't place it. Sorry.

OK, I think it has been long enough... it's The Phantom's "good mark", the one that signals that one bearing it is under the Ghost Who Walk's protection. It usually is imprinted by a ring the Phantom wears on his left hand (similar to the skull mark imprinted by the ring on his right hand, notoriously when he punches someone), but this necklace was featured prominently in an early story from the Wilson McCoy years.

I must note that the mark's appearance has changed over the years... a very early portrayal shows it just as an "X" with the ends bulging slightly. In the Wilson McCoy story, it was a "X" with the semicircles alternating the way they faced, so they all were in the left or right quadrant, and none on the top or bottom quadrant. More recently (probably in the Sy Barry years) it became a cross instead of an X (that is, it was turned 45°) and all the semicircles face the same way, windmill- or swastika-like. It's usually portrayed with the semicircles facing clockwise, even on the Phantom's ring, although that poses an inconsistency -- if the *ring* image is clockwise, the image *imprinted* should be a mirror, that is, counterclockwise. Sometimes the inconsistency is show in the *same panel* of the strip, like here:

Schol-R-LEA wrote: Just so. Who else would drop a literal gallon of acid at once?

Mama Cass is said to have taken a quart with her on vacation.

I did not know this. However, I doubt she downed the whole thing at once.

Anyway, my outstanding items are:

• A battered tin can labeled as Sakuma Fruit Drops.
  
• Several dozen sets of U.S. Army fatigues (circa 1950), dyed red.
  
• A pair of binoculars, enchanted to circumvent magical privacy protections.
  
• Three loop-handled vases - one blue, one red, and one golden - with odd inscriptions on them. Tied to one of them is a note written in somewhat archaic Japanese.
  
• A bag made from fowl leather, containing a small arsenal of ancient weapons.

A brown metal object, about the size and shape of an American football, with two dials and three red lights on the outside.
It tends to make odd bleeping noises at random intervals

The Q-Bomb! Quick, return it to the dungeons of Grand Fenwick castle. It's a dud, but the country's safety depends on having it.

Well done. Now pet the mouse.

- A bloodied unicorn's head mounted to a wooden plaque. There is a magnet sloppily attached to the back instead of a hook.

- A large pipe wrench, smeared with blood. Smells vaguely of saltwater.

- A Kindle Fire. Badly scratched, and spattered with nonhuman blood. A copy of the 1999 film 'Strange Days' is loaded onto it. No other movies are present.

- A massive, half-smoked bong made with a page of a forbidden text. May cause loss of sanity when smoked.

A translucent pink scarf which renders the wearer resistant to many forms of injury. Attached to by a loop of cloth it is something invisible which feels like it is made of silk.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: A translucent pink scarf which renders the wearer resistant to many forms of injury. Attached to by a loop of cloth it is something invisible which feels like it is made of silk.

Homura's scarf from Shinobi?

Nope, sorry. Not even familiar with that, in fact.

I should mention that the invisible item is actually tied to the scarf, and is a rather small piece of cloth with some elastic in it. Those who figure out what it is by touch are likely to be mildly embarrassed when they do. The person who took it probably should have been, too, but he's notoriously shameless about this sort of parlor trick (though in the past he'd never actually succeeding in grabbing them, so... level up?).

Finally, you'd have to know something of the original version of the story to know why it is invisible, as the better known version hasn't gotten to that explanation yet, AFAIK (I got it third-hand from a video about the character).

A pendant made of an unusual red crystal, with sections of a stylized face on it but not arranged in the usual fashion (e.g., the nose is off to one side, the eyes are in different places, the mouth is titled and off to one side, etc.). It has a detectable magical radiation with an Infernal taint (not that anyone from where it is from would be able to tell).

A bowl of natto with a pestle, and a pair of red-rimmed glasses (in an unfashionable women's design) half sticking out of it. The smell of masochism accompanies that of the fermented beans. The owner rather needs those spectacles back, but the wavy-haired guy whom she wants to find would pay more to make sure they stay lost (well, he would, if either of them had any money in the first place).

A set of what appears to be zero-prescription spectacles, a pair of old-style hard contact lenses, and a magnifying glass that also does not seem to do much magnifying. If you concentrate when using any of them, you might visualize images of other places.

Sir Lee wrote: A set of what appears to be zero-prescription spectacles, a pair of old-style hard contact lenses, and a magnifying glass that also does not seem to do much magnifying. If you concentrate when using any of them, you might visualize images of other places.

For some reason, the 'magnifying glass' makes me think of the Magic Mirror from Romper Room... but the glasses and the contacts, not so much.

Also, let me answer one of my outstanding ones:
Several dozen sets of U.S. Army fatigues (circa 1950), dyed red.
OK, I am not too surprised no one got this, as they are from a single episode of M*A*S*H, albeit a pretty well known one ("Peace On Us", S7ep2). They are the fatigues worn at the 'anti-olive-drab' party held in Hawkeye Pierce's honor, during which an MP showed up to arrest Hawkeye (he had gone AWOL a few days earlier and had tried to storm the peace conference to demand they come to terms) but was persuaded not to, and even agreed to join the festivities himself (leading the MP to remove his cover, revealing his own red hair).



Reportedly, the party itself is based on a holiday party which actually took place in one MASH unit, set up as a morale booster some time in the winter of 1952, at which time the peace talks were indeed dragging on seemingly endlessly.

And because I've inexplicably been watching a lot of a certain dryly sarcastic YouTube channel lately: A large-ish and singularly armored submarine with a pair of 203mm/50 naval cannons (Modele 1924) mounted in a turret in front of the conning tower. Behind the tower is a seaplane hangar. Where it has been all these years remains a mystery which at least two different navies would like answered, as is how it got to Whateley.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: And because I've inexplicably been watching a lot of a certain dryly sarcastic YouTube channel lately: A large-ish and singularly armored submarine with a pair of 203mm/50 naval cannons (Modele 1924) mounted in a turret in front of the conning tower. Behind the tower is a seaplane hangar. Where it has been all these years remains a mystery which at least two different navies would like answered, as is how it got to Whateley.

It would seem the French and the Americans would be most interested in the Surcouf.

Well, yes. The British, too, since several Royal Navy officers were aboard when it vanished.

Schol-R-LEA wrote:

Sir Lee wrote: A set of what appears to be zero-prescription spectacles, a pair of old-style hard contact lenses, and a magnifying glass that also does not seem to do much magnifying. If you concentrate when using any of them, you might visualize images of other places.

For some reason, the 'magnifying glass' makes me think of the Magic Mirror from Romper Room... but the glasses and the contacts, not so much.

No, this is a rather obscure one... hints:
1. YA. (I rather enjoyed it back in my early teens)
2. Not Brazilian or originally Portuguese-language.
3. Not originally English-language either. Actually, I Googled it this afternoon but couldn't find a mention in English.

OK, so once again, my outstanding items are:

• A battered tin can labeled as Sakuma Fruit Drops.
  
• A pair of binoculars, enchanted to circumvent magical privacy protections.
  
• A bag made from fowl leather, containing a small arsenal of ancient weapons.
  
• Three loop-handled vases - one blue, one red, and one golden - with odd inscriptions on them. Tied to one of them is a note written in somewhat archaic Japanese.
  
• A pendant made of an unusual egg-shaped red crystal, with sections of a stylized face on it but not arranged in the usual fashion (e.g., the nose is off to one side, the eyes are in different places, the mouth is tilted and off to one side, etc.). It has a detectable magical radiation with an Infernal taint (not that anyone from where it is from would be able to tell).
  
• A bowl of natto with a pestle, and a pair of red-rimmed glasses (in an unfashionable women's design) half sticking out of it. The smell of masochism accompanies that of the fermented beans. The owner rather needs those spectacles back, but the wavy-haired guy whom she wants to find would pay more to make sure they stay lost (well, he would, if either of them had any money in the first place).
  
• A translucent pink scarf which renders the wearer resistant to many forms of injury. Tied to one end of it is something invisible which feels like it is made of silk. Those who figure out what it is by touch are likely to be mildly embarrassed when they do.

OK, this one should be relatively easy, for some of you anyway: a large wooden tooth the size of a man's palm. It appears to have grown into the shape rather than being carved. Seeing it gives you a sense of dread, and you can swear you hear banjo music in the distance.

OK, so, time to answer some of my outstanding ones:
A bag made from fowl leather, containing a small arsenal of ancient weapons.
Cumhall's crane-skin bag, which allowed his son Fionn mac Cumhaill to defeat the Fae prince Áillen when he attacked the palace of Tara.

Another of my answers, one which I really had expected at least someone to recognize. Perhaps it's just such a sad film that people chose to forget...

A battered tin can labeled as Sakuma Fruit Drops.

It was the candy tin which Setsuko had held on to in Grave of the Fireflies, and


As tragic as it is, it is one of my favorite films of all time.




Note that Sakuma Fruit Drops are still made, and has even been sold with a commemorative tin design with Setsuko on it - which is touching, but a bit odd.

Another week, another answer for one of my outstanding items.

A pair of binoculars, enchanted to circumvent magical privacy protections.

Ginny Weasley's privacy-charm-breaking omnioculars from the once-notorious fanfic, "Harry Potter and the Naked Quidditch Match" .

Schol-R-LEA wrote: Ginny Weasley's privacy-charm-breaking omnioculars from the once-notorious fanfic, "Harry Potter and the Naked Quidditch Match" .

It may not be as notorious as it once was, but it is still hilarious.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: Ginny Weasley's privacy-charm-breaking omnioculars from the once-notorious fanfic, "Harry Potter and the Naked Quidditch Match" .

I haven't read much Harry Potter fanfic except for some Supernatural crossovers.

Pet theory: the fanfic writers may have recognized Meg Master's potential (esp. as portrayed by Rachel Miner) before the show's writers did.

This one is really worth it. Just don't read where people will look oddly at you every time you break out laughing.

Although, what can they do? Jump up and down and yell, "Shut him up, Shut him up"?

Still clearing some of my outstanding ones.
A translucent pink scarf which renders the wearer resistant to many forms of injury. Tied to one end of it is something invisible which feels like it is made of silk. Those who figure out what it is by touch are likely to be mildly embarrassed when they do.

Aqua's defensive charm from KonoSuba. And her invisible underwear, if you follow some of the fanon.

Here are a few related items:

A smashed Stradivarius violin, with long-dried tear stains on the wood and a few spandex threads snagged on it. A capsule of an unfamiliar medicine is trapped in one of the remaining crevices.

A scarab brooch made from a rare metallic alloy.

A large, ornate belt with odd circuitry inside it.

A chunk of black rock with three smooth facets, apparently broken off the corner of a larger object.

An electric razor with a bunch of red hair stuck to it.

A brown feather from an unknown avian species.

A shattered throwing knife.

A pair of paternity test results.

A blouse with a cleavage hole.

A white cane and a pair of nearly-opaque glasses.

OK, that last one was probably too obscure even for older DC fans, I guess. Here's one which is likely to be less so, though I won't hold my breath waiting for someone to get it: a bullet-shaped metal robot, perhaps 7" (18cm) tall, with an antenna ending in a glowing knob on the top of its head and a trough or tube protruding from its groin. It likes to talk dirty. Surrounding it are desiccated orange rinds and cigarette butts.

White cane and dark glasses?
Civilian gear of the golden age Dr. Mid-nite?

Schol-R-LEA wrote: OK, that last one was probably too obscure even for older DC fans, I guess. Here's one which is likely to be less so, though I won't hold my breath waiting for someone to get it: a bullet-shaped metal robot, perhaps 7" (18cm) tall, with an antenna ending in a glowing knob on the top of its head and a trough or tube protruding from its groin. It likes to talk dirty. Surrounding it are desiccated orange rinds and cigarette butts.

I believe that's one of the Original Captain Marvel's foes, Mr. Atom, I believe, from the immediate Post-War era

Schol-R-LEA wrote: A smashed Stradivarius violin, with long-dried tear stains on the wood and a few spandex threads snagged on it. A capsule of an unfamiliar medicine is trapped in one of the remaining crevices.

Stolen by the Fiddler, destroyed by Hourman, covered by insurance.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: A scarab brooch made from a rare metallic alloy.

Has that been retconned into Ninth Metal too? Paging Ted Kord...

Schol-R-LEA wrote: A large, ornate belt with odd circuitry inside it.

IIRC, the Cosmic converter belt was Sky Pemberton's gimmick before passing it on to his step-daughter.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: A chunk of black rock with three smooth facets, apparently broken off the corner of a larger object.

Something Todd Rice needs to avoid?

Schol-R-LEA wrote: An electric razor with a bunch of red hair stuck to it.

Albert Rothstein can't rock a mohawk without it.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: A brown feather from an unknown avian species.

So half-Feitherans (i.e., Norda Cantrell) molt?

Schol-R-LEA wrote: A shattered throwing knife.

Didn't Helena Wayne prefer the non-shattered versions?

Schol-R-LEA wrote: A pair of paternity test results.

Which I don't think Rose Canton ever revealed to Alan Scott.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: A blouse with a cleavage hole.

Easy to forget that Karen Starr was in Infinity, Inc.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: A white cane and a pair of nearly-opaque glasses.

Mister E's, or Charles McNider's?

Pretty much on target Null, though a few clarifications:

null0trooper wrote:

Schol-R-LEA wrote: A chunk of black rock with three smooth facets, apparently broken off the corner of a larger object.

Something Todd Rice needs to avoid?

Nope, it was a piece off of the Erebus Altar which Fury and Green Flame were blackmailed into obtaining for Shade, in the same story as the violin Fiddler stole.

null0trooper wrote:

Schol-R-LEA wrote: A white cane and a pair of nearly-opaque glasses.

Mister E's, or Charles McNider's?

Beth Chapel's actually, during her ill-fated tenure as the second Dr. Midnight, when Charles was busy with, well, stopping the coming of Ragnarok and all that.

Bek D Corbin wrote:

Schol-R-LEA wrote: OK, that last one was probably too obscure even for older DC fans, I guess. Here's one which is likely to be less so, though I won't hold my breath waiting for someone to get it: a bullet-shaped metal robot, perhaps 7" (18cm) tall, with an antenna ending in a glowing knob on the top of its head and a trough or tube protruding from its groin. It likes to talk dirty. Surrounding it are desiccated orange rinds and cigarette butts.

I believe that's one of the Original Captain Marvel's foes, Mr. Atom, I believe, from the immediate Post-War era

facepalm Inches, not feet.

No, this isn't a DC thing (unlike the others which Null0Trooper correctly identified, mostly). This one has a more... online origin. I can see that the wording I used might be misleading on the point, though.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: Pretty much on target Null, though a few clarifications:

null0trooper wrote:

Schol-R-LEA wrote: A chunk of black rock with three smooth facets, apparently broken off the corner of a larger object.

Something Todd Rice needs to avoid?

Nope, it was a piece off of the Erebus Altar which Fury and Green Flame were blackmailed into obtaining for Shade, in the same story as the violin Fiddler stole.

I knew it had to do with one of the two Post James Robinson, I could see it as something used against The Shade.

The small robot looks similar to the first prototype for the Android mascot: www.theverge.com/2013/1/3/3833376/the-fi...cots-were-terrifying
Although the talking dirty and the cigarette butts bring to mind a certain Bender Bending Rodriguez.
Or some kind of dildo-bot. Offhand, I don't remember any story with a dildo-bot.

A couple clarifications:
1. Since the overall theme seems to be Infinity Inc, I'm guessing that the scarab brooch comes from the Silver Scarab (son of the Golden Age Hawkman and Hawkgirl), not from the Blue Beetle.
2. The Cosmic Converter Belt was indeed Silvester Pemberton's (Star-Spangled Kid/Skyman) gimmick, but Courtney Whitmore (the second Star-Spangled Kid) was not his stepdaughter; rather, she was the stepdaughter of Pemberton's former sidekick, Pat Dugan a.k.a. Stripesy (who became *her* sidekick using an armored suit named S.T.R.I.P.E.) After Jack Knight (the seventh Starman) retired from superheroing, he gave her his power staff, and she took the name Stargirl.

Sir Lee wrote: Or some kind of dildo-bot. Offhand, I don't remember any story with a dildo-bot.

No, although given what its intended use was, and how it actually performed it, this is uncomfortably close. If I were Annarchy, I would be afraid around this thing (though I am not sure if 'fear' is a concept she understands).

Schol-R-LEA wrote: And because I've inexplicably been watching a lot of a certain dryly sarcastic YouTube channel lately: A large-ish and singularly armored submarine with a pair of 203mm/50 naval cannons (Modele 1924) mounted in a turret in front of the conning tower. Behind the tower is a seaplane hangar. Where it has been all these years remains a mystery which at least two different navies would like answered, as is how it got to Whateley.

is this a double hull sub? originally built for the Japanese Imperial Navy?

mhalpern wrote:

Schol-R-LEA wrote: And because I've inexplicably been watching a lot of a certain dryly sarcastic YouTube channel lately: A large-ish and singularly armored submarine with a pair of 203mm/50 naval cannons (Modele 1924) mounted in a turret in front of the conning tower. Behind the tower is a seaplane hangar. Where it has been all these years remains a mystery which at least two different navies would like answered, as is how it got to Whateley.

is this a double hull sub? originally built for the Japanese Imperial Navy?

No, this is Surcouf. If Surcouf wasn't the strangest submarine ever built, it ranks up there. The Washington Naval Treaty limited cruiser construction, while submarines were more or less unlimited. The French had a brilliant idea, in the tradition of all the other brilliant French military ideas of the last two centuries: build a submarine that could function as a cruiser. The glorious success of the idea is demonstrated by how many other submarine-cruisers were built.

Hey, at least it wasn't a submarine aircraft carrier...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_submarine_I-25

Astrodragon wrote: Hey, at least it wasn't a submarine aircraft carrier...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_submarine_I-25

What about an unfinished missile submarine? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_U-boat

A teenaged girl, possibly of Polynesian, Latin American, or mixed African and Asian descent, wearing a scarf, and a pair of goggles which are perched on her head. Over her shoulder is a carryall covered in travel stickers reading things such as 'Hogwarts', 'Cynosure', and 'Tannhauser Gate'. She insists that she isn't lost, however, because she's always right where she needs to be.

I'll answer one of my outstanding items RSN, but for now I have a new one: a large suit of full-plate armor which appears to be enameled in black, with yellow highlights. Attached to the back is a pole carrying a white flag. The owner will want this back eventually, but for now he's earned that respite he said he'd never had before.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: I'll answer one of my outstanding items RSN, but for now I have a new one: a large suit of full-plate armor which appears to be enameled in black, with yellow highlights. Attached to the back is a pole carrying a white flag. The owner will want this back eventually, but for now he's earned that respite he said he'd never had before.

Is this the armour worn by Brave Sir Robin?

Mister D wrote:

Schol-R-LEA wrote: I'll answer one of my outstanding items RSN, but for now I have a new one: a large suit of full-plate armor which appears to be enameled in black, with yellow highlights. Attached to the back is a pole carrying a white flag. The owner will want this back eventually, but for now he's earned that respite he said he'd never had before.

Is this the armour worn by Brave Sir Robin?

If it was, the steel trousers would be rusted

No, nothing so well-known, really. Also, Bek's point stands.

I did say I'd explain one of my remaining previous ones, so:
Three loop-handled vases - one blue, one red, and one golden - with odd inscriptions on them. Tied to one of them is a note written in somewhat archaic Japanese.

The Fox Urns which held the directions to the Japanese Nannichuan in the Ranma 1/2 broadcast anime series (they weren't part of the story arc in either the manga or the live action television special). The note reads something like, "To our customers: We are sorry, this magical spring is no longer in service. If you need further support, please visit the original Spring of the Drowned Man at our main location at Jusenkyo, China."

To recap again, my outstanding items are:

• A pendant made of an unusual egg-shaped red crystal, with sections of a stylized face on it but not arranged in the usual fashion (e.g., the nose is off to one side, the eyes are in different places, the mouth is tilted and off to one side, etc.). It has a detectable magical radiation with an Infernal taint (not that anyone from where it is from would be able to tell).
  
• A bowl of natto with a pestle, and a pair of red-rimmed glasses (in an unfashionable women's design) half sticking out of it. The smell of masochism accompanies that of the fermented beans. The owner rather needs those spectacles back, but the wavy-haired guy whom she wants to find would pay more to make sure they stay lost (well, he would, if either of them had any money in the first place).
  
• A large wooden tooth the size of a man's palm. It appears to have grown into the shape rather than being carved. Seeing it gives you a sense of dread, and you can swear you hear banjo music in the distance.
  
• A bullet-shaped metal robot, perhaps 7" (18cm) tall, with an antenna ending in a glowing knob on the top of its head and a trough or tube protruding from its groin. It likes to talk dirty. Surrounding it are desiccated orange rinds and cigarette butts. If I were Annarchy, I would be afraid around this thing (though I am not sure if 'fear' is a concept she understands).
  
• A teenaged girl, possibly of Polynesian, Latin American, or mixed African and Asian descent, wearing a scarf, and a pair of goggles which are perched on her head. Over her shoulder is a carryall covered in travel stickers reading things such as 'Hogwarts', 'Cynosure', and 'Tannhauser Gate'. She insists that she isn't lost, however, because she's always right where she needs to be.
  
• A large suit of full-plate armor which appears to be enameled in black, with yellow highlights. Attached to the back is a pole carrying a white flag. The owner will want this back eventually, but for now he's earned that respite he said he'd never had before.

A backpack consisting of two liquid tanks - one marked 'H₂O', the other, 'PCox' - under which is boiler and a high-pressure condenser. It has a tube leading to a spray nozzle. In the box with it are what appear to be muskets, cavalry sabers, and shako hats made for toy soldiers, and part of a torn military sash.

OK, another explanation from my outstanding items:
A pendant made of an unusual egg-shaped red crystal, with sections of a stylized face on it but not arranged in the usual fashion (e.g., the nose is off to one side, the eyes are in different places, the mouth is tilted and off to one side, etc.). It has a detectable magical radiation with an Infernal taint (not that anyone from where it is from would be able to tell).

The Crimson Beherit, carried by Griffith in Berserk, which

Note that I don't really know the series, so I may have misunderstood some aspects of it.

Sir Lee wrote: A set of what appears to be zero-prescription spectacles, a pair of old-style hard contact lenses, and a magnifying glass that also does not seem to do much magnifying. If you concentrate when using any of them, you might visualize images of other places.

This is a rather obscure one... extra hints:
1. YA. (I rather enjoyed it back in my early teens)
2. Not Brazilian or originally Portuguese-language.
3. Not originally English-language either. Actually, I Googled it this afternoon but couldn't find a mention in English.

OK, it has been a few months and I actually had forgotten I left this one sitting...

These come from a Seventies young-adult German sci-fi book series by Rolf Ulrici named Raumschiff Monitor, literally Spaceship Monitor. They were translated to Portuguese back when I was a kid -- but apparently not to any other language, from what I could Google. The magnifying glass, spectacles and contact lenses were different versions of a secret telepathic communications device which the Elderly Wise Scientist(tm) who created all the super-advanced tech in the series entrusted only to his own brothers and the Bunch of Plucky Kids(tm) who he lends the aforementioned spaceship to so they can go after the villains. OK, quite cheesy in retrospect, but hey, I was ten.

New one, as I revisit a series I'd stopped following some years back: A white stone brooch in the form of a stylized horse skull. When held or worn, transforms the wearer as an anthropomorphic animal version of themselves. Oddly, if the wearer has any extra appendages or unusual features (such as horns or wings for an animal type which doesn't usually have those), those will be hidden. Quadrupedal or multipedal individuals will become bipeds. The back is inscribed with the words, "I will never understand why you wanted this, but it was your birthday request so here you are. Fortunately, it was easy enough to craft. Your loving brother, Aliph."

EDIT: Oops, it is an actual transformation, not an illusion. There are a few instances where removing it has had physical effects on clothing, and one quadruped whom it changed had problems with balance.

A collection of snowglobes for locations in Nevada and southeastern California.

A broken perfume bottle, mixed in with shards of pink quartz glass from a much larger object.

A metal rod shaped like a handle grip, with a button on one side and a bright safety-orange ball on the end. When the button is pressed, the ball seems to float away from the handle, up to a distance of two meters depending on how long you hold the button. You really, really don't want to get between the handle and the ball.

Oh, and I owe all of you a solution to an outstanding one:

A bullet-shaped metal robot, perhaps 7" (18cm) tall, with an antenna ending in a glowing knob on the top of its head and a trough or tube protruding from its groin. It likes to talk dirty. Surrounding it are desiccated orange rinds and cigarette butts. If I were Annarchy, I would be afraid around this thing (though I am not sure if 'fear' is a concept she understands).

The Fruit Fucker 2000 from Penny Arcade, a model of orange juicer with a very... direct approach to preparing drinks.


Annarchy is the online handle for Tycho's niece, who was way more hardcore than her uncle even when she was 11.

The rod with the orange ball - a variable sword from Larry Niven's Known Space, you don't want to get in the way of an extremely fine wire covered in a statis field

Correct, Astro.

Another answer: A bowl of natto with a pestle, and a pair of red-rimmed glasses (in an unfashionable women's design) half sticking out of it. The smell of masochism accompanies that of the fermented beans. The owner rather needs those spectacles back, but the wavy-haired guy whom she wants to find would pay more to make sure they stay lost (well, he would, if either of them had any money in the first place).

These belong to Ayame Sarutobi from GinTama. Poor Sa-chan, Gintoki is never going to find her anything but creepy. Note that the natto is as much a weapon for this kunoichi as it is a diet aid.

And another new one: a yellowing dossier marked FOGBANK, containing details for a chemical process used to manufacture an aerogel compound. The papers inside date from the 1970s, and if word of it being here gets out, some people wearing dark suits and sunglasses will be by soon to ask some sharp questions to several of the Gadgeteer alumi.

A set of fool's motley, complete with bells, that has stains of saltpeter crystals on it.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: And another new one: a yellowing dossier marked FOGBANK, containing details for a chemical process used to manufacture an aerogel compound. The papers inside date from the 1970s, and if word of it being here gets out, some people wearing dark suits and sunglasses will be by soon to ask some sharp questions to several of the Gadgeteer alumi.

It probably would not have helped. If they were using acetonitrile for the solvent in a modified Stöber process and supercritical drying using carbon dioxide, where the acetonitrile came from and whether it contained acrylonitrile could be important.

Edit: It's also possible they were taking advantage of supercritical acetonitrile's behavior as a co-solvent with supercritical carbon dioxide. If the issue wasn't structural, there could have been an issue with the U and Th content in their zirconia supplier. Does that help?

A very large sheet of green plastic film, folded in a package slightly smaller than 10x7 feet. When unfolded, a pattern of broad white straight lines is revealed, following the entire border of the sheet and also splitting the area in ten rectangles of various sizes, in a symmetrical pattern. Attached to it is a note: "If found, deliver to Nichole Reilly."

null0trooper wrote:

Schol-R-LEA wrote: And another new one: a yellowing dossier marked FOGBANK, containing details for a chemical process used to manufacture an aerogel compound. The papers inside date from the 1970s, and if word of it being here gets out, some people wearing dark suits and sunglasses will be by soon to ask some sharp questions to several of the Gadgeteer alumi.

It probably would not have helped. If they were using acetonitrile for the solvent in a modified Stöber process and supercritical drying using carbon dioxide, where the acetonitrile came from and whether it contained acrylonitrile could be important.

Edit: It's also possible they were taking advantage of supercritical acetonitrile's behavior as a co-solvent with supercritical carbon dioxide. If the issue wasn't structural, there could have been an issue with the U and Th content in their zirconia supplier. Does that help?

I will admit that I don't know enough about aerogel production processes to say, though at least some reports indicate that acetonitrile was part of the process. Also, the word 'supercritical' is indeed apt in this context, as is the mention of uranium, if for very different reasons unrelated to the manufacturing process (and yes, unintended radioisotope traces might have been a potential problem for its use, I expect).

The bigger issue was the intended use of this specific aerogel... and the embarrassment during the 1990s of having lost the manufacturing information at a time when they needed to restart production.

Not that it appears to have mattered, since at least one student, who graduated before that file ended up at Whateley, managed to solve the same technical issue it was used for on his own (or at least, he got a-hold of the requisite information some other way). Fortunately, it is hard to focus on using those kinds of devices when your wife is doing certain things to you by remote.

A glass tumbler filled with ice water, which somehow constantly maintains a temperature of 269 K without either freezing or heating up. At the bottom of the tumbler is a small toroidal rubber piece off of a car.

A pendant consisting of a hemispherical red stone and a gold casing. The rear panel can be opened to reveal a clockwork/electrical/alchemical device; any devisor or mage trying to understand it will just get a headache, but one who is both would have some sense of how it is meant to work even if they can't figure out all of the details other than that it seems to be have four duplicated sub-units. On the rear is an inscription reading "Operationzkuchel Experimenten, Tip 95" (the spelling of which would also give some people a headache) followed by a hand-carved "Gotte sei Denk" (ditto).

Court wrote: A set of fool's motley, complete with bells, that has stains of saltpeter crystals on it.

The wearer was eaten during a bad winter. And there was great rejoicing.

Speaking of stringed instruments, allow me to explain one of my hanging items: A large wooden tooth the size of a man's palm. It appears to have grown into the shape rather than being carved. Seeing it gives you a sense of dread, and you can swear you hear banjo music in the distance.
A tooth from a Redneck Tree , of course.

Perhaps that explains why the character sheet for them was found nearby?

Another answer, and a recap of the outstanding items.
A large suit of full-plate armor which appears to be enameled in black, with yellow highlights. Attached to the back is a pole carrying a white flag. The owner will want this back eventually, but for now he's earned that respite he said he'd never had before.
The panoply of the Knight in Jet and Gold, also called the Knight of the Blank Banner, a servant of the Cosmic Balance who appears in the Champion Eternal stories, most notably in the Erekosë Cycle and Hawkmoon Cycle (he does appear briefly in one of the Corum Cycles, I think, but AFAIK none of the Elric Cycle or Cornelius Chronicles stories have him show up - at least, not under those names).

So, still outstanding:

• A pendant consisting of a hemispherical red stone and a gold casing. The rear panel can be opened to reveal a clockwork/electrical/alchemical device; any devisor or mage trying to understand it will just get a headache, but one who is both would have some sense of how it is meant to work even if they can't figure out all of the details other than that it seems to be have four duplicated sub-units. On the rear is an inscription reading "Operationzkuchel Experimenten, Tip 95" (the spelling of which would also give some people a headache) followed by a hand-carved "Gotte sei Denk" (ditto).
• A glass tumbler filled with ice water, which somehow constantly maintains a temperature of 269 K without either freezing or heating up. At the bottom of the tumbler is a small toroidal rubber piece off of a car. [note: this is a reference to an event in real life, and the most public scene from a life lived curiously.]
• A yellowing dossier marked FOGBANK, containing details for a chemical process used to manufacture an aerogel compound. The papers inside date from the 1970s, and if word of it being here gets out, some people wearing dark suits and sunglasses will be by soon to ask some sharp questions to several of the Gadgeteer alumni. [note: this is a real-world thing, not a literary or film reference, and while DARPA eventually reverse engineered a substitute, they really would love it if a cache of documents on the process were to show up (though the actual problem was less a case of missing folders and more of institutional experience lost over time as the original manufacturing plant got shut down).]
• A broken perfume bottle, mixed in with shards of pink quartz glass from a much larger object.
• A white stone brooch in the form of a stylized horse skull. When held or worn, transforms the wearer as an anthropomorphic animal version of themselves. Oddly, if the wearer has any extra appendages or unusual features (such as horns or wings for an animal type which doesn't usually have those), those will be hidden. Quadrupedal or multipedal individuals will become bipeds. The back is inscribed with the words, "I will never understand why you wanted this, but it was your birthday request so here you are. Fortunately, it was easy enough to craft. Your loving brother, Aliph."
• A backpack consisting of two liquid tanks - one marked 'H2O', the other, 'PCox' - under which is boiler and a high-pressure condenser. It has a tube leading to a spray nozzle. In the box with it are what appear to be muskets, cavalry sabers, and shako hats made for toy soldiers, and part of a torn military sash.
• A teenaged girl, possibly of Polynesian, Latin American, or mixed African and Asian descent, wearing a scarf, and a pair of goggles which are perched on her head. Over her shoulder is a carryall covered in travel stickers reading things such as 'Hogwarts', 'Cynosure', and 'Tannhauser Gate'. She insists that she isn't lost, however, because she's always right where she needs to be.

A small green and grey medallion with clovers and horse-shoes in the design, it has blood on it

This one has gone unnoticed for two weeks... since it's less of a puzzle than a terrible pun which I should be ashamed of, I'll give the answer here.

Sir Lee wrote: A very large sheet of green plastic film, folded in a package slightly smaller than 10x7 feet. When unfolded, a pattern of broad white straight lines is revealed, following the entire border of the sheet and also splitting the area in ten rectangles of various sizes, in a symmetrical pattern. Attached to it is a note: "If found, deliver to Nichole Reilly."

The "pattern of broad white lines" on a green sheet is a tennis court. To get it to a 10x7 feet package, you have to fold it five times. Therefore... a five-fold court.

Sir Lee wrote: The "pattern of broad white lines" on a green sheet is a tennis court. To get it to a 10x7 feet package, you have to fold it five times. Therefore... a five-fold court.

Ouch.

I never would have figured that one out

Another answer, the outstanding items.
A teenaged girl, possibly of Polynesian, Latin American, or mixed African and Asian descent, wearing a scarf, and a pair of goggles which are perched on her head. Over her shoulder is a carryall covered in travel stickers reading things such as 'Hogwarts', 'Cynosure', and 'Tannhauser Gate'. She insists that she isn't lost, however, because she's always right where she needs to be.

If anything, the biggest surprise is that Jenny Everywhere hasn't shown up in canon already.

An oversized metal poker chip with a miniaturized data recording hidden inside it.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: An oversized metal poker chip with a miniaturized data recording hidden inside it.

Is that one of the McGuffin's used by the villain from "Dream Park"?

Maguffin, yes, but I have never read Dream Park, so no. It is one of the few novel series by Larry Niven I don't know anything about.

(Come to think of it, this may be a bit too plot-relevant to be a maguffin per se. Also, it was one of six, but the others were red herrings.)

Schol-R-LEA wrote: Maguffin, yes, but I have never read Dream Park, so no. It is one of the few novel series by Larry Niven I don't know anything about.

(Come to think of it, this may be a bit too plot-relevant to be a maguffin per se. Also, it was one of six, but the others were red herrings.)

Ok, that works, as the MacGuffin from Dream Park had more than six, and they were identical.

Hmmn, I am now quite glad I didn't use the oversized fuzzy dice which had been one of the others (you find the one who was transporting those after they'd been delivered, though he wasn't in very good shape by the time you find him), as those would have been way too obscure and generic. I guess the source for this one wasn't as well known as I thought, or perhaps people have simply forgotten.

New explanation:
A backpack consisting of two liquid tanks - one marked 'H2O', the other, 'PCox' - under which is boiler and a high-pressure condenser. It has a tube leading to a spray nozzle. In the box with it are what appear to be muskets, cavalry sabers, and shako hats made for toy soldiers, and part of a torn military sash.

Bob Feeple 's Steam-Powered Pregento Conoxide pest control rig, developed by the world famous Dr. Steamhead, from Ninja High School. It must have been dropped when he was dragged into Dimension X, where he would rally the revolution against the Rat King.

I really thought this one would have been easy: A broken perfume bottle, mixed in with shards of pink quartz glass from a much larger object.

The bottle of Nostalgia which Laurie chucked at the wall of Dr Manhattan's flying glass clockwork.

And another new one to add to the pile: a mandible from an equine, with a significant amount of dried blood on one end.

Also, a US Army Air Corps medal awarded for dropping a bomb load in a perfect pattern.

OK, here's another answer for everyone (I think Null knew it, but he didn't says so outright or explain it to anyone):
A yellowing dossier marked FOGBANK, containing details for a chemical process used to manufacture an aerogel compound. The papers inside date from the 1970s, and if word of it being here gets out, some people wearing dark suits and sunglasses will be by soon to ask some sharp questions to several of the Gadgeteer alumni.

FOGBANK supposedly is the code-name for the infamous 'missing' classified material which NNSA no longer had the institutional knowledge to produce when the US nuclear arsenal was scheduled to be maintained and updated in the late 1990s.

While not much is known about it for certain, it is generally thought to have been an 'interstage material' which would get superheated by the fission primary in a way which compresses the fusion secondary; the secondary generates fast neutrons which in most bombs then trigger an otherwise mostly inert fission tertiary stage made from U-238.

(Two-stage fusion weapons were made at times, usually either to reduce fission product release or to save weight. For example, Tsar Bomba was designed to be a three-stage bomb, but they concluded that testing a 100 MT device anywhere on the planet would produce more fallout than even Khrushchev was ready to sign off on, so they replaced the uranium tamper with lead. As a result, the 58MT yield actually achieved was 95% fusion, which was the highest ratio of any known atmospheric test. Despite producing a smaller amount of fission products per megaton of yield than any other test, it still accounted for about a quarter of all fallout released in all atmospheric tests world-wide

Note that, as I mentioned elsewhere, in the real world the secret was 'missing' not because it was misplaced or stolen, but because the documentation was never completed and most of those who knew the details of the manufacturing process had either retired or died by 1995. They eventually worked out a process for similar material which was used as a substitute.

Answer for yet another one no one caught:
A pendant consisting of a hemispherical red stone and a gold casing. The rear panel can be opened to reveal a clockwork/electrical/alchemical device; any devisor or mage trying to understand it will just get a headache, but one who is both would have some sense of how it is meant to work even if they can't figure out all of the details other than that it seems to be have four duplicated sub-units. On the rear is an inscription reading "Operationzkuchel Experimenten, Tip 95" (the spelling of which would also give some people a headache) followed by a hand-carved "Gotte sei Denk" (ditto).

The unique (and possibly divinely-empowered) Elenium Type 95 Operation Orb used as a magical focus by Lt. Col. Tanya von Degurechaff, aka Tanya the Evil . The writing isn't quite German, since this parallel world isn't entirely the same as our own.

(Oops, wrong thread. Please delete.)

Another week, another answer:
A glass tumbler filled with ice water, which somehow constantly maintains a temperature of 269 K without either freezing or heating up. At the bottom of the tumbler is a small toroidal rubber piece off of a car.

The ice water glass and rubber o-ring used by Richard Feynman in the 'demonstration' which he, Gen. Kutyna, and Sally Ride sprung on the other members of the Challenger investigation commission during a press conference.
Why the water now retains that temperature to this day isn't clear, however.

POLITICAL THEATER INTENSIFIES
Ride knew of the o-ring problems from earlier shuttle flights (including one of those she'd flown on herself, supposedly), and passed that on to Kutyna (who was aware that the pressure to keep the launch schedules came mainly from the Air Force and the CIA, since they had only backed the shuttle program because it was expected to make more frequent launches than existing boosters), who then hinted at the problem to Feynman (he mentioned in passing that he'd had a problem with an o-ring on his car, making it clear indirectly that he knew where the failure point was already but couldn't say so) in the correct expectation that he was the one member of the Rogers Commission who was in a position to point it out (since he wasn't tied to NASA, the government, or any of the contractors, and was dying of cancer by that time anyway, so he had nothing to lose for saying what several of the others wanted said).

It later came out that, aside from his prestige as a Nobel laureate, the whole point of putting him on the Commission was to have someone who could do that - many of the others knew what had really happened already, but several wanted to whitewash it, and those who didn't couldn't risk being the whistleblower. Some of the pro-whistleblowing faction basically agreed that they needed to bring in someone would could appear to have worked it out independently, and managed to ninja Dr. Feynman onto the commission. They were aware of Feynman's reputation for being a maverick and something of a showman, and some even knew how ill he was by that time (a certain amount of institutional guilt may have been part of it, too, since it was thought that his cancer may have been caused by radiation exposure during his time at Los Alamos, and some of the long-time government people may have wanted to give him one last chance to shine as a sort of repayment). He was free to say something the others didn't want said without ruining his career.

Supposedly, Gen. Yeager was their backup plan in this, since he'd retired by then and they knew he'd had a long-running beef with NASA following some of the malarkey over the X-15 program, but were wary of him since they didn't know how he would side. One source also seemed to think that Yeager was tight with Armstrong (which contradicts other things I've read which said they didn't get along at all), who (again, according to this source, which I am not sure I trust) was solidly in the 'whitewash' camp, and the would-be whistleblowers didn't want him getting wind of certain of their plans.

While they couldn't risk telling him anything outright, everyone sort of understood what his role in all of this was going to be (which is why those who were against admitting the truth tried to keep him away from certain parts of the investigation), and while he played coy about in his final memoirs (had to keep up that rep as a lone-wolf genius-from-Mars super-scientist, after all), Feynman almost certainly understood what going on from the start, too. Even if he didn't, there's no doubt that he knew the score soon enough, since despite his protests to the contrary, several of his actions during the investigation make it clear that he understood his role in the whole charade.

Answers again:
An oversized metal poker chip with a miniaturized data recording hidden inside it.

The platinum chip containing the software for updating Mr. House's custom Securitrons, the delivery (and theft) of which set the events of Fallout: New Vegas in motion.

Recapping my outstanding elements:

• A white stone brooch in the form of a stylized horse skull. When held or worn, transforms the wearer as an anthropomorphic animal version of themselves. Oddly, if the wearer has any extra appendages or unusual features (such as horns or wings for an animal type which doesn't usually have those), those will be hidden. Quadrupedal or multipedal individuals will become bipeds. The back is inscribed with the words, "I will never understand why you wanted this, but it was your birthday request so here you are. Fortunately, it was easy enough to craft. Your loving brother, Aliph."
• A mandible from an equine, with a significant amount of dried blood on one end.
• A US Army Air Corps medal awarded for dropping a bomb load in a perfect pattern.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: Recapping my outstanding elements:

[*] A US Army Air Corps medal awarded for dropping a bomb load in a perfect pattern.

This would be the medal for going around twice?

No. Quite the opposite, actually. Also, if you are referring to Memphis Belle, this was a bit southerly of that attack.

And if you mean the instance where they went around twice before shifting to a secondary target, this wasn't in that theater of operations, so no one's luck was involved here. For those who understand this real-world reference, counselling will be provided...

The unorthodox uniform worn to the award ceremony was notable as well.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: A mandible from an equine, with a significant amount of dried blood on one end.

Depending on the source universe, Samson's jawbone of a donkey, and/or Cain's weapon of choice.

The former, Samson's jawbone of an ass.

Which to this day is also a common method of killing business agreements, wedding plans, and friendships.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: No. Quite the opposite, actually. Also, if you are referring to Memphis Belle, this was a bit southerly of that attack.

And if you mean the instance where they went around twice before shifting to a secondary target, this wasn't in that theater of operations, so no one's luck was involved here. For those who understand this real-world reference, counselling will be provided...

The unorthodox uniform worn to the award ceremony was notable as well.

Finally remembered the name of the book.

Catch 22 by Joseph Heller, about the stupidities of both war and bureaucracies. One character received a medal for performing the same bombing run twice.

But it's not that medal or that book...

Mister D wrote:

Schol-R-LEA wrote: No. Quite the opposite, actually. Also, if you are referring to Memphis Belle, this was a bit southerly of that attack.

And if you mean the instance where they went around twice before shifting to a secondary target, this wasn't in that theater of operations, so no one's luck was involved here. For those who understand this real-world reference, counselling will be provided...

The unorthodox uniform worn to the award ceremony was notable as well.

Finally remembered the name of the book.

Catch 22 by Joseph Heller, about the stupidities of both war and bureaucracies. One character received a medal for performing the same bombing run twice.

But it's not that medal or that book...

Right story, wrong medium (I think the scene I have in mind was only in the film version, it's been way too long since I read the book).

In the film, Yossarian panics and drops a load of bombs into the sea. His superiors decide that they could either court-martial him and be embarrassed by the situation themselves, or reward him and cover the whole thing up.

Also in the film, Yossarian shows up to the awards ceremony naked. I think that this did happen in the book, too, but for a different situation.


Note that the second paragraph is a very nasty historical reference to 'Kokura's luck' - the primary target on August 9th, 1945 was Kokura, but it was clouded over and, after two passes, they redirected to their secondary target: Nagasaki. As a result, for a time in Japan the phrase 'Kokura's luck' basically meant avoiding a possible disaster you didn't notice until later through sheer chance.

I didn't know that someone had made a film of it.

The adaptation would be a chewy exercise, as there's a lot of background flavour that would be difficult to fit in to a 2 hour flick.

Added to my to-watch list. TY

Also, i hadn't remembered the phrase "Kokura's luck"

Chewy and horrifying.

The film came out in 1970, and according to Wicked-Pedo , was a bit overshadowed at the time by the film version of M*A*S*H, which came out a few months earlier.

When I was about 8, I got a cache of older Mad Magazine issues from my best friend's older sister, and one of them had their spoof, Catch-All-22 . In the end, it shows 'Woessarian' (I think that was the name they used; he had been trying to get out the whole time - not out of the Army, out of the film) wandering through Rome, and seeing all these terrible things going on, when he suddenly is overjoyed: "I made it! I'm no longer in Catch-All-22, I've escaped into a Fellini film!"

A set of three ship uniform patches:
- A round, blue/light blue with gold lettering and a front view of an unusually-shaped ship and its auxiliary vessel;
- An hexagonal, red-and-white with black lettering, a three-quarters view of a ship and a logo composed of five smaller hexagons;
- A blue-triangle-over-a-black-stripe one with just the ship's designation

7 months worth of lost forum posts? ;p

Sir Lee wrote: A set of three ship uniform patches:
- A round, blue/light blue with gold lettering and a front view of an unusually-shaped ship and its auxiliary vessel;
- An hexagonal, red-and-white with black lettering, a three-quarters view of a ship and a logo composed of five smaller hexagons;
- A blue-triangle-over-a-black-stripe one with just the ship's designation

No takers? OK, extra clues. Not spaceships, and while they aren't from the same fictional context, they have something in common.

Is the second one the patch from the Fantastic Voyage team?

Yes, 1/3 of a point to Astro.

"A round, blue/light blue with gold lettering and a front view of an unusually-shaped ship and its auxiliary vessel"
From the Seaview?

Yes, another 1/3 point awarded.

Another one:
The broken remains of three M-16 assault rifles which went through a very rough time, a LOT of empty magazines and spent cartridges for said rifles, and the tatters of a set of torn blue and black medieval-style armor, including a brown tabard/cuirass decorated with a red double-headed axe.

Sir Lee wrote: A set of three ship uniform patches:
- A round, blue/light blue with gold lettering and a front view of an unusually-shaped ship and its auxiliary vessel;
- An hexagonal, red-and-white with black lettering, a three-quarters view of a ship and a logo composed of five smaller hexagons;
- A blue-triangle-over-a-black-stripe one with just the ship's designation

OK, since nobody even tried guessing the third one, here are the three patches:

Sir Lee wrote: Another one:
The broken remains of three M-16 assault rifles which went through a very rough time, a LOT of empty magazines and spent cartridges for said rifles, and the tatters of a set of torn blue and black medieval-style armor, including a brown tabard/cuirass decorated with a red double-headed axe.

No takers? Maybe I should give you more hints?
No, I don't think so.
...and that answer is enough.

Sir Lee wrote:

Sir Lee wrote: Another one:
The broken remains of three M-16 assault rifles which went through a very rough time, a LOT of empty magazines and spent cartridges for said rifles, and the tatters of a set of torn blue and black medieval-style armor, including a brown tabard/cuirass decorated with a red double-headed axe.

No takers? Maybe I should give you more hints?
No, I don't think so.
...and that answer is enough.

Is this from the "Janissaries" novel by Niven & Pournelle?

Mister D wrote: Is this from the "Janissaries" novel by Niven & Pournelle?

No. Wrong medium and wrong genre.
Also, and beside the point, Pournelle didn't partner with Niven for that book series.

I didn't know it was a series.