Howling Grotto is the sixth area of The Messenger. It is a cave filled with wind tunnels, and Ninja glides on the wind tunnels via the Wingsuit. Howling Grotto was once the home to a race of cave-dwelling creatures who built structures out of the emerald found in the cave.
The west side of Howling Grotto is accessed from Bamboo Creek, and the east side leads to Quillshroom Marsh. In 16-bit, an underwater maze leads to the Sunken Shrine.
Appearance[]
Howling Grotto is a green-themed cave with green architecture and blue objects. Much of the architecture has triangle designs. The cave is filled with emeralds.
Items[]
8-Bit[]
- Ninja obtains the Wingsuit as his second free upgrade from The Shopkeeper.
Power Seals[]
- For the main article, see Power Seals.
Linear[]
Power Seal #1[]
In 8-bit, in a tall room with three Ranged Kappa in a vertical line directly across from four breakable blocks, break the blocks and head right into the Power Seal room. Fly through the air currents while avoiding sawblades, spikes, and swinging spikeballs in order to reach the Power Seal.
Final[]
Power Seal #2[]
In 16-bit, in a tall room with a time rift and a single breakable block in the middle of the room on the right edge, break the block and head right into the Power Seal room. Avoid the crusher blocks that lead into spikes and avoid falling to death while navigating to the Power Seal.
Power Seal #3[]
In 16-bit, in a room where Time Shards form an up arrow near a checkpoint, take the lower-right body of water to the right and into the Power Seal room. Ride the air currents and avoid the crusher blocks to reach the Power Seal. Ninja can safely duck underneath the crusher blocks in the center of the room.
The Shopkeeper's Dialogue[]
Initial Dialogue[]
 Ninja
|
I fell in a pit... |
 Shopkeeper
|
That you did. |
| Ninja
|
That gap is way too wide, there's no way I can make the jump. |
| Shopkeeper
|
This reminds me of a story... A long time ago, warriors of the Squirrel Clan invented a way to soar through the skies. Touching on a freedom humans could seldom dream of, some would mistake them for gods. |
| Ninja
|
Incredible. |
| Shopkeeper
|
Yeah, whatever. Here's a wingsuit. |
Wingsuit[]
| Ninja
|
Thanks for the wingsuit. |
| Shopkeeper
|
You bet. Don't forget to try it out by pressing and holding [jump button] while airborne. |
| Ninja
|
Why was it free and not the other upgrades? |
| Shopkeeper
|
Because it was mandatory to your progression. You can't save the world if you're stuck in a pit. |
| Ninja
|
Will there be more freebies in the future? |
| Shopkeeper
|
There's only one way to find out, now isn't there? |
| Ninja
|
What do you mean? |
| Shopkeeper
|
I mean you should carry on with your quest, while letting your heart know for sure that this here cursed world and its inhabitants have a lot of surprises left in store for you. |
Current area[]
| Shopkeeper
|
Welcome to the Howling Grotto. |
| Ninja
|
Do people live here? |
| Shopkeeper
|
Some cave dwelling creatures used to, a long time ago. They built structures from the streams of emerald running through the rock, and believed the wind was the breath of a God. |
| Ninja
|
Anything I should know? |
| Shopkeeper
|
Not really, other than IT'S GLIDING TIME! |
| Ninja
|
? |
| Shopkeeper
|
Well, that wingsuit I gave you? |
| Ninja
|
Yeah? |
| Shopkeeper
|
Sorry, I don't have enough contextual data. I meant to say something that would make sense regardless of whether you had already used the wingsuit to ride the wind tunnels. |
| Ninja
|
You're being awkward now. |
| Shopkeeper
|
What's wrong with you, I gave you something that virtually lets you fly and you'd rather stay here and chat? |
[]
- For the main article, see The Shopkeeper's Stories.
| Ninja
|
Do you have any stories to share? |
| Shopkeeper
|
Of course, here's one for you. There once was a king who had a pretty rough time managing his emotions. Experiencing nothing but extremes, he would always feel either too excited or too depressed, which caused him to never get anything done. Just as he was about to lose all hope of getting his life together and be a viable ruler for his people, he was visited by a traveling relic hunter. To rid the king of his woes, the relic hunter gave him a magic ring, promising it would make him sad when he is happy, and happy when he is sad. It worked like a literal charm, and the kingdom became very prosperous as a result. When the king passed away, the castle's wizard promptly grabbed the ring to finally try and understand the source of its power. As it turned out, the ring wasn't magic at all! But how could a non-magic ring make you sad when you are happy and happy when you are sad? |
| Ninja
|
... |
| Shopkeeper
|
... |
| Ninja
|
... |
| Shopkeeper
|
Any guess? |
| Ninja
|
Not really. |
| Shopkeeper
|
It had a small inscription that read "This, too, shall pass". |
| Ninja
|
Woah... that's deep. |
| Shopkeeper
|
It's more than deep, I just gave you the cure for anxiety through a fairytale! |
| Ninja
|
Thanks shopkeeper! |
| Shopkeeper
|
Hey now, don't push it. |
Level boss[]
| Shopkeeper
|
Well, I hope you're up for a challenge. |
| Ninja
|
Why? |
| Shopkeeper
|
Because something big is up next. |
| Ninja
|
What? |
| Shopkeeper
|
Well, let's just say you're about to fight someone who understands that the best defense is a good defense. |
| Ninja
|
Who? |
| Shopkeeper
|
I wish I could tell you. |
| Ninja
|
... |
| Shopkeeper
|
Anyway, your three questions are up, carry on. |
| Ninja
|
Since when is there a three questions rule? |
| Shopkeeper
|
Hey, that's four now! |
Achievements[]
- For the main article, see Achievements.
 |
Hear Today, Gone Tomorrow Make it out of the underwater labyrinth |
Trivia[]
- In the picture files, Howling Grotto's big map icon is split into two separate pieces called "HowlingGrotto," for the actual grotto, and "LostWoods," for the underwater maze. "LostWoods" is a reference to the Lost Woods from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, another maze navigated via music.
- While the Magic Seashell is very helpful in revealing the correct pathway through Howling Grotto's underwater maze, the correct pathway is always static, so the seashell is not needed if the path has been memorized.
Gallery[]
General[]
8-Bit Rooms[]
Interactive Locations Map[]
| Locations in The Messenger | |
|---|---|
| Messenger Island | Ninja Village • Autumn Hills • Forlorn Temple • Catacombs • Bamboo Creek • Howling Grotto • Quillshroom Marsh • Searing Crags • Glacial Peak • Tower of Time • Cloud Ruins • Underworld • Dark Cave • Rivière Turquoise • Sunken Shrine • Elemental Skylands • Corrupted Future • Music Box |
| Voodkin Island | Open Sea • Voodkin Shore • Fire Mountain • Voodoo Heart |
| Miscellaneous Locations | The Shop • Tower of Time HQ • The Craftsman's Corner • The Void |