This geocache is intended solely as a fan tribute to the comic book, so all artwork depected here is owned by its actual creators. The geocache is intended for release as part of the Fraser Valley Cache Bash #8 events (2025). Aside from the artwork, there are helpful & informative links within the text of the geocache page.
GROO THE WANDERER is a fantasy/comedy comic book character created by Sergio Aragonés, a Spanish/Mexican cartoonist who was previously famous for his work with MAD Magazine. The stories were written and drawn by Aragonés, dialogued and edited by writer Mark Evanier, lettered by Stan Sakai and colored by Tom Luth. Over the years, Groo has been published by Pacific Comics, Eclipse Comics (one special issue), Marvel Comics (under its Epic imprint), Image Comics and Dark Horse Comics. Groo was among the first widely successful creator-owned comics creations, and is one of the longest-running collaborations in comic book history. The comic was intended as a comedic series, a parody of the popular sword & sorcery genre of comics and movies (such as Conan the Barbarian) that were very popular around the time of this comic's creation. (Perhaps a touch of Asterix and Inspector Clouseau as well.)
The main character is GROO THE WANDERER, a mostly heroic barbarian warrior who causes destruction and chaos wherewver he travels. He is incredibly deadly in battle, especially at swordsmanship. Groo has slain entire armies with nothing more than his swords, which are a pair of katanas. Groo loves these frays, and often charges into the melee with a cry of "Now Groo does what Groo does best!" However, even more devastating is Groo's incompetence in virtually all other things; he is an ignorant buffoon, hot-tempered and prone to misunderstanding social situations, and terribly accident-prone. He is often indiscriminate in the use of his battle skills, usually leaping into a fray before understanding the reasons.
Even when Groo does join battle intending to fight for a particular side, he is prone to forget which side he is on or gets tricked into fighting his unfortunate allies, often causing him to utter "Did I err?" in confusion once everybody is dead. Though not intentional, he has sunken ships simply by being on them, overthrown kingdoms, destroyed entire civilizations - some people flee just hearing that he is approaching. Sometimes Groo ends up having to escape from the wrath of the many innocents whose communities he has inadvertently destroyed while trying to save them.
However, Groo also has a sort of fool's luck, through sheer idiocy somehow thwarting those who seek to manipulate or destroy him, surviving situations where he should be dead, or ending up as a triumphant hero despite himself. Groo has many other recurring characters he has encountered in his adventures, but his sidekick and only true friend is his faithful canine companion Rufferto - the dog sees him as a hero and trusts him even when others (perhaps wisely) do not. Together they go on adventures that constantly test the warrior's mettle (and society's patience).
SOLVING THE PUZZLE:
The geocache is not located at the posted coordinates; you must solve the puzzle to find the cache coordinates. Everything you need to solve this puzzle is located on the cache page, or included in the links provided above (so read carefully, and do not bother with Google). To discover the missing variables for the final location, figure out the clues and then use the coordinates formula below.
A = The number of letters in the type of edged weapon Groo fights best with
B = Number of letters in Groo's name, minus the number of letters if you spell it backwards
C = Number of letters in Groo's favourite word for a battle.
D = Number of letters in the name of Groo's dog.
E = Number of letters in the Japanese name for the type of sword that Groo usually wields two of.
F = Number of letters in the probably insulting word Groo hates (don't call him this, I beg you).
G = Number of letters in the word which the comic title describes Groo as.
H = Number of katanas that Groo usually wields in a fray.
COORDINATES FORMULA:
N49 0A.BCD W122 2E.FGH
CACHE LOCATION & INFORMATION:
The geocache is not located at the posted coordinates. A geochecker has been provided for you to input the solved coordinates and get more helpful information on how to access it. You should also use the Hint, because it exists to make a simple puzzle even easier..
The cache is a small cylinder which contains a log sheet, and perhaps a pencil. Not much room for swag inside, so please do not add any.
Please be cautious while accessing the cache, and put it back in the way it was when you found it.
** First to defeat This Foe was SGCallen ! North of 49, 1in7 and Bad_Bunny_Bites_You were next ! **