TOC TOC hints

This is a list of hints for TOC TOC. These hints start out vague and get more specific the deeper you expand in order to try to help you get unstuck while trying to avoid spoiling full solutions.

hints

general
- did you find everything?
  - did you check the edges?
    
    the camera moves with your mouse a bit, maybe you missed something
  - did you talk to everyone?
    
    multiple times?
    
    if people want something, they might hint at what
  - did you find every item?
    
    did you examine them all?
    
    sometimes using items on yourself gives you more hints
    
    did you use them everywhere?
    
    items can be used on people, other items, and hotspots
  - did you find every hotspot?
    
    what's a hotspot?
    
    something you can interact with that's not a person and can't be picked up (e.g. the tiles in the first puzzle)
    
    did you examine them all?
    
    multiple times?
    
    if a hotspot is relevant, it might hint why
- did you walk around?
  - walking around doesn't really matter but you might be blocking your view of something
    
    (it's also just fun to walk around)
gnomes
- how do i open the entrance?
  - try using the tiles
  - how do i use the tiles?
    
    try using items on them
    
    i can't find an item that works?
    
    there's one under the leaf
    
    are there more?
    
    yes, the gnomes each have a rock
    
    how do i get them?
    
    try giving them what they want (see below)
    
    where do i put them?
    
    do the sizes matter?
    
    nah, the rocks are interchangeable
    
    where do the gnomes tell you to put them?
    
    the gnomes' answers don't make sense?
    
    they disagree on the answer
    
    where does the fiery gnome want me to put them?
    
    upper middle left, upper middle right, lower middle
    
    where does the numb gnome want me to put them?
    
    middle left, middle middle, middle right
    
    i still don't know where to put them?
    
    if both gnomes are wrong, what does that leave?
    
    try spots where they both say it's wrong
    
    what spots?
    
    upper middle, lower middle right, lower middle left
- the gnomes won't let me touch their things?
  - what does the fiery gnome want?
    
    they're mad about the worm
    
    how do i make it go away?
    
    try giving it what it wants (see below)
  - what does the numb gnome want?
    
    a cute hat
    
    where do i get that?
    
    is there anything that could substitute a hat?
    
    maybe something cute?
    
    give them the flower
    
    how do i get the flower?
    
    try using items
    
    what can i use on the flower?
    
    use the glass to cut the flower
    
    what glass?
    
    bottom left, poking out of the grass
- the dragonfly won't respond?
  - ignore it, it doesn't do anything
- what does the worm want?
  - a hat
  - where do i get a hat?
    
    are there any hats here?
    
    the gnomes have hats
    
    how do i get a gnome hat?
    
    try trading with the numb gnome (see above)
bunnies
- the vault door won't cooperate?
  - it's stuck, try loosening it
  - how do i loosen it?
    
    are there any items that could loosen it?
    
    maybe something lubricating?
    
    the salesbun has oil
    
    i can't use it?
    
    try giving them what they want (see below)
- what are these hooks?
  - they hold items
  - can i use them?
    
    try moving the items on hooks to other hooks
- what's that mite?
  - you can make it move
  - how do i control it?
    
    try changing its path
    
    how do i change its path?
    
    try re-arranging the items on hooks
    
    what items change its path?
    
    the wheel and the rope
    
    what does the wheel do?
    
    it turns it around
    
    what does the rope do?
    
    it makes it climb down
    
    what do the other items do?
    
    the mite walks past them, but they might block your view
    
    what path should i use?
    
    try left, right, and down
    
    how do i make it go left?
    
    block the right path and leave the left path clear
    
    how?
    
    put both the wheel and the rope on the right
    
    how do i make it go right?
    
    block the left path and leave the right path clear
    
    how?
    
    put both the wheel and the rope on the left
    
    how do i make it go down?
    
    block the right path and bridge the gap
    
    how?
    
    put the wheel on the right and put the rope over the breadbox
- the salesbun won't cooperate?
  - what do they want?
    
    they're hungry
    
    where can i get food?
    
    try using the mite (see above)
    
    i can't pick it up?
    
    try smashing it with the mite
    
    i still can't pick it up?
    
    try the bread, not the peanut
    
    they won't take it?
    
    what do they say about it?
    
    they don't want it plain
    
    what can i combine it with?
    
    are there any condiments?
    
    can any be made?
    
    try smashing the peanut with the mite
- the scared hare won't cooperate?
  - ignore them, they're too scared to do anything
- the mook won't cooperate?
  - try getting rid of them
  - how do i get rid of them?
    
    try using the tnt
    
    how do i use the tnt?
    
    try using the mite first (see above)
    
    i still can't use it?
    
    is there anything that could light it?
    
    the chandelier has candles
    
    i can't reach it?
    
    try using the mite
    
    the candles went out?
    
    one candle is still lit
    
    i can't find it?
    
    make sure it's not blocked by items on hooks
    
    i can't use it on the tnt?
    
    use the candle on the fuse
- the teller won't cooperate?
  - they already unlocked the door, ignore them
mice
- where's the sandwich?
  - the guards are blocking it
  - how do i get past them?
    
    try giving them what they want (see below)
- what's up with the grumpy guard?
  - what do they want?
    
    money
    
    where can i get money?
    
    is there anything that might contain money?
    
    maybe coins?
    
    where could i find some shiny new coins?
    
    is there something else shiny?
    
    the fountain is "glimmering"
    
    i can't use the fountain?
    
    try the altars first (see below)
    
    i've already finished the altars?
    
    when the fountain is off, use a coin on the grumpy guard
- what's up with the sleepy sentry?
  - what do they want?
    
    help sleeping
    
    how do i do that?
    
    is there anything that might help someone sleep?
    
    maybe a sleeping aid?
    
    there's a sleeping pill next to the haughty hooligan
    
    they won't let me have it?
    
    try giving them what they want (see below)
- what's up with these altars?
  - what do they do?
    
    they're connected to the fountain
  - what do they say?
    
    they're poems
    
    what should i do with poetry?
    
    try interpreting them as riddles
    
    i don't get the right altar poem?
    
    what could "a light to guide you north" refer to?
    
    is there a light in the real world that guides people north?
    
    the north star
    
    where are there stars?
    
    try the cookie cutters (see below)
    
    the cookie cutters won't fit?
    
    try making something with them
    
    i don't get the left altar poem?
    
    what could "the holy meal" refer to?
    
    how else could "holy meal" be read?
    
    holy, wholly, holey, holly...?
    
    holey food?
    
    it's cheese
    
    where could i get cheese?
    
    try the cart (see below)
- what's up with these cookie cutters?
  - what are cookie cutters used for?
    
    making shapes
    
    what would i make a shape out of?
    
    what materials could fit a mold?
    
    something malleable?
    
    something that could melt?
    
    wax?
    
    try candle wax
    
    where can i find candle wax?
    
    there are candles beside the jumpy juicemonger
    
    i can't pick them up?
    
    how can i make them easier to work with?
    
    melt them
    
    how?
    
    try using the matches
    
    the match isn't lit?
    
    use the match on the matchbox
    
    what do i do with melted wax?
    
    place the wax in the cookie cutter
    
    it didn't do anything?
    
    what did it say?
    
    where is it flat?
    
    the cutter in the bottom right lies flat on the ground
    
    how do i flatten the wax?
    
    you can use the melted wax directly on the flat cutter
    
    what if i want to use a different cutter?
    
    they can swap positions
    
    i made the wrong thing?
    
    how do i try again?
    
    melt it again with the matches
    
    what shapes would i make?
    
    what shapes are available?
    
    the cutters are shaped like a snowman, a christmas tree, and a star
    
    are any of them familiar?
    
    did anything else reference them?
    
    try the altars (see above)
    
    this shape doesn't fit the altar?
    
    is there one that would fit?
    
    maybe a smaller one?
    
    try the tree
    
    how would the tree fit?
    
    try interacting with the wax tree shape
- what's up with the cheesy coachmouse?
  - what do they have?
    
    cheese
    
    how do i get it?
    
    try solving their problem
  - what's their problem?
    
    the horse is tired
    
    why is the horse tired?
    
    is there anything strange about the horse?
    
    it's a toy horse
    
    what would make a toy horse "tired"?
    
    what stops a toy horse from moving?
    
    a wind-up toy needs a key
    
    where do i get a wind-up key?
    
    the stuffy shopkeep has a key
    
    they won't let me have it?
    
    try giving them what they want (see below)
- what's up with the stuffy shopkeep?
  - what do they have?
    
    a key
    
    how do i get it?
    
    try solving their problem
  - what's their problem?
    
    they're thirsty
    
    can i get them a drink?
    
    are there drinks here?
    
    the jumpy juicemonger has juice
    
    they won't let me have it?
    
    try giving them what they want (see below)
- what's up with the jumpy juicemonger?
  - what do they have?
    
    juice
    
    how do i get it?
    
    try solving their problem
  - what's their problem?
    
    they want a ring
    
    where can i get a ring?
    
    is there a ring here?
    
    not at first
    
    can one be made?
    
    who could make a ring?
    
    the smith
    
    they won't make anything?
    
    try solving their problem (see below)
- what's up with the stubborn smith?
  - what do they have?
    
    a stove
    
    how do i use it?
    
    try solving their problem
  - what's their problem?
    
    they have multiple problems
    
    what's the first?
    
    they're late
    
    late for what?
    
    late with a ring
    
    how do i solve that?
    
    solve their second problem
    
    what's the second?
    
    their forge is dead
    
    what is the forge?
    
    the gas stove hob
    
    how do i fix it?
    
    what's the problem with it?
    
    it's not lit
    
    can i relight it?
    
    how?
    
    try using the matches
    
    the match isn't lit?
    
    use the match on the matchbox
    
    what did the smith do with the lit forge?
    
    they made a ring and placed it on the ground to their left
    
    what's the third?
    
    have i solved the other problems?
    
    what do they want now?
    
    they want metal and wood
    
    where can i find wood?
    
    give them a toothpick from next to the gatehouse
    
    where can i find metal?
    
    give them some foil from behind the jumpy juicemonger
    
    what did they do with the materials?
    
    they made a sword and placed it to their right
- what's up with the haughty hooligan?
  - what do they have?
    
    a pill
    
    what kind of pill?
    
    a sleeping pill
    
    how do i get it?
    
    try solving their problem
  - what's their problem?
    
    they want a weapon
    
    can i find a weapon for them?
    
    they won't accept the weapons i found?
    
    can i get something better?
    
    they want a cool sword
    
    can i get a sword?
    
    is there a sword here?
    
    who could make one?
    
    the smith
    
    they won't make anything?
    
    try solving their problem (see above)
    
    it's not working?
    
    did i make a "cool" sword?
    
    it's too hot
    
    can i cool it down?
    
    try water
    
    where can i get water?
    
    the fountain
    
    what can i use to carry water?
    
    use the pill bottle cap on the fountain, then on the sword
    
    the fountain isn't working?
    
    it's turned off?
    
    can i turn it back on?
    
    use one of the altars