Professor Frankly

Professor Frankly
Species	Goomba
Abilities	Archeology
Debut	Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Professor Frankly is a Goomba researcher who is featured as a supporting character in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.

Background

Professor Frankly was the professor in charge of the archeology department at the University of Goom. He ha raised many a great archaeologist, including the famed Professor Kolorado. He lived in Rogueport and was interested in the legends of surrounding the Thousand-Year Door beneath Rogueport.

In Thousand Year Door one of his students, Goombella visited him with Mario. Mario had found the Mystical Map, which could be used to find the Crystal Stars needed to unlock the Thousand-Year Door, which amazed Frankly. He led Mario and Goombella to the door, gave the plumber a refresher in combat and gave him his first badge. Throughout the game Mario cames to Frankly asking him to interpret the new areas appearing on the Magical Map. He also did more research on the lore surrounding the door and kept them updated on it.

Frankly wound up being tied up and impersonated by Doopliss after Mario returned from the moon with the last Crystal Star, but the real Frankly freed himself and followed Mario into the Palace of Shadow, arriving after the Shadow Queen's defeat. He did find a treasure chest there, but with only a Dried Shroom inside. Looking on the bright side, he used it to determine the dietary habits of the ancient race that lived in what is now Rogueport. Goombella continued working with Frankly at the end of the game, helping him to further research Rogueport's lore.

Trivia

• His name is taken from cliched scientist phrases that often start by stating "Frankly, I'd say..."
• He is mentioned in Super Paper Mario, where a radio-controlled Professor Frankly is one of the items on Francis's to-buy list.