[ddl]

The Base64 leads to a youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsCdlX-5UjE

And, the chessboard image comes from the checkmate of the Immortal Game:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immortal_Game

[inkflamewriter]

Yup, but it picked up a bit this morning!

Quote:

Subject: Watch? and listen... Friend of Forest, or Howard Fair, or both. We have resolved the issue with the golem's energy now. One of 'his' friends found what was needed - but not, unfortunately, in enough time* to provide immortality to him. This is not our concern any more. What we now ask, or rather, command, is that you delete any communication with the Green - remove us from your computer and personal records and never contact us again. We do not speak of what Forest's path is - that is for 'him' to explain at a later date should 'he' so desires. We will not threaten or cajole, promise or scare - we will simply ignore. Humanity is not yet ready for our involvement again. Perhaps in the future - but not now. As for what 'I' was - the man known as Howard Fair - he is fully immersed now - this shell of voice is fading, like a gentle rain... May your path be free from any un-required obstacles. The Watchman.

It had an image attached, which I've posted below.

I received a second email, which I will post a portion of here:

Quote:

You have found the plant and thus could have saved Forest's life. However, without his having the time to prepare the requirements for a new ritual, or gather the amaranth, he was limited to what could be done. None responded to why we should have let him leave our care so we didn't. We have - however - presented him an option to which he has accepted. He is - for now - learning from us - he understands his role as caretaker - and thus will be released when he has learned more of his natural energy - that which created him, that which nourished him and that which can help others.

He went on to say that the lottery prize will be passed on to me, so essentially, both F.F.E.Y.-T Venice and Howard Fair are over. I also was asked to pass on this link to everyone, as our PM has opened a meta discussion for us:

http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=33315

Nice job, everyone!

[punxtr]

I'm certain you got this one. I actually looked up that color's complementary color, but I couldn't find a good plant for it. Prince's feather seems... dead on. Mine seems slightly off.

Edit--The time of balance sure was uneventful...

[inkflamewriter]

Ok, here's what I've got. The tweet said this:

Quote:

We hide in the open here his salvation. Through the mirror this plant is shown green: 1AD4AF Oppose us for the reddening answers...The Green

When you look up that color, you can see its complimentary, or opposite, color is a shade of red.

I started trying to reverse engineer the answer and looked up "immortality", "plant", and "red" in google, which led me to this plant:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaranth

It's a healing herb and was associated with immortality in Ancient Greece because it took a very long time to wither. I dug a little deeper and found this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaranthus_hypochondriacus

Wikipedia wrote:

Amaranthus hypochondriacus is an ornamental plant commonly known as the Prince-of-Wales-feather or the Prince's feather. In Africa, like many other species in the family Amaranthaceae, it is valued as source of food.

So, it seems punxtr and I both have an answer...I suppose all we can do now is wait to see if either of us got it...

[punxtr]

I'm reposting this. I think it is Juniper: http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1674/prince-of-wales-juniper.php

I already emailed the Watchman.

[Lystella]

New twitter update here: http://twitter.com/WhiteRabbitYT/status/116978058635919360

I'm not quite sure what this refers to, but the 1AD4AF is a shade of teal.

[punxtr]

More info on the tale:

Quote:

Edward bore (as an alternative to his differenced royal arms) a shield of Sable, three ostrich feathers argent, described as his 'shield for peace': this probably means it was the shield he used for jousting. These arms can be seen several times on his tomb chest in Canterbury Cathedral, alternating with his royal arms. His younger brother, John of Gaunt, used a similar coat on which the ostrich feathers were ermine.

They are ostrich feathers.

Oh yeah, the feathers belong to the Prince of Wales. What plant belongs to the Prince? Juniper.

http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1674/prince-of-wales-juniper.php

[Lystella]

Apologies for not contributing much over the past few days; life became quite hectic to say the least. >.<

Quote:

You hold the feathers too tightly we fear - you do not realise who they belong to. Not what, but who.

Might this be saying that feathers lead to birds (who own feathers)? The 83 hours and counting... email makes reference to "Yalungur and Jatayu," the former being an eagle/hawk and the latter having a vulture form.

Edit: Took out links since punxtr already linked them ^_^

[inkflamewriter]

Quote:

The balance of time and energy soon comes. We ask all of you to look for one last push - try to find the plant that will help your friend Else he will be gone from your world. You hold the feathers too tightly we fear - you do not realise who they belong to. Not what, but who. Do not get confused by our words too much either though - continue in the same manner - just look elsewhere - and soon... The Watchman.

Thoughts?

[inkflamewriter]

I think I see where you're going with that, especially considering this:

Wikipedia wrote:

The word rhizobia comes from the Ancient Greek ῥίζα, rhíza, meaning "root" and βίος, bios, meaning "life".

However, the issue I see with it is mainly that we're talking about someone made of dead soldiers. That is a bacteria that requires a plant as a host.

Generally speaking, though, I overthink things, so that could be the case for this as well.

[ddl]

That looks good, since it linked into some other things I found last night.

feather - pluen - पंख - Wing or alae

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/alae

Quote:

either of the two side petals of a flower in the legume family, as the pea.

And the Tephrosia is a part of the legume family.

Quote:

The Fabaceae (or Leguminosae) are a large and economically important family of flowering plants, which is commonly known as the legume family, pea family, bean family or pulse family.

Edit: And since we are looking for a power source, maybe this? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhizobia

[inkflamewriter]

I'm not sure about your last link, but when I looked at the botanical garden website and searched "mayur pankh", it led to the common name for this plant:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tephrosia_purpurea

[ddl]

Perhaps the Pinnate?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinnate

Also, I recall a botanist being mentioned-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Linnaeus
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/plants_named.html

Maybe?

Other thoughts: Feather to pluen, to pankh to "Mayur pankh":
http://chandigarh.gov.in/green_botanical.htm
http://www.evergreenplantnursery.com/Compacta-Oriental-Arborvitae-Thuja-p/arbcom1.htm

[inkflamewriter]

A thought to get people going...

Quote:

According to legend, the Black Prince obtained the arms from the blind John I of Bohemia, against whom he fought in the Battle of Crécy in 1346. After the battle, the prince went to the body of the dead king (whom he admired for his bravery) and took his helmet lined with ostrich feathers. The feathers and the dead king's motto made up the prince's new badge and came to be used by subsequent Princes of Wales.

strength + conscience -> bravery -> immortality in history

A bit of a stretch, but I think it's the right direction

[punxtr]

Feather:

bluen (Welsh)
pankh (Indian)
pluma (Latin)