Return to Unfiction unforum
 a.r.g.b.b 
FAQ FAQ   Search Search 
 
Welcome!
New users, PLEASE read these forum guidelines. New posters, SEARCH before posting and read these rules before posting your killer new campaign. New players may also wish to peruse the ARG Player Tutorial.

All users must abide by the Terms of Service.
Website Restoration Project
This archiving project is a collaboration between Unfiction and Sean Stacey (SpaceBass), Brian Enigma (BrianEnigma), and Laura E. Hall (lehall) with
the Center for Immersive Arts.
Announcements
This is a static snapshot of the
Unfiction forums, as of
July 23, 2017.
This site is intended as an archive to chronicle the history of Alternate Reality Games.
  

The time now is Wed Nov 13, 2024 1:15 pm
All times are UTC - 4 (DST in action)		 View posts in this forum since last visit
View unanswered posts in this forum
Calendar
 Forum index » Archive » Archive: General » ARG: Legend of the Sacred Urns
A Review of the Clues and Solves
View previous topicView next topic
Page 1 of 1 [14 Posts]  
Author Message
Varin
I Have No Life


Joined: 02 Dec 2002
Posts: 2456
Location: South of where I used to be

 		A Review of the Clues and Solves
First Urn

Clues used by Peter to find the first urn:

* LEARN THE LANGUAGE OF THE PEOPLE OF THE FLINT (Mohawks)
* FIND WHERE IT WAS PLAYED (Steinitz chess game was played in Hastings, England)

Peter knew that Steinitz named himself so because he was obsessed with Wilhelm Steinitz, the chessmaster. Throughout his house Steinitz had chessboards with the key move in the 1895 Steinitz-Bardeleben game.

* 1836 Claim ticket (year Hastings, Michigan was founded)

Hastings, Michigan has a Mohawk hiking trail which has several underground caves.

* SLITHER LIKE A HORSE (move like a knight in chess)

While crawling through the caves, Peter always took the paths that would follow the path of the knight. Whenever he had the option to take a right angle turn, he took it.

* IT'S THE FINALE THAT COUNTS (Rxh7+)

Peter used the finale move in the Steinitz-Bardeleben game to open the lockbox that had the urn in it.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Second Urn

Clues Peter, Michael and Natalie used to find the second urn:

* LA DNA OK = OAKLAND (from the jar in the kitchen)
* NEBRASKA (pictured on the first urn)
* LOST TERROR BLANKS ALL = TROLL STROLL NEBRASKA (confirmer for NE?)

This led them to Oakland, Nebraska where they found First Street...

* ILUVW VWUHHW = FIRST STREET

they dug there and found the purse, PI coin and the following clue

* YOU'RE NEAR THE END BUT IT'S NOT HERE, HEAD FOR TWO RIVERS WITH YOUR SCUBA GEAR (from here they somehow figured out which two rivers to go to - the Iowa and Little Sioux Rivers)

* PI coin (the combination for the lockbox was 31416)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Leftover Clues

* OHPS LUNSHUK! OHPS LUNSHUK! = HAIL ENGLAND! HAIL ENGLAND! - Lyrics of Inno delle nazioni (Hymn of the Nations) by Giuseppe Verdi, an Italian Opera composer

* HEIGH-HO! I'M THE GREATER SPACE CADET = THE GAME REACHED OPERATIC HEIGHTS ( in reference to the Opera Game in chess? I think this was played while listening to the Barber of Seville)

* HIDEOUS NERD THREATENS HOT (unsolved, see thread)

* BUY MARLENE A BIRTHDAY GIFT (her birthday is 11/22/1920, the contest officially starts on 11/22)

* KHEPERI (an egyption god of the rising sun, found on the menu)

* THE ROUTE LEADS THERE (found on the bookmark)

* UNTO 12 THIN MANATEE NETS = NAME THAT TUNE IN 12 NOTES (hint given by Marlene)

* Mary Queen of Scots is on the first urn

* The Letter Grid

* The Batahla de Guararapes invitation

* Sound files from Mike's blog

* 8 new hints...

(S) Toward many passions was Dag inclined, but two were foremost on his mind

(T) With people, one finds value in faces, But the same cannot be said of places

(R) The puzzler's task transcends perspective

(A) How is a clue like a paper plate

(T) Two are but a guide For how to steer your ride

(E) Ceci n'est pas un hareng rouge



(G) Even the most unsightly, menacing loser can reconstruct
himself in a respectable way

(Y) Nessuno canta nello spazio


Let me know if I missed anything Smile
_________________
"I still miss him to this day and probably always will." - Todd Keeler, Chasing the Wish

"meta meta meta, I made you out of play..." ~ j5

PostPosted: Fri Nov 19, 2004 12:27 pm
Last edited by Varin on Wed Dec 01, 2004 6:23 pm; edited 3 times in total
 View user's profile Visit poster's website AIM Address
 Back to top 
Varin
I Have No Life


Joined: 02 Dec 2002
Posts: 2456
Location: South of where I used to be

 		Re: A Review of the Clues and Solves
So taking the leftover clues, I'm trying to decide what is important and what is not and maybe put together some sort of theme...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Solved?

* BUY MARLENE A BIRTHDAY GIFT (her birthday is 11/22/1920, the contest officially starts on 11/22)

Is this just a clue as to when we can submit answers?

* HAIL ENGLAND! HAIL ENGLAND! - Lyrics of Inno delle nazioni (Hymn of the Nations) by Giuseppe Verdi, an Italian Opera composer

Points to operas? Italy?

* HEIGH-HO! I'M THE GREATER SPACE CADET = THE GAME REACHED OPERATIC HEIGHTS

It seems likely that this is in reference to the Opera Game in chess. It took place in 1858 in Paris. I think this was played while listening to the Barber of Seville by Rossini, but there are conflicting reports. It was played by Paul Morphy and the German noble Karl, Duke of Brunswick and the French aristocrat Count Isouard playing together as partners against Morphy. If it was indeed played during Barber of Seville, this would connect with the Rossini bust shown in the commercial. Also, some at Steinitz Puzzlers have claimed that the tooth sound wave from Mike's blog is playing Barber of Seville, but I have not personally verified this.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsolved?

* HIDEOUS NERD THREATENS HOT (unsolved, see thread)

* Mary Queen of Scots is on the first urn

could this relate to her cipher? There is also an opera written about her by Donizetti.

* THE ROUTE LEADS THERE (found on the bookmark)

route cipher? Will we find a U.S. Route that will lead us to the urn?

* The Letter Grid

* Sound files from Mike's blog

* KHEPERA (an egyption god of the rising sun, found on the menu)

* The Batahla de Guararapes invitation

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

PM Hints (to be used to solve the above clues?)

* UNTO 12 THIN MANATEE NETS = NAME THAT TUNE IN 12 NOTES (hint given by Marlene)

On the Steinitz forum, most believe that this relates to Happy Birthday to You. Others think it was a hint to figure out the Barber of Seville in the tooth sound file.

* 8 new hints...

(S) Toward many passions was Dag inclined, but two were foremost on his mind

Chess, unusual deaths, Unified Theory

(T) With people, one finds value in faces, But the same cannot be said of places

(R) The puzzler's task transcends perspective

(A) How is a clue like a paper plate

It can only be used once.

(T) Two are but a guide For how to steer your ride

(E) Ceci n'est pas un hareng rouge (This is not a red herring - French)

This was shown with the red herring picture from Mike's blog...



(G) Even the most unsightly, menacing loser can reconstruct
himself in a respectable way

Hint for the hideous nerd clue?

(Y) Nessuno canta nello spazio (Nobody sings in space - Italian)

Hint for the Heigh Ho clue.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
_________________
"I still miss him to this day and probably always will." - Todd Keeler, Chasing the Wish

"meta meta meta, I made you out of play..." ~ j5

PostPosted: Fri Nov 19, 2004 1:55 pm
Last edited by Varin on Mon Dec 06, 2004 9:39 pm; edited 4 times in total
 View user's profile Visit poster's website AIM Address
 Back to top 
rose
...and then Magic happens


Joined: 26 Nov 2003
Posts: 4117

 		thanks Varin
This is really,really helpful. Thanks

I had one idea:

The opera the Barber of Seville debuted in Rome, Italy. As we know that the other two urns were found in the US and that the city name stays the same I suggest that the city is Rome. I rejected Seville as being too obvious.

----
As to the 8 clues:

1. Chess was one of Steinitz passions. I am not sure what the other would be. Opera seems the most likely guess. um, I forgot the Skulls....don't know how but I did.

2. I think this is a reference to the idea that places having the same name are a theme here.

3. Perspective is mentioned in the Sharp commercials. Also, the perspective of the falcon is mentioned.

4. Clues are only to be used once.

5. The first two clues tell us how to solve the others

6. This is not a red hering.. it also has the picture from Mike's blog.

7. A reference to the Hideous Nerd Threatens Hot clue.

8. None sing in space. A reference to the space cadet clue?

PostPosted: Fri Nov 19, 2004 1:58 pm
 View user's profile Visit poster's website
 Back to top 
Varin
I Have No Life


Joined: 02 Dec 2002
Posts: 2456
Location: South of where I used to be

 		The latest clues...

BETWEEN ATHENS AND CAIRO - from the solved grid

and from registering...

Spoiler (Rollover to View):
The Music is the Key

_________________
"I still miss him to this day and probably always will." - Todd Keeler, Chasing the Wish

"meta meta meta, I made you out of play..." ~ j5

PostPosted: Mon Nov 22, 2004 6:42 pm
 View user's profile Visit poster's website AIM Address
 Back to top 
mgs4real
Greenhorn

Joined: 26 Nov 2004
Posts: 5

 		Oh the Heck !
I'm just gonna say it...simplistic as it is, I know...I think the answer is:

The North Pole !

After all, Alaska IS in the United States !! hehe ,,, and People of the Flint aren't only Mohawks now...are they,,,,as in maybe we're talkin' .... ESKIMOS? and did someone say something about The Barber of Seville ,,,,,,,,, ;o) as in BARBER POLE ,,, and Deep Roon as in RED ? and Santa's North Pole always looks like a - you got it -a red & white BARBER POLE ... And guided by two ?? (at a time? - as in each pair of reindeer??) And who is the greater space cadet but >>> good ol' Santa Claus ?? I dunno...but......

Merrrrrry Christmas !!!!! And Ho Ho Heigh Ho !!!

PostPosted: Fri Nov 26, 2004 3:21 am
 View user's profile
 Back to top 
Varin
I Have No Life


Joined: 02 Dec 2002
Posts: 2456
Location: South of where I used to be

 		Re: A Review of the Clues and Solves
Found a quote from Marlene from a couple of weeks ago...

Quote:
And then think about what Peter had before he could solve the first urn, and what Peter and Mike and Natalie and Xavier each still have incomplete on the second urn. Has anyone thought that perhaps you need something similar for the third urn?

Marlene


So if we are looking for similarities in the type of clues, what can we find? Maybe looking at what exactly the other clues told us will help us with the remaining clues?

First Urn:

Clues that led to state and city:

* FIND WHERE IT WAS PLAYED (Steinitz chess game was played in Hastings, England)
* 1836 Claim ticket (year Hastings, Michigan was founded)

ANSWER = Hastings, Michigan

Specific area in the city:

* LEARN THE LANGUAGE OF THE PEOPLE OF THE FLINT (Mohawks which built a trail in Hastings, Michigan with a series of caves)

ANSWER = In the caves on the Mohawk trail

How to navigate through the specific area:

* SLITHER LIKE A HORSE (move like a knight in chess)

ANSWER = make right angle turns like a knight

Code to open the lock box the urn was in:

* IT'S THE FINALE THAT COUNTS (Rxh7+)

ANSWER = Rxh7+

Overall we have a pretty simple answer = Go to Hastings, Michigan. In the caves on the Mohawk trail make right angle turns like a knight. Use Rxh7+ to open the lockbox.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Second Urn:

Clues that led to state and city:

* NEBRASKA (pictured on the first urn)
* LA DNA OK = OAKLAND (from the jar in the kitchen)

ANSWER = Oakland, NE

Specific area in the city:

* ILUVW VWUHHW = FIRST STREET
* LOST TERROR BLANKS ALL = TROLL STROLL NEBRASKA (located at First Street in Oakland)

ANSWER = Troll Stroll on First Street

This is where the second urn is somewhat different. At First Street they found more clues to narrow the search rather than using clues that were already known.

How to navigate through the specific area:

* YOU'RE NEAR THE END BUT IT'S NOT HERE, HEAD FOR TWO RIVERS WITH YOUR SCUBA GEAR (two rivers nearby rivers - the Iowa and Little Sioux Rivers)

ANSWER = go to where the Iowa and Little Sioux Rivers meet

Code to open the lock box the urn was in:

* PI coin (the combination for the lockbox was 31416)

ANSWER = 31416

Overall answer = Go to Oakland, Nebraska. Go to First Street. Go to where the Iowa and Little Sioux Rivers meet. Use 31416 to open the box.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------


So for each urn we've had some pretty basic answers that narrow down the urn location from state to city to area in the city to specific spot to the lock box. Seems simple enough, right? Smile

Urn 1 = Go to Hastings, Michigan. In the caves on the Mohawk trail make right angle turns like a knight. Use Rxh7+ to open the lockbox.

Urn 2 = Go to Oakland, Nebraska. Go to First Street. Go to where the Iowa and Little Sioux Rivers meet. Use 31416 to open the box.

So Urn 3 should have a similar pattern to these. The biggest problem we have here is determining which clues are important and which are either red herrings or not clues at all (simply something we're reading too much into). If the pattern is the same we should be looking for...

Clues that led to state and city:
Specific area in the city:
How to navigate through the specific area:
Code to open the lock box the urn was in:

Since this is a virtual hunt and we aren't required to dig the urn up from a physical location, most are guessing that we will be going to a website where we will find the urn. How can the types of clues we received from the first and second urn which led to physical locations transfer to a virtual location? One possibility is that when we find the state, city and specific area of the city we'll be able to google a website. Maybe we'll have another clue that will tell us how to navigate that website to find the answer we need. We've been told that we're looking for two names that aren't in alphabetical order, so presumably we'll find those names there. When we enter those two names into the entry form on the moretosee.com site we're really entering the code that will "open the lock box".
_________________
"I still miss him to this day and probably always will." - Todd Keeler, Chasing the Wish

"meta meta meta, I made you out of play..." ~ j5

PostPosted: Fri Nov 26, 2004 2:03 pm
 View user's profile Visit poster's website AIM Address
 Back to top 
mgs4real
Greenhorn

Joined: 26 Nov 2004
Posts: 5

 		The Barber of Seville
You may verify the music that is heard either in the tooth.wav or in the various commercials is the Overture for The Barber of Seville.

On this site are the developer's commercials for Sharp, Errol Morris, pretty much in their entirety. The tiny sound file, tooth.wav, is but a fragment of the music you may hear on moretosee.com and even MORE clearly on the Errol Morris site.

http://www.errolmorris.com/commercials/sharp_4.html

Then you can hear a midi of the Overture for The Barber of Seville on this site. (It's the last one on the page...7:34 min long...and you won't hear the now familiar refrain.....until the final TWO minutes of the midi...)

http://www.classicalmidi.co.uk/rossini.htm

In a little research on the opera itself, know that it was considered quite a comedic venture. And in researching further you may discover how the fashion changed from being bearded to being clean shaven, and even a reference on this site to the fact that Ceasar was clean shaven (hmmmm). You may also discover that barbering originally included DENTISTRY!!! And...the modern barber pole originated in the days when bloodletting was one of the principal duties of the barber. The two spiral ribbons were painted to represent bandages.

http://www.barberpole.com/artof.htm

We KNOW the city and state are in the U.S. as stated on moretosee.com in the registration process.

Seville.

A fact. Seville is a name for a certain type of oranges.

It is also the name of a city in Florida. Seville, Florida.

HIDEOUS NERD THREATENS HOT
THE DUNES NORTH TEE HIS ROAD

... that makes no sense at all, don't you think?

PostPosted: Mon Nov 29, 2004 5:54 am
 View user's profile
 Back to top 
Hati
Veteran


Joined: 04 Nov 2004
Posts: 127
Location: Deepest Darkest AR

 		Actually there are 5 ...
CA, FL, GA, IL, and OH.

PostPosted: Mon Nov 29, 2004 11:20 pm
 View user's profile Yahoo Messenger
 Back to top 
mgs4real
Greenhorn

Joined: 26 Nov 2004
Posts: 5

 		You may find a Manatee St in Seville, Florida.

PostPosted: Tue Nov 30, 2004 5:07 am
 View user's profile
 Back to top 
rose
...and then Magic happens


Joined: 26 Nov 2003
Posts: 4117

 		ideas
I think this analysis of how to proceed is correct. I note that two clues were used to solve the city and state of both urns. So perhaps we need to use two of our clues to get to the city and state.

these would be:
1. Between Athens and Cairo....
2. The Route Leads There
3. The Music is Key (hint from registering)
4. Music- barber of seville
5. The Batahla de Guararapes invitation
6. Buy Marlene a birthday gift.


I am eliminating the HIDEOUS NERD clue as one of these two initial clues because it needs some framework to be solved correctly. Also, I am looking at the Mary Queen of Scotts clue as solved, because I think she was to lead people to look in the marmalade. The clue for OAKLAND, used in the second urn, was found in the marmalade.

Also, as an aside, I am not sure if the whole menu is a red herring or not. I know there were two of them, but none of the clues we have found there seem to lead anywhere. Even looking at the third course as a possibility for clues doesn't lead us anywhere. The menu clues include the HAIL ENGLAND! HAIL ENGLAND! clue and the egyptian sun god clue.

PostPosted: Wed Dec 01, 2004 3:14 pm
 View user's profile Visit poster's website
 Back to top 
Varin
I Have No Life


Joined: 02 Dec 2002
Posts: 2456
Location: South of where I used to be

 		Re: A Review of the Clues and Solves
Varin wrote:

Urn 1 = Go to Hastings, Michigan. In the caves on the Mohawk trail make right angle turns like a knight. Use Rxh7+ to open the lockbox.

Urn 2 = Go to Oakland, Nebraska. Go to First Street. Go to where the Iowa and Little Sioux Rivers meet. Use 31416 to open the box.

So Urn 3 should have a similar pattern to these. The biggest problem we have here is determining which clues are important and which are either red herrings or not clues at all (simply something we're reading too much into). If the pattern is the same we should be looking for...

Clues that led to state and city:
Specific area in the city:
How to navigate through the specific area:
Code to open the lock box the urn was in:


So using MoreToSeeMan's latest hint...

Quote:
I won't thow you a bone, but maybe Norman will throw you a skull. Wink

There is another website we've never seen you talk about. But then, you wouldn't... unless you were very close to the end.

I could solve this puzzle in six clues.

Marlene says she could do it in less.

We both agree you need #25.


we now know that we need 6 clues (or maybe less if you have the same insight as Marlene). The first urn needed 5 clues, the second urn needed 6 clues.

It also seems from his comment that this is in fact the case...

Quote:
Since this is a virtual hunt and we aren't required to dig the urn up from a physical location, most are guessing that we will be going to a website where we will find the urn.

_________________
"I still miss him to this day and probably always will." - Todd Keeler, Chasing the Wish

"meta meta meta, I made you out of play..." ~ j5

PostPosted: Wed Dec 01, 2004 3:57 pm
 View user's profile Visit poster's website AIM Address
 Back to top 
toenolla
Boot


Joined: 22 Aug 2004
Posts: 51

 		Noob Thoughts
Hi there guys. I was just lurking across the Sacred Urns sites and I thought I'd add my guesses to the pile.

Between Athens and Cairo...

Names of ancient cities in alphabetical order? Bethlehem, perhaps. Athens, Bethlehem, Cairo??? Bethlehem is roughly between the two, though you'd have to take an overland route.

And then there's "The Music is Key"....remember how the subtle shifting of words made it possible to unearth the first urn? This phrase seems suspect. Not music is the key.... Key signatures maybe? The Barber of Seville is in G major.... (well, one sharp...could be E minor, too.)

I'll take a stab at the 3rd urn's location... Bethlehem, Georgia. (the G state!)

PostPosted: Thu Dec 02, 2004 4:20 am
 View user's profile Visit poster's website AIM Address
 Back to top 
toenolla
Boot


Joined: 22 Aug 2004
Posts: 51

 		Self-reply.
Hmm...maybe Babylon instead of Bethlehem. There's a Babylon in Illinois and the Route (66) definitely Leads There. Route 66 starts (or ends) in Chicago.

PostPosted: Thu Dec 02, 2004 4:44 am
 View user's profile Visit poster's website AIM Address
 Back to top 
mgs4real
Greenhorn

Joined: 26 Nov 2004
Posts: 5

 		I'm having a problem with the Barber of Seville being written in one key. My understanding would be that the various arias within the opera would be written in different keys, depending on the voice that is singing them; e.g. basso, mezzo-soprano, etc. Correct me ?

However, that key signatures are alpha, A, B, C, etc. would support the idea....but then what does the clue, the music IS the Barber of Seville/Rossini do for us ?

PostPosted: Fri Dec 03, 2004 12:54 pm
 View user's profile
 Back to top 
Display posts from previous:   Sort by:   
Page 1 of 1 [14 Posts]  
View previous topicView next topic
 Forum index » Archive » Archive: General » ARG: Legend of the Sacred Urns
Jump to:  


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum
You cannot post calendar events in this forum



Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group