The attendant’s jaw drops as he listens to your solution. “You’re right! Tremendous! Come this way!” He leads you to the Queen and explains your answer. “You have our thanks, stranger,” Her Highness intones. “Bursar, reward our faithful vassal.” A nervous man presses one of the medallions into your hand. “Come,” continues the Queen, “Sit…
View The Tax Cheat »Treasure Hunts
Going Bananas
You feel a tug at your sleeve. It is another merchant. “You have a formidable talent, my friend,” he remarks. “Can I interest you in a small problem? Your answer to it is worth three obols to me.” “What is it?” you ask. Three of my traders had purchased a load of bananas—between 50 and…
View Going Bananas »The Mansion
A stately manor rises above the gardens of the cultivated landscape around you. You are about to bypass the estate when a troupe of angry people march out and start screaming at you. “That’s the one! Thief! Officer, do your duty.” A local sheriff comes forward and cuffs you as you stare in amazement. “What’s…
View The Mansion »The Timekeeper
A lonely clock tower pierces the noonday sky. Twelve dolorous knells drown out the greeting you call out to the wizened old man leaning out the window. When the bells have stopped, you shout up again to get his attention. “Are you the Timekeeper?” “Of course I am!” the old man yells back, startled. “How…
View The Timekeeper »The Plain of Blood
Three men stand in the center of this clearing where the dead grass is stained a rusty brown from the blood of combatants. It appears the tradition will continue: all three men hold a flintlock pistol. A small crowd has gathered. One of the busier on-lookers sidles up to you and asks if you wish…
View The Plain of Blood »The Market
A screaming mass of humanity has gathered in the largest of the City’s plazas to buy and sell every kind of commodity. Three men arguing over a pile of medallions draw your attention. “What seems to be the problem?” you ask them. The oldest man sizes you up and decides to confide the problem. “It’s…
View The Market »Throckmorton’s Treasure
A hole is excavated beneath the tile you name, and sure enough, a small chest is found with a plaque on it that reads: “Herein lies my greatest and only treasure.” “Well, I guess you ain’t a crook after all,” announces the sheriff. He uncuffs you as the heirs open the chest. Inside are four…
View Throckmorton’s Treasure »The Master Builder
Standing in front of an unfinished house is a woman wearing a carpenter’s apron and holding a hammer. “Who are you?” she asks. “Just a traveler,” you answer, “trying to figure out these earthquakes and tidal waves. What do you know about it all?” She snorts. “I know they scared my assistants so they ran…
View The Master Builder »The Mathematician
The City! What a difference from the rest of the Island: tall buildings, lots of noise, too many people, shops everywhere… “Excuse me,” you ask the befuddled individual standing before an enormous chalkboard in the city square. “Are you The Mathematician?” “Certainly, indubitably,” mumbles the figure. “Identity property: anything is equal to itself.” “Right… So,…
View The Mathematician »The University
You enter this temple of learning with some trepidation and much hope. Surely the teachers here will know the truth about Islandia… But the rooms are full of squabbling academics debating matters of such little importance that you almost walk out without a backward glance. The seniors are asleep, and even the fresh persons have…
View The University »