Treasure Hunts

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…

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The Master Builder

Diagram of dining room

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…

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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,…

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The University

Map of Islandia

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…

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The Chess-Master

First chess puzzle

“Hola, weary traveler!” calls the strange, gnome-like individual who stands before an elaborate chess table. “Care to pass some time in honorable combat?” You shake your head. “My time is too valuable to waste in idle games,” you state. “Ah, so your time has value!” exclaims the dwarf. “Then I’ll make it worth your while….

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Map of The Crypt

Map of The Crypt

You start at the top left cell with 100 drachmas (100d). The number in each door is the amount you must pay every time you pass through it. You may enter a room as often as you like. The letters may be taken immediately or left to be taken later, but each letter may be…

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The Warlord

Within sight of the capital, you come across an armed camp. The leader of these mercenaries is a Warlord bent on overthrowing the Queen and ruling Islandia. “Isn’t that a waste of time if the island will soon be destroyed?” you ask. “Insolent dog!” spits The Warlord. “We have ways of dealing with counter-revolutionaries like…

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Bethesda Lawyers

Breathless with anticipation, you dial the number Karen Blixen left. To your dismay, you don’t get a human. It’s another of those damned menu systems: Thank you for calling Bethesda Lawyers, located in Offices 1 through 5 of the Civic Center Tower. If you know the extension of the party you are calling, you may…

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The Two Dials

With your help, the police quickly arrest the thief, and all the stolen items are returned. The library director presents you with a small reward, which you happily accept. Back at the library, you ask to see any paintings the Gordons may have donated along with the house. The director shows you four or five…

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