Logan Marquis

Not to mention HOW you ask...

You are definitely on the right track...though maybe there is something you are missing?

[attachment=583:The_Key_...Enigmite.jpg]Bootes travels the path before him as quickly as he can. He keeps his head down, but his eyes forward. The wind is harsh and whips up clouds of dust and dirt to sting his face. Bootes pauses for a moment to look around Necrovion, a place which lacks the spark of life, a place that is bleak and desolate. He wonders aloud, "Did this place Ever have Life...?" and then continues on. To distract himself from his surroundings, Bootes thinks on the documents he has discovered and wonders how many more are left to find. His mind works over the connections he has made, what they mean. Suddenly he stops, hearing a terrifying scream nearby. He imagines someone whose very soul is being torn apart and doubles his pace, "The Sooner I get This Done..." he thinks to himself. Bootes is thankful that the journey to the House of Tainted Times is short. Broken and decaying, the House looms in the distance, surrounded by desiccated trees and barren rocks. The wind dies down as Bootes approaches the House and hesitates before entering the darkness inside. The interior of the House is dark and shadowy, much like the land in which it sits. Light filters through the broken windows and through a thick haze casting shafts of half-light which barely makes its way to the floor. The air is thick and reeks of something pungent and acrid. Bootes covers his nose and mouth at the bitter taste and smell while looking around the entranceway. He is uncomfortable with this House, this land, this place which is mostly silent and entirely dead. There are several doors here, all closed. Bootes opens a few of them and peers down the darkened hallways but cannot discern anything much further than the length of his arm. Bootes stands there a moment and laughs slightly before mumbling to himself, "No map This time?" He opens one door and is assaulted again by a pungent stench. Thinking that one way is as good as any other, Bootes heads down this hallway. His footsteps do not echo here, but seem to be absorbed by the wood, perhaps by the darkness. He has not travelled too far before he thinks he hears a voice. He stops, holds his breath, and strains to listen. He thinks there is something familiar about the voice but is not certain. He moves again, heading towards the way he thinks he heard the voice and comes upon a large chamber filled with shelves and books. He looks around the room and sees something glowing. When he gets closer, Bootes sees the remains of a fire, the embers still glowing. Bootes is unsure about what he heard and decides against calling out. He does, however, take the opportunity to look around the chamber. At first, nothing seems especially interesting and Bootes walks past the fire again. As he does, he looks up at a book shelf that has been cleared of books, probably to fuel the fire. Bootes looks over the bookshelf again, thinking that it somehow seems out of place. While searching, he and notices some writing on the wall behind the bookshelf. He pushes the bookshelf aside and looks the wall over. The wall has something written over the top of it with indentations, seemingly at random, taking up a large section at the bottom. On the left side are several + shaped slots. Bootes ponders for a moment and then recalls the object he found back in the Sage's Keep. He fishes the object out of his pack and says, "I guess it Is a Key." Now is your chance to help Bootes solve this puzzle! [img]http://mdrpc.com/renavoid/key%20of%20self..jpg[/img] [img]http://mdrpc.com/renavoid/MD%20Vault%20Door..jpg[/img]

I personally apologize for the lack of difficulty in the puzzles thus far. The purpose, more or less, was to show what possibilities are out there, and to gauge the response they would receive. Actually solving the puzzles is important, because it actually affects the game. With that said I think the understanding of why they were so easy does come into view a little more. I mean, I entirely agree. The riddle was VERY easy, however, I was happy with the amount of interaction that took place regarding it. Even though someone had answered it correctly within the first few hours, more than one answer was put forth before the thread was closed(a day and a half later). As for the time of the posting of riddles, I will try to work on that with Ren. I realize they have been at around the same server time, and to ensure a chance for others, the next will be posted at a different server time. Keep in mind, it doesn't matter when they get posted, someone will always see it before someone else. Unfortunately, being in completely different parts of the world lends to that problem. I assure you the next quest puzzle will NOT be easy, and it will take some thought. That is your heads up. I do like the suggestions, though, they are giving me some ideas! :-) THANKS! EDIT: Also, in reference to the picture puzzle, I apologize. It was actually quite small on my screen. I totally didn't take into consideration different resolutions and stuff. WHOOPS! With that said, it was more for it's uniqueness than it's difficulty or anything.

Also, if you liked a specific aspect about the latest quest, please post that as well. We're trying to gauge the players on what they like, don't like, etc. So all opinions are welcome... But if you flame or say "i hate it cuz my char isn't in it", well, expect to have your post deleted. We want CONSTRUCTIVE criticism, so if it IS negative, please post what YOU would do different. Thanks :-)

Typically, when you see an error like that, you can figure that Manu(the owner/coder/pretty much everything guy of the game) is working on something in particular, and you just happened to see the temporary unfinished version. Usually, the error will resolve itself in a couple of hours or so. To test this.... Let us know if you still get the error message in say...two hours?

Please at least ATTEMPT the puzzle before posting guesses. Thank you.

The candle in Bootes' hand flickers occasionally as he walks down the hallways of Sage's Keep. His footsteps echo far into the consuming silence of the keep, the only other sound he hears besides his breathing and the pounding of his heart. The map shows him many corridors and rooms, which seem to go on forever, just like the endless shelves of books. "This Place looks Smaller from the Outside..." Bootes searches each room, each shelf, hoping to find something, any clue as to where the document he seeks might be. Each hallway looks similar to the last. Every room looks like every other. As Bootes explores further, he finds nothing, while the silence and lack of progress start to erode his confidence. At one point, he even starts to think that someone has played a cruel joke on him, that he has been placed into an illusion from which he cannot find escape. Before he finally snaps, Bootes sits down at a desk to concentrate and center himself. He looks at the faded map again and sighs deeply. "Everything Looks the Same here! How am I supposed to Find...?" he trails off for a moment, his gaze drawn to a point on the map. Though he is unsure, he thinks he sees something on the map that looks like a faint glowing. Bootes brings the candle over for a closer look. He sees a faint mark that somehow seems familiar, even though he cannot make it out fully. With a renewed determination, Bootes begins to make his way towards the study the mark seems to indicate. He makes his way through the hallways of the Keep. His echoing steps blur into one sound, his pace increasing with each stride. He smiles wide as he reaches the room which has now become clearly indicated on the map, marked with the symbol of the Inner Sun. The astro-researcher begins his search of the vast room, rummaging through the countless shelves and books that have been stacked here for untold ages. Eventually, in the corner of the huge study, he finds a desk tucked away into a forgotten corner. He finds scrolls and a wooden box, all of which bear the mark of the Inner Sun. Bootes is elated to finally find something, but he is drawn mostly to the box. When he picks it up, it rattles softly. "Hmm? What is This?" [url="http://two.flash-gear.com/npuz/puz.php?c=v&id=2388544&k=41612415"]http://two.flash-gear.com/npuz/puz.php?c=v...&k=41612415[/url] Do you think you have what it takes to master the puzzle? Click the link and try it for yourself! Post what you find when you complete it and help Bootes figure out the next step!

There is the Sozzled Salamander at Wind's Sanctuary, the Dragon Inn at Fenth's Press, and I believe Wind has one at Defensive Quarters in Loreroot, though I do not anticipating you hitting that one up anytime soon.

Happy birthday you amazing writer. Hope it brings you all the joy you ever wanted(and a few extra creds wouldn't hurt either).

Ok, all answers have been accepted. I am closing this thread until further notice. Watch the Adventure Log for the results!

I thought about that...go ahead and move them, Chewett. Thanks. EDIT: O.O Holy heck that was quick, Chewett-Man!

Both are very intriguing thoughts.

That and you know you'd have more 'no' votes than combined 'yes' votes. You know I'm just playing, Boredie.

The latest delay is actually due to working out some new things that will utilize the Forums AND the AL together. You'll see what I mean very soon, as it will be revealed later tonight(tonight referring to Central Standard Time - US - GMT -6). But yes, the AL will be moving in an odd ebb and flow over the next week or two. But it WILL move.

As Bootes stands at the front of Sage's Keep, he looks at the map which was given to him. He studies it for a moment and believes the map indicates something new on the far side of the building. Shrugging his shoulders, Bootes winds his way to the rear of Sage's Keep only to be surprised by what he sees. To his astonishment, he finds a pair of lion statues he has never encountered before. After a moment's hesitation, he approaches the statues to study them. He examines the smooth features and lifelike visage of the nearest one and mutters to himself, "When did These get Here?" Bootes starts to cross from one statue to the other, and as he does, the statues begin to move; a deep rumbling emanates from the stone lions as they move and is nearly deafening. Bootes, while shocked, stumbles back a bit but does not run. The lions quickly fix him with their gaze - eyes, bejeweled with diamonds, flash with a fire that seems to go deeper than their facets would indicate - and roar in unison, "Give us the Answer we seek, and you will find Entrance to this keep." He takes a step forward, clears his throat, and meets their gaze with one of his own and says, as bravely as a man can who has just been surprised by two lion statues that, until recently and to his knowledge, had not existed prior to this moment, "I seek Entrance, Guardians. What is the Question you will Ask of Me?" The statues speak in unison again, with voices low and as smooth as marble. "Our riddle is a simple one, with an answer as plain as the Sun in the Sky and as obvious as the Rhythm of the Sea." [b]"This substance can help a man to see, yet it can also be used to blind him. With it, one can build castles, yet it can also be used to destroy them. What is the answer to our Riddle?"[/b] Bootes tilts his head and thinks deeply while rubbing the scruff on his chin for a moment before speaking. ======================================================= This is your chance to contribute to help Bootes find his way into Sage's Keep! If you have an answer or perhaps a word of advice/guidance, post a reply(once the thread is opened) and perhaps your answer can help Bootes!

*shakes head sadly* You've officially killed any hope I had in you, Ren.

No...but that vote isn't an option.

I apologize if you misunderstood what I said. I am not backing either of you, but I am trying to help both of you to see certain sides of the argument here. As of yet I cannot confirm nor deny he has abused any privalege or powers. But I am pretty sure it will get looked into on the off-chance this may be an issue to address. But seriously, calm down. You getting all riled up will not solve anything, and probably make more people annoyed and upset than necessary.

Calm down both of you...please... First of all, I really could care less who you are, who you were, and how long you've been around. Let's just set that straight... With that said STF... Kragel, STF has a point. The Dojo, while being an official in-game tool for training, is not a rule-enforcing entity(yet). Which means he does have every right to attack as he sees fit, idle or not. Unfortunately, thems are the breaks in that regards. However, STF, let me apologize to you if things have been mishandled by the dojo staff(i am not one of them and totally understand where you are coming from on this). Really, all the dojo staff ask is that you respect their desire to have certain areas(designated) as dojos. But please do not get upset with them if you go against those wishes and they request you to cease and desist. As much as you have your right to do what you wish, since it is not breaking rules, they too have a right to request such things. While this may not have been handled in the most koosh sense, I think this can be resolved in a better means than what has transpired.

Lol...priceless: Lady Amethyst came up with this and doesn't even know it. You know you've been on MD too much when... You start to see MD scenes, objects, players, etc, in the clouds in the sky.

Just to throw myself out there, even though I know Ren is having Manu look into the overarching issue. :-) You can use me as a guinea pig if need be. I tend to be good a test subject... Ren that issue we checked on yesterday...well...I have 4 friends and now nobody gets added to the list....

Ok, perhaps Renavoid didn't make it really clear... We are looking for individuals who have a capacity for writing and who enjoy writing. If this is you and you think you have what it takes, find me in-game and PM me(or PM me here). Also, if you have a sample work for me to look over, that would go a LONG way in speeding the process up. For questions on this, please consult me in-game. Thank you.

I've seen Gilbert...and Speaker of the Shades has been around, too.

Perhaps there may be a usable solution... Perhaps a slightly expanded version of the AL here on the forums where much more length can be added? I will discuss the idea with Renavoid...as I have another thought to make that method even more plausible.