I couldn't find our thread where this hunt was announced, so feel free to redirect me. Over on another board, they have received preliminary clues. Earlier announcement article -> hxxp://mysteriouswritings.com/the-secre ... 500-prize/ sub-forum with new threads discussing the first level of clues -> hxxp://mysteriouswritings.proboards.com ... asure-hunt Should we spawn this off into a parallel section? We're swamped with the existing book, and it would be good to keep this topic separated.

A bit confusing. Is this the Image 13? hxxp://mysteriouswritings.com/wp-conten ... larger.jpg And below is the text (deciphered)? "Awakening Many summers have come and gone since the fair folk first set foot upon the new world's shore. The acorns of the forest grow into mighty oak trees, the arroyos of the desert crumble to deep canyons, and the winds of the prairie ever bend the grass. Amongst the fair folk still dwelling in the old world, songs are sung (and stories told) of Yo-Rib, he whom the world could not slay. Accompanied by the resolute Ruddy, and the brave Brandan, Yo-Rib navigated the mist and storm of the seas between, and arrived safely; first of the fair folk to visit the blue-skyed new world. After many wonders, these three explorers returned to the world of old, and their tales became the fabric of legend, told and woven into the souls of all fair folk. Most enchanted by these stories were the leprechaun Catt, descended from Brandan, and the sea-troll Ja-Eck, great nephew of Ruddy. Together, they dared the voyage, and thereby came to make the new world their home. As the years passed, Catt and Ja-Eck rarely saw one another, since Catt preferred to explore the meadow, glade, and woodlands, while Ja-Eck chose to stay by the seacliff, knowing whelkin, fog, and wave. They both enjoyed creating their own music and art, the oddest parts and pieces of which they would leave for the native peoples to find. Yet the native peoples, and even the animals of the new world, rarely caught sight of Catt and Ja-Eck, for they (in the manner of most fair folk) dwelt light on the land. The only exceptions were Catt's spirit animal, Hawk, and Ja-Eck's familiar, Sealion. One day, after many years of serenity in the new world, Hawk brought to Catt a head of a message from Yo-Rib, he whom the world could not slay. Sealion brought to Ja-Eck the tail of the message, and this is how the leprechaun and the sea-troll were brought together to discuss the body of the message itself... To Catt of the leprechauns, and to Ja-Eck of the sea-troll clan, say unto them both: Many of our folk fair hath made the voyage out to the new world after Catt and Ja-Eck did show it done by two folk good of heart. But, alas, the new man, with his iron, and his plastic, and his siege of asphaltium, has wrung from the land near all quiet. The fair folk have broke and been rolled into hiding. The terrible lowing of machine herds has overrun even the sacred 12 casque reliquaries. Nay! We do not begrudge those of the new people who have found and taken possession of any casque, for they did so with honor and mischief- in the proper way of our people. Yet we, last of the Yar-On, fear that the remaining unclaimed casques may be lost; buried beneath the architectures of man. We summon all fair folk of the new world to protect the reliquaries that are yet undisturbed. But to you, Catt, and to you, Ja-Eck, let be said this: There lies a 13th casque known only to the Yar-On. It is a casque of great beauty, adorned with gold and silver, and protected by the incantation of enclosing. Within are kept rough gemstones, so loved by Orion the hunter, and a grip of pure silver, a gift from and back to Artemis. Kept also within is the fabled Heart of the Ice Kingdom, noble pink tourmaline. You are called upon to take the 13th casque from the place where it lies, for it is directly under the heel of the new man and his encompassing avarice. You will hide the casque again, far from man, and his blinding fear, destruction, and square geometry. We leave the choosing of the new location to you; the Yar-On bow to your knowledge of the new world. When you are ready to begin, Catt, and you, Ja-Eck, begin walking. You shalt be guided to the reliquary of the 13th Casque. Take the casque and bear it to a new resting place, and the Yar-On shalt see that many wards and glyphs protect it, until it is claimed by a righteous one, be they folk fair or new man. Catt and Ja-Eck followed Yo-Rib's commands, retrieved the 13th casque, and hid it again elsewhere. Then, in the tradition of the fair folk, Catt took up his brush, and created a cryptic painting depicting clues to the casque's location. Ja-Eck took up his pen, and wrote obtuse verses revealing of other clues to the casque. These were left for finders to find. Catt and Ja-Eck returned to forest and seacliff, to wait for one who lands in the east, to look west with the right kind of eyes, to the place and time where the fair folk broke away and rolled back into hiding. The fair folk, new world and old, have heard the summons of the Yar-On and are taking action to save the remaining hidden casques. Unless you walk partly in their world, you will never see them, never know their works, and you certainly will be unable to defeat their measures, such as glyphs and cryptics, which the fair folk use to protect their treasures."

The text you posted is the decryption of what's in that jpg. The unencrypted text in the jpg gives the keys / cipher method for decryption. The image itself, isn't the image that will be used for locating the casque. It was provided as a prelude to the puzzle, possibly to give an idea of some of the methods used by the puzzle creators, when they finally release the image/verse. (This particular prelude makes me think that drunknerds was involved in this portion....I seem to recall reading (someplace) that he was a contributor. The puzzle uses a riddle, with an acrostic puzzle, followed by a method used with cryptic crossword puzzles, in order to let you know how to decrypt the text.) The issue I have with the method: The text is too long and uses two encryption methods. In order to decrypt that text using online tools, you either have to have a jpg OCR tool that's perfect or you have to use an imperfect OCR tool, followed by manual proofreading /corrections or you have to type it out, hoping you make no mistake, prior to decryption , in order to use the tools or you have to manually decrypt directly from the jpg, using two different decryption methods. One typo or incorrect OCR conversion and the final decryption produces gibberish.....for a long introductory story. Too many ways to get errors while trying to decrypt, just to read the damn text. It would have been great, if a PDF or doc was made available, so that the encrypted text could be captured, directly. (This should be 'fun'....and, a little bit challenging, right? Challenging in a maddening way, with painstaking (painful) methods required for decoding the text (that can result in a multitude of errors) rarely seems to be 'fun', imho.) Still....good riddle....fun decryption (once you figure it out)....but, with too much text encrypted (imo).

catherwood....I agree and think your idea is good: It would be great if this were spawned into a separate subforum to keep things clean and separate.

if we can keep the discussion in a single thread, I won't bother the admin to move this. If this was just a "warm-up" intro puzzle, it was TOO HARD for the audience used to the actual riddles for/from The Secret (original, O.G., whatever the kids use, i have no idea what OG stands for, original generation?). I agree with the constructive critism above, that a large block of text needs to be provided in a plain file format. Just glancing at the font they chose for that image, I could not see a difference between lowercase L and uppercase I, which could create fatal errors in decryption (depending on the technique used). I hope the real riddle+image pair stays within the style of the original. From there, we can decide how to proceed with solving it as a group.

I assume most members have to rely on a posting of the text and hope to be accurate OCR scan. I noticed one solver was getting some of the text on top encrypted and then garbage, obviously a typo or spacing issue. Unless the typo is at the beginning of the text, one should be able to correct the error quickly. Then again if the encryption is the type that you get whole lot more text than the original text, you are boned! Please post the image/text when available, I read they should be available by Valentine's day.

I'm flattered that you think I might have been involved, EZ. However, I have had zero association with any part of the puzzle and am looking forward to solving it with all of you. Sidenote: I hate ciphers. If there's one in the actual puzzle I'm pretty useless beyond showing it to the crypto experts I know. I am so excited for this!

I think it might be foreshadowing where it says the dug up casks were done woth mischief which is the fairy way. Seems to indicate the 13th might require a hard hat and construction vest

Any ideas on where the new casque may be? Maybe Seattle, with all the "sealion" and "hawk" talk. Also pink tourmaline mined in San Diego. Maybe San Diego Zoo area, the other end of the Spanish trail (zero stone being in St. Augustine)

Choice wrote:: Any ideas on where the new casque may be? Maybe Seattle, with all the "sealion" and "hawk" talk. Also pink tourmaline mined in San Diego. Maybe San Diego Zoo area, the other end of the Spanish trail (zero stone being in St. Augustine) I think those are smart deductions. I'd also consider "that plot in JM's backyard where he wants a pool dug"

Seriously speaking, I've been researching cities with a large group of immigrants from one nation. Washington DC has a huge ethiopian population, the largest in the u.s. What are some prominent nations that didn't make it into the first book? Japan? India? Mexico? Egypt?

catherwood wrote:: if we can keep the discussion in a single thread, I won't bother the admin to move this. If this was just a "warm-up" intro puzzle, it was TOO HARD for the audience used to the actual riddles for/from The Secret (original, O.G., whatever the kids use, i have no idea what OG stands for, original generation?). I agree with the constructive critism above, that a large block of text needs to be provided in a plain file format. Just glancing at the font they chose for that image, I could not see a difference between lowercase L and uppercase I, which could create fatal errors in decryption (depending on the technique used). I hope the real riddle+image pair stays within the style of the original. From there, we can decide how to proceed with solving it as a group. OG = Original Gangsta(original)

With all the people who believed (or still believe) that St. Louis is a casque city, that's my bet. Although I have not looked at the new puzzle at all, not even in this thread.

drunknerds wrote:: I think it might be foreshadowing where it says the dug up casks were done woth mischief which is the fairy way. Seems to indicate the 13th might require a hard hat and construction vest I'm surprised to read this. You always have liability issues and lawyers on your mind.

Choice wrote:: I'm surprised to read this. You always have liability issues and lawyers on your mind. No publisher = no legal department = no red tape! Let's dig up Busch Stadium

drunknerds wrote:: Let's dig up Busch Stadium Are you looking for Jimmy Hoffa?! Also the new writing reads it will be far away from people and their construction and square geometry. It won't be in a city but away in a park or an abandoned place.

gManTexas wrote:: With all the people who believed (or still believe) that St. Louis is a casque city, that's my bet. Although I have not looked at the new puzzle at all, not even in this thread. If there was a 13th cask before, the new writing mentions that it was dug up and reburied in a new place. "Catt and Ja-Eck followed Yo-Rib's commands, retrieved the 13th casque, and hid it AGAIN elsewhere. Then, in the tradition of the fair folk, Catt took up his brush, and created a cryptic painting depicting clues to the casque's location. Ja-Eck took up his pen, and wrote obtuse verses revealing of other clues to the casque. These were left for finders to find." I assume Catt is Kit Palencar.

That's interesting. Or maybe they meant they retrieved it from its hiding spot in JoAnn Trelling's storage unit. They do say it was from under the heel of man and seem to imply its right at the center of man's square architecture. Trelling lives in NYC, after all

After rereading the text, it seems like there was a 13th cask made originally that the jewels were kept in, including the pink tourmaline. Now this line: "Take the casque and bear it to a new resting place, and the Yar-On shalt see that many wards and glyphs protect it, until it is claimed by a righteous one, be they folk fair or new man." Does this mean it's in a more secure container that plexiglass? Metal detectable maybe?

Here's a link to burnstyle's post from last August, with some details/ info: hxxp://quest4treasure.co.uk/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=7327

Ah, good info. This came before I joined, lucky yall! $1500 value for a semi-precious stone is questionable. I'm familiar with gem stones since I collect them (and Roman coins). Nice quality clear 3 ct PT goes for about $150. I know people tend to inflate value and get high appraisal for insurance purposes.

Nice intro.

Choice, have you seen the shhhh... the secret podcast FB page? They've posted a lot of cool stuff: - Yes, they went out of their way to secure the casque in a reinforced box. They posted a picture and it's way beyond plexiglass. I didn't see anything that looked like metal, but have a look for yourself, I'd love to be wrong - Interesting observation about the PT value. Fans have been donating bars of silver and gold, so there should be a good haul even if the PT is nowhere near as advertised - They bought the original casque from the original sculptor, and had her paint it completely - I've been purposefully trying to stay away from using outside information to whittle down the locations, but I will say JM's job takes him all over the country, so it could be anywhere

drunknerds wrote:: Choice, have you seen the shhhh... the secret podcast FB page? They've posted a lot of cool stuff: - Yes, they went out of their way to secure the casque in a reinforced box. They posted a picture and it's way beyond plexiglass. I didn't see anything that looked like metal, but have a look for yourself, I'd love to be wrong - Interesting observation about the PT value. Fans have been donating bars of silver and gold, so there should be a good haul even if the PT is nowhere near as advertised - They bought the original casque from the original sculptor, and had her paint it completely - I've been purposefully trying to stay away from using outside information to whittle down the locations, but I will say JM's job takes him all over the country, so it could be anywhere I'm not on somed. Is it on the 12treasures.com?

https://www.facebook.com/shhhthesecretpodcast/ it is somewhere on their facebook page. It has been mentioned on the podcast not sure on which one

The pictures of the casque and the plexiglass box is posted on facebook

Harley Quinn wrote:: The pictures of the casque and the plexiglass box is posted on facebook Can you upload the Images here? Some of us are not on FB.

Choice wrote:: Can you upload the Images here? Some of us are not on FB. I hope this works. https://karenluvs.imgur.com/all

Now I think I figured out on post pics. Yay Here are a few

Where are the bars of gold! So don't need to return a key? Looks like heavy duty constructed case. Thanks for posting.

Choice wrote:: Where are the bars of gold! So don't need to return a key? Looks like heavy duty constructed case. Thanks for posting. I did not hear about gold bars, I know bout the silver bars

Cool, that's another $160.!

Here is the link to the thread here on Q4t from burnstyle. He also posted a link of a pic of the 3 karat Pink Tourmaline associated with the 13th casque. hxxp://quest4treasure.co.uk/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=7327&p=143560&hilit=pink#p143560

From what I know... (which isn't a lot, because I purposefully took myself out of this very early on)... There is the pink tourmaline, those silver bars, a random pile of uncut precious gems, and you DO have to turn in the key. This could have all changed... but that is the last I heard.

burnstyle wrote:: From what I know... (which isn't a lot, because I purposefully took myself out of this very early on)... There is the pink tourmaline, those silver bars, a random pile of uncut precious gems, and you DO have to turn in the key. This could have all changed... but that is the last I heard. I would pack that thing in a thick industrial vacuum pack bag and heat seal it. The box looks bigger than before. Is it still going to be buried 3+ feet deep?

Choice wrote:: I would pack that thing in a thick industrial vacuum pack bag and heat seal it. The box looks bigger than before. Is it still going to be buried 3+ feet deep? I have no idea.

13th cask should be plastered all over the 12treasures' front page. Why the shhh...? I don't even see the tribute thing.

Choice wrote:: 13th cask should be plastered all over the 12treasures' front page. Why the shhh...? I don't even see the tribute thing. because I purposefully took myself out of the tribute hunt very early on. I am not involved in any way shape or form, and I don't want to give anyone the impression that I am.

Is it possible to just let JM finish what he is doing on HIS schedule? Why the urgent need to dissect everything before all of the information is ready and available? This type of building frenzy is most likely why Preiss shut down communications with hunters in the past. Patience and respect never hurts anything. The instant gratification mentality is simply childish.

I think it was inappropriate to post the decrypted lore without a *spoiler* leader. I have loads of practice with cryptography and sat down with pen and paper for a good couple hours and I'm not making any progress. Until I get the Prelude figured out, I'm not too concerned with when the release date of the primary puzzle.

The deciphered text is a mile long. Couldn't you stop yourself before reading it in entirety?

Mister EZ wrote:: Too many ways to get errors while trying to decrypt, just to read the damn text. It would have been great, if a PDF or doc was made available, so that the encrypted text could be captured, directly. Mister EZ wrote:: (This should be 'fun'....and, a little bit challenging, right? Challenging in a maddening way, with painstaking (painful) methods required for decoding the text (that can result in a multitude of errors) rarely seems to be 'fun', imho.) I wonder if this was intentional due to formatting and ease of guessing plain text words. It appears there were two ways to solve the puzzle. Starting from the left(verse) or from the right(cipher text). fun = starting from the left - understand the instructions, solve the riddle, acrostic, cryptic crossword. painful = starting from the right - transcribe, use brute force/tools to decrypt. I'd even guess that the creator of the puzzle would have released the cipher text in a doc had somebody got close to uncovering the method the "fun" way.

GoldenMartyr wrote:: The reason he (the puzzle creator) didnt release the text block in a copy able way was because he was worried people would be able to easily brute force it.... He was almost right about that. He wanted people to focus on the verse. I doubt he would have released the text at all in a way where it could be copied. He seemed to be a bit disappointed when it was broken with brute force.

Sort of kind of right....see above.

Actually, the way the cipher was written, all one had to do is decipher the title "Fudnoqrdl". Only then you can go on and do the rest using the same technique. Misspellings can easily be corrected when you start getting garbage out.

Why not start with "th casque" as known plain text? This would have been the easiest and by far most obvious way to attempt to use brute force. ...but yeah, what you said....guessing 9 letter words till you had a match would be an option.

Choice wrote:: Actually, the way the cipher was written, all one had to do is decipher the title "Fudnoqrdl". Only then you can go on and do the rest using the same technique. Misspellings can easily be corrected when you start getting garbage out. It was a revolving key... so that would not have worked.

I meant while you are trying to find the key and trying different methods of deciphering, all you would've needed is the title word. Of course you need the accompanied verse to get the key. But to test your key you wouldn't need the whole text, just the title. It's not really that complicated!

Choice wrote:: I meant while you are trying to find the key and trying different methods of deciphering, all you would've needed is the title word. Of course you need the accompanied verse to get the key. But to test your key you wouldn't need the whole text, just the title. It's not really that complicated! Yes, you could test the key with the whole block of cipher text or a single word from the cipher text. Either would result in more cipher text once you have the correct key for the Vigenere.

I don't "get" cyphers: Isn't it always solved by brute force, in that you keep trying known encryption methods until you find one that works?

Yes...the smarter move would have been to do a similar style puzzle to the verse and release the lore when solved....or have the solve access a page with the lore. Unfortunately, some idiot thought he would whip up a puzzle quickly that's answer would be the method to decrypting the cipher. All while hoping the cipher heads would be annoyed by the double encryption, call foul, and not play the game.

drunknerds wrote:: I don't "get" cyphers: Isn't it always solved by brute force, in that you keep trying known encryption methods until you find one that works? Not for experts. There are usually recurring patterns that can tip off the encryption method. If you don’t know them, or you can’t find them, then yes, brute force is required.

Guardian wrote:: Not for experts. There are usually recurring patterns that can tip off the encryption method. If you don’t know them, or you can’t find them, then yes, brute force is required. Oh, okay, cool. Glad there are some solving skills involved that a lot of people find fun. It always struck me as super weird how little ciphers speak to me. You know me, I've solved and sold hundreds of puzzles, almost every kind I either find interesting or can see why others like them. I even like basic cryptography: One time I had the pleasure of solving na cryptogram that was both backwards and in Spanish (so a double L counted as one letter). But Ciphers always felt like either you crack it based on experience or you just blindly paste it in different solvers. Sharp learning curve in the beginning.

The key to breaking the cipher if you choose not to look at the verse on the left would have been to find all instances of "13xx xxxxxx". It really doesn't get anymore obvious than this.

in case anyone here doesn't know about it, here is a link to the forum where the most discussion is taking place, as well as links to supporting documents. hxxp://mysteriouswritings.proboards.com ... asure-hunt

The Image is kinda creepy.

Also here's the facebook page where the whole thing originated. Lots of discussion going on there, too https://www.facebook.com/groups/1182128925289925/ And check out the Shhhh podcast, dropping late Saturday night, when the 13th casque puzzle will be analyzed. It will feature a very familiar face... someone who might even be in this very thread... someone who might even be in this very post.

After an ever EVER so brief skim of the Facebook stuff, my reaction is: neither Nashville nor San Antonio are port cities. If that is in any way relevant, I have no idea. Depends on one's definition of "tribute" I suppose.

Merlot Brougham wrote:: After an ever EVER so brief skim of the Facebook stuff, my reaction is: neither Nashville nor San Antonio are port cities. If that is in any way relevant, I have no idea. Depends on one's definition of "tribute" I suppose. Good question, but my instinct is that this might not necessarily be a port city. I think this 13th casque is allowed to be a bit different from the others. I'm pleased to see this 13th puzzle, and that people aren't objecting to this thread on it. I like how it's been done.

Merlot Brougham wrote:: After an ever EVER so brief skim of the Facebook stuff, my reaction is: neither Nashville nor San Antonio are port cities. If that is in any way relevant, I have no idea. Depends on one's definition of "tribute" I suppose. Minneapolis-St. Paul and Galveston are also coming up.

Here's my area of interest. Wheeler park on top right being the round hatchet ball. Across london bridge to Crazy Horse. https://tinyurl.com/y5y2t5my

https://tinyurl.com/y6f3mmo5 https://tinyurl.com/y57llcla

I was testing different things to see if there’s any ciphered clue in the verse. There isn’t (I don’t think); only a tribute message. All the cap. letters: YAACABIVILOCTCIV Vigenère decrypt with keyword = GREYTEARS Decrypt the result with Caesar Cipher with shift value 4 Result: Of sad team bt ur far

https://www.flickr.com/photos/156936251 ... st-2dG8FL3 I believe that the 13th cask is near Brunswick Georgia on Jekyll Island. I have posted some images that are very similar to the 13th cask image.

edit: double post Monarch, Queen (chess), Victoria.

Very nice Merlot. Another clue for London bridge? The animal may be the 'legeater'. Missing leg hint. Hooves similar to Image 9. Legeaters on the London bridge.

Lyndale Park Rose Garden Heffelfinger Fountain 4124 Roseway Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55409

I like the probe/branding iron combo. The recessed part of the platform, the one with 2 curves and shadow may be one of those perspective puzzles. Best viewed upside down. It would look convex like a vase or a post.

So after crossing the London Bridge you get to a boot shaped island. Looking at the Beachcomber BLVD you notice that it forms the shape of a woman with head, arms, body, smallest leg and foot. Her foot is practically standing on the marina. Now a couple of observations in the painting: • She’s wearing a slip and it is touching the water on the platform. • Her unusual foot and toes is in the shape of a duck’s head and bill, also touching water. • I take these clues as dock/slip in the marina. 7th slip is a good guess. Spot of interest is in the sand infront of 7th slip. • The painting may show the spot in the sand next to where dog lays with an iron probe in the corner I know the battle axe and the Valkyrie line is sending people to Minnesota but it doesn’t fit the imagery. Axe is connection to Native Americans and the line ‘Valkyrie's window with seven’ may only be a simple word puzzle. Something like VALuable KeY RISE WIN Doe with 7 https://tinyurl.com/y6dcp2dq

My guess after looking at it for about 15 minutes in somewhere in the Nag's Head, Kill Devil Hills region in North Carolina. The tree branch looks like it makes out the state outline. The sheep looks like "Goatman" who is supposed to reside in Kill Devil Hills. A few other things... just a quick guess though. Fun to see something new. Regards, Mac

Macfos wrote:: My guess after looking at it for about 15 minutes in somewhere in the Nag's Head, Kill Devil Hills region in North Carolina. The tree branch looks like it makes out the state outline. The sheep looks like "Goatman" who is supposed to reside in Kill Devil Hills. A few other things... just a quick guess though. Fun to see something new. Regards, Mac Are you taking the approach that "Your way has a twin" means the 13th Cask is going to be buried within a very short distance of where we know one of the original casques was also buried? I'm not sure that feels right to me. Here - Have a pure verse solve that has no reference whatsoever in the image, but deals with twins: Cooperstown, NY. The Baseball hall of fame has Twins. Seven of them to be exact. A twin is also a double, like Abner Doubleday. A four seam fastball crosses four spans and is an emblem of Base Ball (as originally spelled and capitalized). The above makes as much sense to me as "Your way has a Twin = Minneapolis". That's 1960's Adam West Batman Riddler Episode level stuff.

Here's where I'm currently at: Lyndale Park Rose Garden Minneapolis, MN Potential Casqu Location: 44.926300 -93.296392 What do we think? Do I have the right spot? Quite a bit is adding up at this point.

So what is the address for this random house near the park please?

I don't believe it's at that house or in the yard of that house. I believe if you go across the street to a vantage point where you can see both the bench and house together, it might be to the left corner of the bench. Right about at these coordinates: 44.926301 -93.296393

That dormer doesn't look like what you think it does. BTW here's a quote from the lure: "You will hide the casque again, far from man, and his blinding fear, destruction, and square geometry." https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/mn/ ... _26701931/

Choice wrote:: That dormer doesn't look like what you think it does. BTW here's a quote from the lure: "You will hide the casque again, far from man, and his blinding fear, destruction, and square geometry." https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/mn/ ... _26701931/ But that's not the House of the Seven Gables.

I'm confused now. That's the house pictured in his solve and coordinates. Are we going to Salem?

Face, foot, robe, hair (Minnehaha Regional Park Statue Pieces): Justin (mm)

I will bet my house that this is not in Minnesota. Any gamblers out there?

I will bet my house that this is not in Minnesota . Any gamblers out there?

Minotaur_moreno wrote:: Here's where I'm currently at: Lyndale Park Rose Garden Minneapolis, MN Potential Casqu Location: 44.926300 -93.296392 What do we think? Do I have the right spot? Quite a bit is adding up at this point. I like what you have so far and some of it does seem to fit... Good for you if it does and you get to dig. Two notes though from what I saw on Google Earth. The round (hubcap) shape might be the ring structure on the other side of the park in the Peace Garden... Maybe this is why it is outside the main structure in the 13th image, on the other side of the edge meaning across the street. The path in that area also (if flipped horizontal) has almost the same shape as the leash to the sheep if you look at it from the south.

Quick question, I've read something about it being difficult to solve with just google maps ? what was exactly said about this ? I can't find it anymore... anyone remember where this was mentioned... Just wondering if the digspot is or isn't visible from google maps (streetview)

The reason I'm asking: I actually have a spot in Minneapolis, and John's facebook post hint just confirmed my theory ! (I'm going crazy right now ! ! ! ! ! ! ) There's 2 possibilties though : 1 is my original spot (visible from streetview) (I seriously think this should be it) 2. There's might be an exact duplicate outside of google streetview sight, that would need boots on the ground That brings me to a second question ANYONE WANNA DIG ? ? ? ? I'm not able to dig myself, plane tickets would be like a $1000 so that's a bit much... So it would be really cool if there's someone I can trust to dig for me.

GoldenMartyr wrote:: I will bet my house that this is not in Minnesota. Any gamblers out there? I'm not sure what makes MN any more significant than any other place.

GoldenMartyr wrote:: I will bet my house that this is not in Minnesota . Any gamblers out there? I'm not sure what makes MN any more significant than any other place.

mariska wrote:: John's facebook post hint just confirmed my theory ! (I'm going crazy right now ! ! ! ! ! ! ) Which of his facebook hints are you specifically referring to?

Merlot Brougham wrote:: Which of his facebook hints are you specifically referring to? Oh this is so difficult, I don't want everyone running around digging illegal holes everywhere (and ruin everything, not allowing us to dig anywhere anymore, since that's what happened in the other cities after expedition unknown) so I don't want to give away too much until someone's checked out this spot I have in mind.... But well you can all check facebook yourselves, so I guess I gave away too much already He said this (You'll probably think what does that have to do with it, but it makes complete sense in the end) : The Tribute Casque makes it's TV debut. Remember kids, this isn't a replica, there is no key for a safety deposit box inside the original 12, and Midian is where the monsters live!

mariska wrote:: Oh this is so difficult, I don't want everyone running around digging illegal holes everywhere (and ruin everything, not allowing us to dig anywhere anymore, since that's what happened in the other cities after expedition unknown) so I don't want to give away too much until someone's checked out this spot I have in mind.... But well you can all check facebook yourselves, so I guess I gave away too much already He said this (You'll probably think what does that have to do with it, but it makes complete sense in the end) : The Tribute Casque makes it's TV debut. Remember kids, this isn't a replica, there is no key for a safety deposit box inside the original 12, and Midian is where the monsters live! You're right. I'm thinking what does this have to do with anything.

The metal rod on the left side of the image is a match for a 1939 World's Fair style park bench. These benches were designed for the 1939 NYC World's Fair, but now can be found in parks all over.

erexere wrote:: I'm not sure what makes MN any more significant than any other place. For starters: - There's a Rubin Vase (Edgar Rubin, was a Danish psychologist, which is a nice match for the Scandinavian theme) in the window which matches the outline of Minnesota . See the pointy part on the left, and the face on the right, if you put those two on top of each-other you have the shape in the window. I know people will say it's not an exact match, but there's a reason for that... - It's the REBUS everyone's looking for The Rubin vase works like this : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubin_vase You'll see two images, an optical illusion - a Vase and a Face So we have both sides matching Minnesota - and the middle is a queen piece in chess. Like the original 12 verses / images , we can confirm we have the correct state , by it's state flower. - Minnesota 's state flower is the Queen's Lady's Slipper. which gives us the rebus and explains the weird shoe - Also the state butterfly is the Monarch, which everyone knows by now, confirming the state. And there's a lot more tying it to St-Paul/Minneapolis

erexere wrote:: I'm not sure what makes MN any more significant than any other place. For starters: - There's a Rubin Vase (Edgar Rubin, was a Danish psychologist, which is a nice match for the Scandinavian theme) in the window which matches the outline of Minnesota. See the pointy part on the left, and the face on the right, if you put those two on top of each-other you have the shape in the window. I know people will say it's not an exact match, but there's a reason for that... - It's the REBUS everyone's looking for The Rubin vase works like this : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubin_vase You'll see two images, an optical illusion - a Vase and a Face So we have both sides matching Minnesota - and the middle is a queen piece in chess. Like the original 12 verses / images , we can confirm we have the correct state , by it's state flower. - Minnesota's state flower is the Queen's Lady's Slipper. which gives us the rebus and explains the weird shoe - Also the state butterfly is the Monarch, which everyone knows by now, confirming the state. And there's a lot more tying it to St-Paul/Minneapolis

Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango?

BINGO wrote:: Im not keeping up, and have been banned from the page, so I'm not up to date with whats going on. This seems really close though. does the place match the verse?

burnstyle wrote:: Im not keeping up, and have been banned from the page, so I'm not up to date with whats going on. This seems really close though. does the place match the verse? Along with 3 other verses from the original hunt... I’m not actively searching for this casque and I don’t do snapface, facegram or instachat. I just happened upon it and the foot grabbed my attention enough to take a picture.

I was wondering when someone is going to post that! viewtopic.php?f=32&t=728&start=1869

burnstyle wrote:: Im not keeping up, and have been banned from the page... Who burned you?

Choice wrote:: Who burned you? JM. its a long strange story.

Choice wrote:: I was wondering when someone is going to post that! hxxp://quest4treasure.co.uk/phpbb3/view ... start=1869 Or, you took the information that I mentioned in earlier posts about where I was looking yesterday. Then searched the area looking for the statue. I find it very difficult to believe that a chronic poster of random crap and loose connections like you would have the ability to NOT post this if you knew about it. Especially since it was an item you were talking about just a day or two ago. If you had noticed this, you would have posted it. You missed it, no big deal. It happens. Were you also wondering when someone would post a picture of the benches that are very similar to the ones being talked about? I’ll hold off and let you do that. EDIT: I posted this picture because I read a post by Merlot Brougham (elsewhere) that mentioned Boston (and other cities) as a potential site. When I saw the foot, I posted it for him. He seems to be taking this hunt seriously. Whether it helps or is off track is for others to decide. I have no skin in the game. Hope it helps.

Actually I posted that in reply to Doghouse asking if there were any statues with arm stretched in public garden. Wrong again. My comment was I was wondering who is going to notice that foot and post about it NOT who posted some random image someday. You must be addicted to Cortisol. Stop stressin'

No stress. I’m addicted to ether at the moment and I have you to thank for that. It’s pretty basic, your comment implied that you already knew about the foot of the statue and you were waiting for someone else to bring it up. I challenged that notion because of your posting habits. Were you or were you not talking about this exact statue in the last few days? If you noticed the foot back then, why didn’t you bring it up? I only posted the pic to let others discuss and determine its value. (Especially MB) I actually have other pics of similar benches to add as well. I don’t follow this hunt other than casual exposure, so my opinion and translation wouldn’t carry any weight.

I did notice that foot while doing the Google walkthrough and didn't think it's relevance to anything and frankly I was concerned my trolls would bark at me for even posting an irrelevant "random" post. How else would I've known where that statue was?

Choice wrote:: I did notice that foot while doing the Google walkthrough and didn't think it's relevance to anything and frankly I was concerned my trolls would bark at me for even posting an irrelevant "random" post. How else would I've known where that statue was? Ok sure. If you had posted the picture of that foot, it would have been the closest thing to an image match that you have ever offered. Doesn’t the Zodiac killer still have some unsolved ciphers? Maybe your talents would be better used on something more important.

BINGO wrote:: Ok sure. If you had posted the picture of that foot, it would have been the closest thing to an image match the you have ever offered. Doesn’t the Zodiac killer still have some unsolved ciphers? Maybe your talents would be better used on something more important. Don't worry 'bout it

The bottom branch has two offshoots, one with 3 twigs and the other with 2 twigs. MN is the 32nd state...thats one of many reasons that I have this casque buried in MN. I see the hubcap as the front of an old locomotive ( a tribute to 982 ) and the "T" is a tribute to the "T" in Boston. This led me to the conclusion that the casque is near a train depot, a train track or some other related train area.

MrBackstop wrote:: The bottom branch has two offshoots, one with 3 twigs and the other with 2 twigs. MN is the 32nd state...thats one of many reasons that I have this casque buried in MN. I see the hubcap as the front of an old locomotive ( a tribute to 982 ) and the "T" is a tribute to the "T" in Boston. This led me to the conclusion that the casque is near a train depot, a train track or some other related train area. First, thanks for getting things back on track. Second, I like the train angle. So a train depot with a familiar park bench.

In the spirit of sharing (getting out my troll pepper spray): The image reminds me of a couple of art works: Edgar Degas “Woman with a Towel” [the bathroom scene in the movie As Good as it Gets played by Helen Hunt based on this painting] https://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ ... 253482.jpg Salvador Dali “Girl or Figure at the Window” https://www.dalipaintings.com/images/pa ... window.jpg

Those are certainly nice pieces of art, no doubt. As a tribute I see this art by Kit as including something from all the Images of the "The Secret".

Totally agree. In the MysteriousWritings Forum I listed a bunch of similarities. I just don't like this painting. It's not pretty enough! Junior should stick to his day job.

Have had a little play around with this. After going over and giving some feedback on the facebook page I thought I add some info here also: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1neOMEW ... sp=sharing

Just to add, its a very rough version I just posted. I literally just knocked that pdf up after an hour of walking through the image and things do seem to line up for Saint Paul.

Nice job with the leash bbi. In case this can help with your St. Paul theory, Rice park has a round water fountain with a lady standing with similar pose. https://tinyurl.com/yy37etqy

Hmmm? - https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ ... C06336.jpg Same woman - different tomahawk - hxxp://www.hawthorneinsalem.org/images/ ... me=MMD2182

In my solve "Your way has a twin" is a reference to MN but not the twin cities. Look to the Twin Ports and you'll start to see more answers. The "leash" is a match for the Monarch Highway which starts in Laredo, TX and ends in Duluth, MN.

MrBackstop wrote:: In my solve "Your way has a twin" is a reference to MN but not the twin cities. Look to the Twin Ports and you'll start to see more answers. The "leash" is a match for the Monarch Highway which starts in Laredo, TX and ends in Duluth, MN. This is an interesting idea and was also being discussed last night in the SA thread. Has your solve found any World's Fair Bench(es) in Duluth yet?

Bench is one solution for the OC but not the only one. It may just be a hint to someone's ID, a brand or emblem. Similar to user ID logo.

Choice wrote:: Bench is one solution for the OC but not the only one. It may just be a hint to someone's ID, a brand or emblem. Similar to user ID logo. I personally see a lot of small details that strongly link the OC to the bench. I'm copying his comparison image and I tend to agree with Drunk Nerds who pointed those details out very succinctly. I'm paraphrasing him, but note the ends of the C's don't curve inward and the bars holding the letters do curve. Also notice the open triangular space between the bar holding the letters and the letters themselves. Those are very particular details that are in both the bench and the OC. I think it's pretty persuasive and at least worthy of serious consideration. In my unimportant opinion, this would be a very smart "treasure ground" indicator for JM to choose. It's a "World's Fair Bench" which fits great with the lore of the hunt. It's also a very specific design, but a fairly popular bench. I have found examples of these World's Fair Benches in numerous cities. We have what looks like it could be a pretty solid match, but we need to figure out more clues to find the specific World's Fair Bench JM wants us to find. In the spirit of the tribute, the puzzle mechanism being used is very similar to how Preiss/JJP used the fence in Grant Park for Image 5/Chicago: The moment you walk into Grand Park, you will see that style fence post (and presumably before they were removed - the "halo") everywhere in the park. It's a significant clue and one that is definitely the treasure ground clue in the image, but until you use the other clues and the verse to find which specific fence post you are using as your marker, you could spend a lifetime digging holes around Grant Park. To take the comparison of tribute and lore one slightly more abstract step, Preiss also puts "fence and fixture" in the verse 12 and "land near the window" in verse 11 to link image to verse. There's only one verse here, but it seems possible the "One Casque" (both words capitalized) could be a clue to tell us the OC in the image is a meaningful treasure ground indicator and will be where the digging takes place, particularly since it's attached to a probe in the image itself. I would suggest this may be clever way of incorporating a "method past" to give us additional instructions and direct us to what is an important part of the puzzle.

Agreed. I came across this site: https://www.olmstedparks.org/get-involved/tribute/

Choice wrote:: Agreed. I came across this site: https://www.olmstedparks.org/get-involved/tribute/ That's Louisville, there's also Buffalo: https://www.bfloparks.org/ Buffalo has a few interesting characteristics beyond Olmsted and the benches. Known as The Queen City, also a port city.

I don't think it's connection is to a bench (although it could be ) as much as it is to someone on FB that thought it was an indication of "OC" for one casque.....like in the verse.

MrBackstop wrote:: I don't think it's connection is to a bench (although it could be ) as much as it is to someone on FB that thought it was an indication of "OC" for one casque.....like in the verse. I don't think I am completely following. You don't think what's a connection? Is the suggestion the OC in the verse and the OC in the picture are just self-referential to each other and nothing more?

OC as in One Casque and the T probe. Maybe both, OC next to the bench. Did you guys listen to the 12treasures.com audio about 13th cask and dante's inferno and circles of hell?!

Choice wrote:: Did you guys listen to the 12treasures.com audio about 13th cask and dante's inferno and circles of hell?! Sounded like the inane ramblings of a crazy person, to me.

No I did not listen to it yet. What I'm saying is is that I don't think the clue itself is necessarily a bench. I'll try to listen the podcast and get some more info. And while I'm at it I wanted to add this. I can certainly see the casque being buried near a bench but I believe the clue is an indication of a wrought iron fence of some sort. At the beginning and end Cross four spans This means from the starting point of the puzzle to the end, pass 4 bridges. But, I see these as pedestrian bridges....no cars or trucks.

An emblem of B B means Bridge, but has nothing to do with the four pedestrian bridges (spans).

MrBackstop wrote:: An emblem of B B means Bridge, but has nothing to do with the four pedestrian bridges (spans). That was my exact thought. That's why I slapped together my solve the day after the puzzle was released! London bridge in AZ (beginning and end of alphabet) and there are emblems of monarchy at the start and end (shield) and even legeater lamps! Crossing 4 spans being the 4 corners where 4 states create a cross (butterfly's 4 wingspan segments). The wooden brace holding the butterfly forms an A and it's location is AZ (south-west). BTW the bridge is literally a bridge to nowhere. That island has no name or at least I couldn't find one.

I like your thoughts on AZ, that's cool. I'm in MN myself and here's my main reason why: A man of adventure stands I was trying to figure out what man may be important to both the USA and Canada since there are casques in both countries. A man more important than Christopher Columbus would be...Leif Erikson. He discovered North America way before Columbus. Leif Erikson is our man of adventure.

Take a walk down Lakewalk in Duluth and you'll find yourself in Leif Erikson Park. His statue stands at the edge of the park. So many of the clues started coming together once I found my way into this area.

Choice wrote:: That was my exact thought. That's why I slapped together my solve the day after the puzzle was released! London bridge in AZ (beginning and end of alphabet) and there are emblems of monarchy at the start and end (shield) and even legeater lamps! Crossing 4 spans being the 4 corners where 4 states create a cross (butterfly's 4 wingspan segments). The wooden brace holding the butterfly forms an A and it's location is AZ (south-west). BTW the bridge is literally a bridge to nowhere. That island has no name or at least I couldn't find one. Could the posts below the rail to the right be the "Queen" chess piece shape? hxxp://photo.accuweather.com/photogalle ... 0fed7a.jpg

MrBackstop wrote:: No I did not listen to it yet. What I'm saying is is that I don't think the clue itself is necessarily a bench. I'll try to listen the podcast and get some more info. And while I'm at it I wanted to add this. I can certainly see the casque being buried near a bench but I believe the clue is an indication of a wrought iron fence of some sort. At the beginning and end Cross four spans This means from the starting point of the puzzle to the end, pass 4 bridges. But, I see these as pedestrian bridges....no cars or trucks. That you for clearing up that point about the bench. I appreciate it. I think I would fall in the other camp for now. It seems like a very strong clue to me, but who knows. If someone puts together a solve with an image match that does better than a World's Fair Bench for the end of the "fire poker", I'll be totally on board. Until then, I think that's going to be a key piece of the solution. We will find out once someone digs this thing up. What makes you think these are pedestrian bridges? Do you feel those instructions are for once we are already at the general treasure location and will be on foot for a period of time crossing those spans to the dig spot? This is where I am a little conflicted based upon the "tribute" and the "lore". Do you think the verse supposes we are on foot the entire time from start to finish? Cleveland and Chicago are both referencing nearby roads in addition to specific treasure ground clues. The Roanoke verse also covers several miles of territory. I'm not sure how I feel about that at this point. Still trying to work out the clues. Willing to be persuaded by your thoughts on this. What do you think?

MERLIN wrote:: Could the posts below the rail to the right be the "Queen" chess piece shape? hxxp://photo.accuweather.com/photogalle ... 0fed7a.jpg Actually if you pan slightly to the left of that image you'll see a bunch of other posts that have 2 sets of 2 bumps or ripples along the post. Combine the designs of both? https://tinyurl.com/y5nno3jg

MERLIN wrote:: Hmmm? - https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ ... C06336.jpg Same woman - different tomahawk - hxxp://www.hawthorneinsalem.org/images/ ... me=MMD2182 If you like the hatchet women checkout this sweetie! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_Hachette

Choice wrote:: Actually if you pan slightly to the left of that image you'll see a bunch of other posts that have 2 sets of 2 bumps or ripples along the post. Combine the designs of both? https://tinyurl.com/y5nno3jg there's a dragon too https://farm6.static.flickr.com/5809/23 ... 690d_b.jpg

MERLIN wrote:: there's a dragon too https://farm6.static.flickr.com/5809/23 ... 690d_b.jpg And it's twin is in London. Hence two dragons on top of the Tribute page. hxxp://www.newgeography.com/content/002 ... ndon-fixed Did you see the birdseye view of the island I posted? Looks just like the woman with tiny leg (one leg) in a sharp angle resting on the Marina? viewtopic.php?f=32&t=7978&start=70 Most of my posts relating to cask 13 are on the mysterious board. If interested checkout my posts. Start from last page 1st. I don't know if you have to be a member to view or not. hxxp://mysteriouswritings.proboards.com/user/826/recent

Choice wrote:: And it's twin is in London. Hence two dragons on top of the Tribute page. hxxp://www.newgeography.com/content/002 ... ndon-fixed Did you see the birdseye view of the island I posted? Looks just like the woman with tiny leg (one leg) in a sharp angle resting on the Marina? viewtopic.php?f=32&t=7978&start=70 Most of my posts relating to cask 13 are on the mysterious board. If interested checkout my posts. Start from last page 1st. I don't know if you have to be a member to view or not. hxxp://mysteriouswritings.proboards.com/user/826/recent Is there a 1939 World's Fair Bench anywhere nearby?

Merlot Brougham wrote:: Is there a 1939 World's Fair Bench anywhere nearby? I haven't looked but this is my original interpretation of the OC branding iron as it's called. T bar for the probe and OC for one cask. So that's basically X marks the spot. Also "It's down below -- Valkyrie's window with seven": Down below or under. Valkyries take the warriors' souls to heaven. 7th window of heaven is God? At the 4 corner circle, Arizona quarter has "UNDER GOD" inscription.

Choice wrote:: I haven't looked but this is my original interpretation of the OC branding iron as it's called. T bar for the probe and OC for one cask. So that's basically X marks the spot. Also "It's down below -- Valkyrie's window with seven": Down below or under. Valkyries take the warriors' souls to heaven. 7th window of heaven is God? At the 4 corner circle, Arizona quarter has "UNDER GOD" inscription. Understood. Thank you for explaining your train of thought on that. For now, given the clues we have so far, I tend to think that the end of the "probe" and the connection to the verse (which would seem to stress its importance in the hunt) is a very convincing match for the base of a very popular park bench that seems to be ubiquitous in American parks, particularly Olmsted parks/port city parks, and has a very interesting history that connects to the original hunt in a very seamless way, fitting of a tribute, and for now deserves additional attention.

Merlot Brougham wrote:: What makes you think these are pedestrian bridges? Do you feel those instructions are for once we are already at the general treasure location and will be on foot for a period of time crossing those spans to the dig spot? This is where I am a little conflicted based upon the "tribute" and the "lore". Do you think the verse supposes we are on foot the entire time from start to finish? Cleveland and Chicago are both referencing nearby roads in addition to specific treasure ground clues. The Roanoke verse also covers several miles of territory. I'm not sure how I feel about that at this point. Still trying to work out the clues. Willing to be persuaded by your thoughts on this. What do you think? Merlot, they are pedestrian bridges in the solve I am currently working. The instructions are meant to have us walk from the starting point to the treasure spot just like in many other puzzles...I believe SF and Boston are examples of walking puzzles as well. As for the "T", I fall in line with Choice as seeing this as a "probe" above the furniture platform and as a very important clue that I believe to be part of some wrought iron fence as well as a possible indication for the final dig spot "OC"...One Casque. To your point about some of the puzzles being traveled in different manners...all walking or some walking,some automobiles....Milwuakee and NY are long walks if the searcher chooses to go that route but will be easier doing the front part in a car. But as I said, I see this one as stictly a walking puzzle.

Here is my first half solve of the 13th Casque. Your way has a twin - Twin Ports, Duluth Minnesota A man of adventure stands - Leif Erikson Park, statue At the beginning and end Cross four spans - 4 Pedestrian bridges over the train tracks along Lakewalk boardwalk and bike trail, after passing four bridges you will be at the Leif Erikson Park Rose garden An emblem of B - Aerial Lift Bridge, which is the emblem of Duluth, Minnesota

MrBackstop wrote:: Here is my first half solve of the 13th Casque. Your way has a twin - Twin Ports, Duluth Minnesota A man of adventure stands - Leif Erikson Park, statue At the beginning and end Cross four spans - 4 Pedestrian bridges over the train tracks along Lakewalk boardwalk and bike trail, after passing four bridges you will be at the Leif Erikson Park Rose garden An emblem of B - Aerial Lift Bridge, which is the emblem of Duluth, Minnesota Have you managed to get any further around Duluth? Had a quick look there after reading your post. I see a good match for the Valkyrie and the seven windows, which I guess you have.

Yes, I've narrowed down the Park and the area but not the actual dig spot. Remember JM did not necessarily want this one solve thru Google Earth. Because of the area I believed it's buried, I cannot get a close look thru GE. I've been searching thru photos and videos with some success in the video world on Youtube. Oh, as for the Valkyrie's window....it doesn't say windowS, so I don't see that clue as having anything to do with 7 windows.

It's down below Valkyrie's window with seven Here is the key to my solve...the start and end in the same photo. The casque is in this area but not right next to the gazebo. I'm trying to find a dig spot between the tracks and the rocks. Remember the clue towards the end In marsh, hillside, and valley deep

Here is what I see the axe as representing. Do you guys see anything else along the Duluth Lakewalk?

Just listened to the latest podcast and it sounds like two individuals may have the correct location. Which may make my solve void, anyway, thought I'd share what I've got have enjoyed putting it together: drive.google.com/file/d/1oDOMGhL6mN7oE4j7tWQaOQNmGKkKthgP/view?usp=sharing

bbi wrote:: Just listened to the latest podcast and it sounds like two individuals may have the correct location. Which may make my solve void, anyway, thought I'd share what I've got have enjoyed putting it together: drive.google.com/file/d/1oDOMGhL6mN7oE4j7tWQaOQNmGKkKthgP/view?usp=sharing I have listened to the podcast also. Not sure if that is true. Does Bret know for sure where the location of the casque? Did JM and Kit give him the location? It even seems George tried to stop him. George asked him if he knew the location and he said no. I don't think that is what JM wanted. I still believe that the location is only between the two of them not anyone else until it is found. Why broadcast it for all to hear? I was not happy on how the podcast ended. Even if Bret knows the location it should not have been broadcasted. If JM said it then I would believe the statements. Don't let what was stated by an individual decide whether your theory is valid or not. Until found all theories are valid.

Harley Quinn wrote:: I have listened to the podcast also. Not sure if that is true. Does Bret know for sure where the location of the casque? Did JM and Kit give him the location? It even seems George tried to stop him. George asked him if he knew the location and he said no. I don't think that is what JM wanted. I still believe that the location is only between the two of them not anyone else until it is found. Why broadcast it for all to hear? I was not happy on how the podcast ended. Even if Bret knows the location it should not have been broadcasted. If JM said it then I would believe the statements. Don't let what was stated by an individual decide whether your theory is valid or not. Until found all theories are valid. Great answer. I too was a little put off by how the pod ended. No, Brett doesn't KNOW where it is buried. He's just 100% on board with the solutions he is privy to. If someone's got it solved, good for them. I know for me hearing that discussion took some wind out of the hunt's sails. But that's just me.

bbi wrote:: Just listened to the latest podcast and it sounds like two individuals may have the correct location. Which may make my solve void, anyway, thought I'd share what I've got have enjoyed putting it together: drive.google.com/file/d/1oDOMGhL6mN7oE4j7tWQaOQNmGKkKthgP/view?usp=sharing Sorry the link was incomplete: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oDOMGh ... sp=sharing

Everybody seems to be getting worked up over the podcast. Sure, the majority of people are in the wrong location and remain overly confident about it but that should not be surprising. The reality of the situation is this, yes, people seem to have a general location but I would not expect the end game to be easy. Did the creators want this to be simple once you were in the park and deciphered a few clues or were they motivated to keep this hunt running for a while? I choose the latter.

GoldenMartyr wrote:: Everybody seems to be getting worked up over the podcast. Sure, the majority of people are in the wrong location and remain overly confident about it but that should not be surprising. The reality of the situation is this, yes, people seem to have a general location but I would not expect the end game to be easy. Did the creators want this to be simple once you were in the park and deciphered a few clues or were they motivated to keep this hunt running for a while? I choose the latter. Thats where people are getting mixed up. from what I understand of the puzzle (I do not know the location) there are not 'a few clues' There is a puzzle. The puzzle leads you to the locations. Once you have worked out the puzzle enough to know the location, the dig spot should not be that difficult to figure out. In a scavenger hunt you are looking for a bunch of image matches... in a puzzle all the pieces fit together to show the whole picture. There is a big difference.

bbi wrote:: Just listened to the latest podcast and it sounds like two individuals may have the correct location. Which may make my solve void, anyway, thought I'd share what I've got have enjoyed putting it together: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oDOMGh ... sp=sharing Nicely done, sir! So my morning went: Work on my own theory for this casque... Check out any new posts... Throw out own theory... start piggy-backin' on bbi's ideas for a while. Now, that is not to say I won't ever have another thought of my own, but this is some great stuff to work with. I like the visual confirmers in the images. Some say the verse holds all the clues, but it was your visual confirmers that got my attention. I think in this image, as with the others, there are varying degrees of exactness when it comes to the location markers so as not to be too precise. Undoubtedly, someone will say, "The pedestal water fountain is not an exact match." and discard the whole thing. But I don't think it needs to be exact. It is certainly enough to make you think you are on the right track and leaves something for the imagination. That said, it was your comparison of the Ojibwe girl statue that got me. That is pretty darn exact! I'm going to keep looking through this. I also have a thought/question about that ledge under the tracks by the Rose Garden. -As for the verse, you can get 'Dragon Seer' from 'Rose Garden' - and there are apparently tales of sea serpents and dragons in Lake Superior. Thanks bbi!

burnstyle wrote:: Thats where people are getting mixed up. from what I understand of the puzzle (I do not know the location) there are not 'a few clues' There is a puzzle. The puzzle leads you to the locations. Once you have worked out the puzzle enough to know the location, the dig spot should not be that difficult to figure out. In a scavenger hunt you are looking for a bunch of image matches... in a puzzle all the pieces fit together to show the whole picture. There is a big difference. Completely agree, after I posted my solution I stated to think about the initial prelude and how that was deciphered i.e. the Acrostic/cyphers such as "IIICRI" etc. As I looked again at the Tribute verse I started to see that there are similar things going on such as "cross four spans", "down below", "In marsh". "At the beginning and end" which could all play out as some kind of wordplay. Also the fact it says "Learned now from methods passed" which I'm now treating as the methods learned from the prelude. Basically, I'd gone straight in at it (apart from the DRAgon trigraph wordplay part) and treated most of the verse as visual confirmers i.e. I'm looking for 4 physical spans to walk passed or over. So yes, I believe I treated most part of it as a scavenger hunt. Anyone really good at crossword puzzles

UnprovenFact wrote:: Nicely done, sir! So my morning went: Work on my own theory for this casque... Check out any new posts... Throw out own theory... start piggy-backin' on bbi's ideas for a while. Now, that is not to say I won't ever have another thought of my own, but this is some great stuff to work with. I like the visual confirmers in the images. Some say the verse holds all the clues, but it was your visual confirmers that got my attention. I think in this image, as with the others, there are varying degrees of exactness when it comes to the location markers so as not to be too precise. Undoubtedly, someone will say, "The pedestal water fountain is not an exact match." and discard the whole thing. But I don't think it needs to be exact. It is certainly enough to make you think you are on the right track and leaves something for the imagination. That said, it was your comparison of the Ojibwe girl statue that got me. That is pretty darn exact! I'm going to keep looking through this. I also have a thought/question about that ledge under the tracks by the Rose Garden. -As for the verse, you can get 'Dragon Seer' from 'Rose Garden' - and there are apparently tales of sea serpents and dragons in Lake Superior. Thanks bbi! Thank you, glad you liked it.

burnstyle wrote:: Thats where people are getting mixed up. from what I understand of the puzzle (I do not know the location) there are not 'a few clues' There is a puzzle. The puzzle leads you to the locations. Once you have worked out the puzzle enough to know the location, the dig spot should not be that difficult to figure out. In a scavenger hunt you are looking for a bunch of image matches... in a puzzle all the pieces fit together to show the whole picture. There is a big difference. I have been trying to use the basic basic formula for The Secret: i.e. image leads you to city, verse leads you to the spot, image contains visual confirmations along the way. Are you suggesting that methodology doesn't necessarily apply?

b_sketchy wrote:: I have been trying to use the basic basic formula for The Secret: i.e. image leads you to city, verse leads you to the spot, image contains visual confirmations along the way. Are you suggesting that methodology doesn't necessarily apply? There was something said at the beginning which implied that the entire verse needs to be used. This, to me, sounds more like a puzzle and less like a scavenger hunt. Even if you have some visual clues and symbology which seems to fit a location but have skipped a few lines of the verse, it most certainly will be wrong, because you can't just leave out a few bolts and expect the engine to run correctly.

catherwood wrote:: There was something said at the beginning which implied that the entire verse needs to be used. This, to me, sounds more like a puzzle and less like a scavenger hunt. Even if you have some visual clues and symbology which seems to fit a location but have skipped a few lines of the verse, it most certainly will be wrong, because you can't just leave out a few bolts and expect the engine to run correctly. What I'm saying is, I don't understand how one would know where to begin without first trying to find a visual match. The Chicago Water Tower, Cleveland's Terminal Tower, Milwaukee City Hall, shapes of Florida, Ohio, Roanoke, etc. These all give you some kind of starting point. I'm still trying to figure out where we're supposed to start. Is that scavenger hunting?

b_sketchy wrote:: What I'm saying is, I don't understand how one would know where to begin without first trying to find a visual match. The Chicago Water Tower, Cleveland's Terminal Tower, Milwaukee City Hall, shapes of Florida, Ohio, Roanoke, etc. These all give you some kind of starting point. I'm still trying to figure out where we're supposed to start. Is that scavenger hunting? I just began with something that was a visual match to a map, but not a landmark. Someone posted a photo of the Monarch Highway while researching the Butterfly in the Image and what I realized was that the "red leash" the man is holding is a visual match to the map that was posted. The Monarch Highway runs from Laredo TX to Duluth MN. With one of my criteria for solving this puzzle being that the casque is probably buried in a port city on a Great Lake, an Ocean or the Gulf, ...I concentrated my search in Duluth. I believe the Rose Garden in Leif Erikson Park is just above the location of the dig spot. I'm still working on an exact area.

b_sketchy wrote:: What I'm saying is, I don't understand how one would know where to begin without first trying to find a visual match. You start with the words, figure out what the words are telling you, and how they are tricking you.

I would be very disappointed with JM and Jr. if the destination is MN. This is supposed to be a tribute to Byron and celebrating his puzzles by introducing a new puzzle as a tribute that adheres to norms he established. To have a desertscape image point to Minnesota is like Image 8 destination being in Wisconsin. Don't get me started with amateurish painting. Both JM and Jr. need to learn to stay within the lines (allegedly!).

Choice wrote:: I would be very disappointed with JM and Jr. if the destination is MN. This is supposed to be a tribute to Byron and celebrating his puzzles by introducing a new puzzle as a tribute that adheres to norms he established. To have a desertscape image point to Minnesota is like Image 8 destination being in Wisconsin. Don't get me started with amateurish painting. Both JM and Jr. need to learn to stay within the lines (allegedly!). I do not get the feeling of a desert when I look at the image. MN makes sense to me. Duluth is the largest American port city on Lake Superior. It is also known as the "Twin Port City" with Superior Port north of it. There is evidence of Viking settlers having explored this area. Duluth was named after a famous French adventurer. The the land in the image is flat and green. That sounds like the Mid-West of America to me.

To me the image has more Alamo/Mexican/Indian representation than a viking in a slip! Viva Denmark?

Choice wrote:: I would be very disappointed with JM and Jr. if the destination is MN. This is supposed to be a tribute to Byron and celebrating his puzzles by introducing a new puzzle as a tribute that adheres to norms he established. To have a desertscape image point to Minnesota is like Image 8 destination being in Wisconsin. Don't get me started with amateurish painting. Both JM and Jr. need to learn to stay within the lines (allegedly!). Choice I see a lot of the "norms" established by BP and JM in this puzzle. That's why I'm struggling to understand why you don't think a Port City like Duluth would be a good area for the casque to be buried? I myself do not see a desert scape, but a time of year, Autumn, when the leaves have fallen from the trees and the grass tends to grow its greenest before Winter. Now granted you can dislike Kit's art style....every artist has their own, but the way he and JM put this piece together is brilliant in my opinion. My artistic style is completely different from my 2 sons styles and I wouldn't think JJP and Kit would be any different in that regard.

Choice wrote:: I would be very disappointed with JM and Jr. if the destination is MN. This is supposed to be a tribute to Byron and celebrating his puzzles by introducing a new puzzle as a tribute that adheres to norms he established. To have a desertscape image point to Minnesota is like Image 8 destination being in Wisconsin. Don't get me started with amateurish painting. Both JM and Jr. need to learn to stay within the lines (allegedly!). Still babbling....you will soon find out that you have a reason to feel especially silly when someone lets things slip and everybody catches up. Burnstyle seems like he is trying to give some hints. Maybe people should read them.

You sure earned your tagline. BTW Your tagline is taken out of context. There shouldn't be a question mark.

I can’t wait to hear your excuses when you realize it.

I don't know what you're babbling about. I never said it won't be in MN but I'll be disappointed if it were. Learn to read D.

Choice wrote:: I don't know what you're babbling about. I never said it won't be in MN but I'll be disappointed if it were. Learn to read D. Just don’t delete anything this time please, okay? Thanks.

You don't make sense. You're sooo lost here. Seek help. Infact it might've been a giant DB that made that statement: viewtopic.php?f=32&t=7978&hilit=minnesota&start=80

We are talking about completely different things. Thanks for the attack again lil buddy.

Then communicate more clearly.

Choice wrote:: Agreed. I came across this site: https://www.olmstedparks.org/get-involved/tribute/ Ever check what you come across?

I always post clues trying to help other searchers with their theories. What about it? I also suggested that tribute may be a clue to Ute tribe. Alamo, Nevada is north of Coyote Springs. To the south east is Ute. (trib-Ute) To the west of Alamo, where the disk is floating is Area 51. Remember Josh's obsession with UFO! To the south of the disk where the probe rod is corresponds with Las Vegas suburbs. Viva ...

At least they don't have MAGA hats on!

Quick! - somebody Google 'world's biggest Chef Barbie dollhouse' That thing must have a full-sized kitchen!

Lets do 20 jokes in 20 minutes: All facade and no substance.

Geesh, get a sense of humor troll.

OK, since Goldengate has kinda let the cat out of the bag (no judgements), I'll throw a couple more out there (same location).

Goldengate wrote:: Safe to say the cat lept out of the bag yesterday evening on Facebook and elsewhere ... These folks have done an awesome job chasing down clues...Hats off to them GG - Sorry, I missed whatever you're referring to on Facebook. Thanks for relaying the info. And I second your Hat's off. (Though wouldn't mind if they took a bit longer to dig it up). The footrace is on people!....

Goldengate wrote:: And Choice, sure, keep trying. Someday, someone will find your trolling funny. People were showing the same symptoms when Dr. Gay announced his finding, confusion, anger, frustration. Get over it lil man. Don't take it out on me; we're stock up on crazy.

Kang wrote:: OK, since Goldengate has kinda let the cat out of the bag (no judgements), I'll throw a couple more out there (same location). I don't believe Goldengate was responsible for letting the cat out of the bag and this is not the first place to receive the "public" information. Goldengate was merely responsible for putting together some pictures into a summary from elsewhere and posting them here so Q4T could catch up. Which is what the people on Q4T do, who care about sharing information. I love Q4T but it's the last place for breaking news. Information is posted here because people like goldengate give a shit about Q4T and gather up the shit floating around and post it here for people to see... so you can shit all over it, apparently. Edit: How many times did I say "shit"? I bet it was at least below valkyries window, with 7

Thread was pretty happy till you showed up GG with your negativity troll. You should lock yourself up in a room away from people and sharp objects till you go through your five stags of grief. Or seek a team of professionals.

Could've never guessed Louisville Kentucky

Choice wrote:: Could've never guessed Louisville Kentucky That’s because you and many others proceed like you are participating in a create your own adventure rather than an actual puzzle/armchair treasure hunt. The sooner you realize that, the sooner you will give up and move on to something that is more deserving of your exceptional skill and wit.

I was sooo expecting comment from the peanut gallery! It must be very safe for you guys when you don't participate or offer anything or bring anything to the table. Why are you guys even here? Just to troll?

Please, this is very tiring. I thought we were sharing new developments here.

They're still in the anger stage; soon the bargaining.

Merlot Brougham wrote:: I don't believe Goldengate was responsible for letting the cat out of the bag and this is not the first place to receive the "public" information. Goldengate was merely responsible for putting together some pictures into a summary from elsewhere and posting them here so Q4T could catch up. Which is what the people on Q4T do, who care about sharing information. I love Q4T but it's the last place for breaking news. Information is posted here because people like goldengate give a shit about Q4T and gather up the shit floating around and post it here for people to see... so you can shit all over it, apparently. Hi Merlot Brougham. I apologize if you thought I was disparaging Goldengate. I was not and never meant to do that - It was supposed to be tongue in cheek. And I apologize to Goldengate if that's what they thought I was doing as well. When Goldengate posted that the cat was let out on Facebook yesterday - I thanked them for passing the info along. I had incorrectly assumed that the news was breaking here on Q4T. Lesson learned. Again sorry about that. But was not my intention to shit on anyone.

Kang wrote:: Hi Merlot Brougham. I apologize if you thought I was disparaging Goldengate. I was not and never meant to do that - It was supposed to be tongue in cheek. And I apologize to Goldengate if that's what they thought I was doing as well. When Goldengate posted that the cat was let out on Facebook yesterday - I thanked them for passing the info along. I had incorrectly assumed that the news was breaking here on Q4T. Lesson learned. Again sorry about that. But was not my intention to shit on anyone. We are very much on the same team here, I would think, but still appreciated. Thank you for your respectful response to my heavy-handed remarks.

I'm actually on a stroll with my rover on mars and connection is fine. I use micro-wormhole technology. Qapla'

Choice wrote:: Agreed. I came across this site: https://www.olmstedparks.org/get-involved/tribute/ Does Choice still not realize that he posted a link to the Louisville Olmsted Parks website weeks ago? I thought for sure that this would be the post to blow the Tribute Hunt wide open. All people needed to do was click his link. It takes you to the page in the first photo below. From there, people didn't even need to work the puzzle, just explore a bit. There is more than one image match on that website. Great job Choice!

Thanks Goldengate!! We had a blast!!! And as far as the facade being a huge Chef Barbie house, that’s some funny chit.

GoldenMartyr wrote:: Does Choice still not realize that he posted a link to the Louisville Olmsted Parks website weeks ago? I thought for sure that this would be the post to blow the Tribute Hunt wide open. All people needed to do was click his link. It takes you to the page in the first photo below. From there, people didn't even need to work the puzzle, just explore a bit. There is more than one image match on that website. Great job Choice! The easy answer is no. The clip below is a rare glimpse of Choice making one of many posts.

I guess that's the difference between me and you guys. I post in real time what I find so maybe others can use the info in their quest. You guys hold your findings selfishly and then insult me for posting it to begin with. That's some low character. If someone found the posting helpful that was the purpose of the post. I guess the meaning of crowdsourcing is lost on you. You're welcome!

Choice wrote:: I guess that's the difference between me and you guys. I post in real time what I find so maybe others can use the info in their quest. You guys hold your findings selfishly and then insult me for posting it to begin with. That's some low character. If someone found the posting helpful that was the purpose of the post. I guess the meaning of crowdsourcing is lost on you. You're welcome! Calm down Josh Jr. No need to get all flustered again. I just found it funny and full of irony. The post was zero help to me. As you pointed out earlier, I was already willing to make a substantial bet against MN, etc. I am, however, curious if anybody used your post to progress to the correct city/park. Merlot immediately changed the subject after your Olmsted post from Louisville to Buffalo, maybe he caught onto what you missed?

GoldenMartyr wrote:: Calm down Josh Jr. No need to get all flustered again. I just found it funny and full of irony. The post was zero help to me. As you pointed out earlier, I was already willing to make a substantial bet against MN, etc. I am, however, curious if anybody used your post to progress to the correct city/park. Merlot immediately changed the subject after your Olmsted post from Louisville to Buffalo, maybe he caught onto what you missed? Josh Jr????? with 915 posts in 6 months has Choice not already surpassed the all time post leader?

GoldenMartyr wrote:: Calm down Josh Jr. No need to get all flustered again. I just found it funny and full of irony. The post was zero help to me. As you pointed out earlier, I was already willing to make a substantial bet against MN, etc. I am, however, curious if anybody used your post to progress to the correct city/park. Merlot immediately changed the subject after your Olmsted post from Louisville to Buffalo, maybe he caught onto what you missed? At least josh Cornell made most of his posts about THE SECRET. Choice just posts any random things that pops into his head It doesn't need to useful or even related at all to THE SECRET

Cherokee Park has the visual images from the painting. The rest of the clues are in the Verse. Cross four spans - cross Big Four Pedestrian Bridge to Waterfront Park. Emblem of B - Belle of Louisville steamboat Go to General George Rogers Clark statue - twin to William Clark from Lewis and Clark expedition. Valkyrie's windows with seven - There is an archway that has openwork with figures of the number 7 through it. It's down below - left or right area beneath the archway (There are areas around the York statue to the right of the archway and an area to the left of the archway). Pictures are on facebook Tribute to the 13th casque group: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2366171126737617&set=pcb.1214623318707152&type=3&theater&ifg=1

Looks like things are moving fast with the Tribute. I studied the Tribute for a couple weeks. The only lead I thought I found was a wall mural of a train in Alamogadro, NM.

Emblem of B.....could B refer to president Buchanan?

Choice wrote:: Could've never guessed Louisville Kentucky I'm just as surprised as you Choice. I'm originally from Louisville and it definitely did not fit my criteria for a place to hide a Tribute casque. As you and many others know, I love the Duluth MN area because of so many matches in the Image and Verse. But one of my main thoughts was that it had to be in port city since we know that the two that were found were, and, the other 10 are believed to be in port cities. Once I saw Carolines' Crew put up the photo of the Heigold House and showed it was in Louisville, I left MN and now am back in my hometown. I now realize that the connection to the tribute was Frederick Law Olmstead and that the connection from the Heigold Facade to Cherokee Park is Beargrass Creek (Tribute-ary of the Ohio River). On with the hunt.

As I posted on Facebook, I'm willing to bet JM was in Louisville at the end of October to bury the casque and stayed for the first weekend in November. That was Breeders' Cup weekend at Churchill Downs (Your way has a twin)

Let me add something new I believe to be relevant. Cavehill Cemetery is next to Cherokee Park. It's down below (to the South) Valkyrie's window (Cavehill Cemetery) with seven (Nicola Marschall is buried in Cavehill, supporter of the Confederacy and designed the first Stars and Bars Flag)

MrBackstop wrote:: Let me add something new I believe to be relevant. Cavehill Cemetery is next to Cherokee Park. It's down below (to the South) Valkyrie's window (Cavehill Cemetery) with seven (Nicola Marschall is buried in Cavehill, supporter of the Confederacy and designed the first Stars and Bars Flag) I like the thought, but it would seem no-go rule #3 would say that's ruled out - as far as dig spot. (Not entirely sure that's what you're advocating) Ditto for some folks on FB interested in the Seminary. (Interestingly - the 'or church property' was not in BP's original rules and was added by JM - and the only no-go added. I believe because of the Seminary next to Cherokee Park - would make sense for why he added that to the rules). Now if you can roll that line of thought into a hint as to dig spot - thematically, but not in the cemetery...now that would be a different matter. You'd sure have something there. PS - Muhammad Ali is also interred there. Float like a.....?? (second use - city clue)?

Simply saying that "It's down below Valkyries window with seven" means it is South of Cavehill Cemetary (Valkyries window) and that one of the cemetery's famous people is the South's "Betsy Ross". Nicola Marschall designed the first Stars and Bars flag with 7 stars. Nicola's name is in the Verse: N. Marshall In marsh, hill

Thanks GG for the kind words regarding the facade and Caroline, William, Nick, Anthony and Lisa. Missed me but that’s ok. I shared your comments to the gang and we are all very appreciative!

Just started looking more into this one a little over the past week...great work so far!! I kept reading and re-reading the verse tonight and it stood out to me that there is a single capital letter A B and C within the verse. Got me thinking about a possible triangle of 3 different locations to triangulate to form a dig site, perhaps within Cherokee Park. Or steps A, B, and C, to get to where you need to be. Specifically... A man of adventure stands An emblem of B Tow circles three, dragon of the C

Here's another interesting site. May be fenix will figure it out a month later! hxxp://eerie-indiana.blogspot.com/2014/ ... nt-in.html

erexere wrote:: Looks like things are moving fast with the Tribute. I studied the Tribute for a couple weeks. The only lead I thought I found was a wall mural of a train in Alamogadro, NM. Now that is just crazy. What a small world. I grew up in Alamogordo.

Goldengate wrote:: Whoops!! Apologies for missing your name as part of the supergroup!! Your names all deserve to be on a plaque in the Secret Hall of Fame for that epic showing! Aww! Thanks. Wait, is that like a losers board plaque? Lol. We havent given up yet though distance (and darn jobs) are a factor. Waiting anxiously to see what happens with those heading there this weekend. I wish them all luck! Thanks again. Not everyone in the group is on here. Just got on here a while back myself. I shared your nice comments and am told you are a “baller” in this hunt!

MrBackstop wrote:: Simply saying that "It's down below Valkyries window with seven" means it is South of Cavehill Cemetary (Valkyries window) and that one of the cemetery's famous people is the South's "Betsy Ross"...Nicola's name is in the Verse: N. Marshall In marsh, hill Ah, I understand now what you're putting down. That is an interesting thought. N Marshall/In marsh, hill - I getcha.

Irsh man hill?! Irish hill, Beargrass Valley. Checkout Le Moo hxxp://tinyurl.com/y4cdjbe8

Yet another interesting site! hxxp://www.monarchwaystationnetwork.res ... ation-map/

Christensen Fountain https://tinyurl.com/yxewrap5 Bernheim Bridge https://tinyurl.com/y495voua Directions Https://tinyurl.com/y2te7xr2 From Heigold Facade to Le Moo to Christensen Fountain to Bernheim Bridge. A long walk! https://tinyurl.com/y6a2x4xr

Choice wrote:: Christensen Fountain https://tinyurl.com/yxewrap5 Bernheim Bridge https://tinyurl.com/y495voua Directions Https://tinyurl.com/y2te7xr2 From Heigold Facade to Le Moo to Christensen Fountain to Bernheim Bridge. A long walk! https://tinyurl.com/y6a2x4xr Don't forget to add the Louisville water tower to the walk. It has the image match of the Indian with a dog on a leash.

Here's another way of looking at the rod:

I don't know if it matters.....but I believe the butterfly in the image is a Viceroy - the state butterfly of Kentucky. Viceroy's look very much like Monarchs but are a different BF. Maybe the butterfly is the twin??

MERLIN wrote:: I don't know if it matters.....but I believe the butterfly in the image is a Viceroy - the state butterfly of Kentucky. Viceroy's look very much like Monarchs but are a different BF. Maybe the butterfly is the twin?? Looks like a Monarch to me:

Here's one from the left field, literally! So, the base of the "bench", the half circle looks like the bend of the Ohio river on top. Overlaying the map the yellow circle at the tip of the half circle will line up with the bottom corner of Shawnee park; another Olmsted park. Shawnee park circle hxxp://tinyurl.com/y2n8sows

Pardon if this is not new info - I searched, but didn't see anything already on the forum for this. I saw a picture on FB taken in front of the Louisville Free Public Library. https://goo.gl/maps/YGUz1PTkn4G2 Those lamps look familiar to anyone? Image 9 folks - Was it already known info that there's a legeater lamp in Louisville? (If yes, apologies). If not, it's either a hell of a reason for JM to pick this city, or a hell of a coincidence...

Kang wrote:: Pardon if this is not new info - I searched, but didn't see anything already on the forum for this. I saw a picture on FB taken in front of the Louisville Free Public Library. https://goo.gl/maps/YGUz1PTkn4G2 Those lamps look familiar to anyone? Image 9 folks - Was it already known info that there's a legeater lamp in Louisville? (If yes, apologies). If not, it's either a hell of a reason for JM to pick this city, or a hell of a coincidence... There are lamps like that all over the place. I know of 3 different locations in Boston. A set at the BPL, a set on Commonwealth Ave and another set along the Charles River. The clawed foot is the big difference. Find one with a hoof and you’ve got something special.

A bunch in Arizona too but not with the hooves but better match for head. https://c8.alamy.com/comp/RBKCD0/tradit ... RBKCD0.jpg

If you end up going to Shawnee Park, make sure it is in the daylight....not a safe part of town. Our HS baseball team played many games in that park and when we were done, we got the hell out. Be safe people.

BINGO wrote:: There are lamps like that all over the place. I know of 3 different locations in Boston. A set at the BPL, a set on Commonwealth Ave and another set along the Charles River. The clawed foot is the big difference. Find one with a hoof and you’ve got something special. There are a few in Manhattan as well. From what I understand they are the mass produced version of the legeater.

MrBackstop wrote:: If you end up going to Shawnee Park, make sure it is in the daylight....not a safe part of town. Our HS baseball team played many games in that park and when we were done, we got the hell out. Be safe people. I like the south-west tip of the Cherokee park the best. It matches the branding iron map perfectly. Google street map goes to 2015 so not very accurate. Google earth has Feb 2018 with all the leaves gone so better view from above but still can't locate any bench. Need boots on the ground.

BINGO wrote:: There are lamps like that all over the place... The clawed foot is the big difference. Find one with a hoof and you’ve got something special. Gotcha - hoof, not claw. Thanks for the clarification BINGO.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the popped balloon hanging from the branch. I thought this might be a rebus puzzle or word puzzle but I am stuck.

Dominick wrote:: Does anyone have any thoughts on the popped balloon hanging from the branch. I thought this might be a rebus puzzle or word puzzle but I am stuck. Pretty sure that's the gem Dom

strike13 wrote:: Pretty sure that's the gem Dom LOL. I have been at this too long.

Why was this search removed from 12Treasures.com?

maybe it's been found?

I removed it from 12treasures. as far as I know it has not been found.

Still haven't made up with JM?

Choice wrote:: Still haven't made up with JM? sadly, It's gotten worse. As lame as it sounds, it's kind of heartbreaking, I miss my friend. He asked for it to be removed, so I removed it.

Sorry to hear that. Hope things work out.

Sorry. Was hoping the 13th was buried at Ward’s Mill. Really thought it as the spot and may have been a nod to you.

GabbySand2 wrote:: Sorry. Was hoping the 13th was buried at Ward’s Mill. Really thought it as the spot and may have been a nod to you. Nah. I'm told there is a nod, but im not telling what it is.

Emblem of Burnstyle?

GabbySand2 wrote:: Emblem of Burnstyle? Find this, follow directions.

That's emblem of D (Fenix)

If you've read the note from the creators, there is a line that says, "There are some old tricks and some new things you will have to figure out." Well I think I figured out a new trick. JM is quite a word smith if my idea is accurate. I believe the words "valley deep" have significant meaning to the clues of Daniel Boone. At one time Boone was a representative in Virginia and at one time was the Sheriff of Fayette County (Lexington). And now as we know there is a statue of Daniel Boone in Louisville on Eastern Parkway. Boone's twin statue is Richmond at Eastern Kentucky University outside of Lexington. VA - Virginia L - Lexington L - Louisville EY - Enid Yandell created Boone's statue D - first letter in Daniel E - last letter in Boone E - Eastern P - Parkway This may be a weird coincidence but with all the word smithing that has gone on in the 12 hunts, I think John Michaels worked this little gem into the Verse as a new trick.

....or maybe valley deep is just instructing you to dig halfway between the Hill and Marsh benches. They are 10-20 feet apart, right? ...if it's even buried.

GoldenMartyr wrote:: ....or maybe valley deep is just instructing you to dig halfway between the Hill and Marsh benches. They are 10-20 feet apart, right? ...if it's even buried. https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xSVS_0BXHU4/maxresdefault.jpg

GoldenMartyr wrote:: ....or maybe valley deep is just instructing you to dig halfway between the Hill and Marsh benches. They are 10-20 feet apart, right? ...if it's even buried. Yep, a definitely possibility. It's pretty cool to see those benches side-by-side. I just couldn't make out a spot I wanted to probe while I was there last week.

People who are trying to find a cipher solution in the verse (It's important to find all clues Learned now from methods past) I found a very interesting clear text result several weeks ago. One solution I posted here then that sounded like a tribute. Second solve is much more intricate that involves four rounds of deciphering. All clues are in the verse. Use Atbash, Hill, Vigenère and Play Fair. I let you come up with the keyword, key numbers and keysquare

Choice wrote:: People who are trying to find a cipher solution in the verse (It's important to find all clues Learned now from methods past) I found a very interesting clear text result several weeks ago. One solution I posted here then that sounded like a tribute. Second solve is much more intricate that involves four rounds of deciphering. All clues are in the verse. Use Atbash, Hill, Vigenère and Play Fair. I let you come up with the keyword, key numbers and keysquare If I can guarantee you anything, without a doubt in my mind, it's that John does not understand ciphers well enough to use any of those. He would have had to get help from someone, and there are only two people he knows with that kind of knowledge. However I am really interested in hearing your solution. If there is a solution, it would be easy to figure out who made it, and if you can figure that out, you should be able to figure out where it leads.

These days with websites like practical cryptography and Cipher tools one can easily insert a cipher as many levels as you like. Start with a message and go at it. Then just use the resulting letters in cap. form in your verse. Good try tho! People are getting lazy here.

If a cipher program is required to solve this then I do not feel it is a tribute.

Cipher program was required in the prep. puzzle for tribute. Remember greytears? Wait there's more... Here are some similarities with prelude to tribute poem: So let us finish at the beginning -- At the beginning and end a cross ticks (acrostics) -- Cross four spans wed the pair -- Your way has a twin

Choice wrote:: Cipher program was required in the prep. puzzle for tribute. Remember greytears? Wait there's more... Here are some similarities with prelude to tribute poem: So let us finish at the beginning -- At the beginning and end a cross ticks (acrostics) -- Cross four spans wed the pair -- Your way has a twin Jm didnt make the prelude though.

burnstyle wrote:: Jm didnt make the prelude though. Choice is also combining Prelude lines that should not be combined. So let us finish and At the beginning were separate lines created in hopes that people would fall for the trap of combining them.

To me let us finish at the beginning means the act of deciphering. Also At the beginning and end (finish) spells out At-b-a-sh

Does anyone know when the cask was hidden? Before or after Oct. 2018?

Choice wrote:: To me let us finish at the beginning means the act of deciphering. Also At the beginning and end (finish) spells out At-b-a-sh No, you’re still misunderstanding.

Just for giggles https://tinyurl.com/yygas4tp

Choice wrote:: Does anyone know when the cask was hidden? Before or after Oct. 2018? It was hidden in October 2018. And one of the clues I believe gives us a reference to 10/18. The Wheel/Shield has 10 circles on the outer rim and 8 holes on the inside for a total of 18. I think this is JM's creative way of dating the bury month.

GoldenMartyr wrote:: ....or maybe valley deep is just instructing you to dig halfway between the Hill and Marsh benches. They are 10-20 feet apart, right? ...if it's even buried. I think that would be possible but a bad spot to put the casque. That area is an open field covered in grass. With all the acreage in Cherokee Park that is not covered by lawn grass, I believe JM would have buried it in an area with Cover from the view of the roads and in an non-landscaped spot. Time will tell.

I just hope it wasn't buried under a bridge. Floodwaters can sweep it away. On a ledge under a bridge is a possibility.

I wonder if they resorted to a method similar to TCWAF where a five sided figure , also the shape of the book itself, was nailed to a tree in a rest area.

erexere wrote:: I wonder if they resorted to a method similar to TCWAF where a five sided figure , also the shape of the book itself, was nailed to a tree in a rest area. Maybe in Ft. Sumter

So do you guys think the so called foot-stone is a match for the Big Rock or Gen. Clark? Gabby? https://tinyurl.com/y2vo7rsq https://tinyurl.com/yyptdxcy

Choice wrote:: Maybe in Ft. Sumter I'm not suggesting they used a five-sided shape specifically. Seeming as they have that tree branch with the droplet shaped jewel hanging from it in the painting, I wonder if that might suggest an ornament of some kind is attached to a limb somewhere as a possible indication of a dig spot below. It's a thought. It's amazing that just back in 2010, TWCAF had people digging holes in rest areas all over the place and nobody cared. Getting permission to dig anywhere nowadays is getting to be much more difficult it seems.

erexere wrote:: I'm not suggesting they used a five-sided shape specifically. Seeming as they have that tree branch with the droplet shaped jewel hanging from it in the painting, I wonder if that might suggest an ornament of some kind is attached to a limb somewhere as a possible indication of a dig spot below. It's a thought. Since this is supposed to be a tribute puzzle I'm sure they'll stick to the tradition of the book puzzles and remain faithful to Preiss' established format. The hanging jewel, other stuff hanging off of tree branch and braced stick with things hanging off of a sting is not unique to this image. Castle-head (Img. 5) had many of these features.

Castle-hat that is!

Just to wake this thread up from coma (or not!); Gen. Clark is pointing towards Clarksville, Indiana across the Ohio river... https://tinyurl.com/y2vo7rsq in the direction of https://tinyurl.com/yyvxuwya Note the T he's holding. Is this map of Indiana?

Choice, I think it could be representing the wood slats of the World's Fair benches in Cherokee Park. Or perhaps a staircase of some sort.

Choice wrote:: Just to wake this thread up from coma (or not!); Gen. Clark is pointing towards Clarksville, Indiana across the Ohio river... Is this map of Indiana? Falls of the Ohio state park has a similar shape, it's where Lewis & Clark met for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, interesting history regarding to first settlers of the area... (and it's across the Ohio River , big four bridge (4 spans), and the area where general Clark is pointing) here's a link to google maps : https://bit.ly/2X09EZL (Still it's a bit hard to deny all the other visual matches near Cherokee park & Big rock area ... it has to be near that place IMO ...)

Repost alert! The point I'm trying to make is the image matches are all over the place. They spread from Ohio river area i.e. General Clark statue, Heigold Facade and water tower all the way down to big rock. And many matches in the middle. So using those spots as waypoints or pins on a map one could come up with image correlation. Obviously this is just a hypothesis and for all we know the cask is across the river in Clarksville! Afterall Gen. Clark is pointing that way... https://tinyurl.com/y2vo7rsq Towards https://tinyurl.com/yyvxuwya Note the T he's holding.

The image has coughed up plenty of data at this point. It’s time to work the verse.

Thanks captain obvious

Choice wrote:: Thanks captain obvious If it’s so obvious, why do you serially post minute image related details, connections and dreams that you think MAY be important to the solution? Solve the verse and find the casque O’gifted one.

Choice, do you have treasure ground? Meaning have you narrowed down and area so that you can look for the dig spot? City Identifier Heigold House City Park Cherokee Park Treasure Grounds ? Dig Spot?

i do have it narrowed to multiple spots depending on how you interpret image/verse. Near benches. Under bridge. Below T. I've hinted to all of these spots months ago here and on the mysteriouswriting's site. I mostly interpret 4 spans as traveling/driving over 4 bridges and not the Big Four Bridge. This bridge is a pedestrian bridge. That means you have to walk for several miles to the next spot. Not likely unless you Uber!

Since people are such big fan of my map/image correlation , here's the last one I posted a while back at MW showing image matches and area of interest:

Choice wrote:: i do have it narrowed to multiple spots depending on how you interpret image/verse. Near benches. Under bridge. Below T. I've hinted to all of these spots months ago here and on the mysteriouswriting's site. I mostly interpret 4 spans as traveling/driving over 4 bridges and not the Big Four Bridge. This bridge is a pedestrian bridge. That means you have to walk for several miles to the next spot. Not likely unless you Uber! Choice wrote:: i do have it narrowed to multiple spots depending on how you interpret image/verse. Near benches. Under bridge. Below T. I've hinted to all of these spots months ago here and on the mysteriouswriting's site. I mostly interpret 4 spans as traveling/driving over 4 bridges and not the Big Four Bridge. This bridge is a pedestrian bridge. That means you have to walk for several miles to the next spot. Not likely unless you Uber! Yeah, could be near benches and below T(rees). I don't think there's any way in the world that JM would put it under bridges. What most people don't realize is how shallow Beargrass Creek and its other tributaries are. Flash floods are common in Cherokee Park. The areas around the bridges are always changing and being pelted with debris from changing water levels.

Indeed. Infact there was a major one late 2018 when they were there. There are youtube videos. I was thinking of a different bridge. The Big 4 if you interpret "cross 4 spans" where it comes to a T ; the sandy area: https://tinyurl.com/yxwqohnv Also T for a tree is problematic because of growing roots. I'm more of a golf T ee fan: hxxp://tinyurl.com/yxvr7h6p

Near the golf Tee ^(image link above)^ is the Irish Hill neighborhood. That disturbingly blood red dog leash that looks like animal intestines in the image 13 may have something to do with Le Moo in Irish Hill area. In marsh hillside/Irish man hill viewtopic.php?f=32&t=7978&start=220

Maybe it's in that red planter! https://tinyurl.com/y5du4t62

Can anyone read this? Someone said it looks like "I is M" It's at the tip of the shoe thing on top.

Choice wrote:: Can anyone read this? Majority opinion on the FB page is that it says, "I SIT." Interestingly, some say is says the same if you flip it upside down. (Not an endorsement on either, just trying to be helpful).

Choice wrote:: Maybe it's in that red planter! https://tinyurl.com/y5du4t62 That's an interesting burger joint if you get a chance to go.

MrBackstop wrote:: That's an interesting burger joint if you get a chance to go. I don't eat red meat and kind of disturbed by their signs. An additional connection I've posted before to this location: I know Kit is into Airsoft gun design and perhaps "GAMEing". Rota is the 7th Valkyrie in the game "God of War 2018" hxxp://www.ign.com/wikis/god-of-war-201 ... _Valkyries 7th Valkyrie has the same deer-like antler as the tree-branch in the image and likeness to the Le Moo statue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pogCbaxlSaI

I eat red meat every chance get and tomorrow will be filled with delights. I see your other thoughts on the clues but let me ask you, why are you not in Cherokee Park? Or are you just saying some of these other clues are way markers?

Choice wrote:: Can anyone read this? Someone said it looks like "I is M" It's at the tip of the shoe thing on top. Looks like I18 to me. There’s no Interstate 18, and the bingo number seems too general, so I have no clue what it could mean if it isn’t a scan artifact. I actually *don’t* think it is because of how clear it looks and the 3-D effect is too good. The character to the right looks like the Gmail M with some kind of arc on the bottom.

To me it looks like cap. I (eye) then a sideways S like one of those S shaped chairs that you can sit side by side facing each-other, then S or 8 in one chair and T with wavy cross in the other.

MrBackstop wrote:: I eat red meat every chance get and tomorrow will be filled with delights. I see your other thoughts on the clues but let me ask you, why are you not in Cherokee Park? Or are you just saying some of these other clues are way markers? Grilled salmon baby! There's a limit to what one can do with online street map and images without boots on the ground. I'm following the image correlation with the area map specifically the T rod as posted. The Le Moo area is in my area of interest in my map and has several features like floating wheel with circle within circle sign, animal with similar hooves and blood-red leash, tree-branch and antlers and T post. However we read that it is hidden away from city and it's geometric features.

That's true, it is away from the city and its square geometry. But that's the beauty of Cherokee Park, it is away from the city and has many solid matches that I don't believe you will find anywhere else. The Heigold House's connection to Beargrass Creek and the park are very strong. I'm always up for looking at other solves. Best of luck.

I don't think there's any argument about the area of Cherokee park being the location. That being said, the area between Heigold and Big Rock is huge. It has to be traveled by car. So the only way of pinpointing the exact spot may be by the good old triangulating or as others call it vectoring. I, for my own entertainment like to use the POSSIBLE directional map in the image, i.e. the rod map. Others have been connecting way-points to see where they intersect. Sacred Heart Academy is way out of the Cherokee park and into the "square geometry" and you really can't find an accurate spot for drawing a line. The further you are the less accurate line and therefore the more area of search.

True Sacred Heart Academy is a good distance from the park. So it goes to the basic 4 steps from JM: Locate the City - Louisville Find the Park - Cherokee Park Find the Treasure Grounds - ? Locate the Dig Spot - ? I wouldn't think using square geometry outside of the park would help you at this point. It would have to be used within the Park and even more so once you get to the treasure grounds.

MrBackstop wrote:: True Sacred Heart Academy is a good distance from the park. So it goes to the basic 4 steps from JM: Locate the City - Louisville Find the Park - Cherokee Park Find the Treasure Grounds - ? Locate the Dig Spot - ? I wouldn't think using square geometry outside of the park would help you at this point. It would have to be used within the Park and even more so once you get to the treasure grounds. What if it works slightly different... Locate the City - Louisville - HST Quote Find the Icon - Heigold Facade Path to Park - HWY60 from Heigold/Alt60 to Boone(Your way has a twin) Park Confirmer- Cherokee Park(man of adventure stands at entrance) Traverse Path in Park - multiple verse/image clues Find the correct emblem of B - Many options and only one is correct but you won't know what to do because the item you seek is down below(spoiler alert - it's not buried and it's not a casque) Use instructions to proceed to final burial spot - rebury casque and create Tribute 2.0

Did anyone ever find the tribute?

Here's a note from JM on Mysteriouswritings forum: