Mystery Quilt I
"Survivor - Rectangle Island"
This was the first of two 2009 Mystery Quilts. (The second is in planning at this time and will be "Triangle Island".) It was quite a different sort of project. It was, in effect, a "mystery mystery quilt" or a mystery within a mystery. In the typical mystery quilt, each "step" is a clue to the mystery of the ultimate quilt. In this one, you have to solve a clue and go on a treasure hunt in Olde Treadleonia in order to find each step... so you actually get a clue to the clue. The whole matter was further complicated by the intrusion of my evil twin brother(the one who isn't Tom Selleck). He insisted on being allowed to write and place the clues, and they got pretty obscure. However, all the people who signed on had a wonderful time, and produced some very neat quilts, and it was suggested that the clues be left permanently in place for future adventurers. Originally, all of the clues and information were sent via the email list, but for permanency, things have been revised and everything is now built into the web pages. You have arrived at, or perhaps stumbled upon, the the opening page of this adventure. Events began with a pair of messages from Evil Twin (ET). These are shown below and should, with careful reading, get you to the first clue. Thereafter, a new clue, and any messages ET or I sent to the group, will appear at the bottom of each step that you find. Copying the clues and messages and pasting them into a "Clue List" document for yourself, so you can go back and review them, is probably a good idea. Just remember, this is Treadleonia... be prepared for anything and when in doubt, go with the flow, man...
Captain Dick
Introductory Message from Evil Twin:
First... I have decided that the format for this Mystery Quilt will be a Treadleonian
reality show. I've been working hard on the first mystery quilt. I have planted
clues in various dark, damp, dangerous locations on a largely unexplored island
in the sea to the west of Treadleonia... very close to the Edge of the World,
actually. It's known as the Island of Rectangles. Only one Onion has ever
visited this island and returned alive... and that's Captain Dick... but I
won't tell you which Captain Dick! Mwaaahaahaaahaaaa!
Contestants will be told what supplies will be needed for survival on Rectangle
Island (more or less...) and will be taken there and landed. They will have
a specific list of tasks to accomplish. These tasks must be accomplished in
order. Any attempt to get out of order will be handled by my Orderly... with
the plank! Mwahahahaha!
I haven't yet decided just how evil I'll be. Should I give you all the clues,
or maybe delete one or two? Should I tease you with them? Perhaps I could
require a Solemn Dragon Oath from each participant before sending them the
URL to the next clue.... Mwahhahahah! Hmm.... Perhaps I could put a time limit
on each stage... If you don't finish the stage within the time limit, you're
off the island! Yes, yes... I've seen something like that! Mwahahahahah! Or,
perhaps I should require that contestants successfully complete their assignments
on the Island of Rectangles before being eligible to go on to Mystery Quilt
II, the next level... the Island of Triangles!!!! Mwahahahahah!
Those wishing to be contestants should watch closely for the list of supplies
that might (might, I say) enable you to survive this ordeal!
Mwahahahahah!! Arrggghhh!
ET
__________________________________________
Second Message from ET:
So, ye'd be wanting to ship out on a mystery cruise, would ye? Well, take
care... it's likely more than ya bargained for! Mwaahhahahahahah!!!! Tis I,
ET (Evil Twin), here to tweak your intellect and test your courage. Like I
said earlier, there's not many as returns from Rectangle Island! Ye'll need
all yer wits about ye, fer sure!
I wanted to take on the whole mystery quilt thing, including the instructions,
but GT (Goody Twoshoes... the other half of us three twins) wouldn't let me,
the scurvy rotter! Arrgghh! So all I'm left with is teasin' you worthless
lubbers with clues. Bet you've been waitin' and waitin', haven't ya? Ha! Well,
I'll be givin' ya one. It be an easy one, too... just don't expect such kindness
again! Mwahahahahahaa!!!!!!!
Here ye go then...
First Clue:
“All contestants must embark from Olde Treadleonia aboard the good ship
“Isle of Wight”. Be sure to take all supplies with you. There
is no return unless you complete the test.”
If ye solve that clue, ye'll be on yer way...
ET
___________________________________________
Importand Admin Note From Captain Dick
In the original adventure, some folks experienced difficulties in finding the clues. They would go to the correct page, but the clue wouldn't be there. We finally realized that what was happening was that they were viewing an older version of the page, that had been stored in their computer's memory from a previous visit. So, as you go along, be sure to refresh any new pages you think should have a clue, but that don't appear to. You could be just plain wrong, but you might also be right and viewing an old version of the page, from before the clue was placed there.
Captain Dick
Here's an extra hint to help you get started.. study the first clue... Where would a boat leave from Olde Treadleonia?