The Intelli-Thread: <333

[The Intelli-Gent]

INTELLI-THREAD PUZZLE ARCHIVE
Disclaimer: Puzzles here are created by yours truly, and may not be used without permission.

Welcome to the Intellithread Puzzle Archive. All of these puzzles were once letter challenges; now you can try to solve them for fun or to earn intellipoints!
When submitting answers for points, please do so via PM, and post NO answers or hints to these puzzles in the thread. Clearly mark your PMs "Puzzle Number --" so I know exactly which puzzle or puzzles you are submitting answers for. Thank you.

Puzzles marked by a icon are worth one intellipoint.
Puzzles with the icon are worth two.

Key
There are a lot of puzzles here, and the archive will only continue to grow. As such, I have colour-coded them by puzzle type, so it's easier to find the kind of puzzles you like. Some puzzles involve more than one category, but are sorted by whichever category comprises most of the work. You will also find an indication of difficulty level. "Easy" means the puzzle should present few problems; "difficult" puzzles may be headache-inducing!

Anagram-based puzzles are blue.
Other word puzzles are purple.
Maths puzzles are red.
Logic puzzles are green.
Codebreaking puzzles are orange.
Miscellaneous puzzles are black.

Easy: smile
Moderate: eek
Difficult: gonk

HINTS
You will find hints for some puzzles in post 3 of this page. For the more difficult puzzles, these hints can make things a whole lot easier, so if you think a puzzle is hard, check for hints to help you out!

Enjoy the puzzles!



PUZZLE ARCHIVE

Puzzle #9 Letter Maths

Difficulty: gonk

Each letter of the alphabet represents a number from 0-9. Convert the letters in these additions to their corresponding numbers. All sums follow the same system, and all four sums must work.

ROFL
+WTF
XGAG

ORLY
+YARLY
ETARD

OMFG
+BTK
YIKQ

GAMB
+INO
GOPA


Puzzle #15

Difficulty: eek

Each of these letter jumbles have two related words hidden in them. If you find the two words, you'll have two letters left over - once you've found all 16 words, use the leftover letters to make two more words, and tell me what they are.

1) A N D L E C G I N O S O E L E
2) B T O N A H D X I C O R I E D
3) H N P B R A O T A P L E M O
4) O S G N L S H S A C I E A
5) R G N C C N A I H I D U N A A E
6) G L T U S H T I E E N I N
7) R R K C N E O T T B H A E
8 ) W R O D M O Y T I R O C T O A

Puzzle #18 Evolution

Difficulty: eek

This puzzle is a word ladder. By changing one letter at a time to make a new word (eg: POT -> PIT -> PIG -> BIG), you must evolve a fish into a bird in no more than 15 moves. But there's a catch - you must include the words nest, wing, beak, and fins. You may include them in any order you like, so long as you travel through them. Remember, you can't use more than the allotted word spaces.

F I S H
_ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
_ _ _ _

B I R D



Puzzle #20

Difficulty: gonk

In this jumble of letters, seven seven-letter words are completely mixed up. Each of these seven words can be used to make another word that is an anagram of itself, and each letter below can be used anywhere in any word, but each is used only once. Your task is to find the fourteen words - the original seven words and their anagrams. To start you off, I have given you some of the letters.

L S A E C Y E
M E L T B O N
C I R A L I C
E S R A I N A
P A V E B I G
R I M R I V E
D E L U C O R

Anagram pairs:
C______ and L______
L_____L and B______
V______ and O_____E
A______ and C______
P______ and S_____E
D______ and T_____G
M_____E and R______


Puzzle #22

Difficulty: eek

Here's a word-jigsaw for you. Twelve words have been broken into pieces and scattered haphazardly about; all pieces must be used, and you may use each of these pieces only once. A good vocabulary should help. Now with clues. wink

on ge co dio ef dr rs
ath un flo un cat ain
as ing con bu um m
er com der nt at pli ous
ion fic dis fe br aci di ous
n ag fin rib nun e mo
der ex tt tal bl tri er
gent is a gen i us

Each pair should be made up of an adjective and a noun. Here's some clues for you.

A_____ A______
Would irritate one greatly, no doubt.
B_____ B______
Probably keeps dropping things.
C_____ C______
I have lots of these up my sleeve!
D_____S D______
Not a way in which you'd like yourself discussed.
E_____ E______N
A solution, if one were to be circumlocutory about it.
F_____ F______
You couldn't solve this puzzle if you were one of these.

Puzzle #23

Difficulty: gonk

For this puzzle, the numbers 1 to 26 have been randomly allocated to the letters of the alphabet. The letter values of some Gaia-related words have then been added together to give a total word value. For example: GAIA could be G=3 A=18 I=8 A=18 which would mean GAIA = 47. Using the words below to figure out which letters are allocated to which numbers, can you tell me the total value of the word QUEST?

AEKEA = 59
ANGELIC HALO = 169
BARTON = 85
BINO = 38
BLACKJACK = 123
CASINO = 63
CINDY = 66
COWS = 56
DEVIL TAIL = 140
DUREM = 69
GAIA = 33
GAMBINO = 75
GINO = 45
GOLD = 83
GRUNNY = 69
GWEE = 47
IAN = 20
LABTECHX = 120
KIKI KITTY = 120
OMFG = 70
PIXIE = 18
SASHA = 53
ZURG = 41

Puzzle #24

Difficulty: eek

For each question, using only regular addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, use any or all of the six given numbers in any order to reach the total - but you may only use a number twice if it is listed twice. Parentheses are permitted.

For example: Reaching 81 using 100, 25, 9, 3
(100 - 25) + (9 - 3) = 81

1) 849 using 50, 25, 10, 8, 6, 2
2) 919 using 50, 9, 7, 6, 3, 2
3) 131 using 100, 25, 4, 9, 3, 7
4) 707 using 25, 9, 9, 8, 3, 3
5) 554 using 25, 9, 9, 8, 5, 2
6) 813 using 100, 75, 50, 25, 10, 1

Puzzle #25 Save the anagrams!

Difficulty: eek

Ninjas invaded again! This time, they're holding my beloved anagrams hostage. Each of these sets of jumbled letters have two possible anagram words in them. Unfortunately, some ninja letters snuck in. Your task is to figure out which letters don't belong there, and take them out so you are left only with the letters which can form two different words - both words should use all of the remaining letters (for example, taking out one letter from the first set of eight should leave you with letters which can make two different seven letter words). The number of ninjas tells you how many rogue letters are hiding in each one.

1) TNCADFEI ninja
2) SLMSIPIE ninja
3) ONRISUESI ninja
4) PEDETNEROS ninja ninja ninja
5) LIRASTEIC ninja ninja
6) DERARMIN ninja
7) NEDITRORG ninja ninja

Anagram Pairs

1) _______ and _______
2) _______ and _______
3) _______ and _______
4) _______ and _______
5) _______ and _______
6) _______ and _______
7) _______ and _______

When you've found all the anagrams, look at the letters you took out. This set of letters can also make two different words. To complete the puzzle, what are they?

Puzzle #26 Alien Invasion

Difficulty: smile

It has come to my attention that we may shortly have to deal with an alien threat. As an alien invasion may put my wardrobe Gaia in jeopardy, I feel that we should practice some emergency defence procedures.
Assume that alien ships are stationed in various places around Gaia. It is vital that we know their locations, but their ships are interfering with our communication devices, so only a few reports are getting through. Knowing only the information reported, can you list the correct locations of both the towns and the alien ships in the spaces of the map-grid below?


_____ _____ _____ _____

_____ _____ _____ _____

_____ _____ _____ _____

_____ _____ _____ _____

Information gathered:
UFO_01 is immediately north of the Mothership and to the immediate east of DUREM.
UFO_06 is in the corner of the map diagonally opposite to UFO_02 and immediately to the west of UFO_10.
UFO_09 is somewhere in the eastmost column.
AEKEA is in an eastward corner diagonally adjacent to BARTON.
UFO_08 is two rows above UFO_03 in the same column.
UFO_04 is in the far west column one row below UFO_12 in the far east column, which is one row below UFO_07, which is immediately between UFO_05 and UFO_11, the latter to the east.

Puzzle #27 Snakes and Ladders

Difficulty: eek

A word ladder is a puzzle in which you change only one letter at each step to make a new word, thereby going from one word to another (for example: POT -> PIT -> PIG -> BIG). This one is a bit different. Can you complete it? Here's a clue: look carefully at the letters you have, and the first and last words must relate to each other in some way.

B _ _ _ _
_ R _ _ _
_ _ O _ _
_ _ _ W _
_ _ _ _ S
_ _ _ P _
_ _ O _ _
_ O _ _ _
C _ _ _ _
_ A _ _ _
_ _ V _ _
_ _ _ E _
_ _ _ _ R


Puzzle #28: THE INTELLI-THREAD HALLOWEEN TREASURE HUNT

Difficulty: smile eek gonk !

Intellithread Special Event Treasure Hunts work like this:
I post a clue, the answer to which is a number. Find the page in this thread with that number, and look through my first post on that page for another clue or for anything suspicious. If you find it, this should tip you off to the next page number. Find the next page, look for the next clue, and so on.

Throughout the hunt, you will find three checkpoints. You may stop and claim intellipoints at any of these checkpoints (one at the first, two at the second, three at the end; you will find instructions upon reaching them). If you're the first to a checkpoint, you may also claim a prize. The clues become more difficult as they go along, so to reach each checkpoint is more difficult than the last.

The Halloween Hunt prizes were won by jessk (Third prize, August 2006 letter), Hawkaris (Second prize, March 2006 letter) and sm00thie (First prize, February 2006 letter). Here in the archive, you can still earn up to six intellipoints if you can make it all the way through the hunt! You will find hints for some of the more difficult Hunt clues in the third post.

Ready to go? Here's the first clue:
8, 7, 10, 9, 12, 11, ?

Tips that may help
Look for clues carefully! Sometimes things will be hidden.
None of the clues up to the first checkpoint are complicated. If you're trying to find a complex answer, you're doing it wrong... some may be deceptively simple.
If you can't solve something, try looking at it in a different way than usual.
You don't need any software or programs to solve any of the clues here. Use what you are given. If you don't seem to have enough information in a post to solve something, look harder.
Altogether there are 25 clues. Some are easy, and some aren't!

Puzzle #29

Difficulty: eek

There are twelve four-letter words below. Your task is this: make twelve new four letter words by swapping one letter from each word with one letter from another word and, if you like, changing the order of its letters; you may only swap a letter in each word once.

There are number of possibilities. But (there is a but) you must carry out the above in such a way that the twelve new words can then be paired off into six eight-letter words (for example, BACK and WARD can become BACKWARD). What are your six words?

TSAR WADE LEST SAIL
DRAW PADS FIRM COMP
BOOR WINS MALL FORE

Puzzle #30 Topsy-turvy Anagram

Difficulty: smile

For this puzzle, you're not going to unscramble a word - you're going to scramble it again! Using the clues given, can you figure out what order the letters of the word CORRESPONDENCE were in before this anagram was solved? Check the rules carefully.

-The three Es were together, as were the Rs, Cs and Ns. No letter was next to its current position, and the three pairs were not adjacent to each other.
-The Os were separated by exactly one consonant.
-D was somewhere to the left of S, which was somewhere to the left of P; none were adjacent.
-The vowels were in alphabetical order, and not at either end.
-R did not replace D.

C O R R E S P O N D E N C E

Puzzle #31 Broken Equations

Difficulty: smile

These maths equations don't work! For each one, remove two elements (either a number, or a mathematical symbol) to make the equation correct. For the purposes of this puzzle, each numerical symbol counts as a single element; for example, you could remove one number from 17 to make it 7, but if you removed the entire number 17 it would count as removing two elements. If you remove a mathematical symbol, the numbers on each side then count as one number (eg removing the subtraction from 4 - 1 would make it 41).
To avoid confusion, parentheses have been omitted, but standard rules of algebra apply (eg, multiplication and division is calculated before addition and subtraction).

1) 3 8 + 2 - 2 x 4 8 = 1 2 x 6 x 2
2) 1 2 + 3 - 8 x 2 = 3 2 x 1 3 - 8
3) 1 7 x 3 + 2 4 / 6 = 6 1 x 7 - 8
4) 3 8 x 2 1 + 3 = 5 x 1 3 + 1 - 4

Puzzle #32 Word Chain

Difficulty: eek

Your task is to assemble the following word fragment links into the correct order, in such a way that each piece forms a word when combined with the piece both before and after it. For example, the correct order of
ture > to > pic > in
could be
in > to > pic > ture
...Because the pieces form the chain of words into, topic, picture....

Usual word formation rules apply (your words must exist in a print-based dictionary such as m-w.com). When you're done, your links should form a chain of 25 words. Send me the list of words for the letter or intellipoint!

ped > tee > in > her > pic > rob > rain > ter > ches > pla > hed > al > set > on > ture > tend > ed > nic > let > th > ty > to > ges > ring > ot > it

Puzzle #33

Difficulty: eek

Your task is to fill the spaces in the grid below with letters of the alphabet, using the clues to figure out where they should be placed. Each letter of the alphabet appears twice, and there are four blank spaces.

The two numbers beside each row and under each column will help you. The first number tells you how many letters appear in that row or column which are in the first half of the alphabet (A to M) and the second number tells you how many vowels are in that row or column. For clarification purposes, Y is considered a consonant. Using this information and making sure all the the clues below are true, can you place the letters correctly?

Be careful to check your answer thoroughly before submitting!

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 64
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 22
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 20
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 21
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 30
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 21
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 50
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 42

4 2 4 5 5 2 4
2 1 1 1 1 3 1

Rules:

-The same letter never appears twice in any row, column or diagonal, and neither do any pair of consecutive letters (eg A and B; Z and A are NOT considered consecutive).

-IKP runs in a diagonal row somewhere in the block, and there are no blanks immediately above a Y.

-Letters which are repeated...

In the first four rows: I, L O, T, W
In the last four rows: B, F, K, P, X
In the first four columns: B, H, L, N, P, R, T, W
In the last four columns: D, F, G, I, K, Q, S, X
In successive* rows: B, D, L, O, P, T, V, W, Z
In successive columns: F, G, H, I, K, Q, R, X

(*"Successive" means that they appear somewhere in two rows or two columns which are next to each other).


Puzzle #34: THE INTELLI-THREAD CHRISTMAS TREASURE HUNT

Difficulty: smile eek gonk

Intellithread Special Event Treasure Hunts work like this:
I post a clue, the answer to which is a number. Find the page in this thread with that number, and look through my first post on that page for another clue or for anything suspicious. If you find it, this should tip you off to the next page number. Find the next page, look for the next clue, and so on.

Throughout the hunt, you will find three checkpoints. You may stop and claim intellipoints at any of these checkpoints (one at the first, two at the second, three at the end; you will find instructions upon reaching them). If you're the first to a checkpoint, you may also claim a prize. The clues become more difficult as they go along, so to reach each checkpoint is more difficult than the last.

The Christmas Hunt prizes were won by Necroletariat and Veta_Black (Third prizes, November 2006 letters), Wordplay Prae and Guitared and Feathered (Second prizes, December 2006 letter and November 2005 letter) and Astroasis (First prize, Coco Kitty Plushie). Here in the archive, you can still earn up to six intellipoints if you can make it all the way through the hunt - but be warned, it's not an easy feat! You will find hints for some of the more difficult Hunt clues in the third post.

Tips that may help:
Check posts for clues CAREFULLY. Some clues are hidden. Sometimes part of a clue is hidden.
Clues will usually be in the first post by me on each page - but after the first checkpoint, they won't always. Check pages carefully.
If you don't seem to have enough information to solve a clue, look again. There may be something you missed.
As with the previous treasure hunt, you will need no software or programs to solve any of these clues. If you're trying to use one, you're probably overcomplicating things. You may find search engines useful for help with some hints, though.
If a clue seems like it could have more than one answer - use your initiative and try both.


Ready to go? Here's the first clue:
20, 42, 86, 174, ?


Puzzle #35 Wordoku

This one is for the Sudoku fans. If you've never tried Sudoku, don't worry. The aim of this Wordoku puzzle is to add one letter to each square so that each row, each column and each 3x3 square contains every letter from the word SPHERICAL once only. That done, another word must spell out along the shaded diagonal boxes. For an intellipoint, PM me with both the new word and the completed puzzle (you may edit the image if you like, but the letters typed out in rows are fine too).



Puzzle #36 Word Chain 2

Your task is to assemble the following word fragment links into the correct order, in such a way that each piece forms a word when combined with the piece both before and after it. For example, the correct order of
ture > to > pic > in
could be
in > to > pic > ture
...Because the pieces form the chain of words into, topic, picture....

Usual word formation rules apply (your words must exist in a print-based dictionary such as m-w.com). Where a piece is repeated, it is used in the chain twice. When you're done, your links should form a chain of 30 words.


ther > ear > ch > low > om > man > bri > et > ring > ange > al > it > rand > ked > air > post > tra > to > lot > land > mal > er > lic > red > sh > bed > ange > der > ch > mark > ga

Puzzle #37

Difficulty: eek

In this puzzle, you must try to fit the list of words below into the 4x4 spaces of the grid, in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction (you cannot jumble the order of the letters). Where the squares touch, the letters in the adjoining boxes are the same. For example, you could fit in the words LAVA, LANE, ORAL, LOVE like in this example:


Be careful, though - one word won't fit! If you like, you can edit the image, though the letters typed out in the correct order is fine too. When you're done, PM the solution to me and tell me the word that's left over. I have included the position of one letter to get you started...



WORD LIST
AVID
CANE
CAPE
CUTE
DIME
HARP
HAVE
HOME
HOOP
LAMP
LAVA
MAST
MARK
MANE
MINT
ORAL
PALE
PANT
PAST
PLAY
PRAY
ROMP
ROOK
TALE
TAME
VINE

Puzzle #38

Difficulty: gonk

For each question, using only regular addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, use any or all of the six given numbers in any order to reach the total - but you may only use a number twice if it is listed twice. Parentheses are permitted.

For example: Reaching 81 using 100, 25, 9, 3
(100 - 25) + (9 - 3) = 81

1) 663 using 2, 8, 7, 50, 75, 100
2) 712 using 25, 7, 1, 8, 7, 1
3) 884 using 9, 6, 5, 1, 3, 10
4) 865 using 75, 25, 50, 100, 7, 2
5) 911 using 25, 10, 9, 8, 7, 1

Puzzle #39 - Gaia Anniversary Puzzle

Each of these letter jumbles have two related words hidden in them. If you find the two words, you'll have two letters left over - once you've found all 16 words, use the leftover letters to make two more words, and tell me what they are. Want a clue? Some of the words are Gaia-related. See third post for clues.


1) T A I L H A N D I S O L O R Y B O B
2) S N E E R P H A R M I T H O W I L
3) I F L E E Y O U R C I S T R I N K
4) L E A R Y T E A L S P I C E S W
5) C O O L T H I A F B I T E C A U C S
6) M O O N L I N G S T A U I D
7) S E E C E N T G R I N P I C U C D
8 ) F I A L N E C T R A R F U S S

Puzzle #40
Letter won by Suneagle

Insert the following list of numbers into the spaces on each horizontal line on the grid so as to form thirteen valid equations, treating each calculaton sequentially rather than according to the "division and multiplication first" system. Also, the digits in each vertical column must total 45!

1 2 2 3 4 4 6 6 6 6 8 9 9 9 9 11 12 12 13 14 16
17 17 24 29 29 41 54 65 75 78 81 84 89 91 181
193 200 206 246 340 407 507 517 775 943 2496
3161 7427 8649 8895 9979 10003 39758 91669



Puzzle #41
Won by weirdguy
Rearrange these groups of three letters into the correct order so that, when spaces and punctuation are added, they form four quotations. The letters must stay in their sets of three, making it more like a jigsaw than an anagram. An extra point for anyone who can tell me who said each one. wink

1) WHE DES HER JUS EEM IGH WAS FOR NYO WOR THI NGT
HAT LWA EBE TER TMA LDA NTT YSS UVE THE SBR OME E

2) TOU EAR THA NSA NEV TTH HAV VER TNE HAT PER RHA
EVE TIR URT CHT NDA ATN EAH ESA TEM NDA RDE ERH S

3) ONC WILL HAT THH TRO NGS IST PEO NOP UBL GTO OMI
LON IND YIN INI AVI PLE ENM NGA INS THE GAN PUT EWI
DTR THI NGA IST T

4) ABA EGI RYA EWA EAT IDE HAS INT OPL NIV OTO
NNI RDE YAN ENW MAD FPE DMO NGT LYR DHA HEU EVE
SCR HIS HEB ERS EDT EAL NGR EGA DAS SBE VE

Puzzle #42
Letter won by Keeko1642



Fill in this grid to form a rectangle of words, four reading across, five reading down. Four letters have been filled in for you; those to the left and right appear somewhere in the row by which they appear.

You will also need the additional letters U, R, P, L, H, E, S and L...

As usual, all words must be found in a print-based dictionary.

Puzzle #43
Letter won by | Mine |

In each of these jumbles of words, you will find two words related to one another (they will form a common phrase). However, some extra letters have snuck in, too. There are two extra letters in each set; once you have found all the pairs of words, write down all the extra letters and rearrange them to find another word pair. What is it?

1) YESTEWINNOGSETH
2) DICERROOFBEASTCL
3) DEADSECPENNINGBEERS
4) TCPLEGAVEBEEFHAT
5) RUSHTIMEREEKSTEER
6) UNRAVELTECHPEEL
7) MAUTOARCTICHIPHOP
8 ) ENKIKNITSHSRC

Puzzle #44
Letter won by Astroasis

Each of the 21 clues below is a hint to a ten-letter word. To help you find them, all the letters to be used are listed in pairs below - they must stay in these pairs.

When you have found all of the words, take the first letter of every word, and then the fifth letter of every word. In this order, they will spell out a quote. To win the letter, what is it?

1. Something portentous.
2. A disinclination.
3. Spoken skillfully.
4. Evil.
5. Vain or self-absorbed.
6. Interesting.
7. To find something again.
8. Erase.
9. Dilapidated.
10. Moderate behaviour.
11. Like a precious gem.
12. Like a sea otter or a snow leopard.
13. Behaving in a rowdy manner.
14. Stern talkings-to.
15. Visible.
16. Something one may find in water.
17. Defeated.
18. Tchaikovsky wrote about one.
19. With well-mannered speech.
20. A delicate lady may possess this.
21. Difficult to understand.

Letter pairs to be used:
DI RE OP OW TE EL AD
LU RK DA TE FL HA RV
NT ER IM US OQ TC IS
EG CE RO TI ED IC RO
OB CT DS RO OV EN LY
MP AB SC PR NT SS RA
MS RE OB OV LI SH OR
IC CE LE ES NG NU CK
TI RA CK ER NT RE AN
LE WN ER DA UE OR FO
VO MA TE LE HE IN NE
RE AN AT AL NT LE OC
MA RE LE TR EN AB RE
ER RA TE AL AN CE SE
EC ON ER IN TH CO RE


Puzzle #45 - - Word Chain 3
(won by Jade13)

Your task is to assemble the following word fragment links into the correct order, in such a way that each piece forms a word when combined with the piece both before and after it. For example, the correct order of
ture > to > pic > in
could be
in > to > pic > ture
...Because the pieces form the chain of words into, topic, picture....

Usual word formation rules apply (your words must exist in a print-based dictionary such as m-w.com). When you're done, your links should form a chain of 26 words. Send the list of words to me for the letter or intellipoint!

cent > med > tir > ars > ant > ide > back > ing > set > hill > pend >
hem > ed > mit > per > ten > her > de > ury > up > ic > der > as > ge > ot > on > top


Puzzle 46 - THE INTELLI-THREAD SUMMER TREASURE HUNT

Instructions
Intellithread Special Event Treasure Hunts work like this:
Below is posted the first clue, the answer to which is a number. Find the page in this thread with that number, and look through my first post on that page for another clue or for anything suspicious. If you find and solve it, this should give you the next page number. Find that page, look for the next clue, and so on.

Throughout the hunt, you will find three checkpoints (every 10th clue). You may stop and claim intellipoints at any of these checkpoints (first checkpoint earns you one point, second earns two, and reaching the end earns three; you will find instructions upon reaching them). If you're one of the first to a checkpoint, you may also claim a prize. The clues become more difficult as they go along, so to reach each checkpoint is more difficult than the last.

Ready to go? Here's the first clue:
24, 26, 52, 54, 108, 110, ???


Tips which may help
- Altogether there are 30 clues. Some are easy, and some aren't!
- Look for clues carefully! Sometimes things will be hidden.
- If you can't solve something, try looking at it in a different way than usual.
- None of the clues up to the first checkpoint are complicated, so don't look for complex solutions... at first.
- You don't need any software or programs to solve any of the clues here. However, for certain clues, you may find search engines useful for information.
- In case anyone is unaware of this, it is easiest to navigate through the thread by typing the page number at the end of the url at the top of your browser window, rather than using the page navigation buttons (which will only take you ten or one hundred pages).
- Keep checking for specific hints being added at the bottom of this post.
- If it seems like there could be more than one solution, try them all!
- Clue posts are all marked with an S and a number (eg: S06). There are now three different treasure hunts installed in this thread, so if by chance you should happen across a clue not marked with an S, you're on the wrong track!
- ...Be aware that my puzzles are dastardly and devious! twisted

Backwords!
(Letter won by Creek..Feet)

Your task here is to create a crossword from the grid below; unwanted letters have been added where the black squares should be. Remove them to create a crossword which fits the following:

-There must be 26 words total; 14 are across, 12 are down
-39 squares must be blacked out
-Words must be of three letters or more
-Follow usual crossword rules - words must read top to bottom, or left to right, and should not immediately follow one another (i.e., from the first row, one cannot have both "wager" and "are" as they run-on into "wagerare" which is not a word; one could have both "wager" and "new" from the first row, however).




Wordoku 2
(won by fiarra)
The aim of this "Wordoku" puzzle is to add one letter to each square so that each row, each column and each 3x3 square contains every letter from the word ALONGSIDE once only. That done, another word must spell out along the shaded diagonal boxes. PM me with both the new word and the completed puzzle (you may edit the image if you like, but the letters typed out in rows are fine too).



Puzzle #49: Word Chain 3
Letter won by Astroasis; now worth 2 intellipoints

Your task is to assemble the following word fragment links into the correct order, in such a way that each piece forms a word when combined with the piece both before and after it. For example, the correct order of
ture > to > pic > in
would be
in > to > pic > ture
...Because the pieces form the chain of words into, topic, picture....

Usual word formation rules apply (your words must exist in a print-based dictionary such as m-w.com). Where a piece is repeated, it is used in the chain twice. When you're done, your links should form a chain of 28 words.

sist > ver > set > mur > den > er > ric > trap > ly > miss > kind > her > se > fab > ger > per > on > led > er > al > ion > se > ling >
en > ting > le > red > a > man

[Lunaria Sangrael]

Wonderful idea you have here. I think I might have to stick around, seeing as this seems a likely place to find intelligent conversation. 3nodding Oh, and here's the answer to your Letter Challenge.

Luna's Answer

MULE

MALE
GALE
GALA

GAIA

I definitely think I'll subscribe to the thread. 3nodding

[The Intelli-Gent]

More hints will be added here shortly. Please be patient with me while I tidy up. smile

Puzzle 19
For 1) Try moving around the letters you have, not switching them for other letters.
For 2) This code is rather an egotistical one. ninja
For 3) Try looking for what is not there rather than what is.
For 4) Have you heard of a Caesar Cipher? If not, look it up.
For 5) This one is such a simple number-letter code, you shouldn't need any hints. Just try a couple of things.
For 6) Another letter-replacement code, but a trickier one. If you know what some of the other messages say, perhaps you can guess what what some of the letters are, and work from there.

Puzzle 28 - Halloween Treasure Hunt

Hints for those clues that tend to trip people...
Clue #8: There is a reason for the capital letters.
Clue #17: Check the image filename for a hint.
Clue #18: There are two clues here. Put them together and what do you find?
Clue #21: Some letters seem to be missing.
Clue #22: There's something a little backwards about these numbers...
Clue #24: What could the 1-, 2- and 3- refer to?


Puzzle 34 - Christmas Treasure Hunt
#3: Think Gaia games.
#5: What rhyme begins with this? If you've never heard it, Google might help.
#6: Military time might help you here.
#7: Heard of Cockney Rhyming Slang?
#9: How should this look, and what do you need to correct it?
#11: British history might help a little. What went up in flames?
#13: How many circles are there?
#14: Funny, those "bricks" are all different sizes... maybe you should find out what size they are.
#17: Find the words?
#19: It might help to think scientifically about it.
#20: Card values are 1-13 and the ace is the same value as in clue #3.
#23: You must find the rule common to each set of numbers. For each, try doing something with the two numbers on the left... then something else with the two numbers on the right... then do something with the two numbers you have to get the middle number. Once you know the value of ?, just do what it says.
#24 Look down...?
#25 The answer to this one doesn't have to be a number. Try looking for a message.

Puzzle 39
1) These anagrams alliterate. Festively, in the Gaian anniversary sense.
2) Recently left Gaia?
3) Something cats have.
4) One of Gaia's more sparkly offerings.
5) Something tasty.
6) You might find your way here through the world map.
7) A rather good description of me, really...
8 ) Cindy deals with these.

Puzzle 40
Numbers in each corner of the grid:
Top left 14
Top right 943
Bottom left 407
Bottom right 11

Puzzle 43
#1: This one is a little romantic.
#2: Look for an animal.
#5: Looking for a number may help.
#6: Same clue as #5.
#8: A household appliance of some sort...

Puzzle 46: Summer Treasure Hunt
05: If you haven't seen these symbols before, try checking the filenames.
08: When it's solved, just think about the item a little.
09: Firstly, it will help to know that a map position is read across, then up (latitude then longitude).
As you are not given an exact starting position, first figure out what the path looks like. Then try where to put it.
The starting position is one of the two squares between the bush and ring of trees.
How many is company, and which way is N?
15: The first letter - appropriately enough - is a G.
16: Listen.
21: You'll find the end around something of which I am very fond.
You may step on squares with a little bit of clothing in them - just not those where you would have to step on the clothes.
When you move diagonally, it should be southwest.
Okay, okay - the secret exit is the top hat. Perhaps you guessed that already? See if you can find the start!
25: The number of blocks is significant.
27: This one relates to clue 22.
28: Try looking up tips for solving cryptograms.
29: 27 is to 22 as 29 is to... one of the other clues.
In other words, it relates to something else you have solved recently.
30: No, it's not a mistake. Look carefully.


Grade E (10 points): Thank You Letter (current month), WTF Hat
Grade D (20 points): Grunny, Fairy Wings, Gift of the Goddess
Grade C (30 points): Western Zodiac Plumeria Headpiece Mochi the Puppy
Grade B (40 points): Phoenix Circlet Whip of Fire Angelbow
Grade A (50 points): Solar Headdress, Dark Halo, Death Whisper (1st Gen), Fullbody Art

[Lunaria Sangrael]

Try not to make it too tricky. I just happen to have a rather sizable vocabulary, as well as a penchant for logic problems and word puzzles. whee Say, I could probably help out if you decide to include riddles as part of your thread. I find riddles are an excellent way to excercise the gray matter. 3nodding

[The Intelli-Gent]

Lunaria Sangrael

Try not to make it too tricky. I just happen to have a rather sizable vocabulary, as well as a penchant for logic problems and word puzzles. whee Say, I could probably help out if you decide to include riddles as part of your thread. I find riddles are an excellent way to excercise the gray matter. 3nodding

Difficulty will vary, in any case, depending upon the number of letters currently in my inventory. rofl

That sounds an excellent idea. You are very welcome to submit riddles and other puzzles. In fact, if any other people are interested in doing so, I may add an extra section for submitted puzzles. 3nodding

[The Intelli-Gent]

RANDOM INTELLI-TEST FACT:
The Earth gets heavier each day by tons, as meteoric dust settles on it.

[The Intelli-Gent]

RANDOM INTELLI-TEST FACT:
Kilts are not native to Scotland. They originated in France.

[BastettePixie]

This is a wonderful topic! This will be going in my subscribed threads as well. It's nice to see someone in this wide, wild Gaian world who knows the merits of a good vocabulary, functioning grammar, and tactful manners. I think the puzzles will be a lot of fun as well.

Hmm, I was just reading about Oscar Wilde last night as I was researching dandyism. I go spoony over fops and dandies, I'm afraid.

Well, anyway, here's to hoping I get to use the word "defenestrate" in some context in this thread. It seems the most likely place on Gaia for this to happen.

[Lunaria Sangrael]

Cool factoids. ^w^ I've got a couple of nice riddles for you to put up, and I'll PM you the answers.

First Riddle

Buckets, barrels, baskets, cans.
What must you fill with empty hands?

Second Riddle

The builder doesn't need me,
the buyer doesn't use me,
the user doesn't want me.

What am I?

I hope you can put these to good use! 4laugh

[The Intelli-Gent]

BastettePixie

This is a wonderful topic! This will be going in my subscribed threads as well. It's nice to see someone in this wide, wild Gaian world who knows the merits of a good vocabulary, functioning grammar, and tactful manners. I think the puzzles will be a lot of fun as well.

Hmm, I was just reading about Oscar Wilde last night as I was researching dandyism. I go spoony over fops and dandies, I'm afraid.

Well, anyway, here's to hoping I get to use the word "defenestrate" in some context in this thread. It seems the most likely place on Gaia for this to happen.

Thank you very much, madam.

There are many worse things to go spoony over, if I may say so. And I do hope this thread attracts many more people who enjoy such words as "defenestrate".

[The Intelli-Gent]

Lunaria Sangrael

Cool factoids. ^w^ I've got a couple of nice riddles for you to put up, and I'll PM you the answers.

First Riddle

Buckets, barrels, baskets, cans.
What must you fill with empty hands?

Second Riddle

The builder doesn't need me,
the buyer doesn't use me,
the user doesn't want me.

What am I?

I hope you can put these to good use! 4laugh

Thank you very much. smile It's good to find another inventor of puzzles. I will add them to the front page, if that is all right with you. 3nodding Credited, of course.

[The Intelli-Gent]

RANDOM INTELLI-TEST FACT:
The earth travels through space at 660,000 miles per hour. gonk

[canadian_trekkette]

I just found this and I think I love it! I can't wait until you start with the questions because I'm terrible at word puzzle things. I like that you post random facts. Lots of fun!

[The Intelli-Gent]

Letter challenges won't always be word puzzles, so don't worry. 3nodding But the in-thread questions will be easier.

Those will be starting in a day or two. I would like time to get a little more interest in the thread first. wink

Nothing to see here... just somewhere to put this.


Record of Progress
Past first checkpoint
Connie_Girl
FreeYourSoul
Dilandra101
Kariri-suu
Teh K9
fiarra
Lavariver
Astroasis
glass_magnolias
Suneagle
l)![7470r_Sv3n
Murderous Lemur
Keeko1642
I is Luna Lovegood
Shimmerblossom
Huroggmeten
TMBergerson
bubblespaz21
evangeline.dark
randomosity333
Sila-chan
Shadow Coon
~Angelina Elven~
Isis375
lan-neko
ccchhhico
calypso-maru
believe_in_faeries
Kissypoo-69
Shirael
PixelatedLuv
cooldude624
MetraGnome
Reisei
Kynxah

Past second checkpoint
Teh K9
Lavariver
Connie_Girl
)![7470r_Sv3n
Astroasis
bubblespaz21
FreeYourSoul
Suneagle
Dilandra101
glass_magnolias
fiarra
TMBergerson
Shadow Coon
evangeline.dark
lan-neko
Isis375
ccchhhico
Sila-chan
PixelatedLuv

Completed by:
Astroasis
Lavariver
Shadow Coon
Teh K9
fiarra
Suneagle

[canadian_trekkette]

The Intelli-Gent

Letter challenges won't always be word puzzles, so don't worry. 3nodding But the in-thread questions will be easier.

Those will be starting in a day or two. I would like time to get a little more interest in the thread first. wink

Oh good. I'll have a better chance at winning then... biggrin