Here's the Mystery! The Library of Congress recently discovered that during the American war for independence, the founding fathers hid sensitive documents for safe keeping. These documents contain detailed plans and intelligence information and are an invaluable record of this country's birth. BUT, villainous thieves are also aware of these documents. If the thieves get to the documents first, they will be sold on the black market, and this historical treasure will be lost forever.
Unfortunately, the precise location of these documents was linked to a secret password, which has long been lost. All that remains is a series of clues that will lead you to specific locations that reveal letters in the password.
Your mission: Your job is to figure out the password and locate the final location of the documents. Your country's history depends on you! good luck!
How do I play: Quick Overview
In order to uncover the password and final location, you have to visit 11 different locations on the UVA grounds. At each location, you will uncover a letter that is part of the password. By unscrambling these 11 letters and listening to our final audio clue, you will be on your way to solving the game's mystery location.
The Materials I need to play:
1. Audio clues There are 11 two part audio clues, one set of clues for each location you have to uncover. In addition, there is one set of final audio clues used to solve the game's final puzzle. Download all of these files by visiting the Download Materials section of the site or signing up for our podcast through iTunes.
2. The Game Map (PDF)
Along with the audio clues, you'll the game map to play this game succesfully. The map is used in conjunction with the clues to get you from location to location. It also defines the boundaries for the game playing space.
3. A digital camera (optional)
If you are playing against other players, in single or teams, an additional component of the game includes taking a photo at each location as proof that you visited each.
Your goal is to uncover 11 locations on the ground and record a letter at each location that will provide you with information to uncover a final location.
Step 1. Starting the Game.
Start the game on the Grounds at the University of Virginia. A recommended location is the lawn near the Rotunda. If you are playing with multiple teams, assign each team a different startoff clue (1 through 11) so all teams do not head to the same location at once. After the first location, player can choose to uncover other locations in any order. The game map outlines the game playing boundaries. All locations are within this area.
Step 2. Getting to Each Location.
In order to uncover the 11 locations, you must use the audio clues and game map together to solve each puzzle. There are two audio clues for each of the 11 locations: part A and part B.
A. Listen to Part A of each Audio Clue : "Finding the Location"
Part A gives you information to help you find the correct location. Use the information and sound effects, combined with the game map, to uncover the right location.
Step 3. Recording your answers and taking pictures.
Once you have reached the correct location, you must complete two tasks:
A. Record a Letter.
Listen to Part B of each Audio Clue: "Recording the Letter" to verify that you are at the right location and get information about the letter you should record. Record the correct letter on your game map
B. Take a picture as proof that you were at each location**
At each location players must take a picture. The picture is a tangible proof that you visited each location if you are against other teams. Be creative and re-enact events or think of a fun theme to incorporate in your photos. You can mark off each picture taken on your map.
Step 4. When you have found all 11 locations and letters:
A. Unscramble the 11 letters you collected to form one word.
B. Listen to the Final Audio Clue - Part A. The unscrambled word combined with the final audio clue will help you solve the puzzle.
C. Once you have reached the final location, listen to the 2nd part of the final audio clue to confirm whether you are at the right location. The final location will not be revealed by this clue. Instead, you must either return to obtain the answer from the game play moderator or this website to get your final answer and score
Step 5. Scoring the Game
You can obtain your scores by submitting your answers online. If you are playing with a game moderator who knows the answers to the game, this person may also score each team's answers.
Task
Points Rewarded
Total Possible Points
Recording the correct Letter at each location
1 per letter
11
Taking a picture at each location
1 per location
11
Unscrambling final word
10
10
Record Final Location (with picture)
10
10
Total Points
42
Tie Breaker
If two teams have the same score, the team who completes the treasure hunt and returns to the original meeting/starting point
Best of Luck!
Copyright 2006. All Rights Reserved. Please contact us for more information about the History Challenge.
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