Welcome Correspondent,

You have received the gift of curiosity this holidays. To delve further into the mystery and uncover the hidden clues continue on. 

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Beware! Spoilers ahead!

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Puzzle 1: The handwritten note

Hint 1

There’s something odd about the handwritten note. Its structure seems a bit… forced, at times. Almost as if there was a hidden message in it.

Hint 2

Have you noticed anything particular about the format of the handwritten note? Why is the first letter of every word in capitals?

Hint 3

There is indeed a hidden message in there! Pick the first letter of each word, maybe they’ll spell something out.

Solution

Upon assembling of all the letters, a message reveals itself: “Naughty or nice, all the children count.” What could it mean?

Puzzle 2: The old Christmas illustration

Hint 1

This old illustration portrays St Nicholas surrounded by children reaching out to get presents. Wait a second… Where have I read something about children before?

Hint 2

The hidden message within the handwritten note says something about counting children. Maybe you should just do that! Make sure you count them all.

Solution

There are 21 children in total in the illustration. Surely that number will help you decipher something else?

Puzzle 3: The Alphabet Codex

Hint 1

There’s nothing too special about this strip of paper: it’s just an alphabet, with the number of each corresponding letter below them. Why is there a mark around the letter W?

Hint 2

W is the 23rd letter of the alphabet. How many children were there in the Christmas illustration?

Hint 3

You counted 21 children in the old Christmas illustration. What happens if you shift the whole alphabet by a few steps to align the letter W to spot 21? Perhaps researching what a Caesar Cypher is may help?

Solution

Shifting the whole alphabet by two spots –until the letter W aligns to number 21– will give a new, re-arranged alphabet that will help you decipher the cryptic note. For instance, E in a normal alphabet (spot 5) is G in the cryptic note (spot 7).

Once you’ve figured out each letter, a note reveals itself: “You have proven your worth. Be patient, the package is on its way.”

 

Want to know more about what you are getting yourself into? Visit the Adventure Page