My first participation in mn0pq1 was as a test subject. I had agreed to help test out the puzzle quest and it was decided that I should have a go at the puzzles. I was alone with both star5 and Oliver X watching me on a day I didn't feel well. I got frustrated and gave up before long. These puzzles were hard! Some harder than others. I would have loved to have a team to work with!

In addition to playing each puzzle, I visited the puzzle play stations to get a feel for how the game may go and how players may react to each location. A big thanks to the people that helped test the game! The game was revised a little and then it was time for the game to go on!


The game map

I got my supplies and waited at my first station, The Cheshire Cat, number 30 on the map.

The Cheshire Cat: hints and solution

I arrived at the station which was located at The Beat Coffeehouse. I felt lucky to be stationed where there was beverages and a bathroom available. I got myself a drink and sat myself outside where I would be visible but still in some shade. It was very hot and sunny!

I was there for at least twenty minutes before my first player arrived. A member from Pekingese Liberation Army arrived, running down the block, grabbing the puzzle and running off again. Where was he headed? I wasn't sure but I guessed he and the rest of his team would be back for some hints before long. (Was this you Will O?)

Team Kaiju arrived and sat down at a nearby table and after that my memory of who arrived when gets all fuzzy. In addition to the chaos of teams coming and going, the city's tornado sirens went off. There were some other patrons of the coffeeshop and the barista who stood outside looking at the sky, bewildered. It was still bright and sunny out! Some dark clouds loomed to the north but they looked far enough away. There were phone calls exchanged, one team had still not arrived at my location when it started to hail! Everyone gathered inside to continue their puzzle-solving but one team who ran around the corner and disappeared down the street. They would get wet but I hoped they wouldn't go too far, they were going in the wrong direction of the next station.

The missing team arrived and we talked about calling off the event but everyone (minus the team that ran away) was still in the shop and seemed in good spirits. The hail stopped, a rainbow appeared and the sky seemed clear again, although a bit cooler. Teams began to take clues and answers and started to file out. We were there about an hour. I didn't feel so bad about being frustrated by this puzzle when I did it on my own!

I met up with star5 at Puzzle 5, The Mad Hatter's Tea Party, number 67 on the map. I had myself a little bit of tea and a cookie. I hung around for the first two teams to come through and then head off to my next station, Puzzle 7, The White Rabbit, number 26 on the map.

The White Rabbit: hints and solution

Again I had the pleasure of being located at a coffeeshop, Caffetto. I went through the same routine, let the barista know what was up and settled myself in a visible location outside the door. After about 15 minutes it began to rain! I came back inside and sat myself at the bar so I could be seen when folks started coming in. Phone calls were exchanged again and the troops proved to be in good spirits. They were still playing and seemed intent on finishing. The game would go on!

People began to arrive and I started to hand out hints. It became hard to keep track of who had arrived, where they were seated and when they left. I talked with the barista and another patron who teased me for being there for so long! I teased him right back, he had been there longer than I have. The barista joined in and pointed out that he was only there all day because he had to work, what was this guy's excuse! I found it very funny.

It began to get closer to ending time. I got a call that one team would not be making it to my station as my last team came in at 9:30. They seemed determined to see this through. They took some hints and made it out of there at 9:45 and we all left to make it to the final meeting place, number 70 on the map.

There was one more puzzle at this location, Puzzle 8: The Meta Puzzle that tied all the previous puzzle clues together.
Oliver X was calculated all the team times and scores. The last team from my station, aNOMNOMNOMalies, came in just as they called the end of the game. They wouldn't have had time to figure out the last puzzle anyway but I was rooting for them!

The winners were announced! Everybody cheered! Pictures were taken and we all buzzed about. We took the conversation to the after-party and had some snacks, drinks and chatted. I met some new people and had a lot of fun. Star5 and I were tired and we didn't even do all the running around all these people did! I had to be a pumpkin and leave to go to bed but I hear people hung out and chatted around the fire pit for quite awhile.

I look forward to the next puzzle quest. I think I may want to participate on a team this time. Hope to see folks in August for mn0pq2!