FAQs

How do I solve these puzzles?

If you’ve never heard of puzzle hunts before, here’s a very brief summary: in a typical puzzle, you receive some information and have to extract an answer out of it, which is almost always an English word or phrase. Puzzles can come in many different forms; the only real commonality is that you usually receive no direct instructions, so it’s up to you to figure out how to make sense of the information you’re given.

If you are new to puzzles and are interested in seeing some examples, or if you’re looking for some practice, we recommend looking at puzzles from other online hunts such as Galactic Puzzle Hunt, REDDOThunt, Puzzle Potluck, or the Caltech Puzzle Hunt.

I think there’s a mistake in this puzzle!

Ask Professor Reblef or his TA, Greg. We will either praise your cleverness and correct the mistake, or let you know that it isn’t, in fact, a mistake.

We’re stuck on a puzzle. What should we do?

This puzzle hunt is supposed to be Fun! If you’re stuck and not having Fun, please do not hesitate to ask us for a hint. Although hints will cost you a few points, your continued forward momentum is much more important in terms of repairing the fabric of reality having Fun!

Here are some general puzzle tips that might be useful:

• Thoroughly check the work that you’ve already done. Fixing a small mistake or incorrect assumption can greatly help with getting unstuck.
• Get fresh eyes on the puzzle, or conversely, take a break and look at something else. Perhaps mix yourself one of Professor Onadnarb’s mocktails!
• Consider what information you haven’t used yet.
• It can be useful to put everything you have into your favorite search engine.

I have a question that’s not on this list!

Just ask us! Although the laws of interdimensional physics the Rules prevent us from providing you with actual puzzle answers, we are here for you. In the event that we are NOT here for you because we are between sessions or have temporarily dematerialized, feel free to contact us at puzzledynamics@exaltation-of-larks.com and we’ll do our best to answer your concerns.