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Order of the quest

This hunt is made up of 3 parts:  The Clues, The Key, The Cipher

Your mission is to decrypt The Cipher, a coded message from the captain that directs you to the exact location of the treasure chest.  You can see the cypher HERE. 

How do you decipher this message?  There are nine clues that will put to the test your investigative ability, puzzle solving skills, and historical knowledge of NYC. If you can solve all nine clues, you will have everything you need to crack the code and find the exact location of the treasure.

Every clue is a complex riddle that may take you some time to solve. Each one is associated with a specific location of historical or cultural significance. The clues will reference specific details of a location that will require on-site investigation and puzzle solving. A clue might also aim to illuminate a path for you from an initial starting point.  Every clue has a definitive answer and can be solved independently of any of the others. The answer to every clue will be numerical.

You will also need to identify The Key.  Each part of the cipher code corresponds to a word in the key. Each line of the cypher will guide you to a specific letter(s) within the key, allowing you to translate the code. Lean more about how ciphers and keys work HERE

You are not only racing your fellow treasure seekers, You are all also competing against the clock. If the treasure isn’t found before time runs out, the captain will retrieve it and the hunt is over.

Rules and Guidelines
  • The treasure is real and all clues are solvable.
  • Each clue corresponds with a location that will require onsite investigating.
  • The answer to each clue will be numerical. This does not mean you are just simply looking around for a number written on a wall or something. Although it could be.
  • Each clue’s answer will reveal a portion of the cipher.
  • Each clue can be solved independently of the others.
  • You will need to solve all clues before you can locate the treasure.
  • Solve all clues and use the key to decode the cipher. That will lead you to the exact location on the treasure. 
  • Find the treasure chest and you will receive $25,000. 
  • Clues will be released by the captain periodically throughout the hunt on an undisclosed schedule. (4 clues have been released so far)
  • Clues are gated by your progress.  You will need solve clues in order to unlock more. 
  • You are allotted two answer attempts per clue per day. Once the limit is exceeded. You will not be able to submit another guess until the following day.  
  • The symbols in each clue are unique, but two or more symbols can have the same value. 
  • You have until the countdown reaches zero (on 12/1/2025) to find the treasure before the hunt is over. However, the captain may choose to extend the hunt
  • Only one hunter can claim the treasure. 
  • The first 3 clues are free for all to see, but to take your shot at $25,000 and put treasure hunting skills to the test, you’ll need to officially join the hunt. For $25 you get access to all the clues and everything you’d need to find the treasure for the full duration of the hunt. There are no costs or charges at all beyond this one.
  • This hunt will not cost you anything beyond officially joining the hunt and subway fare 
  • You will not need to dig. Please do not dig anywhere. The treasure is hidden, not buried. 
  • You will not need to do anything illegal to find the treasure, including trespassing, vandalizing, stealing, or whatever. 
  • Nothing to find this treasure will require you to interfere, vandalize, or otherwise disrupt any local businesses 
  • There are no hints or clues hidden within the game outside of each individual clue….this time.  
  • Good luck trying to use AI
  • This is hard. It is meant to be hard. It is also meant to be found.  
  • Everything is contained within bounds of NYC
  • Disregard any typos and mistakes. I’m doing this alone and in the spirit of things, I drank a whole lot of rum while I did it. Reading into my mistakes will not help you. It’s also rude.  
  • Believe me, no bystanders will be able to stumble upon the treasure by accident. 
  • Is this a scam? No. The treasure is real. 
  • Is this a business? Technically, I guess so. But I don’t think this is actually going to make any money. 
  • I will make it known once the treasure is found and then share the answers to each clue. 
  • You won’t be able to find the treasure without officially joining the hunt. Trust me on this one. 
  • You will not need to venture anywhere dangerous. You will not need to climb anything, jump over anything, swim, or otherwise put yourself into harms way to solve any of the clues or reach the treasure. 
  • You must be a resident of the United States to hunt. 
  • You must be over 18 years old to hunt 
  • I’m sure there’s things I didn’t think to include. But at least I gave you guidelines. I didn’t have to. Indiana Jones didn’t have FAQs. 
  • If you are unable to comprehend the rules set forth above, maybe treasure hunting isn’t for you.  I think Dave & Busters is still open.