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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. 

How do you decipher this message?  There are twelve clues that will put to the test your investigative ability, puzzle solving skills, and historical knowledge of NYC. If you can solve all twelve 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, most with NY 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, a riddle in it’s own right.  Solving The Key will reveal elements of the cipher, allowing you to translate the code. You will need to solve all 12 clues in order to view both The Cipher and The Key.

CLUE #1: UNLOCKED
CLUE #2: UNLOCKED
CLUE #3: UNLOCKED
CLUE #4: SOLVE TWO CLUES TO UNLOCK
CLUE #5: SOLVE TWO CLUES TO UNLOCK
CLUE #6: UNLOCKED
CLUE #7: SOLVE TWO CLUES TO UNLOCK
CLUE #8: SOLVE TWO CLUES TO UNLOCK
CLUE #9: SOLVE TWO CLUES TO UNLOCK (10/17 – 10AM)
CLUE #10: SOLVE NINE CLUES TO UNLOCK (10/17 – 10AM)
CLUE #11: SOLVE NINE CLUES TO UNLOCK (10/17 – 10AM)
CLUE #12: SOLVE ELEVEN CLUES TO UNLOCK (10/17 – 10AM)

Rules and Guidelines

IMPORTANT: You will not need to and should not venture into any area that is not freely open to the public. You will not need to do anything illegal at any point to find the treasure, including trespassing. Nothing to find this treasure will require you to interfere with any local businesses.  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. Full rules and guidelines listed below

  • By participating in the hunt, I certify that I have read, understand, and agree with all of the rules outlined below and the terms of the Liability Waiver and Release (linked at the bottom of the page)
  • The treasure is real and all clues are solvable.
  • Each clue corresponds with a location that will require onsite investigating, but know some solutions may lie elsewhere.
  • 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.
  • All clues will have a single digit entry per box.
  • Each clue can be solved independently of the others.
  • If you are the first to solve all clues, decode the cipher, and physically reach the hidden chest you will receive $25,000.  There is nothing of actual value (including money) inside the chest itself.
  • Clues will be released by the captain periodically throughout the hunt on an undisclosed schedule.
  • Clues are gated by your progress.  You will need solve clues in order to unlock more. Clues 1 – 6 have been released so far.
  • 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.  This **should** reset every day at midnight.
  • Only one hunter (or crew) 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. $25 is the total amount per crew. You do not pay per member.
  • This hunt will not cost you anything beyond officially joining and subway fare. 
  • The violation of any rule or guideline or any attempt at cheating will result in immediate disqualification at the sole discretion of the captain.
  • Obey and respect the rules and hours of operation for any locations you choose to search. Not all clue locations are accessible at all times (ex: Central Park is open from 6am – 1am).
  • You will not need to dig. Do not dig anywhere. The treasure is hidden, not buried. 
  • You will not need to do anything illegal at any point to solve any clue or find the treasure, including trespassing, vandalizing, stealing, etc.
  • Nothing will require you to interfere, vandalize, or otherwise disrupt any local businesses 
  • You will never 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. Be safe and hunt at your own risk.
  • All clue locations and the treasure are freely open and easily accessible to the public. You will not need to and should not venture into any area or location that is not freely open and easily accessible to the public. You will not need to enter any roped-off or closed-off area. You will not need to make and appointment, schedule a visit, or anything of that nature to go to a clue location (ex: Hart island is not a valid search location).
  • You will not need to remove or take anything with you from a clue location.
  • Everything is contained within the bounds of NYC.
  • You will never need to get on a boat.
  • Treat your fellow hunters with respect.
  • The hunt will end on December 1st. The treasure is expected to be found prior to this date. If not, the captain can choose to extend the hunt.
  • There are no hints or clues hidden within the game outside of each individual clue.  
  • General discussion of clues and the hunt with fellow hunters is to be expected, however, soliciting other hunters for answers or trades is not in the spirit of the game. Doing so will result in disqualification at the sole discretion of the captain.
  • This is hard. It is meant to be hard. It is also meant to be found.  
  • No bystanders will be able to stumble upon the treasure by accident. 
  • 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.
  • You must be a resident of the United States to hunt. 
  • You must be over 18 years old to hunt.
  • If you are unable to comprehend the rules set forth above, maybe treasure hunting isn’t for you.
  • Full game rules (terms and conditions) are listed in the link at the bottom of the page.