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The END of TREASURE QUEST is upon us! It's the FINAL KEY!

by eli

Here's where it all comes together, and just in time for THE FINAL KEY is upon us! The start of Summer Game 2012 is just a few short weeks away, so time for ONE LAST BRAINTEASER to hold you over until the Summer Game's TRIUMPHANT RETURN! And this time, with email TREASURES still awaiting, Questers who complete the challenges of TREASURE QUEST including the FINAL KEY will get something truly SECRET AND VALUABLE, giving a clue as to something BIG coming in the SUMMER GAME! So, HAPPY QUESTING!

=========================================== ~~~~~ THE FINAL KEY APPEARS! ~~~~~~ ===========================================

Image removed.
What do you want to do?

1. Go to Treasure Quest Leaderboards
2. Visit the Key Gallery
3. See Your Character
4. Attempt to Enter a Key Code, Gate Code, or Treasure Code

As a vision of the FINAL KEY appears before your eyes, you hear Wil Wheaton say:

.

The end is nigh! The FINAL KEY is all you have to claim;
A clue is at the end of the beginning of this game.
The Keys, the Gates, the codes, the points; they all come from a book;
If you're averse to spoilers then perhaps you shouldn't look.

.

Note: in the thread below, Questers are sharing info with each other and getting hints; if you want to solve this puzzle without any help, don't keep reading as there are SPOILERS below!

Comments

Submitted by Morgsush on Thu, 05/03/2012 - 7:40pm

I can't find the Crystal Key! I found the gate, but not the key. The clue just doesn't make sense.

The first line of the Crystal Key clue tells you what to look for, but you'll need to think about other words or idioms that might be unsaid. Once you know what to look for, the second line should help you narrow it down!

As of this moment, 3 players have found the Crystal Key, and 7 have found the Crystal Gate, but no-one has yet cleared the quest! Stay tuned, Questers!

-[:eli]

Submitted by mengland on Sat, 05/05/2012 - 8:29am

Any hints for solving the crystal key and the final riddle? Found both riddles but tried many different codes nothing?

Well, to those looking for the Crystal Key Code, you've got to have your game on. If you found the Key Riddle, you should already know which game we're playing!

As for the Final Code, it is a long one, but not the longest of the game. I won't tell you how long it is, but I will tell you it has to be a multiple of 4. That oughta help you a lot if you're almost on the right track.

KEEP QUESTING QUESTERS! 3 players have completed TREASURE QUEST and won a truly valuable prize; if you look closely at the leaderboards, you might be able to figure out what they won!

-[:eli]

I am circling the drain on the final code. I know the phrase, I'm pretty sure I know the encryption scheme, but I can't make it work. Anyone want to throw me a bone?

Eli I looked at the leaderboard and saw the valuable prize but wondering if you need to finish in the top 5 to get it? or is there something extra besides solve this Treasure quest?
Solved the quest but my number is not on the board. What do I need to do to get prize? another quest?

Submitted by eli Staff on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 8:48am

Mengland, you should be all set now. Anyone who completes treasure quest by May 31 will win the valuable prize, it's just not automatic. I've added the valuable prize for all 10 (!!!) players who have cleared treasure quest, and yes, the 12th key is the 'final key' badge. And let me say how delighted I am to see you questers passing encrypted messages back and forth in a public space! *sniff* So beautiful!

THANKS FOR PLAYING!

-[:eli]

Submitted by Morgsush on Sat, 05/05/2012 - 6:14pm

Thanks for the clue Eli! I found the key. I realized that Penguin Fish were actually two different words and objects.

This might be irrelevant, but I've had this pet peeve the whole time I've been playing Treasure Quest. I started Treasure Quest first, then Points-O-Matic. So on my player page, the Treasure Quest score card comes first, then Points-O-Matic. However, I've started to play Points-O-Matic less and less, but I was playing Treasure Quest more and more. I have to scroll down to the clues for Treasure Quest, but it's really hard to see where that ends and the Points-O-Matic score card begins. I can't move the score cards, and now I'm thinking of just deleting my Points-O-Matic score card. Any ideas?

Hey Morgsush, no worries on the score card. You can probably tell that whole page is esentially untouched from what we first threw together. It will be getting a MAJOR update soon as we start rolling out new features for Summer Game 2012, so don't delete any data, your player page is going to get a LOT more usable in coming weeks, with nice summaries, organized badges, jump to scorecards, etc.

And I have to say on the final code, it's more encoding than encrypting. Take the clue very seriously, it's a big hint.

I can still leave internal spaces in my code and they get stripped when I submit, right? I've been leaving them in to keep my sanity. And where applicable, capitalization doesn't matter, right? This is driving me batty.

good question, brady! when entering a code, spaces and punctuation are ignored, and case does not matter. so you don't need to worry about trying different combinations of space or case when entering a code. However, some encoding or encryption schemes will give different results depending on spaces and cases.... that's why the riddles where that matters will specify how to set up your text before encoding.

Submitted by mengland on Sat, 05/05/2012 - 7:46pm

urgh! 48 hours later still have not solved the final egg? Nice hint from Eli but I fear I'm not on the right path. Any hints to find the right path or hints on which code is right?
I think I know what is to be coded but not how to code it.

Submitted by cherylo on Sun, 05/06/2012 - 1:48am

Am I allowed to pout because I am away from home and cannot reference my copy of RPO? I managed to remember enough to get the first two keys and gates, but not any further. It may have to wait until I get home tomorrow afternoon.

Update: I have managed the crystal key and gate now, and am hoping I can repeat the post-and-solve by complaining how the code for the egg should work IMO but isn't. lol.

Update #2: got through the egg. That was a tough code! But I am confused: 12 keys? I count 11. Where am I going wrong?

I have searching the last phrase of the clue and tried replacing the phrase with code from the website.
I'm thinking I have either the code(tried several) or the phrase wrong.
I have reread the clue but only come to one answer for the phrase.
Brain not working here. Can anyone help? or did everyone finsh the quest?

Mengland-
Atbash this for where I am at. I'm struggling for that next step.

R gzpv gsv vczxg ksizhv uiln gsv tznv, zh kvi gsv drprkvwrz vmgib uli Zwevmgfiv, zmw R gib gl vmxlwv rg fhrmt ZGZHXRR, dsrxs R rmgvikivg gl yv Zgzir'h Hgzmwziw Xlwv. R ivnlev zoo gsv hkzxvh rm gsv vczxg ksizhv, zmw R vmxlwv fhrmt lmob xzkrgzo ovggvih. (ZGZHXRR zmw ZHXRR hvvn gl yv rwvmgrxzo.) R szev girvw WVX, SVC, zmw LXG, zmw R gsrmp vevm YRM vmxlwrmt gvxsmrjfvh, yfg R zn tvggrmt ml dsviv. Zmblmv dzmg gl xlnnvmg dszg R zn wlrmt dilmt?

Got it finally! I had a digit out of place from my encoding. Funny what one little number would do. Thanks for the hints that I was on the right path. Fortunately proofreading saved the day!

Submitted by mysterio on Tue, 05/08/2012 - 5:45pm

I'm stuck on the Jade Key. It's so frustrating because everyone seems to have gotten past it and I'm the only one who hasn't.

Submitted by rimpopu on Tue, 05/08/2012 - 8:35pm

I was able to find all the keys, the easter egg and the treasure but still haven't found the item that holds the copper key. I am drawing a blank on the e l k part. Any hint?

Shreeman, I don't know if you were able to solve the jade key code. Here's the hint. Wiki has the exact phrase. It's a monstrous clue if you like to dwell in the dark. You'll be surpriZed by what you find in this game.

Submitted by mysterio on Wed, 05/09/2012 - 11:10am

In order to get the Secret Shop Tokens, do you need to complete all of the treasures, or do you just need to unlock all of the keys? I have gotten all of the keys, but not all of the treasures, and I haven't gotten the Secret Shop Tokens.

I'm so glad you hardcore questers had fun! It was a blast to put this game together, and of COURSE, the whole thing was inspired by the wonderfully fun final key item, that's why there's that big clue back at the beginning of the game!

As far as the deadline, don't worry about it; if you were here questing during the release period, you'll get your full prize for solving the final riddle. The thing to know is that when Summer Game 2012 starts, treasure quest will still be available to summer game players, and players who finish it during summer game will get a much smaller prize than you guys.

So, hang in there; Summer Game 2012 is on the way!

-[:eli]

Submitted by Bookbird on Sun, 05/13/2012 - 8:09pm

status: still searching for first code. looking for: chrono boolean minimoog etc. book. correct searches?

Bookbird, look for text on the first treasure quest post other than the poem/riddle. Searching the names of the keys & treasures is not going to get you anywhere, unfortunately. Another idea is to Google the names of the three keys of this quest, whose names are found in above comments.

Three keys, three gates, and then a little more. Unless I am forgetting, there were no fake items this time. They all reference actual materials that relate to the source material plot bunnies. (Note: "plot bunnies" is just a silly way of referring to plot contents; it is in no way a hint of any kind.)

BTW: I am curious. Who managed to finish the quest without having read RPO? Anyone? If you have not read it, I highly recommend the audiobook version. It is meta and awesome, even though the book is arguably as misogynistic as the era it celebrates.

Submitted by eli Staff on Sat, 05/19/2012 - 5:07pm

hack'r is a clue that will help you spell one of the key's search terms right. The fish part of that line should help you figure out who we're talking about. Good luck, you're doing great!

-[:eli]

The SecretShop tokens are given out after all Treasure Quest keys are collected, correct?
I'm pretty sure I've collected everything....yet nothing has credited. Is this happening to anyone else?

i got the treasure! but still have all the others not finished. i know its the wrong place to ask, but can anyone help me figure out the chrono key gate code? It seems very unlikely that there will be many skilled people commenting on that forum/whatever you call this (except eli)

sorry ompopp, but i meant the thing about blaze, i guess i wasn't clear enough. The deadline is approching and i really want THREE/ all of, the secret shop tokens (not a minor prize), and i am trying to work on several keys at once so i can finish before summer game begins. stressing. so now i think i will ask for assistance on some other key. i already entered the gate code for nearly all of them (exception: boolean key, maybe because math and math related are not my forte. didn't even get the key code), now i need to CLEAR the gate. And everything else. i think that maybe the final key was easier than the others, despite of there being more riddles.

now i think the stress is helping me, because i got the chrono treasure. i will skip the boolean key and proceed to the minimoog. format? in catalogue, correct me if i'm wrong

wow. i just found the gate item in the catalogue. a case of giving up, looking for help, and succeeding a few minutes later without help

as usual, I'm having problems with crypter s again. i typed the music scolar and the last words, no luck.

these days i'm averaging about one code a day. (three days data) maybe i'll get more over the weekend

Submitted by mysterio on Sat, 06/02/2012 - 1:08am

I know this isn't the right place to ask, but I need some help on the treasure code for the Iron Treasure. The Usegi Checkerboard is just so confusing; I don't even know where to start. I can't find enough information on the web about the Usegi Checkerboard.

problem with iron key gate riddle. think i found the honorific. don't know how to translate
also, as i've posted on the minimoog forum(that's what i call it, unless some one has a better name), stuck on treasure code. found nothing on GF's cryptogram/no mention of it on wiki

Bookbird, I left you a hint in the minimoog key thread, and Shreeman, if you look closely as always at the gate item for the iron key, you can find a BIG CLUE on how to set up the checkerboard.

-[:eli]

I did not need another puzzle hunt to obsesses over. I do not need a Delorean. But, I am not sure I can resist!

<Commence poring over the hardcopy of RPO, and being glad I got a HC and not an audiobook.>

Submitted by tree64 on Thu, 06/14/2012 - 3:30pm

I've finished Treasure Quest for a few days now, but I haven't gotten the Secret Shop Tokens yet. Is there anything else I'm supposed to do?

Tree64, you're all set, sorry for the delay! And the Secret Shop Tokens leaderboard is now working, thanks for letting us know about that, guys. Thanks for playing, and keep 'em coming!

-[:eli]

I just finished READY PLAYER ONE, and I have to say, IT'S THE BEST BOOK EVER!!! Wow, there are so many reference in Treasure Quest from that book and '80s culture. If you're still doing Treasure Quest and you're stuck on one of the Final Keys, BE SURE to read this book. IT'S INCREDIBLE!

I'd have to agree with Morgsush here....I literally spent 2 hours this morning and 2 hours yesterday morning NON STOP reading this book....it was way addictive.
I absolutely loved the book....it's now actually my favorite book :)
Plus it really helps on Treasure Quest, as Morgsush says.

Of course she would Jessica! You walk around with your head buried in a manga book during school! If that happens during school--only the most important thing to do from fall to early summer--I don't even want to know what happens at home.

Submitted by mingtecheng on Tue, 06/19/2012 - 1:23pm

I have finished the treasure quest for a couple of days, is there anything else I have to do?

Re: mingtecheng
Oh, then you should just wait a couple of days and see if you're on the Secret Shop Token Scoreboard. :) (You don't receive a code for completing Treasure Quest. Only secret shop tokens.)

Re: "Anly"
That was only in the last days of school! It was because Niu Niu brought a bunch of manga books I hadn't read yet, so I read them. We didn't do much in the last week of school, anyway.

Submitted by Naverick22 on Tue, 06/19/2012 - 11:14pm

...You know, I've spent about 12 month not looking into the treasure quest. If I hadn't known you would get a buttload of points, I would've spent my time and do this. But now it's june and I can't go back. I have the codes...But they don't work. *Sigh*.

But then again, there's more to life than points & prizes. And losing some pride in yourself is one of them, is it not? Otherwise, I had enjoyed my school year this year and all the events that came by. I've been through lots of fun trips and enjoyment through the activities. But then,

....Why am I not happy?

I had plenty of friends and supporter through the year and of what I do. We had a talent show the Thursday before school ended and man, you wouldn't believe how many people wanted an encore from me. I became the most popular kid in school (but there's no such thing as popularity in our school). When I came into the classroom, every one of my classmates clapped for me. When I walked by people, they would comment about how I did like "nice job" or "you did good out there" or "you were awesome!" and more. I had a great year. But I haven't felt like smiling much lately. Am I just tired? Should I see a doctor? What's wrong with me? Am I talking to the right people?

I think I'm posting the wrong comment in the wrong area....

Maybe you are...
Don't worry! (Dr.) Morgsush has the remedy! Ready?

JUST PLAY SUMMER GAME 2012 and earn lots of point to get your spirits up! Whaddya say? Sound like a good plan? :)

BTW, longest comment I've seen in a long time.

Submitted by marisal on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 9:57am

I seriously SUCK at the treasure quest. the farthest I have gotten is looking up who Agamemnon is

Submitted by mingtecheng on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 12:43pm

I still haven't received any secret shop tokens and it has been almost a week. Is it suppose to take this long?

Submitted by wzhang1 on Mon, 07/09/2012 - 9:44pm

To get the Secret Shop Token, do we need to have all the treasures or just all the keys? I'm missing the Boolean Treasure, the Minimoog Gate and Treasure, the Executive Washroom treasure, and the Iron Treasure, and I don't have any Secret Shop Token yet.

Submitted by Morgsush on Tue, 07/10/2012 - 9:53am

Re: Zhengyang1022

You have to get all the gates? Not all of the keys or all of the treasures (AKA finishing Treasure Quest)?
I didn't know that...

Submitted by ValerieL Staff on Tue, 07/10/2012 - 11:34pm

@Smiles & Morgsush - I used to get the "You read way too much" thing too. Now I work at a library, just graduated with my master's degree in library science and am searching for a librarian job. So, it can lead to good things! :)

So lucky!!! I really hope I can work at the library sometime but I might get distracted by books (if you see a grown-up sitting on the floor reading--that would probably be me) and get fired. :(

Haha...
I really want to volunteer at a library when I get older.
Is there an age restriction if you want to volunteer for the Summer Game? I really want to help, but I don't know if I'm too young...

@Smiles: Heh.. I think anyone who has worked in a library is guilty of being distracted by all the wonderful books at least once in their career! I know I used to get that way when I first started as a shelver many years ago. You do get used to it though and it really is a fun place to work. :)

@Morgsush: Yes, you have to be at least 14 in order to volunteer during the summer reading game. When you get to that point, pay close attention around the middle of May because the slots fill up VERY quickly.

Submitted by Morgsush on Thu, 07/12/2012 - 6:17pm

Me too! :D
That means you're the same age as me, mysterio...
Are you going to the player meeting? I would like to see if I saw you at the Geometry testing out.

Yupper-doodly-doo! ;D

Well, I know for sure that Smiles and I are going into 8th grade. I'm not sure about mysterio, but I think he is going into 8th grade as well. Bookbird... I don't really know what grade she's in.
You're going into 7th, right?

I should read it soon... After I read the 20-something books I checked out today (did I mention I have 103 items checked out?) and the other 80 from other times.

I know what the third gate challenge is for the RPO Delorean contest now, a friend whose cleared the first two gates told me, and it is world-class impossible. I'm not even going to try.

Submitted by wzhang1 on Wed, 07/25/2012 - 8:11pm

Okay, I now have everything besides the Iron and Boolean Treasure, and I don't have any Secret Shop Token. Are you guys sure we only have to get the Keys or do we need to get all the treasures?

Submitted by carcarcar on Sat, 08/11/2012 - 5:54pm

I cannot figure out the Jade Gate - HELP! I've searched every Philip in the catalog for a title with "Four" & "4"...

I obviously don't know where to look, as the hint says "You'll find the gate...if you know where to look". I've looked everywhere, it shouldn't be this hard right?

Maybe I'm too close & I need to step back, but I've literally searched over 500 items.

Could someone check to make sure that the Jade Gate is still appearing in the item? I swear I know the answer to this gate but I cannot find it.

I've got everything else except the final code & the jade gate. So I definitely should take a break. I just don't want to take too long of a break & the summer game is over! I feel like I'm going in circles with the jade gate though.

You all have been so helpful & basically spoon fed me the answer (even though I had already known the above hint). However, I STILL cannot find the Jade Gate, I've searched every PKD item in the catalog, including spin off movies. Maybe I'm not looking for the right thing, but the Summer Game is almost over so it doesn't matter now! Thanks for all your help everyone, it was fun.

I'm now (finally) readying Ready Player One & it would have definitely helped to read it earlier on in the Treasure Quest quest.

Yeah, Ready Player One really helps you with Treasure Quest.

Okay, so I tried searching for the Jade Gate and I couldn't find it. I know what book it's in, but it's not showing up. Maybe you could try Contact Us, and ask eli if there's something wrong...

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