12 Word Searches
December 5, 2024 7:43 AM Subscribe
12 Word Searches. A book of 12 small puzzles that get trickier as you progress. For 1 or more solvers.
I sent this to my puzzle fiend flatmate this morning and it's past noon and he's managed to solve three of the puzzles. We both love puzzles in puzzles in puzzles. The question mark solve was especially sweet!
posted by foxtongue at 10:46 AM on December 5, 2024
posted by foxtongue at 10:46 AM on December 5, 2024
What language IS this?!
Well, the credits page do say it was inspired by LOK. I picked up the LOK book a few months ago, and it was pretty good.
Thanks for sharing ftrtts! Will check this out after work.
posted by pwnguin at 10:48 AM on December 5, 2024 [1 favorite]
Well, the credits page do say it was inspired by LOK. I picked up the LOK book a few months ago, and it was pretty good.
Thanks for sharing ftrtts! Will check this out after work.
posted by pwnguin at 10:48 AM on December 5, 2024 [1 favorite]
Origdwdg?
Rfcdibe?
Hchfort??
What language IS this?!
Is the username "ftrtts" a part of the puzzle? Is this toothpick on a sticky pad in front of me on my desk a part of the puzzle? Is *everything* a part of the puzzle?!
posted by NoMich at 10:52 AM on December 5, 2024 [1 favorite]
Rfcdibe?
Hchfort??
What language IS this?!
Is the username "ftrtts" a part of the puzzle? Is this toothpick on a sticky pad in front of me on my desk a part of the puzzle? Is *everything* a part of the puzzle?!
posted by NoMich at 10:52 AM on December 5, 2024 [1 favorite]
Well I can see why they recommend doing it in pencil. I'm still stuck on the code at the bottom -- I want it to key off the letters in the word search somehow but nothing seems to be working. Anyone got any helpful hints?
posted by Ishbadiddle at 12:36 PM on December 5, 2024
posted by Ishbadiddle at 12:36 PM on December 5, 2024
guys I'm one puzzle in and this is baby stuff but maybe one word is spelled incorrectly(?)
posted by Acari at 12:41 PM on December 5, 2024
posted by Acari at 12:41 PM on December 5, 2024
pwnguin, thanks for that link. I hadn't heard of LOK, but I have ordered it as well as Abdec. I hope to very gently trick my loved ones into enjoying some puzzles this holiday.
I'm still stuck on the code at the bottom -- I want it to key off the letters in the word search somehow but nothing seems to be working. Anyone got any helpful hints?
posted by ftrtts at 1:11 PM on December 5, 2024 [1 favorite]
I'm still stuck on the code at the bottom -- I want it to key off the letters in the word search somehow but nothing seems to be working. Anyone got any helpful hints?
Mild spoiler about when I figured out the letters at the bottom without spoiling at all what it means.
I didn't figure out the bottom code until later. I didn't let it prevent me from moving on to the next puzzle.posted by ftrtts at 1:11 PM on December 5, 2024 [1 favorite]
Just figured out where the puzzles are going and am saving the rest for when I go home later. One small hint in ROT13:
Lbh znl abgvpr gung pregnva tevqf unir pbafvqrenoyl zber yrggref guna vf fgevpgyl arprffnel gb pbagnva gur yvfgrq jbeqf ba rnpu cntr. Creuncf gurer ner zber gb svaq?
posted by Strange Interlude at 1:25 PM on December 5, 2024 [1 favorite]
Lbh znl abgvpr gung pregnva tevqf unir pbafvqrenoyl zber yrggref guna vf fgevpgyl arprffnel gb pbagnva gur yvfgrq jbeqf ba rnpu cntr. Creuncf gurer ner zber gb svaq?
posted by Strange Interlude at 1:25 PM on December 5, 2024 [1 favorite]
hey i'm a bit further along but I think maybe somebody spilled on the puzzles before they scanned it do you think i should email them to let them know
posted by Acari at 7:20 PM on December 5, 2024 [3 favorites]
posted by Acari at 7:20 PM on December 5, 2024 [3 favorites]
This was great! Did not do the job they pay me for; instead, printed two copies out on the company's dime and worked on this instead. Managed to finish this morning. Time well spent.
posted by evinrude at 7:45 AM on December 6, 2024 [2 favorites]
posted by evinrude at 7:45 AM on December 6, 2024 [2 favorites]
I figured out most of the themes.
Some of them I reverse-engineered from #11.
#1 I have the category but having trouble finding some of the missing words. And one seems to violate Rule #0?
#2 has me really stumped. I thought I had it before I read #0. I don't. I think I may have the theme but none of the words make sense. Argh!
And the bottom code still eludes me. I keep counting in various directions from letters in the grid, but I think it may be something simpler? Any hints along this line would be much appreciated!
posted by Ishbadiddle at 10:04 AM on December 6, 2024
Not very spoiler-y progress report
Some of them I reverse-engineered from #11.
#1 I have the category but having trouble finding some of the missing words. And one seems to violate Rule #0?
#2 has me really stumped. I thought I had it before I read #0. I don't. I think I may have the theme but none of the words make sense. Argh!
And the bottom code still eludes me. I keep counting in various directions from letters in the grid, but I think it may be something simpler? Any hints along this line would be much appreciated!
posted by Ishbadiddle at 10:04 AM on December 6, 2024
For anyone wondering about the stuff at the bottom (ROT13):
Gurer'f n fvatyr cntr jurer cneg bs vg'f uvtuyvtugrq - gung naq gur bgure uvtuyvtugvat ba gur cntr ner n pyhr.
Give up?
Gheaf bhg vg'f n uvag flfgrz. (V arire arrqrq vg bapr!)
posted by BiggerJ at 6:05 PM on December 6, 2024 [1 favorite]
Gurer'f n fvatyr cntr jurer cneg bs vg'f uvtuyvtugrq - gung naq gur bgure uvtuyvtugvat ba gur cntr ner n pyhr.
Give up?
Gheaf bhg vg'f n uvag flfgrz. (V arire arrqrq vg bapr!)
posted by BiggerJ at 6:05 PM on December 6, 2024 [1 favorite]
Thank you!
V xrcg guvaxvat vg jnf n pvcure be n pbqr hfvat gur jbeq frnepu vgfrys nf n bar-gvzr cnq. Guvf tnir zr jung V arrqrq gb svavfu #2 naq svavfu gur chmmyr!
posted by Ishbadiddle at 2:57 AM on December 7, 2024
V xrcg guvaxvat vg jnf n pvcure be n pbqr hfvat gur jbeq frnepu vgfrys nf n bar-gvzr cnq. Guvf tnir zr jung V arrqrq gb svavfu #2 naq svavfu gur chmmyr!
posted by Ishbadiddle at 2:57 AM on December 7, 2024
I just finished this! It was really satisfying.
posted by vibratory manner of working at 3:19 PM on December 10, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by vibratory manner of working at 3:19 PM on December 10, 2024 [1 favorite]
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Rfcdibe?
Hchfort??
What language IS this?!
posted by Floydd at 10:11 AM on December 5, 2024