HENWEN

[soulping]

The walls of the hedge maze close in around you. Before you is a single stone table covered in quill pens and several sheets of parchment. Even if you normally cannot read or write, for the time being, you find that you can.

Comments

ROUND ONE

[soulping]

[One sheet of parchment before you bears a symbol much like a blank crossword puzzle.]

  000000000
   0
   0
   0000
   0
000000

[Below it are instructions:]

Fill in the blank spaces with words that fit.

ROUND TWO

[soulping]

[Another sheet of parchment now offers new instructions.]

Create a saying or short story based on the puzzle you made, without using any of the words themselves. This will be the clue for your puzzle.

ROUND THREE

[soulping]

[Another blank crossword puzzle has appeared on a sheet of parchment.]

  000000000
   0
   0
   0000
   0
000000

[This one, however, is accompanied by a clue...]

DISCUSSION

[soulping]

SUBMISSION

[soulping]

[Submit: down (6 letters), top across (9 letters), middle across (4 letters), and bottom across (6 letters).]

DISCUSSION

[soulping]

SUBMISSION

[soulping]

CLUE

[soulping]

"But what should we wear? I don't want to get my clothes wet."
"Oh, I've got a lot to choose from across the top shelf that you can wear."
"Is that going to help in the relay later, though? Is it going to help for where I have to go?"
"There's probably something that will work for you."
"I'll be down by the pool, when you're ready."
"Just make sure not to just jump in when you get there."
"I know, it's always going to be obvious when it's my turn. That's how relays work."
"Just make sure you surprise everyone. I don't think they expect us to come from behind?"
"Hopefully the wind's blowing in the right direction. Does that even help when you're swimming outside?"
"It's for luck. Every bit matters."
"You just like that direction because of the sunrise."

DISCUSSION

[soulping]

SUBMISSION

[soulping]

[Submit: down (6 letters), top across (9 letters), middle across (4 letters), and bottom across (6 letters).]

Re: DISCUSSION

[robitussin]

It's too early for words.

[natalie it's the afternoon]

But, uh... Since our whole naming theme is metals and gemstones, maybe we could use that as a theme?

Re: DISCUSSION

[wherethewildthingsare]

...Maybe we should have a theme.

Gemstones and metals?

[LIKE OUR NAMES?]

Re: DISCUSSION

[wherethewildthingsare]

That's what I was thinking.

Re: DISCUSSION

[fairhands]

I can think of plenty.

Re: DISCUSSION

[fairhands]

Ah, it's been a while since I've seen one of these...

Re: DISCUSSION

[wherethewildthingsare]

Silver.. Gold..Carnelian..Ruby..Zircon..

[He's thinking.]

Re: DISCUSSION

[fairhands]

For the middle across, we can use Gold, Ruby or Onyx, but gold might make it difficult to think of one for the word down...

Re: DISCUSSION

[robitussin]

Okay. So, what has nine letters?

Re: DISCUSSION

[wherethewildthingsare]

Moonstone.

Carnelian.

Re: DISCUSSION

[fairhands]

Carnelian, malachite, platinum...

Re: DISCUSSION

[robitussin]

I guess it depends on whether more six letter gemstones or metals start with O or A.

Re: DISCUSSION

[wherethewildthingsare]

We could also expand and use.. jewelry.

Ring. Choker. Bangle. Brooch..

Re: DISCUSSION

[wherethewildthingsare]

I think we should pick the top across, then the bottom across since those two have the least impact on the other words.

We can stretch the theme too, to like.. jewelry.

So Medallion. that's 'E'. Or 'Gemstones' which is still E, but closer to the theme..

Re: SUBMISSION

[wherethewildthingsare]

top across: Carnelian
middle across: Lode
bottom across: luster
down: amulet

Re: SUBMISSION

[soulping]

[The words glow faintly as they settle onto the parchment...]