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The Vault 2: Treasure & Faries is set for release on November 15th! (UPDATE! NOW available on Amazon) This book is a collection of original puzzle hunts crafted by a talented group of creators, each bringing their own imagination, logic, and storytelling style to the chase. Every hunt is self-contained, with its own clues, and hidden solution. Some may seem straightforward; others will send you spiraling through layers of codes, patterns, and meaning. But all share one thing in common—a genuine love for puzzles that challenge how you think and invite you to see the world a little differently.
Today, we’re taking an early look inside The Vault 2 with Ken Cooley – who is one of the clever puzzle creators! The Third in this Six Questions Series (Other Six Q’s here)
Six Questions with Ken:
- Q1) What first sparked your interest in puzzles or treasure hunts?
As a 70’s/ 80’s kid I grew up on Indiana Jones and The Goonies. I always thought it would be amazing to go outside and find a Treasure map and go hunt down One-Eyed Willie’s Treasure.
- Q2) What advice would you give someone who is first getting into the hobby of puzzle hunts?
Great Question. Find a puzzle or Treasure Hunting community that you are interested in. There are millions out there. Heck, go buy our books and join ours. If a puzzle is answered from book 1 you can reach out to the Author and ask for help. You can also reach out to anyone in our community and discuss how puzzles are being solved. We also do Mini-hunts or Armchair hunts throughout the year that offer prizes. You will never have to leave your living room but can now become a Treasure Hunter.
- Q3) What do you enjoy most in the treasure hunting hobby?
When you think you have found a clue or even won a prize that nobody discovered yet. Also, I have met so many beautiful people through this hobby that I now consider lifelong friends. Sundai put a bunch of us together from The Secret community and her Mind Games site. We are now ride or die friends who share common interests. When we talked about the book, we wanted to give everyone a chance to find a Treasure. My favorite part is when we hear someone solved a puzzle for the first time and are now on our Leaderboard. That always warms my heart. Also, through our community you can work together with someone a million miles away from you and become friends.
(Join the VAULT community: Vault Discord, or the Vault Facebook page).
- Q4) When you start designing a new puzzle, where do you begin—story, solution, or structure? How do you balance making a puzzle challenging yet fair?
I start with a concept or an idea of where I want the person to end up and build backwards. My Buddy Tony DeRosa (Artist/creator for the Vault) always says when he is trying to solve something he works backwards and sees if a location can fit the pieces. That is some real CSI stuff but it works.
- Q5) Please share a quick peek into your particular puzzle in THE VAULT 2! How would you describe it?
From Book 1 I wrote a puzzle called Love. As of this writing it has yet to be solved so I basically did the same puzzle in a new way. If you can figure out 1 you can figure out the other. As an Ordained Minister I married the coolest couple ever. Their vows were freaking amazing and inspired this hot mess so don’t blame me.
VAULT 1 – Available NOW on Amazon
- Q6) What do you hope solvers take away from your puzzle beyond just the answer? Do you have other puzzles or a social channel to follow?
My biggest hope with these puzzles is that people understand we are all different. But what we all share is our common love of music and fellowship. There is not enough Love in this world so if you can make someone smile or brighten someone day that is the greatest gift of them all. A wise man once said “Let Love Rule.” Damn Right!
As far as other puzzles I have done, I am a content creator for the Vault Group pages. I will create puzzles and hunts that are not in the book but will still offer prizes that you can win. Go follow us on Facebook & Discord. Tony DeRosa and I are also discussing a huge book project that if we can put it together will be Legendary.
Available on Amazon – November 15th
Join the VAULT community for updates: Vault Discord, Vault Facebook page – or the MW Discord.).
