Terms and Conditions for The Secret Red Herrings by The Art of the Hidden Messages
The Art of Hidden Messages, The Secret Red Herrings, is primarily offered as a
fun and engaging puzzle. Although a gift of original artwork, gem, and proxy
stone is offered to the first person who correctly solves and submits a
successful claim for puzzles within the PDF booklet, the completion is designed
to be educational and rewarding even without this element.
By taking part in the free Treasure Hunt aspect of the purchased puzzle booklet (behind the paid wall of the MW Forum), participants, and anyone accompanying a participant, or given a copy of all or part of any relevant material provided for the Treasure Hunt, do so entirely at their own risk and entertainment.
Participants agree to abide by all rules, regulations, and laws.
It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure that they receive The Art of Hidden Messages, The Secret Red Herrings, documents, in the MW Forum’s Private Section. If the relevant documents are not received, it is the participant’s responsibility to notify Mysterious Writings (the host of the puzzle booklet) at treasure@mysteriouswritings.com. Once confirmation of order and payment have been made, Mysterious Writings will forward necessary information to gain access to the MW Forum. This process will be handled as quickly as possible.
Mysterious Writings (the host of the puzzle booklet) is not responsible for any electronic delay, fault or error that may delay the purchaser’s receipt of a rightfully purchased PDF document.
No compensation can be sort, or filed, against Mysterious Writings, Art of Hidden Messages, or any supportive organization, for any losses, financial, material and/or subjective that is believed to be created by participating with any of the Art of Hidden Messages puzzles.
Participating in the puzzle and treasure hunt aspect of the booklet you accept these rules, terms, and conditions.
When payment is made, you must give a valid email address, and be prepared to register on the MW Forum to gain access to the Puzzle Documents. Your email address will also be used to register you into the treasure hunt. You must use this same email address to make any submissions. If an email address is used other than that which was used to pay and register, this may disqualify you. We have the right to ask to see your receipt of payment if we feel there is a discrepancy.
These hunts are open to anyone over the age of 18. (Shipping of prizes only within the continental USA)
This hunt is somewhat similar to “The Secret”. There are a number of illustrations, and a number of poems. Together, one illustration and one poem can be used together to give clues to one location in the Continental United States. Once a searcher believes that they have solved the clues for the correct location, they must travel to that location to find a proxy item. The proxy item is a painted stone. It will be painted with something recognizable to the theme of that location, and will have some identifiable code written on it as well. If you are following the clues correctly, you will know exactly where the item is, down to a small, searchable area, approximately 1 foot by 1 foot. The proxy item must be retrieved to win.
In addition, there are red herrings. These do not go
together. They do not lead to any location. They are intentional
distractions. They have been added to give an additional twist to the puzzle
and the treasure hunt.
When the proxy item is found, the winner must
take a photo of it, and immediately send it to TheArtofHiddenMessages@gmail.com with the heading, “Proxy Item Found”. Failure to
report a found proxy stone within the first 48 hours can disqualify you from
winning. There can be only one winner, the person who has the proxy item in
their possession. If you are working as a team, it is up to the players to
determine how to divide the prize. The prize will be sent to the person who
sends in the photo of the proxy item with their address.
If by some chance, a searcher goes to a location that they believe is correct, and cannot find the proxy stone, they can take their photo at the exact spot they think the proxy stone should be, and send it to TheArtofHiddenMessages@gmail.com. If the hunt setter has not had any reports of the proxy stone being found, and the location is correct, then that searcher will win by default.
There is no need to go into cemeteries, graveyards, church yards, or in any dangerous areas. Some areas require hiking and are not handicapped accessible. A few of the proxy items are buried, but in these instances, they are not buried any deeper than 2 inches, and are lightly covered. It should be evident by the clues which are buried and which are not. We have tried to take every precaution to keep the parks and public places neat and clean and presentable and have not caused any damage.
There is enough information in the poem and illustration to solve for the location, but you will need to do some research. The use of a computer and the internet is highly recommended.
Updates will be posted on the Mysterious Writings website. You may discuss the hunt publicly on the Mysterious Writings forum.
The prize, like with “The Secret”, for each hunt, is a gem. Also included will be the original painting used for this hunt. These are not prints. Most of the art is watercolors. One is a pen and ink, and another is a watercolor with pen and ink added for detail. Their measurements, and the gem assigned as a prize for each, is listed on the Mysterious Writings website. The prize items will be mailed to the winner, and tracking will be provided.
If you figure out the location, but have no intention of retrieving the proxy item, please don’t spoil the fun for those who are still playing. Don’t post the answer.
The location will not be confirmed for you prior to you making the trip to the site, so don’t ask. Travel is at your own risk and expense. If you travel to a site and do not find the proxy stone, you will not be reimbursed for travel expenses or refunded for the price of the hunt.
The Art of Hidden Messages reserves the right to update, change, cancel, add, or discontinue the treasure hunt aspect at any time.
Thanks for playing, have fun, and good luck!