The FOFC Mole Official Thread

[Thomkal]

not feeling good this morning, so will likely wait till this afternoon/evening to take the quiz

[samifan24]

Let me say again that I'm still having a blast playing this game. I hope that FOFC will see a "Mole #2" thread not long after this game ends.

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

not feeling good this morning, so will likely wait till this afternoon/evening to take the quiz

Afternoon for me, too -- I have an exam this morning that I should be studying for right now.

[Passacaglia]

I'm ready for the quiz.

[MJ4H]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

I'm ready for the quiz.

Sorry just got home from work. I will be around the rest of the evening so anyone else that is ready, let me know.

[path12]

I'm ready for the quiz.

[MJ4H]

While we wait on everyone to take the quiz:

Mission #6 - Google Bombers SECRETS REVEALED

Not many secrets here, really. The intro video contained a pretty blatant clue that I assumed someone would pick up on, but it didn't appear that it was really needed. The intro video showed, just before the bomb explosions, a picture of an altimeter and then a key. Both appear very quickly, if you blink you will miss them. This is a hint about the correct strategy for the mission, which is to gain altitude. Movements are much larger at higher altitudes, and you can see much more. Moving N, S, E, or W at altitudes lower than 5 without a baseball field already in view were essentially wasted movements because the amount of ground covered was so small.

Curiously, either no one picked up on this or no one decided to share that strategy with others. There was very little discussion of proper strategy in this mission, which surprised me. Of course, one of the main points of the mission was also not known until each person came near to their target, which is what I thought of as the deal or no deal portion. Using supply and demand, I tried to put forth what I thought would be tough decisions for the player. Again, there were only a couple of players that seemed interested in what the rest of the team thought of what seemed to be a pretty big decision.

No problem, of course, just worth pointing out so that you guys can consider these things when you are rooting out that special someone.

Looking ahead to mission #7, I have a rather devious little mission for you guys. Well, 5 of you, anyway.

If you've ever seen the notpron riddle website, this is based on that a little bit. You will be given a visual puzzle, and the solution to this visual puzzle will give you the filename of the next visual puzzle. And so on until you reach a page that gives you a code to enter into a post in the mole thread. Well, actually it will be a choice of codes. Maybe. You'll just have to see on that.

The twist will be whether you decide to work by yourself or together on the puzzles. Working alone will be harder, though maybe safer. Working together will be a bit easier, maybe, but a little more dangerous. Each post you make in this thread during mission 7 leaves you vulnerable to being "neutralized" (which means ineligible to receive a possible exemption from the next quiz). This will be explained in due time, of course. In the meantime, some of you have your own puzzle to work out.

I'll see 5 of you for mission 7 shortly. I'll see all of you at the execution before then.

[samifan24]

I actually never watched the Google bombers mission intro video so that explains why I was confused when I read about it just now. Oh well.

[BrianD]

Originally Posted by MJ4H

While we wait on everyone to take the quiz:

Mission #6 - Google Bombers SECRETS REVEALED

Not many secrets here, really. The intro video contained a pretty blatant clue that I assumed someone would pick up on, but it didn't appear that it was really needed. The intro video showed, just before the bomb explosions, a picture of an altimeter and then a key. Both appear very quickly, if you blink you will miss them. This is a hint about the correct strategy for the mission, which is to gain altitude. Movements are much larger at higher altitudes, and you can see much more. Moving N, S, E, or W at altitudes lower than 5 without a baseball field already in view were essentially wasted movements because the amount of ground covered was so small.

Curiously, either no one picked up on this or no one decided to share that strategy with others.

That was pretty much the strategy I used. Raise up to 5 which was about as high as I thought I could go and still pick out a diamond, and then start moving. I didn't mention it to anyone else mostly because I thought that seemed a fairly logical solution. Going from 3 to 5 was pretty much the same as moving one or more spaces in EVERY direction which is what made ascending so efficient.

[samifan24]

Originally Posted by BrianD

That was pretty much the strategy I used. Raise up to 5 which was about as high as I thought I could go and still pick out a diamond, and then start moving. I didn't mention it to anyone else mostly because I thought that seemed a fairly logical solution. Going from 3 to 5 was pretty much the same as moving one or more spaces in EVERY direction which is what made ascending so efficient.

Agreed, rapid ascension was my strategy as well. I was surprised when kingnebwsu got caught moving around in all directions in the last bombing run but realized later that he didn't ascend high enough when he first started.

[BrianD]

As another thought...how have we gone 6 missions without anyone getting a useful clue from the videos? We have now been told 6 times that the solution to the puzzle was in the intro video.

Note to everyone (including me), watch the video after reading the rules for the mission.

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by BrianD

As another thought...how have we gone 6 missions without anyone getting a useful clue from the videos? We have now been told 6 times that the solution to the puzzle was in the intro video.

Note to everyone (including me), watch the video after reading the rules for the mission.

If it's any consolation, I used the human minesweeper video to verify that everyone was giving out the right information about their pieces of the map. We did awesome in that mission, right?

[Passacaglia]

Oh, and ah am ready for dee quiz!

[BrianD]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

If it's any consolation, I used the human minesweeper video to verify that everyone was giving out the right information about their pieces of the map. We did awesome in that mission, right?

I stand corrected then. Somebody is doing some smart stuff.

[MJ4H]

Stay tuned, execution should be coming tonight.

[MJ4H]

It's taking absurdly long for my videos to process on youtube.

[MJ4H]

Youtube is doing everything it can to eff this up. Please be patient, both videos will be ready eventually, I assume.

[MJ4H]

For those following along, here is Quiz #3. There is a slight error in the video. Question #8 has Tacoma, WA listed as a possible answer instead of Sacramento, CA. The actual quiz said Sacramento, CA.

[BrianD]

Just a note, but when I saw the video post before I started the video, it showed who was executed. No idea how youtube figures out what to use as the initial still image. Slightly unfortunate.

[MJ4H]

Third Execution


Good luck players.

[MJ4H]

Originally Posted by BrianD

Just a note, but when I saw the video post before I started the video, it showed who was executed. No idea how youtube figures out what to use as the initial still image. Slightly unfortunate.

I've been battling that for about an hour and a half. It keeps updating the change in the thumbnail and then reverting back to the original. I am just giving up. Sorry, it did not show that thumbnail when I last posted it, but after refreshing it THREE times, it did. Sorry. I really have been trying to fix that.

[samifan24]

Spoiler

Wow, I was surprised that the execution happened so quickly. I usually figure that the first two or three guys to go are probably okay but that wasn't the case this time. Good luck to everyone left in the game and thanks for playing, kingnebwsu.

[MJ4H]

Originally Posted by samifan24

Spoiler

Wow, I was surprised that the execution happened so quickly. I usually figure that the first two or three guys to go are probably okay but that wasn't the case this time. Good luck to everyone left in the game and thanks for playing, kingnebwsu.

Spoiler

The order players are entered into the computer is completely random. I actually use random number generator to give me the order. I won't get cutesy with it. If it's the first guy entered, so be it. Same with if it's the last guy.

[Thomkal]

messed up the spoiler

[path12]

Spoiler

Have to say I'm a bit surprised to be around seeing as how it feels like I have no clue as to what's going on. Sorry to lose kingnebwsu.

[kingnebwsu]

Spoiler

I can't believe I was wrong. Congrats to the person who I thought it was...you played enough like the mole to fool me. To the real mole, more congrats...I was too focused on my suspect to notice you.

Good luck to the remaining players. I'm sure the game will move on without delay now that I'm gone. Without me "slowing you down"...you'll probably finish the final quiz this weekend.

Big thanks to MJ4H for all of the hard work he put into this. It wouldn't have been nearly as fun as it was without all the cool videos and challenges and whatnot. Can't wait to see how the rest of this plays out.

Good luck.

[BrianD]

Originally Posted by MJ4H

Spoiler

The order players are entered into the computer is completely random. I actually use random number generator to give me the order. I won't get cutesy with it. If it's the first guy entered, so be it. Same with if it's the last guy.

Spoiler

Is this true? I was trying to study the order of players to see if there was a clue there.

[MJ4H]

The FOFC Mole: Chapter 4

Mission #7 - Puzzle Train

Value: $50,000

For your 7th mission, you will be given a visual puzzle. Once you
solve this puzzle, you will use the solution as the filename to
enter into your browser for another puzzle. The first puzzle is at
the address: http://pwatts14.googlepages.com/start.jpg

When you solve this puzzle, you will use the answer to come up with
the next puzzle's address. For instance, if the first puzzle's
solution is "apple" (don't worry, it's not), then the second puzzle
will be located at: http://pwatts14.googlepages.com/apple.jpg
Enter that address into your browser, and, if you are correct, you
will see the next puzzle in your browser. Solve that one to get to
the next one, and so on.

Eventually, you will reach the end of the puzzle train. When you do,
you will receive a special set of instructions for how to claim the
prize money for the pool or various other possibilities for what you
might choose to do. When you have reached the end, you will know
what to do.

Alright, so it's time to get to work, right, TEAM?

Not so fast my friend. Of course I wouldn't make your task that easy,
now would I? There is something valuable to be gained along the way
to the end of this puzzle train. At the beginning of the mission,
all 5 players are eligible to receive this valuable prize. By the,
end only one player might be eligible to receive it. How might that
happen? Any player may neutralize another player by following a
specific set of instructions. A neutralized player is NOT eligible
to receive this special prize of value.

To neutralize another player, you simply sandwich his post(s) in
between two of your own, the second of which will be just the bolded
word "neutralize." It must be bolded and spelled correctly. It also
must quote the sandwiched user. Any edits to a neutralizing post
make it lose its neutralizing effect.

For example, if PLAYERA posts something in the mole thread, PLAYERB
posts something in the mole thread a couple of minutes later, and
then PLAYERA comes along and posts the word "neutralize" in bold
immediately after PLAYERB's post, PLAYERB has been neutralized and
will no longer be eligible for the side-prize.

Some more rules:
1) Double (or more) posting does not exempt you from being
neutralized. Any number of PLAYERB posts may be sandwiched between
PLAYERA posts.
2) A failed neutralization results in the player losing his ability
to neutralize someone else. For instance, let's say posts from the
following players appear in the thread:

A
B
C
A-neutralize

PLAYERA has attempted to neutralize PLAYERB, but PLAYERC snuck a post
in and ruined the attempt. PLAYERA then would lose his ability to
neutralize another player for the rest of the mission.

3) A player may neutralize up to all 4 of the other players, not just
one.

4) Neutralized players may still neutralize other players.

5) The only effect of being neutralized is that you are ineligible to
receive any side benefits/prizes for this mission, only.

6) When I see a player has been successfully neutralized, I will post
in the thread that they have been neutralized. I will also note in
the thread when someone has lost the ability to neutralize.

THE MISSION BEGINS NOW

[BrianD]

I've got the first few steps...I think.

[BrianD]

And now I'm stuck.

[BrianD]

Crap, I think I know what to do but not how to phrase it...

[samifan24]

Mission #7 is entirely predicated upon the fact that we will all finish the puzzle train. What if we can't even finish the first puzzle in the sequence?

[MJ4H]

You may work together or separately on the puzzles. Sharing information is fine. Also, not everyone has to solve anything in order to claim the prize.

[Thomkal]

well then in that case, I have no idea what that first puzzle is and would appreciate the help

[samifan24]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

well then in that case, I have no idea what that first puzzle is and would appreciate the help

Me too.

[Passacaglia]

I've got nothing. I'm trying to zoom the picture out to see if it looks like some words (since I can't really look at it from far away here at work). My crazy mind has given me:

E R I (blank)
E A R
E L (blank) S

My best guess was T and F for the blanks, but eritearelfs does not lead me to the next puzzle.

[path12]

I took a quick look last night and was going to dig in this morning but work decided to be a bitch. I'll be around in awhile.

[path12]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

I've got nothing. I'm trying to zoom the picture out to see if it looks like some words (since I can't really look at it from far away here at work). My crazy mind has given me:

E R I (blank)
E A R
E L (blank) S

My best guess was T and F for the blanks, but eritearelfs does not lead me to the next puzzle.

Interesting, I was thinking it would have to be a real word. I wonder if that third one on top might be a B? I thought I at first but since there are other letters that show a line over the circles that doesn't make as much sense.

[path12]

Tried numbers of lines, that didn't work.

[samifan24]

I thought they figures looked like hangmen but that's not it either.

[BrianD]

Rotate the circle part a 1/4 turn clockwise.

[Passacaglia]

What? How do you rotate the circles? They're pretty much symmetrical, no?

[MJ4H]

Now that everyone has seen and begun working on the puzzles, I will impose a generous time limit. In order to claim the prize, the final action must be made before midnight Tuesday (approximately 84 hours from now).

[path12]

Originally Posted by BrianD

Rotate the circle part a 1/4 turn clockwise.

Gotcha. Through that one and the next.

[Thomkal]

anyone want to clue us clueless in on the first answer then since we can share information?

[path12]

Crop Circles.

[Passacaglia]

I think the answer to the second puzzle is Chicago -- lucky guess.

[samifan24]

Originally Posted by path12

Crop Circles.

Can you explain why this is the answer?

[BrianD]

Originally Posted by samifan24

Can you explain why this is the answer?

If you spin the circles a 1/4 turn clockwise, the lines line up to form letters.

[BrianD]

Does anybody know if any wrong answers lead to further puzzles? I wasn't positive on the 3rd one but I did get a new puzzle with my answer. I don't want to tell anyone what it was in case anyone comes up with a better one.