Cryptic Clue Fest I



The Cryptic Clue Fest is a special clue-seeker event held around Thanksgiving 2009 weekend on both the forums and in-game. This event will be run from 26 November 2009 until next week. Every day, from this Thursday until next Sunday, one new clue will be released:

A NPC clue: tells which NPC players need to talk to; the NPC clues are revealed by the NPCs that take part in the event.

An item clue: tells which items players need to bring to the NPC; the item clues are released on the official RuneScape forums by Jagex moderators. Noted items cannot be used.

If a player solves those two clues, they can go to the next NPC with the right items (provided that they don't have to wait one day for new clues). Players may proceed one stage of the event once a day, as soon as the new clues are released, but they can do it in their own pace. They can even do all the clues on the final day if they wish. The event will be removed a little before next weeks' update, so players will have more than the initial 4 days to complete it.

'''Be sure to bring the exact number of items given. Any more or less will not work. Note items cannot be used, either.'''

26 November


To solve this clue, players will need to visit Lachtopher in Lumbridge (he is usually located a little southeast of the general store) with the following items: All of these items may also be bought from the Grand Exchange, or obtained through any other means. Once players talk to with these items in their inventory, he will reveal the following NPC clue: ''Go to a server of drinks near the border of the lawless lands. They're all a bit rough up there, but he's a real smiling swine.''
 * 3 ropes (these can be bought from Ned in Draynor Village)
 * 2 buckets (players can buy them from the general store)
 * 5 bananas (these can be obtained from the banana plantation on Musa Point, Karamja; or cast Bones to Bananas spell)

Players need to have the required items in their inventory when talking to get this clue, but they may also have other items in their inventory alongside with the required ones.

'''This clue points to the bartender in the Jolly Boar Inn. '''

27 November


The solution to the item clue on the forums: look between each of the lines of the thread puzzle. Press Control+A on your keyboard (or highlight the article using your mouse) and look at the highlighted words that will become visible. It will say:

''When baking a cake, there’s a bucket of one ingredient you’ll need. Carry two of these.''
 * Requires 2 buckets of milk (players can use a empty buckets on a dairy cow to fill them with milk, or obtain them from the larder in a POH.)

You’d never catch Herring with empty line, so carry seven of this item to catch your contact.
 * Requires 7 fishing bait (these can be bought from a fishing shop, the closest shops are at Port Sarim and at Lumbridge.)

''Ever heard of Roman numerals? You’ll need to carry CCXXVII gold coins!''


 * Requires 227 GP (these can be obtained through trade)

''The final item is a tool used in creating your dwellings and protecting your body from attack. Hit the nail on the head with four of these.''
 * Requires 4 hammers. (players can buy them from any general store)

Most of these items may also be bought from the Grand Exchange, or obtained through any other means. Once players talk to the bartender with these items in their inventory, he will reveal the following NPC clue:

''The fella you need retails pricey rocks in the west of the white city. Have a chat with him tomorrow while you're carrying the right items and he'll oblige you further.''

This clue points to Herquin in Herquin's Gems in Falador.

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28 November


The Clue Fest now brings players to Falador (the "White City") and the Gem Merchant Herquin who is located south of the Falador west bank. Note that the items below can be easily bought off the Grand Exchange, but it is advised to fill the jugs your self, as the Exchange price of a Jug of Water is 63 gp.

''A tailor is making a new coat. He needs half the amount of threads that are in the hem for the collar. The sleeves need four times as many threads as the collar. The trim, which is the same as the hem, requires ten threads. The sides need five times less than the sleeves. If the tailor buys 55 threads, how many does he have left over once he’s made his coat? ''


 * 6 red spiders' eggs are required for this task.

''Fred the Farmer and his brother, Geoff the Gardener, have acquired a ten-acre plot of land between them. They split the rights to the land evenly and go to work at planting seeds and crops on their half of the farmland. Farmer Fred starts from the west, while Geoff the Gardener starts from the east. Fred plants seeds at twice the rate Geoff does, but Geoff ploughs an acre every ten minutes while Fred takes twenty-five minutes. Selling all of their produce results in 400 gold coins between them. How much of that wage is Fred entitled to? You will need to be carrying that same amount of gold coins.''


 * 200gp is needed.

''My first is in jungle but not in rectangular, My second is in blunder but not blender, My third is in gallant but not in talent. To this you will need to add the following: My first is in dwarf but not in farced, My second is in battle but not in mettle, My third is in monster but not in ransomed, My fourth is in mention but not in notion, My fifth is in thread but not in death. ''


 * 3 jugs of water

After bringing these items to Herquin, he will then tell you: "Ground is granular (sand) and the solar spectacular (very sunny')"'' '''

This clue points to Faruq in Al Kharid.

Rewards
An item and an emote that have yet to be released. These will presumably be released when the last clue has been revealed.

Although the item has yet to be released, speculation has it that it's going to be the magnifying glass as it can be found in your house costume toy box, and serves no other use. Others believe it could possibly be a turkey mask based on speculation in the Runescape Forums. The emote is said to be a detective emote. This evidence is based a J Mod's response. Another item thought to be a reward is a pet turkey but this is highly doubted. This is based on the Christmas poll having a pet reindeer so this would be similar.