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[dojango]

hmm, cryptogram, eh?  beats studying.  mind if I claim an unnamed dwarf?  If there are any.  Dojango, male farmer/brewer/cook or something similar.  Or if you need cannon fodder, that's cool, too.

[Heavy Flak]

The Events of the 22nd of Standstone, 1059

Aryn was walking the grounds at night, staring down at the large roll of paper in his hands.  Occasionally he would stop his pacing, leaning against the barricade to make additional notes with his pencil, or hastily scratch out a part he deemed inappropriate.  He didn't notice the pair of red eyes glowing softly from behind the raised bridge, but eventually the gentle scratching at the stone got his attention.

"...who's there?" He asked quietly.
"Olssssmo Livessss?" Came the hissed reply.  

The hairs at the back of his neck raised; a shudder running down his spine.  The switch in his mind, the one that allows full and conscience control, switched itself to autopilot.

"Y-yes.  Olsmo Lives?" Aryn repeated, horrified that the words actually came from his mouth, that he was talking to a pair of red eyes, glowing through the crack between the gate house and the bridge.

"Gooood..." came the reply from the other side.  "Thisss isss for you.  Like before;  Take it back to The Mountain Homesss of Stukossss Matul with your caravan."

The thin, scaly arm of a Kobold pushed itself through the small opening, holding a rolled up scroll.  Aryn gingerly took it, and the arm pulled back through the opening, the eyes winking out in the darkness.

***

The caravan left in two days, their mules packed high with trade goods.  As soon as the gates were closed Aryn called an emergency meeting with the Union Leaders in the mess hall.  The doors were locked when the last of the Dwarves entered the mess.  Aryn stalked to the front, his boots echoing loudly in the quiet room.

"This is to be kept as quiet as possible.  News will get out, I'm fully aware, but I'd like this to stay secret as long as possible.  In my hand, I have a letter.  This has been intercepted on it's way back to The Mountain Homes, the traders unaware.  I need to know what this says.  The safety of our Fort, of our very lives, could be in this letter.  
"We left that foul place to strike out on our own, to build our riches, to better our lives.  And now they're sending in The Budseals, the tax collector, they're milking us of our hard-earned gains, these parasites!  If you have any interest in seeing this fort taken back into our hands, help me decipher this treasoness letter."

code:

 
[Section 1] 
11 12 13 14 15 11 12 13 14 15 11 12 13  14  15 11 12 13 14  
14 41 55 52 14 41 32 23 12 55 14 41 55  52  14 41 32 23 12
48 66 67 85 26 92 73 48 24 97 26 73 110 103 38 96 75 65 57
[Section 2]
15 11 12 13 14 15 11 12 13 14 15  11 12 13 14 15 11 12 13 14 15 11 12 13 14 15 11 12 13 14 15 11 12 13
55 14 41 55 52 14 41 32 23 12 55  14 41 55 52 14 41 32 23 12 55 14 41 55 52 14 41 32 23 12 55 14 41 55 
89 39 53 90 95 26 53 47 75 63 109 39 92 78 64 48 66 64 78 45 67 65 82 89 77 27 55 74 64 34 97 46 72 67
[Section 3]
14 15 11 12 13 14 15  11 12 13 14  15 11 12 13 14 15  11 12 13 14 15 11 12 13 14 15 11 12 13 14  15 11 12 13 14
52 14 41 32 23 12 55  14 41 55 52  14 41 32 23 12 55  14 41 55 52 14 41 32 23 12 55 14 41 55 52  14 41 32 23 12
86 39 53 56 66 57 110 26 92 96 107 48 66 83 38 33 109 28 84 68 66 56 75 57 35 57 98 45 66 67 106 48 73 66 64 24
[Section 4]
15 11 12 13 14  15 11 12 13 14 15 11 12 13  14 15 11 12 13 14 15 11 12 13 14  15 11 12 13 14 15 11 
55 14 41 55 52  14 41 32 23 12 55 14 41 55  52 14 41 32 23 12 55 14 41 55 52  14 41 32 23 12 55 14
88 39 53 70 106 28 84 83 65 54 87 37 53 110 64 26 62 84 35 26 98 48 74 67 104 57 96 66 57 63 96 35
[Section 5]
12 13 14 15 11 12 13 14 15 11 12 13 14  15 11 12 13 14 15 11 12 13 14 15 11 12 13 14 15 
41 55 52 14 41 32 23 12 55 14 41 55 52  14 41 32 23 12 55 14 41 55 52 14 41 32 23 12 55  
73 88 84 55 82 65 35 63 97 65 96 89 103 56 96 83 45 34 80 46 83 67 74 26 56 77 74 27 89

***

OOC: As before, the winner gets to pick what they'd like as a prize.  If there hasn't been any headway made in... gosh, a couple days at the least, I'll post a couple hints.  

Dojango, you're in like Flynn.  I'll have your profile posted with the next update!

[ April 27, 2008: Message edited by: Heavy Flak ]

[Kuli]

Whoa.  This is a kind of cryptogram I'm not familiar with.  I don't even know where to start.

I've been inspired to do a small adventure-mode story about Kuli before he came to Migrursut.  If 2 or 3 people want to claim an adventurer to join him they may do so.  Just post your name and preferred weapon (I won't be accepting marksdwarves, though).  I'll start as soon as I finish up my current fortress which might still be a few days.

[Heavy Flak]

quote:Originally posted by Kuli:
<STRONG>Whoa.  This is a kind of cryptogram I'm not familiar with.  I don't even know where to start.

I've been inspired to do a small adventure-mode story about Kuli before he came to Migrursut.  If 2 or 3 people want to claim an adventurer to join him they may do so.  Just post your name and preferred weapon (I won't be accepting marksdwarves, though).  I'll start as soon as I finish up my current fortress which might still be a few days.</STRONG>

I support your decision to do an adventure mode story wholeheartedly.  I'd love to read that!  

As for the third cipher, I'm kind of learning about them as you guys are solving them, and I don't really know what should be considered "too hard" at this point.  This was actually going to be the second one I gave you guys, Heh... If there hasn't been any headway by Monday I'll start posting some little hints to hopefully guide you all in the right direction.  

You're more than welcome to work in groups if you think that would help any.

...Now I sound like a professor  

[ricemastah]

As for the cryptogram, I am going to be not actually trying to get any of them, unless you guys don't post anything for a while, but I do see several patterns in the sections, as well as in between each section. I would recommend starting from there. Also as with Kuli I haven't seen this kind either, but it looks like an interesting challenge.

[Heavy Flak]

SELF PROMOTING ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

I'm actually a little skeptical to say anything about it, but this is a huge accomplishment for me.  As of 12:15 EST April 27th, I've finished the first draft of my novel.  

I think I'm going to have a three or four Mint Juleps in celebration, go soak two pounds of steak in a marinade for tomorrow, and get back to playing Dwarf Fortress now that I have a couple weeks of down time before the absolutely excessive amount of clean-up work begins.  

Sorry for the brief hijacking - now back to your regularly scheduled broadcasting.

END SELF PROMOTING ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

[Heavy Flak]

From the Journal of Johnny Fountainspring
1st of Timber, 1059

Oy, more fresh meat has entered the grounds.  A hunter, 3 peasants, a pump operator, a mason, a soaper, a crafts dwarf and a woodcutter.  Almost at once they were reassigned, the majority going into the severely depleted guardsmen that Stravitch  commands, and Aryn picked a few for his own personal retinue.  The rest have either been given to the miners, the masons, or Sulari for her job well done.  

The Civilians are becomming excessively morbid, as there have been bets placed on the longevity of mortality of the new recruits.  There are 5 to 1 odds that Sulari's newest will suffer brain damage before the year is out.  (I'm going to make a killing when Stravitch bludgeons that tart's head in with Sefolkubuk)

Major ---- DayCovering has been a thorn in all of our sides as of late, specifically because no one is quite sure what it is he does.  He spends his days pitching horse shoes topside, or quietly practicing in the barracks.  His shock of white hair, and majestic, almost floor length beard are enough to freeze the tongues of any Dwarf that dares approach him, including myself.  I attempted to recruit him into our import/export side business, but having his steely gaze set upon me, I felt my knees turning to jelly.

One Dwarf has earned himself quite the reputation through his sheer determination.  Dojango Whiporbs is our Master Chef, leader of the foodsmiths, and is an accomplished cook and brewer.  Just a week ago he was seen strutting across the court yard, a fried egg held high above his head on a plate, drenched in fresh butter...

***

"What is that" Major ---- DayCovering asked suspiciously as Dojango approached.
"It's an egg, sir."
"An EGG!  And how is it cooked?"
"It's been fried, sir.  in fresh butter.  I'm bringing it to you as a present!  And to remind you that as the leader of our Chef's Union, your support can keep more delicacies flowing to you, your drops, and the civilians."
"...I do have a soft spot for fried eggs," mused Major ---- DayCovering. "Especially ones that have been fried in fresh butter."
"Oh yes, we're producing butter in droves now.  There's more fresh butter, and sugar, and flour, and eggs, than you could ever eat!"
"What is your name, Son?"
"Dojango, Sir.  Dojango Whiporbs."
"Dojango... Hmm, well, I wait expectantly for dinner, then, Master Chef!"
"You won't be disappointed sir!"
 

[ April 27, 2008: Message edited by: Heavy Flak ]

[bigmcstrongmuscle]

Ooh...that's a rough one, with all the spaces hidden. I kinda wish I wasn't in the middle of finals so I could take a few hours and make a stab at it.

If anyone with a little more time wants to try, though, I'd suggest starting by counting the frequency of each cipher character and comparing them to common English letters. Oh, and to be careful, in case one of them is a space.

Edit: Congratulations on the novel, too! Slogging through the first draft is always the step I can never push past. Good luck with editing and publication!

[ April 27, 2008: Message edited by: bigmcstrongmuscle ]

[Heavy Flak]

From the files of Aryn Estetar
12th of Moonstone, 1059

Goblins!  As far as the eye can see, those greenskinned beasts pounding at our gates in their attempts to get in, to enslave our workers, to steal our goods.  

Even with the faces of monsters and the intelligence of dogs, they still show the capacity for basic learning.  Their previous assaults have been nothing but annoyances as they charge in screaming their horrid war-cries, only to be cut in twain by Sulari's axe and Snake's sword.

According to reports from Archin, the leader of our Early Warning System (Ha!), they've fielded four squads of bowmen this time.  A single squad of swordsmen are, presumably, left for the simple task of clean-up.  This will not stand.  These monsters will be shown the error of their ways, any attacks on MY fortress will be met with death.  I'll have their bones decorating every piece of furniture in my bedroom.  

To hell with subtlety.  We're striking first.  These gobbos will only learn through violence.  I'll bring them violence.  I'll bring them violence in spades.

[Akroma]

whaaaat ?

how am i supposed to solve a cryptogram WITHOUT ANY SPACES in it ?

when you don't know where a word stops and where it ends, this would take AGES

[Kagus]

I got started a bit late on this one.  I was meaning to check back on this thread after the notification was given, but I never got around to it.

However, I just now gave it a bit of looking, and I've found a couple minor things.  The first and second layers of each section repeat indefinitely, and are either a simple placeholder or have some code-related relation with the symbols of the third layer.  Also, the pattern 46 66 is recurring.  Sorry if that's a bit obvious, but it's all I've found so far.  I'll pick this up again tomorrow, it's getting kinda late here.

EDIT:  Just noticed, you called me a wordslinger...   Really?  Awesome.

[ April 27, 2008: Message edited by: Kagus ]

[Heavy Flak]

The Events of the 16th of Moonstone, 1059

The first causality of the battle came from the fortresses resident brain-dead sword-swinger Rimtar Woundletters.  The soldiers were gathering at the southern entrance, waiting for the bridge to get lowered so they could storm out and crush Gobbo skulls.  Of course, that meant Woundletters was at the eastern bridge, waving her wooden sword and laughing, and Major ---- DayCovering was drinking from the well, sweating after a hard game of horseshoes.  

The goblin bowmen opened fire, the sky momentarily blotted out by the hail of arrows.  They curved around Woundleters, splintering into the ground or digging into the waters of the lake.  A small cloud of flies distracted her, and in that moment an arrow pierced her armor, puncturing her other lung.  She glanced down at it, and when she looked up, she took an arrow through the eye.  Major ---- DayCovering didn't even glance in her direction as she fell, turning to amble towards his horse shoe pit.

***

The first squad of crossbows were routed in minutes.  They had heard stories of Sulari, the Demon of the Mountains, and seeing her stout frame charging from the fortress, axe held high, laughing madly liquified their spines.  Spaced so closely together they pumped into each other, firing arrow after arrow as they tried to back away, beginning to trample one another as he axe buried itself in the nearest goblins face.  They were slaughtered in minutes, and the Dwarves rushed back inside the gates to prepare for the second assault.

The access shaft to the quarry turned out to be a hidden blessing.  The goblins marching from the north were using it to sneak onto the grounds, but they were slowed.  Only one goblin at a time could climb the stairs, and three squads were forced into a slow single file line to reach the top.  This allowed the Dwarves to charge their numbers, blades singing in the desert heat.

Sulari and Snake bowled into the Goblins, green limbs and iron weapons sent flying.  The first squad of crossbows were left decimated, either hacked into pieces are kicked screaming off the cliff face, left to die broken on the rocks below.  As their respective charges rushed past to press the attack, Snake and Sulari held back to catch their breaths.

"I'm proud of you," She said. "A second battle you're not hiding or running from.  My little boy is growing up so fast."
"Ha ha.  That's so funny.  I told you, these greenskins aren't anything to worry about.  It's the OTHER monsters..."
"Of course, then I expect you Top Side the next time one of them makes the mistake of attacking us."
"Like hell I wi-LOOK OUT!"

The breath was knocked out of Sulari as Snake tackled her, driving her into the ground.  An axe clanged off the stone, a burly goblin shaking his right hand to clear the tingles from it.  Before he could raise it again Snake swung his sword like a bat, the flat of the blade clanging off the goblins helm.  He was sent sprawing over the edge, his scremed curse cut short by the boulders three stories down.

Snake grabbed Sulari by the plate armor and pulled her to her feet.  "...Wow, thank you... I should have been pay-"

She was silenced as he pulled her close, pressing a kiss against her lips.  Her eyes went wide, her body going stiff from the shock - her reaction the same as the her first battle against the fireslinging imp.  

What seemed like minutes passed until Snake broke the kiss.  He was red faced, his one good eye wide.  Tenatively he wet his lip, mumbling, "I, ahh, I'm sorry.  That, that wasn't..."

"Just shut up," Sulari  said quietly.  "There are goblins to kill.  When this battle is over, meet me in the mess hall, we'll ... have dinner."

The red faded from his face.  Slowly, he smiled.  "Yes ma'am.  Let's finish this quickly."

[Heavy Flak]

Crypto Hint #0:

quote:Originally posted by Akroma:
<STRONG>whaaaat ?

how am i supposed to solve a cryptogram WITHOUT ANY SPACES in it ?

when you don't know where a word stops and where it ends, this would take AGES</STRONG>

This isn't a hint so much as it is a reminder, so I think it'll be okay posting it today.  Remember: There are many more methods of obfuscating information than simple character-swaps.  Many of you that have posted your ideas about this have hit on key information, but I'm not going to say WHICH is correct and which isn't.  

There are many resources online that can give pretty good information.  Between course lectures posted online, math-related websites that use crypto as homework problems, or even wikipedia, there are a lot of resources to narrow down the possibilities of how it could be encoded - though that's only half the battle.  As Akroma pointed out - with no spaces, this could take forever!  

Brute force may not be the way to go  

[ricemastah]

When is brute force ever a good way to do it? Elegant solutions are nicer, and if I'm not mistaken you do not seem to be the type to use brute force methods. Well most of the time

quote:  
To hell with subtlety. We're striking first. These gobbos will only learn through violence. I'll bring them violence. I'll bring them violence in spades.

Also I don't see the repeat pattern of 46 and 66. Where is it?

[Heavy Flak]

From the journal of Johnny Fountainspring
4th of Opal, 1059

With the goblins once again bested, we've gone back to working like dogs.  There are thousands of pounds of useless goblin-made crap that needs to be melted or destroyed, and the dozens of workers who spent the late fall complaining of a lack of work are now out in the wastes, sweltering in this winter heat.

Almost nine years in and I'm still blown away by just how hot theses wastes are.  Istrath, who's been here nearly as long as I have, recently succumbed to heat stroke while laying down the blueprints for a new section of road.  He's fine now, and his child has been bringing him cool water, but it was a real kick to the stones to see one a Dwarf as strong and experienced as Istrath face down in the red sand, the sun having bested him for once.

Lucy's crew has been working round the clock.  What time she's not spent with Rice has been in the guts of the wash-works.  Already she claims it's working better, the floodgates are triggering by footsteps like they should.  Her excited explanations of how the water-triggers rushed over my head at dinner, but perhaps we'll see this one pulled off a little better than the first time.  We can only hope, I don't want to wait for the bedrooms to dry out a second time...