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Operation: Firewall - Commission Log

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■ Command Terminal

Traces of the millenia-old “Cancer of the Universe”, codenamed Stellarons, have been found rooted in the Internet's database, threatening severe danger to the city of Neo Genesis. In order to quell the threat, a secret group is commissioned by the city. Made up of Pathstriders (individuals with the ability to traverse into the digital world and utilize certain combat strategies), Hyperwave works in the shadows to protect the safety of the entire Internet from Stellaron viruses. However, it won't be an easy feat, and perhaps, it may unearth secrets that were never meant to be discovered…

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■ Phase 1

Welcome to Phase 1 of Operation: Firewall. As you’ll find attached below, an unusual file had been found within our database, containing a timed file with strands of a coded message. From all that we can trace, it appears to be a message from the Stellaron viruses. Work together with your fellow cabinmates and decipher the message. Best of luck, Pathstriders!

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Wudqvyhuvlqj wkh f\ehuvsdfh lv qr hdvb ihdw
Efeatday hetay irusvay, uncoverway theirway chemesay
Tbu ewaerb, idretrpathsray, rfo thaw ti yam eb
Vrph shrsoh duh qrw zkr wkhb vhhp…

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Black__Hole wrote:

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■ Phase 1
Welcome to Phase 1 of Operation: Firewall. As you’ll find attached below, an unusual file had been found within our database, containing a timed file with strands of a coded message. From all that we can trace, it appears to be a message from the Stellaron viruses. Work together with your fellow cabinmates and decipher the message. Best of luck, Pathstriders!

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Wudqvyhuvlqj wkh f\ehuvsdfh lv qr hdvb ihdw
Efeatday hetay irusvay, uncoverway theirway chemesay
Tbu ewaerb, idretrpathsray, rfo thaw ti yam eb
Vrph shrsoh duh qrw zkr wkhb vhhp…

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:0 coded message!

Decoded Message:
Transversing the c\berspace is no easy feat — Caesar cipher (3, a->d)
Defeat the virus, uncover their scheme — Scrambled, “ay” and “way” after each word
But beware, pathstriders, for what it may be — Scrambled text
Some people are not who they seem… — Caesar cipher (3, a->d)

How I did it:
I’m not the best at harder versions of these puzzles but the first thing I always try to do is figure out if any of the coded words are just scrambled, no ciphers applied. my first clues were “path” in “pathstriders”, “beware,” and also the shorter words being scrambled like “but” and “it” and “be”

The second line was also kinda(?) scrambled, I noticed that words with “ay” in them were scrambled with the first letter moved to the end and the ones with “way” just needed to have “way” removed to reveal the correct word. I think pattern recognition is important there

For the other two lines I just put them into a caesar cipher decoding website and just pressed the + and - buttons on the key until the decoded message made sense. the site i used was cryptii.com

Theorizing

1. why is the “y” in “c\berspace” a backslash? “y” and “\” are quite far on a standard QWERTY keyboard for it to be a typo, so either the keyboard the leaders r using is different, or it was a really unfortunate typo, or (most likely) it’s intentional
   
2. the last line. It’s leading me to believe there’s an imposter camper (shadow-camper?) in the cabin, or they’re setting up for a betrayal

silvertheoneric wrote:

Theorizing
1. why is the “y” in “c\berspace” a backslash? “y” and “\” are quite far on a standard QWERTY keyboard for it to be a typo, so either the keyboard the leaders r using is different, or it was a really unfortunate typo, or (most likely) it’s intentional

i apologize for the mistake! please pay no regard to that–it seems it was an unfortunate typo

Coco_animator wrote:

silvertheoneric wrote:

Theorizing
1. why is the “y” in “c\berspace” a backslash? “y” and “\” are quite far on a standard QWERTY keyboard for it to be a typo, so either the keyboard the leaders r using is different, or it was a really unfortunate typo, or (most likely) it’s intentional

i apologize for the mistake! please pay no regard to that–it seems it was an unfortunate typo

oh :0 oki

i believe that what silver decoded was correct! theory is that maybe one of the leaders is working with the virus?? :eyes: anyway yeah

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■ Phase 2

Welcome to Phase 2 of Operation: Firewall. As you’ll find attached below, we've managed to find a few clues on ten people that we suspect to be working for the Stellarlons. We have information to believe that it might point towards their nicknames, usernames, their background, or more… Work together with your fellow cabinmates to find out who they are, and post it over here. Best of luck, Pathstriders!

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1) Through flame and political unrest, the scourge of war and blood persists

2) Black beads of flavour, but be warned that the taste lingers

3) In our mouth cotton candy endures, perhaps it would be better do describe it using this word…

4) An artist with a tinted background, full of hidden secrets and a suspiciously perfect town

5) A writer in an alternate reality filled with thrilled decision-making; as you go on, you find–wait, is that a cobweb hanging on the ceiling?

6) An art filled with grace and timed movements, use the power of the water to guide your path through it

7) Drawn to melodies and digital tales of connection with passionate joy, and hold on–is that a whisper of ‘wondahoi’? -

8) Known as a wise old person with desirable knowledge, they reside in a place of legends and foilage…

9) Time slips through its delicate frame, marking moments with silent grace

10) A whiskered sound in the dark, seeking attention that lasts

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Coco_animator wrote:

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■ Phase 2

Welcome to Phase 2 of Operation: Firewall. As you’ll find attached below, we've managed to find a few clues on ten people that we suspect to be working for the Stellarlons. We have information to believe that it might point towards their nicknames, usernames, their background, or more… Work together with your fellow cabinmates to find out who they are, and post it over here. Best of luck, Pathstriders!

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1) Through flame and political unrest, the scourge of war and blood persists

2) Black beads of flavour, but be warned that the taste lingers

3) In our mouth cotton candy endures, perhaps it would be better do describe it using this word…

4) An artist with a tinted background, full of hidden secrets and a suspiciously perfect town

5) A writer in an alternate reality filled with thrilled decision-making; as you go on, you find–wait, is that a cobweb hanging on the ceiling?

6) An art filled with grace and timed movements, use the power of the water to guide your path through it

7) Drawn to melodies and digital tales of connection with passionate joy, and hold on–is that a whisper of ‘wondahoi’? -

8) Known as a wise old person with desirable knowledge, they reside in a place of legends and foilage…

9) Time slips through its delicate frame, marking moments with silent grace

10) A whiskered sound in the dark, seeking attention that lasts

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Is everyone mentioned here from our cabin? Or are they from other cabins also?

they are authorizing figures from other cabins! (or one could say, leaders)

ooh interesting :eyes:

1) Through flame and political unrest, the scourge of war and blood persists

liv?? “political unrest” and “war” reminds me of thriller while “flame” and “blood” reminds me of FireBlood(23)

3) In our mouth cotton candy endures, perhaps it would be better do describe it using this word…

VERY far fetched but reminds me of faye/sarah since another word for cotton candy is fairy floss and fairy = fae = faye?? idk about that one

4) An artist with a tinted background, full of hidden secrets and a suspiciously perfect town

hmm suspiciously perfect town reminds me of dystopian? and zy's description says “digital artist?” idk though, i don't think that zy is correct here

5) A writer in an alternate reality filled with thrilled decision-making; as you go on, you find–wait, is that a cobweb hanging on the ceiling?

cobwebs remind me of mystery but i'm not sure about that. i think this fits action more??

6) An art filled with grace and timed movements, use the power of the water to guide your path through it

reminds me of surf because of the water

7) Drawn to melodies and digital tales of connection with passionate joy, and hold on–is that a whisper of ‘wondahoi’? -

if that isn't yume…

8) Known as a wise old person with desirable knowledge, they reside in a place of legends and foilage…

sage?? sages are, as the dictionary says, “(especially in ancient history or legend) a profoundly wise man.” also “a place of legends and foliage” that reminds me a lot of myth

9) Time slips through its delicate frame, marking moments with silent grace

is this blau?? since hourglass is in the username and this reminds me a lot of hourglasses

10) A whiskered sound in the dark, seeking attention that lasts

reminds me of cat since “whiskered sound” = meow and “attention that lasts” = love maybe?

Coco_animator wrote:

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■ Phase 2

Welcome to Phase 2 of Operation: Firewall. As you’ll find attached below, we've managed to find a few clues on ten people that we suspect to be working for the Stellarlons. We have information to believe that it might point towards their nicknames, usernames, their background, or more… Work together with your fellow cabinmates to find out who they are, and post it over here. Best of luck, Pathstriders!

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1) Through flame and political unrest, the scourge of war and blood persists

2) Black beads of flavour, but be warned that the taste lingers

3) In our mouth cotton candy endures, perhaps it would be better do describe it using this word…

4) An artist with a tinted background, full of hidden secrets and a suspiciously perfect town

5) A writer in an alternate reality filled with thrilled decision-making; as you go on, you find–wait, is that a cobweb hanging on the ceiling?

6) An art filled with grace and timed movements, use the power of the water to guide your path through it

7) Drawn to melodies and digital tales of connection with passionate joy, and hold on–is that a whisper of ‘wondahoi’? -

8) Known as a wise old person with desirable knowledge, they reside in a place of legends and foilage…

9) Time slips through its delicate frame, marking moments with silent grace

10) A whiskered sound in the dark, seeking attention that lasts

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idk why but #1 (political unrest) makes me think of a strike pfp.

hello, fellow pathstriders. once you're done and finalised with your guesses, post one final message with all ten of them to proceed to the next stage! you have time left, so don't worry. but be warned, don't let the innocent hang…

1) Through flame and political unrest, the scourge of war and blood persists
liv?? “political unrest” and “war” reminds me of thriller while “flame” and “blood” reminds me of FireBlood(23)

ooh, you're onto something with that

3) In our mouth cotton candy endures, perhaps it would be better do describe it using this word…

cotton candy reminds me of reese, but she's doing fairy tails this session?

4) An artist with a tinted background, full of hidden secrets and a suspiciously perfect town

ZYSTOPIAN I CAUGHT U. no more comment.

5) A writer in an alternate reality filled with thrilled decision-making; as you go on, you find–wait, is that a cobweb hanging on the ceiling?

i think it's mystery because of thrilled discision making and cobwebs but alternate reality hints towards illu fi or action honestly it could be any.

6) An art filled with grace and timed movements, use the power of the water to guide your path through it

reminds me of adventure and maybe surf from adventure?

7) Drawn to melodies and digital tales of connection with passionate joy, and hold on–is that a whisper of ‘wondahoi’? -

definately yume, she is very melody kinda person and yk… WANDAHOI~

8) Known as a wise old person with desirable knowledge, they reside in a place of legends and foilage…

yes i think it is someone from myth because they talk about power and legends. maybe sage but i looked at kat's profile and it a lot about seeking knowledge.

9) Time slips through its delicate frame, marking moments with silent grace

hmm i do think it could be blau cuz also she's temporarily coming back so ‘marking moments with silent grace’ because she'll leave a mark but she's going again and the time referance is like a hourglass.

10) A whiskered sound in the dark, seeking attention that lasts 2) Black beads of flavour, but be warned that the taste lingers

no idea 4 these 2

5) A writer in an alternate reality filled with thrilled decision-making; as you go on, you find–wait, is that a cobweb hanging on the ceiling?

For this one in particular, an alternate reality could just be that- a separate world from ours. But this could be different, and it could mean something else. Also the fact that thrilled decision-making is mentioned could potentially be a lead. Maybe someone who has previously been in thriller, perchance? (Highly unlikely though) The cobweb does heavily lead to it belonging to someone in Mystery, though as (from my knowledge) none of the other cabins have spiders and cobwebs as some sort of aspect. If we go through with the person being in Mystery, the ‘Decision-making’ aspect could mean one of the head detectives- Blau, Chuey, and Bea! Blau is already heavily considered for a different line, so we can rule her out. That leaves Chuey and Bea! (this could all be wrong, by the way. Im just rambling my thoughts. It could be someone else from a completely different cabin or smth XDD) I'm not sure which of them it could be, though.

2) Black beads of flavour, but be warned that the taste lingers

This is VERY far-fetched, mind you- but this one reminds me of boba (or more specifically boba-tea) Soooo maybe a certain person with a boba/boba tea related username?

This is ALL speculation, mind you- im not fully sure if anything i yapped about is even correct, but those are my thoughts!!
(lol this is the end of Embers TED TALK ™ XDD)

Code_kid5619 wrote:

2) Black beads of flavour, but be warned that the taste lingers

This is VERY far-fetched, mind you- but this one reminds me of boba (or more specifically boba-tea) Soooo maybe a certain person with a boba/boba tea related username?

OH YEAH!! that actually works really well :0 i'm thinking maybe alana since she led magical realism boba tavern last session. lora does mention "nicknames, usernames, their background,“ so maybe that? orr maybe skylar since her username is ”Milkysplash“ and milky splash kinda reminds me of boba. i'm leaning towards alana for this one though. i don't understand yet what the ”but be warned that the taste lingers“ means

ALSO I JUST REALISED SOMETHING for number three maybe it could be chuey too?? like chuey = chewy. ”cotton candy endures" that may imply that cotton candy is chewy (and in my experience, yeah it is. though i only tried cotton candy like twice in my life so i'm not sure).

unercornshine wrote:

ZYSTOPIAN I CAUGHT U. no more comment.

ooh yeah now that i think of it, “tinted background” could refer to mystery compound?? which was very *drumroll* mysterious and tinted. and zy led that

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■ Phase 2

It seems that there was an error in the message. The Stellarlons are getting stronger and are corrupting our data files.

2) Black flakes of flavour, but be warned that the taste lingers .

The Stellarlons are gaining forces by the second, and we must stop them. To proceed, please send a big post with all your guesses by the 26th of March, or it might very well be too late…

Good luck, pathstriders.
The fate of the world's balance lingers in your hands.

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2) Black flakes of flavour, but be warned that the taste lingers .

WAIT A MINUTEEE- THIS REMINDS ME OF PEPPER!! Could this be @pepper-and-a-pencil since they have pepper in the username??

Coco_animator wrote:

they are authorizing figures from other cabins! (or one could say, leaders)

Also, we should also take note of this- since apparently they should all be leaders (or maybe coleaders too, perchance?)

time is running out,, who are the people we're certain of rn? personally i'm certain with my guesses in 1 (liv), 6 (surf), 7 (yume), 8 (sage) and 9 (blau), though of course y'all are free to disagree!!

Code_kid5619 wrote:

2) Black flakes of flavour, but be warned that the taste lingers .

WAIT A MINUTEEE- THIS REMINDS ME OF PEPPER!! Could this be @pepper-and-a-pencil since they have pepper in the username??

ooh yeah it also reminds me of pepper!! :0 i'm rather suspicious though, since the stellarons are supposedly our enemy – why would they give us a hint?

i do believe that #5 may refer to an action member now, since we already have two mystery suspects + like vicky said, “alternate reality” could reference the many universes in into the spiderverse. though honestly there's no limit so it could be mystery lol but i'm thinking ris for #5 since she leads action

Just so you know, the Stellarlons aren't giving the hint – we managed to hack their database and retrieve a few clues, and we're asking you for help. It seems though, however, that one clue was corrupted in the data file!