WITWIDMSWC - no, i didn't just mash my hand into the keyboard
Hephaestus Email Network\Users\Cheese>Begin Transmission
From>Cheese
To>THB
Date>2013-May-14
Time>02:00PM EDT
Subject>mission starts now
Body>i have a long weekend vacation planned. i will be Travelling all or part of tHursday through monday.
>in ordEr for you to follow me throughout this tRip, you will have to solvE a series of puzzles. I sense the templarS may be spying on these commuNications, so i will have to speak in cOde, puzzles, ciphers and riddles.
>i will post anywHere from one to three updates throughout the day. It’s your job to guess where i am as quickly as possible before i post the next upDate, and before the templars finD me. i’ll try to spread them out throughout the hours of the day Evenly, but i will be limited by internet access points. some may be hours apart, some may be a full day. iN addition, the timestamps listed on each puzzle are when i intended to send them (approxiMately).
>scoring:
>100 points for a correctly solved puzzlE
>50 points for correctly Solving a puzzle before the next puzzle is posted
>20 points if you are the first to Solve the puzzle
>there Are some key differences to this Game compared to the witwis games from the past.
>thesE are not rounds, but new puzzles. all puzzles wIll be open until the afternooN of tuesday, may 21 (exact time unknown). if you see Them sunday, solve them all up until tHat point.
>you do not need to solve the puzzles In order.
>there will be no Score updates or answers given until the end. knowing some locations may help you with other locations. by the same principle, getting locations wrong may triP you up for other locations.
>each puzzle will be numbered and in its Own reply to this thread. again, all puzzles will be in this Single forum topic.
>there may be many clues To solve a single puzzle, or just a single clue. i will explain all intentional clues at the end if you want.
>cheese
>End Transmission
>
“Force has no place where there is need of skill." Herodotus
I don't get it. what is THERESNOHIDDENMESSAGEINTHISPOSE supposed to mean? Is it an anagram???!!! 
shit, forgot to mention in the body of that post... all answers to puzzles should be inboxed to me and not posted as replies to the thread. hopefully that was clear though.
“Force has no place where there is need of skill." Herodotus
Puzzle 1:
Hephaestus Email Network\Users\Cheese>Begin Transmission
From>Cheese
To>THB
Date>2013-May-16
Time>04:20AM EDT
Subject>it has all come to this
Body>the time is here. i Believe my training is nearing its completion. my journey has been long anD hard, but i know it will be worth it. the templars will not suspect a thing until it is too late. i know you will be monitoring my location throughout this process. this particular trip begins at the nearest place possibLe for such a journey to begin.
>cheese
>End transmission
>ERROR: 0110100001100001011100100111010001100110011011110111001001100100
>’transmission’ is not recognized as an internal or external command
>End Transmission
>
“Force has no place where there is need of skill." Herodotus
Also, I think I should be disqualified from this, as I may have stumbled across some of your itinerary somewhere. I'll still submit my guesses (and I did guess for Puzzle 1 before finding where one of your destinations likely is), but it'll be for fun, not points.
Good luck to everyone else.
Puzzle 2:
Hephaestus Email Network\Users\Cheese>Begin Transmission
From>Cheese
To>THB
Date>2013-May-16
Time>01:00PM EDT
Subject>they’re following me
Body>the templars have found me. i am not fully safe here. i think they have information from ezio’s life and memories. clay did his best to hide the information behind a veil of houdini, gandhi and “312,” but this place has too many templars for my liking.
>i am not dismayed. my journey will continue as planned. i am not here for long.
>cheese
>End Transmission
>
“Force has no place where there is need of skill." Herodotus
For fun (and because puzzles 2 and 3 are among the most difficult I think) I'll let everyone know that every location is in the united states. No one has puzzle 2 correct yet (it's in an AC game tangentially - hence the information in the "email"). And that most are/will be clustered in a 100 mile radius. Hopefully the clues will make it semi-obvious when the clustered cities start and end.
Also, reguesses later are fine. If you get puzzle 5 and that changes you guess to puzzle 3, change it. All puzzles end next Tuesday. Of course, you'll lose the bonus points for early or first right answer if you change from a correct to an incorrect and back to correct.
because regressing is possible, please list the puzzle with your answer. (yay timestamps)
“Force has no place where there is need of skill." Herodotus
Puzzle 3:
Hephaestus Email Network\Users\Cheese>Begin Transmission
From>Cheese
To>THB
Date>2013-May-16
Time>10:30PM EDT
Subject>safe house found
Body>i have made it to the safe house. this city has many more people than i am used to - seven or eight times as many, even - which means i should be able to practice blending in the area for a few more days to hide from the templars.
>when i leave the house, everywhere i look i see sharks. i pray they do not see me as prey. i hear they are vicious this time of year.
>have you ever noticed that the word 'shark' kind of looks like a shark? just something i find interesting.
>cheese
>End Transmission
>
“Force has no place where there is need of skill." Herodotus
It may help to not ignore information you already have on me... Like where i live ^^^^ (and the subsequent population, etc)... And where i would drive to vs need to fly to from that location.
Many people have Puzzle 1 correct. some misinterpreted arrival/departure and it is influencing their future guesses. I'm only mentioning this because i don't want the puzzles to be harder than they need to be.
“Force has no place where there is need of skill." Herodotus
By the way, I'm pretty sure Puzzle #3's destination is the place I knew you were going, but it would've taken me about 10 seconds to solve this one anyway.
Puzzle 4 (here's hoping an image puzzle can get people on the right track):
Hephaestus Email Network\Users\Cheese>Begin Transmission
From>Cheese
To>THB
Date>2013-May-17
Time>1:00PM EDT
Subject>returned from field mission
Body>i have just returned from a reconnaissance mission and was reminded of my past. while i was there, i happened on the location where i was wed to my wife. even though it was just three and a half short years ago, it seems so distant.
>it was near the beginning of my training.
>now I near the end.
>i managed to snap this shot without anyone seeing me to remember the good times by.
>cheese
>Attachment
Attached> http://i.imgur.com/8iGPUpb.jpg
>End Transmission
>
“Force has no place where there is need of skill." Herodotus
there is one person who continually guesses correct answers.... one puzzle back.
remember, to get bonus points for puzzle 4, guess before puzzle 5 is posted. 
“Force has no place where there is need of skill." Herodotus
Puzzle 5:
Hephaestus Email Network\Users\Cheese>Begin Transmission
From>Cheese
To>THB
Date>2013-May-17
Time>11:00PM EDT
Subject>tomorrow is almost here
Body>i can almost taste it. speaking of which, i need to eat. i don’t like going out at twilight though, as the Sunny nature of the day is doesn't make it to the bottom of the Valleys here. without being on the high ground, darkness is not your friend.
>but i'm just so hungry. i will leave the safe house for only an instant. to get the food, i will have to get In 'N' Out quickly, to remain unseen.
>cheese
>End Transmission
>
“Force has no place where there is need of skill." Herodotus
Puzzle 6:
Hephaestus Email Network\Users\Cheese>Begin Transmission
From>Cheese
To>THB
Date>2013-May-18
Time>03:00PM EDT
Subject>only update for today
Body>this will be the only update for the day, but it is the only one you need.
>the day is finally here, my training nearly complete.
>today i get my robe and hood and enter the prestigious brotherhood for myself.
>there have been many before me, but today belongs to me.
>cheese
>Attachment
Attached> http://i.imgur.com/KHJ4QMw.jpg
>End Transmission
>
“Force has no place where there is need of skill." Herodotus
Lisa... come on, mom... you told me to do this and you haven't even guessed a single puzzle!
This should be right up your alley!
At this point there is one person who has put in a guess for each puzzle... and I pretty much gave away a free 150 points with puzzle 6...
“Force has no place where there is need of skill." Herodotus
Puzzle 7:
Hephaestus Email Network\Users\Cheese>Begin Transmission
From>Cheese
To>THB
Date>2013-May-19
Time>12:30PM EDT
Subject>someone was here
Body>late last night, someone entered the safe house. it was an older white man with a white beard. he did not take anything, but left us something in a box marked for food. i am unsure if they are safe to eat.
>i have tracked his last known position and am gathering information. i think they caught onto my last few photos, so i have included this one a little differently.
> http://tinyurl.com/brhs48x
>hopefully i can stay safe and can get home tomorrow as planned.
>cheese
>End Transmission
>
“Force has no place where there is need of skill." Herodotus
Puzzle 8:
Hephaestus Email Network\Users\Cheese>Begin Transmission
From>Cheese
To>THB
Date>2013-May-20
Time>01:00AM EDT
Subject>false alarm
Body>the mysterious person was a friend. he was a friend with delicious treats.
>i now Sit here eating another delicious treat from my new location, rice and pasta from a box. it may not sound very good From where you are, but after this weekend, it is just what i need.
>i sit awaiting passage to return tO where i started.
>cheese
>End Transmission
>
“Force has no place where there is need of skill." Herodotus
Puzzle 9:
Hephaestus Email Network\Users\Cheese>Begin Transmission
From>Cheese
To>THB
Date>2013-May-20
Time>08:00AM EDT
Subject>short on time - quick update
Body>5523C23D2553
>cheese
>End Transmission
>
“Force has no place where there is need of skill." Herodotus
Puzzle 10:
Hephaestus Email Network\Users\Cheese>Begin Transmission
From>Cheese
To>THB
Date>2013-May-20
Time>02:00PM EDT
Subject>back safely
Body>hood and robes are mine. i am a true member of the brotherhood now. time for more reconnaissance before acquiring targets. one step closer to ridding this town of templar influence.
>hopefully, they are not able to find me. i have left enough clues for my fellow brothers to follow; templars are not as clever as we are.
>the quick brOwn FoX jumps over the lazy dog.
>the quIck BroWn Fox jumps Over the lazy dog.
>Attachment
Attached> http://i.imgur.com/gRSE6Xp.jpg
>cheese
>End Transmission
>
“Force has no place where there is need of skill." Herodotus
the quick Brown Fox jumps Over the lazy dog.
I remember that phrase. It basically has all the letters of the alphabet in it. 
we have a clear winner (without even adding up the points)...
i will post answers to all the puzzles this afternoon if people still want to try to solve them for fun though.
“Force has no place where there is need of skill." Herodotus
Sorry I couldn't participate fully, I solved three or four and then the great circus of final exams came to town again. I would appreciate it if you posted the answers, for I have a huge gap of free time after thursday, so I will probably take a shot at the rest of them then. Thanks for hosting as well.
Sorry I couldn't participate fully, I solved three or four and then the great circus of final exams came to town again. I would appreciate it if you posted the answers, for I have a huge gap of free time after thursday, so I will probably take a shot at the rest of them then. Thanks for hosting as well.
haha. you answered more than most people.
I'll still plan to post the answers, but I'll edit the posts above with the answers and explanations in spoilers. That way you can (and others can) still see the puzzles without answers.
EDIT: maybe I can't do that... as the editing function isn't there for the posts which I edited from my smartphone... perhaps this is a glitch in the message board that should be looked into... or perhaps there are post edit limits of which I am not aware...
“Force has no place where there is need of skill." Herodotus
Puzzle 1:
Hephaestus Email Network\Users\Cheese>Begin Transmission
From>Cheese
To>THB
Date>2013-May-16
Time>04:20AM EDT
Subject>it has all come to this
Body>the time is here. i Believe my training is nearing its completion. my journey has been long anD hard, but i know it will be worth it. the templars will not suspect a thing until it is too late. i know you will be monitoring my location throughout this process. this particular trip begins at the nearest place possibLe for such a journey to begin.
>cheese
>End transmission
>ERROR: 0110100001100001011100100111010001100110011011110111001001100100
>’transmission’ is not recognized as an internal or external command
>End Transmission
>
Answer: HARTFORD, CT
This puzzle has 3 clues that all point to Hartford as the answer.
First – The capitalized letters BDL are the airport code for the Hartford airport.
Second – The binary “error” message spells HARTFORD.
Third – Being in New Haven, “the nearest place possible for such a journey to begin” is the Hartford airport.
Puzzle 2:
Hephaestus Email Network\Users\Cheese>Begin Transmission
From>Cheese
To>THB
Date>2013-May-16
Time>01:00PM EDT
Subject>they’re following me
Body>the templars have found me. i am not fully safe here. i think they have information from ezio’s life and memories. clay did his best to hide the information behind a veil of houdini, gandhi and “312,” but this place has too many templars for my liking.
>i am not dismayed. my journey will continue as planned. i am not here for long.
>cheese
>End Transmission
>
Answer: DALLAS, TX
The principle clue in this puzzle was the mention of Houdini, Gandhi and “312.” This information is straight from and AC2 truth puzzle. If you look up the exact puzzle (Hat-Trick) you find that inputting the final code 312 unlocks a file named… Dallas, TX. (The easiest way to look up the file is to watch the youtube video of the puzzle.
Puzzle 3:
Hephaestus Email Network\Users\Cheese>Begin Transmission
From>Cheese
To>THB
Date>2013-May-16
Time>10:30PM EDT
Subject>safe house found
Body>i have made it to the safe house. this city has many more people than i am used to - seven or eight times as many, even - which means i should be able to practice blending in the area for a few more days to hide from the templars.
>when i leave the house, everywhere i look i see sharks. i pray they do not see me as prey. i hear they are vicious this time of year.
>have you ever noticed that the word 'shark' kind of looks like a shark? just something i find interesting.
>cheese
>End Transmission
>
Answer: SAN JOSE, CA
The population of San Jose is about 7.5 times that of New Haven (where “I am used to”). In addition, the local hockey team to San Jose is nicknamed the Sharks… and it’s NHL playoff season.
It should also be noted here that I referred to San Jose as the “safe house” – most future locations will be within driving distance of San Jose.
Puzzle 4:
Hephaestus Email Network\Users\Cheese>Begin Transmission
From>Cheese
To>THB
Date>2013-May-17
Time>1:00PM EDT
Subject>returned from field mission
Body>i have just returned from a reconnaissance mission and was reminded of my past. while i was there, i happened on the location where i was wed to my wife. even though it was just three and a half short years ago, it seems so distant.
>it was near the beginning of my training.
>now I near the end.
>i managed to snap this shot without anyone seeing me to remember the good times by.
>cheese
>Attachment
Attached> http://i.imgur.com/8iGPUpb.jpg
>End Transmission
>
Answer: LOS GATOS, CA
Looking at the image, you can google “Opera House 140 West Main Street” and Los Gatos pops up.
If you can’t read the numbers (then I did my job disguising it), “Opera House West Main Street” still gives you Los Gatos.
Puzzle 5:
Hephaestus Email Network\Users\Cheese>Begin Transmission
From>Cheese
To>THB
Date>2013-May-17
Time>11:00PM EDT
Subject>tomorrow is almost here
Body>i can almost taste it. speaking of which, i need to eat. i don’t like going out at twilight though, as the Sunny nature of the day is doesn't make it to the bottom of the Valleys here. without being on the high ground, darkness is not your friend.
>but i'm just so hungry. i will leave the safe house for only an instant. to get the food, i will have to get In 'N' Out quickly, to remain unseen.
>cheese
>End Transmission
>
Answer: SUNNYVALE, CA
The key is in the capitalized words – Sunny, Valley, In ‘N’ Out. If you google that, you’re going to get the In ‘N’ Out in Sun Valley – definitely not driving there for a quick dinner. To further solve, you can either google In ‘N’ Out near San Jose (the safe house) or Los Gatos (last known location) and note that there is one near the “Sunnyvale” logo. Alternatively, you can use the clues and note that Vale is a synonym for Valley.
Puzzle 6:
Hephaestus Email Network\Users\Cheese>Begin Transmission
From>Cheese
To>THB
Date>2013-May-18
Time>03:00PM EDT
Subject>only update for today
Body>this will be the only update for the day, but it is the only one you need.
>the day is finally here, my training nearly complete.
>today i get my robe and hood and enter the prestigious brotherhood for myself.
>there have been many before me, but today belongs to me.
>cheese
>Attachment
Attached> http://i.imgur.com/KHJ4QMw.jpg
>End Transmission
>
Answer: BERKELEY, CA
This one was a gimme… you had be able to read “University of California, Berkeley” on the diploma matting.
Puzzle 7:
Hephaestus Email Network\Users\Cheese>Begin Transmission
From>Cheese
To>THB
Date>2013-May-19
Time>12:30PM EDT
Subject>someone was here
Body>late last night, someone entered the safe house. it was an older white man with a white beard. he did not take anything, but left us something in a box marked for food. i am unsure if they are safe to eat.
>i have tracked his last known position and am gathering information. i think they caught onto my last few photos, so i have included this one a little differently.
> http://tinyurl.com/brhs48x
>hopefully i can stay safe and can get home tomorrow as planned.
>cheese
>End Transmission
>
Answer: CUPERTINO, CA
Mention of the safe house should have helped you know I was back near San Jose, but in fact, you don’t need this information. Once solving the puzzle, you can see the location. Beard Papa’s only has so many stores, and you can search by the address “Beard Papa's 19748” to bring up the Cupertino result on google. A quick look at the website confirms this as the location: http://muginohointl.com/locations/cupertino.
Puzzle 8:
Hephaestus Email Network\Users\Cheese>Begin Transmission
From>Cheese
To>THB
Date>2013-May-20
Time>01:00AM EDT
Subject>false alarm
Body>the mysterious person was a friend. he was a friend with delicious treats.
>i now Sit here eating another delicious treat from my new location, rice and pasta from a box. it may not sound very good From where you are, but after this weekend, it is just what i need.
>i sit awaiting passage to return tO where i started.
>cheese
>End Transmission
>
Answer: SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Not only are the only capital letters the airport code SFO, but Rice-A-Roni is “The San Francisco Treat.”
Puzzle 9:
Hephaestus Email Network\Users\Cheese>Begin Transmission
From>Cheese
To>THB
Date>2013-May-20
Time>08:00AM EDT
Subject>short on time - quick update
Body>5523C23D2553
>cheese
>End Transmission
>
Desired Answer: DALLAS, TX
I’ve solved this clue for you – http://thehiddenblade.com/head-cloudpost-game-spoilers#comment-30072
5523C23D2553 = VSPCPSVT = UROBORUS = a dragon eating its own tail
= I’m repeating my tracks
I was on a quick layover and didn’t have time for a longer clue. Of course, not getting 2 meant not getting 9… both the clues directly linked to AC game lore… haha
More fun answer I got: IN THE AIR
These numbers show up at the end of AC3 and you are synced with the cloud… and all my flights did have wifi… maybe I did have my head in the clouds.
Puzzle 10:
Hephaestus Email Network\Users\Cheese>Begin Transmission
From>Cheese
To>THB
Date>2013-May-20
Time>02:00PM EDT
Subject>back safely
Body>hood and robes are mine. i am a true member of the brotherhood now. time for more reconnaissance before acquiring targets. one step closer to ridding this town of templar influence.
>hopefully, they are not able to find me. i have left enough clues for my fellow brothers to follow; templars are not as clever as we are.
>the quick brOwn FoX jumps over the lazy dog.
>the quIck BroWn Fox jumps Over the lazy dog.
>Attachment
Attached> http://i.imgur.com/gRSE6Xp.jpg
>cheese
>End Transmission
>
Answer: NEW HAVEN, CT
First – I’m “back safely,” and I live in New Haven.
Second – the picture linked pulls up the Knights of Columbus, who are headquartered in New Haven.
Third – the capital letters OFX IBWFO are a one letter cipher to NEW HAVEN.
“Force has no place where there is need of skill." Herodotus
And yes, this was an elaborate humblebrag.
I walked at commencement at Berkeley last weekend and got my PhD (sort of - I still have to write/submit my thesis). When you get a conferred a PhD, you get a special robe and (at many institutions) you get hooded by your adviser (or, if you prefer for the AC connections, il mentore).
My in-laws live in San Jose, which is why this location was my base of operations (safe house).
“Force has no place where there is need of skill." Herodotus
Wow - fantastic, Dr. Cheese!
I'm sorry I didn't do your puzzles; I'm crap at puzzles. I had Stabguy travelling to Addis Ababa after all. 
At any rate, congratulations! 
I'm sorry I didn't do your puzzles; I'm crap at puzzles. I had Stabguy travelling to Addis Ababa after all.
this may be the case, Lisa... but... I WAS IN YOUR BACKYARD THE ENTIRE TIME! Like, literally (± a 90 minute drive)!
“Force has no place where there is need of skill." Herodotus
Sorry I couldn't participate either. I was a little busy with my current video and other stuff.