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As BlackVision said, you may still enter your screenshot and riddle answers (in spoiler text.) You won't be able to get a Gold or Platinum medal, but your score and riddle answers will still count.
And as BlackVisio said, bad luck with Rivaleux. But consider it a victory to have got that far!
All the Best,
Welsh Dragon.
*
BOOKMARK (Ignore this. Just a note to myself. With so many different answers flying around, I decided I needed to create a spreadsheet to keep track of them all. This tells me I've got up to this point.
8523 Renown
Any one starter island
The Golden Banana from the Titan Ape
The Abbes Columba's Staff (Can't belief I really got it)
Cross of Lothair and Globus Cruciger
I would have made a photo of the Yeti, but unfortunately he did not spawn, so the Emperor Monkey has to be enough
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=957509696
Your first is a chance for you to prepare,
To face my next challenge, that is if you dare:
Celtic Code - Baryonyx Claw
For your second, you must find my island kin,
His gift to you, is where you truly begin:
Roche's Lost Treasure - Golden Banana
Your third goal is this, you must make me laugh,
So prank an old women. And bring me my staff:
Highland Pursuit - St. Andrew's Bones
Your fourth? That will test you, but also bring relief,
You will earn my favour if you can prove your belief:
Emerged Island - Voodoo Ritual Book
For we must be united, I and my twin,
Only then will you lift, the curse of the Monkey King:
Shangri'la - Emperor Monkey
Score: 9148
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=957613256
Riddle Answers:
1: The Celtic “Code”
2: The Golden Banana
3: St Columba’s Staff - but as you can see I didn’t get it :)
4: The Woonboyo Hoard
5: The Emperor Monkey
And the hidden riddle - when I looked up the monkey king on Wikipedia it said his staff could be shrunken to the size of a sewing needle. The only needle the explorers seem to always have with them is the compass needle on the membership badge , so here it is in my treasure list
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=957613082
And here’s a link to my story-
http://steamcommunity.com/app/296970/discussions/3/1368380934263607534/
Edited to add the score: 8959
For the riddles:
First the free choice expedition
Second the friendly ape with his golden banana
Third Columba's Staff and the Shepherd Staff and the devious victory against the Nuns
Fourth Dracula and his holy symbols
Fifth the Yeti (kind of a bonus) and mainly the emperor ape
For the bonus riddle I have 3 solution contenders, but I think the most likely one (considering we do a devious run) is this one:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=957605657 the staff on the ships front. (Sorry I forgot to take a screenshot during the expedition even though I decided for this solution early on, so I had to recycle a Screenshot from an older savegame)
Thanks for the work and the riddle :-)
9899 renown
Captain: Phillipe
Crew: Hildegard & Yu
I LOVE riddles!!! This challenge was soooooo cool. :) I would like to have more of those. Thx for the challenge and all the effort put into it, Welsh Dragon.
And thx to BlackVision for explaining the spoiler texts.
My interpretations of the riddles:
1. Choose one starter island freely – whatever you think „prepares“ you best. Celtic Code was an obvious choice because of the research boost and research had to be the main resource. I went for the claw because I thought getting 2 study for devious would be nice. :)
2. „Island kin“ = the Caribbean Island (many monkeys, the titan ape, the monkey-shaped rock with the waterfall), „his gift“ = Golden Banana (he doesn't gift you anything for being rude, so defeat him friendly and get the banana as a gift).
3. There were so many creative thoughts about this one in the community but the one that came to my mind first was Columba's Staff. It's a staff and the abbess is a very old lady.
4. „Belief“ = the holy treasures in Transsylvania, „relief“ = any holy treasure will do so you need not focus on one in specific and that's a relief. Maybe it was a relief too that other expeditions were possible too (like AA for example) but Transsylvania matched the devious attitude better.
5. „Top of the world“ = Shangri-la, the „twin“ is the monkey statue which you get by being devious and doing mostly research (= „cunning and smart“).
What else to say?
First run with DLCs for me. :)
I chose Phillipe because of his captain power so I could be sure that I wouldn't accidentally have too much of another resource. But I had to keep my resolve. And I'm really bad at this… Usually I'm the one asking my bf „Could you beat Dracula for me? My people lost almost all of their attributes and I have 2 resolve left. Please save my expedition, darling.“. And he does. Every time.
Last night I had to cancel my run because the crew lost so much offense they couldn't deal with the abbess. I was really upset and thought I couldn't do another run in time but my bf talked me into retrying it. So I did which meant more gaming and less studying for me. ;) So thanks to him I participated.
The main clues for me to solve the puzzles were not in the poem but in the description of the challenge. If you could do it without DLCs there had to be a route with only the locations of the basic version of the game. For the hidden riddle I had no clue. (I love riddles but I hate it when I can't solve one.) I would agree with Cyruk's solution but since I am not into Chinese mythology I think it would be unfair to claim it as my own solution.
One question for me remains: My renown qualifies me for gold (first time – finally) but what if I solved all the puzzles right? Does that make it gold or platinum?
The requirements are for Renown + Number of Riddles solved, so with that Renown total the highest medal you can hypothetically achieve (assuming your riddle answers are right) is Gold, sorry. But it's still a big achievement to reach a Gold medal score for the first time.
All the Best,
Welsh Dragon.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=957978742
Riddle 1 : preparing to be a pranking prankster, i decided to add a little sting to my pranks using the baryonyx claw
Riddle 2 : the titan of the caribbean gave me his most precious golden bannana, like a true friend would
Riddle 3 : having run a very mean prank on the abbess (knock on her door, talk to her, than sneak up from behind) i took her Columba's staff
Riddle 4 : being unable to find the cross of lothair, i had to go for the next best thing, the globus cruciger, the sign of christ and the holy roman empire
Riddle 5 : the emperor monkey, royal twin of the monkey king, got separated from him at birth. they shall be reunited now
all in all, a 10343 renown run isn't too bad
So, before we get to the scoreboard (which will be coming later this afternoon) and see how everyone did, I think it's time to reveal the answers to the Monkey King's Riddles. A reminder, that while I had specific answers in mind, I am also accepting alternate answers that I judge to fit each riddle. Of which there are many...
I must say, the ingenuity, creativeness and lateral thinking you all demonstrated is truly amazing, and some of your answers honestly put mine to shame. There was clearly much more to this riddle than even I realised when writing it. So you not only outwitted the Monkey King, you outwitted me as well. Congratulations.
I'm going to go through the riddle verse by verse, explain what each was supposed to mean and my answers to each. But I'm also going to include a list of other answers I am accepting, which have been provided by you the community in your entries, and my notes on why these alternate answers were accepted.
Note: Only including answers from those actually entered. There are more ideas in the discussion thread, if you want to see some other possible answers, and if I get the opportunity I may make a post in the discussion thread going over some of the alternate ideas there and why they work (or don't.) But no promises.
“What has been taken, must now be returned,
For the wisdom of Monkey is not stolen but earned,”
As many of you guessed, this was designed to simply set the scene. Rivaleux took something he shouldn't have, and now the explorers are paying the price. But also provide a little hope and encouragement, as it establishes that the wisdom can in fact be earned. Some of you had other ideas.
My answers: N/A (Scene Setting.)
Your answers: The Blue Guardian Monkey in Anagogic
My notes: Accepted due to the persuasive argument in Torgo's entry.
*
“You must now undertake a grand expedition,
Prove yourself to me, that is your true mission,”
Again, scene setting. But also a hint that this would require going to many different places, and that it was most important to prove yourself to the Monkey King by solving his riddles. Again, some of you found hidden meaning where there was intended to be none, which is very impressive.
My answers: N/A (Scene Setting)
Your answers: Do expeditions on all five continents.
My notes: Accepted due to the persuasive argument in Torgo's entry.
*
“Your first is a chance for you to prepare,
To face my next challenge, that is if you dare,”
This clue really was a case of Occam's Razor. For those not familiar with it, Occam's Razor says “Among competing hypotheses, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected.” Or in other words “the simplest answer is usually the best one.”
My answers: (Riddle 1) Starter Islands. Go to any of the one star starter islands. So any treasure (including Baryonix Claw, Saxon Golden Horse and Viking Helmet,) item, even just going there was enough.
Your answers: RE:IS Membership Badge, Crew Selection Screen, Celtic Code (specifically.)
My notes: The RE:IS Badge proved a popular answer, and it does indeed help you prepare with extra supplies and you receive it the first chance you get. The Crew Selection Screen is indeed where you prepare for all the challenges to come. And special mention for making the connection between Celtic Code and the Riddle, as they are both types of puzzles.
*
“For your second, you must find my island kin,
His gift to you, is where you truly begin,”
This riddle was meant to ease you into the puzzles, while still being a challenge, as out of the two star expeditions there is only one on an island, the Caribbean. (I hadn't considered anyone would think to do the riddles out of order.... oops.) There are various members of the primate family on the island, but only one that specifically gives you a gift that can be seen on your final score screen, the Golden Banana given to you if you use a Friendly attitude to defeat the Titan Ape (and only a Friendly attitude. Bringing him home in a cage isn't really him giving you a gift.)
This is also the clue I hinted may have a typo in it. Because while “My island kin” works as a clue, if you were to consider it having a letter missing “My island king” also leads you to the Titan Ape (by way of another famous large primate, King Kong.)
My answers: (Riddle 2) Golden Banana (Caribbean.)
Your answers: The Voodoo Ritual Book, The Medieval Devil
My notes: As highlighted by several people, the Voodoo Ritual Book is indeed another gift from island kin. And special mention to Annanass, for researching the Monkey King legend and making a persuasive argument for the Medieval Devil being his kin and a gift.
*
“Your third goal is this, you must make me laugh,
So prank an old women. And bring me my staff,”
As the third riddle, you're meant to be looking for a 3 Star Expedition... (again, oops.) Of those Highlands has the most obvious old woman (the Abbess) and also offers two staffs (Columba's Staff from the Abbess, and the Shepard's Staff from the Mourning Sheep.)
This one, I admit, includes an error on my part. When designing the challenge, I tried to make sure there would be at least one answer to each clue with a 100% spawn rate. Based on my experience, I thought the Shepard's Staff was a guaranteed spawn as I seem to get it every time I go to Highlands. Turns out, it isn't. BlackVision identified the problem (though didn't know for sure it was the answer I intended) so that's how the Hidden Riddle came about (more about that later.)
This is also the clue a hinted at using very specific punctuation. It's “prank an old woman” full stop “And bring me my staff.” This was meant to be a hint to the fact that you didn't have to get the staff from the old woman.
My answers: (Riddle 3) St Columba's Staff or Shephard's Staff (Highlands.)
Your answers: Baba Yaga's Broom, Spirit Staff, St Andrew's Bones
My notes: Spirit Staff is indeed another Staff, and can be obtained in the same expedition as an “old” woman in the Necromancer. I cannot deny that Baba Yaga is indeed another old woman you can prank, and her Broom 'could' be used as a staff. And St Andrew's Bones could (in theory) be a bone staff... a very small one.
*
“Your fourth? That will test you, but also bring relief,
You will earn my favour if you can prove your belief,”
This is where I got a bit tricky. You see there isn't just one or two answers for this clue. There's not even just one expedition where you can to go to get them. Because there are many different forms of belief, and so while what I had in mind was belief systems and religions, you all excelled yourselves by highlighting just how many beliefs there are.
My answers: (Riddle 4) There's a lot, so I'll split them by Expedition.
Transylvania: Icon of Nicomedia, Globus Cruciger, Cross of Lothair, Charlemagne's Hand (it's a reliquary,) St. Irene's Skull (didn't exist when I originally wrote the riddle, so late addition.)
Anagogic Archipelago: Pranjnaparamita, Ganesh Statue,
Emerged Island: Voodoo Doll, Voodoo Ritual Book, Clear Crystal (said to contain a soul.)
Your answers: Java Skull, the Anagogic Archipelago itself, Seven Free Mugs and a Happy Jagapati, Captain Roche's Coat, Friendship (Bracelet), Egypt, Count Dracul, Wonoboyo Hoard,
My notes: All count as representing beliefs. In order: Belief in the Missing Link, Belief in Trance, Belief in Trance (and refreshment,) Belief in the Paranormal, Belief in Others, Belief in Mummies, Belief in Oneself, Belief in ancient Javanese civilization and fashion.*
*Believe it or not, one of the items found in the real Wonoboyo Hoard was a golden handbag. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonoboyo_hoard
*
“To get this far, you must be both cunning and smart
But this is not the end, just merely the start,”
This (and the next two verses) are meant to set you up for the answer to the final riddle. This one does this by encouraging you to have played in a certain way, namely Smart and Cunning, otherwise known as collecting Research and being Devious. It's also a hint to the final answer (see below.)
My answers: (Clue to Riddle 5) Cunning = Devious. Smart = Research.
Your answers: Getting a Level 5 in a perk required for each of the four challenge types.
My notes: Can't argue with Torgo's logic. His crew was definitely both Cunning and Smart.
*
“To the top of the world, you must now venture,
For this will lead you to your final adventure,”
This hopefully gives you your destination. “The top of the world” is often used to refer to the Himalayan mountain range, and there's only one expedition you will find there.
My answers: (Clue to Riddle 5.) Shangri'la
Your answers: N/A
*
“Because it is there, where your destiny awaits you,
But only that is, if you can solve my last clue,”
More scene setting, this time for the final riddle. Though if your destiny is to become the beat Rivaleux and become the Most Renowned Explorer, there's only really one place to go.
My answers: (Clue to Riddle 5, sort of.) Beat Rivaleux and accept your destiny to be the Most Renowned Explorer.)
Your answers: N/A
*
“For we must be united, I and my twin,
Only then will you lift, the curse of the Monkey King.”
And we reach the final clue, which was always intended to only have one answer. An Emperor is a monarch, as is a King. So there's only one treasure in the game that can truly be said to be the Monkey King's twin.... or at least that's what I thought.
My answers: (Riddle 5.) Emperor Monkey Statue
Your answers: Titan Ape + Yeti, Titan Ape, Devious Charm + Medieval Devil
My notes: Many of you went for the Emperor Monkey, as intended. But I can't argue that the Titan Ape is another candidate for his twin, and there is a resemblance between him and the Yeti. And Annanass again made a persuasive argument for the Devious Charm and Medieval Devil being twins (plus I love the idea of them hidden away scheming together.)
*
So, there you have it. There were intended to be 5 Riddles amongst the 10 Verses. You all being such a creative bunch, managed to find 8! And many more right answers than I had ever thought possible, so congratulations to you all.
But wait, I hear you say. I forgot a clue?
'I quite like that it gets a big view of the world, but if you fail one of my puzzles, all is not lost - just return my true staff to me: You carry it with you wherever you go, yet it never joins you on your expeditions. Where is it?
For this, you can mainly praise/blame BlackVision. I tweaked the wording slightly, but he came up with the riddle and the answer. Though I did try to help, with some hints in the accompanying story.*
BlackVision's answer: A screenshot of the map table....
“Why?” I hear you ask. Because if you happen to look in the top left of the screen, you will see an umbrella stand. And in it, you will find an umbrella, a sword... and a staff. (Like I said, blame BlackVision. He had to explain it to me, despite sending me a screenshot with the answer circled in red!)
Your correct answers: Bowsprit of the Airship, Compass Needle
Your mostly correct answers: Research Papers, Rulebook (Rule 24b.)
Your “huh?” answers: Pinkerton?
My notes: There is something staff like about the Bowsprit and it was found in the right place (the airship,) so makes sense. And thanks to bethany.hopkins researching the Monkey King's staff and how it can shrink to “the size of a needle” her Compass Needle is also an acceptable answer.
Research Papers and Rule 24b, I can't see the staff connection, but they do fit the rest of the riddle and given it was so incredibly difficult (nobody actually got it,) I'm accepting them too as being in the spirit of the riddle.
Pinkerton... yeah, no ideas. But I'll still allow it.
*The hints? I specifically used phrases like “quarters” instead of room, and “deck” instead of floor to hint that it was set on the airship.
So there you have it. The Monkey King's Riddles have been solved, even the ones that weren't supposed to be riddles!
But how did everyone do? Well please check the Scoreboard post (coming later today) to find out.
All the best,
Welsh Dragon.
So let's see how everyone did. (For the riddle answers, see the post above this one.)
Firstly, a warm welcome to our newest Community Challenge entrant, Claufi. Always nice to see new faces, and congratulations on giving what was a particularly difficult challenge a go as your first.
Seconly, this challenge also seems to have really sparked the imaginations of people, not just with their very creative answers, but also with their own creative writing. So I'm happy to be able to award 3!! Story Medals this time out.
Congratulations Torgo, Crazychel and Bethany.hopkins, for your well deserved medals. And if you haven't already, please take a look at their stories and poem, which are truly very entertaining and great additions to the Monkey King's story.
Torgo's Story "Challenge 77: Lateral Thinking"
http://steamcommunity.com/app/296970/discussions/3/1368380934247945652/
Crazychel's Poem "Challenge 77: Guidance of the Monkey King"
http://steamcommunity.com/app/296970/discussions/3/1368380934250823389/
Bethany.hopkins Story "Challenge 77: One Last Trick"
http://steamcommunity.com/app/296970/discussions/3/1368380934263607534/
Now onto the scores.
Congratulations to you all. A good mix of Platinum, Gold and Silver Medals this week. Interestingly no Bronze medals this time.
Special mention goes to Der Erloeser, Cyruk, Lynn0407 and Raging Ty for being the only people to provide all five intended answers to my riddles.
No additional analysis this week. But I do have one last story of the Monkey King to tell a little later this afternoon... As our intrepid explorers journey to the east.
All the Best,
Welsh Dragon.
Thank you WelshDragon so much for this challenge, I enjoyed it and would love to have a similar style in the future again. Is there also a way I can drop some ideas for new riddles? Because I collected quite a lot while dissecting the different treasures and it would be a shame if they'd just gather dust in my brain :)
High in the Himalayas, a group of figures were finally approaching their destination. Their quest had been a perilous one, and the seven samurai explorers had journeyed far and wide to reach this point. It was a quest where they'd sometimes had to work together and other times go their own way. But finally it looked like they would get some answers!
Each carried with them items that, they hoped, would end the Monkey King's curse and allow the Society to get back to it's usual work. They hadn't all been able to agree on what the riddles had meant, or even which parts of the riddle had been riddles and which were just words, so there was rather a lot to carry.
As the strongest, Jan-Piet had ended up carrying several heavy objects, which he had spent most of the journey complaining about. Phillipe would have helped, but he had sprained his ankle on their last expedition, so it was challenge enough just to climb the mountain.
But at last, as they approached a mysterious temple upon the mountaintop, it looked like they may finally be on the right track. This temple appeared on no map, and none of the explorers could ever recall seeing it before, even though they had each been to the Himalayas a number of times. Which was strange, but then again maybe it had just been foggy...
Each took a moment to gaze upon their destination. The temple had an ornate gateway in the style of those that they'd seen in the Forbidden City. Either side of this grand entrance was a beautifully intricate carving of a monkey, and above that of a red dragon on a green background. Though strangely, it was a western style dragon, not the eastern style one would expect in these parts. A mystery for another time perhaps?
As they passed through the gateway and into the beautiful gardens beyond, they noticed a number of monks (and even a few nuns) engaged in various activities. Some seemed to be designing games, others playing them. And some were talking into what appeared to be scrying pools for some reason.
“Monks. Why is it always monks?” Harry muttered.
As if summoned by his words, a trio of the monks approached them.
“Greetings.” Said the Monk in the middle, and bowed. “I am brother Manuel.”
“Greetings.” Said Suh Min-Joeng, who had really developed her skills in Diplomacy on this expedition so was the logical choice to speak for the explorers. She stepped forward and returned the Monk's bow with one of her own. “I am Suh Min-Joeng.”
“Ah yes, we know who you all are. All of your reputations proceeds you. Mistresses Suh and Haas. Masters Bensoussan, Shanty, Walker, Corneel, and Yu, if you would please follow me.” The Monks turned and Brother Manuel gestured for them to follow him. “The master has been expecting you.”
The explorers and the Monks started to cross the gardens. They were most impressive, and Hildegard noticed several different plants from all over the world. How the monks (and nuns) had been able to grow them all in the Himalayan climate was a mystery.
“Brother Adriaan, please arrange some refreshments for our guests. Brother Rutger, would you prepare the guest rooms please. I'm sure our visitors will want to rest and recover from their journey after meeting the master.” The two bowed and then hurried off about their tasks.
The explorers followed Brother Manuel up a winding path and into the temple proper. The walls were decorated with amazing scenes, of weird and wonderful places, giants and dragons and sea creatures and a million different wonders. And also monkeys... lots and lots of monkeys.
Finally they reached two huge impressive doors, apparently made from iron and inlaid with gold, silver and jewels. An ornamental sign next to the doors said “pull to enter.”
Brother Manuel paused, and turned to address the gathered explorers.
“Please enter. The Master awaits you.” And with that, he left.
“Those must weigh a ton.” Said Earl, while Harry commented. “They must be worth a fortune too.”
But how were they to move such huge doors? After a brief conversation, Jan-Piet and Phillipe took a door each and pulled with all their might... but the doors didn't budge. Earl and Harry joined in, but still they simply would not budge. The four started bickering amongst themselves.
Wang Yu, who has been standing back and enjoying the conflict, gradually became aware of the whispered conversation Hildegard and Min-Joeng were having. Hildegard seemed to be describing a plan, and after a moments thought Min-Joeng nodded and said. “How about you let us have a go?”
Harry and Earl laughed at this. “Knock yourselves out.” Said Jan-Piet in a bit of a huff. “Try not to hurt yourselves.” Phillipe added, equally frustrated.
The two young woman walked up to the doors, took hold of the handles firmly and braced themselves. The rest of the explorers looked on, sure this would never work.
At the nod from Hildegard the two gave the doors the slightest of pushes... and they swung open as easily as if they had been made of paper.
The rest of the explorers looked at them in amazement, the unspoken question 'how?' on each of their faces.
“The sign is a trick. You have to push instead of pull” Hildegard said with a smile. “We're in the Monkey King's temple after all.”
A range of emotions played across the faces of the other explorers. Several words also probably came to mind, but before any could be said Min-Joeng gestured for them to enter the room,.Which they all did.
*
After the lavishness of the rest of the temple, the décor in this room was surprisingly simple, with a few hanging tapestries (more monkeys on those. There really were a lot of monkeys in this place.) And at the other end of the room was a low table. At the table sat a small figure, head bowed, apparently drinking tea.
Phillipe cleared his throat. “Excusez-moi. Are you the fabled Monkey King...?”
The diminutive figure looked up from the tea cup, and smiled.
“You've made it at last!” The figure said in an all too familiar high pitched voice. The explorers gasped.
“Min-Joeng?” Earl said, reflecting the surprise that everyone felt.
The explorers all looked back and forth from the Min-Joeng drinking tea to the Min-Joeng who had journeyed across many continents with them to reach this place... How were there two Min-Joengs? Was it another trick? Did she have a twin sister she'd never told them about? And which was the real one?
Suddenly one of the Min-Joengs started to laugh in a little girls high pitched giggle... but this quickly began to change into a monkey's cackle. Before their eyes one of the Min-Joengs began to transform, from the figure of a small Korean girl into that of a blue monkey wearing a robe and a crown. The explorers all looked at the Monkey King in amazement.
But Harry was starting to lose his temper. “Would someone please explain what the hell is going on?”
Min-Joeng (the real one) looked at Harry apologetically, put down her tea and began to explain.
“I was visiting an archaeological dig in the area last Saturday when I received word that that oaf Rivaleux had taken something from the Monkey King's temple. I knew this would bring trouble down on all of us, and so I hurried to the temple in the hopes of heading off disaster.
When I got here His Highness was most upset. He had been visiting the local hot springs to bathe in their rejuvenating waters. But when he returned to where he had left his clothes, he discovered that several things had been taken, including one of his most prized possessions, had been stolen! In it's place was a signed photo of Rivaleux.
The Monkey King wanted to bring down all of his wrath on the Society for Rivaleux's actions and curse us for all eternity. But I was able to persuade His Highness that a far better punishment would be for Rivaleux to be taught a lesson in humility. And who better to 'take him down a peg or two,' as I believe your countrymen say Harry, than a group of explorers known for playing pranks, tricks and in Earl's case, causing chaos without even trying.” Earl looked about sheepishly.
“His Highness graciously agreed. But only on the condition that I stayed here as his guest, and he would get to see first hand how you all did. Disguising himself amongst you proved easy, as the Monkey King's magic allows him to change his shape, as you just saw.”
At this, the Monkey King did a theatrical bow.
“I was a little concerned” Min-Joeng continued, “that you would realise it wasn't me, mainly because in his wisdom His Highness felt a kimono would be more appropriate than my traditional hanbok...” At this the Monkey King grinned like a Cheshire Cat. Mainly because he had briefly turned into one.
“... But it seems that none of you pay enough attention to detail to notice 'my' sudden change in wardrobe.” Min-Joeng added, stamping one foot in annoyance. But she quickly regained her composure and continued.
“Making sure you would cross paths with Rivaleux proved a little harder. We couldn't be sure where Rivaleux would be going, so we created the riddles to give him and you a path to follow. While His Highness, disguised as me, took one copy with him to the Society, I arranged for another to be sent directly to Rivaleux. I knew he couldn't resist the promise of great rewards.
While Rivaleux followed the exact path we set, neither of us expected the rest of you to be quite so ingenious in finding different answers than the ones we expected you to find.”
“Veeeeery impressive.” The Monkey King added cheerfully.
“Which means I can now do I as promised. Your Highness, on behalf of the Explorers Society I wish to return to you what was so wrongfully stolen from you.”
The Monkey King strolled over to the gathered explorers and held out his hand.
“Er, the treasures are still outside.” Said Jan-Piet, looking confused.
The Monkey King looked perplexed. “All those shiny things? What do I need of more shiny things? I have lots of shiny things.” He said, gesturing to the room and the temple.
“But this,” the Monkey King said, as he gently picked up the simple walking cane, from where Phillipe had left it leaning against the wall. “cannot be replaced.”
The explorers all looked about in surprise. All this, for a walking cane? Some even started to look a bit angry. But soon they started to see the funny side of it all. Rivaleux had probably never even considered the simple staff could be a treasure, let alone a valuable one. Which was probably why Phillipe had discovered it in the umbrella stand on the Albatross.
As the tension left the room, they all began to tell Min-Joeng of their many adventures trying to solve her riddles. Well, all except one. Harry was surprisingly quiet. In fact he hadn't said a word since Min-Joeng had begun her explanation. He just stood there, frozen, looking more and more stunned.
Finally Min-Joeng noticed his silence and walked over. Starting to get a bit concerned, she said. “Are you okay Harry?”
This seemed to break Harry out of his trance like state. He blinked, swallowed, and then looked the diminutive diplomat right in the eye.
“So... so....” He began to stammer.
“Yes?” Min-Joeng said.
“YOU TRICKED US ALL!!!!”
Min-Joeng considered this for a moment, and then smiled....
“Why yes. I guess I did...”
***
And so ends the adventure of the Monkey King's, or should that be Min-Joeng's, Riddles.... well, almost.
Back at the Society, things had finally started to quieten down. Whatever the explorers had done it seemed to have worked, as there hadn't been a prank, trick or foam related incident in at least two hours. Maybe Pinkerton could finally relax.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door.
“What now?” Pinkerton groaned, crossing the entrance hall and opening the door.
In front of Pinkerton was a most peculiar sight. Before him was an ordinary looking sheep, its face black, it's wool white, as you would expect a sheep might look. What made it peculiar was the silver crown balanced atop the sheep's head... which on closer inspection appeared to be made of cardboard covered in tin foil. And then the sheep spoke...
“Prepare yourselves, for the challenge of the Sheep King!!!”
Pinkerton paused for a moment.
“Nope.” He said.
And slammed the door.
And so comes to an end this monkey's tale... for real this time.
Epilogue co-written by my brother.
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Finally, I just want to thank you all for taking part in this challenge and making it a real success. Creating both the challenge and riddles took a lot of work, but it was definitely worth it to see so many of you having fun, coming up with interesting ideas and even writing stories and a poem inspired by the Monkey King. This has been one of my most enjoyable challenges, even though I wasn't taking part this time.
Thank you all.
All the Best,
Welsh Dragon.
Haha. Yes, that just about works.
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Well played.
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Glad to hear you enjoyed it. And congratulations on some ingenious answers and very clever lateral thinking. Connecting the Monkey King and the Medieval Devil was particularly inspired, and I never thought about the Shepard being a king before you mentioned it.
I also had fun reading up about the Monkey King for this challenge. I was vaguely aware of him before, but then a version turned up in an episode of the Sci-Fi series "The Librarians" in Shangri'la of all places, and the pieces started to fall into place for this challenge.
As for dropping some ideas for new riddles, you could send me a friend invite on here and then you can PM them to me. I'm not likely to be doing another riddle challenge soon, but can always add them to my files (with credit to you of course.)
Alternatively if you're interested in helping out with the challenges, we're always looking for people to join the Community Challenge Volunteers. We bounce ideas off each other and work together to make these weekly challenges a reality, and there's different ways you can help.
Whichever works for you.
All the Best,
Welsh Dragon.