May/10/2016 - The game is still alive! simbalm solved it in under one day, winning 303 points!

July/7/2014 - After a year and half, we finally have a next winner! It's Dimensionwalker21, winning 360 points. Congratulations!

Dec/24/2012 - We have a next winner! It's WintersRead, winning 306 points!

Nov/11/2012 - The second winner is nuvak! He generously refused the point reward, so there is still a lot of points in the pool for the next winner!

Oct/12/2012 - We have the first winner! It's ninquetari, who wins 475 points!

Aug/1/2012 - The easy day was yesterday! Today, the game begins! And It's just in time for dA's birthday!

START HERE:

First cipher: sta.sh/013oovslpt00

RULES:

to participate, you need do one (or both) of the two following things:
a) donate points into the pool on my front page (they are points solely for the prizes in this game) - you can donate any number of points, starting at 1, if you didn't already
b) post a journal about this game
(c) or at least this journal, if you really don't want to do any of the above...)
- this is required because the more people play, the more points you can win! I will not check it though, so it is just a matter of your own honor. You can do it anytime during the game, not necessayrily on the beginning.

the game consists of 16 ciphers

the solution is always one meaningful English word

send me the name of the cypher you solved and its solution in a note. If your solution is correct, I will send you a note with the link to the next cypher. If it's not correct, I will tell you to try again. I will try to reply as soon as possible.

Please DO NOT comment about the cipher you are just solving, or ask for solutions in any internet forums! You can comment about the previous ciphers, though - i.e. if you are just solving cipher Nr. 7, you can comment about the ciphers 1-6 in the comment section below it (nowhere else!). All comments about the current cipher will be deleted.

the first 9 ciphers are in the form of a tutorial, with the different principles of encryption explained

when you get to the 10th cipher, you will be able to send me an art request to add to the list

if you are stuck on a cipher, you can ask for a hint - you need to fulfill one art request from the list below and send the link to it to me in a note with the name of the cipher you are requesting a hint for

when you solve the 16th cipher, you will get a winning code. Send it to me in a note, and you will get HALF OF THE POINTS that are currently in the pool on my frontpage

there is no deadline or time limit

You can get one free hint during the game, with the exception of the last cipher. Send me a note with the link to the cipher you want a hint for.

ART REQUESTED FOR HINTS:

animated cobra with a rattlesnake tail avatar for Dimensionwalker21 (reference: fav.me/d6eu2w3 )

a russian-blue female cat, doing anything or nothing for WintersRead

  a steampunk-made animal (any) in any art form (story, drawing...) for Pianocanival

  Galadriel and Celeborn (from the Lord of the Rings) or Eärwen and Finarfin (from the Silmarillion) for ninquetari

  (if nothing from the requests above inspires you) a magical tree in any art form for MirachRavaia

  ...

You can request art when you get to the 10th cipher.

ART CREATED FOR HINTS:

Beginning anewThe marble stairs of the Palace glittered in the light of Anar's last rays. One could see them from above, where the windows of the private parlor were built exactly for this reason. The newly rehoused High Prince of the Noldor was standing there, watching the sunset, deep in thoughts.
Getting out of Mandos Halls wasn't easy: he still remembered the experiences of what seemed like previous lives (with all the conflicts and nightmares it contained), yet had to come to terms with the fact he's back at Aman (with all the conflicts and nightmares that contains). The Valar have granted him their forgiveness quite readily, a fact he was partly thankful for, partly wondering upon. Meeting his parents again, asking their forgiveness, however, was harder, even though they embraced him and had already forgave him long ago. Learning about the outcomes of the Rebellion and the Exile wasn't easy, too. Also, he had to get used to new politics, new order.
Honesty demanded he'd ad TreachtreeWhat have you done you foolish woman? What have you done you foolish man?
Didn't you both understand that was the only ban?
You have killed me and left me for dead,
I will become no more than a weed that you both will tread.
However, my legacy won't die as long as the Earth sustains
Within my final fruit, one seed it contains.
I will send this seed to the center of the Earth
Precious metals and jewels are incomparable to its worth.
A tree will grow fruit that could stop all hunger.
It would cure all ailments and make an old body eternally younger.
No fruit in existence has an effect stronger,
A once an easily obtainable gift to humanity, but no longer.
-The Tree of Life
© Dimensionwalker21 2013 Tick Tock CrocodileSome travel this river by copter and some go by steamboat.
For me, there is only one way to float.
Coming my way right down the watery aisle,
Is my mode of travel, the Tick Tock crocodile!
He has a furnace for a belly and screws for teeth,
Two seats on his back, a tail, and a motor underneath.
His only fare is clockwork gear fish.
I think that’s his favorite meal and that he finds it delish.
I stand back and watch as he gives it a good “Crunch, crunch, CRUNCH!”
He lets me climb aboard as if to say, “Thanks a bunch!”
Getting into my usual seat and setting a directional dial.
Away I go, riding off like a boss and a sir in a truly unusual style.
Once I arrive at my destination, I tip my hat, thank him for the trip, and apologize for any trial.
Knowing that I would be back, all he did was crack a smile.
© Dimensionwalker21 2013

WINNERS

GOOD LUCK!