[itachi-san]

In an ancient empire called Rhuidean, it was known that if you drank poison, the only way to save yourself is to drink a stronger poison, which neutralizes the weaker poison. The queen that ruled the land wanted to make sure that she possessed the strongest poison possible, in order to ensure her survival in any situation. So the queen called the best alchemist and the best wizard and she gave each a week to make the strongest poison. Then, each would drink the other one's poison, then his own, and the one that survived would be the one that had the stronger poison.

The alchemist went straight to work, but the wizard knew he had no chance, for the alchemist was much more experienced in this field, so instead, he made up a plan to survive and make sure the alchemist dies. On the last day the alchemist suddenly realized that the wizard would know he had no chance, so he must have a plan. After a little thought, the alchemist realized what the wizard's plan must be, and he concocted a counter plan, to make sure he survives and the wizard dies. When the time came, the queen summoned both of them. They drank the poisons as planned, and the wizard died, the alchemist survived, and the queen didn't get what she wanted.

What happened?

[Brandonb]

is there any way they could "fake" drinking the other one's poison?

edit:remove quote

Edited May 13, 2008 by Brandonb

[itachi-san]

is there any way they could "fake" drinking the other one's poison?

edit:remove quote

No, the queen watched the procedure to make sure everything was done as she ordered.

[Brandonb]

It seems to me that the only way that the wizard could have cheated was to steal the concoction from the alchemist. So the alchemist set out a weak poison for the wizard to steal. Then when the day came the alchemist picked up a stronger poison on the way to the meeting.... I must be missing something...

[itachi-san]

It seems to me that the only way that the wizard could have cheated was to steal the concoction from the alchemist. So the alchemist set out a weak poison for the wizard to steal. Then when the day came the alchemist picked up a stronger poison on the way to the meeting.... I must be missing something...

Nope. The queen didn't get what she wanted. Considering your answer, there is no reason the alchemist wouldn't have brought the most powerful poison he could make or get. So after he won, the queen would then have the strong poison she wanted.

[Guest]

In an ancient empire called Rhuidean, it was known that if you drank poison, the only way to save yourself is to drink a stronger poison, which neutralizes the weaker poison. The queen that ruled the land wanted to make sure that she possessed the strongest poison possible, in order to ensure her survival in any situation. So the queen called the best alchemist and the best wizard and she gave each a week to make the strongest poison. Then, each would drink the other one's poison, then his own, and the one that survived would be the one that had the stronger poison.

The alchemist went straight to work, but the wizard knew he had no chance, for the alchemist was much more experienced in this field, so instead, he made up a plan to survive and make sure the alchemist dies. On the last day the alchemist suddenly realized that the wizard would know he had no chance, so he must have a plan. After a little thought, the alchemist realized what the wizard's plan must be, and he concocted a counter plan, to make sure he survives and the wizard dies. When the time came, the queen summoned both of them. They drank the poisons as planned, and the wizard died, the alchemist survived, and the queen didn't get what she wanted.

What happened?

The Alchemist new the Wizard would swap poisons so made a strong poison

[Guest]

The wizard makes a weak poison which he drinks right before going to the queens competition. He brings along with him a placebo, say water. That way, assuming the alchemist's poison will be stronger, the wizard thinks he will be cured when he drinks it.

Having figured this out, the alchemist also brings only water (or whatever the placebo may be). He will drink the wizards water and be fine. The wizard will drink the alchemists water and never be cured of his own poison. The queen does not get a poison at all.

[Guest]

the wizard knows the poison the alchemist makes will be strong, so he drinks a weak poison before the meeting, and takes along some water as his poison. he first drinks the alchemist's poison, which counters what he drank before, then drinks his non-poisonous water, making it look like his is strongest.

the alchemist works this out and brings water along as well, he drinks two waters, doesnt die and the wizard dies of what he drank before, leaving the alchemist alive and the queen withsomething totally non-poisonous.

[Guest]

beat me by two minutes!!!! good going lol

[Guest]

Wooo

Edited May 13, 2008 by andyrew92

[Guest]

The wizard's plan is to switch poisons with the alchemist before the competition, so he sets out to find the weakest poison he can. The alchemist knows this, so he concocts an even weaker poison than the wizard will be able to find.

When the time comes, the wizard sneaks in and switches the poisons (actually giving him the weaker poison).

[Guest]

The wizard's plan is to switch poisons with the alchemist before the competition, so he sets out to find the weakest poison he can. The alchemist knows this, so he concocts an even weaker poison than the wizard will be able to find.

When the time comes, the wizard sneaks in and switches the poisons (actually giving him the weaker poison).

This was addressed by itachi-san in post #5. It is likely in this scenario that the queen will get what she wants, which breaks one of the conditions for a solution.

[Guest]

It seems to me the only way the Wizard could've ensured victory was to make the weakest poison he knew how, and then use a little abra-cadabra and swap the poisons at the time of the demonstration, so that no matter what the alchemist made, his would be stronger. Once swapped, the wizard would have the stronger poison and the alchemist would've died. Sensing this, the alchemist then set out to use his 'skills' to, instead, make the absolute weakest poison he knew how. Just as he was better at making a stronger poison, he was better at making a weaker one. Now, when the day came, the wizard went 'Poof!', the poisons swapped (both being each one's attempt at the weakest possible), and the alchemist lived, since he had created the weakest possible and that was what the wizard switched to. The queen? Well, she now has something akin to the 2nd-weakest poison in all the land.

[Guest]

There seems to be a conflict here ... If footkick was right, then great. But what if the alchemist was wrong, and it went down the way I suggested (as to the wizard's plan)? The alchemsist would be dead. Likewise, if I were right, great, but if it went the way footkick suggested, then the alchemist would, again, be dead.

As far as I can tell, the alchemist won a costly game of Russian Roulette. Goes to show you that sometimes "luck" is the only difference between life and death.

[Guest]

The wizard switched the poison and the alchemist new he would so a placebo type soloution was made by the alchemist!

Not sure how the Quen could check on what's being produced?

[itachi-san]

The wizard makes a weak poison which he drinks right before going to the queens competition. He brings along with him a placebo, say water. That way, assuming the alchemist's poison will be stronger, the wizard thinks he will be cured when he drinks it.

Having figured this out, the alchemist also brings only water (or whatever the placebo may be). He will drink the wizards water and be fine. The wizard will drink the alchemists water and never be cured of his own poison. The queen does not get a poison at all.

This is the answer. Good job!