[Prof. Templeton]

What are the elements of a good puzzle or riddle? Do they need to employ logic, numbers or words? Should the answer be obtained only after taking multiple steps or should it be built upon the most basic of foundations? Is it best to be structurally complex or simply elegant? I think it was the artist Samuel F.B. Morse who first said “A puzzle should excite the brain and enliven the spirit” Later Pingala would take his remarks a step further and claim that “brain and spirit are the binary elements of a good riddle.

With the right ingredients an enticing riddle can always be formed, but is there one element that is a requirement? I think the clues to that may remain hidden.

XR,QA,YR,GK,NJ,B,KZ,CE,O,K,DY,CNT,N,MV,X,OU,ML,K,NOI,KP

Prof. T

[Guest]

spirit

its a nice puzzle........ i think it will take a lot of time to unfold the answer

[Prof. Templeton]

spirit

its a nice puzzle........ i think it will take a lot of time to unfold the answer

Well, that's not the answer in this case. Judgments on this puzzle may have to wait until a solution is drawn out. Some riddles are surprisingly simple once the clues are known. We should probably discuss how one should go about giving adequate clues without revealing too much.

[Molly Mae]

Either I'm missed one or I'm way off-base, but you need some lead to solve this... =/

As for one common ingredient? I'd vote Pro. Tons of evidence to support that...

Edited December 2, 2011 by Molly Mae

[plainglazed]

periodically check there but no luck thus far.

[Prof. Templeton]

periodically check there but no luck thus far.

You're getting ahead of yourself. I personally think the clues should be established and highlighted first before proceeding on so there is a progression to the decoding.

Feel free to share your thought processes.

[Molly Mae]

You're getting ahead of yourself. I personally think the clues should be established and highlighted first before proceeding on so there is a progression to the decoding.

Feel free to share your thought processes.

Well, the clues shouldn't be so obvious at first glance, but with a little research or understanding there should be some serious warning flags--mostly facts that aren't precisely truthful or are misleading. Those are the items that make you wonder "Why did the author include it in the puzzle?" And those are the things upon which you should focus. Of course, a doubly clever author could do the very same knowing that the reader would focus on those misleading tidbits (pun intended).

Another clue might be in the double meaning. A puzzle can have a complex structure, as you mentioned, and some words can have many meanings. This is something that I'll have to ponder.

[Molly Mae]

What they answer to the brain a riddle hidden.

[plainglazed]

...the translation. and as the professor said, was two codes early on my first thought. but think the translated code is itself a riddle?

EDIT: maybe Lungs?

You got it MoMa?

Edited December 2, 2011 by plainglazed

[Prof. Templeton]

What they answer to the brain a riddle hidden.

No. It will be a one word answer, but I see what you did there.

Also...

to my last post for the lead you were seeking

[Prof. Templeton]

...the translation. and as the professor said, was two codes early on my first thought. but think the translated code is itself a riddle?

EDIT: maybe Lungs?

You got it MoMa?

Ah, I think you have it on the run now.

guess again.

[Molly Mae]

O! Woe is me! I fear my highlighter is looking upon dim words..

[Prof. Templeton]

O! Woe is me! I fear my highlighter is looking upon dim words..

Elementary!

[plainglazed]

had to step out to run some errands and it dawned on me that after all the translating, perhaps the answer might actually be most elementary after all. but maybe Molly Mae has it?

[plainglazed]

am still pondering the final answer. this is a most excellent puzzle Prof. Templeton! fear it has not gotten the attention it deserves. seem to remember you suggesting outlining any processes along the way so thinking you won't mind the spoiler below.

highlight the OP to reveal the hidden cyphertext

[Prof. Templeton]

am still pondering the final answer. this is a most excellent puzzle Prof. Templeton! fear it has not gotten the attention it deserves. seem to remember you suggesting outlining any processes along the way so thinking you won't mind the spoiler below.

highlight the OP to reveal the hidden cyphertext

That is indeed step one.

Two more steps needed, which are hinted at in the OP, and from there the actual word riddle is found. I assume, based on your previous guess, that you have gotten that far.

Molly Mae does have the answer.

Edit: sp

Edited December 6, 2011 by Prof. Templeton