Stage Three

For those who need to find the link to the forums, here it is for stage three.

Task 1: A Tale of Two Cities

The Puzzle

The first part of Stage three Was provided to us by The Daily Stalker. The challange was patience. We were kept up to date with the DeVine's until yet another celebrity was kidnapped.

Task 2: A Novel Approach

The Puzzle

On 3/2? MW added a video on Join My Legacy.

fareyqueen21 was the first one to find it.

This video started with MW pausing, shouting, and then giving a quick monolouge:

Sorry about that, truly I am, it woulnt happen again, and I'm going to show you how nice of a guy, or girl for that matter, I realy am. I've aquired another crime scene video, this time is is Brad Rifkin's home, where he was abducted by yours truly. So for your viewing pleasure:

Behind MW, there were several moniters, they contained a code:

The Video then shows the interior of a home, kitchen, and what appears to be a computer den after an apparent struggle, and then a letter:
special thanks to Greystone for the transcript

My own Despair
By Brad Rifkin

Main Characters

Protagonist - Joseph Maitland – 35 years old. scraggly brown hair beginning to grey. He is approximately six feet tall and weights around one hundred and eighty eight pounds. Joseph works and lives in Sandusky Ohio as an investigative reporter.

Antagonist – Drew Pasimony – age unknown wild grey hair that is never in place. He is approximately six feet tall and weighs about one hundred and ninety pounds. Though it is believed he lives in Sandusky or the surrounding area. No one knows much about Mr. Pasimony his occupation and background are unknown.

Supporting Characters

Catherine whier – she is Joseph Maitland’s ex-wife. She is thirty one years old. Blue eyes and blond hair. She is five foot eight and weights about one hundred and thirty two pounds. Catharine works and lives in Sandusky Ohio as a pediatric nurse.

Jacob whier – Joseph and Catherine’s son. Jacob is nine years old and lives with his mother though he spends the weekends with his father Joseph.

Jeffrey Kreeps - The liberal fool. No one really knows how old poor Mr. Kreeps is though. I don’t believe anyone has ever asked the man.

His own despair is what lead me to him and may be the very thing that saves his life.

The Solution

After translating the binary and then using base 64 it reads:

One Gave Bad Advice,
We're Now Down to Eight

Magnet0 was the first one to solve it.

The Side Puzzle

On 4/01, MW updated his myspace page with a new picture, and a new blog, Magic Trcik. The blog read:

I told you I was going to perform one hell of a magic trick. Simply abducting a sitting duck like Brad Rifkin was not magical by any means. I also told you there would be surprises around every corner. I await Gabrielle Rifkin’s statement, and intend on issuing something of my own tonight. Heather Rain thinks her groom to be is taking a vacation in London. I think she would be far more interested in where he truly was, and why he was there.

The picture read:

gchir ouojyeum
kcunfsq
ouljli
jfpnny
efyh

The Side Puzzle Solve

The puzzle is a A Vigenere Cipher with the key being "Cubby"

This translates the puzzle to read:

Eight Maniacal Jesters Making People Deaf

fearyqueen21 Was the first person to solve this.

Task 3: Big Shot No More

The Puzzle

On 4/02 MW added ANOTHER video on Join My Legacy.

Hangman was the first to find this video.

In this video, MW gives us a little speach first:

Today I'm going to treat you to another one of my home videos. But before I do, I feel that now is the appropreate time to properly introduce myself.

My name is Mister Willson.

It is of no real consequence, I would just prefer to be refered to as: Mister Willson instead of some cliche title such as the villain, or the bad guy. So now that I have properly introduced myself, I will show you the video.

The video then shows a 4 door car with yellow caution tape wraped around it. It then goes inside to what appears to be a needle on the passanger seat.

At the end of this new video, we are witness to a pices of paper that reads:

He never knew what hit him.

VZBjhZ91LJIbCVEkBpaoLKUyLKMoBZTjgJksfbzjd25ygbEyepXjgJksepfxLFEMLJIwLJ5ygFEce3MbhV4jLHnjCJ8
jgJkof2XjgJksepgcLJMoB2I1f2Xjf29wCZ9xCVEwgAQ0OlDj

After an investigation, the person found to be kidnapped in the video was Richard Tomek.

The Solution

The puzzle must be ROT -3, and then transladed into Base 64. This produces:

If you are able to read this, know one thing. I am not sorry. I do these things because someone must.

Hangman was the first player to decode this message.

On 4/01 5:00 PM EST, Gabrielle Rifkin, wife to Brad Rifkin, issued a statement:

Thank you all for coming on such short notice. The last week for me has been at best horrific. I have been in constant communication with the Bangor Police Department as well as State Police and Federal Investigators and have cooperated with them every step of the way.

Last night, I received a call from David and Seth DeVine and we spoke for over an hour. My immediate reaction was to want to scream at them, as I was certain that my husband's life is in danger because of something a DeVine family member had done. After our conversation, I know in my heart if this is the case, David and Seth DeVine are absolutely in the dark about it.

I want to thank everyone who has sent or left me cards, letters, flowers, or gifts, as they are appreciated, even if Brad would have thought them to be a bit tacky.
My husband is my best friend, and as many of you know he is also the father of a beautiful 10 month old baby girl of which he thinks the world of. My family and Brad's family have been with me around the clock and have done an excellent job of helping take care of Janice during this difficult time.

I have a message to give to the person responsible for my husband's abduction:

You preach that celebrities are not above the law, but you obviously believe you are above the law. You have taken three human beings hostage without so much as one word as to any real meaning behind your actions. You have also gone beyond the point of return by taking the life of another human which tells me a lot about your character without having to know you at all.

For all we know, William and Holly DeVine and my husband are already dead. I am willing to believe that something happened to make you want to do these things. Something you haven't told the public. What you are doing is wrong. If not for the people you have taken, then for the ones that were left behind. I am asking you, no… begging you to show us proof that my husband is still alive, that William and Holly DeVine are still alive.

I need to know before I attempt sleep each night that there is a chance I will see my husband alive again, more importantly that our daughter will get to see her father again. Thank You.

On 4/05 MW released a new statement, TDS called it a Puzzling Letter.

To get to the point, I have claimed five of America's most beloved celebrities and placed Hollywood on full red alert. This is not over, nor is it anywhere near being over. It will only be over when I say it will be. However, it would be against the rules to not have a choice in your fate. Before this is over, you will be forced to make a most difficult decision. This one decision will determine the fate of many.

Richard Tomek was scheduled to produce a feature film based on one of Brad Rifkin's novels. Now, they are a part of my own film. One who's stars are not characters, but real people. People you all know and care about. The cast will be absolutely stellar.

I have a very special event planned for a select few of those who have been brave enough to take on the challenges of my game. This event will be momentous indeed.

Gaining access to this event must be earned and will happen when I say it will happen. Over the course of the next month, I will be providing you all the necessary clues to figure out where and when. Consider this an open invitation to anyone who desires to attend that is intelligent enough to solve my puzzle.

As to the request made by one Gabrielle Rifkin, do not wish for that which you do not want to receive, for you may just get it.

TDS reporter Allen McMicheals reported that Richard Tomek was seeing a high end prostute, that cost five thousand dollars a month.

9:00 AM PST that same day, Heather Rain, fiancé to Richard Tomek also gave a statement:

Thank you for coming, I will try to keep this as brief as possible. As many of you know, I have disliked interviews, and avoid them as often as possible. But, given the events of the last week, I felt compelled to issue some kind of statement.

My fiancé Richard Tomek was scheduled to leave for an overseas trip to London a few weeks ago and everyone thought he left as planned, myself included. In the last few days, I have learned that this is not the case at all.

The truth of the matter is Richard has been having an affair for months. It started here in Los Angeles, and as time went on Richard got more and more nervous that I would find out and decided to keep his affair as far away from here as possible.

The worst thing about this is that it took something this terrible in order for me to find out. The woman who has been seeing Richard contacted me because she herself had found out that he was missing and never showed up at their designated meeting place.

I am angry and upset with Richard, but at the same time cannot help worrying that he may be dead. A grief I now have to share with a woman I don't even know.

To investigators and to the media I have to say you are making things worse for each of the victims involved in this situation. Whoever is in charge of the investigation should be fired and never allowed to work in law enforcement again. I have never in my life seen such a half assed investigation. The media has blown every detail out of proportion and given the psychopath responsible more airtime than the President of the United States. It boggles my brain that we can capture terrorists worldwide, but cannot locate one inside of the country.

To Richard, I pray for your safe return, but you should know that as of now, we are no longer engaged, and I have no intentions of ever marrying you. You can stick with the whore you paid for.

The Side Puzzle pt1

On April 12th, The Daily Stalker found a new message from MW, is was a Giant quarter with a picture of Mister Willson instead of George Washington. The following text was in the regularly "blank areas" on a quarter:

My eyes have seen many terrible things. Things that cause such sadness within than I am able to withstand. However, I know that what I'm doing is right. To understand me, you would have to spend just a few minutes inside my head. Everything would become clear. I will give Gabrielle Rifkin what she desires provided this riddle is solved.

There was not a back side to the quarter. The year on the coin was 2005. Just below the year it read:

Part One
749749749749749749749

The Side Puzzle Solve pt1

Lebowski solved it first

7

On 4/11/08 Father Sheamus O'Shaunessy held a candle light vigil against MisterWillson.

The Side Puzzle pt2

One week later, MisterWillson had a message for the good Father:

Father Sheamus O'Shaunessy has begun a crusade against me. He has been building supporters for weeks now he has the support of The Pope. Well as you found out in Washington, I have supporters of my own. They are my children, my disciples. They do my bidding and will continue to do so. Not because I am some sort of master, but because we have the same goal. They like I are sick of seeing celebrities being able to take what ever they want, commit murder even and walk.

My followers are your average population. They are your life. If they were not there to watch you perform, you would not be who you are. You all think that there is hope yet. I can assure you that when those you depend on abandon you, there is no hope.

Part Two

part one + 238 / 2 * 3 / x * 87 = 42978 - x = 40973

Mister Willson.

P.S
I'll be in touch.

The Side Puzzle Solve pt2

Lebowski solved it first

Lebowski was the first to have solved the most recent Mister Willson letter by guessing 2005 as the answer.
_____
The Host
Stage Three

---

x = 2005

The Side Puzzle pt3

On 4/21 Barton Lyons gave an interview bashing Mister Willson, the next day, MW gave his own threat.

So, the great Barton Lyons wants to play, does he? Does he not already realize I have planned so far ahead? That I am only so many moves away from checkmate?

Two more to go before I give Gabrielle Rifkin what she so desires. Proof that her husband and the rest of these elitists are still alive.
Part Three
The worm looks at me with invited eyes.
MW

The Side Puzzle Solve pt3

Paradox solved it first:

Motive

The Side Puzzle pt4

I've given you the tools. The next part is up to you.

Part Four

Behold a power unlike anything you have ever seen. Once this is over, you will understand why I have chosen the path I have. Solve this final puzzle, and the true nature of your reward will be unveiled. To understand why the present is, you need to uncover the past. Only then will everything become clear. Now is the time for my legacy to move into the next phase.

Just when you think you know all the answers, the questions change. Underestimate me and you will fail. Lose your way, and you will fail. You know what you have to do.

Mister Willson.

The Side Puzzle Solve pt4

Hangman solved this puzzle first:

BOSTON
JULY

after all four side puzzles were solved, we got this message from Mister Willson:

You are almost at the half way point. From the start of Stage 4 the pace will quicken with each passing week. I promised Gabrielle Rifkin something and I intend on living up to that promise. In three days, I will give Hollywood something to really talk about. Boston - July - A truly memorable event will take place for anyone who can attend. I will give you more details soon.

Stage Three Challange

On April 21, at 1:07 PM, thehost informed us about our stage three challange

The Stage Three Challenge has been sent to each team’s leader. The deadline is three weeks from this very minute. The first player from each side that turns in their respective completed challenge first will get to make a very special decision.
_____
The Host
Stage Three

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A Dozen Guilty Bakers Sitting in a Row
Two Fell off the Lovers Rock
Ten More to go

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Ten Greedy Pencil Pushers Swimming in Their Dough
One Wrote Himself out of the Picture
Nine Left To Go

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Nine Twisted Fortune Tellers Toying With Fate
One Gave Bad Advice
We're Now Down to Eight

---

Eight Maniacal Jesters Making People Deaf

Team Legacy got this message from thehost:

My rhyme is sacred to all that I live for. The words of which will become legend. Your task is to cement it into place. You must seek out headlines from actual magazines and newspapers and cut out each word from my rhyme as it is currently displayed by the host. These can NOT be individual letters, only entire words count.

When you have collected all of the words, use your own creativity to put them together on a background of your choosing. Take a picture of the result as proof. The picture should be a good close-up and show all of the words clearly.

Team DeVine got this one:

I require 12 items, 12 very specific items. The Twelve items are:

A Blindfold
Bandage
Roll of Film
Handcuffs
Rabbit’s Foot
A Mirror
Comedy Mask
Set of Keys
Red Herring (yes, the fish)
Angel (use your imagination)
Puppet
Magnifying Glass

Be creative, but do not stretch things too far. When you have all of these items assembled, take a picture as your proof. The picture should show all the items very clearly. E-mail me the picture at moc.liamg|noslliwretsim#moc.liamg|noslliwretsim

2 weeks later, at the end of the third challenge, thehost told each team who won, and what the alternate task was: The other teams challenge!!!

Greystone completed this first for Team Legacy. (and got a EYES ONLY video).

dgclpb completed this first for Team DeVine, But Gave the prize to Lebowski

Stage 3 Guardian

Graystone was the first player to best the Guardian.

The Questions

The questions asked by the guardian were:

Q: In the movie, 'A Novel Approach', how many monitors are behind MW?
A: 3

Q: How old is Catherine Whier?
A: 31

Q: How many green apples are in the bowl?
A: zero

Q: What was the answer to the latest Whiteboard puzzle?
A: Collected Accounts of Events

Q: What was the launch date of Take Back Hollywood?
A: 4/25/08

Q: How many times does the calling card flash on the screen in 'Ask and ye shall receive'?
A: 10

Q: Who is Ian's favorite porn star?
A: Jenna Julie

Q: True or False: The needle was stuck in the driver's seat in "Big Shot No More".
A: False

Q: What city was Richard Tomek's rental car found?
A: Philadelphia

Q: What denomination was MW's coin found in?
A: Quarter

Q: How many light switches were on the wall leading out of Brad Rifkin's home?
A: 3

Q: How many doors were open on the vehicle in Big Shot No More?
A: 5

Q: What branch of the military was Barton Lyons a member of?
A: Navy

Q: Who has been at the top of both of TDS's top five's?
A: Father Sheamus

Q: What time did Gabriel Rifkin arrive home to find her husband had gone missing?
A: 8:42 am

Completing the Guardian ends the Third stage.