A Search For Meaning

<div id="first-passage"> Treasure Puzzle (css: "font-size: 150%;")[A Search For Meaning] By Dr. Furman (css: "font-size: 85%;")[Once you think you know what to do, do it.] Circuits whir. Your consciousness sparks to life. [[Wake up|Room 16A]]. <div>

<div id="first-passage">(set: $el to 0)(set: $ob to 1)(set: $hl to 0)(set: $bl to 0)(set: $io to 0)(set: $mf to 0)(set: $b1 to 0)(set: $bh to 0)(set: $ch to 0)(set: $hi to 0)(set: $hc to 0)(set: $te to 0)(set: $dh to 0)(set: $bo to 0)(set: $ft to 0)(set: $rf to 0)[[Check your answer spoiler-free]] Room 42 (-3, 7)</div><center><img src = "https://github.com/waltacefur/asearchformeaning/blob/main/Frank.jpg?raw=true"></center>"Hey buddy. Check out these star maps. Pretty cool, right? The ancient Greeks (text-style: "underline")[connected some dots] in the sky and called them constellations. Far out, man." Go to: [[Room 16A|Room 16A]] [[Room 20|Room 20]], or [[Room 25]].

<div id="first-passage">(set: $el to 0)(set: $ob to 0)(set: $hl to 0)(set: $bl to 0)(set: $io to 0)(set: $mf to 0)(set: $b1 to 0)(set: $bh to 0)(set: $ch to 0)(set: $hi to 0)(set: $hc to 0)(set: $te to 1)(set: $dh to 0)(set: $bo to 0)(set: $ft to 0)(set: $rf to 0)[[Check your answer spoiler-free]] Room 25 (4, 7)</div><center><img src = "https://github.com/waltacefur/asearchformeaning/blob/main/Jenneken.jpg?raw=true"></center>"As the faculty sponsor of this newspaper, I have literally no idea why the student editors let this be published in *The Bell*. It is the most convoluted excuse for a puzzle I have ever seen. I mean, why don't you (text-style: "underline")[go outside], and see what there is to find? Look for (text-style: "underline")[cool stuff on the ground]." Go to: [[Room 23]], [[Room 17A]], or [[Room 42]].

<div id="first-passage">(set: $el to 0)(set: $ob to 0)(set: $hl to 0)(set: $bl to 0)(set: $io to 0)(set: $mf to 0)(set: $b1 to 0)(set: $bh to 0)(set: $ch to 1)(set: $hi to 0)(set: $hc to 0)(set: $te to 0)(set: $dh to 0)(set: $bo to 0)(set: $ft to 0)(set: $rf to 0)[[Check your answer spoiler-free]] Chapel (7, -3)</div><center><img src = "https://github.com/waltacefur/asearchformeaning/blob/main/Aimee.jpg?raw=true"></center>"The Book of Hebrews says that we 'serve at a sanctuary that is a (text-style: "underline")[copy and shadow] of what is in heaven.' This is why Moses was told to 'see to it that you make everything according to the (text-style: "underline")[pattern] seen on the mountain.' "Thus, earthly mortals live by the physical constraints of the (text-style: "underline")[world we find ourselves in], unaware of the (text-style: "underline")[paths allowed] in the kingdom of heaven." Go to: [[Room 16A|Room 16A]], the [[international office|International Office]], or [[Becker Library]].

<div id="first-passage">(set: $el to 0)(set: $ob to 0)(set: $hl to 0)(set: $bl to 0)(set: $io to 0)(set: $mf to 0)(set: $b1 to 0)(set: $bh to 0)(set: $ch to 0)(set: $hi to 1)(set: $hc to 0)(set: $te to 0)(set: $dh to 0)(set: $bo to 0)(set: $ft to 0)(set: $rf to 0)[[Check your answer spoiler-free]] Room 17A (5, 5)</div><center><img src = "https://github.com/waltacefur/asearchformeaning/blob/main/Ace.jpg?raw=true"></center>"Not all puzzles are about doing a bunch of arduous tasks. Some are about the experience of discovering the puzzle-world you find yourself within. It's not always about the destination. Sometimes its about the (text-style: "underline")[journey from Point A to Point B... or Point F]. Whatever." Go to: [[Room 25]], [[Becker Library]], or [[Room 16A]].

<div id="first-passage">(set: $el to 0)(set: $ob to 0)(set: $hl to 0)(set: $bl to 1)(set: $io to 0)(set: $mf to 0)(set: $b1 to 0)(set: $bh to 0)(set: $ch to 0)(set: $hi to 0)(set: $hc to 0)(set: $te to 0)(set: $dh to 0)(set: $bo to 0)(set: $ft to 0)(set: $rf to 0)[[Check your answer spoiler-free]] Becker Library (7, 4)</div> <center><img src = "https://github.com/waltacefur/asearchformeaning/blob/main/Cynthia.jpg?raw=true"></center> "If you tell me the book you are looking for, I will tell you the row to look down and the column of shelves it is located on. Then you should be able to locate what you're looking for." Go to: [[Room 17A]], the [[student center|Student Center]], or the [[chapel|Chapel]].

<div id="first-passage">(set: $el to 0)(set: $ob to 0)(set: $hl to 0)(set: $bl to 0)(set: $io to 0)(set: $mf to 0)(set: $b1 to 0)(set: $bh to 0)(set: $ch to 0)(set: $hi to 0)(set: $hc to 0)(set: $te to 0)(set: $dh to 0)(set: $bo to 1)(set: $ft to 0)(set: $rf to 0)[[Check your answer spoiler-free]] Helm Lobby (7, 10) </div><center><img src = "https://github.com/waltacefur/asearchformeaning/blob/main/Mike.jpg?raw=true"></center>"You're telling me you've never been country dancing? Oh man! At least once, you've gotta go to Austin's last honky tonk — (text-style: "underline")[The Broken Spoke], down on South Lamar — get there early for free two-steppin' lessons. I heard that Dr. Furman's old band used to play there." Go to: [[Room F]], [[Room 23]], or [[Room 5]].

<div id="first-passage">(set: $el to 0)(set: $ob to 0)(set: $hl to 1)(set: $bl to 0)(set: $io to 0)(set: $mf to 0)(set: $b1 to 0)(set: $bh to 0)(set: $ch to 0)(set: $hi to 0)(set: $hc to 0)(set: $te to 0)(set: $dh to 0)(set: $bo to 0)(set: $ft to 0)(set: $rf to 0)[[Check your answer spoiler-free]] Room 20 (0, 14)</div><center><img src = "https://github.com/waltacefur/asearchformeaning/blob/main/Kurt.jpg?raw=true"></center> "I already finished this puzzle a long time ago, but I have loads of hints. Click below if you want a little nudge." (link-reveal: "Hint 1")[: "Have you tried talking to Ms. Bartek, Mr. Perry, Mr. Mikan, and Ms. Eskridge? Did they suggest anything you could do with the pair of numbers at the top of every page?"] (link-reveal: "Hint 2")[: "Have you tried talking to Mr. Goodman and Mr. Dolan? Have you identified what is missing? Have you found its absense represented anywhere else in the puzzle?"] (link-reveal: "Hint 3")[: "Rev. Aimée, Ms. Kim, Dr. Furman and Mr. Doig all have good advice about how to finish this puzzle and find what has been lost. Good luck!"] Go to: [[Room 42|Room 42]] , [[Room 5|Room 5]], or [[Room 23]].

<div id="first-passage">(set: $el to 0)(set: $ob to 0)(set: $hl to 0)(set: $bl to 0)(set: $io to 0)(set: $mf to 0)(set: $b1 to 0)(set: $bh to 0)(set: $ch to 0)(set: $hi to 0)(set: $hc to 0)(set: $te to 0)(set: $dh to 0)(set: $bo to 0)(set: $ft to 1)(set: $rf to 0)[[Check your answer spoiler-free]] Fire Trail (10, 7)</div><center><img src = "https://github.com/waltacefur/asearchformeaning/blob/main/Charlton.jpg?raw=true"></center>"See this?" *kicks rock* "This is the oldest rock on St. Stephen's campus, and that over there is deer poop. Anyway, I'm constantly improving the maps of all the trails on this property. I use GPS (text-style: "underline")[coordinates to plot my location on my maps] as I am walking the trails. Once I have enough points, I can just (text-style: "underline")[connect the dots] along my path." Go to: the [[student center|Student Center]], [[Room F]], or the [[dining hall|Dining Hall]].

<div id="first-passage">(set: $el to 1)(set: $ob to 0)(set: $hl to 0)(set: $bl to 0)(set: $io to 0)(set: $mf to 0)(set: $b1 to 0)(set: $bh to 0)(set: $ch to 0)(set: $hi to 0)(set: $hc to 1)(set: $te to 0)(set: $dh to 0)(set: $bo to 0)(set: $ft to 0)(set: $rf to 0)[[Check your answer spoiler-free]] Student Center (9, 5)</div><center><img src = "https://github.com/waltacefur/asearchformeaning/blob/main/Jennie.jpg?raw=true"></center>"A large part of maturing is (text-style: "underline")[blazing your own path] to honor your own authentic self. Sometimes high school can feel like a (text-style: "underline")[prescription of possible paths] from others and to please others, but, in reality, we are training you to make your own educated decisions that will go beyond what you learn in school. The world is your oyster!" Go to: [[Becker Library]], the [[fire trail|Fire Trail]], or the [[international office|International Office]].

<div id="first-passage">(set: $el to 0)(set: $ob to 0)(set: $hl to 0)(set: $bl to 0)(set: $io to 1)(set: $mf to 0)(set: $b1 to 0)(set: $bh to 0)(set: $ch to 0)(set: $hi to 0)(set: $hc to 0)(set: $te to 0)(set: $dh to 0)(set: $bo to 0)(set: $ft to 0)(set: $rf to 0)[[Check your answer spoiler-free]] International Office (14, 0)</div><center><img src = "https://github.com/waltacefur/asearchformeaning/blob/main/Sarah.jpg?raw=true"></center>"Far East philosophers believe in the so-called Tao. It translates literally to 'the road' or '(text-style: "underline")[the path],' but it implies the interconnectedness of all life and its constant transformations. Taoist refer to these transformations as 'life in the round' where the Tao forms a cyclic path symbolizing the (text-style: "underline")[wheel] of life." Go to: [[Chapel]], the [[dining hall|Dining Hall]], or the [[student center|Student Center]] .

<div id="first-passage">(set: $el to 0)(set: $ob to 0)(set: $hl to 0)(set: $bl to 0)(set: $io to 0)(set: $mf to 0)(set: $b1 to 1)(set: $bh to 0)(set: $ch to 0)(set: $hi to 0)(set: $hc to 0)(set: $te to 0)(set: $dh to 0)(set: $bo to 0)(set: $ft to 0)(set: $rf to 0)[[Check your answer spoiler-free]] Room 1 (14, 14)</div><center><img src = "https://github.com/waltacefur/asearchformeaning/blob/main/Laurel.jpg?raw=true"></center>"You certainly could represent conic sections in polar coordinates, but first you have to familiarize yourself with their representation in the (text-style: "underline")[Cartesian *x*-*y* coordinate system]. Don't get ahead of yourself!" Go to: [[Room 5|Room 5]], or the [[dining hall|Dining Hall]].

<div id="first-passage">(set: $el to 0)(set: $ob to 0)(set: $hl to 0)(set: $bl to 0)(set: $io to 0)(set: $mf to 0)(set: $b1 to 0)(set: $bh to 1)(set: $ch to 0)(set: $hi to 0)(set: $hc to 0)(set: $te to 0)(set: $dh to 0)(set: $bo to 0)(set: $ft to 0)(set: $rf to 0)[[Check your answer spoiler-free]] Room 5 (7, 17)</div><center><img src = "https://github.com/waltacefur/asearchformeaning/blob/main/Wallis.jpg?raw=true"></center>"As you very well may already know, I am an avid cyclist. I bike to campus most days, but today my front wheel broke. One of the (text-style: "underline")[spokes is missing] and I'm afraid if I ride on a broken wheel, it'll do even more damage." Go to: [[Room 20|Room 20]] , [[Room 1]], or the [[lobby of Helm|Helm Lobby]].

<div id="first-passage">(set: $el to 0)(set: $ob to 0)(set: $hl to 0)(set: $bl to 0)(set: $io to 0)(set: $mf to 0)(set: $b1 to 0)(set: $bh to 0)(set: $ch to 0)(set: $hi to 0)(set: $hc to 0)(set: $te to 0)(set: $dh to 1)(set: $bo to 0)(set: $ft to 0)(set: $rf to 0)[[Check your answer spoiler-free]] Dining Hall (17, 7)</div><center><img src = "https://github.com/waltacefur/asearchformeaning/blob/main/Philip.jpg?raw=true"></center>"Once everyone is quiet... Yes, once everyone has returned to their tables and quieted down, I will say a prayer. Today's prayer was written by the great spiritualist and country singer Johnny Cash, whose lyrics remind me at times of religious scripture. 'I keep a close watch on this heart of mine. I keep my eyes wide open all the time. I keep the ends out for the tie that binds. Because you're mine, (text-style: "underline")[I walk the line].'" Go to: the [[international office|International Office]], [[Room 1]], or the [[fire trail|Fire Trail]].

<div id="first-passage">(set: $el to 0)(set: $ob to 0)(set: $hl to 0)(set: $bl to 0)(set: $io to 0)(set: $mf to 1)(set: $b1 to 0)(set: $bh to 0)(set: $ch to 0)(set: $hi to 0)(set: $hc to 0)(set: $te to 0)(set: $dh to 0)(set: $bo to 0)(set: $ft to 0)(set: $rf to 0)[[Check your answer spoiler-free]] Room 23 (5, 9)</div><center><img src = "https://github.com/waltacefur/asearchformeaning/blob/main/Andy.jpg?raw=true"></center>"The most important task when analyzing any text is identifying the recurring themes. (text-style: "underline")[If an author uses the same motif twice, it surely isn't an accident]. Now go kick that soccer ball so it spins... (text-style: "underline")[like a wheel]." Go to: the [[lobby of Helm|Helm Lobby]] [[Room 25]], or [[Room 20]].

<div id="first-passage">(set: $el to 1)(set: $ob to 0)(set: $hl to 0)(set: $bl to 0)(set: $io to 0)(set: $mf to 0)(set: $b1 to 0)(set: $bh to 0)(set: $ch to 0)(set: $hi to 0)(set: $hc to 0)(set: $te to 0)(set: $dh to 0)(set: $bo to 0)(set: $ft to 0)(set: $rf to 0)[[Check your answer spoiler-free]] Room 16A (0, 0)</div> <center><img src = "https://github.com/waltacefur/asearchformeaning/blob/main/Troy.jpg?raw=true"></center> (if: $first is 0)["You're finally awake. After all this time, I've finally achieved a fully sentient AI robot. Greetings, this is your (text-style: "underline")[origin], and I am your creator, Mr. Lanier. Now go forth in this world and find the (text-style: "underline")[path] you wish to walk in life."](if: $first is 1)["Greetings, robot, this is your origin, and I am your creator, Mr. Lanier. Are you lost? There are at least 15 other places you could go to look for a path you wish to walk in this life."](set: $first to 1) Go to: the [[chapel|Chapel]], [[Room 42|Room 42]], or [[Room 17A]].

<div id="first-passage"> DISCLAIMER: This puzzle is a work of fiction. Any similarities to real persons are purely coincidental. [[I understand|Intro]]. <div>

(set: $answer to (prompt: "Check answer", "answer"))(if: $answer is "Jarrett Allen" or "jarrett Allen" or "jarrett allen" or "Jarrett allen" or "JarrettAllen" or "jarrettallen" or "Jarrettallen" or "jarrettAllen")[Correct! [[See author's notes]]](unless: $answer is "Jarrett Allen" or "jarrett Allen" or "jarrett allen" or "Jarrett allen" or "JarrettAllen" or "jarrettallen" or "Jarrettallen" or "jarrettAllen")[Incorrect.] (if: $el is 1)[[[Back|Room 16A]]](if: $bl is 1)[[[Back|Becker Library]]](if: $io is 1)[[[Back|International Office]]](if: $ch is 1)[[[Back|Chapel]]](if: $hi is 1)[[[Back|Room 17A]]](if: $hc is 1)[[[Back|Student Center]]](if: $ob is 1)[[[Back|Room 42]]](if: $te is 1)[[[Back|Room 25]]](if: $dh is 1)[[[Back|Dining Hall]]](if: $mf is 1)[[[Back|Room 23]]](if: $bo is 1)[[[Back|Helm Lobby]]](if: $ft is 1)[[[Back|Fire Trail]]](if: $rf is 1)[[[Back|Room F]]](if: $hl is 1)[[[Back|Room 20]]](if: $bh is 1)[[[Back|Room 5]]](if: $b1 is 1)[[[Back|Room 1]]].

<div id="first-passage"> Author's Notes </div><center><img src = "https://github.com/waltacefur/asearchformeaning/blob/main/Wheel.jpg?raw=true" width="400px"></center>This piece of scrap metal started it all. This wheel has an extra spoke (9 instead of 8) as opposed to a broken one, but the idea was there nonetheless. I've wanted to make a choose-your-own-adventure style puzzle for a while, and when *The Bell* editors asked for a puzzle to put on their website, I thought it would be the perfect time to write an interactive puzzle — one that literally couldn't be printed out in a physical newspaper. At some point, the Cartesian map was going to draw out block letters spelling (text-style: "outline")[MISSING LINK]. But, as the wheel/circle imagery came out naturally, I just decided to run with it. There were also a lot of different ideas for faculty members doing slightly more sci-fi versions of their normal jobs. Obviously, Mr. Lanier still made a sentient robot, but Mr. Mikan was also going to offer you a ride in his homemade rocket ship, and Mr. Perry was going to have discovered an underground tunnel system connecting different parts of St. Stephen's. After the more sciency teachers, I kinda ran out of ideas, and I decided to keep it simple. Maybe next time I will write a more fantastical story. All of the faculty represented in this puzzle gave me explicit permission to use their likeness, and some even edited their dialogue to sound more like them. For providing their faces and quotes, thanks to: Andy Aceves Cynthia Bartek Philip Doig Mike Dolan Laurel Eskridge Aimée Ever-Delevett Wallis Goodman Jennie Kim Troy Lanier Frank Mikan Kurt Oehler Charlton Perry Sarah Todd Jenneken van Keppel and, of course, Christopher Colvin, who, after a confusing testsolve, had to be edited out. Obviously, also thank you to the editors who let me put this puzzle in *The Bell*. If this was fun for you, consider coming to Puzzle Club! [[Return to the beginning of the puzzle|Disclaimer]].