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This article was used by the War Mistress for FKWar 14 for regular updates throughout the war in order to provide an information hub for the players. As such, it is preserved here as an historical document. In this context, the History of the article may be of particular interest. For general information on War 14, please see the main article.


The Unexpected Party: The 14th FKWar ran from Sunday January 13, 2013 through Monday January 28, 2013.[]

War Mistress[]

  • remains anonymous.

Premise[]

Early in December, flyers begin to show up in the hometowns of FK fans - on the flyers are three symbols.

On Christmas, Natalie, Tracy, and Schanke all receive a wooden box containing a bottle of wine from Point Pelee Estates, it is a "private reserve."

That same night, Nick, LaCroix, Janette, and Vachon all receive a copy of the book "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Some days later, the same three symbols that were on the flyers appear carved in the snow outside of CERK, laid out in flagstones outside Vachon's church, and spray painted on the water tower above Nick's loft.

There is a mystery afoot. Can the FK Fans figure it out before it's too late?

Factions Involved[]

The factions officially playing in War 14 are:

Cousins, Mercs, Nick & Nat Pack (a.k.a., NNP), Die Hards, Knighties, Vaqueros, Ravenettes, Perks, and RatPackers.  There is also one independent.

Highlights of the War[]

  • December 25 - gifts are given.
  • January 13 - FK Fans begin arriving in Toronto.
  • January 15 - Susan B & Karen G are awarded 10 points for their clever deductive skills in their post "NNP - Deciphering 101."   Also, Bonus Points go to the Knighties for getting Nick to reveal some relevant information in their post "Knighties: We're Baaaack, Nick!" (part 2).
  • January 16 - Kudos to Kelly and Greer W for their interpretation of Latin in "NNP: Searching For Santa" and ".Die-Hards: Rummage Through The Bins"
  • January 17 - turns out Det Schanke was the brains out of those partners of the month after all. Don Schanke gets 10 points for his deductive reasoning in "NNP - Donuts With Don."  First attack of the war appears in "Vaqs: First blood? Papercuts!"
  • January 18 - honourable mention goes to Alex B for the first mention of Sherlock Holmes.
  • January 19 - the Knighties invite all the FKWar players to a potluck at Nick's Loft on Sunday January 20, after sunset.   Also, 5 point *from* the NNP for finding a clue left for someone else in their post "NNP - Sometimes The Clue Finds You."
  • January 20 - the NNPack are getting "warmer" in their post "NNP: Love & Chocolate Brownies." Also, after sunset, the Knightie Potluck begins; naturally, a food fight quickly ensues, in "Knighties: Pot Luck Dinner Cooks Up Lofty Ideas" (part 4).
  • January 21 - the Mercs pull a job on the Knighties (first Merc job of the war) in "Mercs: All Bricked Up." Also, 5 points to the NNP for discovering a clue inside the box. But 10 points *from* the NNP for possibly destroying other clues in the process. Also, in "Die-Hards: Pots Of Potluck" (back dated to Saturday-into-Sunday), 5 points to Don for his spreadsheet of information. And 4 points *from* the Die-Hards for seemingly being more organized than the War Mistress. 25 points to the Cousins and Ravenettes for collaborating in "Cousins: Days Of Wine And Hobbits." 10 points to Greer for finding more numbers inside one of the wine boxes in "Die-Hards: Compassing The Box."
  • January 23 - Warmistress posts a 2 parter in which one of the gifted wine boxes is completely dismantled so that each of the six inside surfaces can be clearly seen. Note: explanations of the progress made so far is being kept updated below. As further clues come to light, they will be posted as well  This will be followed up shortly with a post by Bonnie informing you all that you will be receiving something else on Thursday.
  • January 23 to January 24 - small white envelopes containing riddles are delivered to each of the factions.
  • January 25 - factions react to receiving their envelopes.  Some riddles are solved.
  • January 26 - a party is thrown honoring The de Brabant Foundation's 70th Anniversary and all the attendees generously donate everything a good party needs. Well respected in Toronto, Amanda Cohen graciously agreed to be the master of ceremonies for the evening.

Links and Resources[]

Clues and Solutions[]

The Runes[]

  • Upward facing arrow (means Warrior), sideways hourglass (means danger or adventure), diamond (means reward) - solution based on the runes Gandalf carved in Bilbos door (in the book, not the film); Nick Knight conveyed this to the Knighties in "Knighties: We're Baaaack, Nick!" part 2.
  • If the runes were meant merely to start the fans on their journey to Toronto or if they also marked the location of something in Toronto has not yet been discovered.

Gift Card[]

  • Plain white gift card that accompanied each of the wine bottles. On the front has this hand-written in black ink:
____________________________
A finite number of these ever existed.
Fewer still remain today.
Merry Christmas to all
And to all a good knight.
- Ludum Geratur
____________________________
The first stanza most people believed refers to FK Fans or, rather, FK Fans still active on the FORKNI-L and FKFIC-L lists.
"Ludum Geratur" was not a name, but merely the phrase "the game is afoot" very loosely translated into Latin.
  • On the reverse of the card, Detective Schanke discovered a message written in invisible ink.
"Nine o'clock, it's a date. Bring something. Don't be late."

Wine Box Numbers[]

Found in the wine boxes Natalie, Tracy, and Schanke received for Christmas (same in all the boxes, though some may be easier to read than others) - also, the NNP smashed their box (oops!) leaving only one of the panels intact.
The War Mistress has revealed that it is a book cipher - using 'The Hobbit' as the key to break the code.
  • Front Sliding Panel = 17 03 21 11 18 27 07 85 15  = the words "twenty", "one", "nine".  These were numbers found on a flyer for a band performing at Instagramme (a bar located at the site formerly occupied by the nightclub Paparazzi on the corner of King Street W and Simcoe Street). Inside the bar, behind a bulletin board, envelopes addressed to each of the factions were found.
  • Back Panel = 06 05 11 12 31 12 15 21 09 = the words "two", "thousand", "thirteen". First found by the NNP; the Cousins solved the meaning - it's the year 2013.
  • Bottom Panel = 11 18 27 17 03 21 10 27 09 = "one", "twenty", "six".  First found by the Die-Hards; the Cousins solved the meaning - it's the date 1/26 or January 26.
  • Top Panel = 17 03 21 05 01 22 08 11 23 = "twenty", "one", "hundred". Uncoded and solved by the Cousins and means 21:00 or 9:00PM.
  • Left Side Panel = 06 05 11 17 03 21 10 27 09 = "two", "twenty", "six". Uncoded by the Cousins. 226 is the episode number of "Blood Money" in which Nick obtains his fortune in a flashback and, in the present, reveals his creation of The de Brabant Foundation intended to fund very needy charities.
  • Right Side Panel = 11 18 27 10 27 09 16 04 20 = "one", "six", "five". Uncoded by the Cousins. 165 is the street number for the Young People's Theatre, where the party is held celebrating The de Brabant Foundation's 70th Anniversary (and honoring the benefactor who created the foundation). (note: the Young People's Theatre is where a play of The Hobbit was once performed, with actor Greg Kramer of Screed fame in the role of Gollum.)

Faction Riddles (for what they are requested to bring to the party)[]

Ratpack[]

You know you like it,
It's what you need.
You'd share it with
Your friends, like Screed!

Grab it! Nab it!
Buy the pound.
Bring it with you
When you come 'round.

(solution = cheese, lots of cheese)[]

Ravenettes[]

She does not whip,
nor cream the butter;
She does not
shake-and-bake.

She does not eat
sweet baked desserts,
So brownies
your entry makes.

(solution = all the brownies and extra goodies the Perks gave them)[]

Mercs[]

You are neutral,
Though you attack -
From Cousins to Ravens
To the Nick&NatPack.

From this set you may remember -
Nat ran past all they provide
For birthdays, "I'm sorry", or just parties
As you know, there's no free ride.

(solution = flowers; infered suggestion to get them is Humbar Nurseries from 'Only The Lonely')[]

Independent[]

You're on your own -
How sad for you.
BTW, you stink
Oh my! Pee-yew!

No fairy godmother
Will get you a date,
So make it work
And don't be late.

(solution = a fancy dress)[]

Knighties[]

They blocked you in;
You couldn't get out!
Although you did
Both scream and shout.

Don't be klewless,
Just think twice;
You'll need these
To pay the price.

(solution = sponge bricks they'd been attacked with)[]

Vaqueras[]

He's not lazy;
No, not crazy.
He likes to feed
On things that bleed.

So, now hurry;
Go get that take-out.
This is no crime time
After prime time stake-out.

(solution = take-out food, preferably utilizing the coupons they'd found earlier)[]

Quote List[]

  • It could just as easily have been LaCroix's fault, but Bonnie was still having nightmares about LaCroix dressed as Neville Longbottom's grandmother, so she preferred not to entertain that option right now. ["Chasing The Dragon"]
  • Cousin Shelley boarded the plane to Toronto.  "Its war!" she whispered excitedly to her seatmate. "War, I say!" The woman squirmed a little and looked uncomfortable. ["Cousins: Getting There"]
  • "So, we have an Indian with bad aim who is running out of time to find a diamond. I think we've solved it!" ["Cousins: We're Heeeere!"]
  • "Dang cops usually don't just leave my tickets, usually they like to stick around and give a nice long lecture: 'Don't put on make-up while driving. Keep all 4 wheels on the road. Don't drive on the sidewalk. nag nag nag,'" she mumbled while making a face. ["Cousins: A Trip To Take"]
  • "... Isn't Ludum an olden times pain reliever?" [Kelly asked.]
    The nurse practitioner in Karen awoke; "That would be laudanum," she said. ["NNP: Does That Wine Go With Lamb?"]
  • Watching a performance on a stage Janette dressed as Lady Gaga doing the Gangnam I turned to my left and LaCroix was talking to me in Latin 'putatis Janette est ostendo eam artisticae, latus.' Then he looked to me and smiled! ["Ravenettes: Peach Wine And Saki Dreams"] (ed.-it is the opinion of this editor that the Latin phrase loosely translates to "The Aristocrats!")
  • [I] needed to think about what I had found out so far the clues are all vague lots numbers of a particular wine estate and runes on scattered pamphlets this is almost as vague as Vachon ever was. [Ravenette: Wandering Soul"]
  • "We should all go clubbing. I think I know where they're playing tonight. And I kinda have an 'in' with the band." [Vachon grinned again. "I sit in with them from time to time if they need a guitarist." [Vaqs: Smoke and Mirrors"]
  • "We deliver a bottle of diet soda with it." ... "And we rig the lid to drop a Mentos mint into it when they open it," [Cousin Shelley] finished triumphantly, remembering when her kids had tried a similar experiment and the sticky spots she had to find and clean up for days afterwards. ["Cousins: Houston, We Have A Plan" (2/3)]
  • Bonnie walked over to the front desk, paused, cleared her throat, and said [to Tammy the CERK receptionist], "Tell Hee Haw to go frack his buns." ["War: You Can Still Change Your Mind"]
  • Then Cousin Tok had to go and say something about Nick, after all these years, still being a brick and ungrateful to Uncle. ["Knighties: Pot Luck Dinner Cooks Up Lofty Ideas" (part 4)]
  • Laura grinned. "Yeah. I'm thinking of buzzing CERK just for the heck of it. Wanna come?" ["Mercs: All Bricked Up!"]
  • Karen spun around, opened a drawer, pulled out a hammer, and smashed the box open before anyone could stop her. She swatted the broken pieces of wood out of the way, leaving only the back panel. ["NNP: Laundry And Lunch"]
  • Laura rigged up a simple device—once they opened the door, it hit a bowling ball, which rolled to a trigger, which released all the confetti. ["Mercs: To Fulfill A Debt"] (ed.-apparently that does constitute "simple" in the Merc dictionary.)
  • "The first runes," said Greer, sitting down. "The Nick and Nat Pack think it has to do with finding a cure for vampirism."
    "I'm sure they do," said Don. "And not for the first time," he added. "They're inclined to read that into *everything*, aren't they?..." ["Die-Hards: Pots Of Potluck"]
  • Don had been surprised when she'd come back to the HQ bearing blankets; but Ron looked at them, and then off into the distance. (You know, the way Nick's always doing.)  From the look of him, they brought back memories. ["Die-Hards: Pots Of Potluck"] {ed.-it is the opinion of this editor that Ron is thinking about small pox.)
  • 1992 was the year Forever Knight came to life, but it was also the year the Pelee Winery Pavilion came to life. One couldn't help but wonder whether it was truly a war for Nick's mortality… or a war for a bumper crop of grapes after a particularly harsh winter. ["NNP: Clueless In The Kitchen"]
  • "Honesty?" Deborah said. "There's a novel concept." ["Cousins: Days Of Wine And Ravens"]
  • "Alma I need you go to the CERK and give the cousins a letter" [Alex said.]
    "Why should I" Alma pouted
    "Its a War you know"
    "So?"
    "Now your in it you've been drafted" ["Ravenettes: You're In The War Now, Alma"]
  • "Tracy was here?" gasped Teri. ["Vaqs: Clean Up In Aisle 7" part 1]
  • "That's not a black disc. THAT'S A PLOT HOLE!!!" And he vanished thru it. ["Cousins: Sometimes You've Got To Break Some Eggs"]
  • "I'll just take that," said Don quickly, and relieved her of the aviator helmet that she'd stuffed into a capacious pocket. Libratsie just sniffed, and sauntered away. ["Die-Hards & Ratpack: In The Die-Hard Prop Museum"]
  • Susan simply had visions of Natalie wearing her pink outfit and floating away into the night sky under the power of a big bunch of helium filled balloons. Fortunately, Nick was able to soar up into the air and rescue her before she hit a menacing cluster of power lines. He gently... ["NNP: Poetry, Yes... Riddles Not So Much"]
  • "Attacks don't usually knock," said Tricia. ["VAQS: The Dogs Go Barking One-by-One, Hurrah!! Hurrah!!"]
  • "Where am I?" she asked thickly, knowing with a sinking feeling that she had experienced something like this in previous Wars. "I haven't been wearing hip-waders again, have I?" ["Vaqs/DP: Jello Comes Down With A Pitter-Patter-Pit"]
  • Soon, the batter was mixed, poured into the pans, and shoved into the oven. Unbeknownst to the others, each Merc had spiked the batter with a little something... Bast had poured in some liquid paraffin, Kat some finely diced habeneros, and Sara had dissolved some laxatives in the carefully measured milk that went into them. ["Mercs: It's a Party"]
  • Alex closed his eyes and wondered if maybe having been locked up in the dungeon several days ago might have been the better option, all things considered. ["Cousins: Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make Me A Match"]
  • "And to all a good-knight!" ["Knighties: There And Back Again"]
  • "I told Schank that he was welcome at the Loft any time during any war. I know he has his own group of fans, but if they don't come for a war, he can hang out here, okay?"
    [Brooksie] smiled. "I've got a soft spot for Schanke, too, Nick. I don't think anyone would mind terribly." ["Knighties: Knightie Night Thoughts"]
  • "Well..." Laura got a mischievous look on her face. "I had a kind of a thought... that Schanke might like to join up. I mean, he could ask slouvaki for fees!" ["Mercs: So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu"]
  • "I wanna boing in the castle!" Naia said. ["Vaqs: To Dream the Impossible Dream"]

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