Logic Masters Deutschland e.V.

Created out of passion for puzzles and adventure stories.

Online in Sudokupad

A brittle, centuries-old symbol etched on an obsidian stone, lies at the entrance of an uncharted tomb. Inside, untouched for millennia, there is mythical relic, said to hold the stolen power of the primordial darkness: the “Eye of Erebus". Erebus was once tricked, and his power was captured and hidden away, to protect the universe from his evil spirit. Malevolent forces are after his power and fortunately enough, you are a few steps ahead. But entering the tomb had set you on a path of no return. You step into the anti-chamber. The entire room lights up, exposing writings on the wall:

“His power can only be wielded by the worthy and just. His power corrupts the feeble, drains the weak and ensnares the evil. His power grants sight over the past, present and future. You may see the unseen and speak the unspoken. Be the right vessel and you shall step into the light. Chose the Erebus path and doomed you shall be for all eternity.”

The doors slam shut behind you. Their tremor shake the walls, and a curtain of dust and dirt falls down, revealing a riddle:

"I start as odd, yet whole and true,
A sacred shape, a prime in view
My hidden path you must unveil
Avoid the traps that weep and wail
In steps of four across the line
Or even more, to find the sign
Fail the count and shadows rise,
To claim the light inside your eyes."

RULES: Normal Sudoku rules apply. Normal German whisper rules apply. Normal region sum line rules apply. Normal Renban line rules apply. Digits in grey circles are odd. Digits in grey squares are even. Digits in cages sum to the small total. Digits may not repeat in cages. Slow thermometer rules apply. Digits separated by black dots are in a 1:2 ratio. Digits separated by white dot are consecutive. Not all black or white dots are given.

“Path-to-the-Eye” rules: Draw a path of orthogonally connected cells, entering the puzzle in the anti-chamber (box1) and exiting in box 9. The path's start and end must each be in only one cell touching the puzzle's border, similar to an entrance and exit in a maze (you may not move along the border in box 1 and box 9). The path must not touch itself orthogonally or diagonally. The path also obeys an extra rule which is presented in the riddle above (must be deduced by the solver). The starting digit is also subject of the riddle. The grey squares are immovable objects, through which the path cannot go. The grey circles are turning points, where the path MUST change direction. The thermometer's bulb does not count as a grey circle. You may not “step” into any of the “killer” cages, or your journey ends prematurely.