If you're new to Perplex City, it can seem a little overwhelming at first, but don't worry, you'll be up to speed before you know it. Kurt and Violet have put together a bit of a warm-up for you. It should only take ten minutes or so.

I'm Von - I'm a puzzle scribe working to retrieve the Cube, and I'll be here to help you through this test. When you're ready to start, just visit Violet's challenge .

Keep this window open and come back here if you need me to offer any hints. Ready?

Try Violet's first challenge >>

Need a hint about Violet's message? >>

Solving Violet's first clue

This one shouldn't be so hard - it looks like some sort of code, doesn't it? Perhaps a cryptogram.

If you're really stuck, it may help you to know it's a Caesar cipher (ROT-13). Shift the letters through the alphabet by 13 places.

Feeling lazy? Okay, I'll help you out >>

Violet's solution

The decoded message reads:
The next step in your trail is to go to Kurt's website, 'The Path of Least Time', and send him an email.

So, the first thing to do is find 'The Path of Least Time.' Maybe you should try that in a search engine, like Google?

Once you've found the site, take a look around to find Kurt's email address. It isn't that hard to find, but it's not on the first page - and when you find it, there's something you'll need to remove. I'm sure you'll be able to guess what to do to make it work.

Then send him an email. Don't worry too much about what you say - he's expecting your message.

Having email trouble? I'll lend you a hand >>

The next challenge

Hopefully, you found ' The Path of Least Time ' and sent Kurt an email, as instructed. And if you did that, you'll have got an answer back.

The reply includes a little arithmetic test. There's a different challenge depending on whether you're in the UK or North America, so make sure you work out the right one. You can use a calculator - or maybe your computer for those long numbers. Then see if you can guess what the answer might mean.

UK: ((221545*9390)+1027621) / ((35844*278928)+2104768)

North America: (24785*(11544*(1764/42))) + (1034555-55121)

Stumped? I've got a hint for you. >>

Kurt's mathematical puzzle

Once you've got the answer, take a look and see if it seems a bit familiar to you. Doesn't it look a bit like a kind of number you see all the time? A telephone number, perhaps...?

If your calculator just isn't co-operating, here are the answers:

UK = 0.208133 5171
North America = 12017937114

What happens if you call the number?

Okay, I'll tell you what happens. >>

Hold the phone

That's right - you get a phone message. It's not Violet's home number, so don't try calling her late at night expecting a friendly chat - it was set up for you, outlining your final challenge.

This is where it gets harder.

One of the puzzle scribes at the Perplex City Academy has been nominated for the Rincente Prize. Find the Academy website, work out what the prize is for, then think about who's likely to be nominated.

Find their profile and look for an invisible link on the page. Well, I say 'look for'...

If it all sounds a bit complicated, click here >>

Violet's telephone message - step by step

Well, first you need to find the website for the Perplex City Academy. You might be able to guess the address, or you could go back to a search engine. ( Or you could take the easy route and click here .)

Once you've found the right place, think about the question. Maybe you should find someone who's received the prize before. Take a look at the Academy departments - there's a lot of biographical information.

Once you've found the right scribe, search around for the hidden link.

At a pinch, if you can't figure it out, you could always just try clicking all over the page, or if you're technically minded, you could look at the page's HTML source.

Not found it yet? >>

The end

The prize at the end of this trail is some information about the Cube, its history, and perhaps most important, what it looks like! If you're going to search for something, it helps to know what you're looking for.

No more hints. If you want the information, you'll have to find that invisible link yourself.

By now, you may want more information about Perplex City too. Here are some useful sites that can tell you more about the city and our story:

The Perplex City Sentinel - now publishing an online edition for Earth
Perplex City Police - they're busier than ever right now
Cognivia - making people smarter
Whipsmart Ice Cream - making people smarter, happier and just a little heavier