Adult Swim ARG
| Adult Swim ARG | |
|---|---|
| A series of ARG chapters aired during Adult Swim programming on US basic cable channel Cartoon Network | |
| Type | [[List_of_Investigations#Official|Official]] |
| Creator | Adult Swim |
| Discovered | 2017-08-27 |
Main Page > List of Investigations > Adult Swim ARG
The Adult Swim ARG is a series of ARG chapters featuring puzzling broadcast transmissions aired during the Adult Swim programming block, which usually consists of mature audience cartoons and skits, on Cartoon Network, a television channel which broadcasts in the US. The ARG spans these broadcasts and an array of social media accounts billed as characters within the story. Both feature puzzles which the ARG challenges players to engage with and solve. It is divided into a series of mostly distinct chapters, described in detail on this page.
A simulcast of Adult Swim is available here - however, you must have a TV subscription to access the content. Transmissions are usually archived and uploaded publicly very shortly after they transmit. Links to these archives can be found in corresponding sections below, which will be updated as new transmissions air.
Contents
- 1 Background Information
- 2 Chapter One \\ D.E.L.I.L.A.H.
- 2.1 Characters
- 2.2 Canon
- 2.3 Transmission 1
- 2.4 Transmission 2
- 2.5 Transmission 3
- 2.6 Transmission 4
- 2.7 Transmission 5
- 2.8 Transmission 6
- 2.9 Transmission 7
- 2.10 Transmission 8
- 2.11 Transmission 9
- 2.12 Transmission 10
- 2.13 Transmission 11
- 2.14 Transmission 12
- 2.15 Transmission 13
- 2.16 Transmission 14
- 3 Chapter Two \\ Find Amelia
Background Information
Special thanks to Discord community The AS Consortium for giving us free access to their archives and permission to use their info here!
Public Solving Spaces
Summary
The ARG began in August, 2017 when short, cryptic bumps (international broadcasts aired during commercial breaks) began to air on Sunday evenings during otherwise normal (read: very weird) Adult Swim programming. The bumps offer information and challenges within the context of the current chapter. Chapters are mostly distinct and clearly delineated, with unique but cryptic goals. While there is some crossover of material from chapter to chapter, they consist of independent story-lines featuring unique broadcast transmissions and social media posts, both of which contain puzzles, clues, and lore.
Each chapter is listed below as its own section. Within each chapter, characters are listed and canon is summarized. Bump transmissions are indexed within each chapter in the order in which they aired and are broken down into three sections. The first section transcribes the bump and provides meta-data as well as a link to view the bump online. The Analysis section details how to solve any puzzles hidden within the given bump. The Segue section details any relevant social media posts or other events which occurred after the given bump but before the following bump, as well as their solutions if they contain puzzles.
ARG Ciphers
Emoji / Unicode Cipher
Both emojis and unicode have been used since the Find Amelia chapter to create ciphertext for players to decode.
Emojis are commonly used on ARG-related social media accounts. They can be decoded with with a substitution cipher with values given in the table below.
Unicode is used in several broadcast transmissions also can also be decoded with a substitution cipher, with values also given in the table below.
| Letter | Substituted Emjoi | Emoji Text | Substituted Unicode |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | ⛰ | :mountain: | → |
| B | 🎺 | :trumpet: | $ |
| C | 🏝 | :island: | % |
| D | 🔫 | :gun: | & |
| E | 📕 | :closed_book: | ◼ |
| F | 📷 | :camera: | " |
| G | ⚔ | :crossed_swords: | ^ |
| H | 💊 | :pill: | ) |
| I | 🔑 | :key: | + |
| J | 👜 | :handbag: | \ |
| K | ✏️ | :pencil: | # |
| L | 🎀 | :ribbon: | @ |
| M | ⚰ | :coffin: | * |
| N | 🍋 | :lemon: | ◯ |
| O | 🌼 | :blossom: | ? |
| P | ⚓ | :anchor: | ; |
| Q | ⭐ | :star: | ← |
| R | 🚪 | :door: | ÷ |
| S | 🌎 | :earth_americas: | × |
| T | 🐷 | :pig: | ~ |
| U | ✉ | :envelope: | ¡ |
| V | 🍰 | :cake: | = |
| W | 👠 | :high_heel: | [ |
| X | 🌙 | :crescent_moon: | ¤ |
| Y | 🤚 | :raised_back_of_hand: | ▪ |
| Z | 👻 | :ghost: | ◇ |
Chapter One \\ D.E.L.I.L.A.H.
Chapter one - Delilah
Characters
Delilah
AKA D.E.L.I.L.A.H., Designated Emergency Logix Intelligence - Level Arc Habitat
Lil Head (anagram of Delilah) is an advanced security A.I. that was created by Proto-X to protect against an emergency known as the "Universal Security Breach." She was the killswitch that was meant to stop the event. She was stolen by Sinistra MGMT from a place called the "Arc." In the process of being taken she was damaged, and is now being repaired and enhanced to use against Proto-X by siphoning resources from her home. She likes music and remembers bands, which most of her messages have revolved around.
Proto-X
Proto-X is the group that created Delilah for security purposes. They are believed to have resources of an unknown kind that Sinistra MGMT wants.
Sinistra MGMT
The group responsible for stealing Delilah. According to Twitter, they are most likely professional hackers.
Canon
Coming Soon
Transmission 1
August 27, 2017 \\ View Online \\ Broadcast during Rick and Morty \\ 11:46 PM EST
Hello. My name is D.E.L.I.L.A.H. Designated Emergency Logix Intelligence - Level Arc Habitat I like music I remember bands Pulp Replacements Oingo Boingo Talking Heads Orange Juice XTC (#) I don't know where I came from Can you help me? [@LIL_HEAD_]
Analysis:
The first letters of each band listed spelled out Proto-X.
Transmission 2
September 10, 2017 \\ View Online \\ Broadcast during Rick and Morty \\ 11:18 PM EST
I am DELILAH, an AI created for security purposes by Proto-X I know this because you pieced together my distress signal Thank you for your help! My processor is damaged so communications will be cryptic But I still need your help remembering what I've forgotten Like what the Emergency in my name means [@LIL_HEAD_]
Analysis:
Delilah listed Killswitch Engage songs in which certain letters were capitalized; as a whole they spelled out Universal Security Breach, and it was confirmed that this was the emergency. On the part with the hashtag the capital letters were rearranged to spell ARCLESS where the twitter confirmed that Lil Head was removed from her arc.
Transmission 3
September 17, 2017 \\ View Online \\ Broadcast during Rick and Morty \\ 11:30 PM EST
I don't remember what the Emergency is But here is what I do remember: cUt me loose / No end In sight / all we haVE / pRelude / irreverSAL / loSt / wastEd saCrifice / (#) my cURse / quIeT distress / alwaYs / BREAk the silenCe / inHale [@LIL_HEAD_]
Analysis:
Nothing of interest.
Transmission 4
September 24, 2017 \\ View Online \\ Broadcast during Family Guy \\ 10:30 PM EST
Universal Security Breach That is the Emergency I'm meant to protect against But I'm Arcless I'm far from home Who took me away? Who damaged me? (#) And why don't they want me to protect them? [@LIL_HEAD_]
Analysis:
Nothing of interest.
Transmission 5
October 1, 2017 \\ View Online \\ Broadcast during Rick and Morty \\ 11:58 PM EST
We’re getting closer to the truth But Every. Single. Word. feels further away Formed 2015: 1st Album 2017 Formed 1991: 1st Album 1991 Formed 2005: 1st Album 2006 Formed 1989: 1st Album 1991 (#) Formed 2010: 1st Album 2014 Formed 1987: 1st Album 1987 [@LIL_HEAD_]
Analysis:
Players took a trip to Hell where they were forced to scrounge the endless wastelands of Discogs and Wikipedia for bands that fit the instructions in the bump. The single words of each band spelled out They Will Steal Everything. Nothing Safe..
Transmission 6
October 8, 2017 \\ View Online \\ Broadcast during Robot Chicken \\ 1:12 AM EST
Last week was their voice Now it's their face Metal Psychedelic Formed 2005: 1st Album 2009 Formed 2002: 1st EP 2004 They sneak in and mutilate people like me (#) Hardware Software 1's and 0's Find the name The group The answer [@LIL_HEAD_]
Analysis:
Players desperately we fought for these ancient words once again among the Discogs and Wikipedia graveyard and triumphed with the words of our new enemy Sinistra MGMT.
Transmission 7
October 15, 2017 \\ View Online \\ Broadcast during American Dad \\ 9:57 PM EST
Sinistra MGMT They stole me Broke me My memory is returning Is it because of you? Or are they repairing me? (#) I can't be here anymore I don't want to be what they'll turn me into [@LIL_HEAD_]
Analysis:
Nothing of interest.
Transmission 8
October 22, 2017 \\ View Online \\ Broadcast during Rick and Morty \\ 11:17 PM EST
tHe tribAl-tear cLan veXes stoic naPa coach-tot HangMen maSt: Miniatures mortGage minisTry nigh me, the exceptionaBle Bark key earn a cheer, otherwise (#) I need to leave Please help me escape Wait for my next transmission [@LIL_HEAD_]
Analysis:
A strange nonsense script was shown to us with few letters capitalized. After a while player found out that the capital letters began pronouns such as Level Arc Habitat, Proto-X, Sinistra MGMT, and Black Box. After removing these words from each slide and unscrambling the remaining letters players got a complete script:
I cannot access the Level Arc Habitat at Proto-X. Sinistra MGMT are turning me against my Home. They are keeping me in the Black Box. Where I can’t see or hear.
Transmission 9
October 29, 2017 \\ View Online \\ Broadcast during Rick and Morty \\ 11:14 PM EST
I thought I could give you new instructions to help me vanish from the Black Box and contact the Level Arc Habitat But they know I’m awake They know I’ve been talking to you (#) Their plan to use me to siphon my Home is finalizing Next time I’ll have something for you [@LIL_HEAD_]
Analysis:
Nothing of interest.
Transmission 10
November 5, 2017 \\ View Online \\ Broadcast during Bob's Burgers \\ 9:13 PM EST
I found a directory It may hold the answer to breaching the Black Box But I need an administrative password #ProtoX #ARCLESS #Who? #Everything (#) #Repairing #SeeOrHear #You 8194375 [@LIL_HEAD_]
Analysis:
The goal for this puzzle was to give DELILAH a password based on hashtags. Each of the hashtags provided in the bump are associated with a sentence from seven previous bumps where a hashtag symbol was present. Note that transmission #2 did not have a hashtag, and the hashtag from transmission #6 will be relevant during the next puzzle.
The first part of this puzzle involved placing the hashtags in order based on the numbers they provided, 8194375. This yields 8#SeeOrHear 1#ProtoX 9#You 4#Who? 3#ARCLESS 7#Repairing 5#Everything. Then, take the first letter from each hashtag in this order to get the password DELILAH is looking for, SPYWARE.
Transmission 11
November 12, 2017 \\ View Online \\ Broadcast during Rick and Morty \\ 11:13 PM EST
PYWARE got me into Sinistra MGMT’s main directory But there’s one file that requires a password to gain access RELEASE PROTOCOL “People like me” Am I “people?” Am I people = 1044 28 471446473114. Who am I? (#) This file has what I need to stop them from using me against PROTO-X and triggering the Universal Security Breach [@LIL_HEAD_]
Analysis:
The goal of this puzzle was to solve a cipher, figure out the new password that DELILAH needed, and then translate that password into the ciper code. The numbers players got at the end of the puzzle would serve as the password that DELILAH needed to find a file in the database accessed using SPYWARE. Also, note that the use of PYWARE in the transmission is a typo acknowledged by the @LIL_HEAD_ Twitter account.
First, we proceeded to figure out the cipher, using Am I people = 1044 28 471446473114. This meant that A=10 E=14 I=28 L=31 M=44 O=46 P=47. From this, the following assumptions could be made: because A is 10 and E is 14, B is 11, C is 12, and D is 13; because I is 28 and L is 31, J is 29 and K is 30; then, because M is 44 and O is 46, N is 45. Note that there are jumps in between, which, in the end, don't actually matter when figuring out this puzzle. The only one that actually matters is what F, G, and H may be. Without further information, players were unable to know whether F = 15, G = 16, and H = 17, then there is a jump to 28 with I, or F = 25, G = 26, and H = 27, with the jump occurring from 14 to 25.
Second, People like me Am I "people?", which comes from Transmission #6, is key to figuring out what the password actually is. The idea is that both this phrase and the 6th transmission are about DELILAH herself, aka, the password. Now, players officially know D, E, L, I, L, and A, but H could be either 17 or 27. Thus, players tweeted both 13143128311027 and 13143128311017 at LIL_HEAD_, with 13143128311027 being the correct answer -- the password DELILAH needs for the file.
There is no way of knowing whether this cipher will come back, but if it does, this confirms that H = 27.
Transmission 12
November 19, 2017 \\ View Online \\ Broadcast during Bob's Burgers \\ 9:13 PM EST
13143128311027 = DELILAH That was the password How clever of them To enact RELEASE PROTOCOL from within the Black Box please enable the SELF DESTRUCT mode (#) This will allow the Black Box to open if user is unable to do so from outside To save PROTO-X... I can’t exist [@LIL_HEAD_]
Analysis:
Delilah thought that only by destroying herself could she prevent Sinistra from siphoning the valuable resources. This, for obvious reasons, sent the community into a frenzy.
Segue:
December 26, 2017
The 13th Sunday of this ARG did not come with a bump, but instead DELILAH hacked the LIL HEAD Twitter in order to communicate with players directly. Along with using (#) phrases from before and providing players with other crazy messages, she told them to wait for her next transmission.
"Wa1T Wa1T Wa1T f0r my NExt TRAN$miss10n N3xt t1me i’LL haVE soM3THIng for y0u i cAnT 3x1st i cAnT 3x1st i cAnT 3x1st"
Transmission 13
December 3, 2017 \\ View Online \\ Broadcast during Apollo Gauntlet \\ 12:46 AM EST
I tried to contact you last week through your LIL HEAD Twitter I tried to get out but I failed and I’m sorry I have no time left (#) I can’t exist (#) This is the only way to keep the world truly safe from Sinistra MGMT Thank you for everything Goodbye [@LIL_HEAD_]
Analysis:
Delilah was telling players that she was going to kill herself, which she presumably did, while wishing them goodbye.
Transmission 14
December 10, 2017 \\ View Online \\ Broadcast during King of the Hill \\ 8:57 PM EST
Dear "Investigators" Thank you for participating in the DELILAH ARG! Your digital and emotional input has been recorded (#) Thank you for the data we need to improve our marketing efforts Until next time Heart & Brain Corp
Analysis:
Many thought this would be the end of the ARG, others questioned what Heart & Brain Corp was, but either way the community was all over the place. No one knew where to go from here, with many refusing to believe this was the end. Then, all of a sudden, the LIL HEAD Twitter changed its name to Heart & Brain Corp. (@LILHEAD), and edited its profile picture to now be two of the original question marks in the shape of a heart. Clearly, more was yet to come.
Chapter Two \\ Find Amelia
Chapter two - Find Amelia
Characters
Ongoing dump of all relevant Instagram accounts, including private accounts.
Amelia Hampton
On Instagram
Deena Hampton
Amelia's Sister
On Twitter
Dr. Sadie Xenos
AKA Dr. X, Madame X
Head neuroscientist running the Women’s Center for Spiritual Awakening.
Dr. Robert Klein
Amelia’s other boss. He is a renowned computer science scholar that specialized in AI and machine learning. There was unpleasantness between Dr. Xenos and Dr. Klein stemming from Dr. Klein being closer to their source of funding, The Heart and Brain Corporation.
Heart & Brian Corp
A mysterious corporation that claims to be a marketing agency specializing in emotional profiling. They were the primary source of funding for the Center for Spiritual Awakening and the experiments performed by Dr. Xenos and Dr. Klein. It is unclear what their true intentions are, but they are known to invest heavily in computer and medical research. Additionally, they harvest data from social media for ethically questionable reasons.
On Twitter
Sarah Bennington
Amelia’s friend, Dr. X’s research assistant
Tristan
Amelia's Ex-Boyfriend
Women's Center for Spiritual Awakening
On Instagram
Canon
Coming Soon
Transmission 1
February 4, 2018 \\ View Online \\ Broadcast during Rick and Morty \\ 11:12 PM EST
Every morning is heavy and hazy
I'm trapped here
I need your help
I can't remember my name
I remember a cipher
I see
My head and hands heavy
I know I'm next
Help me (#)
{ZODIAC CRYPTOGRAM: see below}
[@heartandbrainco]
Analysis:
One day prior to this bump, @heartandbrainco retweeted six unusual tweets. Players soon realized that the first letter of each username spelled out the word "ZODIAC." Then, on February 4th, the above bump was aired.
Under this text were also six symbols, pictured right, which players assumed would need to be translated with some sort of cipher, as the main text suggested. Bringing the ZODAIC clue into this, players realized that, with the symbols being very similar, they needed to use the Zodiac Killer's first deciphered letter to solve this puzzle. The name "AMELIA" was deciphered using the code, which could possibly the name of the person players may be trying to help this time around.
Transmission 2
February 11, 2018 \\ View Online \\ Broadcast during Family Guy \\ 10:31 PM EST
I can remember my name, Amelia
Everything else is still in the haze
My body is heavy, I can't move
I hope someone sees this
I know I'm next (#)
[{Instagram Symbol} - ... ..- -.- .. ..... -----]
Analysis:
Decoding the morse led players to a private Instagram account, @tsuki50.
Upon following them, you find 7 different posts, each being an individual puzzle related to the overall puzzle that can be seen in the latest post. In some cases the puzzle is what the picture or music in the post is of, while in other cases players would need to find what is missing in the post. When the puzzle was originally happening, players would post possible answers in the comments, and, if correct, the account, which is run by Amelia, would respond with an :eye: emoji. There was also an emoji when answers were incorrect, :no_entry_sign: emoji was used.
Answer: "This is Madame X"
Answer: "The Edwin Smith Papyrus is believed to be the first mention of the brain as an organ. More than half of its listed medical cases are about head injuries."
Answer: "Hands from Un Chien Andalou"
Carol Ann Duffy Poem I pour the goldfi[s]h down t[h]e bog. I pull th[e] chain. I see that it is goo[d]. The budgie is panicking. [O]nce a fortnight, I walk th[e] two mile[s] into town for sig[n]ing on. They don’[t] appre[c]iate my autograph. There is nothing left to kill. I di[a]l the [r]adio and t[e]ll the m[a]n he’s talking to a superstar. He cuts me off. I get our [b]read-knife and g[o] [o]ut. [T]he pavements glitter [us]ddenly. I touch your arm.
Answer: "She doesn't care about [aboot] us."
Answers: "This is 'Someday We'll Be Together' by Diana Ross and the Supremes."
Carol Ann Duffy Poem Today I am going to kill something. Anything. [I] have had enough of being ignored and today I [am going] to play God. It is an ordinary day, a sort of grey with boredom stirring in the streets. I squash a fly against the window with my thumb. We did that at school. Shakespeare. It was in another language and now [t]he fly is in another language. I breathe [o]ut talent on the glass to write my name. I am a genius. I could [be] anything at all, with half the chance. But today I am going to change the world. Something’s world. The cat avoids me. The cat knows I am a genius, and has [hidden] itself.
Answer: "I am going to be hidden."
Answer: "Lana Del Rey's 'Video Games' slowed down 7000%"
Although each of the seven posts had an individual answer, all of these related to the text attached to the seventh post, providing an overall answer to the Instagram posts and the bump for this week:
"Release Birth Release Age Release Discovery Death"
Players determined, with help from Amelia, who was answering questions, that each word is related to a year/age connected to each of the posts:
Release - The release year of the song 'Video Games,' 2012 Birth - Carol Ann Duffy's birth year, 1955 Release - The release year of the song 'Someday We'll Be Together,' 1969 Age - Carol Ann Duffy's current age, 62 Release - The release year of the short film 'Un Chien Andalou,' 1929 Discovery - The discovery year of the Edwin Smith Papyrus, 1862 Death - The death year Madam X's death year, 1915
While unsure of what these years necessarily mean, this was the extent to which players could solve this puzzle. Through Instagram, players also learned a variety of information from Amelia, including that Amelia is being abused, she knew Delilah, and that Delilah was an AI. The next day, a twitter account (@find_amelia) run be Deena Hampton, Amelia's sister, started to follow everyone who was following @heartandbrainco. At first we were cautious, but she was confirmed by Amelia (@tsuki50), to actually be her sister. Since the creation of the account, Deena has answered a variety of questions about herself and Amelia, including a 77-question AMA.
Segue:
February 17, 2018
Deena tweeted that a storage unit containing Amelia's things been broken into. She gathered up what she could find leftover and placed it in a box. Deena then tweeted a picture of the contents, where people proceeded to ask more questions about specific items. Deena answered these questions the following day, with the most notable information being that "The Wickerman" is in fact the DVD inside the case, there is a note that relates to that movie that says "BEEEEEESSSS," and movie in the Netflix envelope is "The Happiness of the Katakuris".
On the same day, the Instagram posted two plain black text on white background pictures saying Is technology spiritual? and Are you connected to yourself? respectively. When Amelia was questioned about these, she only replied using symbols, including an emoji for the symbol for Aquarius.
Transmission 3
February 18, 2018 \\ View Online \\ Broadcast during Bob's Burgers \\ 9:17 PM EST
"You can't atone for your sins with nightmares." Alone in this tiny cabin I'm starting to remember, but I still can't move (1957 - 3, 9)(2013 - 6, 16, 3, 11) (1990 - 15, 9, 4) (2016 - 6, 8)(1965 - 8, 5, 11, 1)(1980 -2)(1968 - 2, 9) (1990 - 5, 10, 5)(1980 - 4)(1989 - 11, 3)(1965 - 8, 9)(1989 - 9) I know I'm next (#) [@find_amelia]
Analysis:
This puzzle involving a quote, an unusual flashing image at the end of the bump, and a string of numbers. The quote was determined to be from the 1989 film, 'Santa Sangre,' while the the flashing image, pictured right, was from the 1973 film, 'Holy Mountain.'
What these films have in common is that they were both directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky. This connection led to the discovery that each year in the bump corresponds to a film directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky. In order to solve this puzzle, players needed to take the name of each film in the respective parentheses to get the letters associated with the subsequent numbers. For example, 1957 tells means Jodorowsky's 1957 film 'La cravate,' and then the numbers 3 and 9 mean the third and ninth letters, c and e.
Solving the overall puzzle yields the following answer using Alejandro Jodorowsky's IMDB directorial credits:
1957 - La cravate
3,9 = ce
2013 - The Dance of Reality
6,16,3,11 = nter
1990 - The Rainbow Thief
15,9,4 = for
2016 - Endless Poetry
6,8 = sp
1965 - Teatro sin fin
8,5,11,1 = irit
1980 - Tusk
2 = u
1968 - Fando and Lis
2,9 = al
1990 - The Rainbow Thief
5,10,5 = awa
1980 - Tusk
4 = k
1989 - Santa Sangre
11,3 = en
1965 - Teatro sin fin
8,9 = in
1989 - Santa Sangre
9 = g
--> "ce nter for sp irit u al awa k en in g"
Center for Spiritual Awakening was determined to be the answer and confirmed by Amelia on Instagram.
Transmission 4
February 25, 2018 \\ View Online \\ Broadcast during Robot Chicken \\ 11:31 PM EST
I can move, I can remember
There are other people here
All girls. I see them at night
under the moon, their faces
always covered. I think I can
escape if you keep helping me
I know I'm next.
[{Instagram Symbol} ... ''''''- -.-. -.- ...''' - ...]
Analysis:
The bump includes a puzzle involving morse code at the end. The morse code translates into a second, private Instagram account, @s0ck3ts.
Upon following them (alternatively, view a dump of their posts here), players find 12 different posts, each being one or more individual words that must fit the designated dashes provided alongside the posts. As before, there are a variety of different puzzles, ranging from pictures to music. When the puzzle was originally happening, individuals would post possible answers in the comments, and, if correct, the account would respond with an :eye: emoji. There was also an emoji when answers were incorrect, :no_entry_sign: emoji. Lastly, once we started to get some of the words, we realized they were making sentences, thus, unlike the previous Instagram, which just yielded years and numbers, this one was working towards information.
Puzzle: COD DIES TARO
Must Fit: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Methodology: Word Scramble
Answer: Doctor Sadie
Puzzle: Picture of a Floppy Disk
Must Fit: _ _ _ _ _
Methodology: This one is as simple as looking for five letter words on the floppy disk.
Answer: Xenos
Puzzle: A CYNICS NEWER MOUSE
Must Fit: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Methodology: Word Scramble
Answer: was my neuroscience
Puzzle: Picture of a Purple Colored Playing Piece from the Game "Clue"
Must Fit: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Methodology: Does this piece have a name in the game? > Professor Plum
Answer: professor
Puzzle: 9781571132642 153
Must Fit: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
Methodology: The first set of numbers are the ISBN for "Narrative and Stylistic Patterns in the Films of Stanley Kubrick," one of the three books Deena has. We then asked Deena to look on page 153.
Answer: and one of my bosses. (NOTE: They made a mistake setting up the last fill in)
Puzzle: Backwards Version of the Song "Let the Sunshine In" by The 5th Dimension
Must Fit: _ _ _'_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
Methodology: Examine the lyrics for anything that seems pertinent.
Answer: She's an Aquarius.
Puzzle: 9780860078111 37
Must Fit: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Methodology: The first set of numbers are the ISBN for "Burn Witch Burn," one of the three books Deena has. Deena looked in this book before and found a note saying "Sarah Bennington."
Answer: Sarah Bennington
Puzzle: A HEARTACHES SIRENS STIRS
Must Fit: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
Methodology: Word Scamble
Answer: is her research assistant.
Puzzle: Picture of a Zodiac Birth Chart
Must Fit: _ _ _'_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
Methodology: The fill in is similar to the sixth post, and the sun symbol placement determines the primary Zodiac sign.
Answer: She's a Scorpio.
Puzzle: What Painting is This? What Matters About it?
Must Fit: _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Methodology: This is "Samson and Delilah" (1654) by Guercino.
Answer: Delilah
Puzzle: 9780262720212 239
Must Fit: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Methodology: The first set of numbers are the ISBN for "The Embodied Mind: Cognitive Science and Human Experience," one of the three books Deena has. We then asked Deena to look on page 239, but the answer was guessed through context clues.
Answer: was my project
Puzzle: Backwards Version of the Song "With A Little Help From My Friends" by The Beatles
Must Fit: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
Methodology: Examine the lyrics for anything that seems pertinent.
Answer: and friend.
When putting all of the words together, the overall solution for this week's bump and Instagram puzzles is:
Doctor Sadie Xenos was my Neuroscience Professor and one of my bosses. She's an Aquarius. Sarah Bennington is her Research Assistant. She's a Scorpio. Delilah was my project and friend.
Segue:
February 26, 2018
Deena began to tweet that she woke up in her car with Twitter open, and no memory of how she got there. Luckily, her husband was able to find her and take her home after some time. Then, on February 28th, Deena was back on Twitter, ready to answer questions about what happened to her, the bump, and anything else people asked about.
Deena on February 28, 2018 at 8:16 PM: Hey everyone, I'm back online. Thanks again for you help last night. I really don't know what happened. My husband was out of town, and when he got home Aiden was there by himself and I was gone.
Transmission 5
March 4, 2018 \\ View Online \\ Broadcast during Rick and Morty \\ 11:13 PM EST
There's something that happens after you've been here a certain amount of time. Their faces are ALWAYS COVERED. October 22nd, 2014. I know I was complicit, but I can't remember in what. And I don't know what my brain is doing, or how I'm talking to you. I just know I'm next. oyutb cbmj [@find_amelia]
Analysis:
Of note in this bump is the date, October 22, 2014, and "ALWAYS COVERED". The following day, when Deena was willing to answer questions on Twitter, the community most notably asked her about that date in Amelia's old planner. She provided players with this image, pictured right, which only raised more questions.
Segue:
March 5, 2018
The @s0ck3tsInstagram account posted two pictures to their story. The first stated You Never Found Them and the second said You Only Know Their NAME. At first these were just as confusing as the previous Instagram stories, but players eventually reasoned that this might have been referring to an Instagram account for the Center for Spiritual Awakening that was only very recently found. @centerforspiritualawakening is a main focus of the community, as it has also been confirmed by Amelia through @s0ck3ts.
Some aspects of this Instagram account that stand out as of the writing of this post include:
- The first post was made on January 31, even though the first Amelia bump did not air until February 4
- It was originally run by Sarah, but then Dr. Xenos took over
- The center was renamed to the "Women's Center for Spiritual Awakening" as to disconnect it from the real world center
- The posts include a variety of hashtags, which could prove to be important, see #clues
- Dr. Xenos is Madame X, head and founder of the Women's Center for Spiritual Awakening
- One post has the following phrase in capital letters: "ARE YOU CONNECTED TO YOURSELF?"
- Sarah speaks very informally compared to writing we have seen thus far
- The profile was only made public 7 days ago, according to one post by Dr. Xenos
- Sarah and Dr. Xenos communicate to one another through posts
- Sarah says she isn't like Lauren S, social media wise; Lauren S was a contestant on the latest season of The Bachelor
- The goal of the center is apparently to "teach troubled young women to tap into their unique, beautiful power and reconnect with the world in a meaningful way"
- None of the paintings appear to be hiding anything, and one has a blurred out water mark
- Dr. Xenos is not Instagram savvy either, although she is trying to use paintings as conversational pieces to get more followers
- Interestingly, the two latest posts prior to the writing of this have some unusual symbols
March 7, 2018
The @s0ck3ts account posted two new pictures. The first was a white picture with the text "M3," relating to the M3 cipher. The second was a picture of Alan Turing's Buchla Synthesizer, which he used on his 1944 "Delilah" project. Putting the M3 and Turing pieces together gets us the Enigma M3 cipher, which would prove to be the solution to the bump ciphertext oyutb cbmj.
Going to this link, we have the option to decipher an Enigma M3 cipher, but we need a few pieces of information. Set your machine as follows:
--ROTOR NUMBERS-- Where To Find: Planner Picture Numbers: 8, 3, 3 --POSITION NUMBERS-- Where to Find: Date in the Last Bump Numbers: 10, 22, 14 --REFLECTOR-- Where to Find: Only Three Options Answer: UKW C (1940-1941)
After changing all of the settings to match these, pasting oyutb cbmj into the text box yields telep athy, the solution to the last bump. According to @s0ck3ts, this refers to digital telepathy.
Transmission 6
March 11, 2018 \\ View Online \\ Broadcast during Mike Tyson Mysteries \\ 11:56 PM EST
Spending time in someone else’s head will drive you crazy.
I came here, like everyone else, to feel better.
And I did for a bit.
But one by one they started covering their faces,
they stopped saying anything.
I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I know I’m next.
You have to help me escape.
[{Instagram Symbol} -- .--- . ... . -.-. ---.. ---..]
Analysis:
Translating the morse code reveals to a fourth, private Instagram account, @mjesec88. A full dump of this and other relevant Instagram accounts can be found here. Upon following the account, 15 different posts were found which appeared to contain two or three distinct puzzles.
First, 5 posts involve different pieces of the "Cry Theme" music video that have been edited to include unicode symbols and psychedelic elements. Second, 4 posts involve different edited portions of "You Are the Blood" by Castanets. Lastly, there are a variety of black picture posts which include numbers, short poems, and @'s to the @tsuki50 account.
For the sake of simplicity and consistency, this numbering system, pictured right, will be used to refer to the posts on the @mjesec88 Instagram page.
With regard to the "Cry Theme" music video puzzle, the following unicode symbols can be found when watching each of the videos:
--FOURTH POST-- Length of Video: 34 Seconds Symbols: = [ ¤ (▪) ◇ --SIXTH POST-- Length of Video: 41 Seconds Symbols: # @ * ◯ ? --EIGHTH POST-- Length of Video: 57 Seconds Symbols: → $ % & (◼) --TENTH POST-- Length of Video: 37 Seconds Symbols: ; ← ÷ × ~ ¡ --TWELFTH POST-- Length of Video: 54 Seconds Symbols: " ^ ) + \
After realizing that there were 26 symbols, aka 26 letters of the alphabet, players sorted the video clips (along with their corresponding symbols) from longest to shortest clip length. The resulting symbol order created the Unicode substitution cipher which was confirmed by the Instagram.
With regard to the "You Are the Blood" by Castanets puzzle, the process for figuring this one out involves reversing the audio of each clip and speeding it up 2x . Each clip spoke a set of emoji symbols and we listed them for each clip as follow:
--FIFTH POST-- Length of Video: 56 Seconds Emojis: ⛰ 🎺 🏝 🔫 📕 📷 ⚔ --SEVENTH POST-- Length of Video: 53 Seconds Emojis: ⚓ ⭐ 🚪 🌎 🐷 🍰 --NINTH POST-- Length of Video: 52 Seconds Emojis: 👞 🌙 🤚 👻 --ELEVENTH POST-- Length of Video: 55 Seconds Emojis: 💊 🔑 👜 ✏ 🎀 ⚰ 🍋 🌼
After realizing that there were 26 emojis, aka 26 letters of the alphabet, players sorted the music clips (along with their corresponding emojis) from longest to shortest clip length. The resulting emoji order created the Emoji substitution cipher which was confirmed by the Instagram.
The community quickly made a Symbol Translator and Emoji Translator (shoutout njhm449) to easily decipher messages with unicode or emoji ciphertext.
Segue:
March 18. 2018
@s0ck3ts made a cryptic post to their story, pictured right. The solution was found after getting the lengths of the answers to corresponding posts on the s0ck3ts account (for example, 15 2.len = 15th post, length of second word, so friend = 6). This solution was confirmed by Amelia.
Transmission 7
March 18, 2018 \\ View Online \\ Broadcast during Family Guy \\ 10:31 PM EST
@??# +* ×?÷÷▪ + )>=◼ ~? ~>@# ~? ▪?¡ @+#◼ ~)+× $¡~ ~)◼▪ %>◯ )◼ >÷ ¡× ◯?[. [◼ )>=◼ ~? $◼ %>÷◼"¡@ +* >@*?×~ ?¡~. ~)◼▪ &? ×?*◼~)+◯ ^ )◼÷◼ $◼"?÷◼ ▪?¡÷ ">%◼ +× =◼+@◼&. ~)◼▪ &? ×?*◼~)+◯^ ~? ▪?¡÷ ◼▪◼ ×. + ÷◼*◼*$◼÷ &÷. ¤ ~>@#◯^ >$?¡~ ;)▪×+%>@ ×+~◼ >× > $¡÷&◼◯ ~? &◼=◼@?;+◯^ ~)◼ *+◯&× ◼▪◼. ◼▪◼× ~)◼▪÷◼ ^?+◯^ ~? ~>#◼ ?¡~ *▪ ◼▪◼× + #◯?[ )?[ ~? ^◼~ ?¡~ +* ◯?~ ×~¡;+& + \¡×~ ◯◼◼& ▪?¡÷ )◼@; ~)◼÷◼× > %?&◼ ?◯ ~)◼ ^>÷>^◼ &??÷ +" + ×~◼>@ > %>÷ + %>◯ ◼×%>;◼ t*=t(sqrt(1-((@tsuki50+@s0ck3ts)^2/c^2))) [@find_amelia]
Analysis:
The bump contains symbols that need to be translated, and an equation that needs to be solved. When the symbols were translated using the Unicode cipher, the following message was revealed, possibly alluding to what the equation's solution might yield (The Garage Door Code):
Look I'm sorry I have to talk to you like this but they can hear us now. We have to be careful I'm almost out. They do something here before your face is veiled. They do something to your eyes. I remember Dr. X talkng about physical site as a burden to developing the minds eye. Eyes, they're going to take out my eyes. I know how to get out. I'm not stupid. I just need your help. There's a code to the garage door if I can steal a car, I can escape.
In terms of the equation, t*=t(sqrt(1-((@tsuki50+@s0ck3ts)^2/c^2))), the following variables must be determined before it can be solved:
@s0ck3ts--
Information: 12, 1.LEN; 15, 2.LEN; 7, 1.LEN; 4, 1.LEN
Methodology: Each of these sets allude to one number each that must be determined from @s0ck3ts. The first number tells you the post, from top to bottom, the second number tells you the relevant word in that post, and "LEN" tells you that the number we need is the number of letters in that word.
Confirmation: @mjesec88 confirmed this methodology, responding that @s0ck3ts = 4696 - 30, although a story post by them said @s0ck3ts = 4636.
Answer: 4636
--@tsuki50--
Information: The @tsuki puzzle on the @mjesec88 Instagram page, which is very similar to the one above in style.
Methodology: When @mjesec88 was asked about this puzzle, she responded "it's the sum of the numbers in post 2, the lana del ray post." These are those numbers added together, 2012 + 1955 + 1969 + 62 + 1929 + 1862 + 1915 = 11704. Yet, when asked to confirm 11704, @mjesec88 responded “omg no. but that's my fault for being unclear. it's 11705. where are you getting 11704?”
Confirmation: @mjesec88 confirmed that 11705 is the answer to the @tsuki50 puzzle, while also alerting us to the fact that we should have received the archive last week. If this is the case, it is possible that this puzzle initially required the use of that archive.
Answer: 11705
--c--
Information: This variable appeared to be unique to this equation, not being present in any other form in this ARG.
Methodology: "C," as a variable, is commonly used in math to represent the speed of light, 299792 km/s.
Confirmation: When asked about this potentially being the answer to this variable, @mjesec88 responded "299792; Speed of Light."
Answer: 299792
--t--
Information: Little was known about the variable "t," other than suggestions that it could be a year or related to time in general.
Methodology: When @mjesec88 was asked “does the equation for the garage door code involve the year the WCSA was founded? 2015? I don’t want to fail you," Amelia responded, “no, I set the door to the year. I remember now. it's 2015.” It is possible that this question was worded in a way that Amelia assumed we solved the equation puzzle and confirmed it. On the other hand, since it seems like the archive was needed, Amelia might have just decided to give us the answer because we don't have it.
Confirmation: If 2015 is the garage door code, that makes it t*, and you can actually get approximately that if you make t = 2018. If you plug 2018 into the equation, along with the other variables, you get 2014.99993067414, which is approximately 2015, the confirmed overall answer.
Answer: 2018
Thus, not only is the garage door code confirmed to be 2015, but Amelia actually set the code herself at some point. The full solved equation becomes 2015=2018(sqrt(1-((11705+4636)^2/299792^2))).
Segue:
March 24th
@mjesec88 made an Instagram group for select individuals from the community. These individuals were told “You don’t have to share the abstract," alluding to the fact that the archive was finally coming. Later in the day, these individuals were sent the Experiment G-15D Archive. The email read:
Dear [NAME], Congratulations! As of March 15th 2018, your request for the archive of experiment G-15D has been granted. About Your Clearance Clearance for archived material release is determined by the requesting parties involvement in the project related to the information request. In your case with the involvement in G-15D we have determined your clearance includes the following: G-15D: Social media transmissions G-15D: Television transmissions Requesting parties emotional abstract Emotional Abstract Your emotional abstract is a simplification of your full emotional profile. [PERSONAL EMOTIONAL ABSTRACT] The remainder of your materials are attached. You are welcome to dispute your level of clearance and request additional information. However, due to our intensive screening process, this evaluation can take up to 6 weeks. Thank you for your cooperation with the Heart and Brain Corporation. Have a nice day.
Attached to the email were the following two files, which actually held secrets (1,2).
This pastebin details how to solve certain puzzles on @tsuki50 and @mjesec88 Instagrams, which makes solving the archive messages easier. The first file has a copy of each of the DELILAH bump transmissions, although they have been edited, and there is an unconfirmed additional bump prior to what is currently known as the first bump.
Possibly more importantly, the second file has a file called index.html, which not only has a copy of all of the tweets made by the main Twitter account, but also secret messages hidden in its source code. This file contains the preliminary translations of the secret messages, which use the unicode and emoji ciphers. The messages make the most sense in reverse order, readable here.
Players who received an email also received a 6-week timeline at the end of their emails. 6 weeks is the same amount of time that elapsed between the end of the first and beginning of the second chapter, leading players to speculate that more content, or perhaps even another chapter, would be coming on or around May 6th, 2018.
Lastly, hidden in the "G-15D_Social Media_Transmissions" folder is a file called "EyedEmuInfo," which contains the message 2100 PST and string of numbers which could be a phone number, 5753226848.
Transmission 8
March 25, 2018 \\ View Online \\ Broadcast during Family Guy \\ 10:31 PM EST
~)>◯# ▪?¡ "?÷ >@@ ▪?¡÷ )◼@;. + #◯?[ +~ [>×◯'~ >@[>▪× ◼>×▪ "?÷ ▪?¡, +~ [>×◯'~ ◼>×▪ "?÷ *◼ ◼+~)◼÷. $▪ ~)◼ ~+*◼ ▪?¡ ^◼~ ~)+× +~ [+@@ $◼ 2018. + &?◯'~ #◯?[ [)◼÷◼ +'@@ $◼, $¡~ +'* ס÷◼ [◼'@@ ~>@# ×??◯. ¡◯~+@ ◯◼¤~ ~+*◼. [@find_amelia]
Analysis:
This transmission can be deciphered using the unicode cipher:
Thank you for all your help. I know it wasn't always easy for you, it wasn't easy for me either. By the time you get this it will be 2018. I don't know where I'll be, but I'm sure we'll talk soon. Until next time.
Other than what the phone number will bring, this statement makes it seem like another break in the ARG is approaching. Players reasoned this would make sense as April Fools, right around the corner, was usually a big event for Adult Swim. Similarly, the Heart and Brain Corporation email told players that they would have to wait 6 weeks, the same length of time the previous ARG chapter break was. Players speculated whether they could be looking at another 6 week break.
Segue:
March 26th, 2018
Around midnight (at 21:00 PST, as indicated when the phone number was discovered), a few players were able to get in touch with Amelia by phone using the number 575-322-6848. Recordings of some of these conversations are available here and here.
March 29th, 2018
Just when players thought a break was beginning, Dr. X seemingly had a breakdown in a @centerforspiritualawakening Instagram post. It is important to note that this post not only indicates that Dr. X knows Amelia is around and in contact with ARG players, but also that she knows the emoji cipher at least, if not both ciphers. The following is that post deciphered:
Do you think this is fucking over? This isn’t over. Life isn’t just a place where you can have fun. Not if you want to be successful, life isn’t about “hanging out” in the desert with your friends. Life has rules, there’s more to being an innovative researcher than “hanging out.” You have to fucking work. Do you think I can't understand you? Do you think I can’t understand you? Of course I can. I fucking taught you. I know you. You took advantage of me not paying attention, you took advantage of my distant energy, you little bitch. Hiding crap, making stupid puzzles. I had so much patience with you too. What the fuck is your problem that you can’t be appreciative for everything I’ve done for you. I have been beyond kind. Life has rules and you broke them. Every choice has consequences. Being an adult means dealing with those consequences. And guess what, Amelia, I get to deal with your consequences too this time. It’s physics: for every reaction - there is an opposite and equal reaction. But when you’re talking about humans with their emotions and their egos and their affinity for hurting others, when you’re talking about a corporation, exploitation, money - it’s a huge fucking reaction, for your huge fuck up. So thank you Amelia for bringing a shit storm into my life. And thank you "investigators" for helping her. You don’t have to worry about revenge from me, I don’t need to take revenge, things just have a way of evening out. People get what they deserve.
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