Murders at Karlov Manor/Puzzles: Difference between revisions

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(RE-WRITE: the majority of the article has been modified to better reflect the ARG's structure and to seperate out the puzzles completed prior to the start of the ARG. NEED - update the Into and Description.)
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==Description==
==Description==
{{cquote|Welcome aboard, agent, and thank you for agreeing to help on such short notice. We have received high praise regarding your consulting detective work, and at present we need all the minds we can get.<br/>
Perhaps you’ve heard, but a string of high-profile murders across the city has the Agency extremely backed up on its unsolved case files, and some of them are . . . intriguing. Could be nothing, could be something, but we cannot know for sure until you take a look.<br/>
Think you can handle the task? Be sure to report your findings back to Detective [[Alquist Proft]] whenever you make a breakthrough.|[[Ezrim]], [[Ravnican Agency of Magicological Investigations]] Chief}}
There is one overarching puzzle — across all products and online — that gives players who crave a true challenge the opportunity to solve a greater mystery; however, there are still 12 individual puzzles that are self-contained and are just as satisfying cases to crack.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://wpn.wizards.com/en/news/retailer-first-look-murders-at-karlov-manor-cluedo|title=Retailer First Look: Murders at Karlov Manor|author=[[WPN]]|date=December 8, 2023|publisher=[[Wizards Play Network]]}}</ref> Once the final puzzle has been solved, it unlocks information about the future of ''[[Magic]]''. As soon as any person anywhere in the world submits the correct solution to the final puzzle to the [https://magic.wizards.com/en/products/murders-at-karlov-manor/mystery-files dedicated website], a bonus [[Magic Story]] epilogue will be released that points to the future of the game.<ref>{{YouTubeRef|UiMOw7ipFLo|''Murders at Karlov Manor'' - First Look|channel=[[Weekly MTG]]|date=December 5, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Aftershow">{{YouTubeRef|mPYIidIMzyc|Murders At Karlov Manor Debut Aftershow.|channel=[[Magic: The Gathering]]|date=January 16, 2024}}</ref>
There is one overarching puzzle — across all products and online — that gives players who crave a true challenge the opportunity to solve a greater mystery; however, there are still 12 individual puzzles that are self-contained and are just as satisfying cases to crack.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://wpn.wizards.com/en/news/retailer-first-look-murders-at-karlov-manor-cluedo|title=Retailer First Look: Murders at Karlov Manor|author=[[WPN]]|date=December 8, 2023|publisher=[[Wizards Play Network]]}}</ref> Once the final puzzle has been solved, it unlocks information about the future of ''[[Magic]]''. As soon as any person anywhere in the world submits the correct solution to the final puzzle to the [https://magic.wizards.com/en/products/murders-at-karlov-manor/mystery-files dedicated website], a bonus [[Magic Story]] epilogue will be released that points to the future of the game.<ref>{{YouTubeRef|UiMOw7ipFLo|''Murders at Karlov Manor'' - First Look|channel=[[Weekly MTG]]|date=December 5, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Aftershow">{{YouTubeRef|mPYIidIMzyc|Murders At Karlov Manor Debut Aftershow.|channel=[[Magic: The Gathering]]|date=January 16, 2024}}</ref>


The project was overseen by [[Mark Gottlieb]] and [[Mark Rosewater]] was also on the puzzle building team.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/735998811237924864|title=Is there anything in particular you’re really excited to see in terms of release next year?|December 6, 2023}}</ref>
The project was overseen by [[Mark Gottlieb]] and [[Mark Rosewater]] was also on the puzzle building team.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/735998811237924864|title=Is there anything in particular you’re really excited to see in terms of release next year?|December 6, 2023}}</ref>


===Mystery File Headquarters===
==Pre-ARG puzzles==
Each day, starting on February 2 ([[Prerelease]] day), you’ll get access to a new Mystery File on [https://magic.wizards.com/en/products/murders-at-karlov-manor/mystery-files this website]. Each one is a puzzle you can solve using clues and information found on this website and in ''Murders at Karlov Manor'' products. Each Mystery File has a Crime Scene that will tell you where to find the evidence you need.
Prior to the release of the set, Wizards of the Coast started to provide some clues to participants via their social media channels (Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok). These puzzles were completed in the lead up to the set's pre-release on February 2<sup>nd</sup> and aren't considered part of the main ARG.
 
===Puzzle #1===
====List of clues====
{| class="wikitable sortable" 
!Clue
!Message
!Date
!Notes
|-
|[[File:MKM Clue map fragment1.jpg|175px]]
|Hey little guy, what'cha got there? #MTGKarlov 🐾
|2024-01-08<ref>{{TwitterRef|wizards_magic|1744464010685084030|author=[[Magic: The Gathering]]|title=Hey little guy, what'cha got there? #MTGKarlov 🐾|date=January 8, 2024}}</ref>
|Illustration for {{card|Tunnel Tipster||MKM}} with a map fragment superimposed into the [[Mole|Molefolk]]'s hand.
|-
|[[File:MKM Clue map fragment2.png|175px]]
|Key clues can be found in places often overlooked. #MTGKarlov 🐾➕ 1️⃣
|2024-01-10<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C17x2_-pe5v/|title=Key clues can be found in places often overlooked. #MTGKarlov 🐾➕ 1️⃣|author=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|publisher=Instagram|date=January 10, 2024}}</ref>
|Illustration for {{card|Jaded Analyst||MKM}} with a map fragment superimposed into the [[human]]'s dossier.
|-
|[[File:MKM Clue map fragment3.jpg|175px]]
|So many clues to keep track of, and so little time to solve them. #MTGKarlov 🐾🐾
|2024-01-12<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=758509926304459&set=a.629842859171167|title=So many clues to keep track of, and so little time to solve them. #MTGKarlov 🐾🐾|author=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|publisher=Facebook|date=January 12, 2024}}</ref>
|Illustration for {{card|Case File Auditor||MKM}} with a map fragment superimposed onto the human's scroll.
|-
|[[File:MKM Clue map fragment4.mp4|175px]]
|Hint: watch this all the way through, our little friend may have found another clue. #MTGKarlov 🐾
|2024-01-15<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.tiktok.com/@mtg/video/7324474472654753070|title=Hint: watch this all the way through, our little friend may have found another clue. #MTGKarlov 🐾|author=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|publisher=TikTok|date=January 15, 2024}}</ref>
|The end of a video depicts a map fragment hanging as decoration in the background of the illustration for {{card|Case of the Filched Falcon||MKM}}.
|-
|[[File:MKM Clue map fragment5.mp4|175px]]
|To a great mind, nothing is little! #MTGKarlov 🐾🐾🐾
|2024-01-18<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C2Nyx_CSow1/|title=To a great mind, nothing is little! #MTGKarlov 🐾🐾🐾|author=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|publisher=Instagram|date=January 18, 2024}}</ref>
|Video depicting a map fragment in amongst [[Alquist Proft]]'s notes on the main story case.
|-
|
|Maybe the number of episodes is a clue? 👀 <br/>
Read the latest [https://twitter.com/hashtag/MTGKarlov?src=hashtag_click #MTGKarlov] episode "Roots of Decay" here:<br/>
[https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/magic-story/episode-10-roots-of-decay https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/magic-story/episode-10-roots-of-decay]
|2024-01-19<ref>{{TwitterRef|wizards_magic|1748057676012011673|title=Maybe the number of episodes is a clue? 👀 |author=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|date=January 19, 2024}}</ref>
|Tweet promoting the final chapter of the main story.
|-
|[[File:MKM Clue map fragment6.jpg|175px]]
|Until you have all the clues, it's difficult to see the whole picture. #MTGKarlov ✅
|2024-01-20<ref>{{TwitterRef|wizards_magic|1748450261884887294|title=Until you have all the clues, it's difficult to see the whole picture. #MTGKarlov ✅|author=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|date=January 20, 2024}}</ref>
|Key art depicting a map fragment alongside a portrait of [[Teysa Karlov]].
|-
|[[File:MKM_preview_clue_board.jpg|175px]]
|Oh look! Our Tunnel Tipster friend has made one last discovery. Can you connect the dots? #MTGKarlov<br/>
The strings are NOW in place! #MTGKarlov
|2024-01-20<ref>{{TwitterRef|wizards_magic|1748477668662956373|title=The strings are NOW in place! #MTGKarlov|author=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|date=January 20, 2024}}</ref>
|Cards containing clues pinned up on a corkboard with string connecting them. In order, starting at the {{card|Tunnel Tipster}} card preview:
*An eight-sided dice with the 2 and 3 sides visible.
*The [[illustration]] of {{card|Pack Leader|Core Set 2021|M21}}.
*A chess pawn capturing a king.
*"PRW2", {{U}}, the pen symbol that appears next to a card artist's name, "Y-H.H."
*An illustration of four bees.
*"<u>ROOTS OF DECAY</u>"
*"LIKE A (drawing of an areoplane)" surrounded by music notes, "F.A.M" in the bottom right corner.
*"[[Zendikar Rising/Commander decks|ZNC]] 130 SUBTYPE:"
*An illustration of four waves.
*"<u>F</u>A<u>TE</u>"
*"[[Friday Night Magic|FNM]] 01/01/2016"
|}
 
====Map fragments====
<gallery>
File:MapFragment1.png|Map fragment #1.
File:MapFragment2.png|Map fragment #2.
File:MapFragment3.png|Map fragment #3.
File:MapFragment4.png|Map fragment #4.
File:MapFragment5.png|Map fragment #5.
File:MapFragment6.png|Map fragment #6.
File:MKM ARG complete map.webp|The completed map.
</gallery>
 
====Solutions====
Each clue on the cork-board corresponded to a set of coordinates on the completed map.
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! Coordinate !! Character !! Explanation
|-
| D8 || 4 || In [[D&D]] terminology, an eight-sided dice is truncated as "D8".
|-
| K9 || 7 || <c>Pack Leader</c> has the [[Dog]] subtype. Dogs are a type of [[Wikipedia:Caninae|Caninae]] and a popular homophone of canine is "K9".
|-
| M8 || 5 || A game of chess ends when the opponent's king is in check, and there is no legal way to get it out of check ([[Wikipedia:Checkmate|checkmate]]). The prefix "check" can be removed from the clue as a king can be in check without being in checkmate, leaving just "mate". M8 can be used as a homophone of "mate".
|-
| B10 || q || The illustration initials refer to artist [[List of illustrators|Yeong-Hao Han]]. "PRW2" is the expansion code used by [[Scryfall]] to catalogue the [[Magic Weekend|Ravnica Weekend]] promotional lands from the ''[[Ravnica Allegiance]]'' release. The only {{U}} card in that collection illustrated by Yeong-Hao Han was {{card|Island||PRW2|#=B10}}, which has the [[collector number]] "B10".
|-
|| B4 || 1 || The illustration has four bees, which is a homophone for "4B".
|-
| E10 || - (hyphen) || The tenth episode of main story for ''Murders at Karlov Manor'' is titled "Murders at Karlov Manor Episode 10: Roots of Decay". A common way to refer to stories with multiple episodes is to use a truncated episode number {{-}} "E10".
|-
| G6 || w (lower case) || The clue refers to the 2010 song [[Wikipedia:Like a G6|Like a G6]] by [[Wikipedia:Far East Movement|Far East Movement]].
|-
| G8 || Y || "ZNC 130" is the set and collector code for {{card|Gruul Guildgate|Zendikar Rising Commander|ZNC|#=130}}. The card's [[subtype]] {{-}} [[Gate]] {{-}} can be broken into "G" and "ate", with  "ate" being a homophone for "8".
|-
| C4 || L || The illustration has four waves, indicating an ocean or sea. Using "sea", this clue is a homophone for "4C".
|-
| F8 || C || The illustration shows the "F" in "fate" is underlined separately from "ate". Because "ate" is a homophone "8", the solution becomes "F8".
|-
| F16 || o (lower case) || "FNM" is shorthand for [[Friday Night Magic]] and the date is a reference to the [[FNM_card#2016|FNM card]] for January 2016. On Scryfall, this card is catalogued with the set code "F16". It is also possible to use the first letter and last two digits of this clue to arrive at the same result.
|-
| colspan="3" |'''Result:'''<br/>
When all the characters are combined in the order of the clue cards, they produce the string "475q1-wYLCo".<br/>
If added to the end of a standard YouTube URL ("<small><nowiki>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=</nowiki></small>") they lead to an [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=475q1-wYLCo unlisted video] on the ''Magic: The Gathering'' channel that previews the card for {{card|Anzrag, the Quake-Mole||MKM}}.
|}


When you have an answer to show [[Alquist Proft]], enter it on that Mystery File page. It will tell you whether you’ve solved the puzzle or you have more sleuthing to do.
==Mystery Files==
The main ARG puzzles.


The first twelve Mystery Files are independent of one another. You can solve them in any order, and you don’t have to solve them the day they open. The final Mystery File is a “metapuzzle” – you’ll need the answers to all of the other puzzles to solve it.
===Mystery File Headquarters===
For two weeks, starting with the [[prerelease]] on February 2<sup>nd</sup>, a new Mystery File will be released each day on the [https://magic.wizards.com/en/products/murders-at-karlov-manor/mystery-files Mystery Files] website. Mystery files are ARG puzzles that are solved using clues and information found in ''Murders at Karlov Manor'' products and on the Mystery Files website. Each Mystery File has a Crime Scene that sets the parameters for that particular puzzle. To provide players with additional help, the Mystery Files website also includes an "Ask Alquist" button. Each puzzle has three hits that can be obtained via the button. Participants can click any number of questions, in any order, at any time, or skip them entirely. There’s no penalty in the Mystery Files for using the Ask Alquist function, allowing participants to personalize the difficulty of each Mystery File.


If you feel like getting more information about a puzzle, you can consult with Detective Alquist Proft. Each puzzle has an “Ask Alquist” button that leads to three questions you can ask him about that puzzle. You can click any number of questions, in any order, at any time, or skip them entirely. (For example, maybe you decide to ask only question #2.) There’s no penalty for asking Alquist. You can personalize the difficulty of each Mystery File to the level you find the most fun and get help when you’re stuck.
When participants have an answer, they can enter it on Mystery File website to receive confirmation they have solved the puzzle or an indication that they have more sleuthing to do.
{{cquote|Welcome aboard, agent, and thank you for agreeing to help on such short notice. We have received high praise regarding your consulting detective work, and at present we need all the minds we can get.


Perhaps you’ve heard, but a string of high-profile murders across the city has the Agency extremely backed up on its unsolved case files, and some of them are . . . intriguing. Could be nothing, could be something, but we cannot know for sure until you take a look.
The first twelve Mystery Files are designed to be independent of one another. They can be solved in any order and don't have to be solved on the day of their release. The final Mystery File is a meta-puzzle requiring the answers to all of the other puzzles, in addition to some further clues, to solve.


Think you can handle the task? Be sure to report your findings back to Detective Alquist Proft whenever you make a breakthrough.|[[Ezrim]], [[Ravnican Agency of Magicological Investigations]] Chief}}
===List of unsolved clues===
===List of clues===
{| class="wikitable sortable"   
{| class="wikitable sortable"   
!Product
!Product
Line 37: Line 147:
|Missing the number "16"
|Missing the number "16"
|
|
|-
|Social media
|[[Mole|Molefolk]] holding a map depicting the [[Ravnica#The Red Wastes|Red Wastes]] and [[Skarrg]]. The map also features red numbers and letters. Pawprints in the accompanying text.<ref>{{TwitterRef|wizards_magic|1744464010685084030|author=[[Magic: The Gathering]]|title=Hey little guy, what'cha got there? #MTGKarlov 🐾|date=January 8, 2024}}</ref>
|Possibly an [[omenpath]] visitor from [[Bloomburrow]].
|-
|-
|Social media
|Social media
Line 49: Line 155:
*Facebook {{-}} 3 pawprints on the banner image.
*Facebook {{-}} 3 pawprints on the banner image.
*Twitter/X {{-}} 6 pawprints on the banner image.
*Twitter/X {{-}} 6 pawprints on the banner image.
|-
|Social media
|[[Human]] holding a folder with a map depicting [[Ravnica#Selesnya_territory|Concordance]] and [[Ravnica#Selesnya_territory|The Great Concourse]]. The map also features red numbers and letters, two green spirals and a green "X". Pawprints in the accompanying text.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C17x2_-pe5v/|title=Key clues can be found in places often overlooked. #MTGKarlov 🐾➕ 1️⃣|author=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|publisher=Instagram|date=January 10, 2024}}</ref>
|
|-
|Social media
|[[Human]] with five scrolls, one of which has a map depicting the [[Tenth District]] and [[Vitu-Ghazi]]. The map also features red numbers and letters and three green spirals. Two pawprints in the accompanying text.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=758509926304459&set=a.629842859171167|title=So many clues to keep track of, and so little time to solve them. #MTGKarlov 🐾🐾|author=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|publisher=Facebook|date=January 12, 2024}}</ref>
|
|-
|Social media
|The end of a video depicts a map hanging as decoration. The map has the [[Ravnica#Selesnya territory|Beast Haven]] labelled. The map also features red numbers and letters, a green spiral, and a green "X". One pawprint is in the accompanying text.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.tiktok.com/@mtg/video/7324474472654753070|title=Hint: watch this all the way through, our little friend may have found another clue. #MTGKarlov 🐾|author=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|publisher=TikTok|date=January 15, 2024}}</ref>
|
|-
|-
|Card preview
|Card preview
Line 73: Line 167:
|{{Card|Case of the Stashed Skeleton}}: The art features the same [[Jace Beleren|Jace]] puppet as {{Card|Cult Guildmage||RNA|#=164}}.
|{{Card|Case of the Stashed Skeleton}}: The art features the same [[Jace Beleren|Jace]] puppet as {{Card|Cult Guildmage||RNA|#=164}}.
|Art also contains a {{Card|Lead Pipe}}.
|Art also contains a {{Card|Lead Pipe}}.
|-
|Card preview
|{{Card|Tunnel Tipster}}: Card pinned up on a corkboard with scraps of paper containing clues. In order, left-right, top-bottom:
*An eight-sided dice with the 2 and 3 sides visible.
*"[[Friday Night Magic|FNM]] 01/01/2016"
*The art of {{Card|Pack Leader}}
*Four waves
*A chess pawn capturing a king
*"<u>FATE</u>"
*"[[Zendikar Rising/Commander decks|ZNC]] 130 SUBTYPE:"
*Four bees
*"PRW 2", the blue mana symbol, the symbol that appears next to a card artist's name, "Y-H.H."
*"<u>ROOTS OF DECAY</u>"
*"LIKE A (drawing of an airplane)" surrounded by music notes, "F.A.M" in the bottom right corner
|Each clue corresponds to a set of coordinates on the map.
*Eight sided dice: D8
*FNM: F16
*Pack Leader: K9
*Four waves: 4C
*Pawn capturing king: M8 (checkmate)
*Fate: F8
*ZNC 130: G8 ("Gate," {{Card|Gruul Guildgate}} has the collector number 130 in the Zendikar Rising Commander decks)
*Four bees: B4
*PRW 2: B10 (The collector number of [https://scryfall.com/card/prw2/B10/island this promo Island] by Yeong-Hao Han)
*Roots of Decay: E10 (tenth episode of this set's story)
*Plane: G6 (Reference to the song [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Like_a_G6 Like a G6])
When all the letters are combined in the order they're strung together in the clue, they lead to [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=475q1-wYLCo this unlisted YouTube video], which is the card preview for {{Card|Anzrag, the Quake-Mole}}.
|-
|-
|}
|}


==Gallery ==
===Unsolved clues gallery===
===Clues===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:MKM Spindown life counter.jpg|Bundle Spindown Life Counter missing #16
File:MKM Spindown life counter.jpg|Bundle Spindown Life Counter missing #16
File:MKM Clue map fragment1.jpg|{{card|Tunnel Tipster||MKM}} art depicting map fragment #1.
File:MKM Clue pawprints Twitter 20240109.jpg|Pawprints on the MTG Twitter account.
File:MKM Clue pawprints Twitter 20240109.jpg|Pawprints on the MTG Twitter account.
File:MKM Clue pawprints Facebook 20240109.png|Pawprints on the MTG Facebook account.
File:MKM Clue pawprints Facebook 20240109.png|Pawprints on the MTG Facebook account.
File:MKM Clue TikTok Pawprints 20240109.png|Pawprints on the MTG TikTok account.
File:MKM Clue TikTok Pawprints 20240109.png|Pawprints on the MTG TikTok account.
File:MKM Clue pawprints Instagram 20240109.png|Pawprints on the MTG Instagram account.
File:MKM Clue pawprints Instagram 20240109.png|Pawprints on the MTG Instagram account.
File:MKM Clue map fragment2.png|{{card|Jaded Analyst||MKM}} art depicting map fragment #2.
File:MKM Clue map fragment3.jpg|{{card|Case File Auditor||MKM}} art depicting map fragment #3.
File:MKM Clue map fragment4.mp4|Video depicting map fragment #4.
File:Surveil dual land panorama.png|A panorama of the [[Card_frame#Borderless|borderless]] [[surveil]] [[Dual land#Legacy|dual lands]] form a clue.
File:Surveil dual land panorama.png|A panorama of the [[Card_frame#Borderless|borderless]] [[surveil]] [[Dual land#Legacy|dual lands]] form a clue.
File:MKM Clue map fragment5.mp4|Video depicting map fragment #5.
File:MKM Clue map fragment6.jpg|Key art depicting map fragment #6.
</gallery>
</gallery>


===Map fragments===
===Mystery File #1===
<gallery>
''To be released on February 2nd, 2024.''
File:MapFragment1.png|Map fragment #1.
 
File:MapFragment2.png|Map fragment #2.
===Mystery File #2===
File:MapFragment3.png|Map fragment #3.
''To be released on February 3rd, 2024.''
File:MapFragment4.png|Map fragment #4.
 
File:MapFragment5.png|Map fragment #5.
===Mystery File #3===
File:MapFragment6.png|Map fragment #6.
''To be released on February 4th, 2024.''
File:MKM ARG complete map.webp|The completed map.
 
</gallery>
===Mystery File #4===
''To be released on February 5th, 2024.''
 
===Mystery File #5===
''To be released on February 6th, 2024.''
 
===Mystery File #6===
''To be released on February 7th, 2024.''
 
===Mystery File #7===
''To be released on February 8th, 2024.''
 
===Mystery File #8===
''To be released on February 9th, 2024.''
 
===Mystery File #9===
''To be released on February 10th, 2024.''
 
===Mystery File #10===
''To be released on February 11th, 2024.''
 
===Mystery File #11===
''To be released on February 12th, 2024.''
 
===Mystery File #12===
''To be released on February 13th, 2024.''
 
===Mystery File #13===
''To be released on February 14th, 2024.''


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 07:27, 22 January 2024

Murders at Karlov Manor/Puzzles
 
Commander decks
 
Card comparisons
 
Trivia
 
Art Series
 
Puzzles
 
The Case of the Three Blade Knife
 

Across Murders at Karlov Manor cards and products, players can uncover clues to something bigger — with a final reward for the most assiduous of sleuths out there. Each product in the set contains a puzzle to be solved; some puzzle components are only found within the physical products, but others encourage players to continue the discovery online with web-based puzzles added regularly throughout the season.

Description

“  Welcome aboard, agent, and thank you for agreeing to help on such short notice. We have received high praise regarding your consulting detective work, and at present we need all the minds we can get.

Perhaps you’ve heard, but a string of high-profile murders across the city has the Agency extremely backed up on its unsolved case files, and some of them are . . . intriguing. Could be nothing, could be something, but we cannot know for sure until you take a look.
Think you can handle the task? Be sure to report your findings back to Detective Alquist Proft whenever you make a breakthrough.

 ”

—Ezrim, Ravnican Agency of Magicological Investigations Chief

There is one overarching puzzle — across all products and online — that gives players who crave a true challenge the opportunity to solve a greater mystery; however, there are still 12 individual puzzles that are self-contained and are just as satisfying cases to crack.[1] Once the final puzzle has been solved, it unlocks information about the future of Magic. As soon as any person anywhere in the world submits the correct solution to the final puzzle to the dedicated website, a bonus Magic Story epilogue will be released that points to the future of the game.[2][3]

The project was overseen by Mark Gottlieb and Mark Rosewater was also on the puzzle building team.[4]

Pre-ARG puzzles

Prior to the release of the set, Wizards of the Coast started to provide some clues to participants via their social media channels (Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok). These puzzles were completed in the lead up to the set's pre-release on February 2nd and aren't considered part of the main ARG.

Puzzle #1

List of clues

Clue Message Date Notes
Hey little guy, what'cha got there? #MTGKarlov 🐾 2024-01-08[5] Illustration for Tunnel Tipster with a map fragment superimposed into the Molefolk's hand.
Key clues can be found in places often overlooked. #MTGKarlov 🐾➕ 1️⃣ 2024-01-10[6] Illustration for Jaded Analyst with a map fragment superimposed into the human's dossier.
So many clues to keep track of, and so little time to solve them. #MTGKarlov 🐾🐾 2024-01-12[7] Illustration for Case File Auditor with a map fragment superimposed onto the human's scroll.
File:MKM Clue map fragment4.mp4 Hint: watch this all the way through, our little friend may have found another clue. #MTGKarlov 🐾 2024-01-15[8] The end of a video depicts a map fragment hanging as decoration in the background of the illustration for Case of the Filched Falcon.
File:MKM Clue map fragment5.mp4 To a great mind, nothing is little! #MTGKarlov 🐾🐾🐾 2024-01-18[9] Video depicting a map fragment in amongst Alquist Proft's notes on the main story case.
Maybe the number of episodes is a clue? 👀

Read the latest #MTGKarlov episode "Roots of Decay" here:
https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/magic-story/episode-10-roots-of-decay

2024-01-19[10] Tweet promoting the final chapter of the main story.
Until you have all the clues, it's difficult to see the whole picture. #MTGKarlov ✅ 2024-01-20[11] Key art depicting a map fragment alongside a portrait of Teysa Karlov.
Oh look! Our Tunnel Tipster friend has made one last discovery. Can you connect the dots? #MTGKarlov

The strings are NOW in place! #MTGKarlov

2024-01-20[12] Cards containing clues pinned up on a corkboard with string connecting them. In order, starting at the Tunnel Tipster card preview:
  • An eight-sided dice with the 2 and 3 sides visible.
  • The illustration of Pack Leader (Core Set 2021).
  • A chess pawn capturing a king.
  • "PRW2", {U}, the pen symbol that appears next to a card artist's name, "Y-H.H."
  • An illustration of four bees.
  • "ROOTS OF DECAY"
  • "LIKE A (drawing of an areoplane)" surrounded by music notes, "F.A.M" in the bottom right corner.
  • "ZNC 130 SUBTYPE:"
  • An illustration of four waves.
  • "FATE"
  • "FNM 01/01/2016"

Map fragments

  • Map fragment #1.

    Map fragment #1.

  • Map fragment #2.

    Map fragment #2.

  • Map fragment #3.

    Map fragment #3.

  • Map fragment #4.

    Map fragment #4.

  • Map fragment #5.

    Map fragment #5.

  • Map fragment #6.

    Map fragment #6.

  • The completed map.

    The completed map.

Solutions

Each clue on the cork-board corresponded to a set of coordinates on the completed map.

Coordinate Character Explanation
D8 4 In D&D terminology, an eight-sided dice is truncated as "D8".
K9 7 Pack Leader has the Dog subtype. Dogs are a type of Caninae and a popular homophone of canine is "K9".
M8 5 A game of chess ends when the opponent's king is in check, and there is no legal way to get it out of check (checkmate). The prefix "check" can be removed from the clue as a king can be in check without being in checkmate, leaving just "mate". M8 can be used as a homophone of "mate".
B10 q The illustration initials refer to artist Yeong-Hao Han. "PRW2" is the expansion code used by Scryfall to catalogue the Ravnica Weekend promotional lands from the Ravnica Allegiance release. The only {U} card in that collection illustrated by Yeong-Hao Han was Island, which has the collector number "B10".
B4 1 The illustration has four bees, which is a homophone for "4B".
E10 - (hyphen) The tenth episode of main story for Murders at Karlov Manor is titled "Murders at Karlov Manor Episode 10: Roots of Decay". A common way to refer to stories with multiple episodes is to use a truncated episode number — "E10".
G6 w (lower case) The clue refers to the 2010 song Like a G6 by Far East Movement.
G8 Y "ZNC 130" is the set and collector code for Gruul Guildgate (Zendikar Rising Commander, #130). The card's subtype — Gate — can be broken into "G" and "ate", with "ate" being a homophone for "8".
C4 L The illustration has four waves, indicating an ocean or sea. Using "sea", this clue is a homophone for "4C".
F8 C The illustration shows the "F" in "fate" is underlined separately from "ate". Because "ate" is a homophone "8", the solution becomes "F8".
F16 o (lower case) "FNM" is shorthand for Friday Night Magic and the date is a reference to the FNM card for January 2016. On Scryfall, this card is catalogued with the set code "F16". It is also possible to use the first letter and last two digits of this clue to arrive at the same result.
Result:

When all the characters are combined in the order of the clue cards, they produce the string "475q1-wYLCo".
If added to the end of a standard YouTube URL ("https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=") they lead to an unlisted video on the Magic: The Gathering channel that previews the card for Anzrag, the Quake-Mole.

Mystery Files

The main ARG puzzles.

Mystery File Headquarters

For two weeks, starting with the prerelease on February 2nd, a new Mystery File will be released each day on the Mystery Files website. Mystery files are ARG puzzles that are solved using clues and information found in Murders at Karlov Manor products and on the Mystery Files website. Each Mystery File has a Crime Scene that sets the parameters for that particular puzzle. To provide players with additional help, the Mystery Files website also includes an "Ask Alquist" button. Each puzzle has three hits that can be obtained via the button. Participants can click any number of questions, in any order, at any time, or skip them entirely. There’s no penalty in the Mystery Files for using the Ask Alquist function, allowing participants to personalize the difficulty of each Mystery File.

When participants have an answer, they can enter it on Mystery File website to receive confirmation they have solved the puzzle or an indication that they have more sleuthing to do.

The first twelve Mystery Files are designed to be independent of one another. They can be solved in any order and don't have to be solved on the day of their release. The final Mystery File is a meta-puzzle requiring the answers to all of the other puzzles, in addition to some further clues, to solve.

List of unsolved clues

Product Clue Notes
Bundle spindown life counter Missing the number "16"
Social media Sets of pawprints across several of the Magic: The Gathering social media channels.[13]
  • Instagram — 1 pawprint in the bio (🐾).
  • TikTok — 2 pawprints in the bio (🐾).
  • Facebook — 3 pawprints on the banner image.
  • Twitter/X — 6 pawprints on the banner image.
Card preview Case of the Gorgon's Kiss: Two different art versions in preview, one with a green cushion, one with a red cushion.
Card preview Tap-surveil duals: When all extended arts are lined up in a certain order, a hidden message is revealed: "RNA 32 x 5 + 4" 32 x 5 + 4 = 164, the collector number of Cult Guildmage in Ravnica Allegiance.
Card preview Case of the Stashed Skeleton: The art features the same Jace puppet as Cult Guildmage. Art also contains a Lead Pipe.

Unsolved clues gallery

  • Bundle Spindown Life Counter missing #16

    Bundle Spindown Life Counter missing #16

  • Pawprints on the MTG Twitter account.

    Pawprints on the MTG Twitter account.

  • Pawprints on the MTG Facebook account.

    Pawprints on the MTG Facebook account.

  • Pawprints on the MTG TikTok account.

    Pawprints on the MTG TikTok account.

  • Pawprints on the MTG Instagram account.

    Pawprints on the MTG Instagram account.

  • A panorama of the borderless surveil dual lands form a clue.

    A panorama of the borderless surveil dual lands form a clue.

Mystery File #1

To be released on February 2nd, 2024.

Mystery File #2

To be released on February 3rd, 2024.

Mystery File #3

To be released on February 4th, 2024.

Mystery File #4

To be released on February 5th, 2024.

Mystery File #5

To be released on February 6th, 2024.

Mystery File #6

To be released on February 7th, 2024.

Mystery File #7

To be released on February 8th, 2024.

Mystery File #8

To be released on February 9th, 2024.

Mystery File #9

To be released on February 10th, 2024.

Mystery File #10

To be released on February 11th, 2024.

Mystery File #11

To be released on February 12th, 2024.

Mystery File #12

To be released on February 13th, 2024.

Mystery File #13

To be released on February 14th, 2024.

External links

References

  1. ↑ WPN (December 8, 2023). "Retailer First Look: Murders at Karlov Manor". Wizards Play Network.
  2. ↑ Murders at Karlov Manor - First Look (Video). Weekly MTG. YouTube (December 5, 2023).
  3. ↑ Murders At Karlov Manor Debut Aftershow. (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (January 16, 2024).
  4. ↑ Mark Rosewater (December 6, 2023). "Is there anything in particular you’re really excited to see in terms of release next year?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  5. ↑ Magic: The Gathering (January 8, 2024). "Hey little guy, what'cha got there? #MTGKarlov 🐾". Twitter.
  6. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (January 10, 2024). "Key clues can be found in places often overlooked. #MTGKarlov 🐾➕ 1️⃣". Instagram.
  7. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (January 12, 2024). "So many clues to keep track of, and so little time to solve them. #MTGKarlov 🐾🐾". Facebook.
  8. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (January 15, 2024). "Hint: watch this all the way through, our little friend may have found another clue. #MTGKarlov 🐾". TikTok.
  9. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (January 18, 2024). "To a great mind, nothing is little! #MTGKarlov 🐾🐾🐾". Instagram.
  10. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (January 19, 2024). "Maybe the number of episodes is a clue? 👀". Twitter.
  11. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (January 20, 2024). "Until you have all the clues, it's difficult to see the whole picture. #MTGKarlov ✅". Twitter.
  12. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (January 20, 2024). "The strings are NOW in place! #MTGKarlov". Twitter.
  13. ↑ u/Total_Bird5493 (January 10, 2023). "[MKM ARG] Pawprints across social media". Reddit.
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