FĂ ilt [Welcome]! Ciamar a tha thu [How are you]?

• The Fiery Cross Sign-up runs through March 1, 2011 [CLOSED]
• The Fiery Cross Clan Assignments & partners posted March 15, 2011
• Sporrans mailed by May 15, 2011

Outlandish Swap V: The Fiery Cross

Scottish clans were originally a Highland way of life. The Highland clan was, above all things, a family; a family in which everybody believed they were all, from chief to blacksmith, descended from one founder or progenitor. They regarded themselves as very close kinsmen. This Swap is dedicated to such clan families and will be organized into four clans.


Showing posts with label challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label challenge. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

'Tis Better to Marry Than Burn

Lasses, Ye've been doing a braw job on all of the challenges we have set your way. This time, we have a three part challenge but ye have two weeks to complete it. Still check in every week on Ravelry.

 
For this challenge, we will ask ye to solve a crypto list, a Drop Quote puzzle and some anagrams. The puzzles will be here, but send your answers to highlandergames (at) ymail (dot) com.

 
Crypto Families: Each puzzle contains a list of related words with a simple, unique substitution code. The heading for each puzzle gives a hint as to the types of words. Each of the words are in the book, but you really don't need your book to solve the words. You just need to figure out the code. The key to solve the first crypto family is different from both the second one and the third. Good luck!

 
People (max 5 points)
  • WOWOIW FJCC AILOCYXW
  • UAIJSEJ
  • FJYYH
  • VXNIBYI OWWJB
  • AJELIW AGBFIWS
  • UAOCCOU PHCOJ
  • QIYAJE CJNCJEN
  • BYJUAJW FXWWJY
  • LIVXE SXWICS LINSXWICS
And they're off :(max 5 points)
  • LSIQA FBIUSY
  • TJKBDM
  • QIUN RDUYB
  • SI LBSSB QSIJUB
  • YNISSJDM
  • SXQIY
  • QSIUBMQB
  • NRDUDXTRLUBK
  • HUJBYJIMY
  • NBYYI
A Mac Donald by any other name: (max 3.5 points)
  • ODTHQO _________
  • ___________ DZ YQLHW
  • KHXDA ___________
  • ___________ DZ WNL UYQLY
  • ADELAW ____________ DZ YWDATDFHI
  • ___________ DZ SQHTAHTHQO
  • ___________ DZ BLVVDSN
Drop Quotes: (5 points for each one)


  Here is a link to the drop quotes. To solve a drop quote, the game is simple. Each puzzle contains a hidden quote, with the spaces for each letter in that quote laid out in a typical crossword puzzle-type black and white grid. Above each column are a series of letters. Simply "drop" each letter into the appropriate squares in each row and column to reveal the hidden quote. Each quote is in Part Five of the book, but it is not necessary to have a paper copy of the book to solve the quotes. 

 
Anagrams: ( max 5 points)

 
For the anagrams, try to find a name of someone who is or is mentioned in this sectioned by rearranging the letters. 
  • Hey, it will
  • Heft her ant, ken?
  • A fine, left owl nut
  • Ahem, sun salon
  • Cement line
  • Arm can no more
  • Chug back meal horn
  • Her room accent
  • Zinc ace on mum elk
  • Drunken arc
 Maximum points for each part is listed next to each quiz. Mix and match your challenge for a total of 25 points (this is for two weeks). Please submit your answers by midnight on April 27th.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Beauchamp Challenge 2: Answers and Winners

Thank ye ladies for taking time from alternating heat and rain to partake of our challenge. Entries were received from 26 lasses out of a total 45 possible participants (Beauchamps got to sit this one out). We hope you all enjoyed our game.

ANSWERS
Scrabble #1: Roger MacKenzie
CINEMA-GOER RECOGNIZER REORGANIZE ENERGIZER GEOMANCER MENAGERIE MERCERIZE ORGANIZER RECOGNIZE RECORKING REMARKING RERACKING ARMIGERO COMAKING CRANKIER CREAKIER CREAKING CREAMIER CREAMING CROAKIER CROAKING EMCEEING ENERGIZE GERMANIC GREENIER GRIMACER MONICKER ORANGIER ORGANIZE RAZORING REGAINER REMAKING ROMANCER ROMANIZE

Scrabble #2: Kakonhoaerhas
SHOEHORN ANORAKS HARKENS HARSHEN HOARSEN HONKERS HOOKAHS HOOKERS HOORAHS KARAOKE KRAKENS ONSHORE SENORAS SNOOKER ANORAK ARENAS ASHORE HARKEN HERONS HOARSE HONKER HONORS HOOKAH HOOKER HOORAH KOSHER KRAKEN KROONS REASON REHASH RESOAK SENORA SHAKEN SHAKER SHRANK

Scrabble #3: Pere Alexandre Ferigault
PREFERENTIAL REFRIGERATED ULTRAREFINED ALEXANDRITE DEFERENTIAL EXPENDITURE PREARRANGED REDEFEATING REEXPELLING REFRIGERANT REFRIGERATE REGENERATED REREGULATED REREPEATING DEFAULTING DEGENERATE DERAILLEUR DEREGULATE ENRAPTURED FEDERATING FLATLANDER GENERATRIX GRANULATED GRAPEFRUIT GUARANTEED INTERFERED INTERFERER LATERALING LEAFLETING PLATEAUING PREARRANGE PREFERRING PREFIGURED PREGENITAL PRETRAINED PRUDENTIAL READAPTING REALTERING REARRANGED REDRAFTING REEXPELLED REFEREEING REFILTERED REFUELLING REGENERATE REINFLATED REINTERRED REPANELLED REPLEADING REREGULATE REREPEATED RETREADING RINGLEADER TRIANGULAR ULTRARAPID UNFILTERED UNILATERAL

Morph #1: From Free to Sold in 6 steps
free - fred - feed - teed - toed - told - sold
FREE, tree, tred, toed, told, SOLD
FREE, pree, pred, poed, toed, told, SOLD
free, cree, cred, coed, cold, sold 

Morph #2: From Grace to Faith in 7 steps or less
grace - grape - gripe - grips - grits - frits - faits - faith
GRACE, trace, trice, trite, frite, frith, FAITH 
GRACE GRADE GRADS GRIDS GRITS GAITS FAITS FAITH 
grace, trace, trice, trite, brite, brith, frith, faith

Morph #3: From Black to Death in 8 steps or less
black - blank - flank - flans - flats - feats - heats - heath - death
black block blocs blots blats beats heats heath death  
BLACK, plack, place, plate, plats, peats, heats, heath, DEATH
black, brack, brach, beach, beath, death

Morph #4: From Tell to Hear in 3 steps or less
tell - hell - heal - hear
tell teal tear hear

Morph #5: From Fuse to Bomb in 7 steps or less
fuse -fuss - muss - moss - toss - toms - tomb - bomb
Fuse fuss buss boss boas boab bomb
fuse fume fame came come comb bomb
fuse fume fame dame dome come comb bomb
FUSE MUSE MUSS MOSS TOSS TOMS (male turkeys, not multiple Thomases) TOMB BOMB
FUSE-MUSE-MUST-MOST-MOOT-BOOT-BOOB-BOMB
fuse - ruse - rose - rote - tote - tome - tomb - bomb
OR LESS:  FUSE, fume, fame, tame, tome, tomb, BOMB (Thanks, JPillsbury)

SCORING
6 Frasers: 4 ten-point scores were received from LCBraun, ToniLee, CurlyKat, and Cinnamonamon.  Additional responses were received from BlueMoonRanch and FinnGarian.

13 Mackenzies: 6 ten-point scores were received from CursedGreenSwtr, AnnaEd, BlackMoonDog, JPillsbury, Jules1960, and TheKnitDr . Additional responses were received from StickPixie, SixGunSally, Esuzabeth, Neila, DurableDora, Rhenbo, and KnitMo. 

7 Murrays: 3 ten-point scores were received from VioletDawn, Abitknottie, and ImgonnaPurl. Additional responses were received from Cabrita, KigeliaKitten, TheresaMG, and JustaJenJen.

The ladies in blue italics each receive an extra early submission bonus point for being among the first 10 to submit a 10-point answer. If you sent in your challenge and dinna see your name above, please let us know so we can adjust your clan's scores.

Our Earlybird Award goes to VioletDawn of Clan Murray. Her response was received at 11:11 a.m. on Friday, August 6th. Well done, lass! Your clan earned a point.  And our Sneaker Award goes to not one but two ladies, BlueMoonRanch of Clan Fraser and JustaJenJen of Clan Murray. Both responses were received at 11:58 p.m. on Wednesday, August 11th.  Both ladies submitted entries (not participation points) so both have earned a point for their clan.

A special Perfect Score Award goes to VioletDawn, AbitKnottie, CursedGreenSwtr, AnnaEd, and JPillsbury.  Each lady earns an extra point for her clan for answering all 8 questions correctly!  Way to go!

The Time Traveling Wittiness Award goes to ImgonnaPurl who couldn't quite make 'grace morph to faith' in 7 easy steps.  But she was quite creative in calling upon the special skills of another famous Time Traveler:  grace - brace - brack - crack - in the universe - Amy and the Doctor - Tardis explodes - faith (in Dr Who saving the universe).  Gotta give her a point for creativity that relates to the book!

And the Winner is . . .
All sisters with a 10 or better score . . . 

. . . went into a project bag . . . 

. . . and the name pulled out by my dear niece is . . .
 
Mrs. Fitzgibbons of Clan MacKenzie
Congratulations Mrs Fitz!  You have earned an extra 5 points for your clan!


THE FINAL SCORE (for this round)
Fraser: 48 + 6 participation + 2 early submission bonus pints + 1 sneaker = 57
Mackenzie: 77 + 13 participation + 3 perfect scores + 6
early submission bonus points + 5 winner = 105
Murray: 37 + 7 participation + 2 perfect scores+ 2
early submission bonus points + 1 earlybird + 1 sneaker + 1 wittiness award = 51

Friday, August 6, 2010

Beauchamp Challenge, Part Deux

Ladies! 

Welcome to Section 11 -- a book-free area.  With a nod to Section 11 of the book, this week’s challenge features two types of games:

-- What’s in a Name! – a Scrabble word game
-- Transitions! – a word morph game

As with all Highland Games challenges, the maximum possible points one can earn is 10.  But, ye can earn them by completing a combination of the following puzzles.

WHAT’S IN A NAME! is a “words-in-a-word” game that will present you with a name (like Jamie Fraser).  All you have to do is to find all the eligible words contained in that name.  Here are the rules, which follow standard Scrabble rules:

  • Found words should contain the number of letters listed for the origin name.
  • Proper nouns do not count, i.e., wolf counts; Wolfe does not
  • Found words must be a commonly used English word; “exotic” words are not eligible
  • Duplicates don't count.
  • For each name, earn 1 point for every four words of the identified length found, with a maximum of 3 points per name

Example:  Claire Beauchamp (all words 9 or more letters) results in the following words with 9 or more letters: amicable, bicameral, bleacher, chemical, cherubim, crucible, impeachable, impeccable, peculiar, preamble, reachable, republic.

Scrabble #1:  Roger Mackenzie (all words 8 or more letters) = max 3 points
Scrabble #2:  Kakonhoaerhas (all words 6 or more letters) = max 3 points
Scrabble #3:  Pere Alexandre Ferigault (all words 10 or more letters) = max 3 points

TRANSITIONS! is a word morph game where you change one letter in the starting word to form a new word.  Repeat the process until you spell the ending word.  Here are the rules:

  • Proper nouns do not count, i.e., wolf counts; Wolfe does not
  • Morphed words must be in common English usage; “exotic” words are not eligible
  • Earn 1 point for each completed transition, for a maximum of 5 points for this puzzle.

Example: morphing from "head" to "foot" takes five moves:
HEAD
1.    BEAD – H was changed to B
2.    BEAT – D was changed to T
3.    BOAT– E was changed to O
4.    BOOT – A was changed to O
5.    FOOT – B was changed to F

Morph #1:  FREE to SOLD in 6 moves or less
“I was born free,” Ulysses tells Brianna.  “The carpenter … claimed that as I was the child of a slave, I was by law a slave myself.  And so, he sold me.”

Morph #2: GRACE to FAITH in 7 moves or less
“[I] refuse to baptize infants unless both parents were Christian and in a state of grace” Alexandre confessed to Roger.  “This is necessary, you understand, if the child is to be raised in faith.”

Morph #3: BLACK to DEATH in 8 moves or less
“Black is for death; prisoners who are to be killed are always painted so,” the girl explained in telling Claire the story of Otter-Tooth.  “You knew this when you met the man on the mountain.”

Morph #4:  TELL to HEAR in 3 moves or less
“But a man is not forgotten, as long as there are two people left under the sky.” declared Tewaktenyonh as she questioned how Claire came to possess Otter-Tooth’s opal.  “One, to tell the story; the other, to hear it.”

Morph # 5:  FUSE to BOMB in 7 moves or less
“I said, it’s no time we have to be wasting! Did ye not hear your man sayin’ that the fuses are lit?” Bonnet said to Brianna. “It’ll go off like a bomb!”

 As with all Highland Game challenges:

  • 1 bonus point goes to each of the first 10 perfect (i.e., 10 point) submissions
  • 1 point each goes for the first submission (early bird) and the last before the deadline (sneaker)
  • 5 points to the winner
We hope you enjoy the challenges.

Your Beauchamp Sisters

Friday, July 30, 2010

Murray Challenge II

Lasses,

We see that many of you are just breezing right through all of these challenges without breaking a sweat, so we are stepping it up a notch. We are offering 3 types of challenges - a crossword puzzle, anagrams, and cryptograms. Dinna fash - pick your favorite and earn up to 10 points.

When ye solve all of the puzzles, please send the answers to highlandergames (at) ymail (dot) com and put Murray in the subject line.

Pour yerself a wee dram, sharpen yer pencil and pull up a stool. We wish ye good luck.

The Murray Sisters

CROSSWORD PUZZLE
For the crossword puzzle, solve the clues - earn 1 point for every 2 words, max for the crossword is 4 points. You dinna need to send in the puzzle, just the answers to each of the clues.

Across:
1. In most places, a fifty-fifty, proposition
4. Only herb Claire might be able to use on Brianna
7. Who proposed to Brianna?
8. How Jamie and Ian find out who raped Brianna
Down:
2. Who has Roger?
3. One born to blood and honor
5. Who would Brianna like to kill?
6. Ye dinna want to step between two o’ these wi’ their dander up

ANAGRAMS

For the anagrams, unscramble the letters in each phrase or group of words to find a character whose name appears in this section. As with the example, the person’s first and last names dinna always appear together, but we ken who they are if they are referred to by their first name or their last. All answers are 2 words - first and last names. 1 point for each correct answer (first and last name), 6 points max.

Example: Rear scar - life!
CLAIRE FRASER

Claire is referred to as Claire, Mrs. Claire, and Mrs. Fraser in this section, but we ken she is Claire Fraser.

Acorn in line, sir
A deer wig for elk
Raise a fern germ
Skinny lye den
A deck. A mule. No zig.
I nudge in lace.

QUOTAGRAMS - 5 points each

To solve the quotagrams, solve the clues and enter the letters into the corresponding spaces above. The clues for quote 1 and quote 2 have different codes. Some of the numbers are repeated in the same quote. If the numbers 01 - 09 appear in the clues, they are in the spots 101 - 109. There was a bit of a space crunch. To enlarge the quotagram, click on the grid and it will grow.

You may be able to solve the quotagram without solving all of the clues. I just need you to send in the quote, not the clues.

quotagram #1 (5 points)



Solve the clues and insert the corresponding letter in the space above.

This is how we like our eggs or cream, not our ale: ( 87 - 42 - 32 -63 - 27 - 109 ) 6 letters
Where did all the bears go? ( 114 -86 - 103 - 24 -42 60 -64 -125- 58 - 34 ) 10 letters
This challenge, it's the wind. First MacKenzie challenge - it was the medicine.( 23 - 126 - 96 - 15 -73 - 29 )6 letters
What do food, shelter, felling axe and clothing have in common? (84 - 5 -31 - 22 - 4- 62 - 25 - 113 - 92 ) 9 letters
Another word for Duine Uasal ( 61 - 100 - 26 - 52 - 33 - 130 - 110 - 102 - 40 ) 9 letters
An evil female snake occupied this cave: ( 116 - 78 - 7 - 21 - 37 - 12 - 83 - 67 )8 letters
Water of life ( 45 - 38 - 20 - 14 - 77 - 115 ) 6 letters
Either punishment or person, Jamie wishes to avoid this: ( 76 - 120 - 101 - 50 - 97 - 124 - 16 - 33) 8 letters
Tomorrow is a new year, but this is today. ( 114 - 106 - 41 - 121 - 131 - 6 - 12 - 81 ) 8 letters
The point of this cryptogram ( 16 - 119 - 39 - 54 - 51 - 94 - 89 - 30 - 53 - 42 - 93 )11 letters
Forever in Jamie's heart ( 1 - 8 - 123 - 105 - 47 - 35 - 70 - 118 ) 8 letters
A small flute ( 122 - 10 - 107 - 5 ) 4 letters
Counterclockwise ( 85 - 56 - 68 - 18 - 67 - 101 - 128 - 9 - 46 - 91 - 108 )11 letters
This won't make me a dandy, but I wilna look a beggar. ( 124 - 59 - 66 - 74 - 95 - 48 ) 6 letters
How Jamie kept his horse from leaving ( 9 - 82 - 23 - 57 - 33 - 88 - 132 ) 7 letters
A weapon or food? You decide. ( 98 - 69 - 3 - 72 ) 4 letters
Duncan was asked to handle this. ( 47 - 104 - 22 - 28 - 71 - 100 - 36 - 75 - 17 - 113 ) 10 letters
Some consider this a clan. Is it? (65 - 88 - 49 - 53 - 11 - 72 - 2 - 80 - 111) 9 letters
It may be, it will happen: ( 12 - 90 - 43 - 12 - 55 - 88 - 13 - 117 - 67 ) 9 letters
What Claire thought of their prospects: ( 44 - 99 - 19 - 79 ) 4 letters





The clues:

American Fireside poet 1 - (129-34-19-06-44-1-12 / 17-135-110-137-47-26 / 56-61-57- 138-132-64)
American Fireside poet 2 - (45-20-121-28-16-118 / 4-51-43-87-70-19-06 / 65-79-20-35-77-53)
Amer Fireside poet 3- (21-29-46-80-2 / 4-18-88-99-85-112-15-13-93 / 20-82-71-91-78-54-37-06-124-85)
My ride was written about by #3 above - (49-94-60-19 / 30-3-62-22-131-47)
What Bree called the small cave - (12-23-128-04-50-26-72-133-58 / 4-32-125-55)
Educational qualification - ( 56-18-17-126-1-37-38-83-24-5-94-136-51)
Nacognoweto for one - (75-60-115-17-39-05-63-117-97)
This puts us in the phylum chordata - (120-07-126-00-76-40-26-11)
To test somthing, to try a new thing - (66-48-41-81-31-36-62-01-71-08)
A term for endearment for one or derision for others - (52-98-114-9-10-122-1-17-69)
Wandering aimlessly - (35-95-18-43-02-116-67-25-26-73)
A body of people composed of one or more nationalities, with its own territory and government ( 17-14-130-12-59-26-85-113-1-7-68-74)
Also known as the Seven Years War - (123-15-86-43-17-03 /27-90-111 /8-26-127-92-34- 96) War
Easily irritated - (42-84-38-33-17-89-134-6-09)

*Note: Each of the American Fireside poets use three full names in the clue.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

MacKenzie Challenge, Part II

The MacKenzies' second challenge is based on Section 8, and this section was all about journeys: Brianna's journey through the stones, then to Lallybroch, and then to America; Roger's journey through the stones and off to America to find Brianna. Of course, they probably made a list of things to bring with them.

Your job is to unscramble the items on their list and find a picture so they know what to look for. Scoring: 1/2 point for unscrambling the item and 1/2 point for the image. Be sure to include the image and not just the link for the image. You get a bonus point for including ONE knitting pattern link from Ravelry. (All items are found within Section 8.)

1. gdyareg nna

2. spagpbei

3. qaeurbo aplsre

4. onwdeo ulpasta

5. kils gktsscnio

6. cfnaair tproar

7. luilq epn

8. daegc hnkcseci

9. mkhmcoa

Please submit all answers to highlandergames at ymail dot com by MIDNIGHT (EST) on WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21. Be sure to include your swap name, clan name, and ravelry id, so we can properly sort the answers.

Have fun, and good luck on your journey!
~Seonag Mac and your MacKenzie Sisters

Friday, July 2, 2010

Beauchamp Challenge: Letters from Home


Haroo Sisters! 

A man in a black suit just made a special delivery of two very dusty letters.  He said they have been sitting in his firm’s vault for more than 200 years.  Of course, like our namesake, Claire, we Beauchamps were quite intrigued by the cryptic messages contained in the letters.  Although the Beauchamps are quite adept at solving puzzles, it looks like we won’t have time to solve these.  So, we call out to our Mackenzie, Murray, and Frazer sisters for a wee bit of help in deciphering these ancient letters. 

This challenge focuses on Parts 5 and 6 of Drums of Autumn.  As with all Highland Games challenges, the maximum possible points one can earn is 10.  But, ye can earn them by completing a combination of the following puzzles.

Letter One:  Word Search Forever
You get 1 point for every three words found, for a maximum of 7 points for this game.

August 1767

Dearest Bree-

You’ll love to know that I am doing fine.  Jamie and I have started to get settled.  We're in America now.  It is beautiful!  I wish you could see it.  Coming from the 20th century, we forget that there so many folks have tread the same soil before us.  Sorry dear, this is probably beginning to sound like a history lesson.  I
n the short weeks since our arrival, we have met many people, some of whom remind me so much of the lovely folks back in our your time.  I would love to list them by name here, but you remember your American history -– with my British accent, they likely think I am compiling a hit list of sorts.  So I will just list them with a few identifying letters and ask that you find them in the grid.

All my love, Momma.



People we have met:
1. A __ __ M
2. B __ __ __ N __ __
3. C __ __ __ R __
4. D __ R __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (2 words)
5. __ __ N C __ __
6. __ __ __ Q U __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (2 words)
7. __ I __ N __
8. __ R __ __ K __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (2 words)
9. __ A __
10. __ A __ __ __
11. J __ __ __ S __ __
12. __ __ __ G W __ __ __ __ __ __ (2 words)
13. __ __ __ G F __ __ __ __ __ (2 words)
14. M A __ __ __ __ __ [Corrected - Should be 7 letters]

15. __ __ __ S __ __ __ __ __ __E __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (2 words)
16. __ __ __ __ R A __ __ __ (2 words)
17. M R __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (2 words)
18. __ Y __ __ __
19. __ __ L L __ __ __ __ __
20. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ C H
21. S __ __ __ E __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (2 words) [Corrected - Should be 17 letters]



Click on the image to see the full Word Search for printing


Letter Two:  Crosswords,  Je T’aime
You get 1 point for every two words found, for a maximum of 6 points for this game. 

August 1767
Dearest Daughter-

Bree, darling (oh, how I miss saying that to you).  I hope you are doing fine and that you have continued to work hard at your studies.  I thought to tell you a bit about our travels, about the people we've met and the things we've seen.  You should see your Great Aunt Jocasta's place.  It is a wonder to behold.  I can only hope that it has been restored just like Mount Vernon, yet to be built, will be, so that you can see it.  Time is short and once again, I think it prudent to exercise some caution.  I do draw attention to myself just being me.  I do not need my words to add fuel to the fire.  With your methodical mind (so much like your father) I thought you would enjoy a bit of a crossword.  I've offered a few clues to the people and things we have seen and ask that you find them in the crossword grid.  Until I can write again.

Je t'aime, Momma 

ACROSS
5. This first law says nothing is lost only changed
7. A gentle giant
9. Claire's primitive "colleague"
10. What is the prayer Jamie said?
11. Freedom

12. A relative of the Planet of the Apes actor, perhaps? [2 words]
DOWN
1. This aged "Scottie" was given a renewed life [2 words]

2. No such thing as rape among them
3. Saint Paul's solution to unseemly lust
4. Nothing is lost, only changed
6. What is the postman's name?

8. Its green stage can "cramp" anyone's style

Click on the image to see the full crossword for printing


As with all the other challenges:
  • 1 bonus point goes to each of the first 10 perfect (i.e.m 10 points) submissions
  • 1 point each goes for the first submission (early bird) and the last before the deadline (sneaker)
  • 5 points to the winner 

We hope you enjoy the challenges.  Happy Independence Day! Remember, as Claire does with these letters to Bree, home is where the heart lies.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

MacKenzie Challenge - The Outcome!

Lasses! I am SO proud that so many of you participated in the MacKenzie challenge - WOW!! There were 45 lasses eligible to play (Clan MacKenzie issued the challenge, so we couldna play) and out of that group, 31 rose up to the challenge we issued. 18 of those 31 earned a perfect score. BRAW JOB, LASSES!!

The answers:

1. Jocasta Cameron

2. Governor Tryon

3. Edwin Murray

4. Phillip Wylie

5. Pollyanne

6. Ulysses

7. Lieutenant Wolff

8. Andrew MacNeill

9. Billy Murchison

BONUS: TULACH ARD!! (What else could it be?!)

Beauchamp: 6 perfect scores were received from Bree, Ealasaid, Eilis, Imogene, Muirne, and Sineag. Additional responses were received from Caroline, Elspeth, Isobel, Lady North Facing, Morven, Nemetona, and Siusan.

Fraser: 7 perfect scores were received from Fiona, Isla, Jeannette, Jocasta Walkley, Nannag, Phaedra, and Vika. Additional responses were received from Airlie and Julienne.

Murray: 5 perfect scores were received from Bea, Caireann, Mordag, Tammy, and Zella. Additional responses were received from Caena, Eileen, Marsali, and Toireassa.

If you sent in your challenge and dinna see your name above, please let us know so we can adjust your clan's scores.

Our earlybird award goes to Vika of Clan Fraser. Her response was received at 3:11am on Friday, June 25th. That was quickly done, lass! And our sneaker award goes to Elspeth of Clan Beauchamp. Her response was received at 11:58pm on Wednesday, June 30.

There are two special awards going to Nemetona Beauchamp and Jeannette Fraser for noting that TULACH ARD is the battle cry of Clan MacKenzie - LOL! You have both earned an extra point for your clan!

A bonus point also goes to Mordag Murray for lighting a fire under her clan and increasing clan participation by 50% in the last hour!!!

All sisters with a perfect score



went into the hat,


and the name that was pulled by DD was...




BREE BEAUCHAMP!!!


Congratulations, Bree! You have earned an additional 5 points for your clan!

The Score:
Beauchamp: 93 + 4 bonus + 1 sneaker + individual winner = 103
Fraser: 76 + 5 bonus + 1 earlybird = 82
Murray: 61 + 4 bonus = 65

Congrats to all of our participants - on to the next!


Respectfully submitted,
Seonag MacKenzie
ETA: changed scoring to reflect bonus points for first perfect 10 scores. Beauchamp received an additional 3 bonus points; Fraser received an additional 4 bonus points; and Murray received an additional 3 bonus points. The overall scores have been adjusted accordingly.
Apologies!!
~Seonag

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Lasses ~ I was so happy to see how much everyone enjoyed the challenges this week! I fear the sweet wee Fraser laddies will have a tough time picking from so many names.

There were 45 lasses eligible to play, (Clan Murray issued the challenge so we couldna play) and out of that group, 25 of you rose up to the challenge we issued. 21 of those 25 earned enough points for a perfect score. Braw job, lasses!

The answers:

CRYPTOGRAMS

Most of you did not try the cryptograms, so I will give you those first.
1) You’ll have a turn at the pole yourself before long ~ and I expect ye’ll have us in Cross Creek before nightfall, aye? This was Jamie speaking to Ian.

2) God kens best what will happen to the lad; if he's not shot or knocked on the head in some tavern, he'll likely come home wi' an ostrich he's won at faro next. Jamie to Claire pondering what they will do with wee Ian.

3) After what we've done for ye, ye'll rob and spoil us, lay violent hands upon my aunt and my dog, and then ye'll ha' the gall to speak of repayment? Ian to Bonnet after they were robbed. (I wonder how Claire likes being lumped in with Rollo. At least she was mentioned first.)

BALDERDASH
This is one of my favorite party games! We are given a word(phrase) and we write down the word(phrase) that is the closest to it.
Alagruous ~ woebegone
Basia Mille ~ 1000 Kisses
Caisteal Dhuni ~ A Mhor-fhaiche (both battle cries of Clan Fraser. Most of you picked Clan Motto and told me it wasn't a motto, but a battle cry.
Duine Uasal ~ gentleman (a man of worth)
Munro bagging ~ mountain climbing (climbing specific mountians ~ over 3,000 feet)
Sedulous ~ Diligent

And finally, MARSALI or Bust
FOOD/BEVERAGES
M~ Mulberry Leaves, Milk, Moist crumbs, mushrooms, Mashed tobacco residue, Mutton, Meat
A~ Apples, Aspic, Amber nectar
R~ Rings, Ragout, roots, roasted peanuts, Roe
S~ Salt, Scotch, Shortbread, Salt beef, Soda, Sardines, Soused hog's face, Spiced crabs
L~ Lard, Lobster, lagavulin, Lemon
I~ Insects, Ian (threatened to be turned into fishbait), Italian, Invertebrate (octopus on a stick), Ichthys, (Greek for fish - Jamie loved his Greek) In aspic, Ices
OBSTACLES
M~ Memories, misgivings, Mud, Money, water Moccasins, Seatbelt (when you want to kiss your lass), Mad March to glory, Mosquitoes, Miles of wilderness, Midges
A~ Alligator, Joe Abernathy (tried to keep Roger from hurting Bree),Alarm clock, Appearance, Atlantic, Aloysius (as an obstacle to the name Germaine, if Marsali had her way!), awkwardness, broken Axles,
R~ Revolver, rumpled bedclothes (in Bree's way as she is talking to Roger on the phone), Roads (washed away by storms), Rings, Rascals, Rising, River, Rubies, RCA (as in the tv that almost didn't work), Rope, Regulators, Religion, Rollo, Roberts the robber
S~ Sturgeon, Stephen Bonnet (enough said), Saplings, Sapphire, beard Stubble, Swamp, Secrets, Sailors, stray children and luggage carts, Sale of stones, surgery w/o anesthesia, Stuart Rising
L~ Latin conjunction, Laoghaire (keeping Jamie out of Scotland), Loss, Love, Line of Cars, Loyalty oath, Lawlessness, living as a farmer with a hook arm -Fergus, Lack of Laborers, Lake
I~ Ian (his presence is an obstacle to privacy), Inuinal hernia, Interruptions, Ian's thick head (an obstacle for Jamie - or thick heid), Indians
PEOPLE
M~ John Quincy Myers, Marsali, Mary,Mackay, Mama (Claire), Mary Oliphant,
A~ Ambrose MacKenzie, Auntie (Claire or Jocasta), Abernathy, Neil Armstrong,
R~ Roger Mac, Reverend Wakefield, Dr. Daniel Rawlings, Red Jacob,
S~ Charles Stuart, Sister Marie Romaine, Sassenach, Sonnini Stanhope,
L~ John Lennon, Lenny Abernathy, Lindsay, Laoghaire, Bill Livingston
I~ Ian, Duncan Innes,
PLACES
M~ Moon, Munro, mountains, Massachusetts, Montrose, Mission Control
A~ Airport, Apartment, Atlantic, America, Aberfeldy, Apothecary, Amherst
R~ River Run, River,
S~ Scotland, Sailors Rest, Sherrifmuir, South Carolina, shipping dock
L~ Lillington's stables, Lallybroch, Loche Linnhe, Loch Lomond, London, Lunar surface, Leoch
I~ Inverness, Indies
TRANSPORTATION
M~ Morbid sore throat (transpoted Old Hector to his rest), Mustang, Mule
A~ Automobiles, Apollo 11, Airport (transportaion hub), Ambulance, Airplane, airline seat
R~ Rocket Ships, River boat, roads, Raft, Running
S~ Ships, Sally Ann, Sea, Scull, Stone Circle, Spaceship, Skin
L~ Ladder, Light (calling of clans), Learning (and influence - my mother would love this one!), Legs, Lunar Lander, Leapt
I~ Inhuman embrace of reptile transporting one to position of rank and riches, In Claire's pocket (acupuncture needles), Illness, Inutero (Germaine), Incoming tide, Ingenuity


There were 10 of you that submitted perfect responses early enough to get that extra point: Eilis (also our Early Bird getting her answer in first at 10:14 am on 6/18) and Muirne of clan Beauchamp, Nannag and Bourgogne of Clan Fraser, Seonag, Eadgyth, Ceanna, Ide, Catrionia Duncan and Catriona all of Clan MacKenzie (Yes, 6 bonnie lasses from Clan MacKenzie!)

The other names in the 'hat' for perfect scores are: Caroline, Elspeth, Isobel, Morven and Ealasaid of Clan Beauchamp, Fiona, Jocasta Walkley, Vika and Jeannette of Clan Fraser and Mrs Fitz and Kinley of Clan MacKenzie.

Our Sneaker award goes to Kinley of Clan MacKenzie, who submitted her answers 8 minutes before the bell of midnight.

There is a special award going to Catriona Duncan, and it is a dubious honor to be sure. She gets the Balderdash Award, which might be the equivalent Most likely to become next Games Chieftess; She is the only one who answered all of the Balderdash questions correctly, or more importantly, the only one who knew that A Mhor-fhaiche is also the Fraser clan battle cry. Mayhap she's heard it a time or two. You have earned an extra point for your slyness!

The Score:
Beauchamp:103 + 2 bonus + 1 Earlybird = 106
Fraser: 75 + 2 bonus = 77
MacKenzie: 88 + 7 bonus + 1 sneaker = 96

Respectfully submitted,

Mordag Murray

Friday, June 18, 2010

Murray Challenge - Sections 2 and 3

This next challenge is brought to you, courtesy of our Murray Sisters. Answers are due by midnight EST on June 23, 2010. Please email your answers to highlandergames at ymail dot com and have Murray in the subject line. Please include your swap name, your clan name and your rav name. Have fun!

~Seonag

Murrray Challenge - Sections 2 and 3

Monday, December 7, 2009

The Final Voyager Challenge: Results

Good Sisters,

The Games have come to a close with this last challenge and the results are in. We had 17 of you participate, with three perfect scores. Braw job, lasses!  You have shown, by using your wit, skill and charm that you have what it takes to be a Highlander Lass in the 1700's.

The three perfect scores were from Brianna Beauchamp, Ceitidh Murray and Nemetona Beauchamp. You do your clans proud, lasses.

And the Winner is:  Ceitidh (Shaydy)

The lasses participating were:
  • Lady NorthFacing, Nemetona, Ealasaid, Morven, Muirne, Siusan, Imogene and Brianna from the Beauchamps
  • Nannag and Molly from from the Frasers
  • Ide, Seonag and Ceili from the MacKenzies
  • Ceitidh, Joan, Marsali and Zella from the Murrays.

If you sent something in and dinna see your name, please let us know so we can figure out what happened.

Special Awards and Accolades: 
  • Early Bird goes to Ceitidh of Clan Murray
  • Sneaker goes to Zella of Clan Murray (11:54 pm on 12/2)
  • Nannag and Nemetona get special accolades for their cache of weaponry:  Nannag uses an Ink bottle and a List of words, while Nemetona used Cold, Lips, Anvil and Irons. I believe Nannag would be our school teacher. Nemetona could be our Special Task Force Interrogator?

Reading over the "Category" responses was the most entertaining of all of the challenges we have seen.

Clan Results:
Beauchamp: 42
Fraser: 7
MacKenzie: 8
Murray: 24 + 1 + 1 = 26 (Early Bird and Sneaker)

Clan Standings:
Beauchamp: 490
Fraser: 205
MacKenzie: 205
Murray: 338


We would like to thank all of the lasses who participated in the challenges. The challenges keep us coming back to the swap and We think they keep us more involved and help us know each other a bit better.

Respectfully submitted,

Mordag Murray, Kellan MacKenzie, Fiona Fraser, and Eilis Beauchamp

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Beauchamp Challenge: Who or What Am I?

Come 'round all ye lovely sisters. FĂ ilt! We Beauchamps extend a hand of welcome. During the past month, you've deciphered curses, remembered a few quotes, uncrossed a few words, and unscrambled encrypted phrases. Can we tempt ye with a riddle or two? Use the following clues to identify the “who” or the “what” is meant by each riddle. All answers are found in Part 8: On the Water, of Voyager, where we daresay Claire might have enjoyed a laugh or two at the drawing above.

The deadline is Saturday, Nov. 21, at midnight, Eastern Time. As always:

  • Submit your answers to highlandergames@ymail.com
  • Include your Ravelry Name and Swap Name
  • List Beauchamp Challenge in the subject line
  • One point for each clue, with a maximum of 10 points.

  • Wishing ye much luck!

    ~ Eilis and the Beauchamp Sisters


    The Clues:
    1. Uttered thrice, yet each time a charm
    2. Although given to Claire, Jamie uses this moniker more than she does.
    3. This "bruise" of a “witch” caused such an “uproar” that proved much “ado” about something.
    4. Once lost, never to be found, yet reminds its been around
    5. "Initially" a timeless “hand-fast,” these "misty" two can be traced to the heart of the story
    6. Good intentions pave the way to this Hell for our dynamic duo
    7. This joy, much admired in its expression, was almost lost in its possession
    8. Remembered with much “Porpoise,” and none too lightly to be foresworn
    9. In for a penny, in for a “pound,” his future cut short when his time came 'round.
    10. Ask not for whom the bells toll, for they toll for these.
    For those who want an extra credit or two, try these visual clues on for size. Answer the WHO and the WHAT:

    11.


    12.


    13.

    Thursday, October 22, 2009

    Fraser Challenge

    This is a tale that roams near and far in both space and time...therefore ye will search through hundreds of years to find the answers ye seek. They will all be places -- proper names some, but not all. The tenth question is one that will necessitate the other 9 being answered. Ye must fill in all the answers in the crossword.

    EDITED TO ADD on 10.25.09:

    Question 10 is the act of filling in all the answers into the crossword. Ye must send the answers to the 9 clues to the highlandergames ymail address with fraser or crossword in the subject line.

    If you mis-spell anything, that would make #10 wrong, as it wouldn't work in the crossword.

    The due date is October 28th. Send to highlandergames@ymail.com. Put Fraser Challenge in the subject line. Note, this should be the same address you ALWAYS send the challenge to.

    Two-worded answers will have a space in the puzzle to separate the words (in fact, only 4 of the answers are ONE word!).

    Sample Clue: The "road" to Jamie Answer: Craigh Na Dun Crossword: would show 13 empty spaces

    Luck be with ye, sisters, we hope this quiz be much fun and little stress on ye, and ye enjoy your tromp back through the book for the answers...

    ~Ladies of Clan Frasers

    Note: This game is for all Lassies in Beauchamp, Murray and Mackenzie clans.

    Across

    2. Trains, planes & automobiles...where was Claire headed?

    4. Where Claire shares a memory of a ancient soul with Roger

    7. Bess & Blossom roomed with Jamie in here

    8. On what sea were they when those fine, white, plump partridges leapt out of their concealment?

    9. Brianna's "whoop" necessitated their hasty departure from where?

    Down

    1. "O Lucifer, thou son of the morning" ...where were they?

    3. Where, on a stormy night, one life is lost, as another is saved.

    5. Drink of the damned

    6. "the posterior zygapophysys had broken clean off" ...where did it happen?

    Sunday, May 3, 2009

    Final Challenge Answers

    Lasses, as we waited for our sporrans to come in and we were admiring the lovely gifts recieved by our sisters, the chieftesses issued one final challenge. We were hoping to have all of our wee sporrans received by the final date of the challenge, but there are still a few not yet recieved. If you haven't received yours yet, please contact your chieftess, and if you haven't sent it yet, please contact both your chieftess and your spoilee.

    Gillian Edgars
    Balmerino
    Culloden
    Glengarry
    Director McEwan
    Simon Fraser
    Carlisle
    Kilmarnock
    Archibald Cameron
    Tcharlach Mac Seamus


    ~Mordag


    Note: Winners will be posted soon someone at my house ran off with my jump drive, but it has been found and I will have the winner's tabulated and posted yet tonight.
    ~Kellan

    Tuesday, April 21, 2009

    Murray Challenge Answers

    Lasses, you have all done a great job this time around and we hope that you learned a bit about Scottish history and had fun while doing so. We had 15 people submit answers by the deadline of midnight, 4/17 Eastern Time.


    The written answers are as follows:
    1. Find a photo of the location of the last battle of the 1745 Rising. Culloden field or Drummossie Moor

    2. Find an image of the English commanding general announcing defeat at the Battle of Gladsmuir. Gen. Johnny Cope

    3. Find a portrait of the man who shows Claire the broadsheet calling her “The Stuart Witch” Arthur Elphinstone, 6th Lord Balmerino

    4. Find a photo of where Dougal MacKenzie died. Culloden House

    5. If the 1745 Rising succeeded, find a portrait of the man who would have been King Charles' father would have been king: James Stuart

    6. Find a portrait of the author of the book from which Claire recalls information about the Battle of Prestonpans. Charles Dickens

    7. Find a photo of the place where Jamie expects to find Claire after she is turned over to the English. Callendar House

    8. Find a photo of the bell tower in the town that Prince Charles Edward Stuart was blooded in his first battle. Geata , Italy

    9. Find an illustration of Jamie’s grandfather at the time of his death Simon Fraser of Lovat

    10. Find a portrait of the Bourbon King who lived at the Palace where Colum MacKenzie dies. Charles X, Brother of Louis (not our bonnie prince)

    ~Mordag

    Kellan here, I'll have all the newest numbers tallied tomorrow evening, and the kidlets can draw the last name out of the felted cloche for the winner. We'll know where everyone stands heading into the final days of the last challenge.

    Saturday, April 18, 2009

    Final Challenge

    Lasses, it is time for our final challenge from Dragonfly in Amber. It has been fun coming up with these puzzles to make your mind work a bit harder and perhaps a wee bit differently than it normally does. For this challenge, I wanted to do something that hadn't been used for any of the others, and you left me little choice but to do a Syl la cros tic. I have taken 10 words (or word groupings), broken them down by syllable. Your challenge: to give them back to me, in their entirety. The number in parentheses is the number of letters in each grouping. Each one is one word unless there is a ~ in there. The ~ separates the word grouping into words. They are all people with the exception of 1 which is a place, but some of the people have had their local named after them, so they might be places now. All of these words are in the last section of the book.

    Good luck!
    ~Mordag

    Example:

    A AL DI DON FRA GAB JA MIE NA SER

    __ __ ~ __ __ (11) (2 words, each word has 2 syllables. Total letters for both words: 11)

    ANSWER: JA MIE ~ FRA SER

    __ __ __ ~ __ __ __ (13) (2 words, 3 syllables each. Total letters for both words: 13)

    ANSWER: DI A NA ~ GAB AL DON

    See...that was easy. This might be a little tougher:


    AN AN AR BAL BALD CAM CAR CHI CUL DEN DI ED ER EW FRA GAR GARS GIL GLEN I KIL LACH LE LI LIS LO MAC MAR MC MER MON MUS NO NOCK ON REC RY SEA SER SI TCHAR TOR

    __ __ __ ~ __ __ (13)

    __ __ __ __ (9)

    __ __ __ (8)

    __ __ __ (9)

    __ __ __ ~ __ __ __ (14)

    __ __ ~ __ __ (11)

    __ __ __ (8)

    __ __ __ (10)

    __ __ __ ~ __ __ __ (16)

    __ __ ~ __ ~ __ __ (18)

    This challenge ends at midnight on April 28. Please submit your answers to highlandergames@ymail.com and please use "Final Challenge" in the subject line. As usual, please include your swap name and ravelry name to help identify everyone. This challenge is open to everyone but the chieftesses. We are sitting out this round.

    I will try to get winners posted as soon as possible after this round, since this will determine who will win the Highlander Games. It's a close one this time around.
    ~Kellan




    Tuesday, April 14, 2009

    Mackenzie Challenge Results

    A total of 21 of our lasses sent in their guesses. Of that there were 12 who got a perfect score. They were: Eilis (vicjorob) and Suisan (knittingalone), Morven (BessE) and Muirne (bwarnergroup) of Clan Beauchamp; Monique (Moniquews), Nannag (LCBraun), Fiona (Cinnamonamon) and Lileas (Knitswithisis) of Clan Fraser; Mordag (abitknottie), Marsali (mommaowie), Joan (Vivian5), and Latherna (Cabrita) of Clan Murray. The Mackenzies did not participate in the challenge because they were the authors.

    My lassie drew Suisan Beauchamp out of the hand-knit felted cloche


    Round 2 Clan Standings:

    Beauchamp: 75

    Fraser: 56

    Mackenzie: 0

    Murray: 82

    Additional awards: (for bragging rights)

    Early bird: Mordag Murray submitted her answers at 10:21 Saturday, March 28

    Sneaker: Morrigan Murray edged out Edme Murray for the first time in three weeks. Morrigan's answers arrived at 11:57 p.m. on April 7, a full three minutes after Edme Murray's arrived in the highlandergames inbox.

    Most Dedicated: Nemetoma Beauchamp couldn't figure out where Hughey the Sheep came from and she said it "stumped me, I have never seen the name Hughey before and I couldn't get it so in the end I looked through 500 projects till he jumped out at me . . . Phew."

    I hope you were inspired by some of the projects you saw during your adventures through Ravelry land.

    Statistics:

    21 of 47 clan members participated in the first round of the Highland Games, that's 44 percent. This round, Clan Fraser sat out, since they sponsored the round.

    Clan Murray scored an additional point for having the highest participation in this round of the games, with 9 clan members participating.

    Clan Beauchamp had 47 percent or 7 of 15 members participate, earning 75 points.

    Clan Fraser had 31 percent or 5 of 16 members participate, earning 56 points.

    Clan Murray had 56 percent or 9 of 16 members participate, earning 82 points.

    Up-to-date Standings
    Beauchamp: 372
    Fraser: 247
    Mackenzie: 346
    Murray: 402


    ~Kellan