My geocaching name, Xira, is taken from the card, Xira Arien, which is part of a collectible trading card game called Magic: The Gathering (Magic or MTG). I played it intensively during the mid-to-late ‘90s. Xira was my handle for online play. I used it so much that I came to answer to “Xira” as easily as I answer to my given name. It was easy to decide to revive her for use for geocaching. I especially appreciate that decision when signing in on miniscule logs.
I enjoy puzzle caches that combine internet research with a walk in the out-of-doors. It has inspired me to create this one that will introduce you to this game.
Straight forward internet research will help you answer most of the questions. For others, though, you’re going to have to actually read enough to get a cursory understanding of the game. Your main sources of information will be the basic rulebook and card database. Google will help you out in the few places that those can’t. Of course, if you’re already familiar with it, then this will be an easy quiz.
The FTF prize of a set of dice and gaming stones was claimed by Starkiller_. Congratulations!
Answer the following questions with all answers given in words. Determine the digital root of each answer.
| A |
Who created the game? |
| B |
What company owns MTG? (Four words) |
| C |
What was the name given to the first printing of Magic? (One word) |
| D |
What set did Xira Arien first appear in? |
| E |
What is the most expensive card in Magic? (Two words) |
| F |
The cards in a player’s deck represent the spells they may use during a game. A deck has a minimum number of cards, which depends on the type of game. A player may also have another set of cards at hand for modifying their deck between games. What is the name given to that extra set of cards? |
| G |
There are several different forms of play. What is the form that involves using new booster packs to build a deck? (There is no passing of cards in this form. Two words) |
| H |
How many colours are there in the Magic multiverse? |
| I |
Green is allied with two other colours. What is the colour that has the longer name? |
| J |
What name is given the basic resource used in the game? |
| K |
What action releases this resource for use? (“-ing”) |
| L |
What do creatures experience that makes it impossible for them to attack when they are summoned? (Two words) |
You now have values for the letters A to L. Enter N 7A BC.DEF W GH IJ.KL7 into the Part 1 geochecker:
There are 4 more questions. These ones are a bit tougher.
| M |
A new turn has started and the beginning phase is complete. You have an untapped mountain and an untapped swamp. What land must you put into play so that you will be able to summon Xira? |
| N |
It’s your turn, it’s the combat phase, and you’ve sent Xira out to attack your opponent. Your opponent has no creatures to block her, but is holding 5 cards: Aether Adept, Assassinate, Erratic Portal, Seal of Removal, and Vapor Snag. Which is the only one she can use to eliminate Xira as an attacker? |
| O |
On your opponent’s turn, she sends Teroh's Faithful to attack you. What is it about Xira that lets her block the attack and survive? (One word) |
| P |
The game is nearly at an end. You and your opponent each have one life left and neither of you has any cards in hand. You have Xira in play and are going to attack with her. Your opponent has several creatures in play, none of which has flying. What other ability are all those creatures missing that makes it impossible for them to block Xira and prevent you from winning the game? |
Verify the values for M to P by entering N47 50.8MN W87 12.2OP into the Part 2 geochecker.
The final coordinates are N45 1Q.RS0 W75 5T.UV1, where:
Q = A + B + C – 5
R = M + N – 4
S = D + E + F – 9
T = G + H – I – 10
U = O + P – 2
V = J + K + L – 12
You don’t need the geochecker to verify these coordinates, but I strongly recommend you use it. In return for giving it the correct coordinates, it will give you some useful waypoints to keep you on a trail as much as possible and to avoid wading or even swimming.
Winter finds: This cache can be found in winter. However, it may occasionally freeze into place. If you are unable to extract the cache for that reason, take a close up picture of it with you or your GPS and include it in your found log.