Pieces of Eight Mystery Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Cache is NOT at the listed coordinates. The coordinates merely show
the approximate vicinity. A multi-stage mystery that will take you
on the trail of a pirate's treasure. Rectangular plastic container
>2l volume. If you decipher the relevant details you'll know
what special tools are required.
SOME USEFUL BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
National flags are potent patriotic symbols with varied
wide-ranging interpretations, often including strong military
associations due to their original and ongoing military uses. The
study of flags is known as vexillology, from the Latin vexillum
meaning flag or banner.
Flags are particularly important at sea, where they can mean the
difference between life and death, and consequently where the rules
and regulations for the flying of flags are strictly
enforced.
A national flag flown at sea is known as an ensign. The colours of
the flags can also be used to communicate. For example; a white
flag means, among other things, surrender or peace, a red flag can
be used as a warning signal, and a black flag can mean war, or
determined to defeat enemies.
Flag protocol defines the proper placement, handling and use of
flags. The flag of honour, that is the nation's flag in most cases,
is flown on the center mast if possible. It is also correct to fly
the flag on its own right. To an observer it would be on the far
left. If more than three flags are used, the proper position is as
far left from the point of view of an observer. When flags of many
nations are flown the flag of the hosting country should be placed
on the left with the rest following in alphabetical order in the
language of the host country.
The Jolly Roger is any of various flags flown to identify a ship's
crew as pirates. The flag most usually identified as the Jolly
Roger today is the skull and crossbones, a flag consisting of a
human skull above two long bones set in an x-mark arrangement on a
black field. Historically, the flag was flown to frighten pirates'
victims into surrendering without a fight, since it conveyed the
message that the attackers were outlaws who would not consider
themselves bound by the usual rules of engagement.
Pirates did not fly the Jolly Roger at all times. Like other
vessels, pirate ships usually stocked a variety of different flags,
and would normally fly false colors or no colors until they had
their prey within firing range. When the pirates' intended victim
was within range, the Jolly Roger would be raised, often
simultaneously with a warning shot.
The flag was probably intended as communication of the pirates'
identity, which may have given target ships an opportunity to
change their mind and surrender without a fight. If a ship then
decided to resist, the Jolly Roger was taken down and a red flag
was flown, indicating that the pirates intended to take the ship by
force and without mercy.
To achieve their goal of taking prizes without a costly fight, it
was therefore important for pirates to distinguish themselves from
these other ships also taking prizes on the seas. Flying a Jolly
Roger was a reliable way of proving oneself a pirate. Just
possessing or using a Jolly Roger was considered proof that one was
a criminal pirate rather than something more legitimate; only a
pirate would dare fly the Jolly Roger, as he was already under
threat of execution.
You witness a ship flying an unusual display of national flags that
do not follow the flag protocol. Just as you contemplate whether
the crew could be pirates who disregard law and protocols alike,
you notice the Jolly Roger striking in presence, more than once
within the set of flags. Can you unravel the clues and find the
cache?
Stage 1 clue is hidden within the graphic and this will lead you to
an important waypoint where on-site clues are hidden in a small
brown plastic cylinder.
Test your solution here:
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
2-cneg pnpur: Cneg 1 vf bss-fvgr chmmyr; Cneg 2 vf svryq vafgehpgvbaf gb sbyybj.
N uvag jvyy or cbfgrq rirel jrrx hagvy SGS.