[projectaon] Re: Shamath's Riddle
- From: "David Davis" <feline1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <projectaon@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2004 13:44:21 +0100
I'm glad I'm not the only one who couldn't solve
Shamath's riddle!!!!
When playing the book, I always tried the algebraic
approach Jon uses below, and it never got me anywhere - I always just had to
cheat to be able to get through this section.
DAVID
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jonathan Blake" <freelists.org@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Project Aon List" <projectaon@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, July 04, 2004 5:45 AM
Subject: [projectaon] Shamath's Riddle
> Before I sit down to work on a small illustration placement list, I want
> to ask about Shamath's riddle (The Legacy of Vashna: Section 189). Does
> anyone have a plausible reason that the answer is what it is? Anyone who
> doesn't know what the answer is and doesn't want the surprise ruined
> should probably skip this thread. You've been warned. Stop reading 3 ...
> 2 ... 1 ... now! ;)
>
> Anyway, I have never fathomed how the riddle is solvable at all. Let's
see:
>
> In addition to the loyal servants,
> there are two Dwellers of the Abyss.
>
> OK, loyal servants = x therefore we have x + 2
>
> When the loyal servants and the Dwellers
> of the Abyss were counted together, their
> total number was doubled when my Lieutenants
> of Night arrived.
>
> There must also be x + 2 Lieutenants of Night: 2(x + 2) = 2x + 4
>
> But when my Lieutenants of Night arrived,
> the Dwellers of the Abyss had to leave.
>
> 2x + 4 - 2 = 2x + 2
>
> Exactly half of the remaining number also departed,
> for they were beholden to the Dwellers.
>
> Does "the remaining number" include the Lieutenants of Night? What about
> the traitor? Let's say only the Lieutenants of Night for now. We then
> have: (2x + 2) / 2 = x + 1
>
> From the remainder I picked the loyal servants
> to guard my throne of power. I chose them all,
> except for one who was known to me as a traitor.
> I executed the traitor before I set my loyal
> servants to guard my throne.
>
> Great! We have x + 1 - 1 = x. The number of loyal servants is x! Wait,
> that's by definition. That got nowhere.
>
> So, mortal, answer my question:
> while I am here to do Naar's bidding,
> how many loyal servants guard my throne of power?
>
> Wretched demoness with your wretched tautology!
>
> OK, Let me take a different tack. I think we're good until we start
> talking about "the remaining number". Let's say that the number includes
> the traitor. We have then (2x + 2 + 1) / 2. That leads to half a servant
> left behind. I wouldn't put it past Naar's spawn to split a servant down
> the middle, but I think this is a blind alley.
>
> Let's say instead that "the remaining number" doesn't include the
> Lieutenants of Night. (2x + 2) - (x + 2) = x. Grrr! Back to the
> tautology even if we include the traitor in the original number.
>
> Let's work backwords. Say the answer is 15. Is this a valid answer?
>
> 1) 15 + 2 = 17
> 2) 2 * 17 = 34
> 3) 34 - 2 = 32
> 4) 32 / 2 = 16
> 5) 16 - 1 = 15
>
> It seems just as valid as the real answer 10. There's never a step that
> defies logic. There doesn't seem to be only one reasonable answer.
>
> It seems to me that there's only one way this riddle can be solved. The
> only other unknown number in the riddle beside x is the number of
> Lieutenants of Night. I've only referred to that number as (x + 2). If
> we knew that number, the problem would be solved.
>
> I cannot find a direct reference to the number of Lieutenants of Night
> in the book. I've even tried to find veiled references. If my logic is
> to be trusted, that number must either be 12 or 13 depending on whether
> you count the traitor in the original number of loyal servants.
>
> Searching for twelve, I found the twelve, luminescent stalagtites
> mentioned in Section 327. I couldn't find a reference to thirteen.
>
> . . . Unless those stalagtites are her Lieutenants of Night (I almost
> hope they are), I'm out of ideas. Anyone care to solve this riddle and
> make me feel foolish.
>
> --
> Jon
>
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