Escape Mail season 1: episode 12 HINTS

Small Hint↓

Carefully read JJ’s intro letter to you.
In it, he mentions what the hieroglyphs do.

Big Hint↓

26 Joro hieroglyphs on the ivory sheet.
A-Z, the alphabet is complete.

Solution↓

Here is an image of each Joro symbol representing letters of the English alphabet. Starting top left is A (Moon), B (Spoon), C (Cup) and so on and so forth.

Nudge↓

“First things first” as Alfred says.
Careful to step in just the right places.

Small Hint↓

Alfred has helped with some “flow” of his own.
In the top right corner of his notes he’s shown
A symbol to help you in case you are lost.
So start at the square and try to get across.

Big Hint↓

“At the center of each pair” Alfred’s note reads
“A pair of what?” Of numbers! See?
One through five, all appearing twice
The middle stepping stone is quite nice.

Solution↓

In order to solve this puzzle, you must first have understood the Joro alphabet (see above section “Understanding the Alphabet”). Now that you know what each Joro symbol represents, you can start to figure out how to tell JJ to cross the antechamber. Notice in Alfred’s instructions in purple, he mentions “first things first.” This helps the puzzler know where to start. The poem that follows describes stones that need to be crossed. On the back of the starchart, you discover the same stone pattern from Episode 3, but in this case, the symbols on the floor are different. Alfred’s final line of the poem is crucial: “letters lie at the center of each pair.” Since let you know that you’re looking for letters, it can be assumed that the pairs being referred to are the purple numbers. The Joro numbers 1-5 each show up twice on the stones, and directly in between each pair is a symbol, (feather, wave, moon, sun, mountain) in order, which reveals the word SHARE. This answer is also embedded in the poem in purple ink, "claim your share" and may have been intended by Alfred to have a double meaning. Time will tell!

Small Hint↓

Kept all your Mail Cuz? Are you up for the task?
This one could be a pretty huge ask.
But in case you’ve recycled all that good paper
JJ has documented all of it for later...
And that later is now! So scan the QR
And read carefully - wow, you’ve come so far!

Big Hint↓

Fill in the blanks, three answers required.
Sift through the events that have transpired.
Most of the documents here aren't needed,
But Saila, newspaper and sketches should be heeded.

Solution↓

Alfred used select letters to conceal one of the solutions to the constellation wall. He used certain names that he hoped only a Fitzpatrick would know or have access to. In this case, he references “abandon the crew” which is referred to in the Episode 10 newspaper as Serenity Harbour (also the name of the Hunter hideout access card in Episode 9).

He writes “title on figs sketch” which is a reference to the Episode 6 drawing called Arcanum Imago.

Lastly, he refers to a symbol, which represents “flip” from the Saila Schematic in Episode 5. When these words are all used to fill in the respective blanks and the numbers 1-12 are correlated to the solution line at the bottom, we read “CEPHEI EIGHTY NINE” which is one of the solutions for the constellation wall.

Small Hint↓

Two places to look, for the planet and degree
Four spots in total, not terribly easy.
Two of the symbols mean to fold over and cover
then there’s an arrow pointing, over something it hovers.

Big Hint↓

Just two large folds will allow you to see,
an arrow is now pointing to a celestial body.

Solution↓

Start by observing the Y-hexes and dashed lines that cross the starchart on the front and back. Starting on the front, fold the page, covering up the symbol, like this. Doing this again on the back of the page, folding to cover the symbol, like this. You’re now left with a completed shape containing 4 dashed lines and 3 more dashed lines followed by a degrees symbol. Also observe that the arrow now points to the “moon” symbol like this.

Nudge↓

You might know the celestial body, but need the degree
Alfred, in his notes, was rambling, it seemed.
Talking about dates, that appeared irrelevant,
But perhaps there was something intelligent?
You notice how he's plotted the stars?
Do the same in the strangest of star-plotting charts.
Observe the stars and fine lines that you've made.
See them anywhere else? The comet’s the way.

Small Hint↓

Alfred plotted an example, 1133.
It creates a constellation, you see?
Now look to the starchart - there it will be,
Along with a comet shooting to 0 degrees.

Big Hint↓

Alfred mentioned 3 more dates.
Plot all three to discover your fate.
Now tell JJ how many degrees to rotate.

Solution↓

To find the degrees, see the dates Alfred lists in his note: 1133 (already plotted for you as an example) 1552, 1888 and 2020. The chart beside the note has four columns with numbers 0-9. Begin by plotting one of the 4-digit dates in the chart, then connect the dots from left to right, just like the example to create a constellation. Each of the three dates will create a constellation that can be matched to 3 of the constellations (of the same colour as the graph) on the front of the star chart. The example is the constellation that is drawn from plotting 1133 matches a constellation on the star chart that has a comet pointing to a 0. While 1552 points to a "3", 1888 points to a "0" and 2020 points to a "7". While all the circled constellations have comets shooting out of them to a specific number, the three in question are pointing to 307.

Nudge↓

JJ’s letter gives you a few examples of codes he’s cracked,
This provides insight you may have otherwise lacked.
In particular he said something strange
“Y/tree” is equal to 2,4 but can change?
It’s also 4,9 depending on where you’re at.
See the faint outlines? How about that…
Also, in his letter he said “times mercury is 18”
An “x” in the box and the sun tells the score.
Knowing these examples will help you explore.

Small Hint↓

Starting positions! Is the hex on the bottom of your key aligned?
If the hash marks on the bottom corners all match - you’ll do just fine.
See the single chevron and arrow at the point?
The key starts to move like a mystical joint.
Hinging upon each crucial rotation
Revealing to you starry information.

Medium Hint↓

Start in the correct place, move the key around.
Interesting intersections you will have found.
Stars and their bars intersect with your key.
It has given you pairs - can you see?
Take note of the number of points on each star.
This will reveal the order, and what the pairings are.

Big Hint↓

If you’ve rotated correctly your first pairing should be,
0-3, which gives you a butterfly - the letter P.
Before you continue, look to the other side of the key,
to figure out what your second letter will be.
2 and 7 align with the diamond, that’s L.
Continue to rotate to discover what it will spell.

Bigger Hint↓

Still need help rotating the key to find the next pairs?
Uh oh, JJ might need to start saying his prayers.
Follow the arrow - pivot counterclockwise on point number 2,
Stopping once you’re aligned anew.

Solution↓

In the bottom left corner of the star chart, just below and to the left of the Left/North Hemisphere you may notice the “I/H” Hex symbol in bright red. When the Joro key is placed on top of it, ensure you have the correct starting alignment. Make sure that the hash marks on the 3 lower vertices align with the proper chevrons. Click here to see the proper starting position.

Now, take note of the arrow on point #1 indicating a clockwise rotation. Pivot the key from this point, and stop once the key is positioned between the new chevrons for points 2 and 3. Click here to see the second position. As you rotate the key each time from here, you will notice that there is always, in every position, 4 stars and lines from those stars that intersect with an edge of the key. It is always a 3-point star, a 4-point star, a 5-point star and a 6-point star. As you rotate the key, record the numbers that these lines point to on the key. Notice the red brackets seen on the star chart for this first rotation, as well as the pairings depicted on the decoder triangle to see that the digit aligned with the 3-point start and 4-point star are always recorded together as the first pair, and the digits aligned with the 5-point star and 6-point star are always recorded together as the second pair.

The 3-point star aligns with a 0 and the 4-point star aligns with a 3, making your first pairing 0-3. Use the decoder triangle to discover that the Joro hieroglyph/letter that this position matches with is the butterfly, which is the letter P. Record this letter in the blank spaces provided. Use this same logic to find 2-7 for the 5-point and 6-point stars, to reveal the diamond as your next hieroglyph, which is the letter L. Click here to see that process in photos.

From here, take note of the arrow indicating counter-clockwise rotation around point #2. Stop once the key is within new chevrons for the next position. Record and decode the new pairings for this position. Continue this pattern until you have completed all.

The numbers are: 03,27 94,42 20,52 77,84 72,35 42,84 03,27 52,31 35,84. Once decoded the message will say PLUS FARTHEST PLANET.

Small Hint↓

Now that you know the secret phrase,
To our solar system, you’ll turn your gaze.
Which one is the furthest planet?
Refer to the list of celestial bodies - you’ll see it.

Solution↓

If you know your astronomy you’ll know that the farthest planet is Neptune. If you don’t, no problem - we’ve got you covered. In the centre at the bottom of the star chart there is a diagram of our solar system. Moving outwards from the centre (the sun) you will see that the farthest symbol/planet that you see is the one that looks like a pitch fork. Use the list of celestial bodies to find the symbols for each of the planets in our solar system to discover that this symbol represents Neptune.

Small Hint↓

In JJ’s letter he mentions that “times Mercury is 18”
This solar system is not just a diagram - it is much more.
What do you think those brown boxes are for?

Solution↓

You decoded the message to discover “PLUS and FARTHEST PLANET.” The word “plus” refers to the operator that is to be placed in the boxes (just like JJ used multiplication for mercury) between the farthest planet and the Sun, completing the equation 6+5+8+7=26. Therefore, the answer to this puzzle is 26.

Nudge↓

JJ’s letter gives you a few examples of codes he’s cracked,
This provides insight you may have otherwise lacked.
In particular he said something strange
“Y/tree” is equal to 2,4 but can change?
It’s also 4,9 depending on where you’re at.
See the faint outlines? How about that…

Small Hint↓

Starting positions! Is the hex on the bottom of your key aligned?
If the hash marks on the bottom corners all match - you’ll do fine.
See the arrow and line where the key hits the page?
Flip the key over, your progress is gauged
by the way the key aligns with each chevron.
The flip marks are progress, to keep puzzling minds calm.

Medium Hint↓

Start in the correct place, flip the key around.
Interesting intersections you will have found.
Stars and their bars intersect with your key.
It has given you pairs - can you see?
Take note of the number of points on each star.
This will reveal the order, and what the pairings are.

Big Hint↓

Start in the right spot, flipping the key over
Using chevrons and flip marks as your enclosures
At each position, notice 4 stars?
Constellations are drawn, but the tiny bars
intersect with your key, and point to a digit.
Each pair equals a letter, now that’s the ticket!

Bigger Hint↓

If you’ve flipped it correctly you won’t need to guess.
Your first pairing is 9-5, which gives you a feather - the letter S.
Before you flip again, another pairing you will see
to figure out what your second letter will be.
0 and 6 align with the antler, that’s O.
Continue to flip and find the other letters you need to know.

Solution↓

In the bottom right corner of the star chart, below and to the right of the southern hemisphere you will notice the “Arrows-Hex” symbol in a tan/gray colour. When the Joro key is placed on top of it, ensure you have the correct starting alignment. Make sure that the hash marks on the 3 lower vertices align with the proper chevrons. Click here to see the proper starting position.

When the key is flipped on the star chart, it aligns with new chevrons and has a new flip line next to the edge. Click here to see how the key flips. The third time you flip the key you will discover 4 stars and lines from those stars that intersect with an edge of the key. This will be true for every flip you make after this. You will always see a 3-point star, a 4-point star, a 5-point star and a 6-point star as depicted here.

As you flip the key, record the numbers that these lines point to on the key. Notice the pink brackets seen on the star chart for this first set, as well as the pairings depicted on the decoder triangle to see that the digit aligned with the 3-point start and 4-point star are always recorded together as the first pair, and the digits aligned with the 5-point star and 6-point star are always recorded together as the second pair.

The 3-point star aligns with a 9 and the 4-point star aligns with a 5, making your first pairing 9-5. Use the decoder triangle to discover that the Joro hieroglyph/letter that this position matches with is the feather, which is the letter S. Record this letter in the blank spaces provided. Use this same logic to find 0-6 for the 5-point and 6-point stars, to reveal the antler as your next hieroglyph, which is the letter O. Continue flipping the key until all 12 letters have been found.

The numbers are: 95,06 13,84 75,24 06,23 41,38 23,24. Once decoded, the message will say SOURCE OF LIFE which, out of all the celestial bodies, can reasonably be assumed to be the sun. Therefore, the answer to this puzzle is SUN.

Small Hint↓

The hexagon punched out from the bottom of the key,
There is a use for it - what could it be?

Big Hint↓

One thing in the southern hemisphere that does not belong...
Use the hex from the bottom of the key or you’ll get it wrong.

Solution↓

When you punch out the hex from the bottom of the Joro key, you’ll notice that it fits on the hex in the top left of the southern hemisphere (right side) of the star chart, thereby completing the lines and rearranging the numbers 832 into 283 as seen here. This is the degrees.

Small Hint↓

Most symbols are small, but the green one huge.
At first glance it's dificult to know what to do.
For this puzzle, no doubt, you'll need the Joro key.
It's really a matter of perspective, you see?

Big Hint↓

Chevrons make for great placement marks.
They give you a sense for where to start.
Put the key down and look around.
Keep trying until the celestial body is found.

Solution↓

If you notice the word "perspective" written askew, turn the page so that the word is now oriented towards you. Now, place the Joro key with the single hash vertice aligned with the chevron nearest you. Looking at just the right angle, you should be able to see the word "VEGA" completed with elements of the key. See photo of solution here.

Small Hint↓

There’s not much time! - now you need to know
the degrees, you’ll see, through the window.
But first, notice there, something’s amiss?
Two layers become one, that’s puzzling bliss.

Big Hint↓

“Perspective is key,” but there is more than meets the eye.
Put this inside the envelope and you will see why.

Solution↓

You can notice the incomplete hex symbol on the back of JJ’s intro letter. This symbol gets completed into an "A-hex" when it is overlaid by the window of the envelope. Meanwhile, the sentence “Perspective is key” gets completed to now read “Perspective and inside key.” By looking through the punched-out hexagon on the bottom of the key, you can see inside the key to observe the Joro numbers and plus signs, resulting in a math equation 8+6+2 which equals 16.

Small Hint↓

It’s the last of all puzzles, should there even be a hint?
Maybe... we should pause and take a moment.
You don’t need any help, you’ve come all this way!
All you need is JJ's photo, what did the inscription say?

Medium Hint↓

All right, all right, we’ll give you more to go on
but your solving isn’t something we want to encroach on.
You see, there’s the inscription, and the totem yet to be used.
Something about jumping, what does the panther do?
Moving across stones, hop from one to the next.
The solution (some instructions) might leave you perplexed.
But go with your instinct, do as it reads!
And get ready for something you've never before seen.

Big Hint↓

The panther totem enters the stones,
By the arrow, as it is shown,
Skips over the “1” and lands on the feather,
Skips another “1” and lands on the antler.
Curls around “snake-like” around the bend,
Back and forth until you reach the end.

Solution↓

We start with the inscription from JJ regarding the Panther totem. If the Panther was to enter the stones at the arrow, skip over every other stone, moving in snake-like fashion (with S-like bends), the Panther would land on feather, antler, moon, target, mouse, wave, mountain, and so on and so forth until reaching the final mouse glyph. Understanding the alphabet (see section above) we deduce the secret message is “SOAK THE SYMBOL SHEET”. When you submerge the piece of paper with the Joro numbers and letters on it, you’ll discover that on the opposite side, 3 shapes do not get wet. Those shapes correspond to the shapes seen on the totem face. We can infer their order based on the arrows on the symbol sheet resulting in a final code of CHIN, MOUTH, NOSE. Click here to see this in action.