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Side Quest Official Rules: The Delaware Minotaur

Side Quest is a multi-week, real-world and digital investigation experience hosted by Crooked Cottage Escape Rooms. Participants uncover clues, solve puzzles, and compete for final victory.

Structure

Each Quest unfolds across three weeks:

  • Week I — Discovery
  • Week II — Investigation
  • Week III — Confrontation

Scoring

Each Quest contains 100 base Investigation Points (IP):

  • Week I: 25 Points
  • Week II: 35 Points
  • Week III: 40 Points

Full Completion Bonus: +10 IP

Speed Bonus (Per Week)

  • 1st: +10 IP
  • 2nd: +7 IP
  • 3rd: +5 IP
  • All others: +2 IP

Participating Businesses

Each week, one local business will be part of the investigation. Players must locate the business and identify elements tied to the Quest.

Optional Clue System

Players may make a purchase at the participating business and present a validated receipt at Raven’s Cauldron.

Upon verification, the player will receive one global clue.

  • The clue is identical for all players
  • It may or may not be helpful depending on progress
  • It does not replace required puzzle solving

Verification

All progress must be verified through official means, including digital submissions, QR scans, or in-person interactions. Unverified progress will not be counted.

Final Showdown

At the end of Week III, the top three players will advance to a final challenge.

  • Location: Crooked Cottage Escape Rooms
  • Date: Wednesday of Week 4
  • Time: 7:30 PM

Final Challenge Rules

  • Each player has 20 minutes
  • Each player is individually timed
  • The puzzle must be completed for a valid score

Final Scoring Adjustment

Players convert Investigation Points into time reduction.

For every point above 100, 1 second is removed from the final time.

Example:

  • Player has 107 IP
  • Completes puzzle in 4:10
  • 7 seconds removed
  • Final time = 4:03

Winner

The player with the fastest adjusted time wins the Quest and is declared the one who eliminated the Minotaur.

Conduct & Fair Play

  • No tampering with clues
  • No sharing answers publicly
  • No interference with other players
  • All decisions by organizers are final

Some investigations reveal the truth.
Others reveal something worse.