Side Quest
Two investigations are open in Delaware.
Part escape room. Part scavenger hunt. Part living mystery.
Side Quest is a real-world mystery experience from Crooked Cottage Escape Rooms. Quest 1 — The Delaware Minotaur — is available now, and Quest 2 — The Dark Unicorn — launches September 20, 2026. Follow the clues, investigate the locations, and uncover the truth hidden across downtown Delaware, Ohio.
"Follow the trail. Build your case. Earn your points. Something happened in Delaware — and the evidence is still out there, waiting to be found."
A real-world mystery experience set in downtown Delaware, Ohio.
Side Quest is a live, story-driven adventure experience.
It blends real locations, hidden clues, puzzle-solving, digital discoveries, and in-person investigation into an ongoing seasonal format designed for curious and competitive players.
Season 1 — Mythical Creatures of Ohio — unfolds across three separate quests. Quest 1, The Delaware Minotaur, is available now, and Quest 2, The Dark Unicorn, launches September 20, 2026. Each quest stands on its own, though playing them in order is recommended for full context.
Quick Breakdown
- Purchase Quest 1 — The Delaware Minotaur — for $29.99
- Play at your own pace over four weeks
- Follow real clues across downtown Delaware, Ohio
- Track your progress and standings on leaderboards displayed at Crooked Cottage Escape Rooms and Raven's Cauldron
- Quest 2 — The Dark Unicorn — launches September 20, 2026, and can be purchased independently (completing Quest 1 first is recommended)
- Season 1 spans three quests — the story gets darker with each chapter
Where it takes place
Side Quest is based entirely in downtown Delaware, Ohio. All locations are local and walkable. Participants should be in or near Delaware to fully take part.
What kind of experience it is
This is not just an escape room, and not just a scavenger hunt. It is a story-driven mystery experience that combines atmosphere, real-world investigation, and immersive gameplay into something more memorable.
A season made up of three separate quests.
Each quest is a self-contained mystery that builds on the larger Season 1 story. Purchase Quest 1 to begin. Complete it and be first in line for the next chapter when it launches.
Purchase Your Quest
Buy Quest 1 — The Delaware Minotaur — and receive everything you need to begin your investigation. Pick up your packet and start when you're ready.
Investigate and Discover
Follow clues, visit real locations, solve puzzles, and uncover hidden digital discoveries. Each correct answer moves you deeper into the mystery.
Uncover the Truth
The mystery unfolds over four weeks. Every clue connects. Every location matters. When you've gathered enough evidence, submit your final conclusion and complete the quest.
Two quests are open for investigation.
The Delaware Minotaur is available now. The Dark Unicorn launches September 20, 2026 — reserve your spot today.
The Delaware Minotaur
Quest 1 of Season 1 — Mythical Creatures of Ohio. A four-week real-world mystery experience set in downtown Delaware, Ohio.
- Real clues hidden across downtown Delaware
- Digital discoveries and hidden pages
- Live leaderboard tracking
- Play at your own pace over four weeks
The Dark Unicorn
Quest 2 of Season 1 — Mythical Creatures of Ohio. A four-week real-world mystery experience set in downtown Delaware, Ohio.
- Real clues hidden across downtown Delaware
- Digital discoveries and hidden pages
- Live leaderboard tracking, combined with Quest 1 points
- Play at your own pace over four weeks
- Recommended: complete Quest 1 first for full context
Three quests. One unfolding story.
Season 1 is built around three interconnected quests, each a standalone mystery that deepens the larger story. Each can be played on its own, though playing them in order is recommended. The season has a beginning, a middle, and an end — and the truth gets darker with each chapter.
Quest 1 — The Delaware Minotaur
Available now. Something old and dangerous has left a trail through downtown Delaware. Follow it.
Quest 2 — The Dark Unicorn of Delaware
Launches September 20, 2026. Recommended after Quest 1 for full context, but playable on its own.
Quest 3 — Sasquatch Sighting in Delaware
Coming soon. Three quests. One season. The full truth won't reveal itself until the end.
Open the sections below for a closer look.
Quest structure
- Week 1: The mystery opens. You receive your first clues, identify key locations, and begin your investigation.
- Week 2: The story expands. New evidence, hidden pages, and real-world interactions deepen the trail.
- Week 3: The investigation tightens. Final discoveries and key moments move you closer to the truth.
- Week 4: The conclusion. Submit your final answer and close the case — if you've gathered enough evidence to know what really happened.
Scoring and leaderboards
- Each quest has a base scoring structure of 100 Investigation Points
- Points are earned by solving clues, visiting locations, and completing each week's investigation
- Points are time-sensitive — complete each week within the window to earn full credit
- Live leaderboard updates as players progress
How quests connect
Each quest in Season 1 is a self-contained mystery with its own story, locations, and resolution. But they share a larger mythology — characters, locations, and threads that connect across all three quests. Quest 2 can be purchased and played independently of Quest 1, but it's strongly recommended to complete Quest 1 first, since the early difficulty of Quest 2 relies heavily on information uncovered during Quest 1. The full picture only emerges across all three quests.
Begin your investigation.
Quest 1 — The Delaware Minotaur — is available now, and Quest 2 — The Dark Unicorn — launches September 20, 2026. Something happened in Delaware. The evidence is still out there. Are you the one to find it?
Quest 3 is still in development. Season 1 — Mythical Creatures of Ohio.
What people should know before they enter.
What is Side Quest?
Side Quest is a real-world mystery experience from Crooked Cottage Escape Rooms. Players follow clues across real locations in Delaware, Ohio, solve puzzles, and uncover a story-driven mystery over the course of four weeks.
How much does it cost?
Quest 1 — The Delaware Minotaur — and Quest 2 — The Dark Unicorn — are each $29.99, purchased separately. Quest 3 pricing will be announced closer to its launch.
How long does a quest take?
Each quest unfolds over four weeks. You play at your own pace. Some weeks involve real-world travel to locations in downtown Delaware, Ohio. Plan for a few hours of active investigation per week.
Do I need to complete Quest 1 before playing Quest 2?
No, but it's strongly recommended. Quest 2 can be purchased and played independently of Quest 1, but the early difficulty of Quest 2 relies heavily on information uncovered during Quest 1.
When do Quest 2 and Quest 3 launch?
Quest 2 — The Dark Unicorn — launches September 20, 2026, and is available to purchase now. Quest 3 is still in development; details will be announced when it's ready.
Do I need to be nearby?
Yes. Side Quest is built around real locations in downtown Delaware, Ohio. All clues and locations are local and walkable.
Can I play with a group?
Each purchase is for one investigation. You're welcome to explore locations with others, but leaderboard standings are tracked individually per registered player.