Gondar wrote:

Possible. Of course, at that point we're back to the same question. Desk or wall, it's the same condundrum.. why those numbers and why are they only visible when taking a ki-picture and not normally? It's like a secret message someone was trying to pass on to someone else. I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out to be part of the whole bahro-smuggling ring that went on. The way I envision it is the grate to go down from the start hut was code-locked akin to the telescope panel in Riven.. a simple 3 number combination lock. In turn, people would have to go take a picture of the hut and see that the number 3 1 4 showed up suddenly in their picture.. so then people could actually solve the age itself and get to the secret. It was written in secret photoreactive ink or something so the shroom baron could write it down and remember the number when needed, but no one else could find it out.
And then it was removed and the way to open the grate turned into just the lock on the control panel, because in playtesting no one would ever think of taking a ki photo as a way to get a clue. Yet they forgot it was there later and never bothered to remove the now un-needed hint.

Call it a logical connection.

Eh, I subscribe to the theory that the fact that the numbers show up in KI shots but not otherwise is a mistake. It's been well established that Uru uses different methods for different types of images (that's why the numbers show up in KI shots only to begin with), and we know that elsewhere images have been repurposed. I think it's entirely plausible that Cyan tried to remove the numbers (whatever their original meaning) but neglected to hide them from KI images. I don't see any reason to believe this peculiar arrangement is intentional.

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In Cavern: Dryhad (KI: 01316560)

Bogardan Mage wrote:

Eh, I subscribe to the theory that the fact that the numbers show up in KI shots but not otherwise is a mistake. It's been well established that Uru uses different methods for different types of images (that's why the numbers show up in KI shots only to begin with), and we know that elsewhere images have been repurposed. I think it's entirely plausible that Cyan tried to remove the numbers (whatever their original meaning) but neglected to hide them from KI images. I don't see any reason to believe this peculiar arrangement is intentional.

That's a good way to look at it. The bahroglyph stone on the 'hood balcony has/(had?) a similar quality, and I'm fairly certain that's not an IC occurrence nor a leftover puzzle hint.

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MOULa KI #23298
MOUL KI #35129
D'mala KI #74265
Gehn KI #10113

I still like my puzzle-hint idea because it makes sense from a design perspective (they were all about having to connect things from multiple related ages, like say the Eder pair, or Kadish Tolesa and the gallery..) and does seem the sort of thing they'd do.
However, it is possible they did actually have the numbers fully visible at one point and changed their mind anyways then it was left by mistake in the one channel to show up in ki-pics only.

Mostly because I'm having trouble figuring out what the alternative is.. how do you end up with a rather visible "3 1 4" in D'ni that suddenly ends up attached to a picture with no relation? Or are you saying the painting was something else that used those numbers, and when it was changed later by whatever level designer the numbers stayed via the one method still applied, and no one noticed because quite simply it never shows up unless you use KI pics?

I guess that could work. Now both seem simple logical solutions. Drat. Where's Rand when you need him? Or maybe RAWA, he always did have this habit of spontaneously popping up to confirm or deny a question we had out of nowhere...
/me glances about for the hiding RAWA...

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You know, I wish we would learn Atrus loved the 1812 overture, and in turn we had a copy for our relto.
That's right, a canon canen cannon!

MOULa KI: #00027582
Welcome back all!

I'm wondering if, since the first picture is of the Hut in Teledahn, the second gives you the 'KI clue', and the third shows the power station...Could it be that the code was to be entered in the Hut somewhere to turn on the third (as of now in-operable) worm gear...giving access to the top of that Mushroom? Just a thought...always wondered why the third lever didn't work.

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Moul(A) Charura KI#00055400 Char Gearz KI#00706359 Cannon Belle KI#13686512 Teri Dactyl KI#12658065 Neana KI#12762144
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How Many Times Does A Myst Player Play Myst Before A Myst Player Decides To Play Myst Again

Charura wrote:

Could it be that the code was to be entered in the Hut somewhere to turn on the third (as of now in-operable) worm gear...giving access to the top of that Mushroom

I like that thinking, albeit, maybe to be entered somewhere in Sharper's bedroom, or the spyroom, maybe??
Just a thought...