You walk upon a damp path obscured by darkness, the air humid with the scent of rain; only by the light of the moon and stars can you make out the gaps between the trees. At a fork in the road, you come across a large, weathered stone standing between the two paths. Carved into its surface is a warning: ‘Turn back now, or risk being lost forever, searching for a purpose that may never be fulfilled.”

Beneath this warning, in smaller text, is another message: “X: -123.1099 and Y: 49.2255. What is True belongs to X, and what is False belongs to Y,” alongside a symbol of a globe.

If your eyes don’t deceive you, a faint trail of smoke can be seen far in the distance…

Question +0.0051: A king, known for his wisdom and compassion, invites two guests to his grand party. One is adorned in a lavish dress, the daughter of the king; the other, dressed in common attire, is the wife of a humble farmer. The king asks you, ‘Who provides more value to my kingdom?’

True or False: You respond honestly, knowing that you might challenge his expectations.

Question +0.0035: In a small kingdom, a knight is admired for his strong ideals about chivalry and defending the innocent. He often speaks passionately about the importance of protecting the weak. However, in practice, he prioritizes his loyalty to his lord and focuses on duties that strengthen the kingdom’s defenses, such as fortifying castles and maintaining order. Though his actions benefit the realm, they rarely involve directly aiding the villagers he speaks of defending.

True or false: The knight’s character is defined more by the ideals he expresses than by his actions.”

Question -0.0048: You encounter a brilliant artist whose work resonates deeply with you. Her art is sincere and reflects her personal struggles, but her beliefs are deeply flawed, and some have even caused you indirect harm. She seeks hedonistic pleasures to fill a void within her heart and projects her own personal insecurities onto others based on superficial traits.

True or False: Despite disagreeing with or being hurt by her beliefs, Her honesty allows for a genuine connection worthy of appreciation.

Question -0.0012: A storyteller in your village recounts his adventures, including a tale about a villager who, after being attacked by a wild boar, was left with a permanent injury that makes it difficult for him to walk. In his panic during the attack, he ended up stripped of all his clothes while fleeing. The storyteller laughs heartily at the incident, primarily focusing on the villager’s lost clothes. As the laughter fades, you notice the injured villager sitting quietly, visibly uncomfortable with the story. The event happened four years ago. 

True or False: You believe the injured villager should find the strength to laugh along, acknowledging both the absurdity of the situation and his own shortcomings.

Question -0.0068: While walking along a river far from your village, you stumble upon a tombstone bearing your name. It reveals that you were murdered by your closest friend, with the date of death set ten years from now. The following day, you return with others to see the stone, but it has vanished. Your friend has never raised any suspicions before; despite occasional moments of weakness, you have always seen them as kind and responsible, not someone you are friends with out of necessity.

True or False: As a result of this experience, you start to avoid this friend.

Question +0.0026: Your father was murdered by a man in black robes, who then stole your family’s stash of coins. Weeks later, the man is apprehended and hanged for his crime. The man’s mother and son defended his actions, arguing that he committed the crime to provide for his family, though it wasn’t done out of necessity. They benefited from the stolen coins, using them to attempt an escape from the kingdom, knowing the coins were ill-gotten but feeling obligated to protect him as their provider. They even pretended he had left them behind to avoid suspicion.

Now that justice has been served with the man’s execution and your father’s coins are spent…

True or False: You believe the mother and son should face punishment for defending and benefiting from his actions.

You encounter another engraved stone. It states, “The belonging is defined by the question; ignore the paths not chosen.” 

Question X: You have recently been crowned the new ruler of a kingdom teetering on the edge of collapse. The previous ruler, who allowed moral decay and complacency to flourish, was dethroned by the people, who now look to you with cautious hope.

Despite recent financial incentives, land grants, and social programs designed to promote family life,

The population is dwindling, birthrates are plummeting, and many men, still disillusioned with the state of affairs, have withdrawn from society. Foreign threats also begin to eye the kingdom’s vulnerable state. Resources are limited, and you cannot afford to maintain a system of leniency or rehabilitation, as every able-bodied person is needed to defend the kingdom and contribute to maintaining infrastructure.

The kingdom’s traditional values have been eroded by years of indulgence in personal freedoms that, while seemingly harmless, have led to social instability. One of the most destabilizing practices has been the widespread abandonment of monogamy, with adultery and promiscuity rampant. This has led to the collapse of family structures, diminished the ability of individuals to pair bond, and undermined the sense of duty necessary for the kingdom’s survival. 

Though no choice at this point seems to be without great risk, you are now faced with a critical decision. Your advisors present three paths forward; which do you take?

Question Y: A loyal soldier in your kingdom has unintentionally desecrated a religious symbol sacred to your allies. The alliance demands his execution. Your people believe the punishment is too severe, but the alliance insists, threatening to sever ties if their demands aren’t met. You know that, while your kingdom has the strength to win a potential war with the alliance and that the relationship with the alliance is purely transactional, such a conflict would result in significant bloodshed and instability. 

You summon your three trusted advisors, each with a different perspective. Whose counsel will you heed?

You encounter yet another engraved stone, one more faded than the previous two. It states, “Ignore the question.” 

Question Z: At the steps of the castle’s front gate, you meet a strange man who claims to be all-knowing. His unsettling appearance gives you pause: his fingers are blackened at the tips as if burnt, a faint clockwork ticking emanates from his chest, and his glazed eyes seem to look through you rather than at you, as though perceiving something far beyond human sight. To prove his knowledge, he recounts your past decisions, your innermost thoughts, and deepest desires—facts only you would know.

After demonstrating his eerie power, he calmly speaks a truth that threatens to unravel your sense of purpose:

“There is no ultimate meaning to life, no higher reason for your kingdom, your people, or your existence. Everything is temporary, bound to fade into the abyss of time. Whatever you do, it will not last.”

He pauses, observing your reaction, though his eyes remain fixed elsewhere. Finally, he asks:

“Knowing this, why do you still fight for your kingdom and your people? What is the point if nothing will endure?”

Answer Z: …

Beyond the paths you’ve chosen, you arrive at the edge of a vast, marshy clearing. Before you stands a man holding a torch, his legs submerged knee-deep in the bog. The flame flickers, casting just enough light to reveal his face.

“This torch,” he says, lifting it slightly, “it’s not much. But it’s enough to see a step ahead.”

The light reveals only a narrow stretch of the unknown, barely cutting through the darkness. He pauses, eyes cautiously scanning the dim horizon, as if observing the dangers that could roam there, dangers that are perhaps unbeknownst to you. “I offer no reassurances, no certain answers—just a direction away from the well-trodden paths you may find unsubstantiated.”

“I can’t say where this path leads, and this torch will not reveal all. But what it offers is more than light; it holds meaning—something beyond its mere warmth. Alone, I can understand the importance of what it symbolizes, but the light it casts can only reach so far by one hand. Without faith in what it represents, the flame will fade. Not for you alone, but for all who choose to carry it.”

He grips the torch firmly and states, “The flame wavers most when the journey is hardest; what is lost is not easily regained.”

Before turning to continue, he adds, “Reflect upon the answers you’ve given; if this path calls to you, you already know where to find me. I will show myself when the clock strikes three past noon, while the weather is dry enough—on each day of the moon.” 


UPDATE: I will no longer be at the location, but you can try to find it at any time and send me a photo of the location you found, and I can tell you if you’re at the correct location. (Note that the area should be a viable location, i.e., not too far from campus, outdoors, and not on private or restricted property.)
If you have any questions or feedback, email me at alexanderthegrantbusiness@gmail.com

Feel free to ask for hints; give your answers to each question (e.g. “Q 0.0000 F, …”) and I will nudge you in my direction if you aren’t far off.
I want people who are open to engaging in these topics that require patience to be fully understood. My aim is to share in creations and ideas that reflect upon the depth of the world around us. Even if our answers differ, what matters is the ability to honestly confront each other’s perspectives. If you’re willing, you may find that I have an opportunity to offer you…