Just to be clear, the following notes are on "old" paper and would seem to be from at least a year or more ago. In other words it does not seem to associated with the death metalists currently at the house.
One of the sliders on the box has a small nick in it and that seems to be what the notes have orientated the box off of. The knick is very subtle, easy to miss, and as if someone pressed their fingernail slightly into one of the box's panels.
Nicked side is 1
Opposite it is 2
Left of it is 3
Right of it is 4
Top is 5
Bottom is 6
It looks like a number of brute force methods were tried to solve it.
Nothing seemed to be working and then the plywood box was constructed.
The plywood box was originally 10x10x10 but later expanded to 12x12x12.
(There is no reason given for the expansion)
Notes of speculation:
Each side might correspond to something such an emotional state.
Each side might correspond to a particular person or case.
Each side might have its own solution meaning there are multiple solutions.
A spyglass solution might exist for each other solution as well, indicating that there could be 12 solutions with 1 being a spyglass and 1 being XXX solution for any one given side.
A "Side solution" still requires entire box to be worked, not just a single side. They seem to be calling things "side solutions" in a sort of symbolic way.
"Solution Notes"Several notes refer to something they have called the
Spyglass Solutions Two solutions arrive at the spyglass
- Spyglass Underwater
- Spyglass Room
Seeming to correspond to the Spyglass Room solution, several notes seem to be about a room:
Known Room Contents according to notes:
- Small end table
- Telephone
- Letter
- Book of Matches
- Mirror - half body length
- Small closed glass shelf with
- Flower pot on top
- Candle in flower pot
- Dresser with 3 drawers
- Small suitcase on top
- Grandfather Clock
- Window looking out to lake
Several notes refer to something called the
Water Solutions
- No Box - No Result
- 10x10 - Walls leak
- 12x12 - Room floods - Subjects lost (Subjects lost seems to mean that the subjects went physically missing, not that they died. There are no deaths noted anywhere that you can tell.)
Some of the notes contain people’s names and document their attempts to solve the box.
In those names some are mentioned to be “puzzle experts.”
There is also a note asking if it is possible to get another one and this is followed by,
“T28 R56 010Y”
Another handwriting has added to this note the word “No” and circled it.
The Meredith & Kale SolutionResults appeared similar to spyglass solution - Subjects lost
Paola Sietske is noted as having made the nick in the corner with her fingernail. It is also noted that she was reprimanded for damaging the box but that it didn’t seem to have an effect on it.
Solutions:
Along with the wall map there is enough information to solve the box for:
- Spyglass to the Room
- Spyglass to the Water
- Flood Room (Notes subjects lost)
- Room (Notes subjects lost)
There are also notes on a series of people that seem to be more historical.
Dale Vandermeer - Detective
In 1972 he died of a gunshot wound to the head while drinking in a bar.
Was investigating two deaths at the time:
1. Laura Vandermeer who died in 1971
2. Dale Vandermeer who died in 1972 of a gunshot would to the head while drinking in a bar. (That is not a typo, that is what the note says)
William Vandermeer - amateur chemist
Died in 1859 while conducting an experiment
The word “Corrupted” appears on the note mentioning him.
Rose VandermeerDaughter of Albert and Ida Vandermeer
In 1919 she discovered Frank Vandermeer, son of Emma Vandermeer in a well.
William Chamber (AKA: Aspen Wolfe, AKA: Arkadia) television news producer for a UHF station. Killed his girlfriend.
“Mr. Owl” is written on this note.
1976 —-> Lake
Had black cube?
Unknown Woman - Pheasant Symbol
34 Years old
Stage Actress
5’4”
Born: 1859
Blew out her vocal cords shattering glasses.
The words “Shell, Fetus, Heart, Hat” are written on the note about her. "Hat" is scratched out.
Note: Resignation DraftThis note appears to be a draft resigning.
The letter notes:
- They think they are wasting their time and the box doesn't do anything.
- Concern over growing unsafe working conditions, citing an unknown project in the main house and growing tensions between the two.
- Questionable activities happening next door that they feel is immoral.
- Growing concerns over their inability to contact anyone after they have come, tried to solve the box, and left.
The letter contains some bits crossed out and word choices circled for revision.
CommuniquesThere are a series of messages, though I have marked them “Communique from Oltav” it is actually unclear if they are directly from and to him, or an assistant. From some notes on times and frequencies for transmissions though, it is apparent they are connected to him.
Communique from Oltav The main house will soon be off limits. Leave required communications at the door.
Communique from OltavRequire status update immediately.
Communique from OltavDisappointed
Communique from OltavWas promised results. Where are the results
Communique to OltavThere is simply too much symbolism. Send tapes, might help.
Communique to OltavHave identified 19 symbolic themes.
Believe to have identified Mr. Owl and Pheasant.
Crow & Deer remain unknown.
Communique to OltavWe are unable to contact participants after they have left. Do you have updated contacts?
Communique to Oltav We suspect the box is only a meditative focal piece designed to frustrate and obsess over.
Leaving Note:This note resembles a brainstorming session on a plan to leave. It is heavily crossed out but some bits are still readable.
Basic logistics info: Distances to closest towns, how long to reach, directions.
Leave or take box? --> Increased chance Oltav hunts down
Get extra food
Water
Go further south instead of north to US
Bribe plane pilot?
Wreck transmitter?
Put Debbie in room with box solved to flood room
Go to an embassy?
Money? -> Drain bank accounts -> Tipoff
Car or on foot?
Is our place already taken?
Odds and Ends:These notes not very explanative and appear more as if jotted down doodles/brainstorm/thoughts with often singular words written at various angles on papers:
Stone
Cloth
Spring Summer Winter Fall
Despair
Regret
Angst
Anxiety
Claustrophobia
Ichthyophobia (Fear of fish)
Fish
Voice
Heart/Blood
Fetus
Shell
Flower -> Hair -> Cube
Copper
Fire
Wood
Heart
Harvey -> Parrot
Side 1: White Door
Side 2: Lake
Side 3: Voice
Side 4: Fish
Side 5: Parrot
Side 6:
Fish
Gecko
Corrupted -> Heart
Egg
Worm
Fish
Fetus
These notes have the following words with a series of doodles after them trying to attach symbols to each word.
Example: Church has a cross drawn beside it, a building with a steeple, a box with a cross in it, etc.
1. Voice
2. Fish
3. parrot
4. Room 130
5. diving helmet
6. Cage
7. Church
8. Lake
9. Window
10. White Door
11. Black Door
12. squiggle
13. Box with line through it
14. triangle line through it
15. envelop
16. oval (Egg)