Perhaps the heading should say ‘maybe’; but more of this later.
When we published The Ultimate Quest in 2001 we had little idea how far its tentacles would stretch. Never did we imagine that as well as selling in the UK and many mainland Europe countries, that it would reach North America (where the author was invited to do a number of radio interviews); South America; South Africa; Australia; New Zealand; Japan; Israel and a few we have forgotten. Had the internet been more accessible in those early years in places such as China, we suspect they would also have been tempted; both by the challenge and the reward.
After ten years, however, we have decided that we have gone as far as we can with the Quest. As previously announced, it ended (uncompleted) on 30 June 2011. Many have participated, some (we are told) came close to completing it and lots (we guess) have been driven mad by it. In the last year, however, most of those trying to complete it (whether out of frustration or desperation) have resorted to what the Grail Keeper describes as wild, if interesting, guesses.
Since we announced we were ending the Quest a few weeks ago, we have received a number of telephone calls and e-mails asking us to change our decision. We are genuinely pleased that the book and the challenge have generated such comment, but we still feel that the time is right to bring this phase of The Ultimate Quest to an end. However, with the author’s permission, we are able to give a general overview of the answers to the questions posed, but without revealing the codes and ciphers used. Some were easily cracked and, in particular instances, apparently shared online. Others were more difficult and these were the ones which generally produced the wild or speculative guesses.
It seems that many picked up on the coded warning to Beware Red Herrings; links to the Knights Templar church at Garway and the island of Malta. Some even claimed to have found the cottage pictured on Page 61 of the book. But what of the five questions and contact details for The Grail Keeper?
1. We imagine that many people quickly made the link with the flight of a small group of Cathars (and Templars) from Montsegur with great riches and the Grail the night before that last stronghold fell.
2. The photograph with the changed telephone numbers on the back was also identified correctly by many to its location in France.
3. Now the task became more difficult and the first invitation generated many interesting yet incorrect guesses. Breaking the code would have revealed a cryptic clue regarding Merlin, which in turn would have provided a time, date and location for a first meeting in France.
4. Again, lots of guesses for meeting 2 – but no correct answers. The code, if correctly broken, would have produced another cryptic clue; again giving time and location. This time the meeting was in the UK.
5. Many people seem to have deciphered the third invitation and some went on to establish the location.
So what of contacting The Grail Keeper? This, quite logically, is on the last page of the book. The NOSS DEGG…….clue would have provided the exact point of contact for The Grail Keeper. There was no ambiguity in this. It is our understanding that over the ten years, two contacts were made; but neither was able to answer all five questions correctly.
To try to resolve matters, the author provided a new clue, with e-mail contact, as an alternative means of contacting The Grail Keeper. There were now two possible routes for completion. This new clue was also cryptic. Solving it would also have revealed the great mystery of how The Grail cup came into the hands of the early Christians. It is our understanding that many ‘guesses’ were submitted on-line by a determined band of questers, but only one came remotely close to the correct answer. Again, there was little or no element of chance in the answer. If you correctly cracked the cryptic clue and were guided to where it said, the answer would be immediately apparent.
So that brings to an end The Ultimate Quest as far as we are concerned. That said, it still has great potential (we believe) with a whole new audience - perhaps using e-books and apps. While we have decided that 10 years of The Ultimate Quest is enough for us, there may be someone (or an organisation) out there who would like to take it forward into this new world. We would be happy to discuss the question of rights, should this be the case.
Equally, if there is anyone out there who would like to own the valuable chalice in its oak case or the original painting commissioned for the cover of the book, they should contact us. Obviously if someone is interested in future publishing rights, they would probably want the chalice as part of the package. So there is an element of ‘timing’ in this respect. But please, no time wasters - only serious expressions of interest. In the first instance, anyone genuinely interested should e-mail info@rolandoliver.co.uk, indicating whether they are interested in re-launching The Ultimate Quest into new markets, or simply owning the chalice or original painting.
From us, as well as the author and The Grail Keeper: a big ‘thank you’ for your time and commitment.
Roland Oliver Ltd (Publishers)
July 2011 |
