Usufructuary

Welcome to the Usufructuary. To summarize what you’re getting yourself into, here’s a brief excerpt from the rules page:

Usufructuary is a game that combines the spirit of usufruct and urban exploration with the format of a scavenger hunt. Completing a Challenge in the game usually requires both knowledge of the urban landscape and the ability to navigate with cunning. Some challenges require ingenuity and stealth, while others require speed, agility, or luck.

Because this is the first challenge, I’m not going to make it too difficult. Today’s Object is a film canister, completely visible in the picture attached below. You’ll know you have the right film canister because:

1. There are identifying green circular stickers on the top, bottom, and side of the canister.
2. The canister contains an email address and a secret phrase.

The first player to identify the Location, find the Object, and send the phrase to the email address inside will earn 200 Points. While this is really only a 100 point challenge, at most, I’m giving a Bonus because it’s the first such challenge.

Keep in mind that while you’re welcome to give out hints and spoilers in the comments, it’s usually beneficial not to do so until a winner is declared.

While Challenge #2 involves yet another easily-identifiable Location, there’s one hitch: speed is of the essence. At certain times of day, the Object is easily visible to the public and likely to be removed from its place.

Be the first Player to follow the footpath which begins in today’s Hint. Find the (clearly-marked) Object at the end of the footpath and send the phrase on the enclosed card to the email address written above it. Good luck and godspeed.

Because of the need for speed, this simple challenge is worth another 150 Points.

Today’s challenge comes at the beginning of a long beautiful weekend full of sunshine and picnics in the park. Identify the location in the video below and find the message-in-a-bottle centered in the last frame.

(Click on the interrobang to start watching. There is no sound.)

The message contained within today’s Object is a section of an author’s biography. Post in the comments here the author’s full name as well as the town in which he was born for another 200 Points.

(Click on the interrobang to start watching. There is no sound.)

Another piece of video evidence today and we’re beginning to make things a little more difficult. Today’s clip begins by showing the Object itself being put into its place, then zooms back out and pans to show more distinctive landmarks.

Inside the object is another quoted phrase and unique email address. Be the first to send the phrase to the address for 300 points.

(Click on the interrobang to start watching. There is no sound.)

Good evening sports racers…err, Usufru Players. Tonight we’ve got another short and to-the-point video clue for you, streaming almost-live from a location that SF dog owners and rock climbers would both be very familiar with.

In that spirit, I’ll lay off the rest of the diatribe and tell you that solving tonight’s Challenge will net you another 150 Points. Send the phrase to the email to claim them.

(Click on the interrobang to start watching. There is no sound.)

Yet another day, yet another video clue. While the outdoors may be clearly visible in this clip, make no mistake: indoor exploration will get you where you’ll need to be to solve this Challenge.

For the courage needed to meet and complete this Challenge, 250 Points are on the line. Send the phrase to the email and good luck.