Puzzletober 2026: Toss
FYTTE THE SECOND in which betrayals are formed on noble grounds.
The woman introduces herself as Dahlia. She explains that she was going on an excursion with a friend when suddenly they got tangled up in some vines by a plant nymph. She says, "I hope she's alright. Before we were separated, the nymph said someone named Neward had plans for her." Felix exclaims to Renn, "He lives in the fortress on that map we've been searching for! I heard he was a great spellcaster, though no one has heard from him in recent years. But if the map isn't here, then where would it be?" Dahlia says, "The kingdom I hail from sacked countless nearby dungeons a few decades ago. You should check our royal archives. If it's not there, I could arrange for you to check the other castles. Anything to help her." Renn smiles and says, "Likewise."
The new pressing issue seems to be getting back to the surface. The darkness discourages everyone from trying to navigate the way they came. While investigating the room, Felix notices a pedestal that had been knocked over at some point in time. In front of the fallen base and somewhat deep in the ring of water is a shape of unnatural color. He reaches for it and retrieves a boomerang. He decides to toss it at one of the valves. As though by some miracle, it bounces off and flies straight back for his hand, spinning the valve precisely half a revolution in the process. He gets Renn's attention and replicates it effortlessly. The three people take turns making deductions on how they could reach the grate in the ceiling. Renn stands atop the cage and Felix readies the boomerang.
Rules: Solve as a Nagareru-Loop, except with a path that traverses from bottom to top instead of a loop. The boomerang may be used to reverse the directions of any arrows.
