October 4th 2024.
After 31 years of anticipation and countless attempts, the elusive golden owl has finally been discovered in France. The announcement was made through official social media accounts, putting an end to the treasure hunt that has captured the hearts and minds of many.
The hunt, known as On The Trail Of The Golden Owl, was based on a book of riddles published in 1993. Participants were tasked with solving 11 puzzles within the book, as well as an additional, hidden puzzle, in order to uncover the exact location of the golden owl token.
As the news broke, a message on the hunt's Discord channel quickly warned eager hunters against digging for the treasure. "Don't go digging!" it exclaimed to the tens of thousands of followers. "We confirm that the Golden Owl countermark was unearthed last night. It is therefore useless to go digging." The message was accompanied by a flood of sad and crying emojis, reflecting the disappointment of many dedicated hunters.
The hunt's organizers are currently in the process of verifying the solutions provided by those who claim to have discovered the token. This process will determine the rightful owner of the prize, a stunning owl sculpture made of 3kg of gold and 7kg of silver, adorned with diamond chips.
Over the years, the hunt has amassed a devoted community of over 200,000 players, known as "owlers" from both France and abroad. In a YouTube documentary, artist Michel Becker, who created the sculpture with author Regis Hauser, revealed that the original intention was to create a cult-like following for the treasure hunt. Events were even organized for "owlers" to come together and share tips and strategies.
Hauser, the mastermind behind the riddles, initially used the pen name Max Valentin to avoid being sought out by overzealous hunters. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2009, according to French newspaper Le Monde. The golden owl was then buried by Hauser and Becker, with the replica remaining as the prize for the lucky winner. Fans estimate the value of the original to be around £126,000.
To claim the treasure, the winning player must submit the replica owl along with the solutions to all 12 riddles in the book. As news of the possible discovery of the replica owl spread, the Discord channel was flooded with thousands of messages from the hunt's dedicated followers. "Time to get the tissues out," wrote one emotional member, while another declared, "It's the end of an era."
For those who have been following the hunt, this news marks the end of a long and exciting journey. The golden owl's discovery was a momentous event that will surely be remembered for years to come. And for those who are not familiar with the hunt, it's never too late to join in on the excitement. Follow us to receive the latest updates and join our community on Whatsapp for breaking news and juicy stories.
Interestingly, a 2021 documentary revealed that the concept for this treasure hunt was inspired by a book called The Masquerade, published in 1979 by Kit Williams. In this book, hunters were also tasked with solving multiple puzzles in order to find a golden rabbit. The legacy of these treasure hunts continues to capture the imagination of many, inspiring us to keep searching for hidden treasures and solving riddles along the way.
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