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The key to this puzzle is the past

You don't need another hint...




NOTE:

3 Keys are NOT on keyboard. They lead to a single key on the keyboard. Also note that everything is involved in the answer, I don't do red herrings

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  • $\begingroup$ Sorry to those who actually saw the puzzle, this was supposed to be the first clue leading to it $\endgroup$ – Beastly Gerbil Jun 22 '16 at 12:43
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    $\begingroup$ Aaaaaah thats clever. For anyone who hasn't realised yet you need to click on something to actually get the puzzle. I like the past clue $\endgroup$ – user20998 Jun 22 '16 at 12:44
  • $\begingroup$ great puzzle OP! +1 $\endgroup$ – Jeremy Jun 22 '16 at 13:39
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I'm tempted to say:

Esc

Because

First look in the edit history for the complete puzzle because 'The key to this puzzle is in the past', I had help from @Moose's answer and @Joe's comment! Then, from the noticeboard, ski sounds like 'S key' and the note is a middle C. If the map can be interpreted as E.. then in order the keys spell out ESC. This could also match the poem line ending 'and ever be free' or escape.

Shout out to @kayzeroshort:

As commented: "you can get the 'E' from the map by taking the nth letter of each map feature, where n is the given number. (4 - rivEr, 4 - lanE, 2 - sEcondary road)"

I wouldn't bet my life on it though!

Maybe I should have! I actually thought I was wrong because of the hint.. technically they aren't on the keyboard (they're on the noticeboard), but their interpretations E, S and C certainly are!

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    $\begingroup$ was about to try this. you can get the 'E' from the map by taking the nth letter of each map feature, where n is the given number. (4 - rivEr, 4 - lanE, 2 - sEcondary road) $\endgroup$ – kayzeroshort Jun 22 '16 at 14:20
  • $\begingroup$ @Arth well done this is correct $\endgroup$ – Beastly Gerbil Jun 22 '16 at 14:21
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    $\begingroup$ If you add in @kayzeroshort's comment then i will accept $\endgroup$ – Beastly Gerbil Jun 22 '16 at 14:21
  • $\begingroup$ Thanks @BeastlyGerbil, see my note for a potential confusion. Thoroughly enjoyable puzzle :) $\endgroup$ – Arth Jun 22 '16 at 14:32
  • $\begingroup$ This key is special further proves this answer is correct. The key you are talking about is special (function keys, modifier keys, etc.) $\endgroup$ – haykam Jul 4 '16 at 1:51
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Very much a work in progress:

I noticed the puzzle had been edited, so I clicked to look at the edit history. Looking at "the past" edits, you can find a real puzzle.

Once you go there:

The noticeboard has a topographical map, which I don't yet understand. But then it has the word "SKI" and middle C.

The note:

To open this door you’ll need a key,
If you want to enter and ever be free,
This key is special, its hard to find,
If your puzzled now, then use your mind

Below is a keyboard, a key you must press,
Get it wrong and you die, so do not guess!
Find the correct one by finding 3 other keys,
Here’s a test of your puzzling expertise

My guess at (one of) the three keys:

It would make sense for each image on the noticeboard to lead to one of the keys, so here is my attempt at deciphering that:

The map: unknown

The word "SKI": unknown

The whole note "C": this is actually middle c, the key on a piano which is closest to the middle. However, the row of keys on a piano is called the keyboard, so this may be trying to lead us that the key to press is towards the middle of our keyboard.

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  • $\begingroup$ the note isn't e $\endgroup$ – Beastly Gerbil Jun 22 '16 at 12:49
  • $\begingroup$ Oops I was thinking bass clef $\endgroup$ – Moose Jun 22 '16 at 12:53
  • $\begingroup$ I'm afraid you are entirely incorrect, only one key should be pressed on the keyboard. The three keys lead to that one key $\endgroup$ – Beastly Gerbil Jun 22 '16 at 12:57
  • $\begingroup$ Ah, I took the three keys to literally mean keys on the keyboard that lead you to the one key. May I ask if the grammatical inconsistency is at all pertinent? $\endgroup$ – Moose Jun 22 '16 at 13:02
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    $\begingroup$ @Meta45, your wrong i'm afraid. Don't know why no one has considered looking at the noticeboard for the three keys (Which are NOT keys on the keyboard).... $\endgroup$ – Beastly Gerbil Jun 22 '16 at 13:15

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