X-Entertainment Blog Entry: Halloween Countdown ‘08: Candy Corn Corn Pops!
Entry has an image of Waiterbot in a mound of candy corn. Image has filename barnum.jpg (#)
Velouria78: "The Barnum Effect: The Barnum or Forer Effect essentially provides the listener with what they want to hear. It may help explain why people are so impressed by ambiguous psychic readings."
X-Entertainment blog updates page is given the 2008 advent calendar. Box 23 has unusual watermark and the filename arcano.jpg.
DJ D was the first to point out: "If you look closely at Box 23 you can make out a face. You can clearly see an eye on the left side, and the matching eye on the right (although it’s a bit harder to make out), and below that is a wide nose and the top part of a mouth. Looks like it could be a lion or something." (#)
Rob stated "think I might have cracked arcano, its Portuguese for “secret, concealed, hidden, undiscovered”" (#)
Velouria78: "I may be off on a wild tanget, but arcano might be Spanish for Arcana Tarot: The Major Arcana is the term used to describe the first 22 cards of the tarot deck. These 22 cards represent the 22 major challenges one will face throughout their life."
(Guise) Editing of image might make clearer:
Guise found the source image that is used as a watermark from a website detailing how to make a sea monster mask.
Meepy: "Dell’Arcano del Mare - 7th map - sea monster." (see wiki)
From Wiki: "The seventh map is one of only two in the atlas which have no title but instead dedications to the Grand Duke of Tuscany and, in this case, the Grand Duchess, Dudley's patrons. This is another double page map and probably comes from the 1646 edition. These two maps are probably different because they are the only ones where Dudley was able to use his own observations as they cover the North East coast of South America, the area he visited in 1594. This map shows the coasts of French Guiana, Guyana and a small portion of Brazil. Considerably more elaborate than the others, this map includes soundings and numerous illustrations, namely: two ships, a canoe, two magnificent sea monsters, a (?) cougar and two natives. It also has a legend stating that Monoa - more often known as El Dorado is only 12 days journey up-river from the coast."
Video is called comedyvine. File info contains the description of na, category of Comedy and tag of ya.
00:00 - 00:09 Advert for the Haunted Mansion at Long Branch, NJ. Features v/o and images of monstrous characters
00:10 - 00:22 Advert for Big Apple Circus.
00:22 - 00:42 Advert for Haunted Mansion. Describing multiple monsters, which will make you scream?
00:42 - 01:23 Cut and re-pieced Big Apple Circus advert. Overlayed is the tune used frequently last year for clue videos from Hssxxlllo.
In the video, the Ringmaster frequently makes mention to how close the action is and how 'the audience is almost part of the show'. References to elephants and acrobats are repeated, as well as the footage of clowns hitting the Ringmaster, or more a bearded double, with powderpuffs when he says "I'm not making this up".
Several Advent-urers have taken the comment by the Ringmaster about 'the audience is almost part of the show' to imply that someone from the group may be working with Matt.
Entry is new thread for Box 23 mystery and contains an image titled hi.jpg and a sound file hi.wav.
hi.jpg is a cropping and merging of three images that has then
been stretched width to distort. The original:
The three parts: top, middle and bottom.
Top: Identified by Guise and verified by Ann to be from http://climateprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/hell_070706_ms.jpg
from the website http://climateprogress.org/2008/03/10/vatican-pollution-is-a-deadly-sin/
which was found doing a google image search on the keyword
"Hell"
Middle: Identified by Jack as being a picture of a tree-climbing
coconut crab from http://www.framednews.com/photos/coconutcrabclimbsapalmlunchtree.jpg
Bottom: Identified by Ann as part of an advert for circus troupe
from picture held on http://www.frontrowking.com/family/ararat_shrine_circus_tickets.html
DJ D summarised it as "Fire–Some of the characters ended up Hell last time around. Also, if one were deserted on an island, fire would be essential. Coconut crab–Fits in with the island theme, as this year will obviously have something to do with oceans, pirates, and sea monsters Circus clowns–HU has already shown us via video that the circus will somehow be involved. We also have the clue “barnum” "
The Box 23 image becomes an active link to the website batribII on the previous years dinosaurdracula site. The page is a directory of a web folder and lists the following:
Untitled-1.jpg 17-Nov-2008 01:29 148k
Untitled-2.jpg 17-Nov-2008 01:29 39k
Untitled-3.jpg 17-Nov-2008 01:29 183k
Untitled-4.jpg 17-Nov-2008 01:29 1k
Nizz suggested "the scribbles resemble the word “Winningham” as it would appear in someone’s signature, or written very quickly"
Das pointed out "On Untitled-1.jpg, am I nuts or is there more writing on top of the crab poster?" however this has yet to be verified for what actually is written.
Untitled-2.jpg is a blurred picture of a destroyed area,
seemingly the inside of a property.
Guise suggested this may be the Grande Mansion that the characters
were living in.
Untitled-3.jpg is a BBC news report on the moon Amalthea having
holes and missing fragments.
Ben pointed out about the other tabs open in the shown browser.
"Besides the BBC one, there’s “i c u,” “YouTube - Tuamotus
Coconut Crab,” “Missing People | Home,” and “Hot Pack, Self
Heating Meals from Canl…”
Here’s the YouTube link to that coconut crab thing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLl1ccwLY1E
And the Self Heating Meals: http://www.hotpackmeals.co.uk/
Just looking at those tabs, it seems like somebody is missing and
possibly camping, or on the run, or even hiding."
Jason pointed out "Probably stating the obvious, but the “i
c u” tab is dinosaurdracula.com." and "Also “understanding
hell” is in the google search bar."
Nizz pointed out "The date on the BBC page is December 10,
2002. I went back and looked at the Advent Calendar entry on that. It was
the arrival of the second Mare Winningham"
Rob stated "missing people is a site for missing people in the UK
(has the same tab logo) not sure if that helps, its also the site in a
google search for missing people"
Untitled-4.jpg is a partial image of a Lego figure and appears to be Doctor
BatRibII directory edited to add:
Untitled-5.jpg 17-Nov-2008 17:49 287k
Guise isolated phone in the image, http://www.rogues.1me.net/XEAd.../Box23_2008/untitled-5edit.jpg the message reads on the display reads:
“To: Doctor
Pick up your phone!!!!!!!!! Where r
u guys!?!?!”(Think theres a name in the blue box, can’t make it out but guessing Hssxxlllo?)
Guise identified a folder on the iMac labelled /journal and found the
website http://dinosaurdracula.com/journal/
Nizz stated "just noticed the “F13″ key is missing from his
keyboard in the “Untitled-5″ pic" and "Check the speaker
on the left… there appears to be a reflection of something in it. A
christmas tree?? (it could be the same thing that’s being blurred on the
right speaker)"
Divechaz stated "here’s the webpage that was on the iMac’s
screen. http://www.buzzle.com/articles...k-a-coconut-no-its-a-crab.html"
/journal/ is a directory page with the following contents:
7-5-08.jpg 17-Nov-2008 17:48 296k
The note reads:
7/5/08
STill undeR siege
people losing it. supplies low
& morale even loweR.try to reason? with what?
she didn't come herself --
just sent heR [crossed out] ungodly
monsters.Clearly leviathan was wrong.
hell could not hold her.
oh joy.
great news: they're telling us
the walls won't hold much
longer.
[crossed out] almost feels like i
chose the wrong side?
[obscured]
Guise stated "I thought it was “just being honest” but not
sure because last word looks to have two s’s, though one looks to sit
atop an e"
BatribII is updated to include the links to images:
Untitled-6.jpg
18-Nov-2008 19:19 245k
Untitled-7.jpg
18-Nov-2008 19:22 45k
Untitled-8.jpg
18-Nov-2008 19:19 191k
Untitled-9.jpg
18-Nov-2008 19:19 19k
Untitled-6 has a camp lantern, a box filled with cans of Fire Glo( http://www.overstock.com/Home-...l-24-Cans/2107256/product.html ), a portable radio, and a bottle of “Roman Sambuca”
Untitled-7 shows a collection of canned supplies, including one that looks like pears. Also a box in background.
Untitled-8 has 2 flashlights in it. One laying down, one standing up, halfway out of frame. I’m not certain what the rope thing at the left side of the frame is, or the stuff to the left of the table
Untitled-9 appears to be something 'shrouded' and is debated on what is hidden
BatribII site is changed from default directory layout to custom built 'fake' of directory layout.
Background image features red dots (eyes?) on green background, on one of the dots is a watermark of the word Arcano. The background image is http://www.dinosaurdracula.com/beelzebub.gif
The 'Size' link at the top of the page now links to http://www.dinosaurdracula.com/DoneRoeRiff/
DoneRoeRiff is an anagram of 'Friend or Foe'
Website has the title: You mess with the spirit world, and you're gonna get fucked.
Website has hidden text in source: NEW FACES, NEW PLACES
Website has image: http://www.dinosaurdracula.com/DoneRoeRiff/barnum.gif Image is a part of larger picture, seemingly of clown or ringmaster with bow tie.
Nizz stated "uh, my wife suggested i do a search for “mess with the spirit world….” and I found this:http://www.x-entertainment.com/articles/0424/ that background looks familiar… now i have to read this post.yea, my wife!" The article features Matt being a menace and a Ele-man figure with a mythos: "A legend goes that in 3000 B.C., Babylon, the oldest mysterious nation in the world, was originally ruled by the peace-loving ruler of earth - Kahame, the King of Ele, and ancestors of mankind and various kinds of spirit lived a happy and careless life. However, bewitched by the Devil Gila, the mankind began to learn how to invade and launch a war. As a result, the mankind and spirits could not coexist peacefully and the world has become more and more chaotic. Now, mankind had gradually suffered the consequences for what they have done. In order to re-create a peaceful nation and to eliminate the influence of the Devil Gila, King of Ele, who is living deep down in the earth will appear at any time"
Box 23 image is replace with animated gif that alternates between profile of clown and a small version of beelzebub. Image has filename munrab.gif
Several advent-urers reported response to emails from Hssxxlllo.
BatribII site is updated to add:
Untitled-10.jpg 19-Nov-2008 11:22 8k
Requesting information on deity called Arcano. Do records show anything? Ho…
“Well mid-moons, Hssxxlllo Ussall:
This is all we have on record, save for one artists rendition of the beast “Arcano” based on witness testimony.
grain of salt; no information has been completely confirmed”Details? Sketchy. Truth? Not wholly known.
Can tell a bit, not much:
Arcano is rumored demon god of parallel dimension
-Only whisperings of its existence on Amalthea; better known in Earth circles.
Said to be purely evil… malevolent… powerful”… I’m not sure of the proper order of these snippets, but there’s the gist of it.
Finally, the conversation is between “me” (HU) and “Amalthea Research Institution”… the subject is “Info Request #34. Urgent response required”
Included on the email was the filename File5678_Arcano_Sketch.jpg
Image features an 'angry face', red eyes on green face with pointed teeth.
Image is signed (unknown signature) and dated 12/23/02.
2002 calendar ended on 21 December.
Image was located in the folder http://www.x-entertainment.com/xmassy/pics/ and was dated 20-Nov-2008, against the other pictures from 2002. The picture shows the original Mares from 2002, Santa and other Playmobil gifts, with a watermark over the image of what is considered 'Arcano's Face'.
divechaz also advised of additional images from the same folder, which appear to simply be unused alternate pictures but show all the characters. Included here for reference:
BatribII site is updated to add:
Untitled-11.jpg 25-Nov-2008 10:03 85k
Additionally, audio is placed in the background. Embedded file is arcano.mp3 and is single-play, not looped.
arcano.mp3 sounds like an 8-bit video game music with overlay of slow deep laughing. At the end of the video there is a slowed speech from the comedyvine video that says "the audience is so close they are almost a part of the show" then there is a crunching/ticking/cracking noise.
BatribII site is updated to add:
Untitled-12.jpg 26-Nov-2008 02:21 122k
Additionally the Port Number has changed from 81 to 666
Website has the title Arcano.info.
The website has a looping background audio called peace.mp3
Website has background image of stars http://www.arcano.info/70.gif
Website content is several panels of animate gif files, each has an alt tag. The majority are made up of 56788.gif which is a single frame matching background, each animated gif includes the stars as a first frame. The images go:
http://www.arcano.info/56788.gif alt="ARRIVAL"
http://www.arcano.info/56788.gif alt="SPARE ME"
http://www.arcano.info/56788.gif alt="MINION"
http://www.arcano.info/56788.gif alt="ARRIVAL"
http://www.arcano.info/56788.gif alt="SPARE ME"
http://www.arcano.info/56788.gif alt="MINION"
http://www.arcano.info/56788.gif alt="ARRIVAL"
http://www.arcano.info/56788.gif alt="SPARE ME"
http://www.arcano.info/56788.gif alt="MINION"
http://www.arcano.info/56788.gif alt="ARRIVAL"
http://www.arcano.info/56788.gif alt="SPARE ME"
http://www.arcano.info/56788.gif alt="MINION"
http://www.arcano.info/005511.gif alt="ARRIVAL"
http://www.arcano.info/6662.gif alt="SPARE ME"
http://www.arcano.info/444444.gif alt="MINION"
http://www.arcano.info/1544278.gif alt="ARCANO"
http://www.arcano.info/788216428994.gif alt="DOMINION"
http://www.arcano.info/65592.gif alt="SO?"
http://www.arcano.info/56788.gif alt="ARRIVAL"
http://www.arcano.info/56788.gif alt="SPARE ME"
http://www.arcano.info/56788.gif alt="MINION"
http://www.arcano.info/56788.gif alt="ARRIVAL"
http://www.arcano.info/56788.gif alt="SPARE ME"
http://www.arcano.info/56788.gif alt="MINION"
http://www.arcano.info/56788.gif alt="ARRIVAL"
http://www.arcano.info/56788.gif alt="SPARE ME"
http://www.arcano.info/56788.gif alt="MINION"
Hidden at the bottom of the page are the words "return twelve one"
Dio and Guise put together the following frame by frame breakdown of each animated gif:
56788.gif - single frame, stars bg at 0sec
005511.gif - three frames, stars bg for 20; scary face(?) and flying saucer on side (?) for 1 sec; black bg for 1 sec
ALT tag of ARRIVAL
6662.gif - three frames, stars bg for 20; Arcano on Turin Shroud for 0.9 sec; black bg for 0.2 sec
ALT tag of SPARE ME
444444.gif - three framse, stars bg for 20; Coconut Crab for 1.11 sec; black bg for 1.22 sec
ALT tag of MINION
1544278.gif - three frames, stars bg for 20; scary face for 0.77 sec; black bg for 0.77 sec
ALT tag of ARCANO
65592.gif - three frames, stars bg for 20; scary face and burning cross for 0.01 sec; black bg for 0.77 sec
ALT tag of SO?
788216428994.gif - three frames, stars bg for 20, city for 2; black for 1
Alt tag of DOMINION
BatribII site is updated to add:
Untitled-13.jpg
29-Nov-2008 18:31 105k
Untitled-14.jpg
29-Nov-2008 18:32 103k
Untitled-14.jpg is glowing outlines (photoshop
'edges') picture of two trees, circular blur and a background. Guise
identified the background as looking like the outer walls of the Playmobil
Circus Tent, "The ‘ticks’ on the side of the image are the lower
walls, the round circles are the knobbly bits on the roof?"
Though date of change is unknown, certain changes to the page are obvious.
Background is now: http://www.x-entertainment.com/articles/0424/HELLO.gif
Link at bottom directs to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi_RtsjKU60 instead of Gravedale High intro
HELLO.gif is the image also used on the background of the batribII site.
Sami identified the changed link, it now points to David Broomberg singing "Demon in Disguise". The lyrics from Guise are:
Demon in Disguise
Don’t let the glasses fool ya
Stand beside me when you measure my size
Don’t let false estimations rule ya
So even you might come to realizeI ‘ve been a Wizard since my childhood
And I have earned some respect from my art
Cause I rule the spirits that live in the wildwood
And every evening I talk to the starsI stand tall with the unseen powers
So why should I be scared of you
I could fill your house with flowers
And I could poison all your mirrors tooI’ve been a Wizard since my childhood
And I have earned some respect from my art
Cause I rule the spirits that live in the wildwood
And every evening I talk to the starsI know we all have sisters and brothers
But don’t take me to be just one more
I know you dealt this way with many others
But here I come to try and even out the scoreWell now I really think that you should have guessed by now
That I’m a Demon, uh, in Disguise
You’re just a little bit behind all the rest somehow
I mean you missed all the hints that showed the truth to the wiseYou know you shouldn’t let the glasses fool ya
Stand beside me when you measure my size
Don’t let false estimations rule ya
So even you might come to realizeI am a Demon in Disguise
The first day of the advent calendar.
Hare and Claire are shown having escaped from Hell thanks to a
'savior'.
Heroes are shown in an abandoned circus. Waiterbot, Hssxxlllo, Knacks,
Kuse, Mare, Cher, Mista Snowman, Tigerboy, James Lipton, Legotron, Fireman
and Box are show, along with peacock, unicorn and ruined Christmas tree.
Doctor and Waiterbetty reported as 'missing'.
Kuse has been silent since an incident at the house, where the mansion was
destroyed.
Cher and Knacks become Team Playmobil, Waiterbot and Lipton become Team
LEGO.
Explanation:
CHER: Knacks, how can you even think about that at a time like this? Your best friend is practically in a coma, and a few of your third tier friends are either dead or being held hostage by Hare and Claire! And need I mention the other thing?
KNACKS: The giant crabs that destroyed our house?
CHER: Yeah. Those were the cake-toppers.
Team Playmobil open their box to reveal a Playmobil grassy stand with
tree and hole. Knacks: "Could be a portion of a miniature golf
course. Maybe golf is going to be the running theme of this year's
Playmobil Advent Calendar?"
Team LEGO open their box to reveal a "Man Eating Chicken"...a
man, who eats chicken.
Website changed. Previous images removed.
Website has the title Under Construction.The website has a looping background audio called whitenoise.mp3
Website has background image of stars http://www.arcano.info/70.gif
Website content is animated gif called RENOVATE.gif
Andrew2H's theory on file: "it seems arcano.info’s new sound clip sounds like what happened on December 23rd, 2002. the police going around in circles, trying to find the source of a disturbance, someone getting shot, girls (possibly the 4 Mares) screaming, Arcano laughing, some beast destroying the rest"
Guise's theory: "the weird noise is the throaty bellow, heard
clearer at the later stage, of the giant crabs. The thunder is because it
was just a rough night. The screaming was just everyone terrified. The
gunshots and sirens were futile attempt to stop giant crabs. The Arcano
laughing was him behind the scenes manipulating events."