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The Riddler was a virtual representation of one of Eivor Varinsdottir's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.
Description
Eivor came across a man speaking to himself next to Walhdenu Altar.
Dialogue
- Riddler: A young and handsome peasant's daughter. She seizes me, red, plunders my head. O dear me no, what am I thinking?
Eivor approached him.
- Eivor: What are you doing here, in the middle of nowhere?
- Riddler: Ah, a visitor for Chad the Bewilderer, the most radiant and rakish Riddler. Do you have the wits to bet me? There is cake in it if you do.
- Eivor: For cake, I will answer any mind-tease you have for me.
- Riddler: My head if forged with the hammer, hurt with sharp tools, smoothed by files. I take in my mouth what is set before me.
- Eivor: Iron is forged with tools? And a keyhole could be a mouth of a door? A lock and key?
- Riddler: Wonderful, your wit sparkles! But still... another one.
- Eivor: Something that sings? A musical instrument? The bladder that whines and wheezes through pipes? Bagpipes!
- Riddler: Very good! A tricky one, that few but the sharpest needles can sew. Now, the final test.
- Eivor: Rain covers the earth like a roof. And the rumble of thumder and lightining can shake acorns from a branch. A storm?
- Riddler: You are brighter than the sky-lantern!
- Riddler: Your wit outshone my words. And such a feat deserves three cakes! But unfortunately, I do not have any.
- Eivor: So the cake was a lie?
- Riddler: Do not pout. Have a reward much more worthy of your talents.
- Eivor: Goodbye, Chad. Your riddles were a fun diversion.
- Riddler: Stay a while, read some more of my scribblings.
Eivor spoke to Chad again.
- Riddler: I do not get many visitors. Your presence sparked my mind. A rare thing out here.
I wonder, will we ever tire of such wordplay? Will the riddles of England die with me?
My grandfather built this turf maze.
I might leave this place one day, and move to Escanceaster with my riddles.
Eivor read a note on the table behind Chad.
- Faded Paper
By day, I was borne on wings through the air. By night, I steal wits from the worthiest of scoundrels. I loose men's tongues and sweeten their songs. Until my hammer pounds on skulls.
She read another note on a table beside him.
- Literary Aspirations
I have collected riddles for so long, and written some wonderful mind-muddlers, I might put them all down in a book for posterity. Maybe when I retire to Exeter?
Eivor entered Chad's house and read another note.
- Mind Bender
Everyone plunders me, tears off my skin. Rips my head from its roots. But no man I bite, unless he bites me; then he will shed a tear.
Outcome
Eivor completed all three riddles of the man.
Behind the scenes
The memory's title and the color of Chad's outfit are references to the Batman villain of the same name who regularly dresses in green and is obsessed with using riddles in his criminal schemes.
Chad's note on wanting to write a riddle book once in Exeter is a reference to the Exeter Book, a collection of Old English poetry believed to originate in the late 10th century. It is notable for containing over ninety riddles written in alliterative verse on a wide variety of subjects, ranging from religious aspects to everyday life, and often includes double entendres. Fittingly, the note in his house is an excerpt and alternate translation of Exeter Book Riddle 65, the answer to which is an onion, while the note behind him is an excerpt of Exeter Book Riddle 59, the answer to which is mead.
Eivor's line of "So the cake was a lie?" is a reference to the meme originating from the 2007 video game Portal. In it, the spiteful artificial intelligence program GLaDOS regularly promises to give cake if players and the game's protagonist Chell finish platforming puzzles, only to mock both of them once the obstacle course is completed for thinking they would be rewarded.
