Lair of the Will-o'-the-wisp

Note

This is a four stage, Letterbox Hybrid night cache. You will have a better experience if you read the entire cache description and are able to access it in the field. Different weather conditions will result in different levels of difficulty. Please note the listed attributes. A method to record data gathered at the stages is essential (special tool). Try to avoid drawing attention to yourself due to nosy neighbors. Be prepared for possible GPS degradation.

The cache is in a delicate ecosystem, but mostly uses existing open areas and/or game trails to prevent harm to the environment and protect you from the worst areas. If you try to take shortcuts or follow hunches instead of the “cache plot,” you may literally get yourself stuck and perhaps unable to get yourself out.

Cache Background

Will-o'-wisps are creatures that appear as a hazy ball of light, traditionally inhabiting bogs, marshes and swamps. Evil and malicious, Will-o'-wisps manipulate their glowing bodies to appear as torches or lanterns to lure travelers off of a path and to their deaths. Wisps in this area were first noted in 58 A.D. when a monk known as Mountain Jipushi failed to cleanse the area of its evil.

While preparing for his transformation to a Lich, the Archmage Vecna noted the high concentration of Will-o'-wisps in this area. Vecna hid the legendary artifact The Stamp of the Wisp here, intent on reclaiming it after his transformation. Not content with the foul terrain and existing Wisps as guardians, Vecna seeded the area with Water Weirds and a Spirit Naga to further protect his treasure.

Since then, numerous Geo-Adventurers have attempted to penetrate the marshes to access The Stamp of the Wisp, but most have never been seen again. Eventually, the suspected location of The Stamp of the Wisp passed from living memory.

Recently, the scholar Lapin de Neige published an article entitled Lore of the Wisp. de Neige has managed to piece together forgotten texts that provide new clues to The Stamp of the Wisps' location. Geo-Adventurers are now wondering aloud, is it actually possible to find this stamp and get a copy in thier books?

Cache Overview

To complete the cache, multiple sources of information are available: cache description, hint section, citations from Lore of the Wisp, situation on the ground, and clues found at each stage.

Given the difficulty rating of the cache, don't expect all reflectors to jump out at you. Some reflectors will require you to look for them, but they aren't hidden. When following a reflector trail, get as close as possible (while staying on the path) to the reflector you just found to in order to be able to see the next one. You may have to look up, down, or in a 360° arc to see the next reflector because not all reflectors are placed in a uniform distance, direction or height. Utilize a combination of following game trails, open areas, and reflectors to get to your destination. Following reflector trails are the easiest parts of the cache.

Posted Coordinates

“… grinning, Chevalier E???? de MassIT, (illegible) ... since he was one of the greatest mystery solvers of his age, de MassIT had put the clues together and was on the trail of the Stamp of Wisps. Separated from his party and with rivals in hot pursuit, de MassIT descended from the Monument of Chest to the edge of the swamp, where he (illegible). Peering at (illegible) …. leaving behind a clue for the rest of his party to follow, de MassIT pressed on; never to be seen again.”

-de Neige, Lore of the Wisp

Your hunt begins at the posted coordinates. You are looking for whatever de MassIT’s clue is, presumably information that will take you to the next stage.

Stage 2: Lair of the Spirit Naga

“…descending into a dark and evil place (illegible) … trio of adventurers, offspring of the fabled Myrmidon Sir Willamz,(illegible) … stumbled into the lair of the Spirit Naga. Casting a Dancing Lights spell, the gloom was partially abated. Nonetheless, the adventurers were surprised when the Naga emerged from the water’s edge. The ghastly smell and horrid appearance made them retch. An honorable battle was had, but lacking the skills of their father; the three adventurers were defeated by the Naga. The Naga dragged all three corpses into the depths of the marsh and the trio was never seen again; remembered only by the flickering of the Dancing Lights that soon sputtered, then died.”

-de Neige, Lore of the Wisp

Proceed to the place described by de MassIT and find another clue. This clue will direct you to the beginning of a reflector trail. Follow the trail until you find a reflector shaped like an “X.” There is a container within 3 feet of this reflector. Please leave the container in place. To open it, hold the container with one hand and open it with the other. Please do not remove the contents from this site, but record the information to help you navigate to the next location.

Stage 3: Lair of the Water Weird

“…despite his wounds, the renown Thaumaturgist and loyal tribe member Vlastenec Fanoušek pressed on. Fortunetly Niwe Re’k, a veteran healer of the Bone Wars and only remaining party member, used her divine magic to heal him. Eventually, they came to the Lair of the Water (illegible) … a stone causeway. Eleated, they seemed to be headed in the right direction. Suddenly a Water Weird emerged from the blackness and struck. Using a lighting spell, Fanoušek repelled the Water Weird’s attack. Unfortunetly, another beast had risen behind him; curling around his neck. The brackish smell and gurgling sound like a drowning infant filled Fanoušek’s nose and ears. Re’k struck the beast with her mace, but another Water Weird wrapped around her arm, then neck. Struggling vainly, first Fanoušek then Re’k were dragged into the depths of the Water Weird’s lair; never to be seen again.“

-de Neige, Lore of the Wisp

Using the information gleaned from the Spirit Naga's lair, arrive at a location and look for a reflector. There is a container within 6 inches of this reflector. You do not have to, or should you, move anything to find and retireve the container. Please carefully reset the container as you found it.

Final: Lair of the Will-o'-wisps

“…(illegible). Following closely behind the dancing lights he presumed to be Wisps, zaQ the Skald plunged into the marsh. Observing from a safe location, zaQ’s retainer saw him find sure footing as he made excellent progress. zaQ soon disappeared from view, only the moving reeds giving indication that he was still on the proper path. (illegible) … after some time had passed, the retainer heard zaQ cry out, “found it, help me with this.” (illegible) As the retainer stepped forward to help his master, a blood curling scream erupted in the night. Hearing zaQ in his death throes among a swarm of flickering lights, the retainer retreated; taking zaQ’s mount and remaining possessions for himself.”

-de Neige, Lore of the Wisp

After arriving from Stage 3, you are looking for a reflector path. Eventually you will come to a reflector shaped like an “X.” The final container is within 10 feet of that reflector. Once found, you will see the container is secured with four pins. Two pins have paracord loops for easy removal to allow access the cache. Please leave the container in place. To open it, hold the container with one hand and open it with the other. Please reset when finished. You got yourself in, now can you get yourself out the same way? Good Luck.

Hopefully the backstory, mood, and imbedded hints made the cache more fun despite the long description. I hope you thought the total experience was worth your time.

Additional Waypoints

018YRNG - Lair of the Spirit Naga
N/S __ ° __ . ___ W/E ___ ° __ . ___

028YRNG - Lair of the Water Weird
N/S __ ° __ . ___ W/E ___ ° __ . ___

FN8YRNG - Lair of the Will-o'-the-wisp
N/S __ ° __ . ___ W/E ___ ° __ . ___