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The Message, the Stick, and the Artist was a virtual representation of one of Kassandra's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.
Kassandra found Phidias in his workshop and greeted then talked to her.
Phidias: Ah, you are a welcome sight. Your beauty brings light into the darkness of what has become my life.
Kassandra: It's good to see you too, Phidias.
Phidias: Now this is important. No one saw you come here did they?
Kassandra: No... Why?
Phidias: You're sure you weren't followed. Good, good. They're out there, though. Watching, waiting...
(If players choose "Who's out there?")
Kassandra: Who's after you?
Phidias: The Cult of Kosmos. Remember Athens? They never stopped hunting me, Kassandra.
Kassandra: Why would they be after you now?
Phidias: They want me dead. Moving me here has only bought a little more time. I need your help.
Kassandra: What makes you think you're in trouble now?
Phidias: The other day I received a scytale, and a note.
Kassandra: Someone left you a piece of wood and a letter... I can see why you're frightened.
Phidias: Oh, it's so much more than that.
(If players choose "What's a scytale?")
Kassandra: What's so special about a stick?
Phidias: It's not just any stick! The scytale is used by the Spartans to send coded messages.
Kassandra: OK, so let's talk about your stick.
Phidias: Scytale!
Kassandra: All right, scytale.
Phidias: I need to get the code. Then I'll show you how it works.
(If players choose "What did the note say?")
Kassandra: What did the message say?
Phidias: Look to your art... The king of gods has a message to impart.
Kassandra: Fantastic, that's not a message. It's barely passable as a riddle!
Phidias: It's obvious, the king of gods.
Kassandra: Zeus?
Phidias: Yes, and what am I?
Kassandra: There's so many answers to that, but I suppose you're a sculptor.
Phidias: Exactly!
Kassandra: So where do I need to go?
Phidias: The Temple of Zeus , of course! It's here in Olympia. The clue for the scytale should be around the statue.
Kassandra:OK. If it'll put your mind at rest, I'll help.
Phidias:Thank you. Now hurry, and look to the statue of Zeus in his temple to find the message. Once I have the clue, I can decipher it with the scytale.
Kassandra:Don't worry, I'll be back as soon as I can.
Kassandra:I think you're being overly paranoid. I'll come back and check on you, if I have time.
Kassandra leaves.
Kassandra left his workshop and went on her way to the Temple of Zeus.
Kassandra: Phidias is paranoid, but maybe it's not all in his mind...
Inside the temple she saw the statue of Zeus.
Kassandra: This must be what Phidias was looking for.
She climbed on to the statue's lap and found a symbol then copied it.
Kassandra: I should get back to Phidias so he can decipher the message.
She went back to his workshop and handed the copy to Phidias. He quickly deciphered it.
Kassandra: So, what was the message? Did it give you the information you were looking for?
Phidias: In a manner of speaking... The message you gave me, I wrapped it around the rod.
Kassandra giggles.
Kassandra: You wrapped it around your rod?
Phidias eagerly answered.
Phidias: Yes, the scytale! It's ingenious, the right message for the right rod. Wrap the cloth around it, and the letters should align, giving you the message.
Kassandra: Yes, very interesting. But what did it say?
Phidias: It's directions!
Kassandra: Well, don't keep me waiting. What did it say?
Phidias: It's a list of statues, and... there's something else, but it's not complete.
Kassandra: Do you think the complete message will be revealed once all the statues have been visited?
Phidias: I would assume so.
Kassandra: Someone's gone to a lot of trouble to ensure this remains a secret.
Phidias: Maybe it will reveal the identity of the ones who want to dispose of me... Will you help?
Kassandra:I can't keep chasing after statues for you. Look, if I get time. I'll come back.
Kassandra leaves.
Outcome
After meeting Phidias again and learning that he's still worried for his life because of a cryptic message, Kassandra set out to find the other symbols on each statues at three separate Greek islands to decipher the rest of the message.
