Level Two Unlocking
On October 2nd, 2022. Rob posted an image of half of a QR code and a messageː HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO0O (This has been edited for brevity, the full message had ̃400 zeroes). It was noticed later that evening there was a 0 on the 18th position of the phrase. A few minutes later a new web address was found https://www.reachthefinals.com/tfee_level2 (This address was made inactive and leads to a 404 error, the updated address is https://www.reachthefinals.com/tfee-level2). On the site was a gif of Nama Tama saying that Level Two - THE PROMISE was loading. After midnight it was discovered that https://www.reachthefinals.com/gooooooooooooooooo contained a quarter of the QR code, although not needed now it was another clue to get to the TFEE Level2 Site.
On October 4th it was discovered that https://www.reachthefinals.com/tfee-level2 was active, with 9 tiers all locked. (It is worth noting that at some point the Level 2 Page got changed so Tier 2ABC and T2DEF share the same line instead of seperated like all the other tiers.)
Tier 1A: The "1064 Aethusa" puzzle
Tier Overview
On October 6th, 2022 Dusty posted two images in the easter egg channel with the caption Oriri ex cinere. It was discovered that if you overlaid the two images and looked at the differences and edited the levels you'd see a griffin. This griffin was the Pisa Griffin, which sits atop the Pisa Cathedral which started construction in 1064.
On October 7th, 2022 Dusty posted a new image in the easter egg channel, titled TakeCover, it contained a scene of the Church on Monaco getting hit by a series of meteors. This image had a fair amount of clues hidden in it.
- Αἵ θου σα, or Aethusa, had been hidden in the rubble, and on the church itself.
- The various white blooming plants seen around the scene are Aethusa Cynapium, a herb native to Europe.
- A broken trident could be found in the rubble, and a trident symbol can be seen on the floating ring on top of the scene.
- Poseidon's daughter is named Aethusa.
- Due to the amount of meteors it was also a hint to be on the lookout for connected meteors.
On October 11th, 2022 Rob posted a new image in the easter egg channel, titled friend_you_need_02, it contained a scene of Nama Tama dressed as Galileo observing a comet with a telescope. It was discovered there was a Aesteroid, 1064 Aethusa, named after the herb.
Solving
On October 11th, 2022. Hunter Serpenger found the correct password for the tier, 1064, from looking at the asteroid that had been found a couple hours previously. In total this tier took 7 days to complete, and a new image awaited our hunters.ǃ
Summary
The Pisa Griffin provided two important clues to the hunt, first, the date 1064, and that it was the birthplace of Galileo.
The Aethusa clues all pointed to the meteor.
Images
Oriri Ex Cinere
TakeCover
friend_you_need_02
Credits
Solver - Serpenger
Documentation - Flex4d, Ralliden, RockhoundBlack
Various Contributions - Buunuu, Darnoux, DashGames, Duh, Fishxw, Giriko, OrpheusHEI, SPEAR, Swa, Tragic
Further Reading:
RockhoundBlack's Video: THE FINALS: A Fistful Of Easter Eggs + New Concept Art!
Tier 1B: The "79" puzzle
Tier Overview
On October 11th, 2022, Serpenger posted the image he got from inputting the T1A password, titled THE_FINALS_OSPUZE, depicted a scene with all of OSPUZE's weapon cosmetics, with a lot of clues hidden within.
- In the background of the image there was a pigpen cipher hidden, when decoded it meant FKRAMER, or Frank Kramer. A Italian filmmaker who largely directed spaghetti westerns.
- In the OSPUZE Logo pixel art of a bag of flower & an egg was found, or the ingredients for spaghetti. This was another hint that Frank Kramer was the correct interpretation of the clue.
- The M11 had 8 bullets wrapped around it, and 32 written on the side of it. 832 Ab urbe condita( years since Rome was founded) translates to 79 AD.
- The ammo belts for the M60 in the shot had markings on the primer for the bullets. 1 on the far left, 9 next to the previous one, 6 on the bullets coming out of the receiver, and 2 almost in the receiver. 1962 was the year that Frank Kramer released 79 A.D.A political drama about Mount Vesuvius's impending eruption.
- On the OSPUZE badge there was a X carved into it. Frank Kramer directed a movie called The Ten Gladiators. Another hint that the theme might be roman.
On October 14th, 2022, Rob posted a new image on the easter egg channel, titled Promo_OSPUZE_Candy_01, depicted a scene with a OSPUZE AKM sitting on a wooden floor next to a hat and boots. This image had a couple of clues in it, although they were not figured out until October 29th, 2022. 190B 01 1B151A01 was written on the side of the AKM, this was eventually figured out to be SHARONA if you replaced the string with letters. My Sharona, by the Knack, released in 1979. The other clue hidden within was a series of dots that looked like they were arranged as a musical piece. This likewise was solved on October 29th, 2022 with the piece being discovered to be Piano Sonata No.25, Op.79, another hint to 79.
On October 21st, 2022, Rob posted a new image on the easter egg channel, titled Promo_Extra_OSPUZE_Candy, depicted a scene with a OSPUZE M11 sitting on a wooden floor next to a hat and a number of magazines. This image also contained clues that like Promo_OSPUZE_Candy_01, would help uncover the Sonata. 11-XXV 33 43 44 34 11 was scratched onto the wooden surface, in tap code it turns into s o n a t a - 2 5. Beethoven's signature was also found on the wooden table.
On October 26th, 2022, Rob posted a new image on the easter egg channel, titled friend_you_need_03, depicted a scene with a Nama Tama dressed as a Roman Centurian holding a Pilum. This was a hint that whatever the password was, was most likely roman themed.
On October 29th, 2022, Rob posted a new image on the easter egg channel, titled Promo_OSPUZE_Candiii_, depicted a scene with a OSPUZE M60 sitting on a hay covered floor with HOLTOW branded bags in the background. There were a series of clues hidden within the image.
- 1908 01 18 15 1401 was hidden on the side of the M60, which was translated into SHARONA. My Sharona, by the Knack, released in 1979.
- A hex bolt on the side of the M60 had Alt57 written under it. That is a alt code that produces 9 when you do the code. Next to the bolt was a small tally that has 7 tallies. 79 when combined.
- The pouch for the M60 has 7 rivets on the outside of the pouch, and 9 on the outside. 79 again.
- XXV was at the end of a string of numbers hidden on the side of the M60. This, combined with Beethoven's signature, lead to Piano Sonata No.25, Op.79.
Solving
On October 30th, 2022. Hunter Serpenger found the correct password for the tier, lxxix, after noticing the constant theme of 7s and 9s, and the roman undertones thoughout the entire tier. In total this tier took 19 days to complete, and a new image awaited our hunters.ǃ
Summary
79AD, The Ten Gladiators, and the Nama Tama dressed as a Centurian all pointed to the password being roman themed in nature.
My Sharona, Piano Sonata No.25, Op.79, and all of the 7s and 9s showing up hinted that the password might just be 79 itself.
Images
THE FINALS OSPUZE
THE_FINALS_Promo_OSPUZE_Candy_01
THE_FINALS_Extra_OSPUZE_Candy
friend_you_need_0
THE_FINALS_Promo_OSPUZE_Candiii
Credits
Solver - Serpenger
Documentation - Flex4d, Kyne, RockhoundBlack
Various Contributions - Buunuu, Darnoux, Duh, Dwarf, Giriko, Rader, RockhoundBlack, SPEAR, Tragic, cikp, fishxw, gala, saamdotexe
Further Reading:
RockhoundBlack's Video: THE FINALS: For A Few Easter Eggs More...