X Marks NJ II: Ink & Ember — Rules for the Hunt
Rule 1: Every Seeker Has a Chance to Become the Wayfinder
X Marks NJ II: Ink & Ember is open to Seekers from anywhere in the world. Whether you live in New Jersey or across the globe, everyone begins the hunt the same way: by solving the puzzles and determining the Hearthbright's exact location.
To create a fair experience for all players, Seekers will follow one of two paths based on their town of residence at the time of registration.
The Wayfinder Path
Seekers who live in New Jersey or within 166 miles of New Jersey's border may immediately travel to the Hearthbright's location and attempt to claim it as soon as they solve the hunt.
The Distant Seeker Path
Seekers whose town is located more than 166 miles from New Jersey's border are expected to solve the hunt just like everyone else. If they are unable to reasonably travel to New Jersey to retrieve the Hearthbright, they simply wait for the nine-month hunt period to conclude.
Distant Seekers are always welcome to travel to New Jersey and physically claim the Hearthbright at any time during the hunt if they choose.
Rule 2: The Hunt Timeline
The hunt will remain active for nine months.
If a seeker discovers and successfully claims the Hearthbright during that time, the hunt immediately concludes.
If, after nine months, the Hearthbright has not been claimed, every registered Seeker who has correctly solved the hunt and determined the Hearthbright's location—but was unable to physically retrieve it—will be entered into a live random drawing. One name will be selected, and that Seeker will be declared the winner.
If no eligible Distant Seekers are participating, there will be no drawing.
Instead, three final clues will be released over three consecutive weeks—one clue per week—to help local Seekers solve the remaining puzzles.
Once the final clue has been released, the hunt becomes a race to the Hearthbright.
Rule 3: Late Registrations Create Additional Time
Seekers may register after the hunt has already begun.
If a new Seeker registers during the final 30 days of the hunt, the ending date will be extended only as much as necessary to provide that Seeker with a full 30-day opportunity to participate.
For example:
If the hunt is scheduled to end on June 9 and a Seeker registers on June 1, the new ending date becomes July 1.
If a Seeker registers on May 1, the hunt still ends on June 9 because that player has already received a full 30 days.
Registrations made before the final 30 days do not extend the hunt.
The creator reserves the right to extend the timeline further if necessary, although this is intended only as a safeguard and is not expected to occur.