Article 1: Organization
Art 1.A. “The Destrier's Secret©” is a treasure hunt and sagacity game that will begin on November 15, 2025, with no time limit. It will end under one of the following conditions: (subject to the conditions set out below): When the cache’s content is unearthed by solving the final riddle. Or, when the game’s creator receives the final solution from a participant via the solution verification method (see Article 2), – Or in the event of exceptional force majeure, rendering the game’s continuation under the original conditions impossible such as the destruction of permanent clues, or the accidental discovery of the cache (see Article 3).
In such a case, the creator of the treasure hunt reserves the right either to terminate the hunt or modify it to ensure its continuation.
The launch date may be postponed by up to four months by the game’s creator in case of unforeseen difficulties.
Art 1.B. Une méthode de vérification des solutions An optional and free solution verification method will be available for one year from the hunt’s launch date. Participants can submit their final solution for validation by the creator. If the solution is correct, the participant will be notified. The rules for this method will be specified on the launch date. The creator may extend this method beyond one year.
Art 1.C. The creator reserves the right to publish additional clues or answer public questions to assist participants in their quest.
Art 1.D. The object buried in mainland France is a “token” of the bronze sculpture “Horse restrained by a Groom”. It includes instructions for contacting the creator to claim victory. The token must be submitted to the creator.
Art 1.E. The riddle book may be either physical or digital, depending on the number of participants. If a physical book is chosen, additional information will be requested for delivery. The creator is not responsible for potential delivery delays, and no claims can be made by participants in such cases.
Art 1.F. Specific arrangements have been made by the creator to ensure the game’s continuation in the event of their death.
Article 2: Winner Determination
Art 2.A. The winner will be the participant who:
1) Possesses the final solution and optionally the cache’s content (required in the case of a cheater who claims to have the right solution while receiving an invalidation from the game's author),
Or
2) Possesses both the final solution and the cache’s content.
And
3) Has provided their precise identity and contact details.
Art 2.B. A participant with the final solution will take precedence over one who has the cache's content without the solution. However, a participant possessing the cache's content, with timestamped proof of discovery (e.g., photos, videos), and the final solution will take precedence over one with only the final solution (in this case, the time-stamped proof of the physical discovery must predate that of the final solution sent via the solution verification method).
Only one winner (or winning group) will be declared. The winner must not make any public or private statements regarding the win until authorized by the creator.
Cette personne s’interdira de faire toute déclaration public ou privé de quelque nature que ce soit avant que l’auteur du jeu ne lui ait permit.
Article 3: Exceptional Force Majeure and Verification
The creator will verify the cache’s contents annually.
If the cache is missing during a check, the creator will make a public announcement. The individual possessing the cache will have two weeks from the announcement to come forward. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
If the cache is accidentally discovered and the participant cannot explain the final solution, the creator reserves the right to either terminate or modify the hunt to ensure its continuation.
Article 4: Prize Value and Delivery
The winner will receive a prize valued at €20,000 in gold (gold bar or gold ingots), and the bronze sculpture “Horse restrained by a Groom”, valued at approximately €1,500.
These prizes, accompanied by certificates of authenticity, will be delivered within six months of the winner’s designation. The winner is solely responsible for any taxes or duties related to their prize.
The winner must travel to the location specified by the creator to collect the prize within two years of being declared the winner. Failure to do so will forfeit their claim to the prize.
Article 5: Liability
The creator guarantees that the cache is located on non-hazardous public land, not on private property or public-access private land.
The creator is not liable for any damage caused by participants or third parties, and is not responsible for accidents or injuries sustained by participants or third parties during the hunt.
Participants are responsible for conducting their searches lawfully and respecting property rights, including all third-party rights.
The creator declines all responsibility if a third party engages the responsibility of the participant, in particular if harm, damage or wrongful acts are committed by the participant during this game, of whatever nature and in whatever capacity.
L’auteur de ce jeu décline toute responsabilité en cas d’engagement, par un tiers notamment, de la responsabilité du participant, notamment si des atteintes, dommages ou faits fautifs sont commis par les participants lors de ce jeu, de quelque nature et à quelque titre que ce soit.
Article 6: Distribution
Participants are strictly prohibited from sharing any part of the physical or digital riddle book. This restriction applies across all media.
Breaching this rule constitutes intellectual property infringement and will result in legal action.
Article 7: Commitment
By participating in “The Destrier's Secret©”, participants agree to the entirety of these rules.