cryptogram puzzle post | artwork, games & storytelling by jack fallows

Page (i)

The lanternfly reactions are based on letters and their position relative to the four-letter solution.
None of the letters in the first four words appear in the solution at all.
WEST is the best word to consider.
Neither S nor T appear in the solution, so in WEST, both W and E must be correct and in the correct positions. Using deduction with the other lanternfly responses (HILL most usefully) reveals the solution WELL.

Page (ii)

The text provides instruction about what’s needed. The solution is the coordinates of the trees.
The three trees with the shortest overall route from the starting position are required, not simply the three nearest trees.
The two nearest trees are part of the solution.
It’s tight, but the three trees are the two just north of the starting position, and the one north of them.

The satchel page and scissors may prove useful; some math is also required to reach a numerical solution.
The tree coordinates each help cut pieces from the watch face; once the pieces are fitted in the box, the voice provides instruction.
Two pairs of numbers based on the box border each need to be added together—the solution is the difference between the two resulting sums.
Finding the two runes of the first tree’s coordinates, drawing a line between them and cutting along it allows a corner to be removed. Repeating for the second and third trees’ coordinates results in four pieces of watch face which can be fitted into the Cinder Box like so.
The voice refers to “sharp and guarded” (swords) and “use our total power to see value in our differences” (the sum of the numbers, and the difference between the resulting sums). Adding the numbers beside each sword in the box (3 + 4 = 7, then 8 + 9 = 17), then subtracting to find the difference between the answers results in the solution: 10.

The prior solution is a number.
The sequence of patterns repeats, so the fourth plank would have the first pattern on it.
Count the number of planks through the sequence, repeating three times.
The tenth step would land on a plank that looks like the one lowest on the page.

Only the letter tiles and the prior solution are useful here.
The solution is a four-letter word.
The shape of the prior solution represents a sequence of letters on the grid, starting with L.
The correct tile positions are indicated by the markings from the prior solution. Following the pattern on the letter tiles spells out L A M P—the solution is LAMP.

This just requires selecting one of the four paragraphs based on the illustration.
The prior solution indicates which paragraph is the correct one.
The other paragraphs should be ignored.
The paragraph beside the lamp is the correct choice.

The prior solution provides a description that indicates a route through the waterways. Anna is sitting facing forwards in the boat
The letters passed along the way will spell a word; that word is the final answer.
The correct route begins on the left side of the bottom of the map.
1. Starting from the left side of the bottom edge of the map, through the letters F – O – R – E – V – E – R to the right side of the upper edge of the map reveals the final answer FOREVER.