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

Page (i)

The hidden truths are revealed in two slightly different ways, providing two pieces of guidance.
Note the differences in the mirrored version of the description of the moth.
Missing letters spell one part of the solution; the amended text provides the other part.
The letters missing from the mirrored version of the text, in sequence, spell out: “Straight stems are poisonous.” The phrase “the petals of the blooming magnolia tree” has also been edited in the mirrored version to say “the petals numbered with three & seven.”

Page (ii)

One part of the prior solution indicates what you need from the satchel; there are clues in the text about what needs to be done.
The petals’ partial transparency is relevant, as is the idea that, when they are combined, something might be revealed.
Selecting the two petals indicated by the prior solution, overlaying them and holding them up to the light reveals an image.
Correctly orienting the two correct petal images, overlaying them and illuminating them will reveal the solution: a picture of an elk.

The guidance needed here is on Page (i) and in the first solution.
The mushrooms have different colours, different caps, and different stems.
The correct choice matches the requirements for an acceptable offering and is not poisonous.
The mushroom that has a speckled or webbed cap, is deepest orange, and does not have a straight stem is the Serpentine—so Serpentine is the solution.

Note that Moszek and Anna each get a different bit of information based on what they have each offered—checking the next page may help.
The overall solution comprises one starting location and one set of directions.
The small symbols nearest the moth represent starting locations for the next puzzle, the outer icons are directions and the middle images enable selection.
Moszek’s solution (from page (iii)) relates to the snake symbol, so his information is the upward-pointing triangle with a horizontal line; Anna’s solution (from page (ii)) relates to the elk, so her part of the solution is the bottom-left set of directions.

The prior solution should provide both a starting location and sequence of directions.
The symbol from the prior solution is comprised of two elements; this represents the starting point, and the solution is the equivalent symbol representing the end point.
The directional part of the prior solution provides a sequence of moves.
Starting from the third space in the second row and traveling left, down, right, right ends up at the space where the circle column and dot row intersect.

The details of the shrines are not significant.
The coordinates of your prior solution form a symbol; the hands are all facing palm up.
The only thing of significance is whether the correct shrine is associated with a left hand or a right hand.
The prior solution directs you to the first shrine in the middle row, which is attached to a left hand.

Work out the cipher (this may take a bit of trial and error) and read the border text for a clue.
You need to use both the solution to (v) and the solution to (vi) to make the correct choice.
Select your route from (v), and the left or right hand from (vi) to get the solution.
The riddle around the edge, once deciphered, reads “hands and feet have brought you here, say the word and name the beast you fear.” Using the route from (v) (third down in the right column) and choosing the left hand from those at the top of the stone results in the final answer being THE RAM.