The Witness: Lab 09
The Treehouse
Branching pathways twist through stoic tree tops in this unfolding labyrinth above the forest floor.
You Are Here
Key Insights
| Realized Representations | Entangled Erudition | Polymorphic Pathways |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
Audio Logs
| Bonus Puzzle 1 | Bonus Puzzle 2 |
|---|---|
 |
 |
Realized Representations
The treehouse area is full of symbols and shapes of all kinds.
Group Discussion: What do each of these symbols imply in the context of this puzzle?
Entangled Erudition
Solving these puzzles requires a firm understanding of rules acquired not just in this area but throughout the island.
Group Discussion: How do you contend with the increasing complexity of these challenges? What might you do to remind yourself of the meaning of these symbols?
Polymorphic Pathways
Activate this simple panel to gain access to the laser area.
Group Discussion: Time is running out! What might you do to give yourself a more direct path?
William Wordsworth
Approaching the treehouse from the swamp, keep a keen eye out for this poetic excerpt by William Wordsworth.
Niffari
Stare into the murky abyss as you contemplate this audio log excerpt by Muhammad Ibn’Abdi’l-Jabbar Al-Niffari.
Rupert Brooke
Gaze upon the prismatic colors of this ocean view as you absorb an audio log excerpt by Rupert Brooke.
Gangaji
Rearrange the green pathway to spot this audio log excerpt by Gangaji tucked into the crevice of a treehouse structure.
Bonus Puzzle 1
The green pathway may be altered to allow access to this mysterious puzzle.
Bonus Puzzle 2
Manipulating an orange pathway is the only way to this cryptic panel.
Group Discussion: Do these two discarded panels give any insight into their purpose? What might the triangle symbol mean?
Completing Lab 9
This part of the island is complete when the final puzzle is solved and the laser fires into the sky. Nice work!
The Witness Journal Entry #9
Write a journal entry on what you learned from this lab. Pretend that you are a scientist exploring this island for the very first time. Choose one of the prompts below (either 1, 2, 3, or 4) to respond to in your journal entry.
-
Prominent Experience
-
Find and listen to all 4 audio log excerpts found in this area: (Note that some audio logs are hidden behind locked panels or alternate pathways.)
-
How does your chosen excerpt relate to your experience solving the treehouse puzzles? Explain.
-
In what way does your chosen excerpt relate to your experience thus far playing The Witness? Explain.
-
-
Bridges to Understanding
-
The treehouse area has many lessons to teach. Discuss an insight you gained from completing the treehouse that has helped you to understand previous sections of the game you found confusing.
-
How does the process of completing any bridge in the treehouse help to cement your understanding of the rules?
-
Discuss a specific bridge in the treehouse area, why you found it particularly challenging, and what strategies lead to your ability to complete this section.
-
-
A False Impression
-
Describe a section of puzzles in the treehouse that turned out to be solvable in a way you first assumed would not work.
-
Explain what first lead you to assume certain rules applied.
-
How do the rules of this puzzle differ from your expectations? Explain.
-
-
Enigmatic Symbolism
-
Each section in the treehouse is full of symbolic combinations. Please list each symbol you encountered in completing the treehouse, and what rules each symbol conveys.
-
For any given puzzle, how do the combinations of symbols add to the complexity of finding the solution?
-
Describe a specific puzzle where the presence of certain symbols inhibited solving it in an ideal way or directed you toward a unique solution.
-
Final Journal Requirement:
After responding to one of the items above, discuss the solution to a particular puzzle that challenged you. Explain the mechanics of this puzzle in detail and how you came to understand them. If it helps, feel free to include screenshots or sketches of the puzzle.