In 1830, Hugh Allan discovered an important secret that would change his life forever. Barely 20 years old, the young man had been on a gap year, exploring his native home of Scotland before returning to work in Montreal. It was there, in the Highlands, that he stumbled upon a secret recipe, perfected by the ancient Celts. This was the recipe for the Deoch de Innleachdas, the Elixir of Ingenuity.

The only issue was the ingredient list. It was impossible to find these in one single place. Our young entrepreneur had to travel to distant lands and explore the globe to collect it all. As he returned to North America, Hugh Allan came to be one of the most successful entrepreneurs of his time. He took his father’s company and made it into the largest privately owned shipping empire in the world. He started a bank that not only became one of Canada’s biggest, but even expanded to the United States and England. When he settled down, he didn’t settle down gently. He built an enormous manor named Ravenscrag that became the center of a new neighbourhood in Montreal: the Golden Square Mile.

Allan never spoke of the Elixir of Ingenuity during his life. Most people don’t even know the legend. But some say that before he died, the businessman left behind the recipe, so that some may use it again. To make sure only the most worthy would have access to this powerful drink, it is said that all the ingredients have been locked away, hidden with encrypted messages and strange riddles.

In our search for these ingredients amongst Hugh Allan’s collection, we found an old chest. By the looks of it, we think this is what we need to finish the Elixir of Ingenuity. The only problem is, it’s locked. According to the legend, it won’t be easy to undo. That’s where you come in.

We need you to find a way into this chest. Breaking it won’t do, we are afraid to damage its contents. You’ll have to take the long way round. We have paired you up with Brian, an archivist that specialises in Montreal’s 19th century history. He is stuck at home due to some mobility issues that arose in his old age, so make sure to communicate with him through the Brain Race system. He will always have something to help you out.

Are you ready to open the chest and find the missing ingredients to the Elixir of Ingenuity? Good luck, and may you find what you’re looking for.