Moulay Ismail's Shadow — Decipher the Sultan's Hidden Conspiracy
Uncover the ruthless secrets behind Moulay Ismail's imperial dynasty. Decipher coded inscriptions, expose palace conspiracies, and track the truth hidden within the sultan's monuments before his enemies silence you forever.
📱 1 to 10 phones · 1 team per phone · Independent codes
Sultan Moulay Ismail (1645–1727) ruled Morocco with an iron fist, transforming Meknes into the 'Moroccan Versailles' through the labor of thousands of slaves and prisoners
Moulay Ismail's Shadow — Decipher the Sultan's Hidden Conspiracy
You are a royal archivist, secretly dispatched to Meknes in the year 1700 to thwart a cabal aiming to depose Moulay Ismail, the "Warrior King".
Delve into the intrigues of the Alaouite court and decipher the conspiracies that threatened the reign of the great Sultan Moulay Ismail in Meknes.
« Meknes, a city that rivals the greatest, with its ramparts and palaces. »— Leo Africanus, Description of Africa, 16th century
The story that haunts this land
Your investigation begins at Bab Mansour, the Gate of Victories, erected in the early 18th century by Moulay Ismail himself. Its monumental proportions and Koranic inscriptions bear witness to the sultan's power, who made Meknes his capital in 1672. It was here that royal messengers received dispatches from the Fes-Meknes provinces and beyond. Clues about the conspirators might be hidden in the architectural details, a puzzle only a keen eye like yours can solve. You will need to examine the zellige mosaics for a first enigma.
El Hedim Square, adjacent to Bab Mansour, was the vibrant heart of Meknes' public life, where royal decrees were proclaimed and merchants from Fes-Meknes met. Under Moulay Ismail, this square was a place of justice and spectacle, where traitors could be exposed. Your quest will lead you through the tales of storytellers and merchants who frequented this place, seeking whispers and allusions to the plotters. The foundations of the ancient markets might reveal symbols used by the cabal, crucial leads for the continuation of your investigation into Meknes' heritage.
As you head towards Kara Prison, you enter a place steeped in mystery and legends. Built by a captive Christian architect, it served to imprison thousands of slaves and enemies of the sultan. The underground corridors and dark cells hold the secrets of those who opposed power. An old prisoner, an artisan who supposedly carved symbols into the stone, might have left you messages. Exploring this prison, a key site for understanding the history of Meknes and Moulay Ismail's reign, is essential to unraveling the plot threatening the Alaouite dynasty.
The route then takes you to Dar El Kebira, Moulay Ismail's imperial palace, and to Heri es-Souani, the gigantic royal granaries and stables. These structures, built to house 12,000 horses and immense grain reserves, illustrate the sultan's military and logistical organization in the 17th century. The conspiracy might have ramifications within the palace administration itself. You will need to find a hidden plan in the Heri es-Souani archives, revealing the movements of the traitors and their secret meeting points in Meknes, essential to protecting the sultan and the heritage of Fes-Meknes.
Your journey concludes at the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the sultan's final resting place, and within the Meknes Medina, with a detour to the Agdal Basin, a water reservoir for the imperial gardens. It is in the labyrinth of the medina's alleys, near the artisans and traders, that you will unmask the mastermind of the conspiracy. The final clues, engraved on an old book or hidden in a workshop, will confirm your suspicions. You will thus have protected Moulay Ismail's legacy, ensuring the stability of Meknes and the Alaouite dynasty, and discovering a part of Moroccan history rarely told.
How does it work?
Explore the city on foot solving puzzles based on real historical facts. No locked room — the city is your playground.
No app to download. Play directly from your browser. Guided step by step, at your own pace.
One purchase per phone is enough. Play with family, friends or as a couple — everyone participates.
Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears and speaks to you in your language. Golden letters magically write themselves on the wall to reveal the puzzle answer.
Stuck? Progressive personalised hints. The character repeats the puzzle on demand — at your own pace.
French, English, German, Spanish, Italian + 27 other languages auto-translated by AI.
Want to go deeper?
Places tied to your adventure — optional entries, totally up to you · per person
The Route
5-10 curated sites across the territory
The gameplay: AR, camera, hidden clues
At each stop, open your phone camera: an augmented reality character appears on the façade and speaks your language. Hunt the clue — it materializes as golden letters on the real wall or floats in front of you. When you find it, the phone vibrates, an AR chest opens and reveals your answer fragment. 8 stops, 8 clues to find with the camera, 1 final code.
The stops on your route are a surprise. You'll discover them one by one, guided by your phone, starting from the meeting point.
How does it work with a group?
One phone = one team. Pick the number at checkout (1 to 10).
Solo, or a group sharing the screen. One team, one code.
Family, couple, or 2-3 teams competing. Each phone has its own code and its own score.
Friends, bachelor/bachelorette, small office outing — each their own code, each plays at their own pace. Tiered pricing then €6 flat per phone from the 6th.
- ✓All codes are independent — play at the same time OR separately, each team advances at its own pace.
- ✓Leaderboard between your teams + global game leaderboard — each score appears in the public ranking.
- ✓More than 10 phones or need a personalized quest? Discover custom tours.
Ready to live this adventure?
Get my code · 14,90€No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
🔒 Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation
Practical info
Why this route?
Absolute Monarchy
Immerse yourself in a reign of undisputed power, that of Moulay Ismail, who shaped Morocco.
Imperial Architecture
Discover the splendors and extravagance of Meknes' monumental constructions, commissioned by the sultan.
Dynastic Legacy
Uncover the secrets of a dynasty that marked Morocco's history with its power and progeny.
Outwit the traps of time.
Only the most perceptive will discover the truth behind the legend.
9 features nobody else has
OddballTrip combines gamified play, augmented reality and AI. All our competitors deliver 1 or 2 of these angles. We deliver all 5.
AR treasure chest
A golden chest floats in front of the monument. Tap → opening animation → reveals a secret message.
AR narrator character
Point your phone at the façade: a knight, witch, monk, sailor, detective or ghost appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language with their dedicated ElevenLabs voice (each character has their own unique voice) — your living guide.
Magic golden letters
At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's the puzzle answer. An unforgettable visual effect.
Written + audio narration
Every puzzle available as text AND voice-over: read at your own pace or listen eyes-free while walking. Great in groups and for accessibility.
360° radar + vibration
A mini-radar shows the target even behind you, and the phone vibrates when you aim in the right direction.
Heritage storytelling
Every puzzle weaves in real historical facts (architecture, era, anecdotes). You learn by playing — like a gamified audioguide.
Progressive AI hints
3 levels of AI-generated help: vibe → where to look → answer format. You're never stuck.
AR selfie memento
At the end of the game, capture a selfie with OddballTrip banner + mascot, shareable on Instagram, TikTok.
Zero app to install
PWA technology: open the link, it plays in your browser. Same quality as an app, no App Store hassle.
Frequently asked questions
Q01Do I need to download an app?
No, never. You get a link, you click, it plays in your browser. That's the point of a PWA: same as an app, without the hassle.
Q02Does it work offline?
GPS yes (handled by your phone). Maps yes (tiles cached). AI and hints need an intermittent 4G connection.
Q03How long does a game take?
1 h 30 to 2 h 30 depending on your pace. The timer runs but only for the leaderboard — you play at your own tempo.
Q04What happens if I'm stuck?
You get 3 levels of hints per puzzle (increasing penalty). If truly stuck, you can skip the step (45-min penalty but you keep going).
Q05What's the age range?
From 12 without an adult, from 6 with an adult reading puzzles. Works for families, couples, friend groups, companies.
Q06What if my city isn't in the catalogue?
Pre-register or contact us — we'll email you as soon as your city is live.
Q07What is augmented reality exactly?
Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language. At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's your answer. After each puzzle solved, a treasure chest floats in front of you. Seeing is believing.
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Your turn to play
Delve into the intrigues of the Alaouite court and decipher the conspiracies that threatened the reign of the great Sultan Moulay Ismail in Meknes.
1 purchase = 1 phone. Play several on the same device.
No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
🔒Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation
🪙+24 TripCoins granted with your booking
Other escape games in Meknes, the imperial city
See all games in Meknes, the imperial city→More ideas for self-guided walking tours, scavenger hunts & city quests in the same city
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Meknès — Shadows of the Black Guard
Uncover the deadly conspiracy within Moulay Ismaïl's Black Guard. Decode clues hidden in gates, granaries and palaces to expose the traitors who plotted his downfall from the heart of the imperial city.
The Sultan's Lost Cipher — Moulay Ismail's Hidden Command
Decipher Moulay Ismail's encrypted military orders hidden within the Royal Stables' architecture before the 1755 earthquake destroys the final clue.
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