STARPWN-2026-Writeup

Strange Holos 3

Category	Misc
Points	443
Solves	191

Description

A rooftop hologram in Glittercity displays readable Latin text — but something is off. The words don’t make sense as-is.

Attachments: space3-glitter.png

Solution

Steps

1. Read the ciphertext

The hologram displays:

Obj gvrf ner pbby!

2. Identify the cipher

The text is readable Latin characters but meaningless — a classic sign of a simple substitution cipher. Trying ROT13 (rotate each letter by 13 positions) immediately produces a sensible phrase.

3. Decode with ROT13

Obj gvrf ner pbby!
→ Bow ties are cool!

This is a famous quote from the Eleventh Doctor in Doctor Who — another sci-fi franchise reference consistent with the Strange Holos series.

4. Read the flag

The decoded inscription is the flag itself.

Flag

Bow ties are cool!