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I was doing so well but now I think I might have gone wrong somewhere as the letter patterns I have for last few clues don't seem to make sense....

14a - The only word that fits the letter pattern I have is a one meaning "comb-like structure" or "tactile organ in scorpions" ?

36d - Assuming 35a is who I think he is then that leaves only three words with the letter pattern I have - the last 2 could be "In reserve" but that leaves N?? for "card", assuming "Smart" is the definition.

Looks like you’re on the right lines to me Brendan.

14A - there is a clash
36D - Chambers is your friend here!

Thanks CandleDave, that means one of my clashes.....isn't?

I think i see where my extra clashes come from, I had FITT for 39d (which sort of works!)

Yep, I’ve got a different answer there. I think the clashes should all end up on the path of the “successful hunter” which acts as a good check.

I say all this having not sorted out the last steps myself so take with a pinch of salt!

Am I right that the successful hunter starts in cell that doesn’t have a clash? There are only two lettered cells in top row and neither has a clash.

That’s right

The way I've got it is that the two clues that are causing most trouble don't actually have an answer: they are specifically questions which 14d didn't ask, and which in the absence of 1 6 cannot be answered. So the only entries that go there are the two obstacles negotiated by the later quester.
The only trouble I have with the two entries is that they are formed from the letters that ARE used from the clashing squares, not the ones that are discarded. Perhaps I'm still reading the preamble wrong!
As for the highlighted edge or corner letters, I have two candidates, one of which approximates to the shape of the quarry, and nothing to do with the edges or corners of the grid. That'll have to do.

Yes, Zabadak, I pretty much agree with that. I'm assuming that the later quester belongs to the late 1980s, and found the two negotiated items BUT... as you say, they don't match up with the discarded letters.

As for the highlighting, I'm wondering if we're looking at a variant spelling (specifically, the fourth letter), from the original language. There is slender support for this online, but this would give us two cells touching at corners and the shape resembles the object.

I hope this isn't going to be another hare...

Hi loge & zabadak, without wishing to spoil for others at this early stage I can help with the endgame if you wish.

neilmackay1960@gmail.com