Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

smithsax, don't you think it's revealing that the preamble starts with a description of the corners? We can start with the corners because we can say with absolute cerainty what they look like as far as the specific object is concerned. We know that a 90% twist would give us the wrong orientation, so we must actually start by getting the corners right.
Next we move to 'the other letters within the world...' again a connection from the one to the other. There's a gimmick attached to 'the other letters' linking them directly to the quote, but why should this negate how the corners must appear?
I know what the corners of the object look like - anyone involved in this activity knows, because it's only when you've got the corners right that you can begin. The 30 cell shading looks nothing like the thing at the centre of the quote (and what appears in the grid).

...and that will do as a reply to you too, buddy - using the same part of the preamble you think proves your point.

Unfortunately there are at least two versions of the four line quote,
one of them doesn't mention the force.

That's immaterial, krauton, because the setter has specified a force.

...and also a 'translator' (although 'creator' would be more accurate).

Both versions of the quote are by the same translator.

OK krauton, forget the added bit (but I still think 'translator' doesn't do credit to the work).

I came here because I couldn't decide whether I should shade 30 cells (in line with the instruction about the group of cells) or 32 cells (in line with the world as described). It seems I'm not the only one unsure - or, at least, some people are very sure but don't agree with each other, and everyone's arguments seem equally valid to me.

Unfortunately a very unclear instruction. I'm hoping they realise this and accept either alternative, but I'm leaning towards 32 cells.

If I was submitting I wouldn't consider not shading the two cells based on any logical gymnastics around the preamble. The perimeter refers to an object/world, the verse refers to an object/world. To expect a mutilated version seems unusually perverse. Particularly as it refers to the 'world's corners' and if they're misrepresented it's not really 'the world' is it?.

I look forward to the solution in a couple of weeks. 😄

Personally I agree with buddy and think the instruction is clear as it states that one should shade the cells connected with a certain group and specifically excludes the corners