Gandhi-
Revered in India as the “Father of the Nation” and by the world as the “Great Soul”, Mohandas K. Gandhi spent a lifetime fighting unjust causes. His simple way of living is a stark contrast to his great reputation as a worldwide icon of non-violent political resistance, so much so that the humble spinning wheel called Charkha became a symbol of his uncluttered lifestyle. Gandhi studied law in England, spent 20 years defending the rights of immigrants in South Africa, then returned to India in 1914, eventually becoming the leader of the Indian National Congress. At the time, India was part of the British Empire, and Gandhi urged non-violence and civil disobedience as a means to independence.
Location in Wiglington and Wenks: Madagascar- Madagascar- MALF
Quest Items: Walking Stick, Charka, Red Cross
Charles Darwin-
Whatever we think we know about evolution today can be attributed to Charles Darwin – an English naturalist who developed the theory of evolution – the notion that species evolve as the fittest members survive and pass on their traits to future generations. Today, most scientists embrace Charles Darwin’s theories and continue examining his phenomenal scientific book called The Origin of Species.
Location in Wiglington and Wenks: Brazil- Amazon Rainforest- Research Center
Quest Items: Ship Named Beagle, Beetle, Megatherium Fossils, Darwin Caricature
Genghis Khan-
Genghis Khan was arguably the most successful conqueror in history – having built an empire that included parts of China, Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe. A Monolgian, his real name was Temujin and after a childhood of violence and enslavement, he rose to become a powerful tribal chieftain. By 1206 he had unified rival clans and taken the title Genghis Khan – which meant “universal ruler”. Genghis Khan was an expert in military warfare and devised quick cavalry attracks and novel methods of siege warfare to conquer his enemies successfully. His empire lasted more than 150 years after his death and gradually weakened over time.
Location in Wiglington and Wenks: Australia- Great Barrier Reef- Pirates Den
Quest Items: Bow and Arrow, Bear Skin, Sheep, Horse, Mongolian Yurt
Beethoven-
You may not recognize the title of Beethoven’s Fifth Sympony, but you will most certainly have heard the first notes of his famous masterpiece – bom bom bom bommmmm. Mozart aside, Ludwig van Beethoven will be the most famous classical composer of all time. Remembered for his powerful and stormy compositions, this great German composer and pianist continued to compose and conduct even after he started losing his ability to hear at age 28. He wrote nine symphonies in all: his Third Symphony (“Eroica”) and Sixth Symphony (“Pastoral”) being especially famous. Beethoven also wrote the popular ‘Moonlight Sonata’.
Location in Wiglington and Wenks: Singapore- Espanlade- Espanlade
Quest Items: Piano, Conductor Stick, Tuning Fork, Music Scores
Buffalo Bill-
If there was a man responsible for bringing cowboys into the spotlights of showbiz, that man was William F. Cody – or more commonly known as Buffalo Bill. He earned the nickname for his skill as a buffalo hunter, although he was also a hardworking entrepreneur. Later on, Buffalo Bill entered showbusiness by appearing in Wild West shows. He toured across America and became immensely wealthy and famous. Being a cowboy was suddenly revered and glorified. This was no doubt largely attributed to the rugged charisma of the Wild West legend – Buffalo Bill.
Location in Wiglington and Wenks: United States- Grand Canyon- The Cowboys
Quest Items: Buffalo, Medal of Honor, Pony Express Symbol, Buffalo Bill Wild
Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles-
Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles was a knighted British statesman, best known for founding Singapore. In 1795 Raffles became a clerk for the powerful British East India Company, which (with the support of the British government) was battling with the Dutch for control of Southeast Asia. Raffles rose to become lieutenant governor of Java in 1811. In 1819 he founded Singapore and turned it into a bustling port, securing Raffles’ place in history. Unlike many empire builders, Raffles was known to be a benevolent figure who opened doors of opportunity and fought slave trading in the region. Raffles also was an enthusiastic natural historian who founded the London Zoological Society (and along with it the London Zoo).
Location in Wiglington and Wenks: Singapore- Espanlade- Fort Canning- Underground
Quest Items: Rafflesia, Sun Bear, Large Bamboo Rat
Neptune-
Neptune is the god of the seas in Roman mythology and is usually portrayed as a majestic bearded man holding a trident and standing in a shell-chariot being drawn over the sea by dolphons. He is known to have a bad temper and often created storms and earthquakes in a rage. A festival called Neptunalia is celebrated by the Romans to honor Neptune on July 23 when it is driest and hottest.
Location in Wiglington and Wenks: Australia- Great Barrier Reef- Dive
Quest Items: Trident, Crown, Dolphin, Chariot
Chief Joseph-
Often portrayed in books and films, Chief Joseph was the leader of the Wallowa band of the Nez Perce Indian tribe during its desperate, daring war with the United States in 1877. Known for speaking well, the great chief’s eloquent attempts at achieving peace between Native Americans and white settlers fell on deaf ears in the days of Gold Rush fever and rapid western expansion. Born in 1840 in the Wallowa Valley located in what’s now called northeastern Oregon, Chief Joseph was given the tribal name of Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekeht (‘Thunder Rolling in the Mountain’).
Location in Wiglington and Wenks: United States- Grand Canyon- The Native Americans
Quest Items: Eagle Claw Staff, Wolf Symbol, Hinmaton Yalakit, Chieftain Headdress
Galileo Galilei-
An Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher, Galileo Galilei played a major role in the Scientific Revolution. His achievements include improvements to the telescope and consequent astronomical observations, and support for Copernicanism. Galileo accolades include being called the “father of modern observational astronomy, the “father of modern physics, the “father of science, and “the Father of Modern Science. At a time when most philosophers and astronomers subscribed to the geocentric view that the Earth is at the centre of the universe, Galileo championed Copernicanism and stated that the Sun was at the center of the universe. He was denounced and tried for his ‘false’ thinking, thereafter spending the rest of his life under house arrest despite his greatness.
Location in Wiglington and Wenks: United Kingdom- Big Ben- Astrology Room (members only)
Quest Items: Mini Tower of Pisa, Astrology Book, The Assayer, Telescope
Quasimodo-
Quasimodo is a ficticious character and the protagonist of the novel Le Bossu de Notre Dame (The Hunchback of Notre Dame) (1831) by Victor Hugo. Born with a huge wart covering his left eye and a severely hunched back, Quasimodo was abandoned at birth in Notra Dame, a place where unwanted children were left to public charity. Fortunately the archdeacon of a cathedral took him in but he grew up being mocked by others for his deformity. To make matters worse, he lost his sense of hearing due to his job as the bell-ringer of the cathedral. Despite his miseries, Quasimodo had a kind heart. He also fell in love with a beautiful gypsy girl Esmeralda, whose love he never obtained.
Location in Wiglington and Wenks: United Kingdom- Big Ben- Bell Tower
Quest Items: Orange Bell, Red Bell, Green Bell, Purple Bell, Blue Bell
St. Patrick-
Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is one of Christianity’s most widely known figures. When he was about 16 he was captured from Britain by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Ireland, where he lived for six years before escaping and returning to his family. After entering the Church, he returned to Ireland as an ordained bishop and was known for using the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity and for disseminating Christianity using traditional Irish folklore.
Location in Wiglington and Wenks: United Kingdom- Big Ben- Landing Zone
Quest Items: St. Patrick’s Day Scroll, Celtic Cross, Shamrock
