The Quest For Aztec Wealth

In 1519 Hernan Cortes, a Spanish Conquistador, arrived in the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan, what is known today as mainland Mexico. He was greeted by the great Aztec Emperor Montezuma II and welcomed with open arms. Upon seeing the immense gold and artifacts possessed by the long developing Aztec culture, Cortes and his men became overcome with greed and tried to conquer the Aztec Empire. In opposition of this ruthless attack, the Aztecs drove the Spaniards back and out of the country. Unfortunately for the natives, not only was their great Emperor Montezuma II killed in the confusion, but the Spaniards were forced to dump all the looted riches and treasure into Lake Texcoco during their hasty retreat for their lives. Although Cortes did return one year later with a fortified army to conquer the empire for good, the massive wealth would remain lost to the lake. Many say the riches still rest on the bottom of Lake Texcoco, however one popular theory suggests that a group of more than 2,000 men retrieved the treasures and marched them up into North America. This is precisely where your team has set up an archaeological dig site to find this long lost treasure. Unfortunately, to avoid the same fate as the original Aztecs, the men hid the treasure and protected it with a series of traps, puzzles, and ciphers in an effort to ensure its safety. To make matters worse, your scouts have gathered information that a group of heavily armed opportunistic hunters are headed your way to steal this treasure out from under you.