Welcome to the official website for the Keystone Quest, a game for Royal Arch Freemasons, based upon the Eureka Challenge game of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, AF&AM. Here you will find information about this enjoyable, exciting game which provides a fun opportunity for companions to test their knowledge of Capitular Freemasonry in a competitive format on behalf of their chapters.

HOW IT WORKS: Conducted at any convocation, a chapter must work as a team to match twenty (20) question cards and twenty (20) answer cards by stapling them together, within a maximum twenty minute (0:20) time period. Using specially designed software, questions and matching answers on Capitular Masonic topics are randomly drawn from a pool of twenty-seven (27) and then shuffled to render each chapter’s set of questions unique.

SCORING: Five points are awarded for each correctly answered question, and zero points are awarded for each incorrect or unanswered question. The maximum score is 100 points (20 × 5), and time is used as a tiebreaker, with days between the date conducted and postmark as a secondary tiebreaker. After the materials are mailed in and scored, each chapter receives back an answer key along with its used cards.

ROUNDS: In the 1st Round (entries must be postmarked NO LATER THAN DEC. 31), the 27 chapters are designated Capitular Champions, then those chapters compete to become one of the three top Omnific Champions in the 2nd Round (for which entries must be postmarked NO LATER THAN 30 APRIL of the respective year). The three Omnific Champion chapters then compete in the 3rd Round for State Champion in an open forum at the Grand Convocation of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois, held in late July.

DISCLAIMER: Contents of this site are copyrighted © by the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois. Usage permission may be granted to recognised Masonic jurisdictions upon request to the game coordinator, preferably via email (see contact Information page).

What is the Keystone Quest?

The Keystone Quest was developed in early 2005 by the creators of the Eureka Challenge, a highly popular Masonic knowledge proficiency competition sponsored by the Grand Lodge of Illinois, AF&AM. Utilising a similar format, the content and structure of the game was adapted for Capitular Freemasonry. Now, Royal Arch Freemasons across the state can enjoy the stimulating competition of this powerful education tool.

Official Rules – click here to download a printable .pdf of the official rules

1. Participating chapters agree to be bound by these rules and hereby acknowledge that all decisions of the judges (members of the Grand Chapter Keystone Quest Committee (the “Committee”) or their designees) are final. These rules may be modified at any time and as necessary at the discretion of the Committee or the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois.

2. The Keystone Quest is a competitive proficiency test of knowledge on Capitular Freemasonry open to all regularly constituted chapters of Royal Arch Masons chartered by and in good standing with the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois. The Keystone Quest consists of matching twenty (20) questions and answers randomly selected from a pool of topics on Capitular Freemasonry and related subjects.

3. A chapter must conduct the 1st Round of the Keystone Quest no later than 31 December, and return completed materials postmarked no later than 31 December. The top twenty-seven (27) chapters participating in the 2nd Round of the Keystone Quest must conduct it no later than 30 April, and return completed materials postmarked no later than 30 April. NO EXTENSIONS WILL BE GRANTED. MATERIALS HAND DELIVERED TO A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GRAND CHAPTER OR MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE WILL BE CONSIDERED POSTMARKED AS OF THAT DAY.

4. Absolutely no reference materials of any kind may be used in the chapter room during the competition (including, for example and not as limitation, ritual manuals, floor work manuals, encyclopaedias, history books, Masonic trivia books, almanacs, inter alia. Nothing herein shall be construed as to conflict with the customary and required placement of Bibles or other volumes of Sacred law (collectively “V.S.L.”) upon the altar, but the use of any V.S.L. as reference material during the competition is strictly prohibited). NOTE: unless otherwise indicated, all Biblical references pertain to the King James Version. No tape nor electronic recordings may be made. Members may use their own writing instruments and paper, or the chapter may provide these. A STAPLER WITH SUFFICIENT STAPLES WILL BE NEEDED TO AFFIX QUESTION AND ANSWER CARDS.

5. Any companion of a chapter, including plural and honorary members, are eligible to participate on behalf of that chapter. Visitors may participate at the discretion of the Excellent High Priest.

6. THE “SECURITY ENVELOPE” CONTAINING THE QUESTION AND ANSWER CARDS MAY NOT BE OPENED PRIOR TO STARTING. STARTING TIME BEGINS IMMEDIATELY UPON OPENING OF THE “SECURITY ENVELOPE.” STARTING AND ENDING TIMES SHALL BE RECORDED TO THE NEAREST SECOND.

7. Questions may be answered in any order once read aloud by the Quizmaster, and companions may discuss questions and answers in any manner they wish. A chapter may take as much time as needed to answer any question, up to a total of 20 minutes.

8. ENDING TIME OCCURS IMMEDIATELY UPON THE STAPLING OF THE LAST PAIR OF CARDS TOGETHER OR 20 MINUTES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. A round consists of a maximum time period of 20 minutes with no breaks. If a question is in the process of being read when time expires, the chapter may complete its answer to that question only. If a chapter finishes answering questions prior to the 20-minute time period, it should record its Ending Time to the nearest second on the Chapter Participation Form (GRAC-IL Form 501-E) for use as a tiebreaker, if needed.

9. The Excellent High Priest will appoint a Quizmaster (which may be himself) who will read the questions aloud. The chapter’s secretary (or an appointed substitute) is official Timekeeper and custodian of all Keystone Quest materials. He is responsible for completing the Chapter Participation Form at the time the Keystone Quest is conducted and for submitting this with all the question and answer cards for scoring. The Quizmaster or Secretary will attest to the date, starting and ending times of the Keystone Quest on the Participation Form and affix the chapter’s seal (if available).

10. A quorum is not required for conducting the Keystone Quest, and the chapter need not be open for a Stated or Special Convocation. If tiled, the same rules apply for tiling the chapter hall as during balloting. The Sentinel may tile from within.

11. A question is deemed to have been “answered” when a single answer card is stapled to a question card. No other means of attaching answer and question cards is valid (i.e., paper clips, tape, etc.) and such will not be scored (i.e., zero points). If a chapter wishes to change its answer, the cards should be separated by removing the staple, and another answer card stapled to the question card. Once the 20-minute time period expires, no answers may be changed.

12. Five points will be awarded for each correctly answered question. Zero points will be awarded for each incorrectly answered question, multiple answers stapled to a single question card, or unanswered questions. The maximum or perfect score is 100 points (5 × 20), or a “Rabboni.” If an error is encountered (missing or extra card, etc.) a chapter should note this on its Chapter Participation Form for consideration in scoring.

13. In the 1st Round, the top twenty-seven (27) chapters in the state will be designated Capitular Champions and mailed materials for competing in the 2nd Round to determine three Omnific Champions, who will then advance to the State Championship (3rd Round) held at the York Rite Sessions in July. In the event of tie scores in the 1st or 2nd Round, the chapter with the fastest time will prevail, followed by postmark closest to the date on which it conducted the Keystone Quest. Duplicate awards may be made at the discretion of the judges.

14. All chapters in Illinois will be provided (either hand-delivered by the District Deputy or other Grand Chapter officer, or mailed) a set of materials for participating in the 1st Round of the Keystone Quest following the Illinois Grand York Rite Sessions in July. To replace missing or misplaced materials contact: Grand Chapter of Illinois, ATTN: Keystone Quest, PO Box B, Hinsdale IL 60522-6002, or send an email with mailing address to: keystonequest@msn.com. A chapter is limited to using one set of materials per round annually.

15. Completed 1st Round materials, including the Chapter Participation Form, must be postmarked no later than 31 December for a chapter to be eligible to become a Capitular Champion and compete in the 2nd Round playoff. Completed 2nd Round materials including the Chapter Participation Form must be postmarked no later than April 30 for a Capitular Champion to be eligible to become an Omnific Champion and compete in the 3rd Round for State Champion. Chapters submitting entries postmarked after these dates will be deemed ineligible for that round of competition.

Instructions:

1st & 2nd Round Instructions

1. DO NOT OPEN THE “SECURITY ENVELOPE” containing the Question and Answer Cards until you are ready to start – Starting Time begins IMMEDIATELY UPON OPENING this envelope.

2. Make sure the chapter has a stapler loaded with plenty of staples. To “answer” a question, a chapter must staple an Answer Card to a matching Question Card. No other means of attaching cards will be accepted.

3. Make sure the chapter has a watch or clock with a second hand – time must be kept to the nearest second. The Secretary (or a designated substitute) is Official Timekeeper.

4. Familiarize yourself with the Official Rules on the back of the Chapter Participation Form. All chapters will be governed by these rules. Note that the 1st Round must be conducted no later than 31 December, and the 2nd Round no later than 30 April.

5. A quorum is not required, and the chapter need not be tiled. If the chapter is tiled, the Sentinel may tile from within so that he may participate as well, if he is a membmer. Plural and honorary members may participate. Visiting companions (including the Sentinel if he is not a member) may also participate at the discretion of the Excellent High Priest.

6. When ready to start, open the “Security Envelope.” At that moment, the Secretary should record the Starting Time to the nearest second on the Chapter Participation Form (a substitute for the Secretary may be designated).

7. The Quizmaster should immediately pass out all 20 Answer Cards to the chapter companions. Try to make sure each companion has at least one or two cards.

8. The Quizmaster should read Question Cards aloud in any order.

9. Any companion who believes he has the correct Answer Card, reads it aloud and, if the chapter agrees, it should be stapled to the matching Question Card. A chapter may also match questions and answers by other methods, such as reading all answers aloud first, laying out cards on a table, etc. A chapter may wait to staple cards until after all of them are paired up.

10. Proceed answering questions, up to a maximum time of 20 minutes.

11. Ending Time is when the last pair of cards is stapled together. Time may not be stopped until stapling has been completed. The Secretary should record Ending Time to nearest second on the Chapter Participation Form.

12. Fill out completely the Chapter Participation Form, including Quizmaster’s or Secretary’s signature, and emboss the chapter seal’s upon it (if available).

13. If you encounter an error (missing or extra card, etc.) make note of this on the Chapter Participation Form and it will be taken into account in scoring.

14. Place the Chapter Participation Form and all Question and Answer Cards (whether stapled together or not) in the Return Envelope that was included with your materials, and seal it.

15. Affix proper postage for up to 3 oz. and mail promptly – postmark v. date conducted will be used as a tiebreaker.

3rd Round Instructions

1. The 3rd Round will be held at the Grand Convocation held in late July of each year. The three Omnific Champions will receive information as to location and Starting Time. Each chapter MUST have companions who wish to participate (including plural and honorary members) sign in and be present as of Starting Time. No accommodations will be made for late arrivals.

2. Plural and honorary members may participate as part of a chapter’s team, but non-members shall not.

3. Each Omnific Champion Chapter will compete one after the other, based on their 2nd Round times, slowest going first.

4. A different set of 9 questions per chapter will be used.

5. Each chapter will designate a Quizmaster to read questions aloud.

6. Each chapter will be provided with two fully-loaded staplers. No reference materials of any kind will be permitted. Electronic devices should be silenced. A chapter may use its own stapler(s).

7. The Grand Chapter Keystone Quest Committee (the “Committee”) will act as official timekeeper. Time will be recorded to the nearest second.

8. A sealed envelope containing 9 questions and 9 answer cards will be used by the Quizmaster.

9. Starting Time commences when the Quizmaster opens the envelope upon direction by the chapter, after which he will promptly hand the answer cards to a member of the chapter for distribution. The Quizmaster will begin reading questions aloud when directed to do so by a member of the chapter.

10. Each chapter will have a maximum of 3 minutes in which to match its questions and answers. No breaks (i.e., stopping of the clock) will be permitted.

11. A chapter may match questions and answers in any order it chooses. A chapter may wait until cards are paired up to staple them together.

12. A question will be considered answered when stapled to an Answer Card.

13. Timing stops when ALL cards are returned to the Committee. If a chapter is still in the process of answering questions when the 3 minutes expire, the Committee will call “time” and immediately end the round. No questions or answers may be stapled together or changed after “time” is called.

14. Scoring will be as follows: +3 points for each correctly answered question; zero points for each incorrectly answered or unanswered. The total potential maximum score is 27 points (3 × 3 × 3, [under a living arch, of course - ed.]).

15. Scores are determined by the Committee, whose decision is final. Results will be announced following the 3rd Round. Awards will be presented at the Grand Chapter awards ceremony.

Get Materials:

NO REGISTRATION NOR ENTRY FORM IS REQUIRED. A set of 1st Round materials is mailed in early fall to the attention of each chapter’s respective Secretary, either to his home address or the chapter’s street or mailing address, based upon which is on file with the Grand Secretary.

If a chapter fails to receive its 1st Round materials or misplaces them, promptly contact the Keystone Quest Coordinator as follows (email is preferred) for a replacement set:

KeystoneQuest@MSN.com

KEYSTONE QUEST
PO BOX B
HINSDALE IL 60522-6002

Frequently Asked Questions:

1.
Q Can the Quizmaster help answer the questions in any way? For example, if he knows the answer to the question and one of the other companions says, “I have the correct answer card and it is _______” but the Quizmaster believes it to be wrong?

A The Quizmaster may participate fully in answering questions.

2.
Q Does the quizmaster have to do the stapling himself or can he hand the cards to another companion to be stapled?

A Some chapters choose to use a “runner” who handles pairing of the cards and stapling. In the 3rd Round, there is a limitation due to the fixed layout of the podium and table, the distance between which will be where a chapter’s “stapling strategy” becomes a factor, probably using a “runner.” Once the answer cards are read aloud the Quizmaster or other companions may deal with them as they see fit.

3.
Q May a chapter lay aside any questions they are not sure about and then after answering the others go back and discuss the skipped ones?

A A chapter may answer questions in any order they choose, come back to unanswered questions, or even lay them out and pair them up on a table. The only stipulations are that NO reference materials may be used, and time can only be stopped once the last Question Card the chapter wishes to answer is stapled to an Answer Card.

4.
Q Whence are the question topics chosen? What should participants study in order to prepare themselves?

A The questions and answers from are taken from the Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry and its Kindred Sciences by Albert G. Mackey, M.D., 33°, MEPGHP. Several editions, including multi-volume sets and an html version, and different years of publication exist, although virtually all the alphabetical entries are similar, so chapters wishing to review content need not worry about which edition to use. This content should prove interesting as well as educational, as Companion Mackey was not only a talented researcher and author, but also a very active and accomplished York Rite Freemason, having presided over both the Grand Chapter of South Carolina and the General Grand Chapter. His writings include numerous entries on topics of interest to the Craft in general and Capitular Freemasonry in particular.

All three rounds in the 2010-2011 Capitular Year will utilize this content, the first round starting with entries under the letter “J,” the second round focusing on entries under the letter “K,” and the third round using entries from the letter “L.” Rounds in succeeding years will ascend through the alphabet in like manner, with the exception of letters “Q” and “X” which have insufficient entries to supply the requisite pool of 27 questions and answers per round, from which 20 for each chapter are randomly drawn. Thus, chapters can be assured of quality content for the next eight years, all of which they may review well in advance.

Copyright © 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 by the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois.