Echoes of Tim Cosing

Parse found Tachyon deep in thought, reading a message:

“I, Baron Blade, am about prepared to reveal a new, ingenious, all-powerful form.  Ha ha ha!  Observe the Overblade Elite Neo Cuts 9!”

Tachyon:  I think there’s a secret message, but I can’t find it.

Parse:  Maybe it would be easier if we rearranged it?

[code]IBARONBLAD
EAMABOUTPR
EPAREDTORE
VEALANEWIN
GENIOUSALL
POWERFULFO
RMHAHAHAOB
SERVETHEOV
ERBLADEELI
TENEOCUTS9[/code]

Tachyon:  How is that easier?

Parse:  You don’t see it?  Maybe you’re overthinking it.  It’s all about the number nine.

That’s some deep preparation, unless the pre-dated the “Joined” date!

I’m not seeing it, though. Grouping by 9’s instead of 10’s doesn’t seem to help:

IBARONBLA DEAMABOUT PREPAREDT OREVEALAN EWINGENIO USALLPOWE RFULFORMH AHAHAOBSE RVETHEOVE RBLADEELI TENEOCUTS 9

... all those lines have 10 characters. 

Clever joke!

Ah, now I see it!

I’ve been around for a long time, I just don’t post too often.  Among other things, I got into some of the early rules debates back before a lot of stuff had been clarified.

Also, I actually meant to do something like this last year but I forgot to until after April Fools was already over.

I don't get it.

I think it was some kind of April Fool's thing...I didn't really understand it either.

It’s very reminiscent of the things that appeared in the ARG announcing OblivAeon (which is still the best puzzle experience I’ve ever had). The significance of the number 9 is a definite call-back.

The block of text has the quote from Baron Blade arranged in a block with 9 letters per line. Look at the second-to-last letter of each line.

My apologies for not remembering!

The ninth letter, in fact.

Ah, thank you. I see it now.