===[**WCF**]=== Chain Crypt

By way of reminder, the object of this game is to solve (and briefly explain) the clue presented by the previous poster and then set your own clue.

Anything from the (worldwide) crossword arena is acceptable by way of clue style, but if you stray too far from the pure path beware the scourge of... Pandora's WET NOODLE!

The puzzle could be an old favourite or something of your own making. Don't be shy: this is for everyone, not just the old hands!

For those unfamiliar with crossword clues who want to give it a try, there is plenty of guidance online and a quite entertaining and instructive book (not just for beginners) available from amazon http://www.amazon.com/The-Times-Crack-Cryptic-Crosswords/dp/0007546521/ref=dp_ob_image_bk and no doubt elsewhere, and for those who like British Crosswords you may like to try these (which are free): http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords.

There is nothing to prevent (say) a couple of related clues if offering a single clue cramps your style.

If there are multiple answers involved, there is no restriction against one person solving all and the solver of the final clue/part is the one who goes next.

Obviously you need to await confirmation of a correct answer before posting your own puzzle, but please then do so reasonably promptly: if having answered correctly you are not going to be able to set a follow-up clue within about the next 18 hours, please pass your turn to someone else so that the game does not stall.

To save the poor demented solvers from excessive brain damage , you should consider revealing one letter of the answer when the question is set, unless the answer is very short/easy so that provision of a letter hint at the outset would spoil the sport!

If no-one is biting within about 24 hours you should start dropping additional hints.

To try to give everyone a fair crack of the whip, the immediately previous setter is asked not to post a solution to the current clue within the first 24 hours.

The weighty trophy to be passed to whoever solves your clue is the jewel-encrusted World Clue Federation Championship Belt
===[**WCF**]===

Constructive criticism and cheerful badinage are to be expected, not to mention a certain amount of national rivalry, but above all, have a bit of fun!

Next clue coming up shortly from current holder manxman.

thank you

A sports car and its overturned mark (6) no 'e's

sti(gm)a

Pandora, no stigma attached to this===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, manxman.

Saw beheaded Roman emperor (4)

(m)Otto

That's a good head on your shoulders, Sherlock! ===[**WCF**]===

Why, thank you, Sue!

Remove fluid from partly burnt appliance (3) no e's

tap (contained word)

Right you are, Manxman! ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you Sherlock

Guide takes in returning prophet (6)

one 'e'

Da(ni)el le(in)ad

right you are Sherlock ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Manxman!

Ferocious leopard is turned loose (7)

paroled...cute!

Would this be legal: Leopard is turned loose ?
"turned loose" both anagram indicator and direct...&lit

Turn this loose around your waist, Denis! ===[**WCF**]===

I don't think they could do double duty and be legal. But, turned might be the anagram indicator and loose the direct.

Merci...merci...

French said to copy (5) ain't no e

Ditto = copy - dit (French said) + to

You've dit that right ===[**WCF**]===

Merci bien!

Curses director perhaps with shares (11) - two es

exec rations

right in the 1st bunch of thesaurus.com's synonyms for curse!

Correctly executed!
===[**WCF**]===

Mercy...

Prime ribs were from goat (4) 1 e

direct on right, vcvc

ibex
prime ribs (second and third letters= ib)
were from = ex

Circle your ribs with this: ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you CD.

No time for elaborate tribute to Mideastern city (6)

Beirut

elaborate "tribute" with no time

Cue, enjoy this elaborate tribute ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, manxman

Elaborate musical box is filled with customized cue talc (11) 1 e

elaborate musical = spectacular?

SP ectacul AR : SPAR = box, ectacul = cue talc (customized)

Wear this elaborate belt to the spectacular! ===[**WCF**]===

Merci Cue.

Wise woman scared a vermin (7) one e, no q or z

Minerva (anagram)

You'll look wise around Unionville wearing this ===[**WCF**]===

thank you CD

Colonial woman, irate, loses head (4)

(c)Ross

You will look like a colonial woman draped in this ===[**WCF**]===

I thank thee, kind sir.

Secured ground without resistance (5) 1 e

Direct on left. Omission indicator.

So a bit like dea(r)th, if death = secured and dearth = ground.

I'm "on the hunt"!!

You're on the right track!

Big clue: ground is past tense

Aha - that helps

G(r)ated

Secure this around your midsection, Rog! ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Cheryl!

Given permission to leave former spouse about to be employed (7) - three vowels

excused

ex(c)used

Can't think of a suitable handover using "excused", so "nice solve, manxman!" ===[**WCF**]===

thank you UW

Mud flowing from behind eastern menagerie (4)

ooz/e

Well done (as usual) Sherlock ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Manxman!

Drunken priest gains energy after losing it in binge (5) e > 1

spree = pr(i)es(t)+e(nergy) ; drunken = indicator

Go on a spree wearing this, Denis! ===[**WCF**]===

Ohhhhhhh.....tank ya!

Back shortly: returning by taxi (3) no e

Cab - "back" shortly -> "bac", then returned

Back over the pond it returns: ===[**WCF**]===

Ta, Den

It sums up 2.718 by 3.142 by volume (7) - 4 vowels

epigram
e pi gram

Very close manxman, but a gram's not really a synonym for volume

how about epitome a different type of volume

Ticks all the boxes for me!

One belt on its way... ===[**WCF**]===

thanks UW

Old ship's laden with a selection of party decorations (7) no e's

direct is on the right

Pin(a)tas = piñatas

Another excellent solve Sherlock ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, manxy!

Sheer fabric starts to shrink while in soapy suds (5) no e's

swiss - initial letters

You'll look great wearing this, Sue! ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Cheryl! Love the sparkles!

Letter says, "Sleep it off" (7)

Epistle (anag "sleep it")

The package is on its way! ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Sue!

"Praise" said the nobleman (4)

laud

Praise for a nice solve, manxman! ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you UW

Crooks battle half of cops (5)

warps

battle = war
1/2 of cops = ps

Nothing crooked about that answer Sherlock ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Manxman!

Travesty of switch in wages (6) no e's

Early clue: direct on left

PArodY

No travesty in awarding you this belt, Denis! ===[**WCF**]===

Merci, merci, merci...you are my:

First Lady (6) 1 e

maiden

Impress the local maidens wearing this ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you CD.

Taunt fool heartlessly (4)

je(st)er

No fooling you Sherlock ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, again, Manxman!

End up with perhaps a fragment (8) 1 e

Direct on right.

Worth a try: Particle?
P = end uP
article = perhaps

article
3.
something of indefinite character or description

Particle it is! A and an are articles in the English language. ===[**WCF**]===

Ahhh....lucky me....thanks Cheryl.

Jump once, up high (6) 1 e

pounce "once up" (high)

HIC!!You'll look "high" wearing this ===[**WCF**]===

It does elevate you doesn't it.

Tall chest of drawers for a tall lad (7)

Seems strangely un-devious for you Cue, but I'll go with "tallboy"

I didn't realize those were called tallboys too, Rog. I was playing off of Denis's "high" clue making my answer "highboy"

So, good solve. I highly recommend you put this on my boy ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Cue - "tallboy" is pretty common use over here, but I've never come across "highboy"

Resume when one gets back into shape (8) - no two vowels the same

con(tinu)e
unit reversed inside cone(shape)

And so the belt continues to clock up the air-miles!

Nice solve, manxman ===[**WCF**]===

Ta UW.

Group of actors making love up in a tree, endlessly (6)

TR 0 up e (e)

Correct Cue ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, manxman

Apply a tool (9) e > 1

implement

Apply this, Denis! ===[**WCF**]===

Will do Cue!

HOKAY, next winner has to:

Say (in French): acute (4) I say 25% e's

dire (double def)

I say, you'll look (a)cute wearing this ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Denis.

It acts strangely without moving (6)

static anagram

Don't move while I fasten this around you, manxman. ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you Pandora although it is a tight fit

Ingredient of brew is very soft fruit (5)

one 'e'

grape ; double def?

Sorry, not wine.

a(pp)le

Have an ale or two while wearing this ===[**WCF**]===

Nice crypt, nice solve

Thank you, Manxman!

Fuss about worship (5) 1 e

ADO(fuss)RE(about) = WORSHIP

You'll adore wearing this, Denis! ===[**WCF**]===

Sure will, Cheryl! Particularly when I take my:

Seat in upper chamber (5) 1 e

But will you look adorable on your PERCH (hidden word)?

Wear this to the Upper Chamber ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you Chamberlain!

Finding university by accident, almost (10) - one e there be

Direct on the left, four vowels all different and six consonants of which two are the same

vcvvcccvcc

Got it when I changed "accident almost" to "almost an accident" - unearthing (U near thing)

No foxing you!
===[**WCF**]===

Please put your clue on the new thread I am setting up.