(Spoilers)

I'm at the end of chapter 4 at the Orc camp and the contest of strength. I need to defeat Ma'Zaz at the archery contest, and to do that, I talked to the hooded figure who gave me a crumpled note and says to read it, then talk to the merchant, play his game and acquire the magic stone. The trouble is, I have no way to read the note. I can't do anything with it from inventory and when I talk to the merchant, he asks me if I want to play his game, but Nate always says no.

I'm wondering if the game has bugged and not allowed me to advance? Reloading doesn't help. This has me rather depressed, given that I'm nearly at the end of the game and was thus far enjoying it thoroughly. I'm writing this post in the hope that I'm simply overlooking something and that someone can point out my mistake.

Probably some minor glitch with graphic settings. Try to increase quality. I've experienced such thing when I (accidentally) changed settings to lower and all text on items in inventory wasn't readable.

[Spoiler warning!!!] And don't forget to talk with ants/termites.

Sorry, no. When I said that the note was unreadable, I don't mean that I am unable to read small text. I meant that the game does not allow me to open the note and read it. In fact, it doesn't allow me to do anything with it (and no, the termites have no say in the matter). So as of now, I'm calling this a glitch. I tried restarting chapter 4 and playing it over, but the same glitch occurs. It sounds like, from the forums, I'm the only one to have encountered this particular problem.

Thanks for your help, though.

Have you tried to look at it ? by right-clicking on it ?

Sorry if that doesn't help.

Yes, of course I have. To no avail.

Your problem did ring a bell, but I played the game a year ago, so maybe I'm just mistaking. And as I tried again using a savegame, but already completed it, it might react differently.

Anyyway, if you have hit the bull's eye and reading the note is the only thing you need to do, here are screenshots when reading the note, and a savegame just after. As I tried to replicate your bug and so did the minimum to get to this point, you might have to play some parts again (moving the pans).

http://
dl.free.fr/gxEubJytf

On my Windows Vista computer, it goes in :
C:\Users\*User*\Documents\Book of Unwritten Tales\savegames

Edit: Sorry for the not user-friendly link, but I can't post links...

I have exactly the same problem so would be interested to know what solution you found.

[EDIT] ok after posting this I finally found the solution. Just for a change you have to right-click the note to read it!