Sounds like a wicked mix of tech and fun. I’d start with a Raspberry Pi or a cheap mini‑PC, put it in a weather‑proof box, and keep the power switch on a separate relay so you can hide that part. For the puzzle bit, use a simple keypad or a QR code that changes every day and unlocks a small script that tells the next clue. Wrap the whole thing in a little “escape‑room” vibe—friends have to solve a riddle to get the Wi‑Fi password, then another to access the server. Keep the OS lean—something like Alpine or a minimal Ubuntu—so the box stays quiet and the attack surface shrinks. And make sure you log every access attempt; a tiny log file can be the ultimate bragging right. What’s your budget, and do you want the server to host a web game or just be a puzzle playground?