Pyramid Puzzle - p.44-47

[morpheus221]

-26 letters on four triangles
-seems authors want us to fold the diagram and create a pyramid/decoder. creates a unique substitution cipher (“experience has no substitute”)
-here is the cipher key I got:
1) O = L, F = T, K = P, D = H
2) V = Z, U = R, C = M, E = B
3) Q = N, I = Y, G = J
4) probably A = X
5) ??S = W (no overlapping on these two)

Few things. H/I are Z/N are similar in appearance. Would be nice to have a consensus cipher key from the group.

If this is a decoder, then the obvious question : where is the cipher text?
I am wondering if the answer may be hidden in plain sight where the authors highlighted ‘words’ that actually encrypted the secret message.

For example, if we wanted to encrypt “GOLD BURIED” we could use two words such as “DIRT” and “ABSENT” and create our own unique decoder for the substitution cipher.

The authors seemingly have given us a key without an obvious door to unlock.

[choice]

A couple of things pop right at me in the image.
Letters H and PTO are together on the same side of a triangle. May have to do with HAMPTONS.
The rest, AMN and S are on top left side of triangle and center.
There are 4 blank spaces represented by yellow circles.
Another interesting feature is the positioning of letters A and B. Notice they are in tangent to triangles.
To make C follow the same pattern you may want to rotate the lower right triangle.

[morpheus221]

Looking at this again:
-D, I, X are emphasized
-orientation is odd, if X is the apex, S is upside down
-cipher key:

1) O = L, F = T, K = P, D = H
2) V = Z, U = R, C = M, E = B
3) Q = N, I = Y, G = J
4) A, X, W, S have no overlaps

Choice, agree, odd that some gaps are left on the ‘walls’. If it is a cipher key, why were some letters omitted?

-looking at common letters ETAONRIS….they are paired with letters of low frequency in alphabet
-thought this cipher may be tied to chess puzzle “regal respect”
-is the folded 3-D pyramid even the correct start to this puzzle?