Back to my home place.
Look in this for the clues that will allow you to solve a puzzle and claim a prize. It is always, and I stress always, the most obvious things which are the hardest to see. Keep this in mind: all you need is here, and it starts at the beginning. Each of you has the power to solve the puzzle, but only the first one to fulfill the puzzle's request will get the prize.
About that prize: all I will tell you before you solve the puzzle is that it's precious, but not extremely valuable.
Before you get out your cryptology books, your Enigma Machines and such, let me assure you that you really don't need them. Only by applying the clues in the puzzle to the puzzle can you solve the puzzle. Often in this modern world we are unable to see the most obvious things. Keen eyes and a literal approach will do more for you than all the complicated algorithms in the world.
Be not daunted by the seemingly obscure. You must not delve deeply into the intricacies of grammar and sentence structure; the clues are in the sentences, but you will get nowhere by carefully parsing them.
My best guess is that the more complicated you try to make this, the less likely you will be to solve it. It will reward a simple approach, but frustrate a complicated one. Can you free your mind from the natural instinct to look for the hidden? Have patience and be willing to see that which is shown you, and ignore that which is not. Eventually it will be obvious. Never give in to the impulse to go off on a tangent. Energy spent looking for hidden meanings, esoteric word origins, or anything else even remotely like that will be a total waste. Rest assured that it is here for you and all you need do is read it.
Although I have devoted considerable time trying to get you to avoid looking for hidden meanings and obscure references, you probably will do it anyway. Bearing this in mind, I will admit to you that the clues are hidden, albeit in plain sight. Obviously, there is some mystery in a word puzzle. Unless there is at least some small degree of difficulty, it is not a puzzle, just a bit of written rambling. This one is no exception.
There are people who will read this and give up in despair. Each of them will conclude that it is just too difficult. Let me assure you once again that it is not. Like many so-called "mysteries," this one could only be made less mysterious if I just gave you the answer.
May you find the answer and fulfill the puzzle's request. All of you who do so will get a response, if I am still living at the time. Knowing that we all inhabit this world for but a brief moment, I can only promise to fulfill my end of the bargain while I yet draw breath. Outlive me, and solve the puzzle, and be consoled by your investigative success alone. Remember: the prize is merely a token of your first place finish; it has no great value or meaning otherwise.