Inquisitor 1111 by Eddie

[Ripper]

I've filled in the grid, but don't understand "One didn't get changed, another unfortunately wasn't fit, and the last must be highlighted."
Do they mean out of the twelve thematics or from the 'proper' answers? (i.e. 15 in total)
Or am I just being thick?
Any help appreciated!

[turnerjmw]

It's a pretty confusing preamble. I took it that it referred to the whole XV. The twelve seem to go in fine thematically. One didn't get changed (either means doesn't appear or is in its normal form, which it is at the bottom of the second column). Thirteen wasn't (i.e. couldn't be made to) fit. So that leaves fifteen, which can be highlighted thematically in the second row.

That's my best guess, anyway :)

[Ripper]

Thanks turnerjmw, that's pretty much what I was heading towards - do you hate these long complicated preambles as well?

[turnerjmw]

I do find the long preambles rather forbidding, but it's when they are ambiguous that I get most annoyed. By then, it's usually too far into the puzzle to give up, but it feels like one's wasted one's time.

[twencelas]

Must admit I did n't consider any ambiguity in the instruction - there are fifteen members, the first does n't change - each of the twelve thematics contain one - the last must be highlighted and one is unfortunate (unlucky) and not there.
Personally I found this the most pleasing thematic for some time - though I suspect the number of the puzzle and the reference to 15 meant that the preamble could n't be too obvious. But then I do like it when numbers and letters meet in a puzzle.

[turnerjmw]

You are far more clear-sighted than me, twencelas! I hadn't even appreciated the significance of the number of the puzzle, and certainly not the significance of the word unfortunate. Certainly a very clever construction, and I did enjoy it, so thanks to Eddie, and you for putting me straight

[Alilloyd]

One thing that's bothering me is that "Line in verse from Queen" should be (10) not (9) right? Or does that answer contain the 15th member of the First XV leaving something in the fourth row from bottom to be highlighted?

[MLN:RUGBY]

I'm with you Alilloyd.
Last thematic could be 9 OR 10 letters
&
First thematic should be 8 NOT 7 letters!

[Alilloyd]

I'm coming round to the idea that it should be (10), since the preamble says "the last must be highlighted". And yes, you're right. I forgot that the first thematic clue should be (8).

[ulysses100]

There is one omission from the First XV and the form it should take, and as this is the last one not represented I have gone for that option, and as it appears across two answers I think that this would be the one to highlight.

[Indy-trier]

It's a lovely puzzle. Abandon thinking in base 10!