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Post by markd1733 on Aug 28, 2013 22:04:33 GMT -5
Okay...I am thinking of a puzzle that will literally be a puzzle in the game. The characters who are all low level (no fly spells) come to a big river with no bridge that they cannot possibly cross. Time is pressing so they cannot afford to cut down trees, make boats, etc. However, prior to the river, I have a "river" of blue flowers cutting through the forest, and stepping stones in the trail that make a path without damaging the flowers. If the stones are turned over, they can see carvings of an unnatural nature, and some which have special undiscernable symbols on them (except by druids). The stones can be assembled to make a picture of an animal that they can call upon to cross the river safely. The writing tells the exact phrase needed to call upon the creature(s).
Thoughts? Comments?
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Post by skunkape on Aug 29, 2013 12:01:30 GMT -5
Interesting puzzle. What happens if they don't have a druid with them? My main thing about puzzles, always make sure there is a way for the players to solve the puzzle.
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Post by ashrothedm on Aug 29, 2013 15:04:11 GMT -5
As skunkape mentioned, requiring a class can be an issue. Personally, I would use a Knowledge Nature, Survival, or some similar skill check to determine the purpose of the runes. Since the challenge is the puzzle more than the "is this a puzzle?" part, I would have the difficulty set fairly low on identifying what they could do to engage the puzzle.
You mentioned that they "can't possible cross" the river without the puzzle. I would avoid that. It should be very difficult without the puzzle, but not impossible.
The next thing is: Do your players like puzzles? If the answer is not a definite yes, then I would just tie up a raft next to an ogre and call it a day. If they don't like puzzles, a single puzzle is enough to ruin a night.
I would not have the result be a mundane animal helping. Maybe a treant or something to carry them across? Gandalf's standard "Call on the Eagles" to help? The water subsides? A bridge of moonlight or sunlight? Something about a river and river based animals doesn't feel like a great sell to me as something that they could not have done without.
Random thoughts of mine, feel free to dismiss them!
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Post by markd1733 on Aug 29, 2013 22:32:34 GMT -5
Great feedback. Thanks! My back ups for "no druid" situation are decipher script skill and comprehend language spell which are both available, but point well taken. Checks on Nature and Survival are good calls...and even an Intelligence check for helping determine that they have a puzzle before them. As far as the river being impossible to cross, I am thinking that they will find a good challenge in coming up with possible solutions. They got a wand of floating disk, so technically, I am thinking that there may be a possibility in that. However, if they cannot find a way to cross, I have the puzzle to help guide them on a solution. Should the message be a special Summon Nature's Ally spell or something simple like that?
My crew likes puzzles. This one isn't like 500 pieces or anything. We are talking a about 15-20 pieces, maybe less, is what I am thinking...just something that they can do in real time that is exactly what the characters need to do for that immersion effect. About a 5-10 min exercise.
My animal was going to be a turtle...and then a whole bunch of turtles come together to make a bridge or floating island. But your suggestions, Ashro, are good ones. I agree with you that something gleaming or massive from out of nowhere sounds like a better way to reward them.
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