Riddle me this! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Riddle me this! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Aleolus
07-24-07, 05:32 PM OK, I have an idea for a tower my PCs will have to climb to get a particular magic item on top. I know most of what they will need, but I need some help coming up with a riddle for the floor to test their wisdom. Three statues, a fighter on the left, a wizard in the middle, and a rouge on the right. I need a riddle which gives confusions as to who the correct one is, but also gives enough clues that they can figure it out. If they press the button in front of the correct statue, the doors open, and they can go on. If not, two Belors get summoned. If they (somehow) manage to beat the Belors, then the doors open anyway, and they can go on.
058
07-24-07, 06:03 PM Well, which statue is the correct one? A thematic riddle (something that mentions rogues, wizards, and warriors) would let them figure it out, without making it too easy.
Aleolus
07-24-07, 08:11 PM The wizard, of course! The item up top was created by an egotistic wizard.
058
07-24-07, 08:50 PM Hm, OK . . . the riddle should stress intelligence, then, as a prideful wizard would value the smarts needed to solve it.

I'm not particularly skillful when it comes to innovating things like this; the best I can do is suggest the broader things like I'm doing. The finer points will have to be left to those with greater intellects than myself.
Heros_Backpack
07-25-07, 07:58 AM How does this sound?

Let me spell it out for you:

The hand is faster than the eye,
But thought is faster still.
So tough it out, get out the way,
You'll know me by my Will.

If speed is right, and I am wrong,
And brawn is left alone,
Then I am right between the two,
And what is right is wrong.

If brawn is all that's left to you,
And speed is right behind,
I'll offer you one chance to show,
That matter masters mind.
hovnarr
07-25-07, 08:23 AM Well, with a riddle, or even a set up like that (gee a wizard statue in a wizard tower, hmm...), the puzzle is going to be extremely simple. OTOH, failing the puzzle and getting two BALORS (!) to fight is an extremely tough penalty too, so perhaps it averages out.

If it were me though, I'd put a tougher puzzle but a weaker side-effect before the party.
thunderjp
07-25-07, 09:49 AM How does this sound?

Let me spell it out for you:

The hand is faster than the eye,
But thought is faster still.
So tough it out, get out the way,
You'll know me by my Will.

If speed is right, and I am wrong,
And brawn is left alone,
Then I am right between the two,
And what is right is wrong.

If brawn is all that's left to you,
And speed is right behind,
I'll offer you one chance to show,
That matter masters mind.

HB, you amaze me. Are you well published?
Heros_Backpack
07-26-07, 03:35 AM HB, you amaze me. Are you well published?

Mostly, I write history leaflets for tourist destinations with the occasional spin-off article in magazines or ezines.

Verse like this, on the other hand, just spurts out.
hovnarr
07-26-07, 09:49 AM Since the riddle is so good, how about going with it but using more abstract/less clearcut symbols than actual statues of a wizard, fighter and rogue? Perhaps you could use constellations that resonate with concepts such as speed, brawn and will instead, or other symbols. I feel it would make the puzzle more challenging - and it would put a greater focus on actually reading and understanding the riddle. The party can't just go "Yup, gotta be da wizard" immediately.
Johnny_Angel
07-26-07, 10:40 AM Something quick and simple:

All three statues need to be interacted with in order to open the door.

The fighter statue needs to be "attacked" by "stabbing" it with a ceremonial sword. Basically, there's somewhere on the statue which the sword slides into. There could be more than one slot; they might need to choose the right one.

The wizard statue needs to have magic cast upon it.

The rogue statue has the level for the door on it, but it does not appear until after you interact with the first two statues. The catch with the rogue statue is that you need to sneak up on it and pull the lever without it "seeing" you (opposed hide/spot checks.) If it "sees" you, the wizard statue glows and "summons" monsters for the PCs to fight or teleports them somewhere else.
Aleolus
08-02-07, 05:17 PM Since the riddle is so good, how about going with it but using more abstract/less clearcut symbols than actual statues of a wizard, fighter and rogue? Perhaps you could use constellations that resonate with concepts such as speed, brawn and will instead, or other symbols. I feel it would make the puzzle more challenging - and it would put a greater focus on actually reading and understanding the riddle. The party can't just go "Yup, gotta be da wizard" immediately.

Sounds like a plan, but do you have any suggestions for what to use? Orion would probably work for strength, but what should I use for the others? Also, I'm gonna post another thread getting some help with the whole tower. I know about what I want, but I'd like some help ironing out the details.
TunnHarr
08-07-07, 04:42 PM This kind of alters the approach to the riddle, but perhaps you'll find it interesting. Instead of a button, there are the three statues, the door being behind the wizard. in front of each is a chest, one only able to be broken open, another with latches all around that opens only if you unlatch them all in time, and one that has yet a smaller riddle on it. (I've much to say, but cannot speak, I am most cherished by the weak. I dress in black and white in layers, my common kin are filled with prayers.) (saying 'book' opens the chest, alter riddle as you see fit.) Inside is a book (contents as you see fit.)

Inside the broken chest is a sword, perhaps valuable, magic, goodies as you see fit! in the one with latches, is a bag of coins, amount as you see fit.

in the center of the room is a pedestal, with a slot for the sword, an indentation for the bag of coins, and a square slot for the book. once all chests are opened, a riddle apears in the air, ( or wherever and however you choose) as such:

A book, a blade, a bag of gold
Three gathered here, one story told
To place correct the item true
Pay special heed unto this clue

One strong of arm, and sharp of blade
He brought, according to his trade
A vibrant sword, of glory made
upon the pedestal he laid

One keen of thought, and fierce of will
the art of magic was his skill
He'd rather learn than fight and kill
His book he brought, the space to fill

One swift of body, light of hand
he was the quickest of the band
His reaped reward was treasure grand
He set his gold upon the stand

Three heroes came, each with a gift
learned, strong, and deadly swift
One did pass, the puzzle clear
Which of these is valued here?

Not my best work, but maybe it'll spring an idea.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Aleolus 07-24-07, 05:32 PM	OK, I have an idea for a tower my PCs will have to climb to get a particular magic item on top. I know most of what they will need, but I need some help coming up with a riddle for the floor to test their wisdom. Three statues, a fighter on the left, a wizard in the middle, and a rouge on the right. I need a riddle which gives confusions as to who the correct one is, but also gives enough clues that they can figure it out. If they press the button in front of the correct statue, the doors open, and they can go on. If not, two Belors get summoned. If they (somehow) manage to beat the Belors, then the doors open anyway, and they can go on.
058 07-24-07, 06:03 PM	Well, which statue is the correct one? A thematic riddle (something that mentions rogues, wizards, and warriors) would let them figure it out, without making it too easy.
Aleolus 07-24-07, 08:11 PM	The wizard, of course! The item up top was created by an egotistic wizard.
058 07-24-07, 08:50 PM	Hm, OK . . . the riddle should stress intelligence, then, as a prideful wizard would value the smarts needed to solve it. I'm not particularly skillful when it comes to innovating things like this; the best I can do is suggest the broader things like I'm doing. The finer points will have to be left to those with greater intellects than myself.
Heros_Backpack 07-25-07, 07:58 AM	How does this sound? Let me spell it out for you: The hand is faster than the eye, But thought is faster still. So tough it out, get out the way, You'll know me by my Will. If speed is right, and I am wrong, And brawn is left alone, Then I am right between the two, And what is right is wrong. If brawn is all that's left to you, And speed is right behind, I'll offer you one chance to show, That matter masters mind.
hovnarr 07-25-07, 08:23 AM	Well, with a riddle, or even a set up like that (gee a wizard statue in a wizard tower, hmm...), the puzzle is going to be extremely simple. OTOH, failing the puzzle and getting two BALORS (!) to fight is an extremely tough penalty too, so perhaps it averages out. If it were me though, I'd put a tougher puzzle but a weaker side-effect before the party.
thunderjp 07-25-07, 09:49 AM	How does this sound? Let me spell it out for you: The hand is faster than the eye, But thought is faster still. So tough it out, get out the way, You'll know me by my Will. If speed is right, and I am wrong, And brawn is left alone, Then I am right between the two, And what is right is wrong. If brawn is all that's left to you, And speed is right behind, I'll offer you one chance to show, That matter masters mind. HB, you amaze me. Are you well published?
Heros_Backpack 07-26-07, 03:35 AM	HB, you amaze me. Are you well published? Mostly, I write history leaflets for tourist destinations with the occasional spin-off article in magazines or ezines. Verse like this, on the other hand, just spurts out.
hovnarr 07-26-07, 09:49 AM	Since the riddle is so good, how about going with it but using more abstract/less clearcut symbols than actual statues of a wizard, fighter and rogue? Perhaps you could use constellations that resonate with concepts such as speed, brawn and will instead, or other symbols. I feel it would make the puzzle more challenging - and it would put a greater focus on actually reading and understanding the riddle. The party can't just go "Yup, gotta be da wizard" immediately.
Johnny_Angel 07-26-07, 10:40 AM	Something quick and simple: All three statues need to be interacted with in order to open the door. The fighter statue needs to be "attacked" by "stabbing" it with a ceremonial sword. Basically, there's somewhere on the statue which the sword slides into. There could be more than one slot; they might need to choose the right one. The wizard statue needs to have magic cast upon it. The rogue statue has the level for the door on it, but it does not appear until after you interact with the first two statues. The catch with the rogue statue is that you need to sneak up on it and pull the lever without it "seeing" you (opposed hide/spot checks.) If it "sees" you, the wizard statue glows and "summons" monsters for the PCs to fight or teleports them somewhere else.
Aleolus 08-02-07, 05:17 PM	Since the riddle is so good, how about going with it but using more abstract/less clearcut symbols than actual statues of a wizard, fighter and rogue? Perhaps you could use constellations that resonate with concepts such as speed, brawn and will instead, or other symbols. I feel it would make the puzzle more challenging - and it would put a greater focus on actually reading and understanding the riddle. The party can't just go "Yup, gotta be da wizard" immediately. Sounds like a plan, but do you have any suggestions for what to use? Orion would probably work for strength, but what should I use for the others? Also, I'm gonna post another thread getting some help with the whole tower. I know about what I want, but I'd like some help ironing out the details.
TunnHarr 08-07-07, 04:42 PM	This kind of alters the approach to the riddle, but perhaps you'll find it interesting. Instead of a button, there are the three statues, the door being behind the wizard. in front of each is a chest, one only able to be broken open, another with latches all around that opens only if you unlatch them all in time, and one that has yet a smaller riddle on it. (I've much to say, but cannot speak, I am most cherished by the weak. I dress in black and white in layers, my common kin are filled with prayers.) (saying 'book' opens the chest, alter riddle as you see fit.) Inside is a book (contents as you see fit.) Inside the broken chest is a sword, perhaps valuable, magic, goodies as you see fit! in the one with latches, is a bag of coins, amount as you see fit. in the center of the room is a pedestal, with a slot for the sword, an indentation for the bag of coins, and a square slot for the book. once all chests are opened, a riddle apears in the air, ( or wherever and however you choose) as such: A book, a blade, a bag of gold Three gathered here, one story told To place correct the item true Pay special heed unto this clue One strong of arm, and sharp of blade He brought, according to his trade A vibrant sword, of glory made upon the pedestal he laid One keen of thought, and fierce of will the art of magic was his skill He'd rather learn than fight and kill His book he brought, the space to fill One swift of body, light of hand he was the quickest of the band His reaped reward was treasure grand He set his gold upon the stand Three heroes came, each with a gift learned, strong, and deadly swift One did pass, the puzzle clear Which of these is valued here? Not my best work, but maybe it'll spring an idea.