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Skjaldbakka
2010-06-05, 10:22 AM
I had one written up that was perfect, but lost it, so now I am trying to come up with a cryptic bit of verse as part of a plot hook.

elements that need to be touched on are as follows:

there is a bit of lore, or a secret, that is needed to fix a hole in reality/close a gate to the abyss. the knowledge is possessed by an evil creature that was bound with magic below the city. the hole in reality is also beneath the city.

the cryptic message is being sent by the evil creature, but it has no problem referring to itself as evil if it makes the verse better

Asheram
2010-06-05, 03:52 PM
Could use a bit more info here.
What exactly should the rhyme be about? Is it a taunt? A cry for assistance? Just a random hello?
What is his purpose?

dspeyer
2010-06-05, 11:46 PM
Down, down, down,
the monster lairs.
Down, down, down,
the monster knows.
Down, down, down,
the fabric tears.
Down, down, down,
the wise one goes.

Is that remotely what you were looking for?

IonDragon
2010-06-06, 12:02 AM
To mend that which has been broken, a secret must be sung.
From the mouth of the beast come the words, first you must loose the devil's tongue.
From cage gilt in gold, beneath the townsfolk's feet
Comes his heart's steady beat.

dob
2010-06-06, 12:10 AM
From beneath you, it devours?

Mystic Muse
2010-06-06, 02:05 AM
From beneath you, it devours?

Stealing from Buffy the vampire slayer is frowned upon.

At least by me.Says the guy who was going to use a magic item called the glove of Myneghon

Dr Bwaa
2010-06-06, 02:14 AM
From beneath you, it devours?

Stealing from Buffy the vampire slayer is frowned upon.

At least by me.Says the guy who was going to use a magic item called the glove of Myneghon

Heh heh. Watch out for that thing. I hear its effects can be... shocking.

Mystic Muse
2010-06-06, 02:17 AM
Heh heh. Watch out for that thing. I hear its effects can be... shocking.

The Puns! They burns us!

Re'ozul
2010-06-06, 08:38 AM
What is open must close,
the nothing must vanish,
erased fully by those,
with my knowledge to banish

who have courage to search,
and find me down where,
i reside with the nothing,
now COME but beware.

RelentlessImp
2010-06-06, 08:44 AM
"What have I got in my pocket?"

This pops up every time someone asks for a riddle of some kind, so I thought I'd just get it out of the way.

Rent, it spews flames.
It stands, the world is awry.
Inhabitants know, but speak not.

Bound by purpose, imprisoned.
Cursed forever to stand guard.
Knowledge is your only weapon.

Chainsaw Hobbit
2010-06-06, 10:43 AM
I'd help you write a cryptic rhyme-
But I just don't have the time.
I have to get off the computer and do something soon-
I have something scheduled come high noon.
(I know, I know, that was terrible) :smallwink:

Asheram
2010-06-06, 11:16 AM
Down in the shadowy depths
I hold the knowledge which you seek
You are all doomed

I'd really love to see a campaign where the PCs encounter a bunch of haikus that gives them hints along the way.

Ravens_cry
2010-06-06, 11:48 AM
Under every mountain
In every night
I am inside every person
I am not heavy but not light.

Shadow

hamishspence
2010-06-06, 11:55 AM
That one, or similar ones, has been done lots of times. The Hobbit had a good version.

So did Dragon Compendium:

In daytime I lie pooled about,
At night I cloud like mist.
I creep inside shut boxes and
Inside your tightened fist.
You see me best when you can't see,
For I do not exist.

Or:

Devils and rogues know nothing else, save starlight.

Same answer in both cases.

It went into a bit of detail on how to write your own riddles.

Lord Loss
2010-06-06, 12:39 PM
In the darkness I do Lie
Make the little children cry
I weave their sorrow
Won't wake to-morrow

I lie where unwoven are the planes
I lie untouched by the rains
And yet I weave away the joy
Cometh, mortal, little toy

For I can weave the unmaking
Of a planar breaking
Alas, take time, take care
There is no sunlight in my lair