hikite
2020-11-28, 11:25 AM
I have DM'd modules that use riddles, and this has always been odd for me. The PC fights, uses skills, makes saves, and uses abilities; then you get to a point that requires the person to solve something that uses none of the PCs talents. If it is just a balanced fight that happens then its no big deal, but if its solve this or you are dead and the adventure is over - that is not fair for the PCs effort to get there, or the DMs work to prepare it all. I run a module that does this, and modified it to keep the riddle element true to the dungeon but keeps it more D&D character based. Any thoughts are welcome. Thank You!
ECL 10-12 party
(Pandora's Test- 3 riddles(wisdom check DC 24 gives hint, any fail creates a sudden death challenge, failure of sudden death 3 results in losing the test. IF PCs fail the test Pandora disappears for a year and a day, and then will regive the test.)
(sudden death 1- Brain Teaser, Pandora presents a marigold painting and says,"Clearly you need a hand, find them in this painting" there are a pair of hands painted in the painting. The PCs need to find it to solve the brain teaser, Profession Art/or art related skill DC 30 to reveal a hint)
(sudden death 2- Picture Puzzle, Pandora waves her hand and the PCs are seemingly in Tarterus. She says,"Before you is a bog from the overflow of the River Styx between the mountains Othyrs. Identify what is in the setting before you that is not in the mirror. Handing me the solution will move you back up." Pandora then waves her hands, and a mirror appears reflecting the area opposite its face seemingly perfectly. The PCs must find the missing hands not in the mirror to complete the picture puzzle. Profession design/or related skill DC 30 to reveal a hint)
(sudden death 3- Blood Wall, Each PC enters a circular cave with no visible exits. The wall has a riddle engraved in it; "The key is found within you head, use the key to paint me red, be aware of what you spurn, for what you give shall be returned." The PC must use blood and smear it on the wall. A duplicate of what the blood came from emerges out of the wall. The PC must fight and defeat the duplicate to open the cave. If PC refuses to fight, the duplicate will stop fighting when PC is at 1 HP and the wall opens. If PC kills duplicate it fills the room with cloudkill for 14 minutes DC 18. If PC survives this this they pass the challenge, If PC dies then they fail but are returned to life via raise dead spell. At least 1 PC must succeed to beat this challenge.)
ECL 10-12 party
(Pandora's Test- 3 riddles(wisdom check DC 24 gives hint, any fail creates a sudden death challenge, failure of sudden death 3 results in losing the test. IF PCs fail the test Pandora disappears for a year and a day, and then will regive the test.)
(sudden death 1- Brain Teaser, Pandora presents a marigold painting and says,"Clearly you need a hand, find them in this painting" there are a pair of hands painted in the painting. The PCs need to find it to solve the brain teaser, Profession Art/or art related skill DC 30 to reveal a hint)
(sudden death 2- Picture Puzzle, Pandora waves her hand and the PCs are seemingly in Tarterus. She says,"Before you is a bog from the overflow of the River Styx between the mountains Othyrs. Identify what is in the setting before you that is not in the mirror. Handing me the solution will move you back up." Pandora then waves her hands, and a mirror appears reflecting the area opposite its face seemingly perfectly. The PCs must find the missing hands not in the mirror to complete the picture puzzle. Profession design/or related skill DC 30 to reveal a hint)
(sudden death 3- Blood Wall, Each PC enters a circular cave with no visible exits. The wall has a riddle engraved in it; "The key is found within you head, use the key to paint me red, be aware of what you spurn, for what you give shall be returned." The PC must use blood and smear it on the wall. A duplicate of what the blood came from emerges out of the wall. The PC must fight and defeat the duplicate to open the cave. If PC refuses to fight, the duplicate will stop fighting when PC is at 1 HP and the wall opens. If PC kills duplicate it fills the room with cloudkill for 14 minutes DC 18. If PC survives this this they pass the challenge, If PC dies then they fail but are returned to life via raise dead spell. At least 1 PC must succeed to beat this challenge.)