"Next to the door stands an 8' tall stone statue of a woman wearing a gown with her arms folded across her chest. Atop the statue's head is a large helm that obscures the eyes and juts out to the sides. The top of the helm is shaped like the curved blade of a Battleaxe. There appears to be an inscription carved into the base of the statue."
The inscription reads: The more that is here, the less you will see. Show me what truly lies within your soul.
The statue depicts Shar, which is a big hint (with her being the goddess of darkness and night). The answer to the riddle is darkness, but the solution would be a couple of actions (hence the last line of the riddle - Show me what truly lies within your soul) - cover the statues head, darkness spell, etc. Anything to obscure the statue's vision.
My question to you all is - how can I make this riddle/situation better, if at all? The party IRL are a bunch of overachievers, I doubt it would be too difficult for them to figure out, especially with a Religion check with a low DC to determine that the statue is of Shar. However, there's an NPC I can use to give hints or solve the thing if it proves annoying. So, is there some way you think I could improve upon this design?
Do the players have enough lore knowledge to know about Shar etc? I wouldn't know. The name was familiar, but I couldn't have told what Shar's domains were.
Also, the "Show me what truly lies within your soul" is very misleading. I'd take that to mean that "darkness" was intended to be metaphorical and that I should commit a misdeed. Or that the sentence was very literal and that I should perform open air surgery on someone. I'd alter that or you might get some grumpy complaints because it's out of place and misleading. Especially if they actually sacrifice someone or otherwise suffer a substantial loss. Perhaps "Provide that which I seek, and I shall grant you entry." would be better.
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If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Thank you! Those suggestions are just what I was looking for. You're right, after rolling this around in my head for a bit, I agree that the last sentence is quite vague and misleading. I'll probably use your suggestion and alter the inscription.
Anyone else have any other suggestions? Thanks again!
If they're stuck on the puzzle just turn the door into a mimic. This gives them a quick combat if they are frustrated by a puzzle and it has the advantage of removing the door as an obstacle. If you really want them to eventually solve your puzzle, put it by lots of doors or maybe all the doors. As a DM i like inflicting a bit of game trauma on the players, but I don't want them to get bored. My players are just not capable of solving anything but the most simple puzzles or traps so I don't tend to use them too often. They will often struggle with opening a open door that is locked
I've had past parties that I just could not stump no matter how hard I tried. They just lived to solve riddles and puzzles and were really really good at it. They were rewarded for solving the problem creatively and then we found new things to challenge them with.
Dont be afraid to leave your puzzle as something that they just can't solve and see how they handle it. Instead of having a NPC giving them hints on how to solve it I think I would have an NPC drop a hint on the crazy powerful awesome whatever that is hidden behind that puzzle to help drive my party into really trying to solve the puzzle...as long as they are enjoying the process. When they get frustrated dont be afraid to pivot and drop in the mimic.
"Next to the door stands an 8' tall stone statue of a woman wearing a gown with her arms folded across her chest. Atop the statue's head is a large helm that obscures the eyes and juts out to the sides. The top of the helm is shaped like the curved blade of a Battleaxe. There appears to be an inscription carved into the base of the statue."
The inscription reads: The more that is here, the less you will see. Show me what truly lies within your soul.
The statue depicts Shar, which is a big hint (with her being the goddess of darkness and night). The answer to the riddle is darkness, but the solution would be a couple of actions (hence the last line of the riddle - Show me what truly lies within your soul) - cover the statues head, darkness spell, etc. Anything to obscure the statue's vision.
My question to you all is - how can I make this riddle/situation better, if at all? The party IRL are a bunch of overachievers, I doubt it would be too difficult for them to figure out, especially with a Religion check with a low DC to determine that the statue is of Shar. However, there's an NPC I can use to give hints or solve the thing if it proves annoying. So, is there some way you think I could improve upon this design?
Thank you in advance!
Do the players have enough lore knowledge to know about Shar etc? I wouldn't know. The name was familiar, but I couldn't have told what Shar's domains were.
Also, the "Show me what truly lies within your soul" is very misleading. I'd take that to mean that "darkness" was intended to be metaphorical and that I should commit a misdeed. Or that the sentence was very literal and that I should perform open air surgery on someone. I'd alter that or you might get some grumpy complaints because it's out of place and misleading. Especially if they actually sacrifice someone or otherwise suffer a substantial loss. Perhaps "Provide that which I seek, and I shall grant you entry." would be better.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Thank you! Those suggestions are just what I was looking for. You're right, after rolling this around in my head for a bit, I agree that the last sentence is quite vague and misleading. I'll probably use your suggestion and alter the inscription.
Anyone else have any other suggestions? Thanks again!
Bru, if really want to stump your players just throw a normal door in front of them, and they'll be second guessing life choices for hours.
If they're stuck on the puzzle just turn the door into a mimic. This gives them a quick combat if they are frustrated by a puzzle and it has the advantage of removing the door as an obstacle. If you really want them to eventually solve your puzzle, put it by lots of doors or maybe all the doors. As a DM i like inflicting a bit of game trauma on the players, but I don't want them to get bored. My players are just not capable of solving anything but the most simple puzzles or traps so I don't tend to use them too often. They will often struggle with opening a open door that is locked
I've had past parties that I just could not stump no matter how hard I tried. They just lived to solve riddles and puzzles and were really really good at it. They were rewarded for solving the problem creatively and then we found new things to challenge them with.
Dont be afraid to leave your puzzle as something that they just can't solve and see how they handle it. Instead of having a NPC giving them hints on how to solve it I think I would have an NPC drop a hint on the crazy powerful awesome whatever that is hidden behind that puzzle to help drive my party into really trying to solve the puzzle...as long as they are enjoying the process. When they get frustrated dont be afraid to pivot and drop in the mimic.
My Barbarian after fondling the statue will start on the wall with his maul. Tricks are for kids, that wall I mean door is coming down.