So my players are about to enter a wizards tower, get to the top, kill the wizard and close the portal to the abyss, nothing too crazy. At first I was going to have them just need to unlock the door, with a high dc buffed by magic that could be dispelled to make it easier, but then I had the idea that due to the portal above demons would be descending gradually on the location and so I could use this as an opportunity for an interesting combat encounter where they have to simultaneously fight off hoards of demons whilst also finding their way into the building. The problem? I suck at making good puzzles like this, so I'm hoping I could steal some ideas from the collective genius of the internet! Any ideas or tips would be greatly appreciated!
Additional info:
- party of 4 lvl 14's paladin, cleric, wizard, rogue. Wizards tower is in the middle of a huge city, so traps on the door that cause huge destruction probably a no go.
Real puzzles are notoriously difficult to implement in a game. Either it's too difficult, and it disrupts the game, or it's too easy, and quickly forgotten. Instead, you could give them a trial and error "Password" with consequences.
For example, the door could have magical piano keys and the players need to strike the right chord or adequately harmonize with an existing tune. Success grants them entrance into the room, while failure results in a discordant melody that draws fiends from the portal itself.
Basically, create a staged group skill check that requires 3+ successes:
Success makes noise and draws one or two minor demons to fight the party.
Failure makes a lot of noise and draws a more challenging foe.
Multiple failures escalates the conflict.
This leads the players to two-ish choices: (A) Go slowly, fighting each wave as they come, or (B) Attempt to speed through the door and fend off a potentially deadly horde just long enough to sneak inside.
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So my players are about to enter a wizards tower, get to the top, kill the wizard and close the portal to the abyss, nothing too crazy. At first I was going to have them just need to unlock the door, with a high dc buffed by magic that could be dispelled to make it easier, but then I had the idea that due to the portal above demons would be descending gradually on the location and so I could use this as an opportunity for an interesting combat encounter where they have to simultaneously fight off hoards of demons whilst also finding their way into the building. The problem? I suck at making good puzzles like this, so I'm hoping I could steal some ideas from the collective genius of the internet! Any ideas or tips would be greatly appreciated!
Additional info:
- party of 4 lvl 14's paladin, cleric, wizard, rogue. Wizards tower is in the middle of a huge city, so traps on the door that cause huge destruction probably a no go.
Again thanks in advance for all your help :)
Real puzzles are notoriously difficult to implement in a game. Either it's too difficult, and it disrupts the game, or it's too easy, and quickly forgotten. Instead, you could give them a trial and error "Password" with consequences.
For example, the door could have magical piano keys and the players need to strike the right chord or adequately harmonize with an existing tune. Success grants them entrance into the room, while failure results in a discordant melody that draws fiends from the portal itself.
Basically, create a staged group skill check that requires 3+ successes:
Success makes noise and draws one or two minor demons to fight the party.
Failure makes a lot of noise and draws a more challenging foe.
Multiple failures escalates the conflict.
This leads the players to two-ish choices: (A) Go slowly, fighting each wave as they come, or (B) Attempt to speed through the door and fend off a potentially deadly horde just long enough to sneak inside.