I’ve only got in to D&D in the last year and before I start, I have to say. I imagine this is what being addicted to crack is like, except way more expensive.
Even more recently I’ve taken over the role of DM from my brother and we’re now about 6 sessions into my campaign, everyone seems to be having a good time. My players like a puzzle and coming up somewhere in the story is a temple which will have a few puzzles in it that will lead to a main piece of the story.
Obviously all of this stuff makes sense to me... I’m writing it. So I thought I’d ask for some outside thoughts, let me know what you folks think and if you manage to solve it. I don’t want it to be too hard or too easy. (Answers are at the bottom of this thread)
My players will enter a room within the temple, where they are trying to obtain some orbs that will unlock a main door. Within this room is a large basin, along with an alchemists workshop. On the basin it says “Awaken vapours and let them rise, go fourth adventurer and collect your prize”, on the shelves of the alchemists workshop will be the following ingredients...
Human Blood, Unicorn Tears, Scorpion Venom, Ruby Dust, Manticore Scales, Ogre’s Eye, Holy Water, Pure Alcohol, Dragon’s Claw, Dwarven Spirit, Sucubus Hair, Squid’s Tentacle, Griffin’s Feather, Obsidian Shard’s, Basilisk Tongue, Bullywug Bile, Elvish Wine, Dragonfly Wing’s, Black Powder, Lantern Oil, Bone Ash, Weirwood Bark, Silver, Volcanic Sand, Beholder Teeth, Purple Worm Poison, Chimera Acid & Fish Eye’s (players will have a list).
On the table will be a document titled ‘Awaken’ which will state the below...
You need to wake up, you get the jist.
In to the cauldron, follow this list.
First, when this get’s murky you will need to see.
Follow up with a vampires treat.
No longer taking flight, add three.
A sprinkle of something from the beasts feet.
Something that goes boom, to make a mess.
From the days of old, add dragon’s glass.
With a spoonful of mythical distress.
Now light the way, add en masse.
The mane of a seductress, this could be the key.
One final blessing, a drop of AG.
How would you proceed? ANSWERS BELOW!
Players must put these ingredients into the basin...
Fish Eyes - Human Blood - Dragonfly Wings - Dragons Claw - Black Powder - Obsidian Shards - Unicorn Tears - Lantern Oil - Sucubus Hair - Silver.
Appreciate any feedback!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I carry two swords. One of silver for creatures that roam the wild. One of steel for humans in their cities of stone. Both are for monsters.
The puzzle is very nice, and if your party likes puzzles then it could be great. the only thing that i could foresee going wrong is
1) the list of ingredients is to much which can tire them out. 2) if the puzzle drags late into night and the players get sleepy 3) the players put 1 wrong ingredient and cant figure out which of the ones they did incorrectly.
to which there are several ways to combat each of these scenarios.
1)- make the same amount of ingredients as there are needed to place into the potion 2)- have them solve the puzzle early on into the session. 3) have it so when they place the item into a cauldron when they put a wrong item it goes foul, and they automatically have to start from the start of have a trap spawn which they would need to deal with before completing the puzzle
some other nice puzzle ideas are:
1) multiple floored dungeons with doors that extent the floors if you open the door on 1 floor it blocks another. 2) puzzles in boss fights, for example 2 boss monsters and every round 1 monsters has complete damage immunity and they alternate this every round. 3) defender puzzles : give your party a finite amount of traps and barricades and have them plan the defense of an area.
Thanks Zivsh, I’m definitely going to have the potion go foul and reset if they put something wrong in and it will take place early in the session to make sure everyone makes bed on time! We often do full day sessions that last between 8-10 hours! Appreciate the feedback!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I carry two swords. One of silver for creatures that roam the wild. One of steel for humans in their cities of stone. Both are for monsters.
I recall playing as a player 2 months ago. and we entered a tower with really good puzzles. we planned on playing till 12. however we finished at 5 am . and i remeber how hard it was to focus and ( drive home safely ) from tiredness.
I do hope your players have fun you are putting alot of effort in :D
I’ve only got in to D&D in the last year and before I start, I have to say. I imagine this is what being addicted to crack is like, except way more expensive.
Even more recently I’ve taken over the role of DM from my brother and we’re now about 6 sessions into my campaign, everyone seems to be having a good time. My players like a puzzle and coming up somewhere in the story is a temple which will have a few puzzles in it that will lead to a main piece of the story.
Obviously all of this stuff makes sense to me... I’m writing it. So I thought I’d ask for some outside thoughts, let me know what you folks think and if you manage to solve it. I don’t want it to be too hard or too easy. (Answers are at the bottom of this thread)
My players will enter a room within the temple, where they are trying to obtain some orbs that will unlock a main door. Within this room is a large basin, along with an alchemists workshop. On the basin it says “Awaken vapours and let them rise, go fourth adventurer and collect your prize”, on the shelves of the alchemists workshop will be the following ingredients...
Human Blood, Unicorn Tears, Scorpion Venom, Ruby Dust, Manticore Scales, Ogre’s Eye, Holy Water, Pure Alcohol, Dragon’s Claw, Dwarven Spirit, Sucubus Hair, Squid’s Tentacle, Griffin’s Feather, Obsidian Shard’s, Basilisk Tongue, Bullywug Bile, Elvish Wine, Dragonfly Wing’s, Black Powder, Lantern Oil, Bone Ash, Weirwood Bark, Silver, Volcanic Sand, Beholder Teeth, Purple Worm Poison, Chimera Acid & Fish Eye’s (players will have a list).
On the table will be a document titled ‘Awaken’ which will state the below...
You need to wake up, you get the jist.
In to the cauldron, follow this list.
First, when this get’s murky you will need to see.
Follow up with a vampires treat.
No longer taking flight, add three.
A sprinkle of something from the beasts feet.
Something that goes boom, to make a mess.
From the days of old, add dragon’s glass.
With a spoonful of mythical distress.
Now light the way, add en masse.
The mane of a seductress, this could be the key.
One final blessing, a drop of AG.
How would you proceed? ANSWERS BELOW!
Players must put these ingredients into the basin...
Fish Eyes - Human Blood - Dragonfly Wings - Dragons Claw - Black Powder - Obsidian Shards - Unicorn Tears - Lantern Oil - Sucubus Hair - Silver.
Appreciate any feedback!
I carry two swords. One of silver for creatures that roam the wild. One of steel for humans in their cities of stone. Both are for monsters.
Hello Mr Hoops.
The puzzle is very nice, and if your party likes puzzles then it could be great. the only thing that i could foresee going wrong is
1) the list of ingredients is to much which can tire them out.
2) if the puzzle drags late into night and the players get sleepy
3) the players put 1 wrong ingredient and cant figure out which of the ones they did incorrectly.
to which there are several ways to combat each of these scenarios.
1)- make the same amount of ingredients as there are needed to place into the potion
2)- have them solve the puzzle early on into the session.
3) have it so when they place the item into a cauldron when they put a wrong item it goes foul, and they automatically have to start from the start of have a trap spawn which they would need to deal with before completing the puzzle
some other nice puzzle ideas are:
1) multiple floored dungeons with doors that extent the floors if you open the door on 1 floor it blocks another.
2) puzzles in boss fights, for example 2 boss monsters and every round 1 monsters has complete damage immunity and they alternate this every round.
3) defender puzzles : give your party a finite amount of traps and barricades and have them plan the defense of an area.
Thanks Zivsh, I’m definitely going to have the potion go foul and reset if they put something wrong in and it will take place early in the session to make sure everyone makes bed on time! We often do full day sessions that last between 8-10 hours! Appreciate the feedback!
I carry two swords. One of silver for creatures that roam the wild. One of steel for humans in their cities of stone. Both are for monsters.
You are welcome mate.
I recall playing as a player 2 months ago. and we entered a tower with really good puzzles. we planned on playing till 12. however we finished at 5 am . and i remeber how hard it was to focus and ( drive home safely ) from tiredness.
I do hope your players have fun you are putting alot of effort in :D
They all tell me they are! I’m addicted and although it’s a lot of effort it’s absolutely worth it to see their reactions!
I love an all day session, except the time just passes far too quickly!
I carry two swords. One of silver for creatures that roam the wild. One of steel for humans in their cities of stone. Both are for monsters.