These are high-def pics of my notes taken with my phone. I was blessed with an additional few days to fine-tune the encounters when earlier plot took longer than anticipated. I hope this works...
Balancing Act
Simon Says Combination
Lazer Pointer Howlers/I Love Lucybugs
Mud Bath
Anyway, my weak spot at GM is attaching numbers to things. So, GM Gods/esses, What would you do with these encounters? The party is a very resourceful level 4, and there are six of them. Monk, Barbarian, Paladin, Sorcerer, Wizard, and Cleric. The monsters are not all meant to be fought, but rather a clever way be found around the monster. Should these monsters still be beatable if they try to outright fight them?
In addition, I fear the puzzle aspect of it may be too difficult, considering I already know the answer when I come up with the puzzle. Can they draw similar conclusions to mine?
I will post any clarifications if they are needed.
Thanks in advance.
I am a constant GM and here is my advice:
1. If your party is a group that can think about getting around the puzzles, then it is ok to let the puzzles be difficult.
2. If your group does have trouble with the puzzles and getting around the monsters, make them increase in difficulty as they progress or just make some harder areas, like a water area with a hydra or dire shark.
3. You can always dumb it down in the middle of the game or give them a little booster area, where they can get healed
4. It's all about fun and if they are having fun, keep going with what you are doing.
How do I tell the difficulty of a puzzle before the party takes a crack at it? I already have plans to give them clues, then let them try without dice rolls, the roll int/wis stuff to get extra info. Then make up additional clues if they still don't get it.
What would be a good clue to link the moon to the candle/lens device in the corner. Basically if they light it and move it, the howlers will chase the "moon".