dot for interest
My advice is don't do this.
The players are playing their characters, in character problems should be solved by in character solutions.
Relying on player knowledge instead of character knowledge is literally metagaming and removes characters from the process.
Other than...you had best make the box unbreakable. Because I can tell you as a player who has had GMs try this, if the barbarian can break it open, they will. Even if it unknowingly results in the destruction of the item inside.
For the most part, puzzles aren't fun for players. At the very least, you should ask them how they feel about it before you put too much effort into this.
I concur. My players constantly complained that my mysteries were too hard (non-Pathfinder game) so I had to simplify them constantly. And I occasionally goofed up & didn't simplify enough...
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I've rarely seen people actually enjoy puzzled when they were played straight (most end with "but you didn't say..." arguments). That being said, if you have your heart set on a puzzle you might be able to play it for comedy or subvert it, depending on your group...
Examples:
- *Puzzle solves for literally any solution --
DM: "The inscription reads: 'This will only open when plunged to the depths of the waterless sea.' There is an inscription of a star and a moon on opposite sides and the sun on the top."
Fighter: "I hit it with my Warhammer."
DM: "A flag pops up to indicate a proper solution and the box springs open"
Players: "???"
- *Puzzle solves for any technicality solving the problem --
DM: "The inscription reads that in order for the box to open, it must be thrown into the sun"
Player: "I throw it into the temple of the Sun God"
Player: "I throw it outside into the sunlight"
Player: "I draw a picture of the sun in the dirt and throw it into that"
Player: "I throw it at the Dwarf. He's someone's son"DM: "The box opens"
- *Puzzle has a nonsense solution which is given after the incorrect answer --
DM: "The sphinx refuses to let you pass until you have answered a riddle. 'What has four legs in the morning, two legs at midday and three legs in the evening?'
Players (in unison): "Man!"
DM (as sphinx): "'Wrong. A donkey'"
Players: "A donkey?"
Sphinx: "Yes, a donkey. You may not pass. Good day."
Player: "Well, technically, we just had to answer the riddle to pass, not get it right..."
Sphinx: "Oh, you cheeky @$#%!"
Treat it more like a map than a puzzle box. The box has images on all sides. The first position has four very distinct landmarks as well as an earth and sun side for top and bottom; this gives them a starting point. When they arrive at the destination, they rearrange minor features in the background of each side to better represent the location. When this is done, the box spins on its own and gives clues to a nearby and more specific location.
The players can still use skill checks to better navigate to the locations and even skip some steps in the puzzle with enough skill.
You could also do this for things that weren't geographical. It could require the casting of specific spells around it, or nearby objects, emotions, specific people and so on.