[DF] Appropriate Riddles

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by Bruno

Sand only works for those with yellow-brown sand. Red sand and black sand dominate different parts of the world.
Around here, we don't really have sand - except what comes in bags from somewhere else.

Hollywood probably effects most people's impressions of objects. California coasts have loads of the yellow sand, and I don't remember ever seeing a yellow intact chicken egg.
Basic dirt probably conjures up the appropriate dark reddish brown implied. But I'm sure your land of perpetual ice and igloo doesn't get to see much of that color either. ;)
That's really the problem with metaphor in general. It assumes similar life experiences and cultural/linguistic connections.

[Culture20]

My biggest problem with riddles is that players who are bright sometimes play dullards and average players sometimes play genius wizards. One way to avoid the standard "why can't I just roll IQ or Hobby Skill: Riddles and get the answer?" Is to only allow guessing if Hobby Skill: Riddles is successful, but if it is successful, you can ask a number of players equal to your margin of success. On a critical success, you can use the Internet. That should keep all but the wizards and bards from even attempting ("the fighter is stumped"), but the smart players can help, and the social PCs feel like the puzzle skill means something.

[Flyndaran]

I know jack all about music so that riddle was completely incomprehensible to me. I agree that this kind of obstacle is all about PLAYER ability rather than CHARACTER.
Then again, I've gamed with people incapable of keeping player knowledge separate from character. This is just the opposite side of the issue, I believe.

[Ransom]

I like these - I probably wouldn't put them in places where the game has to stop until the party solves them, but rather have them encountered and let the players ponder them as they continue. Perhaps the solution would provide some sort of warning of danger or easier approach to a future challenge, or simply a better understanding of some aspect of the dungeon's history.

I can't make any sense of #6 or #7, though.

[simply Nathan]

The egg one only makes sense if you treat the first line as a red herring.

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by simply Nathan

The egg one only makes sense if you treat the first line as a red herring.

Brown eggs, and fruit as metaphor for shell containing "seeds". We do say, "fruit of my loins" to reference children after all.

[simply Nathan]

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

Brown eggs, and fruit as metaphor for shell containing "seeds". We do say, "fruit of my loins" to reference children after all.

The fruit part made sense to me, like two lines further down I thought "Egg!" right away. It's the "sand-colored" part that doesn't work for me - sand is a super pale color about halfway between the bleached bone white of common grocery store eggs in my area and the medium brown eggs my family's chickens produce. There's probably a gradient of shades of brown in between, but ascribing a color to egg shells like that is going to be misleading if you get fixated on it.

[Nymdok]

Originally Posted by Ransom

I can't make any sense of #6 or #7, though.

Im pretty sure Cat and Chair are the answers to 6 and 7.

As to the color question and the great sand debate feel free to change the first line to

A porcelain fruit


Assuming that that doesnt in turn start a debate over the DR of an eggshell versus proper porcelain :)


In the event that neither of those options suit you, feel free not to use that riddle at all. :)

Nymdok

[Nymdok]

#10
A shaft of history, or knowledge arcane
A background of grass, wood or hide
embracing myself, my silence is bound
my secrets are spiraled inside

I can hold magic and maps, wisdom and law
although they travel a circular route
to know what I know simply take hold
and roll the secrets on out.


#11
A tempo I beat
in armored sandals
that rhythm keeps up my pace
from withers to toes
Its said Im all hands
but its time that measures my race
I'm power and speed
and freedom and work
but never much care for my crop
I've a throne and reigns
but never I'll rule
and just for a bit I will stop.

Nymdok

[Nymdok]

#12
To the weak Im a leg
to the strong Im a weapon
Im a tree that can amble or fight
to the thief Im a tool
to keep from traps harm
to the blind I reveal without light

Nymdok