Puzzles for Players
Puzzles for Players a collection of templates to help you build puzzles into your game world Designed for fantasy tabletop RPGs¸ these 20 puzzle templates provide GMs with concepts and starting points to introduce challenges that will engage players¸ no matter how high (or low) their characters' levels may be. If you want more from puzzle solving than skill checks and dice rolls¸ these are for you. Puzzles are categorized at three scales: encounter/room¸ module/dungeon¸ and campaign/world. This lets you know how much work you will have to do to integrate the puzzle idea into your game and how broadly the puzzle may impact your adventure. Encounter/room scale puzzles require that players only figure out and solve a one-shot challenge. These can be easily dropped in to an existing dungeon or game night¸ perhaps an empty room on your map or a random encounter on the road¸ and will result in relatively small¸ quick payoffs. Module/dungeon scale puzzles generally require solving parts in multiple rooms or floors¸ and then bringing them all together at some point. These may require extra work on your part to prepare; perhaps the final piece will be in the pocket of the 20th level mage located on the top floor! Campaign/world scale puzzles are designed to be built in to your game world¸ with different parts taking place in different environments¸ city-states¸ or even planes of existence. These will generally involve extended efforts by players that may continue during much of a party's or story's lifespan¸ resulting in epic treasures¸ discoveries¸ and encounters that will enter the history books of your campaign. Each template includes setting suggestions¸ examples terms to use with online image search tools to stimulate your own creative work¸ presentation and gameplay tips¸ and additional ideas to make this your unique gaming experience. Each also includes an example map and script to guide you in integrating the puzzle into your game quickly. You should feel free to update¸ change¸ or add-on whatever you like for your own campaigns. Finally¸ remember to enjoy the game at least as much as your players do! Thank you for playing! PDF UPDATE: Thank you to Sebastian S. for the great idea! This book has now been updated to include a full black & white printable "edition". For an easily readable physical copy¸ print the (new) PDF file from pages 67-110. This will produce something you can easily bind and keep with you in your library. (Note: the B&W version does not have the third "map" page for each example puzzle¸ as these did not look very good in black & white.) If you purchase this title¸ I would very much appreciate your rating and review. Thank you!