Thinking about Riddle conflicts…
What are ways for GMs to use riddles in dungeon design?
My thoughts:
Player-driven (not designed by GM) riddles are a good way to overcome obstacles that are too much to handle, like Bilbo vs Smaug. But that’s another topic.
I’m specifically thinking about dungeon design and GM-planned riddle encounters, which are a little different. For example, placing the Sphinx on the map to block an entrance.
Riddles can really reinforce a theme of the dungeon’s lore or get to the heart of a situation. A riddle can drive home messages about fate, knowledge, or identity for added depth. Ultimately, it’s just another way to test the characters.
Of course, they can be fun and whimsical encounters too, like a bumbling troll under a bridge.
For me, these GM-planned riddles are social situations, like a duel of wits, and center around seeking knowledge—how to pass, unlock a secret, or defeat a powerful enemy. The riddle conflict determines whether the players can obtain this crucial information and at what cost.
The cost cannot be death directly (as is often the case in most of the myths from literature), but it could be a curse. Or you could have a follow-up test after the failed conflict and twist into a kill conflict after.
Note: by GM-planned, I mean designed into the dungeon as a blocking obstacle on the map–not railroading players into a riddle. The players should always have a choice for how they overcome an obstacle like these.
Some Obstacle Setups
The following are just the setups—the actual riddles (if the players engage with the obstacle as a riddle) would be revealed during the conflict.
How to Pass Through a Sealed Gate
Most riddles in ancient literature serve as literal gatekeepers–like the Sphinx. They serve as a rite of passage. They serve to filter out the unworthy.
“None pass without wisdom…”
Win: The sphinx reveals the way forward.
How to Bypass a Lethal Trap
Riddles can also be used to trade knowledge in an exchange to withhold information.
A soul-eating ghost is cursed to watch over a deadly trap. It wants them to perish in the trap, but also it is bored, nearly driven mad, and is still curious about the world.
“Have any news to barter or have you come to share the fate of the fallen…”
Win: They learn how to avoid or disarm the trap.
How to Defeat a Powerful Enemy
A shaman raises a dead soldier to question them about the Big Bad Guy, but the spirit is a malicious demon now and won’t give up answers so easily. Powerful adversaries want to learn about the adventures’ motives.
“I serve only the strong. All who seek power must first prove wit. Answer me, and I shall reveal the tyrant’s weakness.”
Win: The demon reveals the exact conflict weakness to defeat the enemy.
How to Find the Hidden Vault
Riddles can be like knowledge traps. Careful what you ask for.
A statue of Vafrudnir (or any trickster god like Loki) sits in the treasure room. The “treasure” is really a monster kept behind the door.
It speaks: “Answer true, and I shall reveal its path.”
Win: The idol reveals the exact location of the secret door and opening method; and, without compromise, reveals the monster too.
How to Lift a Curse
Riddles can also serve as a reminder of wrongs. Instead of just telling the lore, it is discovered piece by piece through the riddle’s answers.
A skeleton king of the Ylfarings, bound in chains, watches from a crumbling throne. It knows the ritual needed to remove the curse, but it wants the adventures to truly feel the suffering of his fallen people so they might grow to not repeat the same mistakes.
“Speak a riddle worthy of kings, and I shall answer in kind. Fail, and the curse will claim you as it has claimed me.”
Win: The king reveals the full ritual to lift the curse.
How to Learn an Ancient Spell
A voice from beyond an unmarked grave whispers as the characters approach: “The knowledge you seek is buried with me. Speak my name, and the secret is yours.”
Win: The spirit reveals the spell scroll.
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How else can a GM create a riddle obstacle?
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What are other riddle encounter types?