Used this puzzle the other week on a one shot mission. I ended up having them collect most of the skulls by defeating zombies instead of having them lie around. When they completed the puzzle it opened the door to the necromancer's laboratory.
Oh good! Glad I could help. I hope to demonstrate ALL of the puzzles in Tasha's Cauldron someday. Although, at this rate, it might take a few years, lol.
Completely unrelated, but your Fire Genasi Fighter randomly inspired me to write a campaign where the players are forced to all be Genasi, one of each element. They can choose their Class and decide amongst themselves who will be which element. It will feature multiple puzzles/traps/encounters where one of the elements is required to solve/pass/defeat it, while the final encounter will be a boss/puzzle hybrid that requires all 4 elements to defeat. I'm sure something similar has been done in the past, but I'll certainly enjoy writing and running it.
I love this idea! Having each Genasi being a different element would be a blast! I could even see those of opposite elements (fire / water) occasionally bickering at each other, lol. Let me know how it goes (and what puzzles you use). I did this at one point, but used weapons. The end boss needed to be defeated by all four elements, so along the way, loot was in the form of elemental weapons. It was a fun ending when they realized these special weapons had extra meaning.
I am going to use it as sort of a security system. There is a set of free-hanging double doors with no locks. If the puzzle is not solved before opening the doors it awakes some sort of creature as a guardian/alarm. The proper residents have a necklace or other item that allows them passage without the need to enter the code. Perhaps invited visitors are given a answer. Maybe a certain solution is required for certain groups. ( this requires the most work, as you need to work out a few solutions)
Using the puzzle as an alarm / security system is a really good idea. You've already put a lot of thought into it. Be sure to let me know how it goes. Cheers!
fun puzzle. Good questions about how they would apply later in the place if at all. Could be that the layout of the stars is a constellation, and later there will be a room where the stars can be pressed in, and it is those 2 stars that weren't used that need to be pressed to open up, or get out of a trap, or open the correct passage.
I really dig that constellation Idea! I've been wanting to do a constellation puzzle for some time now... this would be a fun idea. Thank you, my friend. Cheers!
Im running a campaign currently where the PCs are tracking down some of the Orbs of Dragonkind. I can use this to give them a map to their next target and the Dwarven version of the Orbs history. Thanks for all you do Wally, your channel is really helping me make my players think creatively
Oh neat-o! I'm glad this is something you can use. Also, no problem at all! It's always good to hear that my channel is helping folks with ideas for their games. Thank you for that, I appreciate it. Cheers Zachary!
So I stopped the video and solved it. Then you came back with a different setup in solving it. Glad you added one of the ways to solve it; I thought I had possibly made a mistake, lol. Since it's celestial, I would use different ways to solve it this way. I would recommend using the gods of your characters in your world. Besides the item, the characters may need, grant one of them a minor boon from the appropriate God they worship attached to how the puzzle is solved. Whichever way they put the pieces on the board would be who gets the boon from their God.
Ah yes, there are multiple solutions. The one I presented was the one in the book. I like your idea of including deities and boons. Well done, my friend!
Good video. I ran it exactly as the book laid it out. It was a key to finding a lore dump and some item to aid them. Alas though I was hoping this would be one of your puzzles and was excited to see the video in my notifications only to watch as a Tashas puzzle unfolded :( lol Edited for typo corrections
Haha! Sorry to disappoint Spencer, lol. No worries at all... I will be working on new puzzle and trap videos very soon! The next Trap will be a fun one, for sure. Stay tuned! Thank you for your continued support... On to the next!
Always could put all the 💀in the bottom of a pit trap model.... or you could do a light puzzle with the light coming out of the 💀eyes. Kind of jack-o-lantern style. .... could incorporate colors. Red 💀plus blue light candel inside makes green light.
I gotto say this puzzle was a bit confusing to start with, but the whole thing grew on me as I watched it a second time. The number of skulls placed in a row reminded me a bit of sudoku, and maybe I will try something similar one day. Great video as always! Not sure what I would use the skulls for other than death save trackers maybe?
Hmmm. It does remind me a bit of sudoku, good call. Yeah... it's a bit of a confusing puzzle, for sure and the riddle was a bit wonky. Thanx for watching Prippy! Cheers!
those skull could be used to represent the flameskull, the skeletons, a swarm of hands/skulls? About how I would use those "celestials" hmm I think I'll go as advisors, to drop hints further in the dungeon, and others maybe a little playfull and shout at them for entering in their realm. Depending on their own personality, for example
Some great ideas here for sure. I have never used a flameskull before. Seems like an opportunity awaits. I am really glad you are making your way through all of the puzzle videos. Hope you are enjoying them. I appreciate the comments M Mar. :-) Cheers!
there's actually quite a few different permutations to this, which is kind of odd. What I do find interesting is col 2 interaction. because there's only 1 skull in each direction on row 4, it actually makes an interesting "lock" on the stars. if the bottom left is filled, the other two stars are empty, which means all other stars are filled, because there's 6, and removing 2 means the rest must be filled, which enables you to fill the pattern around it. similarly, if the skull is in row 1/col 2, that eliminates 2 stars, and fills in the pattern around it. if it's in row 2, it also eliminates 2 stars, and fills in the pattern around it. if it's in row 3, you have to guess where it goes in row 4, of which most variations lead to a solution
Ah yes, the book does mention being more than one solution. Hmmm... I wonder how many total? Thank you for mapping this out Sentinel! Now... On to the next!
@@WallyDM I sat down and tested it, there are 5 total permutations. I'll post a screenshot in Discord interestingly, in all permutations, row 2, column 2 is never filled with a skull, which could lead to an interesting return to the puzzle, possibly like the prismatic owl 2 puzzle, where the 5 different versions lead to a different path, and it's only when they get back do they need to lift up the tile and expose something underneath it.
@@Sentinel851 having multiple solutions is probably intentional. It doesn't make as much sense in world (not that this type of puzzle by itself really makes any sense in world), but it makes it a lot easier, and therefore less frustrating, for the players. It's also easy in a way that most players won't realize -- they'll think they are super smart for finding the "only" solution, without ever realizing there were 4 other ways to get there.
You have really high quality content in your videos a am a returning fan, I find many of the very popular youtube DMS actually have trash content with little to no use, if you type in campaign ideas fro example and watch some of the top vids most are not good. I have bought your book today hoping for similar quality:)
Thank you Krootmen, that is one heck of a compliment, I really appreciate it. Welcome to the channel, glad to have you here. Also... thanks for picking up a copy of my book. I hope you are able to use a ton of ideas from it. Looking forward to chatting with you in the comments again soon. Cheers!
Hello Wally, I have watched this video twice now and I still don't get it, lol. To early in the morning, I guess. The skulls are great, I want them for death marker's, (where a dead body lays). It would make it difficult terrain. Thanks Wally you have a wonderful day!
Good morning Matt... The more I dig into the puzzles from Tasha's Cauldron, the less I like them. Don't worry about not getting it. Heck, I demonstrated the puzzle in the video and I still don't understand parts of it. lol. Thank you, as always, for watching Matt. I appreciate it. Enjoy your morning, Cheers!
@@WallyDM I get it now, watched your video for a third time. Didn't realize the numbers where out of order. I watched the video on my phone, small screen and needing more coffee. Have a good one Wally!
This seems like a very "video-gamey" puzzle. WHY would it be there in a tabletop? Now, maybe those who play loads of video game RPG's may not care, but others would be like "WTH is this even doing here?"
My thoughts exactly. This is why I think designing puzzles and traps for a dungeon is incredibly hard - much harder than one might think. If you approach the topic with the "it's a series of tests to see who is the better Indiana Jones" then sure, why not. If the trap is actually supposed to guard something or prevent someone from going further - why the hell would there be any text that helps you solve it? Why would it be that convoluted?
@@Lathlaer I think the only thing that makes sense is "A wizard has a test for his student." type of thing. Why would he KILL the student over wrong answers is another weird hiccup.
I hadn't really thought about a consequence for the incorrect alignment. Putting some thought into it, I'd probably go with some type of a Curse that is bestowed upon. Any thoughts on what you would do? Cheers Robbe!
This entire thing is a trap. As soon as all of the skulls are placed, skeletons pop out under them and they spring to life attacking the PCs. This was meant for stupid adventurers that are always going around solving puzzles and stealing everything. lol
I think putting stars on 4 of the skulls would make the puzzle a little easier.
That is a brilliant idea. Then we can get rid of the riddle / inscription entirely. Well done!
Used this puzzle the other week on a one shot mission. I ended up having them collect most of the skulls by defeating zombies instead of having them lie around. When they completed the puzzle it opened the door to the necromancer's laboratory.
Great idea on having the characters collect the skulls. That definitely adds a layer of fun to it. Well done Rose. I dig it. :-)
Oh, I love this idea! Thank you!
Thanks, I'm blind so I can't read the books, this helps a lot, and I'll use this puzzle.
Oh good! Glad I could help. I hope to demonstrate ALL of the puzzles in Tasha's Cauldron someday. Although, at this rate, it might take a few years, lol.
Completely unrelated, but your Fire Genasi Fighter randomly inspired me to write a campaign where the players are forced to all be Genasi, one of each element. They can choose their Class and decide amongst themselves who will be which element. It will feature multiple puzzles/traps/encounters where one of the elements is required to solve/pass/defeat it, while the final encounter will be a boss/puzzle hybrid that requires all 4 elements to defeat.
I'm sure something similar has been done in the past, but I'll certainly enjoy writing and running it.
I love this idea! Having each Genasi being a different element would be a blast! I could even see those of opposite elements (fire / water) occasionally bickering at each other, lol. Let me know how it goes (and what puzzles you use).
I did this at one point, but used weapons. The end boss needed to be defeated by all four elements, so along the way, loot was in the form of elemental weapons. It was a fun ending when they realized these special weapons had extra meaning.
I am going to use it as sort of a security system. There is a set of free-hanging double doors with no locks. If the puzzle is not solved before opening the doors it awakes some sort of creature as a guardian/alarm. The proper residents have a necklace or other item that allows them passage without the need to enter the code. Perhaps invited visitors are given a answer. Maybe a certain solution is required for certain groups. ( this requires the most work, as you need to work out a few solutions)
Using the puzzle as an alarm / security system is a really good idea. You've already put a lot of thought into it. Be sure to let me know how it goes. Cheers!
fun puzzle. Good questions about how they would apply later in the place if at all. Could be that the layout of the stars is a constellation, and later there will be a room where the stars can be pressed in, and it is those 2 stars that weren't used that need to be pressed to open up, or get out of a trap, or open the correct passage.
I really dig that constellation Idea! I've been wanting to do a constellation puzzle for some time now... this would be a fun idea. Thank you, my friend. Cheers!
Im running a campaign currently where the PCs are tracking down some of the Orbs of Dragonkind. I can use this to give them a map to their next target and the Dwarven version of the Orbs history. Thanks for all you do Wally, your channel is really helping me make my players think creatively
Oh neat-o! I'm glad this is something you can use. Also, no problem at all! It's always good to hear that my channel is helping folks with ideas for their games. Thank you for that, I appreciate it. Cheers Zachary!
So I stopped the video and solved it. Then you came back with a different setup in solving it. Glad you added one of the ways to solve it; I thought I had possibly made a mistake, lol. Since it's celestial, I would use different ways to solve it this way. I would recommend using the gods of your characters in your world. Besides the item, the characters may need, grant one of them a minor boon from the appropriate God they worship attached to how the puzzle is solved. Whichever way they put the pieces on the board would be who gets the boon from their God.
Ah yes, there are multiple solutions. The one I presented was the one in the book. I like your idea of including deities and boons. Well done, my friend!
Good video. I ran it exactly as the book laid it out. It was a key to finding a lore dump and some item to aid them. Alas though I was hoping this would be one of your puzzles and was excited to see the video in my notifications only to watch as a Tashas puzzle unfolded :( lol
Edited for typo corrections
Haha! Sorry to disappoint Spencer, lol. No worries at all... I will be working on new puzzle and trap videos very soon! The next Trap will be a fun one, for sure. Stay tuned! Thank you for your continued support... On to the next!
Always could put all the 💀in the bottom of a pit trap model.... or you could do a light puzzle with the light coming out of the 💀eyes. Kind of jack-o-lantern style. .... could incorporate colors. Red 💀plus blue light candel inside makes green light.
These are some groovy ideas. I like the light ideas. thank you Chuck!
Put a few skulls on a bamboo skewer, add a base, and you have Indiana Jones style cannibal totem markers.
Oh nice! I dig it. I might do that sorta crafty thing someday. Thanx for the recommendation. Cheers!
I gotto say this puzzle was a bit confusing to start with, but the whole thing grew on me as I watched it a second time. The number of skulls placed in a row reminded me a bit of sudoku, and maybe I will try something similar one day. Great video as always! Not sure what I would use the skulls for other than death save trackers maybe?
Hmmm. It does remind me a bit of sudoku, good call. Yeah... it's a bit of a confusing puzzle, for sure and the riddle was a bit wonky. Thanx for watching Prippy! Cheers!
@@WallyDM it's actually somewhat like a Nonogram, which is neat.
Interesting puzzle
I didn’t get it but that’s ok
4 stars are 4 dwarfs that are brought back to life when the puzzle is solved
Yes... bringing back the 4 dwarves is a nice touch... hopefully they aren't evil dwarves! lol. Cheers Rivers!
those skull could be used to represent the flameskull, the skeletons, a swarm of hands/skulls?
About how I would use those "celestials" hmm I think I'll go as advisors, to drop hints further in the dungeon, and others maybe a little playfull and shout at them for entering in their realm. Depending on their own personality, for example
Some great ideas here for sure. I have never used a flameskull before. Seems like an opportunity awaits. I am really glad you are making your way through all of the puzzle videos. Hope you are enjoying them. I appreciate the comments M Mar. :-) Cheers!
@@WallyDM yes, little by little, easier to go in number order, than jumping around, Thank you very much, i'm enjoying them
there's actually quite a few different permutations to this, which is kind of odd.
What I do find interesting is col 2 interaction. because there's only 1 skull in each direction on row 4, it actually makes an interesting "lock" on the stars. if the bottom left is filled, the other two stars are empty, which means all other stars are filled, because there's 6, and removing 2 means the rest must be filled, which enables you to fill the pattern around it.
similarly, if the skull is in row 1/col 2, that eliminates 2 stars, and fills in the pattern around it.
if it's in row 2, it also eliminates 2 stars, and fills in the pattern around it.
if it's in row 3, you have to guess where it goes in row 4, of which most variations lead to a solution
Ah yes, the book does mention being more than one solution. Hmmm... I wonder how many total? Thank you for mapping this out Sentinel! Now... On to the next!
@@WallyDM I sat down and tested it, there are 5 total permutations. I'll post a screenshot in Discord
interestingly, in all permutations, row 2, column 2 is never filled with a skull, which could lead to an interesting return to the puzzle, possibly like the prismatic owl 2 puzzle, where the 5 different versions lead to a different path, and it's only when they get back do they need to lift up the tile and expose something underneath it.
@@Sentinel851 having multiple solutions is probably intentional. It doesn't make as much sense in world (not that this type of puzzle by itself really makes any sense in world), but it makes it a lot easier, and therefore less frustrating, for the players. It's also easy in a way that most players won't realize -- they'll think they are super smart for finding the "only" solution, without ever realizing there were 4 other ways to get there.
You have really high quality content in your videos a am a returning fan, I find many of the very popular youtube DMS actually have trash content with little to no use, if you type in campaign ideas fro example and watch some of the top vids most are not good. I have bought your book today hoping for similar quality:)
Thank you Krootmen, that is one heck of a compliment, I really appreciate it. Welcome to the channel, glad to have you here. Also... thanks for picking up a copy of my book. I hope you are able to use a ton of ideas from it. Looking forward to chatting with you in the comments again soon. Cheers!
Hello Wally, I have watched this video twice now and I still don't get it, lol. To early in the morning, I guess. The skulls are great, I want them for death marker's, (where a dead body lays). It would make it difficult terrain.
Thanks Wally you have a wonderful day!
Good morning Matt... The more I dig into the puzzles from Tasha's Cauldron, the less I like them. Don't worry about not getting it. Heck, I demonstrated the puzzle in the video and I still don't understand parts of it. lol.
Thank you, as always, for watching Matt. I appreciate it. Enjoy your morning, Cheers!
@@WallyDM I get it now, watched your video for a third time. Didn't realize the numbers where out of order. I watched the video on my phone, small screen and needing more coffee.
Have a good one Wally!
Once you showed me the answer I felt hella dumb
Ya know, to be honest, I didn't get it either when I first read it, lol. Cheers Garrett!
A puzzle that I can't figure out, lol.
No worries... It's a Tasha's puzzle so it's unnecessarily harder than Wally puzzles. :-)
This seems like a very "video-gamey" puzzle. WHY would it be there in a tabletop? Now, maybe those who play loads of video game RPG's may not care, but others would be like "WTH is this even doing here?"
My thoughts exactly. This is why I think designing puzzles and traps for a dungeon is incredibly hard - much harder than one might think. If you approach the topic with the "it's a series of tests to see who is the better Indiana Jones" then sure, why not.
If the trap is actually supposed to guard something or prevent someone from going further - why the hell would there be any text that helps you solve it? Why would it be that convoluted?
@@Lathlaer I think the only thing that makes sense is "A wizard has a test for his student." type of thing. Why would he KILL the student over wrong answers is another weird hiccup.
What would you have happen when they do it incorrectly?
I hadn't really thought about a consequence for the incorrect alignment. Putting some thought into it, I'd probably go with some type of a Curse that is bestowed upon. Any thoughts on what you would do? Cheers Robbe!
This entire thing is a trap. As soon as all of the skulls are placed, skeletons pop out under them and they spring to life attacking the PCs. This was meant for stupid adventurers that are always going around solving puzzles and stealing everything. lol
I dig it. That is definitely improving this puzzle, for sure! Lol!
@@WallyDM "dig it" I see what you did there.