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Runic Puzzle Door

Environments Designed by Aaelius
Tier
2
Type
Traversal
Difficulty
13
Impulses
Block Passage Prevent Access

Environment overview

Embedded in the stone door are three round cylinders, each with a different engraved rune, forming a single column.

Potential adversaries

—

Features

Passives

passive
  • Runic Lock

    Start a Progress Countdown (3) when the PCs approach the door. Each time a PC shifts a cylinder to the correct rune, the rune softly lights up and the countdown ticks down by 1. When the Countdown reaches 0, activate the Sinking Open Reaction.

  • Crack It Open

    To rotate the cylinders, a PC can make a Spellcast, Strength or Finesse roll. For each Scattered Clue they find, they gain advantage on one cylinder. On a failure with Fear, they must mark a Stress as they exert themselves in their attempt.

  • Scattered Clues

    Statues, stones and tiles on the path show runic symbols that correlate to the puzzle. If the PCs are actively seeking solutions, they can make a Knowledge or Instinct roll to notice one of these symbols.

    Questions
    • You notice a small object on the ground, half buried beneath the dirt. What is it about this object that caught your eye?
    • You realise one of the statues is cracked, holding only half an item in its hands. What is the item and where do you find the other half?
    • You feel one of the steps up to the door shift underneath your feet, loose and unsteady, like something is beneath it. Lifting it up, what do you find?

Actions

action
  • Jamming Cylinder
    Fear 1

    Spend a Fear to make one of the puzzle cylinders jammed. When a PC attempts to turn it, they roll with disadvantage and must mark an additional Stress if they fail.

Reactions

reaction
  • Sinking Open

    When the Runic Lock Progress Countdown reaches 0, the door opens, sinking into a slot in the ground.

About this environment

A locked puzzle door, blocking access to an ancient shrine. Embedded in the stone door are three round cylinders, each with a different engraved rune, forming a single column.

Runic Puzzle Door

Tier 2 Traversal

Embedded in the stone door are three round cylinders, each with a different engraved rune, forming a single column.

Impulses: Block Passage, Prevent Access

Difficulty: 13

Potential Adversaries: —

Features

Runic Lock - Passive: Start a Progress Countdown (3) when the PCs approach the door. Each time a PC shifts a cylinder to the correct rune, the rune softly lights up and the countdown ticks down by 1. When the Countdown reaches 0, activate the Sinking Open Reaction.

Crack It Open - Passive: To rotate the cylinders, a PC can make a Spellcast, Strength or Finesse roll. For each Scattered Clue they find, they gain advantage on one cylinder. On a failure with Fear, they must mark a Stress as they exert themselves in their attempt.
Scattered Clues - Passive: Statues, stones and tiles on the path show runic symbols that correlate to the puzzle. If the PCs are actively seeking solutions, they can make a Knowledge or Instinct roll to notice one of these symbols.
  • You notice a small object on the ground, half buried beneath the dirt. What is it about this object that caught your eye?
  • You realise one of the statues is cracked, holding only half an item in its hands. What is the item and where do you find the other half?
  • You feel one of the steps up to the door shift underneath your feet, loose and unsteady, like something is beneath it. Lifting it up, what do you find?
Jamming Cylinder - Action: Spend a Fear to make one of the puzzle cylinders jammed. When a PC attempts to turn it, they roll with disadvantage and must mark an additional Stress if they fail.

Sinking Open - Reaction: When the Runic Lock Progress Countdown reaches 0, the door opens, sinking into a slot in the ground.

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