Forest of Elves: A D&D Puzzle

  • Type: Ability puzzle
  • Location: An elven forest
  • Difficulty: Easy

Background:

You and your party are traveling through a dense forest, searching for the entrance to an ancient elven city that is rumored to be hidden within its depths. You have been told that the entrance is guarded by a series of intricate puzzles that must be solved in order to gain access.

The Puzzle:

As you make your way through the forest, you come across a clearing with three paths leading off in different directions. Each path is marked with a wooden sign, each bearing a different symbol: a tree, a squirrel, and a bear.

You realize that these symbols must be the key to solving the puzzle, but you have no idea what they mean. As you stand there, trying to decide which path to take, a voice speaks to you from behind a nearby tree. “To find the entrance to the elven city, you must choose the correct path,” the voice says. “But be warned: only one path is the correct one, and the others are guarded by powerful magical traps. Choose wisely.”

  • The tree symbol represents the path of strength.
  • The bear symbol represents the path of endurance.
  • The squirrel symbol represents the path of wit and cunning.

Solution:

In fact, all paths lead to the elven city. But the elves are watching to see which path the players will take.

The tree symbol represents the path of strength, which is guarded by a trap that will summon a group of powerful elementals to attack the party. The bear symbol represents the path of endurance, which is guarded by a trap that will cause the ground to collapse beneath the party, plunging them into a deep pit filled with poisonous gas. The squirrel symbol represents the path of wit and cunning, which is guarded by a trap that will cause a group of illusions to appear and try to mislead the party. Following any path through the forest will leas to the elven city. But upon arrival the elves will know what sort of guests have entered their city and treat them accordingly.