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Post by joatmoniac on Apr 9, 2018 23:53:57 GMT
This exercise's title is a play on the famous Star Trek line.
It's treasure map time!! For this one we will mix in a bit of this and that. Step one we will be answering questions 1 through 5 to kick things off. The next person can take over question 6. Rinse Repeat!
1. How was the map made?
(materials used, language used, etc)
2. How was the map found?
(deep in a dungeon, in a safe, on a monster, etc)
3. Who made the map?
(pretty straightforward)
4. What does the map lead to?
(magic, knowledge, another map, etc)
5. Why did the maker of the map want a map to the hidden thing?
(lure people in, see who could do it, etc)
6. What is the “twist” to following the map? (With this we are trying to say what makes it hard to follow and/or wrong to follow? What is the “aha!” moment that makes it a satisfying puzzle to solve? Or what is the “oh noes!” moment that makes following it a satisfying drama? This helps make it more than just a point A to point B.)
Lets get to it!
1. The map was made into the inner binding of a book. The information inside of it is pertinent to the players, but a search of the book may find that the inner binding will come up and reveal the map.
2. The book was in the hands of a group of ogres. It stood out because the creatures typically can't read.
3. The map was made by an old elven wizard who knew they would never again see their home and cache of magical horde.
4. The map leads back to a tower that is heavily guarded against many things.
5. They knew that the secrets and power that they held would be of use to other goodly people of the world.
6. This one is up to the next person!!
And with that, off we go!
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Post by rorrik on Apr 10, 2018 17:32:40 GMT
Lets get to it! 1. The map was made into the inner binding of a book. The information inside of it is pertinent to the players, but a search of the book may find that the inner binding will come up and reveal the map. 2. The book was in the hands of a group of ogres. It stood out because the creatures typically can't read. 3. The map was made by an old elven wizard who knew they would never again see their home and cache of magical horde. 4. The map leads back to a tower that is heavily guarded against many things. 5. They knew that the secrets and power that they held would be of use to other goodly people of the world. 6. This one is up to the next person!! 6. There was a student of the wizard who made the map. Turned to evil and rejected by his teacher, he was completely disinherited from his legacy and disgraced among members of that wizard order. Desperate to have the wizard’s treasures, which he believes belong to him, he inserted some of his consciousness into the book he learned was a sort of guide to his teacher’s horde. This consciousness helped him to obtain the book, which he gave to the ogres so he could direct them personally in the search for his teacher’s hidden tower. If the party finds the map, it will be news to the disowned student. Whether they do or not, he will manipulate the text in the book to try to guide them in finding the tower so he can follow them there. His help will not be without pitfalls, since he will want to make the way hard enough that they do not find it without casualties so he can more easily deal with them upon his personal arrival at the spot. (Writing a twist for a map in a book reminded me of Beyonders, anyone read it? I only read the first, but a very nice treasure map with a twist, though the end turned me off reading any more.) Next challenge map: 1. The map is on an old vellum sheet aged to the point that the writing (gnomish) is almost unreadable and the map itself is faint. Markings on the map indicate landmarks known to those with an historical knowledge of the region, but it is incomprehensible that the mountains so marked ever related to each other in this way. The confusion is because it is a drawing from the location of the destination, not a map at all. 2. The drawing was found clutched in the fist of the maker’s skeleton, entombed beneath the fortress he built in life, still used as a center of government. 3. The maker of the map was one of several champions that long ago won a great victory and locked away a hidden vault in the wake thereof. 4. The map leads to this vault, or at least to a point near it where the next clue can be found using the writing on the map. 5. The maker of the map hoped that an era of peace would be ushered in by their actions and that the things in the vault would never be needed again, but he was not naive. He created the map such that in a time of sufficient desperation the vault could be found and the contents used to again protect the gnomish people. |
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Post by 00dlez on Apr 10, 2018 20:04:52 GMT
Next challenge map: 1. The map is on an old vellum sheet aged to the point that the writing (gnomish) is almost unreadable and the map itself is faint. Markings on the map indicate landmarks known to those with an historical knowledge of the region, but it is incomprehensible that the mountains so marked ever related to each other in this way. The confusion is because it is a drawing from the location of the destination, not a map at all. 2. The drawing was found clutched in the fist of the maker’s skeleton, entombed beneath the fortress he built in life, still used as a center of government. 3. The maker of the map was one of several champions that long ago won a great victory and locked away a hidden vault in the wake thereof. 4. The map leads to this vault, or at least to a point near it where the next clue can be found using the writing on the map. 5. The maker of the map hoped that an era of peace would be ushered in by their actions and that the things in the vault would never be needed again, but he was not naive. He created the map such that in a time of sufficient desperation the vault could be found and the contents used to again protect the gnomish people. 6. In instructional volumes on the use of the powerful weapons the map leads to, the maker makes it clear that great personal sacrifice from the weapon wielders is required. Unlike arcane or divine magics that fuel weapons more "common", these weapons feed on the very life force of their wielders. Once weapons are attuned, there is a very specific time frame to accomplish the restoration of peace, or the wielders will die and the weapons will go dormant forever. My turn: 1. The map was drawn on a piece of leather, somewhat foreign to the touch - unlikely something identifiable by the players (see below) - with invisible ink. The map is revealed only when cows blood (about a pint in total) is brushed over the surface. 2. The map, having been inscribed on leather, was one of the very few things to survive the damaging fires at the Temple of Taxho* about a century ago. 3. The makers were the last of a small, estranged cult - divergent from Chauntea - who believed that through ritual sacrifice of cattle they could bring forth their own demi-god, half-bull half man god of cattle and war (Similar to Exalted's Ahlat - Unable to really find anything similar in DnD canon...)4. A hidden temple in the badland foot hills. The temple is prepared, stocked, and ready for "the final sacrifice" 5. Their work was certainly looked down upon by many - either as blasphemous, unnatural, appalling, evil, or any combination thereof. Many try to stop or destroy the cult as a result. It was decided that the world was perhaps not yet ready and they would become dormant until a more appropriate time. |
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Post by kdogthelegendary on Apr 12, 2018 2:35:06 GMT
The map was scribbled on the side of a wall deep within the Howling Caverns by a dying elvish pirate. It is written in elvish script with her own blood, for she could not let her legacy become lost to time. The map leads to the lost treasure of The Princes of the Wind, a legendary pirate crew who were once the terror of the seas. It contains some of the most powerful artifacts they found, as well as a small history of their exploits. Whoever finds the treasure will become captain of the New Princes and reclaim their place as rulers of the ocean. The twist that with this hook is that the party quickly learns that they are not the only ones who have discovered the lost treasure, and they must race to claim it before their rivals.
(I condensed it into a few sentences, sorry if you don't like that formatting here)
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Post by rorrik on Apr 16, 2018 19:29:46 GMT
Y'all had your chance. I can't stop myself anymore. My turn: 1. The map was drawn on a piece of leather, somewhat foreign to the touch - unlikely something identifiable by the players (see below) - with invisible ink. The map is revealed only when cows blood (about a pint in total) is brushed over the surface. 2. The map, having been inscribed on leather, was one of the very few things to survive the damaging fires at the Temple of Taxho* about a century ago. 3. The makers were the last of a small, estranged cult - divergent from Chauntea - who believed that through ritual sacrifice of cattle they could bring forth their own demi-god, half-bull half man god of cattle and war (Similar to Exalted's Ahlat - Unable to really find anything similar in DnD canon...)4. A hidden temple in the badland foot hills. The temple is prepared, stocked, and ready for "the final sacrifice" 5. Their work was certainly looked down upon by many - either as blasphemous, unnatural, appalling, evil, or any combination thereof. Many try to stop or destroy the cult as a result. It was decided that the world was perhaps not yet ready and they would become dormant until a more appropriate time. 6. What is the twist? With over a century since the map's creation and, unluckily, two hundred-year-storms in the badland foot hills during that time, the courses of many rivers have been changed and the secret temple entrance is completely under water and half under silt. These changes will make the map hard to follow, and even if followed successfully, it will lead to a place where the door cannot possibly exist. If the players are successful in accessing the temple, which is remarkably well-preserved and still ready for the final sacrifice. If they choose to perform this rite, the demi-god will appear and favor them greatly, provided they have available a willing woman to become his first mortal bride, otherwise he will be enraged and destructive. And the seed for the next person:1. How was the map made? The map was made by a famous portrait painter and renaissance man who was friend to the first and last king of Evenhall. He made it at the king's direction by painting certain portions of the king's portrait heavily enough to bleed through to the back of the canvas. As a result, the map on the back is a reflection left to right of the actual map. 2. How was the map found? The portrait still hangs in the war room of the palace of the Council of Evenhall, the Silver Tower. It was discovered to hide a map when a young general looked down at the map on the war room table and then, looking longingly at the ancient hero king, noticed the strange way that his pose matched the features of the map. 3. Who made the map? Gilder Velenthall made the map at the behest of King Risette. 4. What does the map lead to? A cryptic note found among Gilder's many works and dated the day the portrait was finished has long been discussed among scholars. "You have but to look to the posture of the king to know the way to the altar of the god of kings." The altar has long been sought after by kings to find the inhuman strength and wisdom King Risette possessed in life, attributed to a blessing from the god of kings. The nature of the map makes clear the meaning of the note. The map must lead to the altar. 5. Why did the maker of the map want a map to the hidden thing? King Risette understood that he had succeeded in founding a kingdom well ahead of its time, but he worried that if his heirs continued to have the superior power and intellect he enjoyed, they would begin to encroach on the freedom of his people and consider themselves superior. Rather than tell them of the altar, he kept its location a secret and upon his death abolished the monarchy and put in place a Council governed by an immutable law of the land. He knew, however, that eventually enemies might arrive or his government might become corrupt and that eventually there would be a desperation sufficient to need the altar's power again. At that time, he hoped someone would arise to follow his map and save the people. 6 is left to the next person. |
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Post by phos on May 23, 2018 7:30:35 GMT
Here It goes.
6) The map doesn't actually lead any where. There is no alter. "You have but to look to the to the posture of the King to know the way to the alter of the God of Kings." This is true. Every choice King Risette made helped him become the king he was. The map does not lead to the alter, but reveals the alter. To follow the map is to enter a gauntlet which will reveal ones true character. Every choice and action made along the journey the map lays out teaches or challenges. At the very end of the journey is a simple dais, unadorned, covered in moss and worn from centuries of weather. Once ascended, only the soul that has proven worthy will receive the blessing's of King Risette and and the gods and BECOME the alter of the King of Gods.
And the Seed:
(This one is dedicated to Origami-Samurai)
1. The map was made from paper sourced from Sweet-grain grown in the terraced water paddys of Utz-lan-Dri. Measuring 10'x10', the map was meticulously and intricately folded and lacquered, again and again, and formed into a scabbard.
2. The map can only be revealed when the blood of its owner dissolves the lacquer that binds it and it unfurls like a blossom.
3. The map leads to Ard; one of the greatest sword masters (and poets) who has ever lived.
4. She only takes on one student at a time, and will only train some one that has defeated one of her own. When a creature brings her a map, she will train them, and in the process, with their assistance, forge them a blade, and create their sheath. Once she has finished training a student, she will send them away, and abandon the location. The map secreted into their scabbard only leading to the location of her next home.
5. Ard is a stoic being. And a prideful one. In her eyes, her knowledge should only belong to those who are capable. And the only capable students are those who those who can defeat her training, will defend that training with theirs lives, and truly value the choice one makes when they decide to draw their blade.
6. AND ON TO THE NEXT PERSON!
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captaindialup
Commoner
Posts: 19
Favorite D&D Class: Artificer
Favorite D&D Race: Kobold
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Post by captaindialup on May 29, 2018 0:52:00 GMT
6. What is the “twist” to following the map?
After a number of years, Ard succumb to age and passed. The next person to find her(and read her journal) is tasked to take her place and keep her tradition, a tradition she dedicated her life towards, alive.
1. How was the map made?
Tattoo ink, a little magic, and a steady hand.
2. How was the map found?
On the back of a adventuring man who grew up not knowing his parents.
3. Who made the map?
A mystical artist and the adventurer's father.
4. What does the map lead to?
It's the journey the father took to becoming the man he was, finishing with a chest containing an inheritance.
5. Why did the maker of the map want a map to the hidden thing?
The rest of the father's family is seen as greedy layabouts and hoped his lost son could be better.
6. NEXT!
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Post by dmvegas on Jun 5, 2018 23:33:56 GMT
6. What is the "twist" to following the map?
Only a person related to the adventurers father can see the magic ink
1. How was the map made?
The map as written in gnomish on a piece of parchament that tells you how many tiles to walk and in which direction
2. How was the map found?
The map was found on the body of a dead gnome
3. Who made the map?
The dead gnome, Alvin Cogsbottom
4. Where does the map lead to?
The map leads to the entrance of a mirror maze and how to navigat it. At the end of the maze is the gnomes treasure beause he doesn't trust banks.
5. Why did the maker of the map want a map to the hidden thing?
So he could easaly navigate the mirror maze
6. What is the "twist" to following the map?
The trick is that the map was drawn while looking at it through a mirror so once inside the dungeon, every thing onit beomes reversed and appears the right way. The location of the dungeon is written normaly.
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Post by letterlost on Jun 7, 2020 1:34:03 GMT
6. first, I will add a small twist to DM Neal and DM Josh’s tooth map.
The tooth is haunted by the ghost of the pirate who carved it. They will try to make small changes to the map stamp, activate traps guarding the treasure (which may have otherwise been avoided), and once the treasure is found will try to possess a PC. The ghost may only be permanently killed with the peg-leg + tooth= axe.
Speaking of ghosts …
1. How was the map made?
It is an astral compass magically tied to the treasure by the creators will, a will which now resides (but not rest) inside the compass.
It is a small glass orb of thick glass placed inside a music box made of bone, the sphere cannot be removed without destroying the music box. Upon inspection the glass sphere contains constantly shifting mist, but music does not play unless you turn the gear. Depending on how many times you turn, that many people are pulled into the ethereal plane for 1 minute. Inside the Ethereal plane they are surrounded by mist, but after 6 seconds the mist in one direction takes the form of giant hands and push open a tunnel like path in one direction. Along the path you can see the shadow of the material plane you are passing through, after 1 minute the music ends and you exit the ethereal plane the exact distance and direction traveled, with the knowledge of the direction the open path led.
2. How was the map found?
A bandit captain has it, they have been using it to get out of trouble. When he falls below ½ hp he uses it to try and run, turning it too many times in his haste and pulling a PC into the ethereal plane with him.
Successful history or arcana check will identify the orb as an astral compass and will be able to determine the direction it points (which is unsurprisingly the direction the ethereal path leads). The identify spell will reveal that it is a sort of magical map and has a soul inside, as well as being able to Etherealness (always with only one path available as before) 1 person per turn of the gear up to 8 people per day.
3. Who made the map?
Captain Rusur Usara, a githyanki pirate captain. She crashed into the material plane to escape pursuers, her Astral ship (the ships name is a gith phrase meaning "biting the hand that gives to you" which she roughly translates to “Aggressive Goose” in common, it is fashioned to resemble a goose) becoming damaged. Leaving the ship to find supplies for repairs, she first magically tied the astral compass to the ship.
When she discovered those who hunter her were close at hand, and she felt her end was near, she built the box out of her own bones, placed her voice on a musical gear, and tied her ghost (soul) to the compass (she’s hard core like that). The etherealness ability is linked to the etherealness ability of her ghost.
Upon returning to the ship the music box plays of its own accord for 1 full minute, upon completion the ghost stands before them holding the box. She offers them to join her crew, if they accept she will instruct them in the repairs and guide them through the astral sea. The Captain may use the music box to take physical form for one minute up to 8x/day.
4. What does the map lead to?
A damaged ship. If repaired is capable of conjuring an astral wave, which will sweep the ship into to the astral sea where it may be sailed.
5. Why did the maker of the map want a map to the hidden thing?
Initially to find her way back to the ship, Later so that she may be taken back to the ship by others who are able to follow her instructions (such as a new crew).
6. What is the “twist” to following the map?
How about, you tell me.
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Post by dmslythytoves on Jun 11, 2020 18:23:40 GMT
6. Should the party follow the instructions provided by Captain Usara, the Aggressive Goose will regain it's full function. However, due to the many years of proximity and use by a powerful psionic crew, the ship begins to emit a trackable psychic signature. The ancient foe that had pursued the Aggressive Goose to it's destruction will once again begin their hunt. The party faces a threefold choice: flee and gather as much wealth and fame before being caught, create the best situation to fight and gain immense wealth and power, or simply jump ship...or a combination of any and all! ------------------------------------------- 1. How was the map made? The map is a confusing collection of items and perspective. If one positions themselves into exactly the correct spot and looks at just the correct angle at just the correct time of day, a symbol can be spotted in the workshop of a high priest of Necris (Created in DM-Nastics 118 by DMdanielsan and discussed in podcast DM-Nastics 138). When sequenced, these symbols provide directions to items of great power. 2. How was the map found? After the high priest passed away, her workshop was left exactly as it was so acolytes could study the layout and arrangement of tools. One such acolyte, a timid young rock gnome priest named Muldrith, attempted to follow the routine of the high priest, and discovered the symbols, noting them down as he went. His excitement grew as he recognized an old form of Deep-Gnomish, and directions to a hidden room previously unknown to exist in the temple. 3. Who made the map? The elaborate map was fabricated by Crannock Forgehammer, the late high priest of Necris. 4. What does the map lead to? There is a secret room hidden deep in the storerooms of the temple. Within the room are an enchanted set of tools that are capable of imbuing the items they craft with the divine power of Necris. These magic items are able to create single elements of more complex creations: cogs, springs, fuel, etc. 5. Why did the maker of the map want a map to the hidden thing? With great power, comes great...invention. High Priest Crannock had used these tools for many years, but recognized the risk of letting the power of such creation to fall into foolish hands that might use them for personal or misaligned purposes. 6. What is the "twist" to following the map? |
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