The Einstein Collection Lock Puzzle - Tricky padlock brain game - 3D Brain Teaser Puzzles by Professor Puzzle.

Product Information

Yan, H. S. & Kuo, C. H. Topological representations and characteristics of variable kinematic joints. J. Mech. Des. 128(2), 384–391 (2006). Dong, J., Shi, K., Zhang, Y., Tenigeer & Yao, Y. A. Mechanism analysis of ancient Chinese crossbows. Mech. Sci. 11, 437–445 (2020). During a spelljamming adventure, the party finds a planet that is almost nothing but water, except for a large flooded structure. Venturing inside, they discover that navigating the various large chambers here is practically impossible, as different routes are engulfed with deep water. One of your party will likely spot some valves that can be turned to lower or raise the water levels of each chamber. Kuo, C. H. Structural Characteristics of Mechanisms with Variable Topologies 17–25 (Verlag Dr. Muller, 2008). For example, a customer wants a potion to help them swim in a frozen lake without feeling cold. The party grabs a potion of Diving and a potion of Campfire and combines them to get the effects of underwater breathing and cold resistance. For a sillier approach to that potion puzzle, perhaps they combine a fishy potion and a potion of hot sauce to give the customer temporary gills and a sensation of having their mouth on fire to keep them warm.

Dungeons & Dragons has something for everyone, from those just starting to experts. You can battle monsters, plunge through dungeons or simply hang out at the local tavern. No matter what your players enjoy in a session, it's always good to have variety.

Resources

Hommel, R. P. China at Work: An Illustrated Record of the Primitive Industries of China’s Masses, Whose Life is Toil, and Thus an Account of Chinese Civilization (The John Day Company, 1937). DnD 5E puzzles often involve lots of discussion between the players about how to solve them. This puzzle uses that to your advantage, so this is an excellent option if you have a talkative group. The party finds themselves in a room full of sliding doors and deadly gadgets, such as spinning blades and swinging axes. It seems almost impossible to get past, and as the players begin to discuss their options, they notice that some of the traps stop and particular doors open. As they discuss further, the traps activate again, and different doors slide open and close.

Yan, H. S. & Kuo, C. H. Representations and identifications of structural and motion state characteristics of mechanisms with variable topologies. Trans. Can. Soc. Mech. Eng. 30(1), 19–40 (2006). These valves can be removed and attached to different systems, but the players only have access to a limited amount of them. They must work together to navigate these chambers. They might raise the water levels to push a floating platform up high. They might drain a room of water to allow them to reach a doorway they couldn't hold their breath long enough to get to before. This is a potentially deadly maze if the party isn't cautious with what valves to turn. You can lob an extra twist onto this puzzle by having the maze shift and change while they are navigating it. The places they went through before are now different. The solution for reaching the exit could be a variety of things. Perhaps they need to note the different stone pathways that lead to various structures within the maze. Find them all, and the path to the exit will reveal itself. Each side of the party has information that the others need. But, they need to communicate with gestures and charades if they want any chance for their friends to understand what they are trying to get across. Hsiao, K. H. & Chen, Y. H. Structural analysis of water lifting devices with gears in ancient China. Trans. Can. Soc. Mech. Eng. 40(4), 607–617 (2016).This is a fun, simple puzzle you could include in any dungeon or other location where the party gets split up. The rooms that they are in are full of magic, hindering their ability to communicate with one another. They cannot speak directly, but they can still see one another. This might be through a magical mirror on one side of the room, or perhaps some of the party appear as ghostly forms around their friends. As the party navigates a mysterious mansion, they enter a room full of clutter and strange decorations. The ceiling begins to lower slowly. The walls around them begin to move in too. The doors to the room have vanished completely. This is a timed puzzle. They need to figure out how to stop the surfaces from moving in or find a way to survive. There are plenty of solutions you could go with. There could be paintings around the room, showing people in certain positions or interacting with particular objects.