Can anyone figure out this riddle?
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Electric Sheep One
Member # 3431
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written Thursday, June 30 2005 15:03
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That would have been good, if I could have done it! Well, good as a riddle; I think it would have made it too hard to be fun in a D&D game. For the original D&D purpose of that riddle, though, I wouldn't have considered such a thing, because I always tried to maintain the pretence that the actual languages of the campaign were not English. (Along the lines of JRRT. How many people read the alarming appendix in which he reveals that Frodo was 'really' Froda, and so on?) So I tried to avoid puzzles that turned on English spelling, etc. Sometimes I succumbed to temptation, though. I had one that went "Falls under darkness: rises into light. / Words that are not proper, speech that is not right / [would lead to a dire consequence that was obvious in context, sounded portentous, and ended in 'ight']." The answer I demanded was 'dew' or 'due', ('due' meaning 'proper' or 'right'). It was meant to be tricky because the proper and right line sounded like mere filler and threat. I got away with some inordinately difficult puzzles simply because two of the players were my brothers, who tended to be able to guess my bizarre associations. Really, it was a fine line getting a riddle that would be hard enough that people would be pleased to get it, but not so hard that the game got stuck. It was so easy to make riddles way too hard; but it was so tempting to keep using riddles, because they were the only thing I found that took a lot less time to prepare than to play. Everything else was always far the other way round. If I were in JV's shoes, I think I'd be very happy to stick with my red knives in heads. Just odd enough that even if you get it right away you feel a bit clever for doing so, but easy enough for most people not to get frustrated. [ Thursday, June 30, 2005 15:19: Message edited by: Student of Trinity ] -------------------- It is not enough to discover how things seem to seem. We must discover how things really seem. Posts: 3335 | Registered: Thursday, September 4 2003 07:00 |
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Infiltrator
Member # 878
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written Thursday, June 30 2005 19:08
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Well if you are playing DnD, what if they asked to make an intelligence check to see if their character can figure it out? -------------------- Warning: Posts may contain misspellinks and typo.s Posts: 409 | Registered: Sunday, March 31 2002 08:00 |
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...b10010b...
Member # 869
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written Thursday, June 30 2005 19:14
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See, that's a prime example of why every pen and paper RPG system needs a rule that allows the GM to arrange public floggings of obnoxious players. -------------------- My BoE Page Bandwagons are fun! Roots Hunted! Posts: 9973 | Registered: Saturday, March 30 2002 08:00 |
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? Man, ? Amazing
Member # 5755
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written Thursday, June 30 2005 20:18
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Barring a rule outlawing aforementioned flogging, why does there need to be a law allowing it? *this message slipped under the topic and caught the tail end of the discussion* Posts: 4114 | Registered: Monday, April 25 2005 07:00 |
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Law Bringer
Member # 2984
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written Thursday, June 30 2005 22:49
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quote:If I were a GM, I would now go ::hehehehe:: . But I'm not. -------------------- The Encyclopaedia Ermariana <-- Now a Wiki! "Polaris leers down from the black vault, winking hideously like an insane watching eye which strives to convey some strange message, yet recalls nothing save that it once had a message to convey." --- HP Lovecraft. "I single Aran out due to his nasty temperament, and his superior intellect." --- SupaNik Posts: 8752 | Registered: Wednesday, May 14 2003 07:00 |
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? Man, ? Amazing
Member # 5755
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written Thursday, June 30 2005 23:00
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Okay, here is a weak attempt at a riddle. And by weak I mean I think it is a salmon original. Where up is down and down is up, If you're outside but not inside then your inside becomes outside. *this message funded but not sponsored, posted yet not understood* Posts: 4114 | Registered: Monday, April 25 2005 07:00 |
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...b10010b...
Member # 869
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written Thursday, June 30 2005 23:38
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The first answer that springs to mind is outer space. (Explosive decompression isn't actually that explosive in practice, but that's a matter for another time.) -------------------- My BoE Page Bandwagons are fun! Roots Hunted! Posts: 9973 | Registered: Saturday, March 30 2002 08:00 |
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E Equals MC What!!!!
Member # 5491
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written Thursday, June 30 2005 23:38
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Space. Edit: Beat. [ Thursday, June 30, 2005 23:39: Message edited by: Ash Lael ] -------------------- Sex is easier than love. Posts: 1861 | Registered: Friday, February 11 2005 08:00 |
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? Man, ? Amazing
Member # 5755
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written Friday, July 1 2005 00:02
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Well okay then. I was right too. It was weak. *this message was composed by monkeys* Posts: 4114 | Registered: Monday, April 25 2005 07:00 |
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Law Bringer
Member # 2984
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written Friday, July 1 2005 00:24
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And pretty ghoulish on top of that. :) "Your inside becomes outside..." Who makes it, has no need of it. Who buys it, has no use for it. Who uses it can neither see nor feel it. (Also weak) What lives as long as it eats, but dies when it drinks? -------------------- The Encyclopaedia Ermariana <-- Now a Wiki! "Polaris leers down from the black vault, winking hideously like an insane watching eye which strives to convey some strange message, yet recalls nothing save that it once had a message to convey." --- HP Lovecraft. "I single Aran out due to his nasty temperament, and his superior intellect." --- SupaNik Posts: 8752 | Registered: Wednesday, May 14 2003 07:00 |
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...b10010b...
Member # 869
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written Friday, July 1 2005 00:38
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quote:I've seen this one before and know the answer, so I'll leave it for someone else to guess. quote:Fire. -------------------- My BoE Page Bandwagons are fun! Roots Hunted! Posts: 9973 | Registered: Saturday, March 30 2002 08:00 |
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? Man, ? Amazing
Member # 5755
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written Friday, July 1 2005 01:06
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4:20PM - Moby Dick ------------ ?? *this puzzle sponsored by your english teacher* Posts: 4114 | Registered: Monday, April 25 2005 07:00 |
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Law Bringer
Member # 2984
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written Friday, July 1 2005 01:53
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quote:Would it be terribly stupid of me to say "Wha?!" now? :confused: -------------------- The Encyclopaedia Ermariana <-- Now a Wiki! "Polaris leers down from the black vault, winking hideously like an insane watching eye which strives to convey some strange message, yet recalls nothing save that it once had a message to convey." --- HP Lovecraft. "I single Aran out due to his nasty temperament, and his superior intellect." --- SupaNik Posts: 8752 | Registered: Wednesday, May 14 2003 07:00 |
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Electric Sheep One
Member # 3431
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written Friday, July 1 2005 03:40
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quote:First answer: White Lightning corn liquor. Second answer: a coffin I bet the second one is supposed to be right, but actually I contest it. The buyer has an important use for the coffin, in getting a decaying corpse off their hands without violating social norms. [ Friday, July 01, 2005 03:41: Message edited by: Student of Trinity ] -------------------- It is not enough to discover how things seem to seem. We must discover how things really seem. Posts: 3335 | Registered: Thursday, September 4 2003 07:00 |
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...b10010b...
Member # 869
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written Friday, July 1 2005 03:51
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Also, you can buy a coffin for yourself with a prepaid funeral plan. -------------------- My BoE Page Bandwagons are fun! Roots Hunted! Posts: 9973 | Registered: Saturday, March 30 2002 08:00 |
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? Man, ? Amazing
Member # 5755
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written Friday, July 1 2005 06:43
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Sorry, mild case of the sleep there. My previous post is a riddle. That is all. Edit - It's just math. *this message sponsored by stumptown coffee* [ Friday, July 01, 2005 06:44: Message edited by: Jumpin' Salmon ] Posts: 4114 | Registered: Monday, April 25 2005 07:00 |
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Infiltrator
Member # 878
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written Friday, July 1 2005 08:31
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I remember once I played some fairly decent rpg called Betrayal at Krondor, which was later made freeware to promote its sequel, which had scattered all over the place chests with various treasure which were locked with riddles which you needed to figure out to open them. I just checked gamefaqs and found a faq listing all of these, and here are what I think are the best of them (far too many to list them all and some don't make sense outside the context of the game). A barrel of rainwater weighs twenty pounds. What must you add to make it weigh fifteen? A box beneath a tree Inside some tasty meat Kept for a month or more It still tastes just as sweet A precious gift this Yet it has no end or beginning And in the middle nothing A strange earthen house That brings nought but disdain And yet those who stay there Never do complain All about the house With his Lady he dances Yet he always works And never romances All across the countryside to front doors he travels But you never invite him in Although my cow is dead I continue to beat her What a racket she makes! An untiring servant it is carrying loads across muddy earth But one thing that cannot be forced is a return to the place of its birth Answers its caller without being asked Responds within seconds and speaks all languages with equal ease Black when bought Red when used Grey when thrown away Bloodless and boneless it travels about Yet it never leaves home Brought to the table Cut and served Never eaten Buckets barrels baskets cans What must you fill with empty hands Flat as a leaf Round as a ring Has two eyes But can't see a thing Four legs in front two behind Its steely armor scratched and dented by rocks and sticks Still it toils as it helps feed the hungry Has a tongue But never talks Has no legs But sometimes walks Has feathers but can't fly Rests on legs but cant walk He got it in the woods and brought it home in his hand because he couldn't find it The more he looked for it the more he felt it When he finally found it he threw it away Holes at the top Holes at the bottom Holes in the middle But still it holds water It can pierce the best armor And make swords crumble with a rub Yet for all its power It can't harm a club It doesnt live within a house Nor does it live without Most will use it when they come in And again when they go out It never was before It is not now Fools wait for it forever Like dogs shouting at the moon Or armor worn by the trees Like a sharply spoken command Or a tiny vessel upon the seas Men seize it from its home tear apart its flesh drink the sweet blood then cast its skin aside The one who made it didnt want it The one who bought it didnt need it The one who used it never saw it This odd thing seems to get wetter The more it dries This sparkling globe can float on water and weighs not more than a feather Yet despite its weight ten giants could never pick it up Though a tasty treat Made in spiral towers Rarely will it be eaten alone Twins on either side of a ridge that smells They shall never see each other directly Two brothers wanted to race a course To see which had the slowest horse Since neither wanted to spur his mare What must they do to make it fair We travel much yet prisoners are And close confined to boot Yet with any horse we will keep pace And always go on foot What is this thing that having it You can no longer give it away But lacking it for the moment at least You can give it to those who must pay Whoever has it is angry Whoever loses it is angrier Whoever wins it has it no more -------------------- Warning: Posts may contain misspellinks and typo.s Posts: 409 | Registered: Sunday, March 31 2002 08:00 |
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Shock Trooper
Member # 5585
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written Friday, July 1 2005 08:56
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.A barrel of rainwater weighs twenty pounds. What must you add to make it weigh fifteen? a hole A box beneath a tree Inside some tasty meat Kept for a month or more It still tastes just as sweet a nut All across the countryside to front doors he travels But you never invite him in a salesman? Answers its caller without being asked Responds within seconds and speaks all languages with equal ease an echo Black when bought Red when used Grey when thrown away charcoal Bloodless and boneless it travels about Yet it never leaves home a snail Has a tongue But never talks Has no legs But sometimes walks a shoe He got it in the woods and brought it home in his hand because he couldn't find it The more he looked for it the more he felt it When he finally found it he threw it away a splinter Holes at the top Holes at the bottom Holes in the middle But still it holds water a sponge It can pierce the best armor And make swords crumble with a rub Yet for all its power It can't harm a club rust This odd thing seems to get wetter The more it dries a towel This sparkling globe can float on water and weighs not more than a feather Yet despite its weight ten giants could never pick it up a bubble Twins on either side of a ridge that smells They shall never see each other directly eyes We travel much yet prisoners are And close confined to boot Yet with any horse we will keep pace And always go on foot shoes? -------------------- Important Information about Stuff Posts: 258 | Registered: Wednesday, March 9 2005 08:00 |
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Master
Member # 5977
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written Friday, July 1 2005 09:12
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There was this trilogy, which was a story with almost only riddles and puzzles. The parts of the trilogy were called: The fool's errand, at the carnival and three in three, although I'm not sure that were exactly the names. they were fun to play, but some puzzles were quite difficult to solve. does anybody know the game? -------------------- Thralni's almighty Avernum pages: My webpage, containing scenario's and graphics made by me (And maybe someday the homepage of the almighty chicken gods). Click here for more information on Olga's fortune teller kiosk Olga's fortune teller kiosk has been temporarily closed down, but you can contact the prophet with a PM - Was signed by the prophet of the almighty chicken gods, gods of everything that is a chicken. Work has begun on the Nephilian grammar and vocabulary guide! Posts: 3029 | Registered: Saturday, June 18 2005 07:00 |
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Infiltrator
Member # 878
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written Friday, July 1 2005 09:54
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quote:Thats the only one you attempted that was wrong, or not close enough to what is intended to not matter, but still plenty you didn't try. -------------------- Warning: Posts may contain misspellinks and typo.s Posts: 409 | Registered: Sunday, March 31 2002 08:00 |
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Shaper
Member # 73
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written Friday, July 1 2005 12:13
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If you're interested in what a salesman is selling, you let him in, therefore that can't be the answer. The answer is the mailman. All about the house With his Lady he dances Yet he always works And never romances a broom What is this thing that having it You can no longer give it away But lacking it for the moment at least You can give it to those who must pay death [ Friday, July 01, 2005 12:15: Message edited by: The Almighty Doer of Stuff ] -------------------- The Lyceum - The Headquarters of the Blades designing community The Louvre - The Blades of Avernum graphics database Alexandria - The Blades of Exile Scenario database BoE Webring - Self explanatory Polaris - Free porn here Odd Todd - Fun for the unemployed (and everyone else too) Famous Last Words - A local pop-punk band They Might Be Giants - Four websites for one of the greatest bands in existance -------------------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Posts: 2957 | Registered: Thursday, October 4 2001 07:00 |
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Infiltrator
Member # 878
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written Friday, July 1 2005 13:09
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No, cause a mailman doesn't necessarily go to front doors, in many places mailboxes are at the curb. The answer was something different. -------------------- Warning: Posts may contain misspellinks and typo.s Posts: 409 | Registered: Sunday, March 31 2002 08:00 |
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Law Bringer
Member # 335
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written Friday, July 1 2005 13:35
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A precious gift this Yet it has no end or beginning And in the middle nothing Time? Nothing in the middle doesn't quite work. A strange earthen house That brings nought but disdain And yet those who stay there Never do complain A burial mound. All across the countryside to front doors he travels But you never invite him in The road goes ever ever on! Although my cow is dead I continue to beat her What a racket she makes! You beat a dead horse, silly. I suppose this is a drum. An untiring servant it is carrying loads across muddy earth But one thing that cannot be forced is a return to the place of its birth A river Buckets barrels baskets cans What must you fill with empty hands Mittens, gloves, or gauntlets. Or sock puppets. It doesnt live within a house Nor does it live without Most will use it when they come in And again when they go out A door It never was before It is not now Fools wait for it forever Tomorrow Like dogs shouting at the moon Or armor worn by the trees Like a sharply spoken command Or a tiny vessel upon the seas Bark and its many meanings. Men seize it from its home tear apart its flesh drink the sweet blood then cast its skin aside A coconut. Two brothers wanted to race a course To see which had the slowest horse Since neither wanted to spur his mare What must they do to make it fair Swap horses We travel much yet prisoners are And close confined to boot Yet with any horse we will keep pace And always go on foot Horseshoes or soles. Whoever has it is angry Whoever loses it is angrier Whoever wins it has it no more Temper works for the first two lines but not the third. [Edit: Fixed an italic and realized that [i]an argument[i] works better than temper.] —Alorael, who has 3 in Three and its sequel in spirit, System's Twilight. Both are painfully difficult and occasionally solvable only by repeated iterations to avoid actually figuring out the solution. [ Friday, July 01, 2005 13:37: Message edited by: Byte? ] Posts: 14579 | Registered: Saturday, December 1 2001 08:00 |
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...b10010b...
Member # 869
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written Friday, July 1 2005 16:32
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quote:Think more literally. It's a ring. quote:Hey, while we're on the subject, does anyone know how to solve that accursed System Core puzzle at the end of System's Twilight? I've messed around a bit and managed to do a couple of interesting things, but I can't even really figure out what I'm supposed to achieve. -------------------- My BoE Page Bandwagons are fun! Roots Hunted! Posts: 9973 | Registered: Saturday, March 30 2002 08:00 |
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Infiltrator
Member # 878
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written Friday, July 1 2005 17:50
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quote:Not quite, the answer was supposed to be spurs. -------------------- Warning: Posts may contain misspellinks and typo.s Posts: 409 | Registered: Sunday, March 31 2002 08:00 |