Story (themes) Idea

[Jeakle]

I had an idea, during one of our cycles we could all have adventures on a common idea and then be able to compare notes.

For example, let's say the theme is "a demon possessing people in a city." Each of the let's assume three GMs then come up with a short story (short adventure) for the players based on the theme that will last the six weeks. Then on the seventh week we can all get together and give tips & praise.

Anyway, it's a thought, and I'd like some input on it.

[Evilcupcakes]

Would this be multiple groups in the same world?
Example, Group A runs into Group B in the same city.

[Evilcupcakes]

On the note of bouncing ideas. I have been thinking, "Wow it has been a long time since I have seen puzzles or riddles thrown at a RP group."
So I had the idea "Hey I wouldn't mind GMing something like this."
I came up with a prelude to the full open world experience, where the players start in a room with all knowledge forgotten. Throughout the tower traveling around it would be riddles, puzzles, and other Non-Combat events leading to the solving of their (The Players) past of the world to come.

As I have been working on the outline for this I come to ask myself, "Is this idea to dull? Is it to cliche?" Also how many riddles is to many riddles? I found some riddles I liked and came up with others that made sense me. I decided on a rule of "I won't put in riddles that I couldn't solve myself" to prevent to much confusion on solving and if not subtle hints can be given. But I have come to a mental block and find myself saying.... "Okay I got riddles and a few puzzles Yay!" Um, what else do I, or could I put in.

[Jeakle]

Problem, Riddles & Puzzles are usually only a challenge once.

And! I don't have a grab-bag full of them. :/ So sad.

[Gumsaver38]

These are both good ideas. As for the puzzle part, Jeakle is right. you may have that in one or two situations, but there is only so much Zelda you can play in a RPG. Not putting you down, but you would have to limit it.

The rest of the story can be part of the standard adventures the they have available. In otherwords, take an exciting adventure and add your ideas.

[Grabula]

On the note of bouncing ideas. I have been thinking, "Wow it has been a long time since I have seen puzzles or riddles thrown at a RP group."

As others have said, it definitely can be overdone. A solid, fun puzzle or riddle is good for a group who can get into that sort of thing but there are a few catches.

First, cell phones with internet connections, and laptops have to disappear. I caught a player not to long ago using his iphone to lookup answers to a simple riddle.

Second, You run into the problem where some players want to play their stats, and they personaly may not be a match for it. While a player might not be able to figure out a riddle, a character might be smart enough too, so how do you balance it out? Int based rolls for hints? A time limit, followed by a roll if no one guesses?

I find the best situation for riddles is when there's a strict time limit. They can disrupt the flow of the game otherwise. I played in a game where the GM insisted we figure it out on our own, nevermind a couple of characters had Int's or Wisdom's much higher than our own (not to mention suitable experience) so we sat for over 2 hours bored for most of it.

Ultimately I think in moderation and applied apropriately it's fine. If a player is playing a character with high intelligence, try to make the riddle or puzzle something they may be familiar with - it gives them the best chance of figuring it out.

[Jeakle]

Would this be multiple groups in the same world?
Example, Group A runs into Group B in the same city.

I never did answer this. No. Each group has it's own world, but each world shares the common idea.

Group A in World A.
Group B in World B.
World A & World B have same theme of "Vampires ruling the world."