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  1. - Top - End - #1
    Pixie in the Playground
     
    RogueGuy

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    Default A poem to figure out...

    You are at the entrance to the Temple to Fharlanghn (or however you spell it)
    In front of you there are two doors, one with a shield, and one with a quarterstaff. Between the doors there is a poem--

    A wise man knows the secret
    a path toward its own end
    Hidden deep within the horizon
    is a path that will never end.

    The end is a beginning
    A beginning is an end
    Reach for the horizon
    and begin to find your end

    The wise one's journey is never complete
    and the foolish look for ways to end
    find the path that fools follow
    and you will see your end

    Stay foolish, stay hungry the saying begins
    indeed the hungry fool finds his end
    Stay wise, stay in touch the saying begins
    That, friends, is where all secrets end.

    In the center of the poem is the Crescent of Fharlanghn.
    What do you do?

    I want to see if the poem works... :D

  2. - Top - End - #2
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Sith_Happens's Avatar

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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    I would open the doors and continue with whatever business brought me there.

    EDIT: When you say "two doors," do you mean a set of double doors, or two different doorways and you have to pick one?
    Last edited by Sith_Happens; 2012-11-18 at 06:49 AM.
    Revan avatar by kaptainkrutch.
    Quote Originally Posted by Cirrylius View Post
    That's how wizards beta test their new animals. If it survives Australia, it's a go. Which in hindsight explains a LOT about Australia.

  3. - Top - End - #3
    Ogre in the Playground
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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    I take the quarter staff route.

  4. - Top - End - #4
    Firbolg in the Playground
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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    What shape is the shield? If it is circular, I'd take the shield route, if it isn't, then I'd take the quarterstaff route. Do you want my reasoning?
    Last edited by rweird; 2012-11-18 at 11:42 AM.

  5. - Top - End - #5
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    ClericGuy

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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    Quote Originally Posted by rweird View Post
    What shape is the shield? If it is circular, I'd take the shield route, if it isn't, then I'd take the quarterstaff route. Do you want my reasoning?
    I choose the shield either way, probably for a similar reason.

  6. - Top - End - #6
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Gnome Alone's Avatar

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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    I leave the temple, having already visited it, and bask in Fharlanghn's sure approval.
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    "I'll be whatever I wanna do." - Philip J. Fry
    my fake wizard|my fake one-shot|my fake link

  7. - Top - End - #7

    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    I'd mess around with the crescent of Fharlanghan.
    It's been a bit, GitP. If you're reading this, you're either digging through old stuff, or I've posted for the first time in forever.

    If you want to stay in touch, reach out to me on twitter (same username).

    The best answer is always to ask your DM.
    Unless you're the DM, in which case you should talk to your players.

  8. - Top - End - #8
    Dwarf in the Playground
     
    Goblin

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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    I turn around and walk towards the horizon.

  9. - Top - End - #9
    Titan in the Playground
     
    nedz's Avatar

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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    I try a Knowledge(Religion) check.
    I cast Commune.

    If these tell me no more I walk through the staff entrance.
    π = 4
    Consider a 5' radius blast: this affects 4 squares which have a circumference of 40' — Actually it's worse than that.


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  10. - Top - End - #10
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    OldWizardGuy

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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    I would check both doors for traps.

    If i found one, id disarm it and gpo in that door.

    ...No really, the poem suggests a circle of sorts. If the shield is round, id try to remove the crescent and put it on the shield, take the staff and put that on the shield too so it makes this symbol:



    Then id stand there looking like a retard while nothing happens.
    "If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance."

  11. - Top - End - #11
    Titan in the Playground
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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    Cast Find the Path, pick the correct door.

  12. - Top - End - #12
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Amnestic's Avatar

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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    Disintegrate both doors.
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    Master Homebrew Index (5e)

  13. - Top - End - #13
    Orc in the Playground
     
    NinjaGuy

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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    I'd try pressing/pulling on the crescent. It seems like a Chekhov's Gun in this scenario.
    "Ivanova is always right. I will listen to Ivanova. I will not ignore Ivanova's recommendations. Ivanova is God. And if this ever happens again, Ivanova will personally rip your lungs out. Babylon Control out."

  14. - Top - End - #14
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    ClericGirl

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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    It's a poem at the temple of the God of Travel, about the virtue of continued discovery and travel over withdrawing to keep a grasp on what you have.

    Take the quarterstaff (or, put another way, the walking stick).

    If you are aiming for the circle vs line thing, I would aim for something other than a shield, which
    • is not necessarily circular
    • has significant, vastly different connotations seperate from its shape
    Last edited by Hecuba; 2012-11-18 at 05:21 PM.

  15. - Top - End - #15
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    ClericGuy

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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    Quote Originally Posted by Hecuba View Post
    It's a poem at the temple of the God of Travel, about the virtue of continued discovery and travel over withdrawing to keep a grasp on what you have.

    Take the quarterstaff (or, put another way, the walking stick).

    If you are aiming for the circle vs line thing, I would aim for something other than a shield, which
    • is not necessarily circular
    • has significant, vastly different connotations seperate from its shape
    The wise one's journey is never complete
    and the foolish look for ways to end
    As you said, quarterstaves are a line - thus they have a beginning and end. By definition, the perimeter of a shield does not, even if it isn't round.

    Stay foolish, stay hungry the saying begins
    indeed the hungry fool finds his end
    A shield can be used to serve food. Quarterstaves have no use for eating.

    find the path that fools follow
    and you will see your end
    The quarterstaff is obvious, or the path that fools follow. I suppose you could argue that fools take up a sword and shield, but since there is no sword it's also possible that a wise man knows to defend himself. This could also indicate that neither path is correct, but it isn't to walk off into the horizon, because:

    The end is a beginning
    A beginning is an end
    Reach for the horizon
    and begin to find your end
    The horizon gets you your end.

  16. - Top - End - #16
    Banned
     
    Dr.Epic's Avatar

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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    Quote Originally Posted by Qintopon View Post
    You are at the entrance to the Temple to Fharlanghn (or however you spell it)
    In front of you there are two doors, one with a shield, and one with a quarterstaff. Between the doors there is a poem--

    A wise man knows the secret
    a path toward its own end
    Hidden deep within the horizon
    is a path that will never end.

    The end is a beginning
    A beginning is an end
    Reach for the horizon
    and begin to find your end

    The wise one's journey is never complete
    and the foolish look for ways to end
    find the path that fools follow
    and you will see your end

    Stay foolish, stay hungry the saying begins
    indeed the hungry fool finds his end
    Stay wise, stay in touch the saying begins
    That, friends, is where all secrets end.

    In the center of the poem is the Crescent of Fharlanghn.
    What do you do?
    Empowered Fireball

  17. - Top - End - #17
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    ClericGirl

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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    I do like Norin's solution best if the shield is circular and the items can be moved.

    Quote Originally Posted by Namfuak View Post
    I suppose you could argue that fools take up a sword and shield
    That is, more or less, how I would take it.

    A shield is a warrior's implement: something used to hold and defend that which you have.

    A walking stick is a traveler's implement: something used to help you reach the next place. You use it to walk toward the horizon.

    Quote Originally Posted by Namfuak View Post
    A shield can be used to serve food
    Eew. That's too disgusting for me to consider further.

    Quote Originally Posted by Namfuak View Post
    As you said, quarterstaves are a line - thus they have a beginning and end. By definition, the perimeter of a shield does not, even if it isn't round.
    Yes, but that presumes the meaning is primarily geometric. I could buy that for an item that has a specific shape (particularly a circle, where there is a high connotation with continuity), but something like a shield makes me more skeptical.

    You could just as easily argue that when you look to the horizon, you see it as a line in the distance you will never meet.
    Last edited by Hecuba; 2012-11-18 at 07:10 PM.

  18. - Top - End - #18
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    DrowGirl

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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    I am a barbarian and cannot read.

  19. - Top - End - #19
    Dwarf in the Playground
     
    BarbarianGuy

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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    Quote Originally Posted by Hyde View Post
    I am a barbarian and cannot read.
    Post of the year.

  20. - Top - End - #20
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    SolithKnightGuy

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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    I take up the shield and equip it. Then, I pick up the staff and swing it around a bit. I take the crescent and put it on my face like a mustache. Finally, I enter the temple.

    Wandering beggers shouldn't waste their time leaving useful shields and quarterstaves laying around.

  21. - Top - End - #21
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    NecromancerGuy

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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    I ask which Character skill check is appropriate to roll in this situation, since I presume that it's a test of Character knowledge, not Player knowledge.
    Iron Chef in the Playground veteran since Round IV. Play as me!


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  22. - Top - End - #22
    Pixie in the Playground
     
    Lizardfolk

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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    Having read through The Tomb of Five Corners, I search for a secret door. People only leave riddles to convince someone they chose the right option to lower their guard for the awaiting Inevitable Death that results from opening a door.


    +1 for Amnestic, if the above fails.

  23. - Top - End - #23
    Dwarf in the Playground
     
    DoughGuy's Avatar

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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    I would in theory pick the quaterstaff. There's a lot of imagery pointing to wisdom which would generally be associated with the staff of a wise man. However being D&D, clerics are wiser than wizards. Clerics also use shields unlike wizards who arent proficient with them. So in practice I'd take the shield door.
    Last edited by DoughGuy; 2012-11-19 at 07:02 AM.

  24. - Top - End - #24
    Pixie in the Playground
     
    RogueGuy

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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    Success somebody got it... Now I can't tell you who because one of my players might read this and cheat but I appreciate the creative answers.

  25. - Top - End - #25
    Bugbear in the Playground
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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    Quote Originally Posted by Namfuak View Post
    As you said, quarterstaves are a line - thus they have a beginning and end. By definition, the perimeter of a shield does not, even if it isn't round.
    HehehehehehehehHAHAHAHAhahaeheheheehheehehehhehehe ehe....heh.
    No.

    You're thinking of segments.

    Quote Originally Posted by Namfuak View Post
    A shield can be used to serve food. Quarterstaves have no use for eating.
    <picks a high-hanging fruit from that tree>
    <spanks still-living food to death>
    <shoos away the carrion eaters trying to steal the food>
    Last edited by Andreaz; 2012-11-19 at 09:48 AM.

  26. - Top - End - #26
    Titan in the Playground
     
    nedz's Avatar

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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    Quote Originally Posted by Qintopon View Post
    Success somebody got it... Now I can't tell you who because one of my players might read this and cheat but I appreciate the creative answers.
    Please update us when you have run this, and tell us how it went.
    I suspect that they might get stuck, but problems like this are a lot easier if you can actually interact with them.
    π = 4
    Consider a 5' radius blast: this affects 4 squares which have a circumference of 40' — Actually it's worse than that.


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  27. - Top - End - #27
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    OldWizardGuy

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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    Quote Originally Posted by Qintopon View Post
    Success somebody got it... Now I can't tell you who because one of my players might read this and cheat but I appreciate the creative answers.
    PM the winner(s)? ;)
    "If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance."

  28. - Top - End - #28
    Titan in the Playground
     
    dantiesilva's Avatar

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    Default Re: A poem to figure out...

    I would say neither because though the staff is the obvious answer it has both a begining and a end. While the shield, unless it is a buckler is not always round. Look at the horizon and if you do not see something then play with the crescent moon.

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