TRANSIT SPHERE

A pitch-black sphere that somehow glows with blue light. Magic rituals allow it to act as a portal to another linked sphere (akin to a teleportation circle). Members of the Guild of Everywheres claim a monopoly over using such spheres, but in truth anyone with the proper know-how can "awaken" their use as needed.

SAMPLE TRANSIT PUZZLE EXPLAINED...

This abstract puzzles represents the eldritch manipulations needed to safely use a transit sphere. Verbal, mental, emotional, mathematical, and conceptual keys are represented by combinations of nine letters, shapes, symbols, numbers, and colors.

As an action, a character within 10 feet of a sphere may make an Intelligence (Arcana) ability check - with advantage if Helped by another proficient party member, or everyone working together just roll once - to deduce clues that make the puzzle easier. The higher the result, the more clues are given by the Dungeon Master. Higher level clues also become increasingly clear, specific, and helpful.

At least five selections must be correct for the sphere to work at all. Having five to eight answers allows the sphere to "awaken" for one round or use (6 seconds), but incomplete puzzles cause damage to those traveling through them. Having all nine selections correct make the sphere safe to enter for its brief duration.

In game world time, it takes a character either an action during a round if also expending a spell slot of 1st-level or higher, or 10 minutes of manipulation without using a spell slot. If a character does not have spell slots, only the 10-minute option is available.

Players may freely discuss clues and try different guesses from the online puzzle before committing to using the sphere. If in combat, players must still declare their characters' actions when the Dungeon Master calls on their initiative turn order, else such characters loses their turns that round (too distracted by working the sphere).

In the example above, the correct answer for each selection is the first option shown in each pulldown menu list:

1, filled on left, A,
1, orange circle, A,
1, red square, R

Example Clue List: Below is a list of clues gained from an Intelligence (Arcana) check relating to the above puzzle. A roll gains all clues equal to and below the result number: a result of "1" gives almost no useful information, while a "20" or more gives all clues and removes most guesswork from solving the puzzle. (Tip: Working from the highest number clue backwards saves time in solving a transit sphere key.)

ARCANA RESULT ... CLUE
* 1 or less ... The letter P is not used.
* 2 ... The number 5 is not used.
* 3 ... The letter D is not used.
* 4 ... The color green is not used.
* 5 ... The left column's numbers add up to total 3.
* 6 ... The middle column contains one orange color.
* 7 ... The right column contains one A letter.
* 8 ... The number in the top row is lowest.
* 9 ... The number in the bottom row is highest.
* 10 ... A number in the left column is 1.
* 11 ... The top row circle is dark on the left.
* 12 ... The right column contains one R letter.
* 13 ... Another number in the left column is also 1.
* 14 ... The right column also contains a second A letter.
* 15 ... The bottom row contains one R letter.
* 16 ... The top row contains one A letter.
* 17 ... The bottom row contains red color.
* 18 ... The middle row contains orange color.
* 19 ... The middle row contains one A letter.
* 20 or more ... The number in the top row is 1.