Puzzle Basics 101: Lesson 1 - Types of Puzzles

Odd-One-Out - there is something here that doesn't belong and must be identified/removed.

Missing Piece - there is something not here that must be added.

Assembly - something must be put together in a specific sequence and/or with specific parts.

Math - any puzzle that relies on finding a numerical solution to a mathematical formula.

Matching - things paired with other things based on some shared commonality.

Ordering - there are things, they need to by placed/activated/removed in the correct order/sequence/pattern.

Cypher - a message must be translated/understood by cracking a code.

Riddle - like a cypher, except the "code" is flowery language.

Logic - like a Riddle, except not based on language.

Movement - something/someone needs to be in a place at a time, possibly via a specific route.

Navigation - a correct path must be found/traveled.

Process Interruptus - something happening must be stopped from happening/completing.

Lock-And-Key - there is an obstacle that can be bypassed by using a specific item/action.

Social - there is someone you need to interact with in the correct way.

Choice - there is a right choice, and one or more wrong choices.

The Way of the Zen DM

 First Tenet: I know what I know

I know my rules; my rules are law, therefore I know all laws by virtue of my being ruler.

Confidence is manifestation of knowledge; Confidence in arbitration, manifestation of a knowledge of rules. So long as I know my rules, my confidence will be made manifest by reasonable rulings.

Second Tenet: I know what I do not know

When facing the unknown, I must become flexible as flowing water; able to fill any space and divert at any obstacle.

So long as the rules are consistent, my game can flow around it, moving even while anchored. So long as I know my rules and keep them consistent, my game can become flexible enough for the unknown.

Third Tenet: I know what others know

All that is truth springs into existence upon my creation; all that is truth by others is what I alone have chosen to give.

I create reality. So long as I choose to speak reality to others, then it becomes reality for others. So long as I know my own creations, then I know what others know.

Fourth Tenet: I know what others do not know

All that is unknown springs into existence upon my omission; all that is mystery to others is what I alone have chosen to deny.

I destroy reality. So long as I refrain from speaking reality to others, then it becomes the unknown. So long as I know what I have not yet created, then I know what others do not know.

Fifth Tenet: I know

I am the world; to know myself is to know the world. In knowing the world, I become the world to others.

In being the world I know, I become knowledge. So long as I am the knowledge of the world, all there is to know is within me; So long as all is within, I will never be without.