Word TUmblers

Details

  • Flashlight-sized tubes with rotating dials.

  • Players twist the dials to form a solution word.

  • Several styles to choose from: Round or octagonal, and large or small.

  • Optional texture overlay can make the prop fit the theme of your campaign.

  • Use one of the two included letter arrangements. Or, copy and edit the source files to make your own.

Dice are pictured to show scale and are not included.

BBEG's voice: You may have defeated my fiery little pet, but you will never guess the combination to the vault. No thief or magic can open that lock!

Wizard: We'll need to figure out the six-letter word that opens it.

Barbarian: Hmm... you mean like A-X-E... A-X-E.

Cleric: P-R-A-Y-E-R is six letters, is there a "P"?

Wizard: There's no "P" for the first letter. I'm trying A-R-C-A-N-E. Hey, these dials are kind of scaly.

Cleric: Scaly... how about W-E-I-G-H-T?

Wizard: What? ... No, "scaly" like reptile skin.

Barbarian: S-M-A-S-H-!, does that count?

Wizard: No, no. What did the BBEG say again?

Bard: "Little pet", "vault", "magic", "fiery".

Barbarian: R-A-G-E... dammit! Why would a dragon even need a vault?

Bard: Oh-Oh! What you just said.

Barbarian: Really? O-O-R-A-G-E?


Great puzzles have been part of D&D since the first edition. An ideal puzzle isn't just a brain teaser, it should challenge players to interact with NPCs and explore the environment to find clues.


Word Tumblers are props that challenge players to guess a solution word chosen by the DM. The players twist dials to choose each letter of the word.


Unlike a simple skills check, Word Tumblers force players to piece together clues from other parts of the adventure.

Materials

How to Make

Paper crafting difficulty: Easy.

  1. For print-at-home, pay what you want for the templates at DMsGuild.com. You will also gain access to Google Drawings documents that you can copy and edit.

  2. Choose the style and color scheme that you want. Print the needed templates on cardstock paper.

  3. Cut on the dotted lines and crease on the solid lines. Fold, glue, and assemble according to the included instructions. Or, use the following visual guide:

Game Night Advantages

  • Challenge players with a puzzle that requires them to find clues.

  • Keep players' hands and minds in the game with a tactile prop.

  • Gift them to your DM or players as unique keepsakes to remember that time when your inn keeper contact looked around nervously then leaned in close to secretly whispered D-R-I-N-K-S, and the bard whispered back Y-E-S P-L-E-A-S-E.

It's the same code that

He uses on his luggage.

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