Four Seasons — Traveler's Chest Puzzle
Four Seasons — Opening the Traveler's Chest
Objective: Activate the four seasonal stones in their correct order. No enemies, traps, or time limit. A wrong order emits a discordant chime and resets without penalty.
Solution: Bud → Sun → Falling Leaf → Bare Branch (spring → summer → autumn → winter). The eastern sunrise-facing first slot and inscription establish spring as the beginning.
Nature DC 16 — Read the Natural Year
CheckNature DC 16
Critical SuccessIdentify the full cycle and the east-facing spring start; the four notes should proceed bud, sun, leaf, bare branch.
SuccessThe carved emblems depict spring, summer, autumn, and winter; the clue says the year begins when life wakes.
FailureThe symbols remain readable, but the character gets no extra hint. The party can try the dials safely.
Critical FailureThe character recalls no reliable hint; the mechanism remains safe to experiment with.
Crafting DC 16 — Examine the Chest
CheckCrafting DC 16
Critical SuccessConfirm a harmless four-step mechanical interlock and identify the sunrise-facing first slot.
SuccessThe chest is not trapped; it responds to a sequence of four touches.
FailureThe mechanism is unfamiliar, but nothing suggests it is dangerous.
Critical FailureNo useful information is gained; no trap is set off.
Opening the Chest
The sequence is sufficient without skill checks. On success, award the attached treasure: silver leaf brooch (15 gp), two minor healing potions, and a sketch of old forest paths. This puzzle is unrelated to the blight, contains no foe, and carries no XP for a combat encounter.