Simple Riddle... but TOO simple?

[DND_Reborn]

Hey all,

Saturday we'll finally be playing again on Saturday (after the holidays and a long break) and I decided to challenge the group with a riddle. Now, the group is great, but frankly not the brightest bunch so I want something they might have to think about but really shouldn't stump them. So, I know for most people here this shouldn't be too hard but I would like some thoughts or feedback.

The riddle length will vary depending on how many "clues" you think it needs, so please comment on that if you care to and thanks.

Base riddle:

Vanity's nightmare, a child's desire
More ravaging than any fire
Worst of enemies, best of friends
With value one rarely comprehends

(EDIT: VARIANT after feedback)

Vanity's foe, an old man's desire
More ravaging than any fire
Worst of enemies, best of friends
With value one rarely comprehends

Spoiler: Extra Clue 1

Ever flowing, yet no destination
Always going, since first creation

Spoiler: Extra Clue 2

I can be spent, but never earned
Only through me life's lessons are learned

Spoiler: Extra Clue 3

I'm often too much, and often too little
Often I'm wasted when you while or whittle

Spoiler: Extra Clue 4

Answer quickly, for I've not long
You'll live if you're right, but die if you're wrong

What am I?

So, I am definitely going with the base riddle, and any of the extra lines depending on what people like the most and might help without just giving it away.

Thought?

 

[Irlo]

That seems like a decent riddle. I have trouble gauging the difficulties of riddles. Generally, people find them easy or perplexing, with no middle-ground. I would stop with the initial riddle, without adding additional lines. If you do dole out extra clues, swap out #2 for #3.

 

[pming]

Hiya!

My first thought was almost correct, so I re-read it and figured it out (pretty sure). Without any of the clues, so I think the base is good.

^_^

Paul L. Ming

 

[CubicsRube]

It's a good riddle. The extra clues are great to have in the pocket if the players are stumped.

Well done.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

It seems about right to me.

 

[Blackrat]

Spoiler: Answer

Time?

So, I got that from the base riddle, and all the clues just seemed to confirm it. I like it. It was tricky, but not too tricky and those clues worked nicely.

 

[clearstream]

So long as you accept close synonyms, it seems about right.

 

[Blackrat]

So long as you accept close synonyms, it seems about right.

True, if you go with just the base riddle, there are some answers that fit perfectly without being exactly what you are after. One pops in mind immediately:

Spoiler

Age

 

[Benjamin Olson]

So, I'm just going to warn you, that when someone says "I've got a riddle" I sometimes just blurt out the answer

Spoiler: answer?

time!

as a joke because it is a cliché riddle answer.

 

[Baldurs_Underdark]

I suck at these types of riddles and all my PCs that I play would probably violently attack whatever book/plaque/sign the riddle was presented on, or if it was an NPC I'd ask the DM if I had to roll initiative if I wanted to attack the NPC.

But I managed to get the answer. I needed all the clues though!