Just Rubble?

[fba827]

Print out a picture (providing clues to some mystery), glue it to a dollar store puzzle (children's puzzle for a quick one) then turn it over and cut it up with an exacto knife. It may have been a mosaic or bas-relief sculpture from the wall in the room

I did this once, and the picture I used was a picture depicting a ritual of sorts.
Explaining that these were all pieces of some clay pottery that was apparently smashed.

once they got several pieces together they realized the ritual that needed to be done and found the spot in the dungeon to do it, which in turn ended up being not a smart thing to do...

 

[Wik]

"You must spread some Experience Points around before giving it to Mark again."

Fixed it for you.

 

[Herobizkit]

For some reason, I got a picture of a Chinese checker board in my head when you mentioned rubble. Perhaps there are recesses along the floor that must actually be filled in order to trigger a device, door, or dis/arm a trap. Or perhaps there are perfectly round spheres buried in the rubble that must be used for same. Or maybe they actually have to PLAY Chinese checkers to get out...

 

[Armadillo]

Lots of interesting ideas here.

It is a dragon's treasure hoard of coins

Or, it is a treasure hoard that has been concealed beneath an illusion so that it appears to be rubble.

 

[Theo R Cwithin]

The rubble could be a smashed statue or other object. However, when it's re-assembled, something significant is missing: for example, the head or the heart.

If the party finds the missing piece later in the adventure, do they come back and complete the statue or not?

If they do complete the statue, is it more than "just a statue" (a monster, like a stone golem, or a boon, like an oracle)?

And if it is "just a statue", how much time do the PCs spend worrying about it?
(hee hee! )