What are some challenges that can be presented in adventures that are "level independent" -- that is, not a function of hitting a certain DC, doing a certain amount of damage, or having just the right level gated ability.
The first one that comes to mind is the classic puzzle -- whether it is a riddle or the old chessboard-movement puzzle, or anything along those lines. Some players, however, DO NOT like puzzles. I once had a player balk at solving an easy sudoku as a stand in for shutting down a nuclear reactor in a Mutant Future game.
Another sort of level independent challenge might be trying to convince an NPC to help you by doing things that tick off some "help you" clock. The Duke would love to help you but can't do anything until he has evidence against his rival in hand, etc...
What other sorts of level independent challenges are there?
The first one that comes to mind is the classic puzzle -- whether it is a riddle or the old chessboard-movement puzzle, or anything along those lines. Some players, however, DO NOT like puzzles. I once had a player balk at solving an easy sudoku as a stand in for shutting down a nuclear reactor in a Mutant Future game.
Another sort of level independent challenge might be trying to convince an NPC to help you by doing things that tick off some "help you" clock. The Duke would love to help you but can't do anything until he has evidence against his rival in hand, etc...
What other sorts of level independent challenges are there?