Party stuck on puzzle. Any ideas?

[Thanee]

The blocks are square, wooden blocks.

Of the same size, I suppose?

How can 11 square blocks of the same size fit into a square (without leaving room for more)?

Bye
Thanee

 

[Pielorinho]

Some random thoughts, probably off-base, but maybe not:
-A shield looks like a zero; a sword looks like a 1. Could be binary?
-There are 21 words in the proverb; you have 21 blocks.
-The corpse is "sleeping not"; its sleep is taken away unless it causes some to fall. Perhaps it can have some effect on others, maybe even on the blocks? try holding the blocks up in front of the corpse.
-Try also the "blink if you can understand me" trick, followed by the "one blink for yes, two blinks for no" trick. If you can get that to work, and if "Do you know how to solve this freakin' puzzle?" comes back with one blink, you've turned the puzzle into a game of 20 questions.
-Unless you're enjoying the current puzzle, you may want to drop a word in the DM's ear that allowing unanticipated solutions (e.g., turning it into 20 questions) would be much appreciated. Puzzles that stump the PCs can be real game-destroyers.

Daniel

 

[Sir Draconion]

uh! just a thought
416 equals 11
4 of one
1 of another
and 6 of the last

 

[RigaMortus2]

It may sound gross, but did you check in the pile of intestines for any clues? Perhaps a hidden item of importance is in there.

 

[Wystan]

How can a square fit 11 blocks, that is inherently non square shaped?

 

[Wystan]

Is there a reason for the puzzle that you can determine?

 

[Nerfwright]

How can a square fit 11 blocks, that is inherently non square shaped?

A rectangular hole of 1x11 proportion.

This is my sort of inadvertant obfuscation; square-sided becomes simply 'square' during exposition, if you get my drift.

 

[Nerfwright]

double post - sorry

 

[ScotMartin]

uh! just a thought
416 equals 11
4 of one
1 of another
and 6 of the last

I think Sir Draconion has the basis of the solution here. If there is no "punishment" for putting the wrong blocks in the space, I would try all the combinations using 4, 1 and 6 of the different types of blocks.

My guess for the correct solution would be 4 Shields, 1 Dragon and 6 Swords.

First, that's the order the description lists them (yes, cheesy).
Second, the proverb beings with three main sections:
"For they sleep not"
"Except they have done mischief"
"And their sleep is taken away"

I would associate the first with the shield, as defenders must not sleep.
I would associate the second with the dragon, as they do mischief.
I would associate the third with the sword, as it can take away someone's "sleep"

Of course, with different interpretations, those could be flipped around (someone with a sword could be up to mischief as well), but those seem to fit the best that way.

As for the final bit of the proverb "unless they cause some to fall". It may be a warning not to allow the corpse to fall. I'm not sure.

Just an idea to try!

 

[brehobit]

In any case, I want to hear the answer. I run a "real world" religions game (alternate Earth) from time to time and would LOVE to have some nice bible related puzzles!

Mark