You want to know what the most common mistake I have seen new DMs make but also rarely gets talked about? Thinking that when they make something it needs to be used for that exact reason at that exact time and with all those exact factors. The rumor that you hear from the blacksmith can be heard from a farmer if they go to them instead, the puzzle you made for the fallen castle that they never even got to can be used in a mosuleum or ancient temple some other time. Content is perfectly flexible up until the moment it is delivered to the party and even then it isn't cast in stone
You want to know what the most common mistake I have seen new DMs make but also rarely gets talked about? Thinking that when they make something it needs to be used for that exact reason at that exact time and with all those exact factors.
The rumor that you hear from the blacksmith can be heard from a farmer if they go to them instead, the puzzle you made for the fallen castle that they never even got to can be used in a mosuleum or ancient temple some other time. Content is perfectly flexible up until the moment it is delivered to the party and even then it isn't cast in stone