layup

A word for when you are faced with a certain predicament that must be worked around-- more specifically, a situation that is part impasse, part dilemma. It is an event or other such obstruction that prevents you from achieving a certain goal that usually must be puzzled out in some form or another. Good for situations where words like puzzle would be appropriate, but specifically the kind of puzzle to be found in Zelda games. Not to be confused with holdup, which is a situation that by most definitions is a conundrum that cannot be solved through one's own power. Also not to be confused with laidup, which is to be incapacitated (usually through sickness or injury), though it is related.