Greased Stair

 

A long, steep wooden staircase descends into darkness.

Mechanical Trap

One of the stairs towards the top has been covered in slippery grease. A DC 14 Wisdom (Perception) check reveals that the 4th stair is a lot shinier than the others. A creature stepping on this stair must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or trip and fall down the stairs, taking 2d6 falling damage. A creature who is aware of the stair who steps on in gains advantage on the saving throw. Otherwise, a creature may bypass the stair with a DC 12 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check with advantage. Failure results in falling as above. The stair can be cleaned of the grease with a piece of cloth by spending an action. This reduces the DC of the saving throw and skill check to DC 5.

 

Ceiling Chute

 

A large door stretches up almost all the way to the 10 foot ceiling.

Mechanical Trap

The door is connected to a piece of metal. When the door opens, it slides the metal that is right above the ceiling away, causing the glass globe full of acid to drop. A DC 14 Wisdom (Perception) check reveals a 5’x5′ area in the ceiling near the door that is slightly recessed and doesn’t quite match the color of the rest of the ceiling. When the door is opened, this recessed area slides aside, dropping a glass globe full of acid. Any creature underneath the door must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or be struck by the globe, dealing 4d4 acid damage, and an additional 1d4 acid damage for 1d4 rounds. On a successful save, the creature takes 1d4 acid damage. Creatures within 5′ must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or take 1d4 acid damage. If the door is opened partway, the metal sheet can be detached with a DC 16 Dexterity check with thieves’ tools. If this check fails, it causes the globe to fall on the creature attempting to disable the trap. A net or cloth can be rigged under the ceiling to catch the globe as well.

 

A Pleasant View

 

A door open up onto a balcony with a great view of the forest.

Magical Trap

The view is an illusion. The balcony is only a few feet of wood and then it drops off. A creature that ventures onto the balcony must make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or step off and fall, taking 3d6 falling damage. Anyone that witnesses this will see the creature disappear downwards, and may make a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw to disbelieve the illusion. A spell or other effect that can sense the presence of magic, such as Detect Magic, reveals an aura of illusion about the balcony. A spell such as Dispel Magic will cause the illusion to cease, while any effect that suppresses magic will cause the illusion to cease for the duration of the effect.

 

Catch Under Desk

 

An ornate desk has a single drawer that has no handle.

Mechanical Trap

The drawer is opened by a secret catch under it. The catch is surrounded by hidden razor blades. If the area under the drawer is searched, a DC 14 Wisdom (Perception) check will reveal a small catch to open the drawer. A DC 16 Wisdom (Perception) check reveals the razors. A creature operating the catch will take 1d4 slashing damage, and will have disadvantage on any checks or attacks that use the hands until the slashing damage is healed. If the razors have been located, a successful DC 14 Dexterity check will avoid the razor damage. The razors can be removed with a successful DC 16 Dexterity check with thieves’ tools.

 

False Door

 

A wooden door is set flush with the wall up ahead.

Mechanical Trap

The door is a fake door, and does not open. Above the door, the ceiling is hinged and swings down. A DC 14 Wisdom (Perception) check will detect that the door looks fake. A DC 16 Wisdom (Perception) check will reveal small hinges near the wall and ceiling above the door, and a hairline outline of a 10’x10′ square in the ceiling. The door has a pressure plate behind it. When the door is pushed, it pushes the plate, which releases the hinged 10′ x 10′ section of the ceiling. The creature opening the door must make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or take 3d6 bludgeoning damage and become restrained. A DC 12 Strength check is required to move the ceiling aside to free the restrained creature. A DC 16 Dexterity check with thieves’ tools is required to lock the hinges into place, preventing the ceiling from falling. If the door is pulled open, which requires a DC 16 Strength check, the pressure plate is obvious. Attacking the door will cause the plate to be pushed.

 

Sticky Gold

 

A wooden chest sits in the back of a closet.

Mechanical Trap

The outside of the chest is coated with a sticky substance. A DC 12 Wisdom (Perception) check reveals that the chest seems to be coated with an oily substance. If the chest is touched, the creature touching it becomes stuck to the chest. A stuck creature may free itself with a DC 16 Strength check, but that deals 1d4 bludgeoning damage. Alcohol will dissolve the glue as well. The glue may be neutralized by applying alcohol, or material thicker than linen may be applied. The material will stick, but the chest may be handled by only touching the areas covered by the material.

 

Epstein

 

A noose hangs from the ceiling.

Magical Trap

The noose causes creatures to hang themselves. A creature that gets within 5 feet of the noose must make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or attempt to to hang themselves. If the saving throw fails, the nearest creature to the hanging creature must also make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or they will attempt to help the hanging creature. A creature attempting to hang itself must make a DC 12 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check to successfully apply the noose. If assistance is being received, this check has advantage. Hanging creatures immediately begin to suffocate. Each round, the hanging creature and/or assistant may attempt a new DC 14 Wisdom saving throw to end the effect. Once the effect is ended, the hanging creature must make a DC 12 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check, or cut the rope to free itself. A spell or other effect that can sense the presence of magic, such as Detect Magic, reveals an aura of enchantment on the rope. A spell such as Dispel Magic will negate the rope’s command effect, while any effect that suppresses magic will cause the command effect to be suppressed for the duration of the effect.

 

Sonic Amplifier

Here is another installment of exTRAPaganza, our Thursday over-the-top trap series. 

This bell shaped area has unusual acoustic properties. Any loud noise – shouting, weapon strikes, etc – have their noise amplified. With each noise, all creatures in the area must make a hard Constitution check or take medium damage and become stunned for 1 round. A successful save halves the damage and negates the stun.

Window Pain

 

An empty archway leads to the next room.

Magical Trap

A piece of glass is conjured when a creature passes thru the archway. The glass stops any creature smaller than medium size. Creatures medium sized and larger must make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or break through the glass, taking 4d6 slashing damage. A spell or other effect that can sense the presence of magic, such as Detect Magic, reveals an aura of conjuration on the archway. A spell such as Dispel Magic will negate the creation of the glass pane, while any effect that suppresses magic will cause the window to not appear until the effect ends. Tired of rodents and other small vermin entering the room, the owner took matter into his own hands, creating a glass wall to stop them.

 

Kick In The Nuts

 

The door is made of planks of wood, but is otherwise featureless.

Mechanical Trap

All of the planks are hinged, and when pushed, rotate upwards. A DC 12 Wisdom (Perception) check reveals that the boards are not even with each other. Some are rotated slightly up or down. When the door is pushed to open, the board flips up, striking the creature opening the door. The plank attacks with a +2 melee attack for 1d4 bludgeoning damage. If the attack  succeeds, the creature must also make a DC 12 Constitution check or be stunned for 1 round. The planks can be disabled easily by jamming them, or even nailing something over them with a DC 10 Dexterity check.