Escape Pool

 

The only way out appears down, into a deep, clear pool of water.

Magical Trap

A wall of force sits about 1 foot below the surface of the water. A DC 18 Intelligence (Nature) check reveals that the water appears to be moving differently in a 20’x20′ area. This is the area right above the wall of force. If an object is dropped, it will be clearly seen to go down 1 foot and stop. A creature which jumps into the pool hits the wall and takes 6d6 falling damage. A spell or other effect that can sense the presence of magic, such as Detect Magic, reveals an aura of evocation just below the surface of the water. A spell such as Dispel Magic cast onto the wall will dispel the wall with a successful DC 15 caster check. Any effect that suppresses magic at spell level 5 will suppress the wall for the duration of the effect, causing it to disappear if it has already been activated.

 

Heart of Gold

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

A beggar sits in front of the dungeon entrance. He tells those who enters that great treasures are inside, but greater are those that share with their fellow man. He says it’s better to have a heart of gold than a golden heart.

When leaving, he repeats his words. Those that do not donate to him must make a hard Constitution saving throw or die, as their hearts literally turn to gold.

Oil on the Stove

 

The smell of cooking oil permeates the air.

Mechanical Trap

A hot pot of cooking oil is on the oven. The exit door causes a water bucket in the vent above the stove to dump water into the oil. A DC 12 Wisdom (Perception) check will reveal that the top of the door has twine attached to it that runs along the seam between the ceiling and wall and enters the vent. When the door is opened, the water spills into the pot. Every creature in the room takes 3d6 fire damage and is on fire for 1d4 rounds. While on fire, a creature takes 1d4 fire damage at the start of their turn. A DC 14 Dexterity saving throw halves the damage, and also means that the creature is not on fire and does not take the ongoing fire damage. The trap can be disabled simply by cutting the twine before opening the door.

 

Escape Route

 

The basement has a chest, and no other exits.

Magical Trap

The chest, when opened, creates the illusion of a door on the back wall. There is a secret door on the back wall, which can be located with a DC 18 Wisdom (Perception) check. When the chest is opened, a wooden door appears on the back wall. The wooden door is actually overlaid onto a secret door. Opening the wooden door opens the secret door. However, behind the wooden door there appears to be a corridor headed upwards, with daylight showing in the distance. In reality, it’s a 60′ deep shaft. Creatures interacting with the door may make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw. If it succeeds, they see the shaft, and not the corridor. When a creature steps into the doorway, they must make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or fall, taking 6d6 falling damage. Observers will just see the creature disappear, unless they are successful on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw. Then they will see them fall. A spell or other effect that can sense the presence of magic, such as Detect Magic, reveals an aura of illusion on the chest. A spell such as Dispel Magic cast onto the chest will dispel the illusion effect permanently. Any effect that suppresses magic will suppress the illusion for the duration of the effect, causing it to disappear if it has already been activated.

 

Crawlspace

 

A small wooden crawlspace can be entered at the back of the room.

Mechanical Trap

The crawlspace is lined with wooden planks, all of which have a little give. This give causes some of the nails to pop out slightly while using it. A DC 14 Intelligence (Investigation) check reveals that the crawlspace is old and needs repair. The boards are somewhat loose and it looks like not all of the nails are secured. Each time a creature makes a move in the crawlspace, they must make a DC 14 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check, or get caught on a nail, taking 1 point of damage. If the creature is wearing armor, and fails the check by 5 or more, the creature also becomes restrained, and movement ends. It requires an action by the creature or another creature to end the restrained effect. If the creature moves at half speed, the creature will gain advantage on the check while moving.

 

Self Healing Chest

 

The lock on the chest appears rusted shut.

Magical Trap

The lock and chest repair themselves after each round. The lock is impossible to pick, and must be broken to open, or the chest broken to open. The lock has AC 19 and 10hp. The chest is AC 15 and 15 hp. Every time either the lock or chest take damage, unless it is enough to completely destroy it, they completely heal themselves. Once destroyed, the healing effect is permanently lost. A spell or other effect that can sense the presence of magic, such as Detect Magic, reveals an aura of transmutation on the lock and chest. A spell such as Dispel Magic cast onto the chest or lock will dispel the healing and any damage will be taken as normal. Any effect that suppresses magic will suppress the healing for the duration of the effect. If the lock or chest are not completely broken, they will heal once the effect ends.

 

Piston Tiles

 

The stone tiles in this room are all a uniform 5 foot square.

Mechanical Trap

Each tile in the middle of the room has a pit and piston underneath it. First it drops, igniting the tunnel, and then slams up to the ceiling. A DC 14 Wisdom (Perception) check reveals that the tiles 10′ into the room have a couple of mm of space between it and the next tile. This area is as wide as the room and 20 ft deep. When one of these tiles is stepped on, the tile immediately drops 20 feet. A creature on the tile must make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or take 1d6 falling damage. When the piston hits the bottom, the pit fills with flame as an explosion drives the piston up again. Creatures in the pit take 3d6 fire damage, with a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw for half damage. The piston drives all the way to the ceiling. Creatures on the piston may make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw when it leaves the pit to jump off. Otherwise, the creature takes 3d6 bludgeoning damage when the piston reaches the top. The piston then resets. Note that if a creature jumps to an adjacent tile that has a piston, this cycle is repeated. The trap can only be disabled from underneath the tile. A creature must get under the tile, requiring a DC 14 Acrobatics check to get under the tile while it is rising. The creature still takes 2d6 falling damage unless mitigated somehow. If the creature moves at any rate slower than normal falling speed, they will take 2d6 bludgeoning damage as the piston lands on top of them at the bottom, as there is only 3′ of clearance. Once underneath, a DC 16 Dexterity check with thieves’ tools will cause the piston to rise where it can be stopped and locked at any point. Creatures may also try to hop from one tile to another by making successive Dexterity saving throws from tile to tile. Once a creature is aware of the trap, these saving throws have advantage.

 

Wait Here

 

A small rope pull appears to open the gate’s latch.

Magical Trap

The rope pull activates a magical rope trap in front of the door. A successful DC 12 Intelligence (Investigation) check shows a rope textured circle in the dust, 5 foot in diameter, in front of the door. When the rope is pulled, any creature standing in front of the door must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or be magically hoisted upside down, hanging 3 feet above the ground. The creature is restrained for 1 minute or until released. A successful Dexterity saving throw at the end of the creature’s turn will end the effect. Or, that creature or an adjacent creature may make a successful DC 12 Intelligence (Arcana) check to end the effect. A spell or other effect that can sense the presence of magic, such as Detect Magic, reveals an aura of abjuration on the rope. A spell such as Dispel Magic cast onto the rope will permanently disable the trap. Any effect that suppresses magic will suppress the trap for the duration of the effect.

 

Swarmscent

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

It is rumored that gold and magical treasure beyond measure lies under the swamp.

The swamp contains plants that emit an odorless gas that adheres to the adventurers. Outside, it is harmless, but once the caverns under the swamps are entered, it becomes potent. While in the caverns, the scent from the swamp stays on the party for 2d6 hours. During this time, it attracts all manner of insects, bugs and vermin. Any single insect, but or vermin encounter automatically draws an additional 1d4 swarms of the same type.

Breaking Windows

 

A few windows on the front of the building lead into an office.

Mechanical Trap

The windows are trapped from the inside. If they are opened, small hammers break the glass, sending shards outwards. A DC 10 Wisdom (Perception) check reveals the the inside of the window frames are lined with several small hammers on springs. If the window is opened, all of the spring loaded hammers fire, sending glass shards outwards. All creatures within 5′ of the window take 2d6 slashing damage, with a successful DC 12 Dexterity saving throw halving this damage. The trap can be easily disarmed from inside, by locating a small switch on each window with a DC 10 Wisdom (Perception) check and flipping it. The only way to disarm the windows from the outside is to break the glass. At this point, the hammers can be disarmed, or if they do fire, there is nothing for them to hit.