When stocking a dungeon, there is a 1 in 6 chance for a room to have a trap.
Searching has a base 2 in 6 chance to spot a trap, and there is a base 2 in 6 chance (per creature) to trigger a trap. The Judge may rule that a trap resets in 1d6 rounds, turns, hours, etc. as appropriate.
When a trap is indicated, roll a d6 and consult the result against the level of the dungeon (depth) in question. This will give you the “Threat Rank” (I – VI) of the trap.
Finally roll a d12 and match the result to the given Threat Rank.
| Dungeon Depth | d6 Result | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1-4 | 5 | 6 | |||
| 2 | 1-2 | 3-4 | 5 | 6 | ||
| 3-4 | 1 | 2 | 3-4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 5-7 | 1 | 2 | 3-4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 8-10 | 1 | 2 | 3-4 | 5-6 | ||
| 11 | 1 | 2 | 3-6 | |||
| Threat Rank | I | II | III | IV | V | VI |
| Trap by Threat Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| d12 | I | II | III | IV | V | VI |
| 1 | Pit | Pit; Locking | Pit; Spiked | Pit; Spiked, Poison | Pit; Locking, - Monster | Pit; Spiked, Poison, Locked, Flooding |
| 2 | Pit; Open, Spiked | Pit; Watery | Pit; Monster | Pit; Flooding | Pit; Locking, Flooding | Pit; Locking, Crushing |
| 3 | Darts (1d3) | Arrows (1d6) | Arrows (1d6); Weak Poison | Darts (2d6) | Arrows (1d6); Poison | Darts (2d6); Poison |
| 4 | Arrows (1d3) | Spears (1d6) | Spears (1d6); Accurate | Spears (1d6); Weak Poison | Spears (1d6); Very Accurate | Spears (1d6); Accurate, Poison |
| 5 | Pendulum | Scything Blade | Wall Spikes | Door; Poison Needle | Poison Scythe | Wall Spikes; Poison |
| 6 | Ball Trap | Royal Statue | Block; Swinging | Block; Falling | Block; Falling, Spiked | Block; falling, Spiked, Poison |
| 7 | Door; Falling | Rolling Rock | Collapsing Column | Collapsing Wall | Compacting Room | Crushing Wall |
| 8 | Net | Portcullis | Watery Room | Spinning Wall | Flooding Room | Dropping Ceiling |
| 9 | Gas; Obscuring | Gas; Sickening | Gas; Blinding | Gas; Poisonous | Gas; Corroding | Gas; Insanity |
| 10 | Boiling Oil | Acid Vent | Fear | Wall of Fire/Ice | Conjure Elemental | Symbol |
| 11 | Wizard Lock | Phantasmal Forces | Fireball | Confusion | Teleport | Death Spell |
| 12 | Magic Mouth | Fire Vent | Lightning Bolt | Polymorph | Wall of Stone/Iron | Reverse Gravity |
The basic pit is a 10’×10’×10’ hole hidden by a cover unless noted. When triggered, victims must save vs. stone or fall in (generally affecting two characters). This results in 1d6 points of falling damage (save again for half). The Judge should familiarize themselves with the rules for Forcing Doors, Swimming, etc. For deeper dungeon levels (where the dungeon level is greater than trap rank), add 10’ to pit depth (+1d6 damage) per level difference. Optionally, convert any pit to a chute to a lower level.
Pit: As described above, victims must save vs. stone to avoid falling damage as described above.
Pit; Locking: This pit has a lid that closes behind the victims. The mechanisim can not be opened from inside without magic. Someone outside must force the cover: Force Door (2 in 6 + Strength Bonus).
Pit; Spiked: The spikes at the bottom do and additional 1d6 damage on top of the fall damage.
Pit; Spiked, Poison: The Spikes do 1d6 damage in addition to fall damage and are coverd with poison. If the save for half fall damage is failed, the victim must then save vs. death.
Pit; Locking, Monster: This pit has a lid that closes behind the victims. The mechanisim can not be opened from inside without magic. Someone outside must force the cover: Force Door (2 in 6 + Strength Bonus). Roll for a random unintelligent monster appropriate for dungeon level living within.
Pit; Spiked, Poison, Locking, Flooding: Fall damage, 1d6 damage from spikes, which are covered in poison. Tf the save for half fall damage is failed, victim must then save vs. death. The pit lid closes behind the victim, and can not be opened from within, except with magic. An outside character must Force Door (2 in 6 + Strength Bonus). A torrent of liquid forces victim to bottom (drowning damage 1d3/round); victims require outside assistance to escape (AC 2 to grab pole or rope and be pulled out).
Pit; Open, Spiked: This pit is not covered, so PCs will not fall into it accidentally unless running, pushed, etc.; The spikes at the bottom do and additional 1d6 damage on top of the fall damage.
Pit; Watery: This pit is near filled with water or some other mundane liquid. Victims must succeed a swim check to stay afloat. Failure by 2 pips results in sinking/drowning.
Pit; Monster: Roll for random unintelligent monster appropriate to the dungeon level to inhabit the pit.
Pit; Flooding: A torrent of liquid forces victim to bottom (drowning damage 1d3/round); victims require outside assistance to escape (AC 2 to grab pole or rope and be pulled out).
Pit; Locking, Flooding: The pit lid closes behind the victim, and can not be opened from within, except with magic. An outside character must Force Door (2 in 6 + Strength Bonus). A torrent of liquid forces victim to bottom (drowning damage 1d3/round); victims require outside assistance to escape (AC 2 to grab pole or rope and be pulled out).
Pit; Locking, Crushing: The pit lid closes behind the victim, and can not be opened from within, except with magic. An outside character must Force Door (2 in 6 + Strength Bonus). The walls start crushing in 1d3 rounds, which then requires a save vs. death each round thereafter.
The basic shooting trap attacks as a 3 HD monster (+3 to hit), firing the listed number of projectiles from concealed holes. Targets are determined randomly from creatures in the trigger zone. On a roll of 1, the Judge may decide the trap is out of ammo.
Darts (1d3): Shoots 1d3 darts at +3, for 1d4 damage each.
Arrows (1d6): Fires 1d6 arrows at +3, for 1d6 each damage each.
Arrows (1d6); Weak Poison: Fires 1d6 arrows at +3, for 1d6 each damage each. Victims struck must save vs. death at a +4 bonus.
Darts (2d6): Shoots 2d6 darts at +3, for 1d4 damage each.
Arrows (1d6); Poison: Fires 1d6 arrows at +3, for 1d6 each damage each. Victims struck must save vs. death.
Darts (2d6); Poison: Shoots 2d6 darts at +3, for 1d4 each damage each. Victims struck must save vs. death.
Arrows (1d3): Fires 1d3 arrows at +3, for 1d6 each damage each
Spears (1d6): Launches 1d6 spears at +3, for 1d6 each damage each.
Spears (1d6); Accurate: Launches 1d6 spears at +6, for 1d6 each damage each.
Spears (1d6); Weak Poison: Launches 1d6 spears at +3, for 1d6 each damage each. Victims struck must save vs. death at a +4 bonus.
Spears (1d6); Very Accurate: Launches 1d6 spears at +9, for 1d6 each damage each.
Spears (1d6); Accurate, Poison: Launches 1d6 spears at +6, for 1d6 each damage each. Victims struck must save vs. death.
Slashing traps typically come out of cunningly concealed panels in the walls, floor, or ceiling, stricking the number of creatures indicated in the description.
Pendulum: A blade swings from the ceiling attacking the triggering creature at +3, inflicting 2d6 damage.
Scything Blade: A Scythe springs out of the wall or other object, attacking at+3. It strikes up to three characters for 2d6 damage.
Wall Spikes: These spikes spring from holes in the walls. If these holes are not covered by tapestries, foliage, plaster, etc.; grant characters a +2 to their search. When triggered, anyone within 5’ of the wall is attacked by 1d3 protruding spikes at +6 for 1d6 damage.
Door; Poison Needle: A poison needle jabs out and quickly retracts from a doorknob or other protrusion. Victims must save vs. death at a +4 bonus. Note: Plate gauntlets are either open or supple leather on the inner side, and are of no protection against this trap.
Poison Scythe: A Scythe springs out of the wall or other object, attacking at +9. It strikes up to three characters for 2d6 damage and they must then save vs death.
Wall Spikes; Poison: Spikes spring from holes in the walls. If these holes are not covered by tapestries, foliage, plaster, etc.; grant characters a +2 to search. When triggered, anyone within 5’ of the wall is attacked by 1d3 protruding spikes at +6 for 1d6 damage, and they must save vs death.
Clubbing traps are concealed within the architectural elements of the structure.
Ball Trap: Countless steel balls drop to the floor, the sound of which triggers a check for nearby monsters. Anyone moving through the area must save vs. stone or fall and be stunned (unable to move or act) for 1d3 rounds. It takes 1d6 rounds for the balls to dissipate, ending the effect.
Royal Statue: A statue of a king or other nobility swings at the character with its scepter, attacking at +6 and inflicting 2d6 damage.
Block; Swinging: A large stone block swings down from the ceiling in an arc that affects a 20 foot-long area, those in the area suffer 4d6 damage and can save vs. stone for half.
Block; Falling: A large stone block falls from the ceiling in 5×10 foot area causing 6d6 damage, those caught can make a save vs. stone for half.
Block; Falling, Spiked: A large spiked stone block falls from the ceiling in 5×10 foot area causing 10d6 damage, those caught can make a save vs. stone for half.
Block; Falling, Spiked, Poison: A large spiked stone block falls from the ceiling in 5×10 foot area causing 10d6 damage, those caught can save vs. stone for half. The spikes are coated in poison and all those in the area must also save vs. death.
Door, Falling: This heavy reinforced door springs off of its hinges a creature attempts to open it. It affects a 5x10 foot area and inflicts 2d6 damage; targets can save vs. stone for half.
Rolling Rock: A 8’ diameter boulder is released down the passage moving at 9” (45‘) per round; those struck take 4d6 damage and can save vs. stone for half. The boulder comes to rest, blocking the passageway, and can be moved 4 average strength people working in unison.
Collapsing Column: A non-load bearing column is designed to break apart with the sections falling in a 5’ radies foot area causing 4d6 damage, characters can save vs. stone for half.
Collapsing Wall: The outer layer of blocks on this wall collapse in 5’ deep by 10’ long area causing 8d6 damage, those affected can save vs. stone for half.
Compacting Room: The doors to this room are reinforced and will swing shut and lock. If they are spiked open beforehand, the spikes have a 4 in 6 chance to hold. The walls will close in 1d6+1 rounds causing 12d6 damage before retracting. Victims can save vs. death for half damage.
Crushing Wall: This solid outer section of wall flips forward inflicting 16d6 damage to a 5’ deep x20’ long area, and then retracts. Victims can save vs death for half.
Confining traps are typically normal appearing rooms that restrict movement. The Judge should familiarize themselves with the rules for Forcing Doors, Swimming, etc.
Net: A net with hooks and bells drops from the ceiling, landing in 10’ × 20’ area, entangling those beneath. Those in the net cannot move, suffer a -2 penalty to AC, and can only make melee attacks with swords and spears at a -2 penalty. Creatures have a 1 in 6 plus Strength bonus chance per round to escape. Having a dagger in-hand grants a +2 to this roll. Check for nearby monsters when net falls.
Portcullis: An iron gate falls behind party and blocks the passage, the sound of which triggers a check for nearby monsters. The bars may be forced as locked door.
Watery Room: The floor of the room is flooded with stagnant water at least 10’ deep.
Spinning Wall: A section of wall up to 20’ in length spins in place, depositing the victims in area on adjacent side. It cannot be triggered from the other side.
Flooding Room: The doors to this room are reinforced and will swing shut and lock. If they are spiked open beforehand, the spikes have a 4 in 6 chance to hold. Once sealed, the room floods with water in 1d6 rounds. Once fully flooded, attempts to open the door are at –2.
Dropping Ceiling: The entire stone ceiling of the room drops when triggered inflicting, 12d6 damage to the occupants, who can save vs. death for half. Passage through the room is then blocked.
The basic gas trap afflicts a 20 × 20’ area with a hissing sound and distinct smell. When triggered characters can make a save vs. stone, allowing them to immediately flee the affected area. Those in the area must save vs. breath each round to avoid the effect of the gas. The gas clears after one hour.
Gas; Obscuring: A acrid hazy gas fills the area, imposing a –4 penalty to attacks.
Gas; Sickness: This sulfurous smelling gas causes the victims to lose 1d6 points of Strength unless a save vs. breath is made. The lost Strength will recover an hour after leaving the gaseous area.
Gas; Blinding: This apple scented gas inflicts blindness. Sight is restored an hour after leaving the area.
Gas; Poison: This bitter almond scented gas forces the victims to save vs. death with a +4 bonus.
Gas; Corroding: This ammonia smelling gas will rust any metal items in the area. Each item must succeed a save vs. stone or it falls to pieces. Magic items get +2 bonus for each magic plus or ability.
Gas, Insanity: This fruity smelling gas causes the victim to become permanently insane unless a save vs. breath is successful. Those affected are equally likely to attack or flee from allies in any given encounter. A remove curse spell will lift the affliction.
While these traps may make use of magical effects, they are triggered and detected in the same manner as other traps. Some mechanical interface activates the magic, which is undetectable until that time.
Boiling Oil: Boiling oil dumps into a 10’ radius area inflicting 2d6 points of fire damage. The targets can make a save vs. breath for half damage.
Fire Vent: Flames belch out into a 10’ radius inflicting 4d6 points of fire damage. The targets can make a save vs. breath for half damage.
Acid Vent: Acid dumps into a 10’ radius area inflicting 4d6 points of acid damage. The targets can make a save vs. breath for half damage.
Spells: These traps work as per the spell description, at the lowest level required to cast. Targets must Save vs Wand where applicable. Trap-conjured Elementals are 8 HD (small). For deeper dungeon levels (where the dungeon level is greater than trap rank), add +2 to the caster level per degree of difference.