Trapsmith: Homing Horror Trap
Gark peered deep into the flame, waiting for the blessed moment when the Mother of Destruction would whisper her words of inspiration. Blinking heavily, he withdrew from the flame. “Free the flame” she had said, but what did that mean?
Snacking on some pigeons, he sifted through his trapsmithing stores. There was the sturdy dwarf-sized backpack his tribe had taken from an unlucky miner. He cracked a toothy smile, remembering the fun they’d had with the dwarf. Then there were the cans of paint he had stolen from the halfling temple. Gark’s eyes lit up when he spotted the lantern he had taken from the thieving human. Free the flame. Free the flame, indeed.
Every good trapsmith knows about the three C’s: cheap, crude, and cruel.
Every wise trapsmith knows that goblins excel at designing traps based on the three C’s and as a result, many retain the services of a goblin as a servant or assistant. Neighbors may complain, but consulting a goblin’s expertise is usually worthwhile, since goblins themselves are cheap, crude, and cruel. They seem full of inventive ideas for maiming and mutilation, and they consider trapmaking to be an art.
The homing horror trap is something only a goblin could devise. Several pigeons are dipped in paint—red is always a good color—and then secured in a backpack. The lit lantern acts as a lure. When the trap is triggered, it douses the pigeons in lamp oil and sets them aflame. The pigeons’ fiery flight is something to behold.
Homing Horror Trap CR 4
Type mechanical; Perception DC 20; Disable Device DC 20
Trigger location; Reset none
Effect flying flames (+10 ranged touch, 1d6+1 fire damage); multiple targets (all targets in a 30-ft. cone)
Effect horrific comprehension (all targets witnessing the flying flames must succeed on a DC 15 Will save or be affected by the conditions listed below); multiple targets (all targets in a 60-ft. cone)
Horrific Comprehension
2 HD or fewer: The creature is unconscious and stunned for 2d4 rounds, then stunned for 1d4+1 rounds. (Only living creatures are knocked unconscious.)
3 or 4 HD: The creature is stunned for 1d4+1 rounds.
5 or more HD: The creature is stunned for 1 round.
Next Installment
What can Gavin do with a sock, 12 feet of rope, the head of a morningstar, and some squirrel jerky?
The Challenge
Name four adventuring items and receive a murderous trap in return.
6 Replies to "Trapsmith: Homing Horror Trap"
Dmitri
November 28, 2012 at 8:03amThat is crude, cruel and cheap! I’m impressed!
Damian the Tiefling
November 28, 2012 at 9:21amI love it! Finally a use for all those pidgeons that flock the larger cities.
James Thomas
November 28, 2012 at 7:54pmMaurice, you are truly cheap, crude and cruel.
Darkjoy
November 29, 2012 at 1:49amThanks guys, don’t forget to suggest some items for a Goblin or more humane trap.
Damian the Tiefling
November 30, 2012 at 9:57amA spatula, vampire teeth, a spring, and the festering hand of a troll. This is from a kobold friend.
Darkjoy
December 1, 2012 at 5:49amItems are on the list.