Rolling boulders are a dungeon staple, and their only drawback is that they are a one-shot deal: once evaded they lose their effectiveness. Magic can be used to upgrade the basic design. To see a good example of magic augmenting a trap, take a look at the ball of tentacles trap is a good example. […]
Trapsmith: Crushing Iceball Trap Read More »
A trapsmith must possess a certain degree of showmanship. A good trap consists of three parts ruthless efficiency and one part “you really shouldn’t be here.” Tomb robbers, trespassers, and adventurers are a persistent lot—they don’t reconsider their course of action easily, so it takes a certain measure of persuasion to make them do so.
Trapsmith: Floating Pincushion Read More »
The deception of a trap lies in the perception. Trapsmiths control the environment, and you see only what they want you to see. It could very well be that the obvious solution to the problem or obstacle that you perceive is what will be your downfall. “A gaping hole opens up in the dungeon floor
Trapsmith: Devouring Pits Read More »
Tomb robbers bring friends or associates with them to help haul away the treasure that they seek. There is safety in numbers, but it also introduces certain group dynamics—exploitable group dynamics such as friendship, caring, trust, and a variety of other deadly virtues. You are on the southern threshold of a diamond-shaped room. At each
Trapsmith: Stunning Switch Read More »
Trapsmiths trust in greed. Greed is what drives the adventurer into the dungeon, and greed is the thing that brings about their demise. The trap below might be placed in a location that serves as a gateway to later locations in a dungeon or keep. The inhabitants know not to approach the statue, but those
Trapsmith: The Gift of Greed Read More »
In a previous Trapsmith entry, we explored the merits of fear and how a trapsmith uses it in his designs. “Arrows of the Arbonesse” in Kobold Quarterly #20 introduces several new arrows that you can use to breathe life into the old arrow trap design, transforming it from the ubiquitous dungeon feature to something approaching dangerous.
Trapsmith: Fear the Arrow—The Return of Pain Read More »
Over the past several days, we’ve been posting the entries we received for the Seize the Tin Crown contest. These will each be only lightly proofread so that you, our voting public, have a chance to judge them based on your own criteria. After we post the last of the entries, we’ll be calling for
Seize the Tin Crown Entry: The Alley of Squeaks and Screams Read More »
Fadin expertly judged the color of the steel as its hue gradually shifted from deep red, to orange, and then to a pale yellow in his forge. At a precisely timed moment, he removed it with a set of tongs and brought it over to his anvil. He nodded to his apprentice, who generously showered
Fadin’s Fuming Forge: A Haunt Read More »
The pursuit of power. The quest for immortality. There are many paths to power: some are well trodden while some are not. The fellhazen and the runecarved are two lesser-travelled roads for the heroic tier. Each offers a distinct path to the paragon tier and beyond. [previously] The Runecarved “The art of runecasting survives, devilspawn!
Paths to Power (Part 2 of 2) Read More »
(Illustration by Chris McFann) There are places where the border between realities is thin, places where the energies of the inner planes can easily pour through: places like volcanoes and the Blood Caves. [previously] The Thing That Cuts The thinning of the veil trap and the healer’s touch trap need something, someone, to activate their
Blood and Soul (Part 2 of 2) Read More »
(Illustration by Chris McFann) There are places where the border between realities is thin, places where the energies of the inner planes can easily pour through: places like volcanoes and the Blood Caves. The Blood Caves A gateway between the surface and the night below, the Blood Caves are made more dangerous due to the
Blood and Soul (Part 1 of 2) Read More »
“Pinkskins! Pinkskins in the warren!” The shouts woke Kiro from his slumber. Again and again, the call was repeated. Grabbing his spear, he raced to the cave entrance where several other warriors joined up with him. He glanced at his comrades: their tails wagging with excitement, their teeth bared. They surged into a corridor and
Harrowing Haunts: A Legacy of Good Read More »
(Illustration by Chris McFann) “He would not fail.” With a last glance toward the gathered clan, Bronn strode into the cave that held his last test, the test that would make him a warrior. “He would not fail.” The thought distracted him enough that the apparition startled him as it came into being. Scolding himself, Bronn
The pursuit of power. The quest for immortality. There are many paths to power, and some are well trodden while some are not. The fellhazen and the runecarved are two lesser-travelled roads for the heroic tier. Each offers a distinct path to the paragon tier and beyond. The Fellhazan “Allow me to share the dark
Paths to Power (Part 1 of 2) Read More »
A History of Haunts follows the career of Otto Geist from relatively unknown trapsmith to the leading authority on haunt manifestation. Journal Entry #1 Today was a glorious day! I encountered my very first haunt, and even though the bleeding walls and faint sobbing were somewhat disturbing—I am not ashamed to admit that I fled
Harrowing Haunts: A History of Haunts Read More »
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