10. Bedroom

Two strong wooden doors lead to the terrace. The bedroom is very spacious. Luxurious linens cover the bed. If taken, they could fetch 75 gp.

The doors are currently locked, and  it requires a DC 35 Disable Device check to open them. The doors are of strong quality and have hardness 5 and 20 hp each; their break DC is 25.

11. Terrace

The terrace is where Gavin entertains guests, and he does some of his best work designing traps there. Carefully maintained plants and flowers line the railing. Because the terrace is vulnerable, Gavin has protected it with one of his better traps.

The enervating net trap involves a trapdoor located in front of the terrace doors. Setting off the trap means that the targets fall down. They are caught by a steel net that drains their vitality. Succeeding on a DC 30 Perception check reveals the bypass switch.

Enervating Net Trap    CR 8
Type mechanical and magical; Perception DC 32; Disable Device DC 25
Trigger proximity; Reset automatic; Bypass switch
Effect trapdoor (succeed on a DC 25 Reflex save or fall upon the enervating net) multiple targets (all targets in a 10-ft. square)
Effect entangled (all targets falling upon the net are automatically entangled)
Effect enervating net (1d4 temporary negative levels each round, treat as the enervation spell); multiple targets (all targets caught in the net)
Effect fall (escaping the net results in a 20-ft. fall, dealing 2d6 damage)

An entangled creature can escape with a DC 20 Escape Artist check (a full-round action). The steel net has hardness 10 and 10 hp. It can be burst with a DC 30 Strength check (also a full-round action). The trapdoor is of strong quality and has hardness 5 and 20 hp; its break DC is 25.

Gavin, Trapsmith Extraordinaire     CR 8

XP 4,800
Human rogue 9
NE Medium humanoid (human)
Init +8; Senses Perception +12

DEFENSE
AC 19, touch 16, flat-footed 14 (+3 armor, +1 deflection, +4 Dex, +1 dodge)
hp 49 (9d8+9)
Fort +4, Ref +13, Will +4
Defensive Abilities evasion, improved uncanny dodge, trap sense +3

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee mwk dagger +6/+1 (1d4/19–20)
Special Attacks sneak attack +5d6

TACTICS
During Combat Gavin uses his wand of scorching ray while striking from the shadows.

STATISTICS
Str 10, Dex 18, Con 10, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 14
Base Atk +6; CMB +6; CMD 20
Feats Dodge, Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Magical Aptitude, Skill Focus (Craft [traps]), Toughness
Skills Acrobatics +16, Bluff +14, Climb +12, Craft (traps) +20, Disable Device +18, Escape Artist +16, Knowledge (arcana) +12, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +15, Knowledge (engineering) +12, Perception +12, Stealth +16, Use Magic Device +16
Languages Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Undercommon
SQ rogue talents (fast stealth, quick trapsmith, resiliency, trap spotter), trapfinding +4
Combat Gear potion of cure moderate wounds, scroll of invisibility, scroll of knock, wand of scorching ray (20 charges)
Other Gear mwk studded leather, mwk dagger, cloak of resistance +1, ring of protection +1, mwk artisan’s tools, mwk thieves’ tools, 577 gp

Quick Trapsmithing

Gavin can whip up a trap at a moment’s notice. He can build traps at the following locations from available ingredients.

Living Quarters

Surgical Spasm Strike Trap     CR 4
Type mechanical; Perception DC 20; Disable Device DC 20
Trigger location; Reset none
Effect surgical strike (attack +20 melee, 1 damage plus 2 bleed damage)
Effect spasms (4d4 slashing damage)

Kitchen

Noxious Branding Trap    CR 4
Type mechanical; Perception DC 20; Disable Device DC 20
Trigger proximity; Reset none
Effect nauseating vapors (succeed on a DC 17 Fortitude saving throw or become nauseated for 2d4 rounds); multiple targets (all targets within a 20-ft. radius)
Effect branding (attack +10 touch, 1d4 fire damage and take a –2 penalty to all Charisma-related checks for 1d3 days)

or

Searing and Snatching Trap     CR 3
Type mechanical; Perception DC 19; Disable Device DC 20
Trigger location; Reset none
Effect flame fried (attack +10 touch; 3d6 fire damage plus searing snatch)
Effect searing snatch (the target gains the grappled condition and cannot move farther than 10 feet; overcoming the trap’s CMD of 25 frees the target from the grapple; alternatively the target can destroy the 10-ft. pole to free itself [hardness 5, 10 hp])

Workshop

Blast of Marbles Trap CR 3
Type mechanical; Perception DC 20; Disable Device DC 16
Trigger location; Reset none
Effect blast of marbles (4d6 damage, DC 17 Reflex save for half damage); multiple targets (all targets in a 20 ft. line)

1. Gavin’s Interior Defenses

Above two stout wooden doors, bold yellow letters proclaims the building to be home to “Gavin’s Interior Defenses.” A smaller sign lets the reader know that admittance requires an appointment.

The doors are currently locked, and it requires a DC 28 Disable Device check to open them. The doors are of good quality and have hardness 5 and 15 hp each; their break DC is 18.

2. Door to Alley

A worn door, nothing more than planks nailed together, blocks further entry through the alley. The door bears a “NO TRESPASS” sign and is unlocked. Succeeding on a DC 13 Knowledge (local) check reveals that trapsmiths really take the ‘no trespass’ concept very seriously.

3. Explosive Ejection Trap

Barely 15 ft. beyond the alley’s door, Gavin has placed a trap to evict trespassers from the alley. An alchemical combination of acid, rust, fat, and a thunderstone works wonders to alert residents and evict unwanted trespassers from the alley.

Explosive Ejection Trap     CR 7
Type mechanical; Perception DC 20; Disable Device DC 20
Trigger location; Reset none
Effect explosive eviction (6d6+10 force damage; succeed on a DC 16 Reflex save for half damage; treat the total damage as the CMB of a bull rush attempt, pushing intruders out of the alley); multiple targets (all targets in a 30-ft. line)
Effect thunderous boom (succeed on a DC 20 Fortitude save or become deafened for one hour); multiple targets (all targets in a 30-ft. line)

4. Backyard

Weeds and mountains of rubble cover most of the area. Treat the area as undergrowth.

5. Office Stairs

A short flight of stairs leads to Gavin’s office. The stairs are trapped. Succeeding on a DC 25 Perception check locates the bypass switch.

Horrible Hooking Trap     CR 7
Type mechanical; Perception DC 25; Disable Device DC 25
Trigger location; Reset manual; Bypass switch
Effect atk +20 melee (3d6+10 piercing damage; treat the damage total as the CMB of a grapple attempt; if the grapple succeeds, the CMD is 14 points above the CMB result)

6. Gavin’s Workshop

A new contraption dominated the workshop, and this device is still unfinished but looks deadly. A sturdy wooden column supports Gavin’s offices. On the walls, tools of the trapsmithing trade are secured in neat, orderly rows.

7. Kitchen

Gavin’s kitchen is currently occupied by two contractors. Hamish and Gorth don’t want to fight anyone, but they will defend themselves if set upon. A staircase leads to Gavin’s living quarters [9].

Hamish and Gorth, Journeyman Carpenters     CR 2

XP 600
Half-orc expert 4
N Medium humanoid (human, orc)
Init +0; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +4

DEFENSE
AC 10, touch 10, flat-footed 10
hp 22 (4d8+4)
Fort +2, Ref +1, Will +3
Defensive Abilities orc ferocity

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee light hammer +4 (1d4+1)
Ranged light hammer +3 (1d4+1)

TACTICS
During Combat The expert uses the terrain to his advantage.

STATISTICS
Str 13, Dex 10, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 8, Cha 11
Base Atk +3; CMB +4; CMD 14
Feats Power Attack, Skill Focus (Craft [carpentry])
Skills Acrobatics +6, Bluff +5, Climb +6, Craft (carpentry) +11, Diplomacy +5, Disable Device +6, Escape Artist +2, Intimidate +9, Knowledge (engineering, local) +8, Perception +4
Languages Common, Orc
SQ orc blood, weapon familiarity
Combat Gear oil of mending (5), potions of cure light wounds (2), potions of spider climb (2)
Other Gear light hammer, block and tackle, chain (20 ft.), crowbars (2), everburning torch, hammers (2), masterwork artisan’s tools, 561 gp

8. Gavin’s Office

Detailed plans for new deadly traps cover the office walls. A secret door leads to Gavin’s living quarters. Succeeding on a DC 25 Perception check uncovers its location. The desk holds one bottle of Othellian brandy, which could easily fetch 25 gp if sold.

9. Living Quarters

Bookcases cover the walls, and most of the books in the room focus on alchemy, engineering, and magic, but a wide range of other topics are also present. A comfortable-looking chair stand near the window. A secret door leads to Gavin’s office. Succeeding on a DC 25 Perception check uncovers its location.

The corpse ended his whistling, and distant fighting noises reached Gavin’s ears at about the same time. Near the corpse, a beautiful rapier lay on the ground, but the corpse’s hat was exquisite: a deep blue with feathers in the latest swashbuckler’s style. Gavin wanted it, so he took it.

He also noted that the dead swashbuckler’s legs were covered by rusty spiked greaves. Gavin removed them as an idea formed in his head.

It is bad form to rob from the dead, but a trade is acceptable, and the dead might just favor revenge as currency. The wretched wrapping trap can easily serve the need for revenge from beyond the grave. Once triggered, a hammock descends upon the target, who needs to succeed on a Reflex save to avoid it. On both ends of the hammock, spiked greaves are attached. These greaves swing around the target, binding the target tightly in the hammock before securing themselves in the target’s flesh. Their rusty nature exposes the target to filth fever. The fishing wire wraps around the victim’s neck and the fishing rod sweeps the target’s leg. The fall suffocates the unfortunate victim.

Wretched Wrapping Trap    CR 7

Type mechanical; Perception DC 24; Disable Device DC 20

Trigger touch; Reset none

Effect hampering hammock (succeed on a DC 20 Reflex save or gain the entangled condition)

Effect securing greaves (+20 melee, 2d4 piercing damage and filth fever (Fortitude DC 12); the target is now considered to be grappled)

Effect wretched wire (+10 ranged touch, 1d4 slashing damage)

Effect leg sweep (1d6 bludgeoning damage; succeed on a DC 18 Reflex save or fall prone)

Effect suffocation (target suffocates; starting DC of the Constitution checks is DC 13)

Escaping the hammock requires a DC 25 Escape Artist check. The hammock has hardness 1 and 15 hit points. The fishing wire can be cut; it has 1 hit point.

Next Installment

Unfortunate victims are out to get the trapsmith in “Get Gavin.”

(This post is Product Identity.)

“Again. Don’t. You know how druids get all excited during the season, so don’t. I am not going to save you. That,“ Gavin pointed at the large fir tree decorated with tinsel and baubles, “is a trap. I can feel it in my bones.”

Druids are scary. Their dealings with the fickle fey and their strange seasonal rituals can cause a certain “wrongness” when and wherever they decide to build a trap. The decorated tree with goose guardian is a perennial druidic favorite. Any who near it must deal with its various ornamental and enchanting abilities.

Tinsel Tie Trap     CR 3
Type magical; Perception DC 26; Disable Device DC 26
Trigger proximity; Reset automatic
Effect tinsel touch (+10 melee, 2d6 slashing damage plus tinsel tie)
Effect tinsel tie (gain the grappled condition; tinsel tie has a CMD of 20)

The tinsel is unnaturally strong. It has hardness 10 and 10 hp.

Ballistic Baubles Trap     CR 3
Type magical; Perception DC 26; Disable Device DC 26
Trigger proximity; Reset automatic
Effect ballistic baubles (+5 ranged touch, treat as a ray of frost spell plus boreal bind)
Effect boreal bind (succeed on a DC 13 Fortitude save or 1d3 Dex damage)

Fey Fir     CR 10
Type magical; Perception DC 34; Disable Device DC 34
Trigger proximity; Reset automatic
Effect fey fir (treat as the sympathy spell, DC 23 Will save negates); multiple targets (all humans within 100 ft.)

Next Installment

What can Gavin do with a fishing rod, rusty spiked greaves, a swashbuckler’s hat and a hammock?

The Challenge

Name four adventuring items and receive a murderous trap in return.

(This post is Product Identity.)

“What is a wizard? A wizard is a cold, calculating mind ruled by reason. A wizard possesses untold power.” After his little speech, Thersus proudly looked down on his pupil. “So, Gavin, do you want to be a wizard when you grow up?”

The boy looked Thersus up and down and answered, “You’re just a man. Daddy says men die.”

* * *

Gavin smiled as he remembered the beating that followed. Thersus had remained his tutor for the rest of the year, but his dad had been so very proud of him. “Strength is weakness, Gavin. Always remember that, but take care because shared knowledge can hurt you.”

Unwrapping the long metal cord he had coiled around his waist, Gavin looked around the wizard’s study. He noted a fine crystal ball, some sort of magic flask, and countless books and assorted scrolls. The key to a wizard’s demise remained the same: Angry wizards are not ruled by reason. They are just people when anger takes over, and people die.

Happy with his work and feeling a little guilty about wasting such valuable treasure, Gavin had only one thing left to do: Summon the wizard to his death.

Weaving a net to hold the crystal ball and tying the rest of the cord to the study’s ceiling is the first step to establish the trap. A decanter of endless water is placed in a scroll case. The scroll case acts as a nozzle and the crystal ball acts as ammunition. Tripping the trap pops the decanter, and the resulting geyser propels the ball forward, but the cord imparts a circular motion to its trajectory. As the ball destroys part of the study, the water and paper form a sticky mix. The resulting mess is sure to anger any wizard or, for that matter, scholar or collector of any sort.

Wretched Wrecking Ball Trap     CR 5
Type mechanical; Perception DC 25; Disable Device DC 20
Trigger location; Reset none
Effect scything cord (+20 melee, 4d4 slashing damage); multiple targets (all targets in a 30-ft. radius)
Effect paper mash (gain the entangled condition); multiple targets (all targets in a 30-ft. radius)

Next Installment

What can Gavin do with 3 ft. of tinsel, half a dozen baubles, a fir tree, and a goose?

The Challenge

Name four adventuring items and receive a murderous trap in return.

(This post is Product Identity.)

Maybe I shouldn’t continue.

The thought surprised Gavin, and he stopped working on one of his more experimental designs. Pacing back and forth, Gavin considered his supplies: a neat row of surgeon’s tools, a stuffed weasel, a potion of healing, and a bedsheet. He knew what he considered to do with the potion of healing was “wrong,” but if he did it, the result would be legendary.

In the end, legendary won.

Trapsmiths do have a conscience—they know right from wrong. Sometimes, though, they take the tack that evil things are done to evil people for the sake of innovation, which makes what they do right. This particular worldview causes problems among some, but as with necromancy and the animation of dead flesh, the results are spectacular.

Sharp surgical tools are attached to the stuffed remains of a weasel. Inside the weasel, hide a potion of healing. As the weasel slams into the victim, the tools burrow deep into the victim. The slam also breaks the potion, causing the corpse to spasm wildly.

Surgical Spasm Strike Trap     CR 4
Type mechanical; Perception DC 20; Disable Device DC 20
Trigger location; Reset none
Effect surgical strike (+20 melee, 1 damage plus 2 bleed damage)
Effect spasms (4d4 slashing damage)

Sharp blades are attached to a bedsheet. As the sheet drops on a target, it slices the skin and causes parts of the sheet to enter the wounds. Then the wounds close due to the potion of healing, but the sheet and flesh are fused together, hindering movement for a time.

Surgeon’s Sheet Trap     CR 3
Type mechanical; Perception DC 20; Disable Device DC 20
Trigger location; Reset none
Effect slicing sheet (+10 melee, 2d4+5 damage)
Effect sticky sheet (cure light wounds and gain the grappled condition)

A bedsheet has hardness 1 and 10 hit points. Removing the sheet from the target’s flesh causes another 1d4+3 damage unless someone tending the victim succeeds on a DC 17 Heal check.

Next Installment

What can Gavin do with a varied selection of heavy books and scrolls, a crystal ball, a decanter of endless water, and a long metal cord?

The Challenge

Name four adventuring items and receive a murderous trap in return.

(This post is Product Identity.)

As he followed his host, Gavin didn’t doubt a word Thundar the Mighty said. Even at his present age, the man could tear him in half.

“Oh, and look here,” his host said, pointing at the next display. “This is the hand of a troll. We grappled a bit, and then I tore its hand straight off. It grew back, of course, but he didn’t want to mess with me any more. After I killed the thing, I had its hand magically treated so that I can display it here. Don’t you worry a bit about it regenerating back into a full-size troll!”

Thundar’s rumbling laughter would have been infectious if Gavin’s head didn’t pound so much due to the bout of drinking they’d done the night before. As they moved to the next display, he snagged the hand from its open case. He now had in his possession the two items he needed for his trap.

Later, when his host was distracted by an unexpected arrival, Gavin carefully took the vampire’s teeth and pressed them deep into the rancid hand of the troll, causing a bit of fluid to leak. With pliers, he removed the teeth and then mounted them on the tiny springs that he had placed in a spatula.

They said Thundar’s cook, Ryback, continually boasted about never having been beaten in his own kitchen. Well, there was a first time for everything—though perhaps Ryback wasn’t expecting to be beaten in quite this manner.

Trapsmiths love nature. Why come up with something deadly yourself when nature might have already developed and perfected exactly what you need? A trapsmith need only mix and match together the deadly ingredients. A vampire’s teeth are sharp, and a troll’s regenerative powers are well known. What isn’t as well known is that you need to have a troll’s constitution for the regeneration aspect to work as it does for the troll. The fluid from this particular troll’s hand can wreak havoc with a target’s metabolism when its unique properties enter the target’s bloodstream through a wound.

Trollboon Teeth Trap     CR 5
Type mechanical; Perception DC 20; Disable Device DC 20
Trigger touch; Reset none
Effect spring-loaded teeth (+20 melee, 1d4+1 damage plus 5 bleed damage and trollboon)
Effect trollboon (the target must succeed on a DC 20 Fortitude check or its metabolism goes into overdrive; the target takes 1d3 Constitution damage each round for 10 rounds on a failed check; if the target succeeds, it gains regeneration 5 for 10 rounds)

Next Installment

What can Gavin do with surgeon’s tools, a stuffed animal, a potion of healing, and a bedsheet?

The Challenge

Name four adventuring items and receive a murderous trap in return.

(This post is Product Identity.)

A stiff nod from Jito and the determined glint in his eyes were answer enough for Gavin. Gavin often had trouble distinguishing between determined and crazed when it came to kobolds, though.

Gavin checked his operating theater: He had the inner workings of the cuckoo clock Jito had brought, as well as the shard from a mirror Jito had broken just for this purpose. He’d use the mortar and pestle they had to whip up some glue.

“Again, I am no healer, and you are absolutely sure?”

A growl and a nod.

“Just making sure. This might sting a bit.” Gavin raised his hand axe and, with one fell swoop, severed Jito’s tail.

Trapsmiths love innovation, and when a patron wants something more innovative than an arrow trap, a trapsmith might get a mad glint in his or her eyes. So, when a kobold desires to make a true weapon out of its tail, a trapsmith’s eyes gets very bright indeed.

After the tail is enhanced by the trapsmith with the sharp mirror shard and the mechanical elements of the cuckoo clock, it is reattached to the kobold in such a way that it becomes another weapon in the kobold’s arsenal. Who expects a kobold’s tail to whip around and cause so much piercing damage in combat? Perhaps only other trapsmiths.

Kobold Tail Trap     CR 3
Type mechanical; Perception DC 20; Disable Device DC 20
Trigger touch; Reset automatic
Effect tail shard (+15 melee, 3d6 damage)

Tail Strike (Combat)
Through practice, you’ve become very skilled at deploying your trapped tail.
Prerequisite: Kobold with kobold tail trap
Benefit: You can deploy your kobold tail trap as a secondary attack with no penalty.
Normal: Without this feat, secondary attacks with natural weapons take a –5 penalty.

Jito      CR 1
Kobold warrior 4
LE Small humanoid (reptilian)
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +8

DEFENSE
AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+2 armor, +1 Dex, +1 natural, +1 size)
hp 22 (4d10)
Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +0
Weaknesses light sensitivity

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee spear +5 (1d6) and trapped tail
Ranged sling +7 (1d3)

STATISTICS
Str 10, Dex 13, Con 10, Int 10,Wis 9, Cha 8
Base Atk +4; CMB +4; CMD 14
Feats Skill Focus (Perception), Tail Strike
Skills Craft (trapmaking) +6, Perception +8, Stealth +8; Racial Modifiers +2 Craft (trapmaking), +2 Perception, +2 Profession (miner)
Languages Common, Draconic
SQ crafty

SPECIAL ABILITIES
Crafty (Ex) Craft (trapmaking) and Stealth are always class skills for a kobold.
Trapped Tail (Ex) Jito can, as a secondary attack, make a melee touch attack with his tail to deploy his kobold tail trap.

Next Installment

What can Gavin do with a spatula, vampire’s teeth, a spring, and the festering hand of a troll?

The Challenge

Name four adventuring items and receive a murderous trap in return.

(This post is Product Identity.)