![[Common Traps]](../images/hero/traps.jpg){kind=small}
Copyright © 2001 by Robert J. Hall
Traps are devices designed to injure, hinder, or capture an unwanted intruder. They are usually located in little-used openings or corridors to guard a back entrance to a key location, such as a treasure room or headquarters. Normally, traps will have a by-pass mechanism that allows the owner to safely traverse the passage. Such safety switches are well concealed, or located well beyond the trap. However, tombs and other sacred sites can have traps that are left permanently activated after their maker has departed.
Most traps are cleverly concealed in order to foil the intruder.A careful search using the Security Systems skill is required in order to detect the trap. Failure to successfully detect and disarm the trap will usually result in the mechanism being triggered, with resulting consequences for the insufficiently skilled intruder.
The following list of traps is intended for use in Hero-level settings.
Acid Trap
When this trap is triggered, a bulb containing a powerful corrosive acid is smashed, splashing the contents on anybody in the immediate vicinity. The acid continues to burn for several phases, eating its way through most armor.
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Abilities:
Active Cost: 112; Real Cost: 14. |
Alarm
Possibly the most common type of trap, when triggered this simple device creates a loud and steady noise that will draw the guard to the location of the intrusion. A variation of this device produces a silent alarm in the guards quarters, thus alerting the guards without making the intruder aware of his mistake.
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Abilities:
Active Cost: 55; Real Cost: 11. |
Alien Runes
These twisting, intertwined lines form eerie patterns that inflict powerful psychological effects against humans and other intelligent species. Staring at the runes for a few moments will cause nightmare images to arise from the depths of the subconscious, paralyzing the victim with terror. The runes increase in effectiveness when viewed by more intelligent beings.
The runes are actually quite harmless to their creator(s), often being merely a psionic tool. In a Fantasy world, these runes could be created by demonic beings or evil wizards. In more advanced cultures, the runes could be created by an alien race, or as a information virus by a rogue scientist.
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Abilities:
Active Cost: 270; Real Cost: 39. |
Bear Trap
When a victim steps onto this trap, the iron jaws of this spring-loaded trap snap shut, wounding the leg and pinning the target in place. The trap is usually attached to the ground or a nearby post by a length of metal chain.
The standard Bear Trap makes an attack at 0 OCV. (A failed attack means the target did not step on the trap.) When concealed underneath loose debris, the trap makes a surprise attack versus 0 DCV. The triggered trap can then be reset by applying suitable leverage with a metal bar and 15 STR, or by any being with 25 STR or more.
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Abilities:
Combined: Trigger (Step on Trap) (+1/4), No Range (-1/2), Single Renewable Charge (-1-1/4), OAF Metal Trap, Anchored (-1-1/4), Independent (-2), Trap detected by a Security Systems roll (-1/2). Active Cost: 89; Real Cost: 14. |
Blocked Passage
When triggered, a massive block of stone slides down to block the passage, entombing the victims. This trap is usually employed against tomb robbers. Once activated, it is all but impossible to reset without reconstructing the entire tomb.
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Abilities:
Active Cost: 225; Real Cost: 25. |
Bolt Trap
This simple, yet effective trap consists of a spring-loaded bolt that is fired through a small hole in a wall. The trigger consists of a specific physical action, such as stepping on a plate or pulling a fine wire. One expended, the trap can be reset by rearming the spring and loading a bolt back into the firing slot. Rearming the spring requires a special winch which must be wound for a full turn.
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Abilities:
Active Cost: 60; Real Cost: 11. |
Bomb
This alchemical concoction is triggered to explode when a flame ignites the fuse. After a short delay, the bomb explodes, inflicting damage on anybody standing nearby. The fuse can be lit by hand, or triggered to burn by a suitable mechanism.
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Abilities:
Active Cost: 112; Real Cost: 11. |
Caltrops
Also known as Crow's Feet, this small devices consist of four small spikes welded together to form a pyramid. Regardless of how they land, one of the spikes is pointing upward, forming a hazard to anybody stepping on the ground. The more caltrops that are scattered across the ground, the more likely the device is to pose a hazard to anybody rushing into the area. Caltrops can be built at any iron smithy for a small fee.
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Abilities:
Combined: Area Effect (Hex, Nonselective Target) (+1/4), Trigger (Step in hex) (+1/4), 6 Recoverable Charges (-1/4), Independent (-2), IAF Caltrops (-1), Can be avoided by successful PER roll and 1/2 normal movement (-1/4). Active Cost: 47; Real Cost: 5. |
Collapsing Ceiling
This trap is usually unintended, being caused by a growing weakness in the ceiling of an underground tunnel. The collapse is triggered by any type of physical disturbance, such as an earthquake or an explosion. Once the ceiling has collapsed, the trap can not be reset.
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Abilities:
Combined: Trigger (Violent Blow) (+1/4), Area Effect (Line) (+1), Single Charge (-2), Independent (-2), Charge does not recover (-2), Only in tunnel (-1/4), Trap detected by a KS/PS: Mining roll (-1/4). Active Cost: 292; Real Cost: 36. |
Crushing Walls
This trap is usually triggered by pulling a lever or activating a switch. Heavy stone slabs seal off the trap area and a massive ceiling block slides downward, crushing anybody caught within. Once the trap has been sprung, it requires considerable effort to reset the blocks.
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Abilities:
Combined: Area Effect (Radius) (+1), Invisible Powers Effects (All, Hidden trigger) (+3/4), Trigger (Mechanism) (+1/4), Independent (-2), OAF Ceiling Blocks, Immobile (-2), Single Recoverable Charge (-1-1/4), Charge is difficult to reset (-1). Active Cost: 175; Real Cost: 21. |
Deadfall Trap
A large weight, such as a log or a large rock, is suspended by a rope harness. A hidden tripwire on the ground releases the weight, allowing it to fall on the prey below. Depending on the design, the weight may be dropped vertically, or swung from the side. Variations of this trap use a wooden lattice with several sharpened stakes attached.
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Abilities:
Active Cost: 105; Real Cost: 22. |
Drowning Passage
This trap consists of a narrow passage that is suddenly blocked off at both ends by slabs of stone. The enclosed passage then floods with water, drowning those caught inside. This is a one-shot trap that can not be reset.
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Abilities:
Combined: Area Effect (Line) (+1), Trigger (Mechanism) (+1/4), Invisible Powers Effects (All, Until Triggered) (+3/4), Single Charge (-2), Charge does not recover (-2), Independent (-2), Trap detected by a Security Systems roll (-1/2). Active Cost: 265; Real Cost: 35. |
Electrified Floor
This metal floor is connected to a powerful source of electricity that is unleashed when the trap is triggered. The source is either Air Elemental magic or via capacitors connected to a modern power plant.
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Abilities:
Active Cost: 170; Real Cost: 26. |
Elevator Room
This small room functions like an elevator when the only door is closed, depositing those caught inside on a lower floor, then returning to its proper station. The end point of the ride is usually a guard station, or an area equally dangerous for an intruder.
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Abilities:
Active Cost: 90; Real Cost: 19. |
Giant Webs
These enormous webs are created by giant spiders who have since moved on to fresh hunting grounds. The strong, sticky webs remain as a trap for the unwary. In a sci-fi setting, these webs could be high-tech nets coated with a contact-activated bonding agent.
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Abilities:
Active Cost: 120; Real Cost: 22. |
Illusionary Floor
This trap uses a masterful illusion to hide the opening to a pit in the floor. The hole is a single hex in diameter, and the bottom of the pit is lined with sharp rocks or metal spikes. The illusion can be created by a magical spell, or a holographic projection.
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Abilities:
Combined: 0 END Persistent (+1), Uncontrolled (+1/2); No Range (-1/2), Independent (-2), Requires a pit (-1/4), Detected by touch (-1). Active Cost: 182; Real Cost: 31 |
Natural Gas Vent
This trap is caused a natural vent that releases invisible, toxic gases into the surrounding air. The bane of many mines, this bad air is a good reason to carry a Canary when exploring caves.
Active Cost: 105; Real Cost: 15. |
Pit Trap
This carefully concealed floor trap is usually triggered when a specific weight limit is exceeded within the area of the pit. The floor swings open, dropping the victims several meters onto a series of spikes securely mounted in the pit bottom. Unless propped open, the trap doors will automatically swing shut, trapping the victims within the pit where they usually die from their wounds.
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Abilities:
Combined: Area Effect (Radius) (+1), Invisible Powers Effects (All, Hidden trigger) (+3/4), Trigger (Weight limit exceeded) (+1/4), 0 END Persistent (+1), Activation Roll 14- (-1/2), No Range (-1/2), Independent (-2), Trap detected by a Security Systems roll (-1/2), Requires a prepared pit (-1/2), Only after fall into pit (-1/2). Active Cost: 280; Real Cost: 44. |
Poison Needle Trap
This trap is used as a deterent against thieves and untrustworthy employees. When a lock is improperly opened, usually as a result of a failed lock pick attempt, the needle fires out and injects the victim with a small, but potent dose of a lethal toxin. The poison takes effect rapidly, usually killing the victim within minutes.
The needle can be safely avoided by opening the lock from a safe distance, either by smashing it open or using Telekinetic abilities.
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Abilities:
Combined: Invisible Powers Effects (All, Hidden trigger) (+3/4), Trigger (Opening lock improperly) (+1/4), IIF Needle (-1/4), Independent (-2), Charges do not recover (-2), Trap detected by a Security Systems roll (-1/2). Active Cost: 122; Real Cost: 15. |
Rolling Boulder
After this trap is activated, a large boulder is released to roll downhill along a corridor, crushing those caught in its track. The 2" diameter boulder is slightly smaller than the width of the corridor and weighs roughly 5 tons. The boulder will roll for a distance of up to 32", but must begin on a ramp and will not extend uphill.
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Abilities:
Active Cost: 120; Real Cost: 12. |
Scything Blade
When triggered, a razor-sharp blade sweeps through the area where the character is standing, usually with fatal result. The blade must be physically reset before it will function again.
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Abilities:
Active Cost: 187; Real Cost: 27. |
Secret Door
This door has been built to blend into the wall or furniture. The door is usually opened by means of a disguised lever or button, such as a book or wall fixing, that appears to serve an entirely different purpose. A careful and persistent search will eventually reveal the door, assuming the character knows where to look.
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Abilities:
Active Cost: 88; Real Cost: 17. |
Snare
This trap consists of a spring-loaded rope snare that, when triggered, will grab the target by the leg and hold him upside down above the ground. The snare is usually concealed beneath some brush or other debris. This trap can be readily reset with a bit of work.
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Abilities:
Combined: Trigger (Snare) (+1/4), Single Recoverable Charge (-1- 1/4), IAF Noose (-1/2), Independent (-2), Trap detected by a Security Systems roll (-1/2). Active Cost: 59; Real Cost: 8. |
Spiked Walls
The walls of this chamber are pierced by many holes through which protrude iron spikes. When the trap is triggered, the spikes are extruded through the holes, piercing any creatures caught within. After a short interval of time, the spikes return to their normal position.
Typically this trap is used to guard a treasure horde of some type, and is triggered when the treasure container is improperly opened. This mechanism is usually powered by flowing water or a windmill.
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Abilities:
Active Cost: 169; Real Cost: 29. |
Teleport Trap
This magical (or high-tech) trap will transport a victim into a holding cell for later interrogation or disposal by the owner. The Teleport is triggered when a target of a specific type steps onto the activation plate. The type of target must be selected when the trap is originally constructed, but can be as general or specific as required.
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Abilities:
Active Cost: 180; Real Cost: 36. |