Altar to Knowledge
A black stone altar is carved with the symbol of a god of knowledge or magic. Atop the altar are 14 tarnished silver coins and a golden chalice.
Removing an item from the altar, or knocking an object off with a weapon, pole, or similar item, triggers a Critical Failure.
Exploration. A Religion check reveals that many altars are enchanted to punish interlopers. An Investigation check, or an examination of the coins, reveals that the coins are also stamped with the god’s symbol. The golden chalice is worth 100 gp.
Magical Effect. This is a magical effect created by transmutation magic. Casting remove curse or a successful dispel magic on the altar triggers a Critical Success.
- With a Religion check, a creature can perform a 10-minute ritual to purify the altar, with a success triggering a Critical Success.
- A creature can make a ranged attack to knock the coins or the chalice off the altar. The chalice has AC 10, but the coins have AC 14.
Potential Outcomes
Critical Failure. A humanoid creature that triggers the trap must succeed on a DC 14 Intelligence saving throw or gain an extra ear on their forehead. A creature with this extra ear treats every suggestion, piece of advice, or command directed at them as a suggestion spell (DC 12). The effect ends after 1 hour, until the effect is ended by a dispel magic , remove curse , or lesser restoration spell, or until the creature makes three successful saving throws against the suggestions. The extra ear disappears when the effect ends.
Failure. The altar and the items on it dissolve into smoke, and the magical effect ends.
Success. An item is knocked off the altar, and the trap isn’t triggered. The magical effect ends once all the items are knocked off the altar.
Critical Success. A successful ritual ends the magical effect, allowing items on the altar to be removed safely. A Critical Success with a ranged attack knocks 1d4 + 1 items off the altar.