False Trapdoor Trap
The room contains several wooden crates in various states of disrepair. Set into the high ceiling is a metal trapdoor secured with a heavy sliding bolt.
Pulling back the sliding bolt requires a Strength check. Unbolting the trapdoor while underneath it triggers a Failure. Unbolting the trapdoor while not underneath it triggers a Success.
Ceiling. The ceiling is 20 feet high, so reaching the trapdoor might be difficult.
Crates. There are six crates in total, each 4 feet on a side. Three of the crates have been smashed. An Investigation check reveals boot prints on one of the smashed crates. A creature that makes an Engineering check can deduce that the crates were probably smashed by a heavy weight dropped from above. (Previous explorers stacked three of the crates in order to reach the trapdoor and inadvertently triggered the trap.)
Floor. An Investigation or Perception check, or an examination of the floor, reveals that the tiles beneath the trapdoor are cracked.
Trapdoor. Opening the trapdoor reveals an alcove containing a heavy stone block. A Minor Treasure is also hidden in the alcove.
- A creature aware of potential danger when opening the trapdoor can make a Strength check to ease the trapdoor open, or an Engineering check to use a quarterstaff or similar object as a brace.
Potential Outcomes
Critical Failure or Failure. The trapdoor swings open, causing the stone block to fall. A creature beneath the trapdoor must make a Dexterity saving throw . On a failure, the creature takes 17 (5d6) bludgeoning damage and is knocked prone . A rope connects the block to the ceiling. After 1 minute, the rope retracts, drawing the block back into the alcove, and the trap resets.
Success or Critical Success. The trap is triggered but the stone block doesn’t strike the triggering character.