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Gnashing Teeth Trap

th tier (
Challenge
DC
Region
Area
(less than 1 hour)

A bust of a fanged frog protrudes from an iron door. The door’s handle is positioned inside the frog’s open mouth.

Turning the handle triggers a Critical Failure.

Exploration. An Engineering or Investigation check reveals that the frog’s mouth is hinged. The door is latched shut and the handle must be turned to open it. A Perception check or an examination of the fangs reveals faint, rust-brown blood stains.

Frog Head. The frog head can be attacked. It has AC 19, 27 hit points, and immunity to poison and psychic damage. Its mouth can be propped open with any solid object strong enough to survive the trap’s damage.

Keeping Clear. Magic (such as the mage hand cantrip), a long pole, or a similar item can be used to trigger the trap from a distance, resulting in a Success.

Possible Solutions
  • A creature can make a thieves’ tools check to disable the trap.
  • A creature can make a Dexterity check to turn the handle without triggering the trap.
  • A creature can make a Strength check to hold open the mouth while another creature turns the handle. On a failure, both creatures are subjected to the trap.

Potential Outcomes

Critical Failure or Failure. The frog’s mouth snaps shut, making a melee attack with a +7 bonus against any creature or object inside the mouth. On a hit, the target takes 9 (2d8) piercing damage and is trapped as the frog’s mouth clamps down on it. While trapped, the creature’s Speed becomes 0. A creature can use an action to make a Strength check, prying open the mouth and freeing a trapped creature or object on a success. If this check fails, the trapped target takes an additional 2 (1d4) piercing damage. Once the handle is turned, the door is unlatched and can be pushed open.

Success. The trap isn’t triggered, and the handle can be turned.

Critical Success. The trap is disabled.