[RPG] What are the stats and rules for a Falling Ceiling Trap

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Preparing a dungeon for my party I have read about the falling ceiling trap in different places. Even in official sources like the Dungeons of Golarion (page 42), they write about the decending ceiling trap. But I cannot find any description of this trap. I have checked the official sources and not even google gives me a description of how to set up this trap. Maybe I have overlooked something…

Could anyone give me a description of this trap so I can use it in my dungeon?

Best Answer

There is no official description of a Falling Ceiling Trap, but there are several ways that this could work. The Emerald Spire Superdungeon module has a trap like that, here is how the text goes:

Crushing Stone Slab Trap

CR 2 (XP 600)

Type mechanical; Perception DC 20; Disable Device DC 20

Trigger touch; Reset manual

Effect Crushing ceiling (2d10 damage, Reflex DC 15 save avoids); multiple targets (all targets in room)

And the full description of the encounter, with omitted spoilers:

The entire ceiling is one huge stone slab, pierced in its corners by massive bolts. The four medallions, which are the ends of these bolts, are fastened to oiled chains on pulleys in the space between the suspended ceiling and the real ceiling. If either (...) or (...), the falling ceiling is released.

Once the trap is triggered, the slab smashes down quickly, but it stops 2 feet above the floor where it meets the plinth; characters who succeed at their saves manage to throw themselves flat and avoid damage. (...)

Now, this is merely an example. There are several ways to do a ceiling trap. It could be a block of stone that falls into the PCs, a spiked block of wood, a fake ceiling that drops on them like the one from Emerald Spire, a spiked door that drops on them and will block their path, etc. The trap building rules make it possible to build a trap like that.

Even a very slow descending falling ceiling trap would work, like the one from resident evil, or the one from indiana jones, which is probably the most iconic trap like this. Also, check the TvTropes for more examples on other media.

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