Are Instant Kill Traps Cruel and Unusual?

[Jehosephat]

I've had some fun with really lethal traps - just made it really obvious that's what the PCs were facing.... Corspes pinned to walls. Decapitated, crushed skeletons lying on the floor. Cobwebs chopped off at head height. Etc.

Stolen pretty heavily from Indiana Jones films/Tomb Raider...

If the PCs wish to roll a search/disable device for the whole thing, then they can go that way and fate lies with the dice... Otherwise they can start examining it and work it out piece by piece - in which case it's rather less lethal?

Well, if there's dead spiked bodies all around, I guess that's one clue that the party is nervous. Kind of reminds me of the cartoon in Dragon Mag. some time back. Dead bodies all around the treasure and a big stout fighter(IIRC) says something to the effect of "Well, for my share of the treasure, I think I'll just take this dandy torch."

Are there any other ways of making the PCs sweat it out as to whether or not there are deadly traps?

 

[Gnarlo]

Are there any other ways of making the PCs sweat it out as to whether or not there are deadly traps?

How about either a)the group is following another party in a race to get down to the treasure or the BBEG first, or b) is chasing a fleeing group of monsters down a hall they haven't been down yet. The other group rounds a corner out of sight of the first group and a ways ahead. Suddenly, our heroes hear hideous screams, shouts, and rending sounds. Creeping up to the corner, they look around to see the footsteps of the earlier group in the dust going about half way down the corridor and then either a) a bloody spot with a few scattered patches of mail and fleshy bits, or b) nothing at all, the tracks just end; depending on the tone of the adventure.

edit: me no spell gud

 

[Piratecat]

From the hilarious Order of the Stick:

 

[Trainz]

Thanks PC.

Bookmarked !