Explosive Rules trigger

[jaker2003]

Explosive Runes
Abjuration [Force]
Level: Sor/Wiz 3
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Target: One touched object weighing no more than 10 lb.
Duration: Permanent until discharged (D)
Saving Throw: See text
Spell Resistance: Yes
You trace these mystic runes upon a book, map, scroll, or similar object bearing written information. The runes detonate when read, dealing 6d6 points of force damage. Anyone next to the runes (close enough to read them) takes the full damage with no saving throw; any other creature within 10 feet of the runes is entitled to a Reflex save for half damage. The object on which the runes were written also takes full damage (no saving throw).
You and any characters you specifically instruct can read the protected writing without triggering the runes. Likewise, you can remove the runes whenever desired. Another creature can remove them with a successful dispel magic or erase spell, but attempting to dispel or erase the runes and failing to do so triggers the explosion.
Note: Magic traps such as explosive runes are hard to detect and disable. A rogue (only) can use the Search skill to find the runes and Disable Device to thwart them. The DC in each case is 25 + spell level, or 28 for explosive runes.

1) Did that just say that illiterate creatures/characters can't trigger the runes?
2) How about placing explosive runes on playing cards. The cards can be left out on a table, pinned to a door, or just sticking out of a crack in the wall.

 

[Meeki]

Seems that illiterate creatures are unaffected. Of course if its a map then you do not need to read the words on a map but you can essentially "read" the geographic info on the map. I would say its DM rule.

As for playing cards, I don't think this would count as a book, map, scroll or similar object bearing written information. However a tiny scroll the size of a playing card with words on it may work.

The spell as a whole seems to lean on how the DM interpretation

 

[Nifft]

1/ This looks like a topic for Rules, rather than a House Rules.

2/ I really wanted to read Explosive Rules, and feel cheated by the actual topic.

3/ I agree with you and Meeki regarding interpretation.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Pyrex]

1) Did that just say that illiterate creatures/characters can't trigger the runes?

I think under the correct circumstances they could; but it wouldn't be the norm.

"Written information" shouldn't necessarily be limited to "words".

What about a series of drawings on a cave wall traced with runes?

I'd rule that would work for intelligent-but-illiterate triggering.

 

[HeavenShallBurn]

2/ I really wanted to read Explosive Rules, and feel cheated by the actual topic.

So Do I, but not firsthand

Of course the real question is how many times can you apply Explosive Runes to an object, the origin of Boccob's Blessed Book of Mass Destruction

 

[Pyrex]

I'd pretty much rule you can put as many on an area as you want; but they won't simultaneously trigger.

Each "read attempt" can only trigger one set of Explosive Runes.

 

[HeavenShallBurn]

It's this particular bit that allows the Blessed Book of WMD

but attempting to dispel or erase the runes and failing to do so triggers the explosion.

With two casters or more in a party one inflates their Caster Level and DCs as high as possible and casts Explosive Runes one per page of a book, especially a Boccob's Blessed Book if possible. Then apply Shrink Item to the book, affix it to an arrow and fire the arrow at a target, whereupon one of the other casters intentionally makes a dispel check with a very low chance of success which triggers all the Explosive Runes simultaneously when failed. Needless to say, rules-lawyery as all hell and kind of tacky but quite impressive.