Your opinion on a call

[Boss]

Okay, give me your opinion on the following situation that happened in the campaign I play in last session.

We are playing 10th level characters, of which mine is a 5th level Rogue/5th level Thief-Acrobat. I am scouting ahead of the party in a noble's private estate that he has lost contact with. We have a map and I decided to check out the library first (seeing as it might have some good loot that may go missing for awhile).

I unlock the door after listening and checking for traps. The room is described as a long room with bookshelves covered in books lining each wall. There is a black carpet going from one end of the room to the other, and a crystal chandelier hanging from the 20' ceiling.

I ask "how thick is the carpet" to which the GM replies it is not thick at all, fairly flat. So, without entering the room, I pull out some marbles and roll them across the floor, just to see if there is any effect at all on them. None. So I search the area, rolling a 42 on my search check (and specifying that I am checking the floor... something just did not feel right). The GM tells me that "you get half way across the room and your spider senses are tingling... you can make a jump either to the chandelier or the bookcase." Uhm, ok. So I jump up for the chandelier (not a problem with a Thief-Acrobats jump check) and watch as the carpet comes alive and tries to swallow me (Greater Mimic). I then get nauseated and unable to do anything except hang from the Chandelier (lucky Strength check) for 3 rounds waiting for the rest of my party to catch up.

Now, here is my question... Shouldn't the search check on the carpet have alerted me to the fact that it was alive? It wasn't a mechanical trap or magical trap, but what would your call be?

 

[FalcWP]

Personally, I'd probably let the search check figure out that something isn't right. At the very least, you should have been given a spot check (opposed by the mimic's disguise check) to notice it. If you got the Spot check, everything was basically by the book; if you didn't, then I think the DM played it a bit wrong. At least you didn't get eaten.

 

[Bryntryst]

Spot check would have been appropriate.

 

[Loincloth of Armour]

Now, here is my question... Shouldn't the search check on the carpet have alerted me to the fact that it was alive? It wasn't a mechanical trap or magical trap, but what would your call be?

Relevant rules on the mimic from the SRD:

Mimic Shape (Ex)

A mimic can assume the general shape of any object that fills roughly 150 cubic feet (5 feet by 5 feet by 6 feet), such as a massive chest, a stout bed, or a wide door frame. The creature cannot substantially alter its size, though. A mimic’s body is hard and has a rough texture, no matter what appearance it might present. Anyone who examines the mimic can detect the ruse with a successful Spot check opposed by the mimic’s Disguise check. Of course, by this time it is generally far too late.

So I'd say roll your search check against the mimic's disguise check (with penalties since you're actually touching the thing). If your search check beats the thing's disguise, then you note "something's not right about the carpet."

If the disguise check beats your search, "The carpet seems stiff."

Since you did say you were checking: I'd do disguise (with some penalties) vrs search.

 

[pallandrome]

From the sound of it, you succeeded on your check (he allowed your search check to do the job of a spot check) and even gave you the opportunity to get out of the way in time. Mimics aren't stupid, so there is no reason for it to be fooled by the marble trick. The adhesive is an extrordinary ABILITY, meaning it does not neccisarily have to be on all the time (especially not if the mimic decides that the prey is more trouble than it's worth. To be honest, I'm not really sure what the complaint is.

 

[diaglo]

search did work. search involves more than just standing in one place and looking. it involves actively looking. picking things up, turning them over, moving them, etc...

the reason you couldn't take 20. was the risk involved.

when you got to the carpet he gave you more than just being surprised.

 

[IcyCool]

Now, here is my question... Shouldn't the search check on the carpet have alerted me to the fact that it was alive? It wasn't a mechanical trap or magical trap, but what would your call be?

By the rules? No. You use a spot check to try and oppose the Mimic's (sizeable) Disguise check. But it sounds like he gave you cool extra effect to your Search check.

 

[Nail]

search involves more than just standing in one place and looking. it involves actively looking. picking things up, turning them over, moving them, etc...

Nope.

A common misperception.

You generally must be within 10 feet of the object or surface to be searched.

 

[TarionzCousin]

Your Honor, the Defense Would Like to Cross-Examine the Witness.

Why did you sense something wrong about the carpet in the first place? Perhaps the DM told you something that you didn't recognize as a response to your play.

Either that or you should have made a Spot check vs. Mimic's disguise, as everyone has pointed out. But we won't know enough until we have all of the evidence from three cameras, audio, visual, and olfactory; a transcript of the game in its entirety; and sworn testimonials from at least 11 witnesses regarding said events or lack thereof.

 

[hong]

A Search check is for a 5' square. So the 42 you rolled would have told you that the first few squares in the room were safe, nothing more. If it was a long room, the mimic might have been further in, beyond where you were searching.

See people, battlemats are GOOD!