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Switch to Forum Live View Kobold Forest Traps
1 year ago  ::  Feb 08, 2012 - 4:20PM #1
Centauri
Date Joined: Jul 21, 2004
Posts: 9,655
My party decided to take the route through the kobold-infested forest. I really want to play up the creatures' love and craftsbeingship with traps. What are some kobold traps a group might encounter in a forest?

They don't have to be balanced for a particular party level, and they can be "gotcha" traps, because the party's progress through the forest will be handled via two concurrent skill challenges. Failure in the challenges just means the party took longer than they expected. The traps don't have to be practically disarmable, or even noticeable, though I do want the rogue to be able to shine a bit. They can be meant for animals, humanoids, or other prey. They can be mechanized from mostly forest materials. There shouldn't be much magic involved with them.

Have fun with it.
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1 year ago  ::  Feb 08, 2012 - 4:28PM #2
CrowScape
Date Joined: Aug 30, 2010
Posts: 1,290
Why am I picturing the moon of Endor?
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1 year ago  ::  Feb 08, 2012 - 5:09PM #3
Ansbach
Date Joined: Nov 5, 2005
Posts: 142
First thing I pictured is a wild boar hanging upside-down from a tree with a rope around one hind leg...
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1 year ago  ::  Feb 08, 2012 - 5:53PM #4
Unahim
Date Joined: Feb 24, 2007
Posts: 205
A tripwire that, when tripped over, opens nearby, hidden cage full of skunks(or some D&D equivalent) who then nauseate the entire party(if they fail saves of course) leading into an ambush?
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1 year ago  ::  Feb 08, 2012 - 6:10PM #5
Akoo
Date Joined: Jun 22, 2011
Posts: 229
itching powder dumps from above
a bent sapling/branch low to the ground swings forward and trips right before an ambush

vietcong style traps may be too devious, but it fits the area. just a thought.
The itching powder could be fun if the party notices it... climb the tree, balance the branch, and get the container, only to find it's not dangerous at all!     
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1 year ago  ::  Feb 08, 2012 - 9:27PM #6
Shaadow
Date Joined: Mar 17, 2010
Posts: 265
The party notices a herd of deer grazing in a meadow amongst some rocks and bushes a couple fully visible but others partially visible beyond.  Something shiny glints amongst the rocks.
Upon examination it turns out the first couple of deer are drugged and staked to the ground, the other "deer" are many kobolds hidden in costumes, and the the glint is shiny junk meant to draw them in.

While walking under a large tree a rope ladder suddenly drops from above landing amongst the party (released from a high hidden location).  If a PC climbs it they find another ladder then another and can see a platform way above.  But as they climb the last ladder it is cut loose and they potentially take a damaging fall (maybe knocking PCs below then down as well if any more are making the climb).  Optionally after the fall, a number of angry bee hives are tossed down after them.

In a rugged section, the party finds a small navigable river and discovers a (poorly) concealed raft.  If they use it and travel down the river they soon reach an area with very steep banks and end up running a gauntlet as trees (already cut and prepared) begin falling on them from both sides accompanied by missile attacks.  They must negotiate the river as it becomes more treacherous (starts turning to rapids), while avoiding the crushing trees and dodging missiles.  Topping this off with a waterfall or having the river drop into an underground cave could be used to kick it up a notch.
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1 year ago  ::  Feb 08, 2012 - 10:36PM #7
Saranghae
Date Joined: Jan 3, 2011
Posts: 213
Perhaps they could use the typical pitfall traps, except in semi-random areas that the PCs could use for their benefit in encounters.  Otherwise the Kobolds could have boobytrapped bridges going over rushing streams, etc.

 I'll just make a bulleted list:
  • False Paths to get the PCs lost
  • Tripwires that might cause trees to fall on unsuspecting PCs/animals
  • A lit campfire to lure travelers into thinking there's a friendly humanoid nearby, but the campsite is trapped/surrounded
  • The Kobolds could have eaten most of the berries and other food that's easy to find
  • could throw in a clearing with different stone figures and stuff.  It means nothing, but the PCs could waste "valuable time" trying to discern the meaning of said figures.

...and that's all I have off the top of my head.  I'll keep pondering though.

Also, I love Kobolds.  They're easily one of my favorite races. 
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1 year ago  ::  Feb 09, 2012 - 7:42AM #8
iserith
Date Joined: Jun 1, 2005
Posts: 5,183
Concealed Apiaries
The kobolds build clever thatched dummies with arms outstretched as if hailing someone. From a distance, they look like lost farmers. Really, they conceal hives of killer bees that surge out and attack anyone that gets close or that disturbs the nests. A Nature check (moderate DC) can help the PCs locate a special mud that when spread over their skin makes the PCs invisible to the bees, allowing them to harvest the kobold's honey.The kobolds, if they find out, will not be pleased. The honey has minor healing properties that will be effective in combating an outbreak of dire rat filth fever one town over.

Bear Baiting
The PCs find a trail that promises to lead to something of interest to them. Only it's a false trail laid down by the kobolds and it leads to the cave of a particularly nasty bear which attacks anyone that comes by. The kobolds have been unable to roust the bear out of their part of the forest and so they figure it's win-win for them - intruders get killed by the bear, the bear gets killed by the intruders, or hopefully, everyone kills everyone and the kobolds have a party while feasting on their bones. By the way, the bear is a druid's animal companion and he will be pissed if the PCs kill it.
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1 year ago  ::  Feb 09, 2012 - 12:04PM #9
bwoodfield
Date Joined: Jan 19, 2012
Posts: 95
When I think of Kobolds traps I think of natural componants.  

- leg traps that consist of sharpened sticks/cane that clamp in on the victim (reduced movement)
- poisoned scratch traps (poison, discomfort causing reduced stats)
- ropes/vines/nets that cause the victim(s) to hang upside down (possibly losing some of their belongings that the kobolds run in and pick-up. Maybe that important quest item - side quest!!)
- the ageless pit and spikes (damage, ability damage)
- bent branches that whip across the path hitting the victim (damage to senses/abilities)
- logs on a rope that swing out of a tree (damage, ability damage)
- small hidden/camouflaged holes that cause the PCs to trip and hurt legs  (reduced movement)
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1 year ago  ::  Feb 09, 2012 - 12:17PM #10
FlatFoot
Date Joined: Feb 20, 2011
Posts: 494

Feb 8, 2012 -- 4:28PM, CrowScape wrote:

Why am I picturing the moon of Endor?


Ha! That was the first thing I thought of.

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