So... I'm looking for trap and curse ideas...

[Ganryu]

I'm going to run an adventure this saturday, taking place in a huge castle full with dangerous cursey stuff (and traps too!)... I'm trying to think of suitable traps to put in there which aren't of the hole-in-the-floor variety. I prefer traps tied to specific elements of architecture in particular I need some nasty cursed items or traps for a torture chamber.

The party is level 5-7.

[Muttoneer]

Here are a couple of ideas:

A pool of water with something at the bottom that freezes when the player reaches in(trapping + dealing damage if they fal a reflex save).

A trap that just sprays them with oil followed by a firetrap or elementals/mephits.

A shrinking room (with optional spikes, ala Temple of Doom) could be interesting if it was filled with undead or some other enemy that came to life when it was activated. Especially if they are between the PCs and the trigger to turn off the room trap.

If it takes place in a basement, a room that fills with water is always fun when accompanied by aquatic nemeses. Has the same timed fight component as above - but with added book keeping due to the aquatic environment.

A room filled with a spiked ceiling with a triggered reverse gravity effect could be pretty effective. Alternatively, after a few traps and magic hulabaloo, just mention that the ceilings are spiked and watch them worry.

Maybe some animated whips for the torture chamber? Some other cursed items might be a mask or chair that causes confusion (thinking The Silver Chair) or a brand that forces characters to tell the truth (although that could be coopted by the PCs).

If the place is abandoned, some sort of behavior altering/nausea-causing fungus - bred for use in the torture chamber - could also have overgrown. Could be a trap or even a monster.

[Ganryu]

Muttoneer wrote:

A pool of water with something at the bottom that freezes when the player reaches in(trapping + dealing damage if they fal a reflex save).

That was actually a VERY good one. I'm going to use that one :D

Muttoneer wrote:

A shrinking room (with optional spikes, ala Temple of Doom) could be interesting if it was filled with undead or some other enemy that came to life when it was activated. Especially if they are between the PCs and the trigger to turn off the room trap.

Shrinking rooms are so classic, I'll have to use it.

Muttoneer wrote:

Maybe some animated whips for the torture chamber? Some other cursed items might be a mask or chair that causes confusion (thinking The Silver Chair) or a brand that forces characters to tell the truth (although that could be coopted by the PCs).

I've been thinking of animated weapons, actually. Do you think the best way is to create them using animated object, or should I make a custom enemy?