How to handle a trap (spoiler)

[Erich_Jager]

I'm currently running the Curse of the Lady's Light (part 2 of the Shattered Star AP) and have come across a trap I think may cause me some problems. I'm hoping for some advice.

trap spoiler:

What I am referring to is the Phantasmal Killer trap in area K1. If this trap succeeds, someone is getting turned into a female Azlanti Human and getting 2 permanent negative levels. I think we can deal with the negative levels, that is usually just seen as a cost of doing business. My biggest concern is that my players get fairly attached to their characters, they even go so far as to create extensive histories and paint special minis for the game. In this case the group got together and created what they are referring to as a group of half-pint heros, the tallest person in the group is a 5'0" human female. Otherwise we have a fairy dragon, a gnome, a halfling and 2 dwarves. I generally encourage such creativity since it keeps them invested in the game and gives me lots of ready made plot hooks. However, it may come around a bite me this time. I can't see ANY of the players (with the possible exception of the human rouge) being OK with such a radical change to their character.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with this other than just removing the trap altogether? Should I just, maybe, replace it with another trap that just destroys the clone and attacks the party?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

-Erich

[Peasant]

Without scrapping it alltogether, you could:

If the transformation has no relevance to the story, change out the racial or gender component (whichever is going to be problematic).

If it's significant in the story, but the reasons allow for some flexibility, perhaps the transformation is only skin deep. This could be literal (magical cosmetic surgery gives the gnome Azlanti features but they remain 2' high) or spiritual (the effect is a curse which can ultimately be removed when X condition is met).

If it absolutely must happen, which is unlikely for a trap effect, give advance notice to the player who can handle it best, fudge things to make them the victim and discuss how they can best explore this new twist to their character.

You might also be fretting needlessly. What you have described is a heavily role- and prop- play group. They may actually relish getting to roleplay a whole new body, or short man syndrome, or bonking their head on doorframes. And as for the miniatures... folks who go to the trouble to find the perfect mini seldom back down from doing it again. And of course, if it comes right down to it, Alter Self will probably handle the cosmetic changes just fine.