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Stairway to HellEncounter Level 27 (56,000 XP)Setup1 breathing door trap (B)1 dragon blades trap (D)1 hellish halberd trap (H)1 claws of sand trap (C)1 jaws of death trap (J)This encounter includes five traps. Roll initiativewhen the first trap has activated, adding additionaltraps as they activate.When the breathing door first attacks, read:A howling gust of burning sand rushes downward, flayingeverything in its path.When the dragon blades first attack, read:The neck of the great dragon statue bends, aiming its fearsomehead straight at you.When the hellish halberd first attacks, read:The dragon-headed god rotates, bringing its great halberddown and around in a sweeping arc.When the claws of sand first attack, read:A great draconic claw, covered in sand and flickering fire,rises up and makes a sudden grab.When the jaws of death first attack, read:A stream of dark mist splits swiftly into multiple translucentserpents with gaping draconic jaws.Breathing DoorLevel 25 Elite BlasterTrap XP 14,000This doorway breathes a variation of the dragon’s own breathweapon.Trap: This trapped doorway is triggered if a creature comes near,and then it breathes at regular intervals and when a creaturetries to sneak past its frame.Perception✦ DC 37: The character notices the runes carefully inscribedaround the door frame.TriggerWhen a creature approaches to within 12 squares of the door,it makes its first attack as an immediate reaction. It then entersthe initiative order directly after the creature that triggeredit, attacking each round. In addition, it can make one extraattack each round as an immediate reaction, triggering when acreature enters a square adjacent to the door.AttackImmediate Reaction or Standard Action Close blast 12Target: Each creature in blastAttack: +30 vs. ReflexHit: 5d10 + 5 fire damage, and the target is blinded (save ends).Miss: Half damage, and the target is not blinded.Countermeasures✦ Creatures behind the rubble on the stairs have cover. A creatureclinging to the opposite side of a statue has superior cover.✦ The trap is focused on a group of runes infused with arcaneand elemental energy on the keystone of the doorway’s arch. Acreature adjacent to the keystone can attempt to deactivate thetrap with a DC 33 Thievery check or Arcana check.Dragon BladesLevel 25 BlasterTrap XP 7,000The carving of the dragon that encircles the great pillar hurlsblades of pure force.Trap: When the PCs reach the lower stairs, the statue startshurling force blades.Perception✦ DC 25: The character notices that the eyes and mouth of thedragon sculpture are hollow.✦ DC 33: The character spots the hidden compartment that hidesthe trap’s controls among the spines on the dragon’s back.Initiative +3TriggerWhen the PCs have moved 3 squares lower on the stairs thanthe trap, it rolls initiative.AttackStandard Action Ranged 20Primary Target: One creature in rangeAttack: +30 vs. ACHit: 4d12 + 6 damage.Effect: The trap attacks two other creatures in range within 6squares of the primary target.Countermeasures✦ Creatures behind the rubble on the stairs have cover. A creatureclinging to the opposite side of a statue has superior cover.✦ A creature adjacent to the control mechanism can disable thetrap with a DC 35 Thievery check.✦ A creature adjacent to the pillar can attempt to destroy it (AC 4,Fortitude 15, hit points 300).146CHAPTER 3 | Dragon LairsJASON A. ENGLE