Book of Life Stealing (5e Trap)
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The book of life stealing[edit]
Simple trap (level 7-10, deadly threat)
This book has soul-like carvings of the front of the book and a metal circle enough to fit a medium size person, upon further inspection you will see that it is stuck to the pedestal and miniature metal squares are on the sides of the pedestal.
Trigger. The creature gets called upon and whispered to by the book. You must make a DC-15 Intelligence check to it. On a success, you find that the book is cursed and decide not to read it. On a fail, you open the book and spikes shoot up immediately, with little claws pulling you and locking your eyes upon the book. You become grappled.
Effect. Once you start reading the book, you are forced to make a DC-16 Wisdom check. On a success, you are immune to the book's effect, and you are freed from the trap. On a fail, you take 3d8 psychic damage and every round you can make the DC-16 Wisdom check again as an action. You may not move or use an action until you are freed from the trap, but there are certain exceptions listed in the countermeasures section. Once you drop to zero (0) hit points or less, you will be let go from the trap.
Countermeasures. If your size is small or tiny, you can easily escape with no ability check required. You may also make a DC-15 Strength check to pry the mini claws off you as an action. On a success, you are freed from the trap. On a fail, the claws continue to hold you in place, but the DC for the strength check is now 13. Since it is a magical trap, you may use Dispel Magic as an action to get rid of the trap. It is an automatic hit.
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