Ravenshollow's Western Stair | Fantasy Hazard Generated by CharGen

The hazard

The western stair is not safe to climb as it stands. Weight on a tilted step shifts a cracked support and drops loose masonry onto the lower flight. The warning signs are obvious, and the party has time to choose a safer route, prepare a brace, or clear the debris carefully.

Nonmagical
Structural
Visible

Trigger: A creature puts its weight on the tilted stone step, or someone forcefully shifts or removes the supporting rubble.
Disable: The hazard is disabled by safely clearing the loose rubble, or by bracing the tilted step and cracked support. Clearing takes 10 minutes with tools and care. Bracing takes 1 minute and a Strength (Athletics) check or a suitable tool check. On a failed check, the brace slips and the hazard triggers if anyone is on the stair; the character placing it can step clear first.
Initiative: No initiative is needed unless combat is already underway. The collapse occurs immediately when triggered.
Reset: The collapse does not reset. After the rubble is cleared, the exposed supports remain unstable until braced or removed.

Damage

Immunities

Poison, Psychic

Weaknesses

The cracked support is exposed and can be braced from the side.
The rubble can be approached from above or cleared carefully from outside the stair.

Effects

1

Slumping Masonry
DC 13
When a creature steps on the tilted stone, the upper rubble slumps down the stair. Each creature on the stairs must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, it takes bludgeoning damage and falls prone. On a success, it takes half damage and remains standing. The collapse also blocks the western stair until the rubble is cleared.

Special rules

Clear Warning.Only creatures on the stairs when the collapse triggers make the saving throw. A creature that notices the trigger in time can move off the stair before it is set off.

Contained Collapse.The collapse deals a fixed, limited amount of damage and does not bury or trap creatures. The stair becomes impassable, not lethal.

Spotting it

Discovery

A character examining the stair notices the danger without a check if they pause and look.

Perception

Wisdom (Perception) to notice the danger if characters do not stop to inspect; obvious to a careful observer.

Stop it

Signs of dangerA tilted step dips under even a light test. · Fine dust sifts from a crack in the wall whenever the stair is touched. · The timber support is bowed, split, and dark with damp. · Old rubble bears fresh scrape marks where stones have recently shifted.

Countermeasures

Take the longer eastern passage, which costs about 20 minutes but avoids the collapse.
DC 13Brace the tilted step and exposed wall with timber, pitons, or similarly sturdy materials. A character can make a Strength (Athletics) check or use suitable tools to secure the brace.
Clear loose rubble carefully from the top or side of the stair. This takes 10 minutes and requires no check if the characters use tools and avoid putting weight on the tilted step.
A character can test the stair with a pole or rope from outside the threatened section, revealing the trigger without suffering the collapse.

In short

The party can take the longer eastern route, brace the stair before crossing, or carefully clear the rubble.

Its story

What it looks like

The western stair climbs through a narrow stone shaft.

Why it is here

The stair was built as a quick route through the keep.

Who made it

Unknown; likely the keep's original masons, whose work has been weakened by age and weather.

Lore

The western stair once served as the keep's quickest route between the lower hall and the battlements.

Where it is found

Ravenshollow Keep, ruined medieval keep

Variants

In heavy rain, the warning dust is damp and harder to see; lower the passive Perception needed to notice it by 2, but keep the visible cracks.

If the party has suitable timber or spare shields, allow them to brace the stair without a check when they spend 1 minute securing them carefully.

Plot hooks

A sealed store room lies beyond the blocked stair, but the eastern route passes a guarded courtyard.

Someone has recently shifted stones near the stair, perhaps searching for a hidden cache or trying to conceal tracks.

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