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The Echoing Riddlegate - AI-generated fantasy Hazard

The Echoing Riddlegate

A heavy wooden door painted with glowing, crude runes. A riddle is carved into the center in Common, demanding the reader shout the answer to prove their worth. In reality, the door is only held shut by a flimsy wooden bar on the far side, and the 'runes' are just bioluminescent fungus arranged to look like magic.

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Hazard EntryMechanicalLevel1Simple

The Echoing Riddlegate

1LevelCommonRarityDungeonEnvironment
AcousticDeceptiveSocial
Level1
|
HP18
|
AC15
|
TypeMechanical
|
ComplexitySimple
|
RarityCommon

Defenses

AC15
Hard5
HP18
BT 9
Fort++0
Ref+N/A
Will+N/A
Immune
Psychic, Poison, Charmed, Frightened
Resist
Piercing
Weak
Fire
AcousticDeceptiveSocial

Detection

PerDC 12 (to hear movement behind the door)
StlDC 15 (to notice the runes are fake)
InitN/A

“The door is made of mismatched planks and reinforced with rusted iron bands. The center features glowing blue symbols that pulse faintly. Above the symbols, the text reads: 'I AM LOUD WHEN I AM BORN, LOUDER WHEN I AM ANGRY, BUT I HAVE NO MOUTH. WHAT AM I?' (The answer is 'THUNDER').”

Standard Engagement

Trigger

The trap 'activates' if any creature shouts at the door or if the door is forced open with a loud noise.

Routine

None. The hazard is a single-event alarm.

Reset

The goblins must manually place the wooden bar back across the door.

Alarming Shout

When a creature shouts the answer, the goblins in the next room (usually 2d4 Goblins) are no longer surprised and immediately prepare an ambush. They gain a Surprise Round against anyone entering through the door if the party does not realize they have been heard.

The Flimsy Bar

Because the door is held by a simple piece of wood rather than a lock, it cannot be picked traditionally. Only lifting the bar or breaking the wood works.

Placebo Effect

If a player whispers the correct answer, nothing happens. The door remains barred. This often frustrates players into shouting.

Description

A heavy wooden door painted with glowing, crude runes. A riddle is carved into the center in Common, demanding the reader shout the answer to prove their worth. In reality, the door is only held shut by a flimsy wooden bar on the far side, and the 'runes' are just bioluminescent fungus arranged to look like magic.

Discovery

A DC 12 Intelligence (Investigation) check reveals that the runes are painted with glowing moss rather than infused with arcane energy. A DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check confirms the door has no magical aura and the symbols are gibberish meant to look intimidating.

Archival Lore

“Goblins of the Murk-Foot tribe realized that intruders often look for the most complicated way to solve a problem. They created the Riddlegate to ensure any 'smart' hero would announce their presence at the top of their lungs.”

Environment
Dungeon
Theme
Goblin
Creator
Grab-Stab the 'Wise', a goblin who found a book of children's riddles and a bucket of glow-moss.
Purpose
To serve as a manual alarm system that tricks intruders into alerting the entire warren.
Game System
D&D 5E
Art Style
Grimy, low-budget dungeon aesthetic. The runes should look like they were painted with a finger. High contrast between the dark wood and the neon-green fungal paint.
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