Do these pants make me look fat?
Special thanks to Kilwich for letting me inflict all kinds of torture on him.
How do I look for a trap? There are two ways. The first way is to have the container in your hands or on the ground. Then simply type 'disarm my box/chest/strongbox/trunk/coffer'. Alternately, you can use spell 408 to detect traps. This probably isn't a good idea though, since incinerators really don't like having spells cast at them.
How do I disarm a trap once I've found it? Disarming a trap uses the same syntax as finding a trap at this time.
What affects my chances of finding traps? Several factors come in to play. Your disarm skill, your wisdom bonus, spell 402, spell 404, and your perception skill all play a role.
What affects my chances of disarming traps? Pretty much the same deal as finding traps, but spell 402 will do nothing for you in this case.
How do I determine the hardest trap I can disarm? For manual disarming, use the following formula.
Max Trap = Disarming Skill + Wisdom Bonus + Trap Lore Bonus.
Trap Lore Bonus = (Level/2) + (Disarming Skill/10) + [(Reflex Bonus/2) + (Dexterity Bonus/2)] / 2
Keep in mind that casting 404 from an imbedded item or a scroll will only give you half the normal bonus.
There is no known formula for magical disarming as far as I've seen. There just aren't enough numbers involved to generate one. Use you instincts with that spell.
Note that Trap Lore refers to spell 404 in the Minor Elemental List.
Peering closely into the lock, you spy a tiny vial placed just past the tumblers of the lock mechanism. It would appear that any tampering with the lock mechanism would cause the tumblers to crush the vial and release whatever substance is inside.
What happens when I am stupid and cast 416 (piercing gaze) on a box with this trap? "As you cast your spell on the box, you hear the sound of glass shattering from inside the lock. A small droplet of acid drops from inside the lock mechanism, sizzling and pitting the lockplate." God, that spell is WORTHLESS. The messaging for setting one off via a lockpick looks remarkably similar to this.
What does the box look like after you've blown one? "You peer inside the lock and see that the tumblers have all been fused into a lump of useless metal by the acid spilled from a tiny vial set into the lock."
Can you pick around it? I'm fairly sure you can't. You don't seem to be able to 407 around it either. However, I know it can be magically disarmed.
Special notes: If you set this one off while trying to pick it, you will lose your lockpick inside the lockplate. Once set off, the box can only be opened by a warrior using the batter barriers guild skill. It used to simply up the lock difficulty to -1000 (if I remember correctly), however, I'm fairly sure this has long since been changed.
Comments:
I still can't get over how worthless spell 416 is. Is there anything that
waste of training points won't trip?
Looking closely into the keyhole of the lock, you spy a small vial of fire-red liquid and a tiny hammer device which seems poised to shatter it if the lock is tampered with.
What happens when you blow one? "Uh oh! You hear what sounds like a vial being shattered from inside the lock mechanism. You jump back from the strongbox as a cloud of billowing red begins to pour from its seams engulfing you and covering you with globs of fiery goo!" Uh oh indeed.
What does the box look like after its been set off? "Looking closely into the keyhole of the lock, you spy a small vial of liquid and a tiny hammer device which has been bent from striking range of the vial."
Can you pick around it? Yes. It can also be magically disarmed.
Special notes: Putting out the flames takes some effort. First, you need to drop to the ground. Then you need to roll. Thank you kindergarten. While you're doing this, you'll be getting stunned from the fire. Bystanders can try and help you by rolling you around. However, they'll damage their hands in the process. After a few tries, you should have the fire out.
Comments: Look ma, I'm Thich Quang Duc!
Peering
closely into the lock, you spy a miniature sea-green (or sky-blue) glaes scarab
wedged into the lock mechanism. The scarab's surface is etched with tiny runes
that seem to writhe as the light strikes them.
What happens if you set it off? "As you push
your lockpick into the lock mechanism, you hear the buzzing of a tiny insect
coming from within. Suddenly, something darts out of the lock and flies straight
at you! You attempt to duck out of the way, but it weaves with you and lands on
your neck! You gasp in horror as you feel its stinger enter your flesh and you
clap your hand to your neck to stop it, but there is nothing there. You suddenly
feel very ill."
What does the box look like after you've blown one? "The lock appears to be free of all obstructions."
Can you pick around it? Last time I checked, picking through these is not an option. Well, it is, assuming that you have something or someone handy to undisease/unpoison you. It can, however, be magically disarmed.
Special notes: This trap comes in two flavors. The green scarab poisons, while the blue scarab diseases. I've only seen it produce a 49 per poison/disease that dissipates 1 point per round. So you'd best have something handy to heal it, or you're dead.
Also, the scarabs, if disarmed, properly, can be sold for a decent amount of coin. There are several methods of doing so. Manually disarming them is the preferred method. It takes a combined 151 wisdom bonus/lockpicking skill in order to successfully do so. Other spells can be used to neutralize them, but they reduce the value. Undisease/unpoison will work, as will elemental dispel. Note that dispelling them makes them nearly worthless. *Not sure if neutralize curse works. I'll have to check some time.
Comments: The one and only trap I'm actually happy to see. I love free silver.
Looking closely into the keyhole of the lock, you spy a small vial of liquid and a tiny hammer device which seems poised to shatter it if the lock is tampered with.
What happens if you set it off?
What does the box look like after you've blown one? "Looking closely into the keyhole of the lock, you spy a small vial of liquid and a tiny hammer device which has been bent from striking range of the vial."
Can you pick around it? Yes. You can also 407 it without disarming, but you still stand a chance of blowing it. It can be magically disarmed safely.
Special notes: A quick call wind, or breeze, or elemental dispel will get rid of the cloud. Some areas will also automatically get rid of it. This trap *will* injure other people in the room if left untended. It you're a dick, this is probably your favorite trap.
Comments: Just do what I do. Blame it on the dog.
Feeling around the inside of the lock, you notice that the casing is coated with a rough, grainy substance. You lean forward and peer between the walls of the casing. Examining the lock closely, you notice a small bladder filled with a strange liquid wedged between the tumblers. With your face this close to the lock, you pick up the faintest scent of sulphur.
What happens if you set it off? "Kilwich
gestures at an acid-pitted gold coffer.
Kilwich gasps in surprise as a stream of fire shoots forth from the coffer
that he has been working on! Kilwich is savagely immolated by the flames! As
the flames surround his head, his skin begins to melt under the intense heat! As
you stand there dazed, Kilwich's eyes reach the boiling point and burst open,
spraying sizzling vitreous fluid all over you! Kilwich falls to his knees and
releases a pitiful moan before collapsing into a smoldering heap on the ground."
Ouch.
What does the box look like after you've blown one? I think its the standard 'box is free of all obstructions' message, but I'm not sure at the moment. I'm not going to test this one out again (well, not on purpose anyway).
Can you pick around it? No. Nor can you magically disarm it. Spell 416 will trigger it. Spell 407 will trigger it. Insulting its sister will make it explode. Do not taunt the incinerator.
Special notes: If you blow this one, you're dead, with major wounds over your entire body. Don't worry though, you'll probably be located by every empath in the general area. This is probably the most annoying trap around.
Comments: The bad news: you just sprayed everyone with ocular fluid. The good news: your box is now safe to open.
You notice some spiderweb-like scratches on the lock plate which seem, after some bit of scrutiny, too organized to be just wear and tear -- it might be some type of glyph spell.
What
happens if you set it off? "Suddenly a dark splotch erupts
from the lock mechanism and envelops you! Time seems to slow down and almost
stop...
Suddenly you see yourself lean towards a locked chest about to try and pick the
lock...something goes wrong but...
Suddenly you see yourself lean towards a locked chest about to try and pick the
lock...something goes wrong but...
After a moment you feel a great sense of deja vu....
Suddenly you see yourself lean towards a locked chest about to try and pick the
lock...something goes wrong but...
Your head begins to throb from all this. After a moment your vision clears and
you see...
[Temporal Rift]
You are trapped in a time rift! You catch brief glimpses of events both past and
future. Beyond these strange and confusing visions extends a vast, ever-changing
field of stars, pinpoints of light against unfathomable utter blackness. It is
very cold here.
Obvious paths: north, south, east, west, northeast, northwest, southeast,
southwest, up, down."
What does the box look like after you've blown one? Exactly the same as it did previous. Setting one off doesn't get rid of or alter the trap in any way.
Can you pick around it? Nope. They are also immune to magical disarming.
Special notes: You now lose spirit and/or health while you're inside the rift. Don't go afk.
Comments: Make a quick getaway if attempts at humor go awry. Unfortunately, this web page isn't glyphed.
Hmmm, you can see what appears to be a tiny hole next to the lock plate which doesn't seem to belong there. Looking closer you see a gleaming sliver of metal recessed in the hole.
What happens
if you set if off?
"Ouch! You feel a tiny prick
in your finger! You see a needle protruding from a small hole beside the lock
plate with a little of your blood on it!
RR threshold: -14, d100 75 +race_mod: 0 +CO_bonus: 9 = 84, resisted."
What does the box look like after you've blown one? Next time I find one, I'll set it off and check. Note: this doesn't make me inept. Just thorough.
Can you pick around it? Yes. You can also magically disarm it.
Special notes: Probably the easiest trap around. As you can see, the poison can be resisted.
Comments: If you accidentally set one of these off, you clearly can't be trusted with dangerous objects. Get someone to cork your flatware so you don't injure yourself.
Two things will alert you to the presence of an acid trap. First are the springs on the box. Second is the ungodly long round time you'll get while finding it.
What happens if you set if off? "You watch with sympathetic dread as a tongue of liquid hurtles at Kilwich from some sort of flask held by a catapult mechanism attached to the box lid! Kilwich screams in pain as the flesh on his face and neck begins to burn! Kilwich rubs his eyes furiously with his hands as tears stream from his lids!" Don't feel bad for him. He kicks puppies in his spare time.
What does the box look like after you've blown one? I'm not sure actually. Nor am I sure if this trap resets or not.
Can you pick around it? Well, this is what I've read. This trap will always trip on a successful pick. However, it is possible to dodge the acid stream. I have never actually seen this happen, but then again, I don't see many of them set off. It can be magically disarmed. I at least know that much.
Special notes: Acid really hurts. At least that's what Kilwich tells me. I suspect he may just be a pussy.
Comments: To get rid of acid, simply kill any nearby hippies.
You'll notice two rods by the lockplate. I'll get the exact description eventually.
What happens when you set it off? You get electrocuted. Sometimes you die, sometimes you don't. In either case, its very amusing to those around you.
What does the box look like after you've blown one? Just like it did beforehand. You can set these off repeatedly.
Can you pick around it? Yes, and it can be magically disarmed.
Special notes: Expect nasty nerve damage if you set one off. I've rarely died from them, but it does happen.
Comments: I saw Kilwich set one of these off one time. Three words. Buckwheat the Elf.
Looking closely into the keyhole of the lock you spy a small, dark crystal which seems imbedded in the locking mechanism. It looks as if opening the lock without the exact key could shatter it.
What happens when you set it off? "You hear a tinkling sound from the lock and notice a small purple flash of light. Suddenly the ground begins to rumble as you move back away from the strongbox. With a loud crack the ground beneath the box rips open and exhales a cold, evil breath. The strongbox hovers for a moment and then falls straight down into oblivion. Before you can do anything the ground seals itself, leaving no trace anything had happened."
What does the box look like after you've blown one? Very similar to an empty hand.
Can you pick around it? Again, its been ages, and I've forgotten. My gut is telling me yes. I know you can magically disarm them though.
Special notes: You won't be getting your box back.
Comments: The void has an endless hunger for boxes. Much like my basset hound and his own feces.
You notice a discolored oval ring around the outside of the strongbox which makes you suspicious. Your suspicions are confirmed when you look inside the keyhole and notice the spring-loaded jaws pressed flush against the strongbox walls.
What happens when you set it off?
"You watch with disbelief and terror as part of the trunk face breaks away and a
pair of gleaming jaws clamp down on your hand! You let out a shriek as your hand
falls to the floor!
You are stunned!"
What does the box look like after you've blown one? You see a pair of bloody jaws hanging loosely before the lockplate on the trunk.
Can you pick around it? Well, I know you can 407 it open safely. You can also pick through it, if you don't mind betting your hand on a failed attempt.
Special notes: After you set this one off, the lockplate will be blocked by the jaws. Simply disarm one time to pop them open.
Comments: Opens up the door for clever nick-names like 'Stumpy' and 'Hook'.
Carefully, you feel around the lock and notice the inside chamber is coated with a strange white substance. From your experience you recognize this as a common magical/chemical detonation system for an explosive mixture that was used to treat the box.
What happens when you set it off? The box blows up, damaging you and anyone in your group (I think) that is in the same room. They used to damage anyone in the room, but were made less dangerous some time ago.
What does the box look like after you've blown one? It looks like little bits of pointy wood driven into your flesh and the surrounding area.
Can you pick around it? No. And trying to do so with people in your group will make them not happy.
Special notes: I really hate the name 'boomer', but that's what everyone seems to call the damn things.
Comments: Sorry folks, I'm all out of funny.