The Palimpsest Trap

[FireHorse]

Greater Magic Item: The Palimpsest Trap

This trap is often employed as a security measure in magical libraries, and it takes the form of a very large and impressively decorated book, usually displayed prominently to better attract the attention of thieves. A Detect Magic will reveal that it is enchanted (twice!), but not the nature of the magic.

If anyone opens the book, a Control Person spell is released. If they successfully resist, they may close the book, but if they fail, they will begin flipping through the pages. (Another person may try to intervene at this point.) Then when they reach a predetermined page — say, for example, page 106 — a Long-Distance Teleport sends the thief to an arena, standing directly in front of a (d6: 1=7-hex dragon, 2=Giant, 3-5=Human Warrior, 6=4-hex dragon).

[hcobb]

Geas enchantment to report to the arena?

[FireHorse]

I suppose that would be an easier trap to make, but I like the imagery of thinking you're in one place but suddenly finding yourself somewhere else. ;)

[hcobb]

Possession Trap

[mark hill]

this kinda stoopid has genuine mid 1970s flavour! high kudos from me :)

make it 2 dragons in arena .. plus crowd of 40,000 (projected images)

[FireHorse]

Originally Posted by mark hill

make it 2 dragons in arena .. plus crowd of 40,000 (projected images)

Or better yet, skip the die roll and make it the whole page: both dragons, the giant, the human warrior, and all the participants in the battle from the other illustration. One second you're in a library, the next you're in the middle of a pitched battle with no idea whose side to take…