D UNGEON D RESSING : S TAIRS

CreightonBroadhurst

Phil Fischer (order #6253104)

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D UNGEON D RESSING : S TAIRS

APathfinderRoleplayingGameGMSRESOURCEsupplementbyCreightonBroadhurst

Tiredofdungeonslackinginverisimilitude?Wanttoaddcoollittlefeaturesofinteresttoyourcreationsbutdon'thavethetimetocome
upwithnonessentialdetails?Wanttomakeyourdungeonsfeelmorerealistic?

ThenDungeonDressingisforyou!Eachinstalmentinthelinefocusesonadifferentcommondungeonfixturesuchasstairs,pillarsor
poolsandgivestheharriedGMthetoolstobringsuchfeaturestolifewithinterestingandcoolnoteworthyfeatures.Thisinstalmentof
DungeonDressingpresentsloadsofgreatfeaturestoaddtothestairsinyourdungeon.Designedtobeusedbothduringpreparationor
actualplay,DungeonDressing:StairsisaninvaluableadditiontoanyGM'sarmoury!

Phil Fischer (order #6253104)

CREDITS
Design:CreightonBroadhurst
Development:CreightonBroadhurst
Editing:AaronT.Huss
CoverDesign:CreightonBroadhurst
Layout:CreightonBroadhurst
Interior Artists: William McAusland and Claudio Pozas. Some
artworkcopyrightWilliamMcAusland,usedwithpermission.
Some artwork by Claudio Pozas, copyright Expeditious
RetreatPress,usedwithpermission.
ThankyouforpurchasingDungeonDressing:Stairs;wehopeyou
enjoy it and that you check out our other fine print and PDF
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CONTACT US
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ABOUT THE DESIGNER

CreightonisakeengamerwhopassionatelybelievesintheOpen
GamingLicenseandisdedicatedtomakinghisgamesasfunand
easy to enjoy as possible for all participants. Reducing or
removing entry barriers, simplifying pregame prep and easing
the GM's workload are the key underpinning principles of the
productshereleasesthroughRagingSwanPress.
Over the last 11 years, Creighton has worked with
Expeditious Press, Paizo and Wizards of the Coast. He now
releases his own products through Raging Swan Press. You can
read his thoughts on game design at raging
swan.livejournal.com.
Creighton lives in Torquay, England where, apparently, the
palm trees are plastic and the weather is warm. He shares a
ramshackle old mansion with his two children (Genghis and
Khan)andhispatientwife.Famedforhisunendingloveaffair
withboozeandpizzaheisanenduringGREYHAWKfan.

ERRATA
We like to think Dungeon Dressing: Stairs is completely error
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threemonthsafterreleaseonragingswan.com.Wearentgoing
tobecorrectingtyposandspellingerrors,butwewillcorrectany
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PublishedbyRagingSwanPress
PublishedbyRagingSwanPress
11stprinting,June2012
stprinting,month2012

Phil Fischer (order #6253104)

CONTENTS
Credits..........................................................................................2
ContactUs...................................................................................2
Errata...........................................................................................2
AbouttheDesigner......................................................................2
Contents......................................................................................3
Foreword.....................................................................................3

DUNGEON DRESSING: STAIRS

TableA:Characteristics&Appearance........................................4
TableB:Dressing&Features.......................................................6
TableC:Traps&Tricks.................................................................8

FOREWORD
This is the second instalment in a new line of GM Resources
designedtohelptheharriedGMaddcoolanduniquefeaturesto
hisdungeons.Allsuchinstalmentsaredesignedtobeusedboth
duringsessionpreparationandactualplay.
Unsurprisingly, stairs feature in almost every dungeon
adventure,butsadlytheyoftenreceivealmostnodesigntime
they are simply a means of getting from one level to another.
DungeonDressing:Stairsseekstoredressthisgrievousinjustice
andinjectsomeinterestingfeaturesintostairseverywhere!
ThissupplementhasthreebasicsectionsasaGMyoucan
takewhateveryouneedfromitandignoretherest.Mostofthe
entries are easily customisable and should be adjusted to suit
the current denizens, flavour and overall condition of the
dungeonyouaredesigning.Thethreesectionsare:

Characteristics & Appearance: This section presents features

ofthestairstheyweredesignedtohave.
Dressing & Features: This section presents 100 pieces of
dungeondressingforstairs.
Traps & Tricks: Three easily customisable traps (along with
fourvariants)toinstilahealthysenseofrespectintheplayers
fordungeonstairs.
I hope you find this instalment of Dungeon Dressing useful. It
wouldbegreattohearhowyouveuseditinyourgameorwhat
youdliketoseefeaturedinsubsequentinstalmentsdropmea
lineatcreighton@ragingswan.com.

Phil Fischer (order #6253104)

TABLE A: CHARACTERISTICS & APPEARANCE

Stairscomeinmanydifferentshapesandsizes,includingsteep,
gradual, precipitous and spiral. Stairs in dungeons dont even
havetobemadeofstonesomecanbeofwood,boneorother
magicalorfantasticalsubstances.
Staircases are important parts of most dungeons, enabling
easy passage between the various levels of the place. In
occupied dungeons they are often one of the areas which sees
the most traffic as the places denizens emerge to fight, hunt
and trade. They are therefore perfect places for a GM to place
hints, clues and other interesting features that highlight what
lurksintheconnecteddungeonlevels.
This section presents the basic characteristics of different
kindsofstairs;usetheinformationhereinconjunctionwiththat
inlatersectionstobreathelifeintoyourdungeonsstairs.

STEEP STAIRS
Steepstairscanbeperiloustotraverse:

SPIRAL STAIRCASE
Designedasdefensivefeatures,spiralstaircasesprovidecoverto
defendersagainstattacksoriginatingeitherfromaboveorbelow
them (but not both). They can be gradual, steep or precipitous
andhavethefollowingadditionalcharacteristics:

GRADUAL STAIRS
Gradual stairs are easy to move on and have the following
noteworthyfeatures:

NoRunning:Characterscannotrunongradualstairs.
Acrobatics:GradualstairsincreasetheDCofAcrobaticschecks
madeonthemby4.
HigherGround:Charactersfightingongradualstairsgaina+1
bonusonmeleeattacksmadeagainstopponentsbelowthem

NATURAL STAIRS
Naturalstaircasesarejustthattheresultofnaturalprocesses
and are not crafted by intelligent creatures. They are rare in
dungeons, but relatively common in natural caverns. Natural
stairscanbegradualorsteep,butarerarelyspiralinnature.

PRECIPITOUS STAIRS
Precipitousstairsareparticularlysteepandperiloustotraverse:

DifficultTerrain:Precipitousstairsaredifficultterrain(itcosts
3squaresofmovementtoentersuchsquares).
NoRunning:Characterscannotrunonprecipitousstairs.
Nocharging:Characterscannotchargeonprecipitousstairs.
Acrobatics: Precipitous stairs increase the DC of Acrobatics
checksmadeonthemby6.
HigherGround:Charactersfightingonprecipitousstairsgaina
+1 bonus on melee attacks made against opponents below
them.

RANDOM ENCOUNTERS
Asareasofparticularlyheavytraffic,staircasesareanexcellent
place for random encounters. However, take care to design
yourstaircasestoenableinterestingtacticalmovement.
4

Phil Fischer (order #6253104)

Difficult Terrain: Steep stairs are difficult terrain (it costs 2

squaresofmovementtoentersuchsquares).
NoRunning:Characterscannotrunonsteepstairs.
Nocharging:Characterscannotchargeonsteepstairs.
Acrobatics: Steep stairs increase the DC of Acrobatics checks
madeonthemby4.
Higher Ground: Characters fighting on steep stairs gain a +1
bonusonmeleeattacksmadeagainstopponentsbelowthem.

Nocharging:Characterscannotchargeonspiralstairs.
Right Spiral: A staircase spiralling to the right provides cover
(+4toAC,+2Reflex)fromattacksoriginatingbelow.
LeftSpiral:Astaircasespirallingtotherightprovidescover(+4
toAC,+2Reflex)fromattacksoriginatingabove.

CONSTRUCTION
Indungeons,stairsaremostcommonlyconstructedofstonebut
on occasion, adventurers may discover stairs of wood or even
bone. In deepdungeons, theymay evenfind stairs constructed
ofmoreoutlandishmaterialssuchasmagicallyhardenedglass.
Thestatisticsbelowrepresenteachstepofastair.

STAIRMATERIAL

HARDNESS

HITPOINTS

BREAKDC

3
2
10
8
8
8
5

50
50
90
90
90
90
60

20
20
30
50
35
65
20

Bone
Glass*
Iron
Stone(Hewn)
Stone(Masonry)
Stone(Natural)
Wood
*magicallytreated

GOING DOWN?
In many dungeons, stairs simply lead between two levels, but
there is nothing to stop you designing a staircase that links
severaldifferentlevels.Thecharacteristicsandfeaturesofsuch
stairwayscanchangebetweentheconnectedlevels;remember
toaddseveraldifferentdressingsandfeaturesintosuchastair.

RANDOM CHARACTERISTICS

5152

As well as their basic features, stairs are often built with other
interesting features. Use this table to generate such
characteristics for your staircase. Some features listed below
maybeinappropriatebasedonyourdungeonssetupignoreor
modifysuchentriesasrequired.

D%
0102
0304
0506

0708

0910

1112
1314
1516
1718
1920
2122
2324
2526
2728
2930
3132
3334
3536
3738

3940
4142

4344
4546
4748
4950

5354

5556
5758
5960

FEATURE
The staircase has a low roof characters over 5 ft.
tallmustduckorbashtheirheadontheceiling.
Thestairwayhasahighceiling.
Onewallhasemptytorchsconessetalongitslength.
Several of the sconces are bent as if hit with
considerableforce;severalaremissing.
Small niches in both walls once held candles. The
nichesarenowemptybutfordustandsmallpuddles
ofhardenedwax.
A small niche pierces the ceiling. The niche is the
remains of a longsince tripped trap that once
contained several vials of alchemists fire. A DC 20
Perception check reveals the step below it to
depressslightlywhenstoodon.
Thestairsrisersaredifferentheights.Thisincreases
theDCofAcrobaticschecksmadeonthestairsby1.
Thestairsrisersareparticularlyhigh.Thisincreases
theDCofAcrobaticschecksmadeonthestairsby1.
The stairs rises are particularly low. This increases
theDCofAcrobaticschecksmadeonthestairsby1.
Thestaircasehasahandrailonthelefthandwall.
Thestaircasehasahandrailontherighthandwall.
Thestaircasehasalandinghalfwaydown.
The staircase has several landings spaced equally
alongitslength.
Asmallnicheinonewallprovidedspaceforaguard.
Astoneseatiscarvedintooneofitswalls.
Elaboratescrollworkdecorateseachstep.
A DC 25 Perception check reveals the mark of the
mastermasonsresponsibleforbuildingthestairs.
Carvings of ferocious, mythical beasts decorate the
stairsceiling.
Aprayeriscarvedintoonewall.
At one point, the ceiling drops by several feet; tall
charactersmustducktotraversesafely.
When built, the staircase intersected with a small
natural cavern. The cavern intersects the stairs
ceiling. Characters making a DC 20 Climb check can
enterthecavern.
Anironbanisterrunsdownthemiddleofthestairs.
The remains of an iron banister runs down the
middle of the stairs. Occasional corroded posts still
stand upright and small holes in the floor show
whereothersoncestood.
Praisetothedungeonsownerdecoratesthewalls.
Thestairwaypassesthroughasmallchamber.
Ironlampshangfromtheceilingonslenderchains.
Rustedchainshangfromtheceiling.

6162
6364
6566
6768
6970
7172
7374

7576
7778

7980

8182

8384
8586
8788
8990

9192
9394

9596

9798
99100

Astairhasasecretcompartment(DC20Perception
checklocates)cutintoitsriser.Itisempty.
Astairhasasecretcompartment(DC20Perception
check locates) cut into its riser. It contains a
moulderingmapoftheareasurroundingthestair.
The staircase is poorly made; several of the stairs
shiftalarminglyunderfoot.
Severalsmallventilationshaftspiercetheceiling.
Sounds echo alarmingly on the staircase, increasing
theDCofStealthchecksmadetomovequietlyby2.
Acarvingofagiganticmouthcoversthewallatthe
headofthestaircase.
Thestaircasewidensasitdescends.
Thestaircasenarrowsasitdescends.
Mineralsinthewallsglimmerifexposedtolight.
Theceilingisvaulted.
Thestairsarepoorlymade.
Thestairssplitatonepointpassingeithersideofan
area of very hard stone before rejoining further
down.
Small niches have been cut into the stairs walls.
Onceusedforholdingtrophies,theyarenowempty.
Each stair is engraved with a different letter (DC 20
Perception check locates). When put together the
lettersspelloutamessagefromtheoriginaldesigner
oftheplace.
The stairs descend directly over a natural cave. A
Large creature (or a particularly heavy Medium
creature) causes a portion of the stairs to collapse
into the cavern below. Characters in the collapsing
area must make a DC 20 Reflex save or suffer 2d6
fallingdamage.
The stairs ceiling is studded with many irregular
holes and small outcrops of hanging rock. Lights in
the stairway cast areas of deep shadow onto the
steps.
A bas relief cut into the walls depicts a legendary
figureordeity.
A large carving on one wall depicts a legendary
event.Itisincrediblydetailed.
The stairs have a narrow drainage channel cut into
onewall.Itisfilledwithsludge.
Every second stair is of a darker stone, creating a
striped pattern. While not valuable, considerable
effortwentintobringingthestonehere.
Thestairsareofadarkstone(see8990fordetails).
Crudewindchimeshangfromtheceiling.Characters
over 5 ft. tall strike them (DC 10 Acrobatics check
avoids).
A secret compartment in one stair contains a lever
(DC 20 Perception check locates). Pulling it drops a
portcullisatthetoporbottomofthestairs.
Thestairwayisunadorned.
The stairway is trapped. Refer to Table C to
determinewhatwardsthestairs.

Phil Fischer (order #6253104)

TABLE B: DRESSING & FEATURES

Use this table to generate interesting characteristics for your
staircase. Some features listed below may be inappropriate
basedonyourdungeonssetupignoreormodifysuchentries
asnecessary.

D%
1
2
3

6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

14

15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23

24
25
26

Thestaircasesmellsmusty.
Afaintbreezeissuesupordownthestairs.
A strong wind issues up or down the stairs. The
wind has a 50% chance of extinguishing
unprotected light sources and increases the DC
ofPerceptionchecksmadetohearby2.
The middle portion of each step is noticeably
wornasifcountlessfeethaveusedthestairsin
thepast.
Water drips onto several stairs creating a
slippery section; the DC of Acrobatics checks
madeinthissectionofstairsincreasesby2.
Phosphorescent lichen grows on the walls
providingilluminationasacandle.
Dust covers the steps; footprints can easily (DC
10Perception)beseenwithin.
A smear of charcoal shows where a previous
explorerextinguishedatorch.
Atornandslashedbeltpouchliesonthefloor.It
isold,moulderingandempty.
Splattersofblooddecoratethestairs.Theblood
isoldanddried.
Asmearofchalkindicateswhereamessagehas
beenrubbedout.
A broken spear shaft (without its point) lies on
thestairs.
A previous explorer has scratched into the
ceiling, the message Beware the corridor of
columns.
Anoldsprayofarterialblooddecoratespartof
one wall and the ceiling. From the size of the
stainsomethingprobablydiedhere.
Oneofthestairsisbadlychippedasifsomething
hadrepeatedlystruckitwithaheavyobject.
A torch sconce juts out from the wall at a
drunkenangle.
Partofthestairsisscorchedandbitsofstoneare
meltedasifsubjectedtointenseheat.
Light rubble from the ceiling or walls covers
someofthestairs.
Heavy rubble from the ceiling or walls covers
someofthestairs.
Greatcrackspiercethewallsandceiling.
Cobwebs cover the ceiling; many small insects
arecaughtwithin.
Brownishgreenmouldgrowsalongonewall.
Phosphorescent fungus grows in clumps on the
stairs;itgivesoffafaintlightequaltoatorch.

Phil Fischer (order #6253104)

27
28
29
30

31

32

33
34
35
36
37

38
39

40
41
42

43
44
45
46
47

The partial skeleton of a humanoid lies amid its

mouldingequipment.
A torn and empty backpack has been upended
overatorchsconce.
Obscene graffiti daubs one wall. The graffiti
showshumanoidsofanappropriatetypeforthe
dungeon killing and mutilating their racial
enemies(orhumansiftheracehasnotraditional
foes).
Apuddleofwatercoversonebadlysetstep.
Asmallpileofexcrementsitsatoponestep.
Asinglemottledblackandredmushroomalmost
2ft.tallgrowsonastep.
Several steps are badly cracked. A DC 20
Perception check reveals an improvised secret
cavity hidden below. It could be empty or hold
somehastilyhiddenminortreasure.
Arockfallblockspartofthestairs.Someonehas
cleared part of the debris and it is possible to
squeezepastthefallenstones.
Small niches cut into the walls to hold trophies
now display decomposing severed heads
collectedbythemostpowerfulmonsterorgroup
dwellingbelow.
Asinglebloodyhandprintmarsonewall.
Thesoundofdrippingwaterechoesthroughthe
stairway.
Abrokenchairliesatacrazyangleacrossseveral
stairs.
Mosslikefungusgrowsonseveralsteps.
Small insects infest a small section of stairway;
they lair deep in several cracks cutting across
severalsteps.Theyareharmless.
Athincloudofsmokesimilartothatgivenoff
byatorchhugstheceiling.
A sudden strong gust of wind fills the staircase.
The wind has a 50% chance of extinguishing
unprotectedlightsources.
SmallbitsofstonefallfromtheceilingasthePCs
traversethestairs.
Apieceofbloodedragliesonthefloor.
The stairs are dusty; the tracks of those living
nearby are faintly visible (DC 18 Perception
check).
Thesuddenbangofafaroffdoorslammingfills
thestairway.
Wateroozesoutfromcracksinonestair.
Therottingbodyofaratliesonastep;itsbackis
clearlybroken.
Keravcamethiswayisetchedintotheceiling.
Oneofthestepsiscrumblingaway.Acharacter
standing on the step must make a DC 15 Reflex
saveorfall1d2x5ft.andlandprone.Acharacter
tumbling10ft.suffers1d3damage.

48
49
50

51
52

53
54

55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62

63
64
65
66
67

68

69
70
71

72

73

A bent dagger lies precariously balanced on the

edgeofastep.
Shards of a broken silver mirror lie scattered
about.Theremainsareworth12sp.
A wet blood trail leads down the centre of the
steps.ADC15Survivalcheckrevealsthedragged
creaturewasmansizedandaDC15Healcheck
revealsthat(duetotheamountofbloodonthe
stairs)itisalmostcertainlydead.
As50,butthebloodisdried.
Bats roost on the stairs ceiling. Bright lights or
loudnoisestartlethem.Theflocksflightupthe
stairs has a 75% of extinguishing any
unprotectedflames.
Beautiful frescos once decorated the ceiling;
theyhavesufferedextensivewaterdamage.
Spider webs cover the ceiling; many small
spiders lair within, but there are not enough of
thebeaststoformaswarm.
Verythinstalactiteshangfromtheceiling.
Gray sludge a mixture of water and dust
coversthestairs.
Gray sludge a mixture of water and dust
coversportionsofthestairs.
Muddy footprints ascending and descending
thestairsareclearlyvisible.
Rubbishandtrashcoverafewstairs.
Theremainsofasmallcampfireonaparticularly
widestepareclearlyvisible.
Ahumanoidsjawbonerestsinatorchsconce.
Water oozes out of the wall before sluggishly
flowingdownthestairs.ThisincreasestheDCof
Acrobaticschecksby2.
There are signs of old flooding stains on the
wallsandsoon.
Forgive me is faintly carved into one wall.
Smearsofdriedbloodcoverthecarving.
A ripped sack containing crumbs of food lies on
thestairs.
Thefaintsmellofdecayfillsthestaircase.
A single mushroom grows on one step. It is
almost 1 ft. high and is completely white in
colour.
Animaldroppingscoversomeofthestairs.ADC
10 Knowledge (nature) check reveals them to
probablyberatdroppings.
Thefaintsmellofsmokelingersintheair.
The shards of a broken glass potion vial cover
onestair.
A small collapse has partially blocked a short
section of stair. It costs an extra square of
movementtoentereachsuchsquare.
Thedecomposing,headlesscorpseofagoblinor
otherhumanoidappropriatetothedungeonlies
onthestairs.
Stubsofcandlesstandagainstthewallonevery
thirdstair.

74
75
76
77

78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86

87
88
89

90
91

92
93
94
95

96

97

98
99
100

The ceiling sags in places; A DC 10 Knowledge

(engineering)revealsittobesafe.
A section of the wall or ceiling shows signs of
waterdamageandsubsequentrepair.
Thestepsarewornanduneven.Itcostsanextra
squareofmovementtoentersuchsquares.
Slightly damp moss grows against the walls of
thisstaircase;themiddleofthestaircaseisclear
ofsuchgrowth.
Crackedandbrokentilescovereachstep.
A single stone has fallen from one wall and
crackedthestepbeneath.
A small pyramid of flat, white stones stands on
onestep.
Thestairwaysmellsofurine.
Thestairsareinpristinecondition.
The dusty steps show signs of being hurriedly
swept.
Cobwebs cover the ceiling. Several dead insects
restwithin,butofthespidersthereisnosign.
Orange slime covers the ceiling; it occasionally
dripsontothestairsbelow.
A single slimecovered platinum piece lies
against one wall (DC 20 Perception check
reveals).
A few pieces of dried wood perhaps dropped
firewoodliealongthestairwayslength.
Apentagramdecoratestheceiling.
Anironspikehasbeenhammeredintoonewall;
a short piece of frayed hemp rope is yet
attached.
A rusting, dented gauntlet lies on one step; its
twinrestsseveralstepsaway.
Afieldofmushroomsgrowsoveralonglengthof
stairway; water drips down from above. Some
mushroomsarecrushedandbroken.
Forgive Me (in Common) is smeared in dried
bloodononestep.
Deliberatelymisleadinggraffitiisdaubedonthe
walls.
A crude representation of a lidless eye or other
arcanesymbolcoversonewall.
The splintered shaft of a longspear lies across
several stairs; one end appears to have been
gnawedbysomething.
A crude symbol of an inverted pyramid
surmounted bythree lidless eyes decorates one
step;aDC25Perceptioncheckreveals.
A crude symbol of a sundered crown dripping
blood decorates one step (DC 25 Perception
checkreveals).
Obvious drag marks created by something
largelikeaheavychestmarthesteps.
Roll twice on this table, ignoring results of 99
100.
Roll thrice on this table, ignoring results of 99
100.

Phil Fischer (order #6253104)

TABLE C: TRAPS & TRICKS

Staircases are not always safe. Occasionally, the dungeons
designerhidesclevertrapsandtricksinkeylocationsthroughout
thecomplex.Asnaturalbottlenecksandhightrafficareasstairs
are the perfect place to trap. Remember, though, that trapped
stairs must have some means of bypass so that the dungeons
denizenscansafelygoabouttheirbusiness.

SLIDING STAIRS
Thisclassictrapisdesignedtogetintruderstothebottomofthe
stairs as quickly as possible (where no doubt something nasty
like a pit trap, pool of acid or other hazard awaits them).
Alternatively,thistrapcanbeusedtodumptheintrudersintoa
much deeper dungeon level than they wished to explore. This
lastversionofthetrapworksparticularlywellifitdoesnotreset
forseveralhoursordays;thisforcesthetrappedadventurersto
seekanotherwayout.

SLIDINGSTAIRS

CR3(800XP)
Asyouputyourweightontoastep,thereisanaudibleclick.
SearchDC25Perception;Typemechanical
DisarmDC20DisableDevice(2d4rounds);activatesonDC15or
less;BypassDC25Perception(asmallswitchatthetopand
bottomofthestairs).
DestroyDestroyingthepressureplate(AC11,hardness8,hp20,
DC20Break)defeatsthetrap.
Trigger location (one pressure plate 30 ft. down the stairs);
Resetautomatic(10minutes)ormanual
Effect (Round 1) When the trap is activated, the stairs flatten
forming a chute down which any character on them slides.
Roll initiative for the characters and track their progress
down the stairs in the order they act (as this might be
important depending on what lurks at the bottom). A
characterslidingdownthechutecanarrestitsprogresswith
aDC25Reflexsave.Scalingthestairswhentheyareinthis
configurationrequiresDC25Climbchecks.
Effect (Subsequent Rounds) A sliding character travels 30 ft.
downwards on his go and can attempt a new DC 25 Reflex
saving throw to arrest its progress. A character failing this
check by 4 or less does not arrest its descent, but slows its
speedby10ft.thatround.ThisreducestheDCoftheReflex
savetostopslidingby5.
Effect(ExitingtheStairs)Whenacharacterslidestothebottom
ofthestairsitlandsproneintheareabeyond.
Variant (CR var.) Some versions of this trap force the intruders
to slide over specially sharpened stairs. Such unfortunates
suffer deep lacerations as a result. Increase the DC of this
trap by 1 for every 20 ft. the characters slide while taking
damage. Characters sliding down a sharpened stair suffer
1d6damageper10ft.travelled(DC20Reflexsavehalves).
Long Fall Variant (CR var.) Some versions of this trap end in a
long drop into a deep dungeon level, pit or other isolated

Phil Fischer (order #6253104)

place.Charactersreachingthebottomofthestairscanmake
aDC20Reflexsavetograbthelipofthestairsastheyfall.
Increase the CR of this trap by 1 for every 20 ft. the
characters fall after exiting the stairway. Characters falling
fromthestairsuffer1d6damageper10ft.fallen.
WaterFallVariant(CRvar.)Treatthisvariantoftheslidingstair
trap as the Long Fall Variant except the PCs plunge into a
deep body of water after exiting the stairway. Characters
falling into water take no damage for the first 20 ft. fallen,
suffernonlethaldamageforthenext20ft.fallen(1d3per10
ft.increment)andlethaldamage(1d6per10ft.increment)
fortheremainderofthefall.IncreasetheCRby1forevery
2d6 falling damage the PCs suffer. Once the PCs are in the
water, they must make Swim checks or begin to sink (and
possibly drown). Some Water Fall variants have ferocious,
carnivorous monsters dwelling in the water, adding to the
haplessintrudersproblems.

COLLAPSING STAIRS
Thesestairs,whetherbyaccidentordesign,collapseasthePCs
traverse their length. If these stairs are deliberately trapped to
collapse they have the bypass method listed below. If their
collapseisaccidental,theyhavenobypassmethod.

COLLAPSINGSTAIR

CR4(1,200XP)
Asyouputyourweightontoastep,itfallsawaybeneathyou.
SearchDC25Perception;Typemechanical
DisarmDC20DisableDevice(2d4rounds);activatesonDC15or
less;BypassDC25Perception(asmallswitchatthetopand
bottomofthestairs)ornone.
Destroy Destroying the stairs (AC 3, hardness 8, hp 90, DC 35
Break)activatesthetrap.
Triggerlocation(pressureplateonthestairs);Resetnoreset
Effect(Round1)Whenthestairscollapse,characterstraversing
them tumble 50 ft. into a pit below (suffering 5d6 falling
damage)andlandprone.ADC20Reflexcheckindicatesthey
managetonegatethefallbygrabbingawallorleapingtoa
stablefragmentofthestairs.
Effect (Subsequent Rounds) Characters are trapped in the pit
untiltheyclimboutorarerescued.Characterscanscalethe
pitswallswithDC25Climbchecks.
Variant (CR 6) As above, but characters falling into the pit are
alsostruckbypiecesoffallingmasonryandotherdebris.The
falling debris inflicts 4d6 damage (DC 20 Reflex halves).
Characters failing this saving throw are buried by falling
rubble. Buried characters take 1d6 nonlethal damage per
minute. If a buried character falls unconscious, he must
make a DC 15 Constitution check each minute or take 1d6
lethal damage until freed or dead. Characters who are not
buried can dig out a friend in 1 minute. Armed with an
appropriatetool,adiggercanfreeaburiedcharacterinhalf
that time. A buried character can free itself with a DC 25
Strengthcheck.

ILLUSIONARY BOULDERS
Atwistonaclassictrap,thislurkingdangerutilisesillusionmagic
to force intruders to rapidly descend the stairs. This trap is
particularly effective, if paired with another trap further down
the stairs or in the area beyond, as those fleeing the falling
boulders probably wont have time to search for additional
dangers.
Alternatively, guardians in the area at the bottom of the
stairs are automatically alerted to the presence of intruders by
the crash of the boulder falling and the probable subsequent
soundsoffranticallyfleeingintruders.

ILLUSIONARYBOULDERS

CR7(3,200XP)
With a crash, a huge boulder falls from the ceiling behind you
andbeginstoslowlyrolldownthestairs.
SearchDC31Perception(thetrapisprotectedbyanondetection
spell; characters attempting detect magic must make a DC
22 caster level check to spot its magical emanations); Type
magic
DisarmDC31DisableDevice(2d4rounds);activatesonDC26or
less; Bypass DC 25 Perception (hidden iron lock; requires a
DC30DisableDevicechecktoopen).
DestroyDestroyingthehiddenlock(AC11,hardness10,hp10,
DC28Break)defeatsthetrap.

TriggerProximity(halfwaydownthestairs);Resetautomatic(1
hour)
Effect When activated, this trap creates the illusion of a huge
boulder falling from a hidden trapdoor in the ceiling. The
spell includes visual and auditory components but as a
figmentcannotcauseactualdamagetoacharacterstruckby
the illusionary boulder. Any character in a square the
boulderrollsthroughcanmakeaDC24Willsavetorealiseit
is an illusion. Characters that fail this save fall prone and
believe they suffer 6d6 damage. (This damage is illusionary
anddisappearsoncetheillusionends).
Effect(Round1)Theboulderfallsfromtheceilingandrolls10ft.
downwards.RollinitiativefortheboulderandthePCs.
Effect(SubsequentRounds)Theboulderspeedsup,rolling20ft.
downthestairsuntilitenterstheareaatthebottomofthe
stairs. Until the spell ends, treat the boulder as a column
thatfillsfoursquaresandgrantscover(+4AC,+2reflex).
Effect (End; Round 11) The boulder (and all illusory damage it
caused)disappears.
Note This trap works best on a long and or precipitous stair as
the extra movement cost forces the PCs to make difficult
decisions; do they move carefully and avoid the chance of
falling,movequicklyawayandrisktumblingdownthestairs
orexpendmagicalresourcestoescapethedanger?

Phil Fischer (order #6253104)

SO WHATS FOR SALE, ANYWAY?

YourPCshavefinalemergedfromthedungeonladenwithloot
prisedfromtheclutchesoftheirslainfoes.Heroicallyreturning
to civilisation, they divide up the choicest items, sell the dross
and other unwanted treasures and gleefully count their share.
Then,theyaskSowhatsforsaleinthistown,anyway?At
that point, likely or not, the game grinds to a halt as the GM
franticallygenerateswhatitemsareavailableforpurchaseorhe
simply says anything up to the gp cap. (After all, most GMs
have better things to do with their prep time than generate
whatthePCsmightwanttobuyontheoffchancetheyreturnto
townafterasuccessfulforay).
So Whats For Sale, Anyway? banishes these problems by
providingover150pregenerated,readytouselistsforthebusy
GMtoimmediatelyuseinhiscampaign.

OPEN GAME LICENSE VERSION 1.0A

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System Reference Document: 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc. Authors: Jonathan
Tweet,MonteCook,SkipWilliams,basedonmaterialbyE.GaryGygaxandDaveArneson.

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. 2008, 2009, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Author: Jason
Bulmahn.

Pathfinder RPG Bestiary. 2009 Paizo Publishing LC; Author Jason Bulmahn, based on
materialbyJonathanTweet,MonteCookandSipWilliams.

TheBookofExperimentalMight.2008,MalhavocPress;Author:MonteCook.

Tomb of Horrors. 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Authors: Scott Greene, with Clark
Peterson, Erica Balsley, Kevin Baase, Casey Christofferson, Lance Hawvermale, Travis
Hawvermale,PatrickLawinger,andBillWebb;BasedonoriginalcontentbyTSR.

DungeonDressing:StairsRagingSwanPress2012;Author:CreightonBroadhurst.

T ITLE
Tiredofdungeonslackinginverisimilitude?Wanttoaddcoollittlefeaturesofinteresttoyourcreationsbutdon't
havethetimetocomeupwithnonessentialdetails?Wanttomakeyourdungeonsfeelmorerealistic?

ThenDungeonDressingisforyou!Eachinstalmentinthelinefocusesonadifferentcommondungeonfixturesuch
asstairs,pillarsorpoolsandgivestheharriedGMthetoolstobringsuchfeaturestolifewithinterestingandcool
noteworthyfeatures.

This instalment of Dungeon Dressing presents loads of great features to add to the statues in your dungeon.
Designedtobeusedbothduringpreparationoractualplay,DungeonDressing:Stairsisaninvaluableadditionto
anyGM'sarmoury!

Visitusatragingswan.comtolearnmore.

Phil Fischer (order #6253104)