C — Orc Lair
C — Orc Lair
Similar to the orcs at area B., these monsters inhabit cave areas 14.-16. These orcs, however, do not rely upon a continual watch being kept; instead, they have a series of nearly invisible strings running across the entry passage, about II’ from the entrance. When any of these strings is tripped, a heavy, weighted net suspended from the ceiling will drop upon intruders, and metal pieces tied to it will create an alarm sound. (The trip strings will be spotted only if careful observation is asked for, each observer having a 1 in 6 chance of seeing the devices. The camouflaged net is 10’ wide and 18’ long, made of thick, tarred ropes, and will entrap the victim for 1-4 rounds. Meanwhile, orcs from area 14. will be there in 1 round....)
GM development
GM notes
(DM Note: Orc losses cannot be replaced. If this tribe is attacked, they will have the males at area 15. watching the entrance, ready for a second try by the adventurers. If the leader is slain, the survivors will seek safety in area B., if possible; otherwise, they will flee the place entirely, carrying their goods away.)
Source: B2, PDF page 21. Original mechanics retained.
Weighted Net and Alarm — Orc Entrance
Original Basic D&D — B2
Nearly invisible trip strings release a weighted net and sound an alarm from metal pieces tied to it.
Location: About 11 feet inside cave C; the net is 10 feet wide and 18 feet long.
Trigger: Tripping any of the strings across the entry passage.
Checks, rolls and results
| When | Roll / condition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Each observer, only when careful observation is requested | 1d6; 1 = spot the strings (1 in 6) | That observer detects the trip strings. |
| A trip string is triggered | Automatic; no attack or save supplied | The weighted net drops, entraps victims and sounds an alarm. |
| Entrapment duration | 1d4 rounds | The victim is trapped for 1–4 rounds. |
| Orcs from area 14 respond | Fixed: 1 round | They reach the entrance after one round. |
Running the trap
- The net is camouflaged and made of thick, tarred ropes.
Not specified in the source
- No damage or disarming roll is specified.
Source passage
These orcs, however, do not rely upon a continual watch being kept; instead, they have a series of nearly invisible strings running across the entry passage, about II’ from the entrance. When any of these strings is tripped, a heavy, weighted net suspended from the ceiling will drop upon intruders, and metal pieces tied to it will create an alarm sound. (The trip strings will be spotted only if careful observation is asked for, each observer having a 1 in 6 chance of seeing the devices. The camouflaged net is 10’ wide and 18’ long, made of thick, tarred ropes, and will entrap the victim for 1-4 rounds. Meanwhile, orcs from area 14. will be there in 1 round....)
Source: C — Orc Lair. Original narrative retained. Low-face d6/d100 results in this table are a notation for the stated chances, not new detection or save rules.