A-to-Z Challenge Day 3 Gamma (Γ): Gallery of Gargoyles

Entry 3 for The Lost Catacombs of Kadmos

The first things you notice about this 10' wide by 60' long room are the low ceiling (barely 8') and the statues of the gargoyles lining the two long walls. The 6 statues on each side are spaced roughly 5' apart, and strangely face away from the center of the gallery (they face the walls with their backs turned toward the middle of the gallery), in an identical hunched and squatting position. They are each supported by a pedestal approximately 6" tall and 3' in diameter. There is room for only one person of human size or dwarven build to pass between them at a time, although 2 halflings, gnomes, or slender elves could probably fit at one time if so desired.

The secret of these gargoyles is they’re magically “gassy.” Any creature crossing the threshold between a pair of statues (marked by dotted line on map) is subject to the possible gaseous effects of that pair of statues as outlined below (roll 3d6 for pair):



Explosive gas: If a torch is present between statues when gas is emitted, a saving throw must be made (by the torch-bearer) or the gas will combust, causing an amount of fire damage (to all in path) as indicated in parentheses for the gas. If there is no torch present in the path, or if the saving throw is successful vs. the combustion, creatures in the path (between the two statues) must make a saving throw vs. breath weapon or fall unconscious for 1 turn.

Gust of Wind: If a torch (or unprotected flame) is present between the statues when a gust of wind is emitted, there is a 50% chance the flame will be extinguished if one statue emits the wind, and a 90% chance the flame will be extinguished if both statues emit wind.

Moving/Turning the Statues: The stone statues each require a combined strength of 21 to move them. Additionally, they are particularly top-heavy; if the players attempt to move or turn the statues, the chance of the statue “toppling” is equal to the number of persons assisting on 1d6 (for example, 1-2 on 1d6 if 2 people are attempting to move/turn the statue). Should a statue be toppled, there is a 50% chance it will explode, doing 4d6 damage in a 15' radius.

Jumping/Crawling Past the Statues: Crawling past the statues reduces all damage (on failed saving throws) to half, as well as halving the chances of extinguishing flames. Trying to “jump” or “fly” over the walkspace between the statues (e.g., if a human “tosses” a halfing) reduces all damage (on failed saving throws) to half, as well as halving the chances of extinguishing flames, but there is a 10% chance of toppling one of the statues in the process (chances of resulting explosion as above).