Page 104 - Dungeon Master's Guide

(Perception) check. To set an appropriate DC for the determin·e whether any of them notices tracks or signs
check, see chapter 8. of a tapestry or rug having been recently disturbed.
Opening a Secret Door. Once a secret door is
detected, a successful Intelligence (Investigation) check PORTCULLISES
might be required to determine how to open it if the A portcullis is a set of vertical bars made of wood or
opening mechanism isn't obvious. Set the DC according iron, reinforced with one or more horizontal bands. It
to the difficulty guidelines in chapter 8. blocks a passage or archway until it is raised up into
If adventurers can't determine how to open a secret the ceiling by a winch and chain. The main benefit of a
door, breaking it down is always an option. Treat it portcullis is that it blocks a passage while still allowing
as a locked door made of the same material as the guards to watch the area beyond and make ranged
surrounding wall, and use the guidelines in chapter 8 to attacks or cast spells through it.
determine appropriate DCs or statistics. Winching a portcullis up or down requires an action.
If a character can't reach the winch (usually because it is
CoNCEALED DooRs on the other side of the portcullis), lifting the portcullis
A concealed door is a normal door that is hidden from or bending its bars far enough apart to pass through
view. A secret door is carefully crafted to blend into its them requires a successful Strength check. The DC
surrounding surface, whereas a concealed door is most of the check depends on the size and weight of the
often hidden by mundane means. It might be covered portcullis or the thickness of its bars. To determine an
by a tapestry, covered with plaster, or (in the case of appropriate DC, see chapter 8.
a concealed trapdoor) hidden under a rug. Normally,
no ability check is required to find a concealed door. A DARKNESS AND LIGHT
character need only look in the right place or take the Darkness is the default condition inside an underground
right steps to reveal the door. However, you can use complex or in the interior of aboveground ruins, but an
the characters' passive Wisdom (Perception) scores to inhabited dungeon might have light sources.

CHAPTER 5 I ADVENTURE ENVTRONMENTS
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