an effective security system - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

an effective security system

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
1337DnDMTCn3rd
Feb 04, 2011 5:16:21 I am working on a new security system and I wanted your input on it.

Compartmentlized security doors. An effective alternative to the portcullis.

These doors are blast and magic proof and completely safe for people to hide behind.

Unlike a portcullis these doors come out from both the floor and ceiling making them impossible to slip though or under while closing. Also this prevents them from lifting or forcing them open.

Also you can open them partially to allow projectile attacks while using them for cover. The narrow slots in the doors are not large enough to fit anything nor do they provide any clear visibility.

These are used to trap PCs in certain areas.
#2
theapokalypseshovel
Feb 04, 2011 13:33:12 I wouldn't make them any more magic proof than any other 'heavy' door in a similar setting.

Opening them to allow for projectile attacks, at least in my visualization of how this works, would allow for a PC to pry open the door. If you can shoot through it, you can fit a crowbar in it and try to bust it open. Probably a hard DC, but still doable.

Also these doors are going to need a control mechanism, because I get the feeling a handle probably isn't going to work. I would allow hard Arcana and Thievery checks to override the security features in the control panel. This may be right next to the door, or hidden somewhere else, but should be accessible enough that they can be used by owners/staff of the complex.

Make sure that there are ways to get around these doors, otherwise you are just blatantly railroading your players. They should not be indestructible.
#3
bone_naga
Feb 04, 2011 13:36:05 Well that would make it harder to slip through while closing, but not impossible. How do they lock in place? You say they can't be forced but what prevents a character from prying them apart with a crowbar or something? Are the walls, floor, and ceiling similarly armored? What is the mechanism for opening it and how might the PCs access it? And most importantly, what do the PCs do when trapped between two of those doors? If you're just looking to arbitrarily screw the party over there are plenty of ways to do that. Otherwise, I assume this would be an obstacle but there should be something that they can do to open it or get around it. Just saying "nuh uh its everything proof" is probably just going to piss them off. Players want challenges not roadblocks.
#4
angelofthenight
Feb 04, 2011 21:30:44 Yeah I agree with the previous two posters. Invulnerable anything sucks.
#5
1337DnDMTCn3rd
Feb 05, 2011 20:44:33 Here's how it works: when you to isolate and seal specific areas or trap PCs, the monsters in the main security room will trigger the appropriate doors to close.

The doors are held shut magneticaly and so cannot be forced open by any means.

One of the ways you can bypass them is to wait for some monster to tell tell security to open them for projectile firing. Once it opens kill the monster and leap through the partially open door. You could also find the security room because that's the only place that controls them but most of the time it cannot be accessed.

However other controls are available too. And remember if the PCs can't force them open, Nither can the monsters ether. So to proceed through or do anything they will have to open the door.
#6
1337DnDMTCn3rd
Feb 06, 2011 6:19:50 I just uploaded a video on my profile that shows how the doors work. So to get an idea on how to show them watch it.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 1337DnDMTCn3rd Feb 04, 2011 5:16:21	I am working on a new security system and I wanted your input on it. Compartmentlized security doors. An effective alternative to the portcullis. These doors are blast and magic proof and completely safe for people to hide behind. Unlike a portcullis these doors come out from both the floor and ceiling making them impossible to slip though or under while closing. Also this prevents them from lifting or forcing them open. Also you can open them partially to allow projectile attacks while using them for cover. The narrow slots in the doors are not large enough to fit anything nor do they provide any clear visibility. These are used to trap PCs in certain areas.
#2 theapokalypseshovel Feb 04, 2011 13:33:12	I wouldn't make them any more magic proof than any other 'heavy' door in a similar setting. Opening them to allow for projectile attacks, at least in my visualization of how this works, would allow for a PC to pry open the door. If you can shoot through it, you can fit a crowbar in it and try to bust it open. Probably a hard DC, but still doable. Also these doors are going to need a control mechanism, because I get the feeling a handle probably isn't going to work. I would allow hard Arcana and Thievery checks to override the security features in the control panel. This may be right next to the door, or hidden somewhere else, but should be accessible enough that they can be used by owners/staff of the complex. Make sure that there are ways to get around these doors, otherwise you are just blatantly railroading your players. They should not be indestructible.
#3 bone_naga Feb 04, 2011 13:36:05	Well that would make it harder to slip through while closing, but not impossible. How do they lock in place? You say they can't be forced but what prevents a character from prying them apart with a crowbar or something? Are the walls, floor, and ceiling similarly armored? What is the mechanism for opening it and how might the PCs access it? And most importantly, what do the PCs do when trapped between two of those doors? If you're just looking to arbitrarily screw the party over there are plenty of ways to do that. Otherwise, I assume this would be an obstacle but there should be something that they can do to open it or get around it. Just saying "nuh uh its everything proof" is probably just going to piss them off. Players want challenges not roadblocks.
#4 angelofthenight Feb 04, 2011 21:30:44	Yeah I agree with the previous two posters. Invulnerable anything sucks.
#5 1337DnDMTCn3rd Feb 05, 2011 20:44:33	Here's how it works: when you to isolate and seal specific areas or trap PCs, the monsters in the main security room will trigger the appropriate doors to close. The doors are held shut magneticaly and so cannot be forced open by any means. One of the ways you can bypass them is to wait for some monster to tell tell security to open them for projectile firing. Once it opens kill the monster and leap through the partially open door. You could also find the security room because that's the only place that controls them but most of the time it cannot be accessed. However other controls are available too. And remember if the PCs can't force them open, Nither can the monsters ether. So to proceed through or do anything they will have to open the door.
#6 1337DnDMTCn3rd Feb 06, 2011 6:19:50	I just uploaded a video on my profile that shows how the doors work. So to get an idea on how to show them watch it.