Dungeon Delving and You!

DUNGEON DELVING AND YOU – VOL III
Excerpt - THE DANGERS OF MIMICS

Being now versed in the importance of adequate lighting, food, water, weaponry and sundry adventuring supplies previously covered in this series the prospective adventurer may think himself ready to find one of the ancient mysterious crypts or dungeons littering these lands and haul out riches by the wagon-load.

I say to these eager fellows to hold thyselves and heed these following words on the more subtle dangers to be found in the deep underground. Whilst true that these caverns may be inhabited by all many of beasts such as kobold, drake and satyr it is the nefarious mimic that has spelt the end to more nascent adventuring careers than all of these more obvious evils.

The mimic preys upon the avarice of men, remaining stationary and molding its dire appearance into that of a chest of vast riches, or perhaps even a barrel of mundane supplies. Still as a corpse it shall wait until prey doth approach too close whereupon it shall strike with alacritous speed! Beware for sharp claws and wicked dagger-sized teeth can rend through the thickest of armor in a single strike!

Yea but the greatest weapon in the mimics arsenal doth be surprising the unwary with a sudden unblockable assault. By spotting this chameleon ahead of time, one can turn the tables upon this vile creature with attacks from range.

Whilst exploring a ruin and perchance coming upon a fine wooden chest sitting on its own in a room the prudent explorer should stop a moment and reflect upon the nature of the ruins he finds himself. Would it even be likely that a chest such as this be located in such an environment? Who would keep a trunk in an otherwise abandoned dank underground cave?

There are yet further signs to ascertain the level of danger a found chest may imply. What state is the rest of the dungeon in which you have found it? Compare the state of said chest to that of the rest of the wooden furnishings found within. If all the doors are warped with rot and yet this chest looks fine and straight it may yet be too good to be true.

Another grim indication can be the presence of previous victims to the mimics hunger. A mimic shall eventually devour all portions of its victims corpse, bones and all. Yet metallic material remains will be left behind. Finding a small bounty of arms and coinage beside an otherwise unremarkable chest can be a sign of a mimics presence. Know that there are some creatures such a kobolds that know of this and will on occasion make effort to reclaim said items, so a chest by itself should not be taken as safe by rote.

Lastly there are those that purport that it is “better safe than sorry” and suggest firing an arrow at any chest found out in the wilderness. Perhaps this reads as paranoid to you gentle reader, but ask yourself if the cost of a single arrow is worth more than your life?

 

Ah geeze, I need to trim 20 words out...