Claws of black shadow erupt from a dark, whispering portal.

Trap: The trap uses evil whispers to draw enemies toward it, whereupon it attacks with its grasping claws.

Arcana or Religion

♦ DC 15: The character deduces that the ritual used to open the portal can be reversed. However, neither the portal nor the Thing inside it can be damaged in any way.

♦ DC 20: The character knows that the portal leads to a place of unspeakable evil in the Shadowfell. Any living creature that passes through the portal dies instantly.

Perception

♦ DC 18: Although the whispers are mostly unintelligible, the character hears the portal whisper the name “Kalarel.”

Init: +3

Trigger

The trap rolls initiative at the start of the encounter. On its turn, it makes a whispering lure attack and a grasping claws attack.

Whispering Lure Attack

Minor Action - Ranged 20
Target: One creature in range
Attack: +7 vs. Will
Hit: The target is pulled 5 squares toward the “mouth” of the portal, stopping when it enters a square within reach of the Thing’s grasping claws.

Grasping Claw Attack

Standard Action - Melee 5
Target: One creature
Attack: +9 vs. AC
Hit: 1d10 + 3 damage, and the target slides 1 square. Kalarel regains 5 hit points if he is standing in the evil magic circle in front of the portal.

Countermeasures

♦ Characters can close the portal with a successful skill challenge.