Surprise Weapons

sake of determining what size of hidden space can be built within it . In some cases, common sense will override this determination: A dagger wielded by a Medium creature, for instance, should be considered a Tiny object rather than a Medium or Small one .

A selection of typical hidden spaces is described below . Of course, variations on these themes are possible . The price given for each one is a rough estimate of the cost of incorporating the hidden space into the structure of an item, either before or after the item is manufactured .

Opening a hidden space requires a full-round action unless otherwise noted .

False Bottom: The classic hiding spot, a false bottom can be added to any container with a hard base, from a desk drawer to a chest to a barrel . A false bottom slightly reduces the amount of storage space the object otherwise would have . Gaining access to a false bottom typically requires emptying the container of the rest of its contents and locating and triggering a small latch that loosens the false bottom and allows it to be opened .

The maximum size of a false bottom is two sizes smaller than the container it is built into .

Price: 50 gp .

False Hold: Ships of all sizes and kinds frequently contain false holds . Even vessels that conduct otherwise lawful and legitimate business might contain hidden spaces .

The maximum size of a false hold in a ship is two sizes smaller than the ship itself . Most ships are Colossal, so they can have false holds of up to Huge size . A vessel without a hold (such as a rowboat) can have a hidden space added, but its maximum size is three sizes smaller than the vessel itself .

Price: 400 gp .

False Scabbard Tip: A scabbard can be fitted with a hollow space at its end that extends a few inches beyond the tip of the blade it holds . Access to a false scabbard tip typically requires depressing a button or a latch to unhook the tip from the sheath .

A quick-release mechanism, allowing access to the hidden space with only a move action, can be added to any false scabbard tip for an extra 100 gp .

A scabbard is typically the same size object as the weapon it holds, and a false scabbard tip has a capacity two size categories smaller than that . A dagger’s scabbard, for example, could have a false tip of Fine size, while a greatsword’s scabbard could be large enough to hold a Tiny object (such as a dagger) .

Price: 10 gp .

Hidden Flap: Packs, sacks, bags, and satchels can contain cleverly concealed inner flaps or pockets .

The maximum size of the space contained beneath a hidden flap is two sizes smaller than the container it is built into .

Price: 1 gp .

Hollow Book: Another classic hidden space design, a hollow book has the covers and spine of a normal tome and blends in with other books on a shelf . Its pages, however, are glued together and their middles cut out (usually leaving a half-inch border of paper) to form a space . Unlike with most other hidden spaces, the maximum size of the space contained inside a hollow book is one size smaller than the book it is built into, since so much of the book’s volume can be used .

Price: 5 gp .

Hollow Boot Heel: A hollow boot heel unscrews from a boot like a jar lid to reveal the hidden space inside .

The maximum size of the space contained within a hollow boot heel is four sizes smaller than the container it is built into . For example, boots made for a human (size Medium) can have hollow boot heels no larger than Fine size . An exception is that boots made for Small creatures can also have Fine-sized hollow heels .

Price: 20 gp .

Inside Pocket: This hidden space is simply an extra pocket sewn into the inner lining of a coat, tunic, robe, or pair of trousers . An inside pocket generally only holds a few sheets of paper, parchment, or similar items, but some are made to hold a potion or a dagger . A single piece of clothing can have up to two inside pockets .

A character with ranks in Sleight of Hand can substitute her Sleight of Hand check result for the normal Search DC when concealing objects in an inside pocket . She gains a +5 circumstance bonus on such checks .

The maximum size of the space contained within an inside pocket is two sizes smaller than the article of clothing it is built into . For example, a robe made for a human (size Medium) can have an inside pocket no larger than Tiny .

Price: 1 gp .

Lead Lining: In order to thwart the detection of a magic item it contains, a hidden space can be lined with a thin sheet of lead . Hard-sided objects can have thin lead sheets built into their walls, bottoms, and lids . Soft-sided objects, such as clothing, have threads of lead sewn into them . Either way, lead lining must be included with a hidden space when it is created, and cannot be added to an item later . Lead lining adds about 10% to the weight of an object in which it is incorporated .

Price: 10 gp . Table 5–1, on the following page, describes various kinds of hidden spaces and provides the DC of the Search check to determine the existence or presence of such a space . This check is a full-round action, and it presumes that the searching character is either holding the item to be examined (in the case of a hollow boot heel, for example) or has unfettered access to the object into which the space has been built (for a false bottom or a false hold) . By paying double the normal price, you can increase the indicated DC by 5; doubling the price