Thunderstone Lock

Ultimate Equipment Guide II

Author Greg Lynch, J. C. Alvarez
Publisher Mongoose Publishing
Publish date 2005

Simple in concept but difficult to create, the thunderstone lock makes a useful deterrent against thieves. A thunderstone lock has two or three false tumblers inside it, tumblers that move but have nothing to do with locking or unlocking the thunderstone lock. Behind the false tumblers is a tiny compartment, accessed by a secret panel on the side of the lock (or the inside of the door, in the case of a thunderstone lock installed on such a portal). The compartment holds a little pebble of a thunderstone. When a thief attempts to pick the lock, he will cause one of the false tumblers to fall onto the thunderstone, setting it off and alerting anyone nearby to what is happening. Assuming the sudden clap of thunder does not give the thief a heart attack, he will likely run away to try his luck elsewhere.

The secret panel on the side of the thunderstone lock is difficult to detect (Search check DC 30). The thunderstone lock’s false tumblers may be bypassed with a successful Disable Device skill check (DC 25). The easiest way to tell whether or not a lock is a thunderstone lock is by looking at the lock’s key. thunderstone lock keys usually have a wide gap in the middle to account for the lock’s false tumblers. Prices for thunderstone locks include the first thunderstone. Although certainly possible, no one has ever bothered to make a thunderstone lock with a ‘very simple’ rating.

• thunderstone Lock (Average): 110 gp; 1 lb.
• thunderstone Lock (Good): 190 gp; 1 lb.
• thunderstone Lock (Superior): 330 gp; 1 lb.