Article:
D&D 4th ed: Tricky Treasure Trunks

Treasure chests: any player should expect to find some kind of a trap on, in, under, over or near one. They are the objective of the game for some role players, and simply a highlight of the game for others.
Now I noticed that another infamous monster from earlier editions had not shown up in 4th yet, so here it is.
The Mimic is a sneaky beast by nature, and although it is listed as an aberration, it is more likely to be a mage bred beast; some sort of hybrid Ooze, fairly intelligent, able to understand spoken language and smart enough to run from a superior foe. Mimics happen to have a fondness for treasure, no doubt because having it around them helps to lure in more prey, but, they seem to love having coins and gems and will normally back down from a fight if there is an offering of treasure made to them.
The shape shifting power of a Mimic is legendary, and with their large mass, they can spread out thin to cover a large area if they so desire. Able to manipulate their own adhesive slime secretions, they can become highly sticky at will, thus able to lie in wait even while a bunch of adventurers walk right over them before springing the trap.

Somewhat inspired by the old 'Wormy' comic series (1977-1988 Dragon magazine), a cross between a demon in a box and a genie in a bottle, but actually just a damn cunning illusion to confound some would be thieves. How much fun can you have with a dinky little level one cursed treasure chest? How much suspicion can you invoke in your players as to the source of the mysterious voice inside the trunk? Does it start out by claiming to be a little girl, locked in the box, then when that doesn't seem to work, does it change it's voice and offer the characters special favors if it is let free?

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Article.aspx?x=dnd/4ex/20100517