Setting the trap in PvE has no effect, but with successful action, gives a skill tick chance in Thievery and Traps. On failure, no tick.
Start message: "You start setting the pole trap."
Success message: "You carefully set the pole trap."
Failure message: "Sadly, you fail to set the trap correctly. The trap triggers and is destroyed."
[http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/4313/wurm200905282341.png this]