Norbury At Night

[Mr. Handy]

"I know it sounds awful," says Irene, "but the best way to jam those portcullises open might be to nip back and get some of those bones we passed earlier."

[royya]

gross...
Doug remarks from the back.

[yockenthwaite]

Florence gulps. "Yes, it is gross, but I think you're right, and we need to consider doing that. Otherwise those things," and she looks up at the ceiling, "could come down on us at any time. And that would be much worse than propping things up with bones."

[Laraqua]

"If one of us ran across and made it to the door, then we could presumably find the raising mechanism and pull it back up again if need be," said Hewitt. "I don't fancy trying to jam pieces of some man's body up there. That level of desecration is beyond even me. Of course, that door may probably be locked. Anyone handy with a pick?"

"Isn't there some other way?" asks Julia nervously. "I don't like either of those options."

Show,I'm not nudging you along particular actions. Just playing out the NPCs.

[aine]

John has a look in his tool bag, "I've got a hammer; it's not very long but probably stronger than old bones, I could wedge it in or maybe fix the mechanism so it stays put." He takes a critical look at the portculli.

Mech/heavy machinery,success for either: [url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3775158/]1d100=17[/url]

[jimacol]

"I also certainly oppose using human remains in such a way!" Rupert adds to Hewitt's comments. "And I'm afraid I'll be little help with those contraptions. Besides which I'm an awful butterfingers and not as sprightly as you young folk." he adds.

[dormire]

William speaks up, "I may have something that would work but," he hesitates. Feeling, uncomfortably, the expectant gazes of everyone upon him, he continues, "I'd hate to lose it. It has personal significance." Upon saying this, he leans against a wall and raises his trouser leg to reveal his prosthetic tightly strapped to his thigh. He reaches down and pushes a small brass stud, popping a small hidden panel out of the side. After a moment's fumbling, he produces a large combat knife, serrated down one edge. A gleaming death's head sits atop the pommel.

[royya]

What about searching the place for a secret lever or a moving brick ... you know like lords placed hidden passageways and secret doors in their castles back in the Medieval days?
Doug suggest and begin to search the wall around for a secret lever or a pushable brick

[Laraqua]

"Well, they're already up," said Hewitt. "Presumably if we find the lever we'd just bring them down." He frowns thoughtfully. "And then it wouldn't be a very good defensive measure. The lever is likely inside. Here, let me give you a boost, John."

John gets a boost up from the American and manages to wedge his hammer pretty securely. He can't deal with the mechanisms as they'd all be at the top of the gate - which would be in the room upstairs.

"This is so medieval," murmurs Julia. "Do you think its been here since medieval times?"

John can see that the edges are pretty well-cared for and not rusted at all. It's probably been installed in the past decade at most and has certainly been well-cared for.

[aine]

"Thank you Mr. Hewitt." John lands back on the floor. He looks puzzled. "If I didn't know any better I'd say those gates are brand new, no more than ten years old tops." He shrugs, "Maybe the air down here has a preserving quality but I'm sure there's fresh oil up there." He's a bit sorry to lose his hammer; good tools are hard to come by these days. "A bit like lipstick and nylons." He thinks aloud.

[Mr. Handy]

Irene looks puzzled at John's final statement. "Well, I'm glad we didn't use the bones after all," she says. "I don't know if it's a good idea to use the knife, though. That's likely to be useful down here, especially if it comes to a fight. It might also be able to cut through those sticky strands. I had a tool kit as well, but it's in the ambulance. But there's got to be something else we can use on the other one."

[dormire]

William nods, secretly grateful for Irene's suggestion. "I suppose you're right, Miss. Perhaps there're other items about, back the way we came. Regardless, this first one's wedged up nice and tight so, were the second to fall due to some hidden trigger or watchful agent on t'other side of the door, the pair have lost the ability to trap us." He quickly tucks the dagger back into his prosthetic and smooths his trouser leg.

[Mr. Handy]

"We could still be trapped if we're already through the door when it falls," says Irene, "though it's far more likely that they're set to fall when we're between them. If so, it would keep us from going forward." She examines the ground between the two portcullises, looking for anything like a pressure plate.

[Laraqua]

The floor seems to be made of brick.

"I think you read too many tenpenny dreadfuls," said the American wryly.

[Mr. Handy]

"They used to be called penny dreadfuls," says Irene. "Has inflation gotten that bad? Anyhow, everything that's happened so far seems straight out of one. I don't see why this should be any different. I don't see any pressure plates, but I suppose it's possible that stepping on the wrong brick will trigger a trap."

[dormire]

William shrugs, suddenly anxious to be moving. "Well, we won't get anywhere dithering about in front of a possible trap. Let's see what this gets us." He boldly places a cane under the stopped gate, leans forward and hobbles into the questionable area.

[Laraqua]

The bricks are sturdy and the portcullis remains in place.

[aine]

"I'll bring up the rear. That way, if the gates come down, I may still be outside and be able to find a way to rescue you." They see the first, if very small, smile ever on John's mouth.

[dormire]

After breathing a silent sigh of relief, William turns back to the group. "Well, that is slightly better luck than we've been having. Let's see about this door." He tries to open the door.

[Mr. Handy]

Irene makes her way to the door, ready to help if needed.