D U N G E O N D R E S S I N G : P O RTC U L L I S E S M I N O R F E AT U R E S & D R E S S I N G

Portcullises are imposing obstacles for adventurers. 1. Two sets of manacles and chains are attached to the
Their grid-like construction offers a glimpse of what portcullis. Dried blood mars the manacles.
lies beyond while providing defenders a powerful 2. A knight in crumpled armour and dented helmet has his
position from which to strike at interlopers. head stuck between the portcullis’ bars.
3. This partially raised portcullis is wedged open by the
M A J O R F E AT U R E S body of someone who tried to crawl underneath it.
4. A pair of spiked gauntlets grasps the bars of the
portcullis; bony hands yet remain within.
1. The portcullis is linked to a twin further along the
5. Lying sundered and smashed, the portcullis has been
passageway. When one opens, the other shuts.
torn from its housing and left crumpled in front of where
2. Intricate ligree panels depicting fauna and ora ll the
it once stood.
portcullis’s apertures. The pictures may provide clues as
6. A hole has been burrowed through the wall to the side
to what creatures and monsters lurk beyond.
of the portcullis.
3. Glittering crystals are embedded in the portcullis. The
7. This portcullis’s lifting mechanism has been sabotaged
crystals function like a hypnotic pattern when exposed to
and no longer functions. It can only be lifted through
light.
brute strength.
4. Many worn copper coins are welded to the portcullis.
8. The portcullis is half lowered.
5. The iron portcullis is made from magnetised ore.
9. Several severely maimed, and comprehensively looted,
6. Semi-precious stones are mounted into the heads of the
corpses lie crushed beneath the portcullis.
nails and rivets that bind the portcullis. (The stones are
10. A porcelain and glass wind chime hangs from the
worth a total of 300 gp).
portcullis.
7. The bars of the portcullis are made from the links of thick
11. The acrid odour of troll stench billows through the
ship’s chains.
portcullis’s bars.
8. The portcullis’s mechanism is in reverse; when opened it
12. A dead ogre lies in front of the portcullis; numerous
sinks into the oor.
arrows pierce her body.
9. Constructed from a strange wood the portcullis oozes
13. The portcullis is dripping with a pale yellow, odourless
sap which is poisonous to touch.
ooze-like substance.
10. The portcullis’s horizontal bars make a concentric square
14. Parts of the portcullis are encrusted with mineral salts
which meets in the centre.
and calcium deposits.
11. The portcullis’ mechanism has failed while it is in the
15. The portcullis is breached in the centre; hal ing and
down position; it cannot be raised (except through brute
smaller creatures may squeeze through the gap.
strength).
16. The portcullis radiates evocation magic.
12. A large brass bull’s head motif decorates the portcullis.
17. The portcullis is partially raised and is propped open by
13. The portcullis’s lever mechanism is oversized and
two large (but sadly empty) metal-bound chests.
requires a special key to operate.
18. A set of tiny bloody footprints and the drag marks of a
14. Each second vertical bar is shorter and topped with an
large object lead up to the portcullis.
eagle-shaped nial.
19. A makeshift ram lies before this rent portcullis.
15. Vicious spikes protrude from the front of the portcullis.
20. The portcullis has been lifted from its housing and lies
16. The portcullis has an array of solid wooden shutters,
on the ground. A muscular human man—crushed into
which can be opened independently of one another.
little more than pulp and gore lies beneath.
17. Delicate slivers of multi-coloured glass forming a
beautiful mosaic of a prince riding a griffon lls this
portcullis’s grid.
18. The portcullis has a large aperture set in its centre CREDIT
through which a ballista can be red. A loaded ballista
stands beyond ready to re. Five more bolts lie on the This is a short system-neutral extract from GM's Miscellany:
oor near the ballista. Dungeon Dressing. The book is available in 5e, System
19. The portcullis is crafted from cold iron and decorated Neutral and Path nder 1 editions. The OSR edition will be
with ame-like engravings. available in early 2023.
20. The portcullis’s mechanism does not make a sound
when the barrier is raised or dropped.

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