Grinder

A grinder is constructed of wood or metal and consists of a series of huge, rotating blades designed to chop up and drive back attackers. They are custom built to the widths of the corridors where they will be used. The blades in front fill the corridor, leaving only a few inches at the sides.

With the aid of a complicated gearing system, six dwarves are able to propel a grinder at high speeds using pedals and cranks. The pedalers sit behind an iron shield, which protects them from missiles and many spells.

A grinder has a THAC0 of 10 and inflicts 3d8 damage per round on anything within reach of its blades. The best way to avoid one is to flee or to cause enough damage to stop it from working.

The flaws of the grinder are its inability to turn corners and the difficult ascent of steep corridors. Dwarf engineers have been able to overcome these problems to a limited degree. Most areas designed for grinder usage have smoothly curving corners that channel, rather than restrict, the grinder's movement. Circular rooms have also been constructed at points where tunnels converge to allow grinders to change direction (much like a roundhouse). There are even a few turntables set in the floors, at strategic locations, to allow even faster redirection.

To permit grinders to ascend steep passages, a cable is fastened to the back of the machine and connected to a winch at the top of the ascent. As the grinder descends the tunnel, the cable is let out. When it reaches bottom, the cable is winched back, pulling the grinder to the top, ready for another run.

[Complete Book of Dwarves]