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That was the early prototype of a combined harvester. The automaton threshed the crops to separate grains from their husks and thus made farm work a lot easier. Initially the dual flail wielding automaton was supposed to be released into the threshing room once peasants had stacked their crops inside and closed the door again, but there were still minor technical bugs to be ironed out. Then the engineer who worked on it had an unfortunate accident, and his succedessor thought the combined harvester project ridiculous, which is why it was never released to the general public.

Why is the castle moat filled with aqua regia?

The king heard of this thing called "royal water" and decided that he deserved the best. Upon discovering that this water would destroy his valuables (not to mention his insides) he then ordered it all thrown out and the unfortunate alchemist that gave it to him along with it.

What's that screaming and wailing sound?

It mdom after she got locked into a black and white world. Poor kid's in rainbow withdrawal.

This just bit me. Whyyyyy?

Because it was supposed to cut meat to pieces...

Why does that painting look like it's watching you? And why does a monster come out of it to ambush you when you get close?

Actually, it's not ambush. He's glad to see you. Fluffy's been guarding the place a long time, and he really thinks it's time for a cookie. You have one?

...This chair has teeth.

The unfortunate evolution of Discworld's sentient luggage. It was supposed to have been a convenience for elderly wizards, a sort of magical wheelchair-like device. Unfortunately, they didn't breed true, and the offspring lacked the original's wellspring of magical energy, so they have to turn to predation for sustenance.

Why can't I see anything in this room?

Because you have that green stuff and your hair over your eyes.

This murk from that vase is making my head spin...

It's supposed to be a potpourri. Over time it's rotted so much the scent has become deadly.

When your friend shook the possibly nefarious robot's hand their hand got a 3rd degree burn! What happened?

The High Ambassador of the Mechanical Nation is in dire need of repair to fix a faulty heating element, and regrets that they caused your friend harm due to attempting to emulate what they have learned is a polite greeting gesture. They will thusly be paying for your friend's hospital bills.

Why does opening this door cause a blast of icy wind and snow to freeze people in place?!

Haven't you ever seen a refrigerator before? I mean, this one's an industrial-strength one, but still.

What's with the perpetual thunderstorm?

Having it rain inside sounded like a great idea for the internal garden until the atmospheric pressure caused it to be an endless thunderstorm.

So, why would there be a room where not only do the walls close together, they have spikes on them?

The spikes are all that's left of a set of rotary armor polishers. Originally, the polishers were spring-loaded so that there would only be enough pressure to buff the marks out of the knight's equipment, but they've seized up from lack of lubrication, making them always apply full pressure, with no polishing pads on the ends.

What's with the convoluted number of steps necessary to open this door?

The Prince loved puzzles. He made complicated door puzzles with his friend and they would tease each other with them, seeing how long it would take to figure to open the door.


Why did this room seal off and start filling with water after we walked in?

It's the airlock.

Why did something yucky shoot out of the hole in the floor after you stepped on that button?

That's the automatic jelly spreader. The room used to be operated by people who would toast and butter slices of bread, and then hold them over the jelly spreader and another person would activate the mechanism to evenly coat the buttered side with delicious jelly. Though I suppose after so long, the jelly's gone bad...

What's with the lever that makes a flood of icky beetles rain down on you from above?!

You've found the feeding room for the lizard brigade. The mounts can get really hungry after a battle.

There's an inscription on the wall, but when you read the words, it explodes! Why would anyone make such a thing?