Assassin's Nest Mechanism
Trap disarm puzzle
Deadly
By
Bookwyrm
A clockwork nest of needles guarding a guildmaster's strongbox. Eight sections, one slip allowed.
The Silent Guild builds its strongboxes to kill. Eight needles, eight triggers, and a channel no wider than a fingernail between them. Nobody has opened one without a steady hand and a great deal of luck.
The clockwork ticks. Every needle is wet.