Faerie Trap

[dragonflai]

I am constructing a faerie trap, involving a box which shall be painted with designs based on those found on 1870's sewing machines, and shall include such enticements as a wind-up musical box and a piece of rutilated quartz wrapped round about with copper wire.  I need to find some method for causing the box to close on the unsuspecting creature, trapping it within.  So far, all I can think of is the traditional stick-and-string, which is a possibility but requires that the trapper be present to pull the string, and capable of viewing the creatures in the first place.  Any ideas for humane closures?

p.s. It already has a hinged lid.

[rovingjack]

a mouse trap like trick where the shiny bauble of enticement is put on the trigger and when it is moved it sets the mechanism in motion. In this case perhaps two or three spring loaded pegs that hold the bauble and when it's moved they close and release a trigger a spring loaded closure for the entity.

Though I'd much rather you trap monsters, I've kin among they fey afterall. 

[Otto Von Pifka]

the stick you use to prop open the lid would be two pieces end to end and just thick enough where they meet that they don't flex and collapse just standing still. the bauble would be hanging from a string in the middle of the lid and have a bit of string going away from it to the two prop sticks so that if the bauble is played with, the second string would be tugged and the sticks fold and bang goes the lid.

[Mr. Hatchett]

What about a stick with a hinge in the middle, and a lanyard ring opposite the hinge?  You could tie a string to the lanyard ring, then rig a few short sticks with loops on the ends to stand away from the box, and drill a little hole in the top.  Run the string through the loops to keep it apart from the box, feed the string through the top of the box and tie on your bait.  When you prop the box up on the stick, put the "knee" hinge facing the inside of the box, and if anything came along and tugged at the bait, they'd collapse the stick, slamming the box down.

Observe:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

[dragonflai]

I've decided to take my cue from a live rat trap I saw.  There will be a hinged platform attached to the stick, so that if anything lands on the platform, the stick moves and the lid closes.  This is, after all, supposed to be a LIVE fae trap.  And it comes with lots of warnings.  I plan to include a sheet saying:

"Submitted for the buyer's consideration: one faerie trap.  The trap begins with a simple wooden box, into which an ingenious device for the automatic production of music has been placed.  (Other enticements, such as saucers of milk or puzzles, may be added as the user desires.)  A platform allows the unsuspecting fae creature to alight and enjoy the music, whereupon the hinged platform rotates downward, causing the bar holding open the box to descend, and the trap to close.  Once the faerie is inside, Cold Iron wire and mesh (placed to enable the passage of fresh air) meet around the creature, containing him/her/it and his/her/its magickal attempts to escape or retaliate.  In order to seek refuge from the Iron, the faerie will likely retreat into the silk pouch (the magickal insulating effects of which are well known to natural philosophers and alchemists alike), from whence it may be retrieved by the intrepid trapper.  Alternatively, the creature may be viewed by one with the Sight or in possession of a seeing stone without removing it from the trap.  This may be the safer course of action.  It is also possible to insert a few drops of ether and place a glass over the mesh opening, causing the faerie to fall asleep.   Though this allows for transfer to the location of one’s choice that the creature may be subjected to experimentation, it is contraindicated in cases where the creature may subsequently escape or be avenged by its kin.  Please note: Designs by Dragonflai, its subsidiaries and associates, are not to be held legally, financially, or ethically responsible for any negative effects of faerie hunting, including, but not limited to: sour milk, missing keys and/or jewels, stolen children, blindness, enslavement, and/or gruesome death.  This is not a toy, and is not recommended for small children.

[cryptolucien]

Hi! I also participate in Middle-Ages re-creation and remembered having seen this:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r295/ConalOhAirt/SCA%20woodworking/?action=view&current=DSCF1205.jpg

It is a medieval mousetrap, but properly steampunk'd, it would truly serve your purpose.

Lucien