Ladders in Interactive Fiction

Let's look at ladders and rungs! But not Jacob's ladders!

"Ladder" icon by Javi Ayala from Noun Project (CCBY3.0)

A1RL0CK (2023)

> x ladder (@ Rubble)

A ladder that leads at least two floors up.

Aayela (1996)

> x ladder (@ Below Manhole)

It is firmly fastened to the rock wall.

Amusement Park (2004)

> x ladder (@ Near the Slide)

It is likely too much corroded to endure your weight.

Arborea (2022)

> x ladder (@ Eco Camp)

You can climb it if you want to [one of] go up into the tree house [or] go up into the poplar tree [or] go on to the roof of the outlet [or] get down [as appropriate].
It's about 12 feet long and made of metal (but very light). If you want to lean the ladder against something, say "lean ladder against <thing>".

The Ascent of the Gothic Tower (2014)

> x ladder (@ Stretch of Tunnel)

The ladders looked a lot harder to climb up than they were to climb down.

All the ladders in the tunnels have the same description.

Augmented Fourth (2000)

> x ladder (@ Castle Ladder (three locations))

The ladder seems very sturdy and runs up the entire length of the shaft. It looks like it's made of granite, just like most everything else down here.

The Awakening (1998)

> x railing (@ Church Porch)

The railing consists of two parallel lengths of wood about an arm's span apart connected by wooden pickets. If stood on end, the rail would be about twice your height.

Berrost's Challenge (2008)

> x ladder (@ Spice Mill)

It looks stable enough for human usage. You doubt it would support the golem.

> x ladder (@ Guardtower; Top of the Guardtower)

It leads through a hole in the ceiling, and all the way [if at bottom] up to the top [else] down to the ground floor [end if] of the tower. Its mounted securely to the wall.

Birmingham IV (2018)

> x ladder (@ Experiment Room)

Actually, a set of iron rungs set into one wall, and leading up to the trapdoor.

Thomas's shattered ladder outside the watermill isn't implemented.

Biscuit (2001)

> x ladder (@ Office)

An aluminum loft ladder, which automatically slides down when the trapdoor is opened.

The Bryant Collection (2009)

> x ladder (@ Orange Room)

This is an a ladder leading to a square hole through which you can see a room with yellow walls.

This description is just for the original configuration.

BSE (1996)

> x rope ladder (@ Barn; Ledge)

A strong rope ladder, twined around several bales on the edge of the ledge. [if at Barn] It is out of reach. [if unrolled] It has been unrolled and leads from the ledge down to the barn floor. [end if][end if]

Bullhockey 2: The Return of The Leather Whip (2019)

> x wooden ladder (@ West Side of Yard)

It is a bit worn, and about 13 feet long.

Campus Invaders (2022)

> x ladder (@ Underground bunker)

To the north is the ladder that leads upstairs in the newsroom.

Carpathian Vampire (2022)

> x ladder (@ Stable)

It's a portable wooden ladder about three metres long. [either] The ladder leads up to the hay loft. [or] The ladder leads up to the window over the front door of the castle. [or neither as appropriate]

The Chinese Room (2007)

> x ladder (@ Roof)

A steel ladder on the east side of the roof. It's not funny in any way. Steel seldom is.

Chronicle Play Torn (2004)

> x ladder (@ Cellar)

A shining, steel ladder with several steps leading to a small door high in the wall.

Citizen of Nowhere (2019)

> x ladder (@ Inner Bailey)

A rather precarious looking rope ladder hangs from the airship's gondola.

Cragne Manor (2018)

> x ladder (@ Tunnel Entrance)

A rickety metal ladder is leading down the funnel, ending on the ground right at the vertical wall to the northwest. The rungs don't look very stable, but you've made it down here without any problems and could probably climb back up without any as well.

> x ladder (@ Basement; Under the Basement)

A ladder leads down through the open hatch and into the darkness below.

> x ladder (@ Malign Tunnel)

The rungs of the ladder are coated in ancient rust.

> x ladder (@ Narthex)

A ladder bolted to the wall leads up through a finished square opening in the ceiling, you would presume to the steeple--if the whipping wind and ominous creaking from above is any indication. A plastic sign at face-height indicates "STAFF ONLY Please! Thank you!"

Crocodracula: The Beginning (2020)

> x narrow ladder (@ Water Tower)

You and Zoe have climbed to the top of the water tower before. It's not that scary.

Dawn of the Demon (2005)

> x ladder (@ Base of Tower)

This is a very tall ladder which reaches all the way from the ground to the platform high up on the tower. Even without a fear of heights, it looks like a scary climb.

> x ladder (@ Platform (Top of Tower))

The ladder leads down.

The day I hugged Ghandi! (2011)

> x ladder (@ Deck)

A small ladder, leading down.

Djibouti Dirigible Discombobulation (2007)

> x rope ladder (@ Fort Yaourt-Framboise)

"Rope ladder" conjures up something about a foot wide that hangs from a treehouse. This rope-ladder was designed to allow four burly soldiers to climb abreast, and (in a pinch) could be used as a wrecking ball. Craning your neck, you can just about see it enter a hatch in the dirigible's underbelly.

Dr Horror's House of Terror (2021)

> x ladder (@ The Pool of Death)

The ladder leads up into the shadowy darkness above you.

> x ladder (@ Lighting Gantry)

The ladder leads down to the set below you.

> x ladder (@ The Archaeological Dig Site)

The ladder leads down into darkness.

> x ladder (@ The Tomb of Nefer-Kare)

The ladder leads up into the relative brightness of the studio set.

Dr. Dumont's Wild P.A.R.T.I. (1999)

> x black ladder (@ West Catwalk)

It's a black, wrought iron ladder.

The white ladder in East Catwalk has a default description. The bottoms of both ladders in Backstage West and Backstage East are not implemented.

> x ladder (@ Seating, West; Control Booth)

The ladder has sixteen rungs made of metal. Don't ask how I know that--I just do.

The Enigma of the Old Manor House (2022)

> x ladder (@ Library)

It's old, but it looks sturdy. The solid base and four wheels mean it doesn't have to actually lean against the shelves for support.

Escape from the Arboretum (2002)

> x ladder (@ under the stairs)

The rickety old, wooden ladder consists of several steps held in place by two
'A' shapes. It would appear to be a means of gaining height.
[if positioned:] The rickety old step ladder has been positioned under the trapdoor in the
ceiling. It seems to be reasonably stable.
[else:] It is currently lying on the floor.

Eye of the Inca (1992)

> examine ladder (@ Slaves quarters)

It looks heavy, being made of gold. But you should be able to carry it.

Fade to Black (2004)

> x ladder (@ Backstage at the XYZZY Awards)

Either this is small
or Boldo has large pockets.
Either way is weird.

A Flustered Duck (2009)

> x ladder (@ Farmyard)

The rungs of the old wooden ladder are uneven, and a couple of them are loose, but you've been up and down it a thousand times, and know just where to set your feet.

The Ghost Ship (2015)

> x ladder (@ Cell Deck)

It is a typical rope ladder made out of hemp and it leads up to a wooden trap door.

Goodbye Cruel Squirrel (2017)

> x ladder (@ Garage)

The ladder leans from the floor to a high shelf.

Happy Ever After (2000)

> x ladder (@ Theatre Stage)

A metal ladder is fastened to the back wall of the stage. It leads up into darkness.

Haunted House (2011)

> x ladder (@ Library)

A wooden ladder leading upstairs.

History Repeating (2005)

> x rope ladder (@ Science Lab)

The rope ladder sways gently.

> x ladder (@ Janitor's Room)

It's a small folding ladder.

Hollywood Hijinx (1986)

> x ladder (@ Attic)

The wooden ladder is folded in thirds, with the first third attached to a panel in the floor.
The ladder hangs from an open panel in the ceiling, extended to the floor of the upstairs hallway.

> x ladder (@ Cliff)

This straight ladder is made of heavy-duty steel bars. It resembles a ladder you might find on a fire escape.

The Horror of Rylvania (1993)

> x ladder (@ Church Vestry; Belfry)

It goes up.
The ladder descends to the vestry.

The House on Sycamore Lane (2019)

> x ladder (@ Murky Passageway)

Despite the missing rungs, you think you'll be able to make your way up it.

I Must Play (2004)

> x ladder (@ Structure southeast)

The steel ladder is attached to the fence and leads up to the top of the building.

Illuminismo Iniziato (2018)

> x sturdy ladder (@ First floor; Second-floor attic)

The sturdy ladder leads up to the second floor.
The sturdy ladder leads down to the first floor.

> x long ladder (@ Second floor of the brick house; Ground floor of the brick house)

The long sturdy ladder connects the ground floor directly to the second floor, bypassing the long-since rotted away first floor.

> x metal ladder (@ Sewer)

The metal ladder is securely bolted to the side of the sewer vat; it's good solid, sturdy construction.

The Impossible Bottle (2020)

> x ladder (@ Kitchen)

Right now the ladder is [retracted or extended].
It looks sturdy enough.
The ladder extends to the neck of the bottle.

> x ladder (@ Cargo hold)

It leads up to a trapdoor in the ceiling.

In a Tomb with a Donkey (2023)

> x ladder (@ Statue room)

It's a sturdy wooden ladder leading up to the hatch above.

Katana (2002)

> x chain ladder (@ Small cavern)

It's a rusty chain ladder that leads up to the room above.

> x rope ladder (@ Courtyard)

The glowing ladder reaches from the bow of the ship to within a foot of where you are standing.

The King of Shreds and Patches (2007)

> x ladder (@ Byward Upper Floor; Pit of Charybdis Balcony)

The ladder looks sturdy enough, but you can sense somehow that it stretches a nerve-wracking distance down.
The ladder climbs up out of sight through a hole in the roof of the cavern.

Koan (2002)

> x short ladder (@ East Location)

This is a short ladder. You might climb the pillar with it.

The Light: Shelby's Addendum (1996)

> x wooden ladder (@ The Ante-Chamber)

It's a long wooden ladder made up of three retractable sliding segments.

The ladder gets a default description in The Light.

> x metal ladder (@ The Viewing Platform; The Dome)

It's a rather narrow maintenance ladder, providing access to the top of the light dome.

Lomalow (1999)

> x ladder (@ Kitchen)

It's very tall -- almost 9 meters -- but very light.

Lovely Assistant: Magical Girl (2020)

> x rope ladder (@ widow's walk)

It's a rope of handkerchieves tied to the fence surrounding the widow's walk, allowing you to climb down to the dovecote.

Moonbase (2002)

> x step ladder (@ workshop)

Haven’t you ever seen a stepladder before?

Napier's Cache (2020)

> x ladder (@ Workshop)

Rather rickety, but just about safe, this ladder leads up to the room above.

Nowheresville (2022)

> x ladder (@ Junkyard)

A 2-foot aluminum step ladder.

The Obscene Quest of Dr. Aardvarkbarf (1997)

> x ladder (@ Store Room)

It's a rusty old ladder, leaned against the wall. It leads directly up to the trap door.

There is also an iron ladder at Path on West Side of Anthropology Building with a default description.

Old Jim's Convenience Store (2019)

> x ladder (@ Behind The Store)

It is a wooden ladder some 10 feet in length.
[in Low Passage:] The ladder leads up to the inside of the store.

On the Farm (1999)

> x ladder (@ Inside the Barn; Hay Loft)

The wooden ladder is made from thick slats of wood attached to the beams that support the loft.

> x ladder (@ Inside the Cow Pen; Manure Pit)

[top end:] The rusty ladder leads down into the manure pit.
[bottom end:] The rusty ladder leads up to the cow pen.

Opening Night (2008)

> x step ladder (@ Utility Corridor)

The ladder looks stable enough. It looks like there is another room above through the hole.

Pen and Paint (2010)

> x ladder (@ Equipment Room)

A long ladder. Which seems to be made of an especially lightweight variety of wood.

The Princess In The Tower (2002)

> x rope ladder (@ Outside another tower)

It hangs from an opening further up the tower. Quite convenient of someone to leave you an easy way of getting inside.

Professor Frank (2011)

> x fire escape ladder (@ West Roof)

There is an iron ladder fixed to the wall leading dorwn to the ground.

The Quest of the Golden Banana (2004)

> x ladder (@ Entrance Cave; Large Cave)

The ladder leads down through a large hole in the floor.
The ladder leads up through a hole in the ceiling.

Return to the Stars (2021)

> x ladder (@ Prison Installations Room)

A simple ladder is mounted on the wall, leading up.

Ryan Veeder's Authentic Fly Fishing (2019)

> x ladder (@ Walkway)

This fiberglass step ladder looks like it was left out in the rain and wind for a year or two. It seems to be in working condition, though, and it's more portable than a lot of other ladders.

[if first time in current session:] Let's get this out of the way: I'm not gonna be able to account for all the goofy commands you might type in about this ladder. It might end up being possible to put a ladder inside a glove compartment in this game. If something like that happens, we'll just roll with it, right? Right.

Santa's Trainee Elf (2020)

> x ladder (@ Inside Stable)

It's a wooden ladder that goes up to the hay loft.

> x ladder (@ Hay Loft)

It's a wooden ladder that goes down to the stable.

Seasonal Apocalpyse Disorder (2020)

> x ladder (@ North of Hut)

The ladder on which the hermit stands is looking a bit shaky under his feet.

The Seven Doctors (1998)

> x ladder (@ Jetty)

An iron ladder that leads up from the jetty to the fort entrance. It has clearly suffered the ravages of the sea-air, as it is covered in rust, but appears to be secure enough to take your weight.

Storm Over London (2014)

> x ladder (@ Balcony)

The ladder was made of heavy iron. I couldn't understand how the old man could have managed to drag it up to the balcony.

Stuff of Legend (2020)

> x ladder (@ Front of Farmhouse; Loft)

[bottom end:] A wooden ladder provides access to the loft above. It looks like it was designed for a child but it is sturdy enough to support your weight as well.
[top end:] The ladder provides a convenient way to get back down to the main area of the house. Certainly better than jumping or falling, at any rate.

To Catch A Dragonfly (2011)

> x ladder (@ Junk room)

A beat up old ladder.

Tookie's Song (2002)

> x wooden folding ladder (@ Circular Tunnel, South Side)

A wooden, folding A-frame ladder. The wood looks a bit rough, but certainly sturdy enough. It's about the same height as you, and currently [closed or open].

> x ladder (@ Central Well, on top of the ladder)

You are currently standing on a wooden A-frame ladder, about your height. It seems pretty sturdy, although the wooden planks are not the smoothest in the world.

Tryst of Fate (1995)

> x ladder (@ Livery Stable)

The ladder looks no better nor worse than anything else around these parts.

Under, In Erebus (2010)

> x ladder (@ End Of The Line; L____ Ladder)

[if you are normal-sized] It feels reassuringly solid.
[if you are enlarged] The ladder seems like a mere chain to your touch, not quite as long as you are tall.
[if you are shrunk] The ladder is so large that you cannot reach from one rung to the next.

Untold Riches (2015)

> x ladder (@ Cavern)

The ladder is a collection of horizontal metal rungs held up by two parallel chains that run from the floor of the cave to the ceiling. (At least, you assume it goes to the ceiling. The light from the beacon is too weak to reach the top of the ladder.)

> x ladder (@ Lantern Room)

The ladder descends into the dark cavern below.

This is the top end of the Cavern's ladder.

The Untold Story (2019)

> x ladder (@ Cave; The House of the Dwarf)

It's a wooden ladder.

Waystation (1995)

> x ladder (@ Office Supply Room)

The ladder is about three and a half meters tall, rising far above you. The controls for the ladder are well within your reach. Unfortunately, they seem to be permanently stuck. Two wheels on the bottom of the ladder allow for a bit of portability.

The Xylophoniad (2016)

> x ladder (@ Aft port pillar; Aft starboard pillar)

A vertical wooden ladder set flush against the wall.

> x ladder (@ Labyrinth exit)

A very welcome exit from the labyrinth, leading up into bright sunlight.

You've Got A Stew Going! (2011)

> x ladder (@ Beneath a Grate in the Sidewalk; Steam Tunnel North)

Rough bands of bent steel stick out of the wall. Obviously this ladder was built for use by humans, but that's never stopped you before.

Default response instances

Another Terminal Beach (2011): rusty ladder @ Camera Tower.
Bored Ladders (2011): ladders @ Observatory.
Bugged (2001): ladder @ Second Room.
The Crystal Palace (2011): ladder @ garden.
Excelsior (2014): ladder @ Central Chamber.
Excelsior (2014): rungs @ Pool Chamber.
Fifteen (1998): ladder @ Alley.
For A Change (1999): ladder @ Top of Cylinder.
The Four Eccentrics (2019): ladder @ Wild Night.
The Last Sonnet of Marie Antoinette (2001): ladder @ Seat of Omens; Mare Virtutis, South End.
Return to the Stars (2021): ladder @ Control Room.
The Seven Doctors (1998): ladders @ Snakes and Ladders Room.
Tooth Ow Zunden Won! (2001): crouton ladder @ The "Screaming Yak" Curd Diner.

No examining supported instances

Inside the Facility (2016): long iron ladder @ Magma Observation Chamber.