The Crossbow is a small, powerful bow mounted horizontally on a stock, with a sight to assist in shooting. It was famously used by the Genovesan Assassins. However, the Genovesans used smaller versions, because they were accustomed to shooting helpless people, meaning they didn't need much power. It was also very commonly used by men at arms in Araluen, typically when manning the walls of castles. Very small crossbows were used by the Arridi cavalry and the members of the Scorpion Cult train until they master the crossbow, which their assassins often tip with poison. Users can gain a level of proficiency with a crossbow in a matter of weeks.
In Brotherband, Hal Mikkelson used a Gallican crossbow which he modifies. He also moutned an oversized cross bow in his ship the Heron, named the Mangler.
Appearance[]
A crossbow, like the one used by the Genovesan Assassins. The slope also resembles the modified one Hal uses in Brotherband.
A crossbow. Note the stirrup at the front.
A crossbow looks like a small bow mounted on a stock with either a winch or a stirrup, set into the but or at the bottom, respectively. Rather than arrows, a crossbow hurls large metal bolts that can pierce whole suits of plate armor at medium-close range. There are varying sizes of crossbows, meaning varying levels of power and range.
Advantages[]
A crossbow takes less time to learn to use than a longbow or recurve bow. In a matter of a few weeks, an untrained man can aquire a level of proficiency with a crossbow. Also, a crossbow has a sight, which speeds up the training process. Thus, the crossbow is a logical choice for large militaries to train their foot soldiers with. Also, the power of the crossbow means that a bolt can shear through metal armor at medium-close range. In addition, the largest, most powerful of crossbows can outrange a longbow.
Most crossbows are also considerably smaller than a recurve or a longbow, meaning they can be more easily used in tight places, such as crowded cities like Genovesa.
Disadvantages[]
It takes far longer to load than a longbow, recurve bow, or a shortbow. Larger crossbows require a special winch to pull the string back, taking several minutes to rachet the string into the cocked position. Smaller versions, which are cocked by putting a foot into the stirrup and using a hooked tool to grab the string, then heaving back with all the muscles in the back, take around twenty to thirty seconds to reload.
Known Crossbowman[]
- Hal Mikkelson
- Genovesan Assassins
- Brad
- Queen Deborah
- Scorpion Cult members
- The Black Vultures members