Archaic weapons

                Archaic weapons generally occur on low-tech worlds only. Bow weapons are weapons involving a tensioned piece of material (usually wood) and a string propelling a pointed missile. Aslan weapons are only available to Aslan characters.

 

Blowgun (Tranq)          

                Weight neg. Length 3000mm-4000mm. A long narrow pipe-like weapon through which pellets are blown.

 

Bolas                            

                Thrown weapon consisting of cords with weights attached.

 

Boomerang       

                Aerodynamically designed throwing stick.

 

Cudgel          

                Weight variable. Length 1000-2000mm. A basic stick used as a weapon. Easily obtained from standing trees or through the use of an unloaded longarm such as a rifle or carbine (laser weapons are too delicate to be used as cudgels).

 

Fierah (bolo)                        

                Weight 100g. Length 1500mm. A strip of flexible material (origi­nally hide, now frequently plastic). It is frequently worn like a sash or belt. Weight is negligible. The fierah can be used in a variety of ways; looped, it can be used to snare or throttle an opponent; it can also be used as a sling, or the loose strands of each end can be tied around weights to form an improvised sling or bolo (taking two rounds, during which the character is treated as evading). Skill applies equally to all applications.

 

Long bow                    

                Weight 1000g. Length 1500mm. A long bow is designed for greater ranges than a short bow. Arrows (identical to short bow arrows) weigh 100g. Reloading a longbow is automatic; one shot per round is allowed.

 

Military crossbow              

                Weight 6000g. Length 1000mm x 900mm. A large crossbow intended for battle. Its heavy steel bow is cocked by a geared cranequin which pulls the string back as the lever is wound. The cranequin is normally carried on the belt and weighs 3000g, measuring 300mm x 300mm. Bolts weigh 100g each and are 300mm in length. They are not interchangeable with any other type of bolt. Reloading the cross­bow requires one round; two if the individual is treated as evad­ing. One shot is allowed per round.

 

Repeating crossbow                                          Weight 4000g (unloaded). Length 1000mm x 900mm. A crossbow with a lighter bow than the military version, and a magazine holding 10 bolts. A simple lever (much like the sporting crossbow) cocks the string and places a new bolt in position for firing. Each bolt measures 200mm and weighs 100g. It may fire one bolt per round; reloading ten bolts into the magazine requires one round, or two if the individual is treated as evading.

 

Short bow

                Weight 500g. Length 800mm. A simple bow consisting of a bow and a string. The arrow measures 300mm and weighs 100g. A quiver, to hold 10 arrows, attached to the shoulder or belt, weights 1500g. Reloading the bow is automatic; one shot per round is allowed.

Sling                             

                Weight Neg. Length Var. A simple loop of cord used to propel a stone or pellet over a relatively short distance. Reloading is automatic; one shot per round is allowed. Pellets weigh 100g each.

 

Sporting crossbow       

                Weight 3000g. Length 900mm x 800mm. A small crossbow designed for hunting; it is cocked by a lever along its side which then draws back the string to a catch actuated by the trigger. Bolts weigh 100g each, but are not interchangeable with any other type. Cock­ing and reloading the bow requires one full round, during which the individual is treated as evading. One shot is allowed per round.

 

Yurletya                      

                Weight 2000g. Length 2500mm. A combination of spear at one end and 4-pronged grappling hook at the other. The yurletya was a favou­rite duelling weapon of early Aslan cultures. It is still fre­quently used for ritual or ceremonial purposes. After any attack made with the weapon, regardless of the result, a second attack may be made in the round. One of the attacks must be with the spear end, and is treated normally. The other attack is with the hook, on a throw of 8+ (plus modifiers), the opponent is knocked down. On the next round, the opponent suffers a DM of -1 on all attacks, and the attacker(s) gain a bonus of +1 for that round only.