Anuirean Crossbowmen

[The Olesens]

Okay, if crossbows in Cerillia are so good against armor, how come no regent made a
Crossbowmen unit or something like that? Here is my warcard idea:

Anuirean Crossbowmen
Move: 2
Morale: X P
Defense: ?? (as archers)
Meele: 2? (as archers)
Missile: 3
1 Hit: Meele: 1 Missile: 2

Special: Crossbowmen get +1 to attacks against units with defense ?3 (as infantry) or
greater.

Just a rough sketch

[TOMMY.ASHTON@asu.ed]

On Mon, 21 Sep 1998 Taragin@sprintmail.com wrote:

> If we pull examples the Real World, the reason the Anuireans
> don't have crossbowmen units is precisely the fact that they punch
> through armor so well. In Europe, the Church and the Landed Nobility
> declared that it was un christian and unchivalrous to use a crossbow
> against europeans. However, for hunting or fighting heathens, a crossbow
> was just fine. I think I even remember something about different shaped
> heads on the bolts for killing different types of non-believers.
Yeah, but say someone like Raenich from Oesorde, who is slanting from the
reading towards the Church of Belnik, formed some units. He might be branded
a coward but he would gain quite a bit of power, very fast, fairly cheaply.
I guess what I am trying to say is just cause the good and just Michael
Mhoried or the Prince of Avanil who wants to be seen as noble, follows this
rule, don't let that stop the evil NPC nations from playing this hand (though
Ghoere, a pretty evil nation needs the support of the temple of Cuiraicen so I
don't think he would try to play this hand).

T
>The churches of Hælyn and Cuiraécen probably came up with the same
> thing, because the Brecht archers and the Dwarves both use crossbows
> with no qualms.
>
> Alexander.
> ************************************************** *************************
> > 'unsubscribe birthright' as the body of the message.
>

[Taragin@sprintmail.co]

If we pull examples the Real World, the reason the Anuireans
don't have crossbowmen units is precisely the fact that they punch
through armor so well. In Europe, the Church and the Landed Nobility
declared that it was un christian and unchivalrous to use a crossbow
against europeans. However, for hunting or fighting heathens, a crossbow
was just fine. I think I even remember something about different shaped
heads on the bolts for killing different types of non-believers.
The churches of Hælyn and Cuiraécen probably came up with the same
thing, because the Brecht archers and the Dwarves both use crossbows
with no qualms.

Alexander.

[Tim Nutting]

I would actually put the actual war crossbows at missile 4 because of their
weight and power. Against armored foes (heavy infantry, knights, etc.) I would
increase that missile to a 5 or a 6 (Going with The Olesens rough sketch - good
BTW). I would also say that in the field a unit of crossbows could only attack
soldiers in the same square. If soldiers are able to fire into adjacent
squares, missile score should drop by 2.

This may seem wrong, but consider that D&D formulates damage based on whether
your attack breached the armor, not whether you actually struck your opponent.
This system seems to follow the same basic rules.

The Anuireans probably don't use crossbows in the field because they feel that
it is better to have a quick firing unit of peasant archers (who are more than
likely already skilled with their bows) that can hit at range. A bolt only has
two fletchings, past 100 feet your chances of hitting are really low.

A bit of trivia: How did one hold an older hand crossbow with that long
"butt-less" stock?
A1 - In the crook of the armpit, firmly keeping the stock between arm and body.
A2 - Resting on the shoulder.

Tim Nutting

[DKEvermore@aol.co]

In a message dated 09-21-1998 12:42:56 PM Central Daylight Time,
olesens@bellatlantic.net writes:

> Okay, if crossbows in Cerillia are so good against armor, how come no regent
> made a
> Crossbowmen unit or something like that? Here is my warcard idea:
>
I think you have a great idea and it makes sense. I would offer one
additional rule. To reflect the longer reload times, crossbow units cannot
fire after moving.

Dustin Evermore

[Tim Nutting]

The early x-bows I've held and fired (all light draw and falling into the
"hand" cattegory) rested on top of the shoulder, with the shooter sighting down
the shaft at the desired target...

Later the heavier designs appeared with these balls on the end that were held
the crook of the armpit, so as not to jerk it out of your hands when fired, but
I imagine that could hurt... that's a decent pressure point there, or so my
limited martial arts have taught me...

Tim Nutting

[James Ray]

How long was that stock? Regardless, if the device was merely rested on
TOP of the shoulder, the projectile is going to be far less likely to hit
its intended target. Or so say my 2 humle GBs :)

James
- ----------
> From: Tim Nutting
> A bit of trivia: How did one hold an older hand crossbow with that long
"butt-less" stock?
> A1 - In the crook of the armpit, firmly keeping the stock between arm and
body.
> A2 - Resting on the shoulder.
>
> Tim Nutting
.