7/21/2023 0 Comments Magical tree branch bow![]() ![]() Secondly, the longbow cannot be used from horseback. For one, its range is inferior to that of the composite bow, and the the arbelest (heavy steel prod crossbow), so your "peerless archers" will potentially be outranged by Men and Dwarves, and possibly *gasp* Orcs, depending on how technologically advanced these are in your setting. The longbow lends itself perfectly to close ranged forest ambushes, where Elven hunters fall upon intruding forces from the trees at close ranges, the longbow would have maximum effect, and the power of the arrow would allow it to penetrate thick forrest foliage with ease.īut, there are some drawbacks to the longbow. The armor-piercing punch of the longbow will give lightly armored Elven armies the necessary tools to defeat heavily armored enemies, such as Men, Orcs, or Dwarves. It is also increadibly practical - the bow and string can be easily waterproofed and thus will work well in any climate, be it the Elves in question Wood Elves in a temperate forest or Sea Elves in the Misty Isles. The simple (yet powerful) design fits very well with the "natural" theme of Generic Fantasy Elves it's almost like they grew the bow that way, instead of creating it artificially. The bow itself has an elegant simplicity: the single piece of yew it is constructed from naturally mimics the structure of the much more complex composite bow, with the stiff heartwood on the inner curve of the bow and the elastic greenwood on the outer curve: this, along with its size, is what makes the longbow such a powerful weapon. A longbow will out range any simple shortbow or (non-steel prod) crossbow, and is capable of armor penetration at close range. ![]() A superior longbow is made of Yew at 6' it's a powerful weapon with at long draw (to the ear), high draw weight, and a heavy, destructive arrow (the 3' cloth-yard arrow). Most Generic Fantasy Settings are heavily European, making the longbow an obvious choice - doubly so given it's Welsh origins, as Generic Fantasy Elves often draw on Celtic themes. The English (or Welsh) Longbow is probably the first weapon that comes to mind, simply because of romanticism surrounding the longbow's role in English history ("greatbows" appear in many cultures, from Scandanavia to India, but the English one is the most reknown). ![]() Given it is unlikely that one culture (and Generic Fantasy Elves tend to be rather monolithic, even after the standard "High/Wood/Sea/Dark" divide) would simultaneously develop and use both styles of bow, the question is which one fits the Generic Fantasy Elf theme best?įor those of you who are interested, some background:ġ) The English Longbow - superior close range power Both have major points in their favor, as well as major drawbacks. (There are other possible options, but these are the front runners I'll talk a little about the Japanese Asymetric Bow later.) Barring the ususal nationalistic partisanship, however, there is no clear answer to which bow is superior. but, what exactly is an "elven bow"?Īs I see it, you have two major contenders for the "best" bow: The English Longbow and the Turkish Composite Bow. ![]() So, it only makes sense for the best archers in the fantasy world to have the best bows. So, you have your generic fantasy setting, complete with your generic fantasy elves - haughty, superior, in touch with nature, superb woodsmen, and archers without peer. ![]()
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